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Original poster

Post Natal Depression support

64 replies

pinkmama · 01/12/2005 11:22

Hello
There seem to be a few threads running from people with PND, One of the overriding things seems to be feelings of isolation and loneliness and like we are the only ones who have ever felt like that. Wondered if it would be helpful to anyone if we just had alittle support thread for each other. I find it hard to join in on my post natal thread as they all seem to be coping so well, yet I think I would find it really useful if I could just come to a thread with people who were going through similar things. We could off load, support, prop up and maybe, just maybe make each other smile now and again!

Anyone interested?

and if anyone could think of a more interesting thread title I would be grateful!

OP posts:
deckthehillswithboughsofmummy · 03/12/2005 21:06

Should be ok with the coil but they aren't a miracle cure and can take as long as ad's to kick in if you are happy to take them and give it chance keep up with it honey

waggledancer · 03/12/2005 21:18

st johns wort is used much more in other countries than in the uk. It is effective but only in mild to moderate depression. Anything more serious should be treated medically and with counselling

Pagan · 03/12/2005 21:22

Can I join in??? I don't think I'm depressed I'm just pissed off most of the time but would like to add my support and 'talk' to others. My DH is away just now and not coming back til Monday

biglipskissinunderthemistletoe · 03/12/2005 22:21

ok ill carry on with the st johns wort tabs as i think ive got mild depression.. havent been to the docs as yet though.. i think ive got chronic depression

im fine thanks Pinkmama... just stayed in today and did my cards which i enjoy doing them but its hard to get off my arse in the first place to do them

ive been having a very lazy 2 days as still in my pjs due to cold and its horrible outside too.. will be goingout tmrw though

SnowQueenVictoria · 03/12/2005 22:36

AD's arent working yet except to make me quite sleepy. Fell asleep in DD's cot bed today - mustve been tired.

DP is still trying to get to grips with it. He keeps saying we need to find the solution to 'snap me out of it'. Have given him the leaflets to read and then he asked just how many of the symptoms i have since i havent really spoken to him about it.

biglipskissinunderthemistletoe · 03/12/2005 22:38

i thought you were going out 2nite ?? SQV

SnowQueenVictoria · 03/12/2005 22:38

me - no? unless i really have lost the plot on these pills.

biglipskissinunderthemistletoe · 03/12/2005 22:39

Grin Grin

biglipskissinunderthemistletoe · 03/12/2005 22:44

oh i think youre trying to arrange one atm arent ya? (pls say yes!!!)

SnowQueenVictoria · 03/12/2005 23:00

Yes - i/we are!

Am trying to get out and about even though i dont feel like it.

biglipskissinunderthemistletoe · 03/12/2005 23:27

oh you go.... as you be VERY gald that you went... as same to me as it a relief that i go out with my friends to get away from it all

Original poster
pinkmama · 05/12/2005 09:20

Hmmm, not a promising start to teh day when I start crying at 8.15! I just keep trying to tell myself it will pass.

SQV, my dh found it hard initially. Think at first he found it a bit hard as panicked it was becuase of him, I was unhappy with him etc, but once he got his head round it not been in any way connected to him (other than fact he obviously impregnated me 13 months ago ) he has been great. I told a couple of friends, but a dont really feel I can get anyone to understand (in lower moments feel I cant get anyone to care). My sister is fab but 300 miles away.

Deckthehillswithboughsofholly, sounds like you have had an emotional rollercoaster over that last few months. No wonder you feel so down.

OP posts:
biglipskissinunderthemistletoe · 05/12/2005 09:29

pink - do you go to counselling as im waiting for mine...... how is your little one and im gald that youve got friend and family around you.. i havent told my mum yet and i dont know when either!! got thinking how to do it!!

biglipskissinunderthemistletoe · 05/12/2005 09:30

as mum is going thru a tough time atm so wondered when is the good time

SnowQueenVictoria · 05/12/2005 09:59

DP keeps thinking he just needs to find something to "snap me out of it". Im trying to explain that its not about being sad about something in particular.

I seem to be a bit brighter and less foggy thsi morning so im hoping that its the AD's beginning to do their stuff.

Wont be telling my mum because inevitably it will end up being about her somehow or another and she will tell everyone, pretty much indescriminately, about it. I dont want the whole world to know about it because alot of people dont get what its about.

Original poster
pinkmama · 05/12/2005 10:31

You are right SQV about people not getting what its about. I tried to talk to friends as I kept reading it was thing to do, tell people, get support. But the support hasnt been forthcoming and in some ways it makes me feel worse and wish I hadnt tried.

I am waiting for counselling BL, but god knows how long it will take. Hopefully not as long as it takes in your area!

Sometimes I feel I just need a reality check. I cant always tell if how I feel is how most people would feel, or if its the pnd that is making my perception odd.

OP posts:
peachandpear · 05/12/2005 11:01

Ah, found you SQV! Wondered how you were doing. ADs can sometimes take a couple of weeks to take affect. How you feeling? Been thinking of you!

SnowQueenVictoria · 05/12/2005 13:54

Thanks peachandpear. Ive had a few rough days but felt better this morning. First morning in a good few weeks where i got up without having to get up IYSWIM. This afternoon is not so great - DS wont sleep today and i struggle not to get stressed about not sleeping, not eating etc.

But HV is coming round this afternoon so hopefully she will have something helpful to say.

Original poster
pinkmama · 05/12/2005 14:02

SQV, how long have you been taking the anti ds for? I am really beginning to feel I should ask for some. I feel the bad day/good day ratio is going in the wrong direction. DH keeps trying to reassure me I seem no worse, but I am not convinced. Could be I blame every mood on PND, when even if I wasnt depressed I would get angry/cross/fed up now and again. Cant decide whether to hang on for counselling or not.

OP posts:
SnowQueenVictoria · 05/12/2005 14:17

5 days now. They arent supposed to really kick in for 10+ days (can take up to 4 weeks apparently) as the have a cumulative effect.

However, in my case i believe the drowsiness they give me after ive taken them helps me sleep which i was seriously lacking in and that has made the difference so far.

biglipskissinunderthemistletoe · 05/12/2005 14:47

pink - have you tried st john worts tabs? as ive been takin them for over a month now but its still not worked yet but may take up to 2 mths for it actually to work..

my waiting list for my counsellors is 6 mths (till apr) and it is a bloody long time to wait.. ive told the docs and they cant put it forward for me (cos the counsellors discharged me last time by mistake - long story!) so ive gotta wait for this time as well!!

im going to my docs this week to see about ADS.. and same to you esp when youre crying all the time im giving you a (((((((hug)))))) as he might give you loads of info about other places to go whilst youre waiting for the counselling.. pls hang on for the counselling as i am..

didnt you get a booklet to help you thru whilst youre waiting? as im waiting to start on the "cognitive behavoural therapy"

Hadalifeonce · 05/12/2005 15:58

hope you don't mind me joining in.... I had PND after dd was born (nearly 3). I was so lucky, dh was really supportive. My GP was brilliant, he diagnosed me on a Thursday, then telephoned on Friday to say a psychiatrist would visit me on the Monday. My hv put me in touch with an organisation called Homestart.
I was on ad's for about 10 months, seeing the psych about every 6 weeks, I was able to call for more appointments if I felt I needed.

I know how hard it is, and you may not beleive this at the moment, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Take each day as it comes, I found not planning was best for me, then I couldn't let myself or anyone else down.

Sorry this is so long! Hang on in there.

deckthehillswithboughsofmummy · 05/12/2005 16:08

Arghh don't talk to me about homestart. Teir areas finish ten doors away from me in all directions so no help there.

gemma97 · 05/12/2005 17:30

I am very proud to say that I am seeing a psychiatrist (referred by GP to community mental health) and taking ADs which are helping me to feel so much better. Not exactly grinning all over my face but back getting interested in stuff, people and general goings on. When I first went to see him I felt like a freak and that I must be the only mum in the world who couldn't cope. I now realise that I was coping but feeling so low, miserable and useless that I just couldn't be bothered with anything. I didn't even know if I loved my beautiful dd and sometimes was scared that I might hurt her when she cried.
I am writing this in the hope that someone else might read it and realise that, with help, it is possible to get past this difficult and frightening part of your life.
Big kisses to all of you.xxxxx

SnowQueenVictoria · 05/12/2005 20:04

my hv came today. She did witter for 40 minutes but some of it was helpful.

She did suggest counselling but i honestly dont feel i need it. I dont really know what i'd talk about tbh.