PND, baby blues, Zoloft & beyond

[Deliaskis]

Hi ladies,

First post on MH and it's a big step for me so please be gentle.

My first DD is almost 5 weeks old and I've been really struggling with what I thought was baby blues/hormones, and now I think it might be something more.

I have been to the Drs and he just (rather quickly I thought) said 'sounds like PND' and wrote me a prescription for Zoloft. The thing is, I'm not against taking them per se, but it's a 6 month (minimum) course (and course sounds like 'sentence' in my head) and I'm not sure if what I'm feeling will sort itself out in a few weeks anyway as it is clearly baby related.

So at the moment I'm going with not taking them, but would like to hear from anyone with similar experiences - is it likely that this could just be extended baby blues and it will get better over time, or should I just start with the meds now?

Any experiences welcome.

Dx

Hi Delia, I have been prescribed anti depressants after visiting my doctor last week, she said to start them now, and that I would probably be on them for a year as it's only when I've felt good for six months that it's recommended to come off them.
You could give yourself a few weeks to see how you feel or if you o think it's PND take them and see how you go. I never wanted to take ad's but don't really have a choice, as I have a history of depression and know it's not going to go on it's own. I am also working on CBT stuff too and challenging my thoughts and feelings.
I hope the helps. Xx

Hi Bensmum and Delia,
My second DC is now 1yr and I have been battling with PND for a year now. In retrospect I realise I had it with DS (now four) as well, but it was never diagnosed.
This time round I went to the GP when DD was about 12 weeks and told her I was struggling - she promptly prescribed Prozac and told me I owed it to my children to take it, even though I told her that I categorically did not want to. I tried to ask her about whether it would sort itself out on its own, and if so how long it would take, and she was really unhelpful.
Went home and started the Prozac (which I have taken successfully in the past) and had a dreadful time. Became completely panicked, unable to eat, totally unsettled and various other symptoms. Rang GP in tears & was told that "it might be the drugs, it might not, there's no way of knowing really"
Was so upset that stopped taking them and tried to carry on. Was too scared and upset by attitudes to go back to GP.
Finally at DD's nine month check the health visitor as she was leaving asked how I was (I had made up my mind not to say anything as I was embarassed as she had a student there) but I just burst into tears!
She was amazing and so supportive and helpful - I wish I had got in touch with her earlier. I told her that I didn't want to just take any old drugs that the GP wanted to dish out and she arranged for me to see a counsellor who is BRILLIANT!
I still have low days but I am getting there slowly.

Sorry about the long ramble, I guess the message I am trying to get across is that you have to put your foot down and get the help that you feel happy with - it is worth it in the long run. Just don't do what I did and leave it too long!!

Thanks mummymellie. I have now been taking the antidepressants for three weeks and have definitely seen an improvement in how I'm feeling, it probably also helps that Inc ing out of the newborn haze! My doctor and health visitor are incredibly supportive so I guess I have been very lucky

Bensmum, I am so glad you are feeling well. I am going to go to the Drs tomorrow as I think I finally have to admit to myself that I have PND. I had a previous bout of depression around xmas 2009 and was on fluoxetine/prozac until I got pg with dd in april/may last year and they worked wonders. I tried something else beforehand but had side effects, and for me personally I got on very well with prozac. I only came off them cos I was pg - and luckily my symptoms didn't return til now (dd 12 weeks) and I had a very happy pg. As long as you are suffering no side effects and they are helping, there is no harm in taking ADs long term. The important thing is that you are well. It's often just one little pill once a day.

I'm not saying that ADs are the magic cure for everyone or that they shouldn't be combined with other therapies where appropriate, but often they just take the edge of enough to give you the strength to sort yourself out. For me they weren't mind- altering or scary, they just made me feel "ok" and myself again. There is a needless stigma attached to them IMO. My advice would be to make sure you are on the appropriate ones and KEEP GOING BACK if you get any adverse effects. They are all as effective as eachother for dealing with the depression, but everyone responds differently in terms of side effects, but hopefully you seem to have found the right one for you and it is doing you good. Good luck sweetheart. x

Thanx MsScarlet. It always helps to hear that there is nothing wrong with taking AD's. They have definitely taken the edge of my anxiety and helped me to put things into perspective

Yes definitely. I found they just calmed my mind a bit, and helped me feel like me again. Glad you're getting sorted. x