Had PND nearly a year now - will it ever go away???

[mummyemmy]

I've had PND since DD was 10 wks. I was put on Seroxat for 7 months, seemed to help at first but couldn't cope with the side affects. Then put on Venlafaxine, been on them for 4 months now, again started to feel better but have a hit a low point yet again. Have no get up and go. Have spent most of today in bed and DH has ran round like a headless chicken. Just returned from hols where I wasn't much better, DH again did everything, I'm lucky to have him but it's taking it's toll on him and think he needs some support but not sure where to get it.
I'm due to see my psychiatrist at end of august but gonna call 2moro see if i can c him earlier. Only prob whenever I've had to see him I have felt good and he says just continue as I am. I really need to be able to put in words how I'm feeling but struggle.

I've just bathed my DD first thing I have done for her all weekend, couldn't play with her just washed her whilst in floods of tears. Then when I got her out she wouldn't stay still to put on her nappy - normal I know! but I just cried uncontrollably and had to call my DH to come and finish her off even though he was busy making dinner.

I know I've gone on a bit, I just don't know when I'm going to get over this, everyone thinks now that DD is 1 I should just be back to normal and pull my finger out, but I just phsically can't!! It's driving me insane feeling like this. Any suggestions????

It does pass honestly. At least it has for me. Ds is now 23 months and I finally came off ad's at Christmas. So I was on them for just over a year. Ds was only 3 weeks when I was first put on them.

I had citalopram which were great for me.

I know how you feel. So many of us have been there but it doesn't necessarily mean you'll be there for ever.

Hang on tight.

How are you feeling today mummyemmy?

I know exactly how you feel, my dd is 15 months and i am still suffering even after 2 dose increases. I started to feel better after being on citalopram for a few months, but have gone downhill again in the last 3 weeks or so. Am due to have a hospital appointment soon as my CPN is worried as to why i feel worse.

Anyways, just wanted to leave a quick message, am thinking of you. Hope you're OK

I was wondering how you were as well.

Best thoughts to both of you.

have you tried cry - sis?, the baby charity. They are FAB. Not just about crying babies but the whole works. Number is 08451 228 669. Impartial, anonymous, friendly voice on the phone when you feel v down

Hi there - I'm in the middle of coming off Venlafaxine - started 6 weeks after DS was born, he's about to turn two.
I think it's very important not to have a deadline, and "everyone" expecting you to be OK is not helpful. Is everyone your DH? Your family? Friends? Maybe you need to get someone who does understand to explain to those closest to you - or forward them a website...
I'm seeing a pattern here - I felt very rough after about 18 months, and for a very short while I had my med.s increased, just for a month actually and then gradually back down to the minimum dose. I think it may be hormones changing back to normal - as they do over-ride the med.s if they're messing around enough! Just because you have a psych. appt. doesn't mean your GP can't play around with the dose in the interim if helpful. He will just call the psych. to tell them what he's done. If he's a helpful GP (or she of course).
I have to say I got on better with escitalopram a couple of years ago after a rough m/c (aren't they all?), but venlafaxine was suggested because anxiety is a big part of PND for some.

Do keep posting, and try Cry-sis as wotb suggested........

BTW, your DD will survive a week without a bath, if she has her paws and face washed, and DH will survive with cookiing dinner - I understand that having a wife with PND is a huge weight, but maybe he can spend time with DD whilst you have baked potatos in the oven. Neither of you will die from having basic food for a bit, and if you can afford a few ready meals/ take aways, now is the time to do it (if you're anything like I was you're not out spending money on anything else anyway.......). Keep it all strictly on a "as needed" basis.

Hope some of that helps.

Hi all

Thanks for your messages it is really appreciated. Couldn't change psych appointment as he's on hols for 3 weeks, counsellor away for 3 weeks too! Managed to get GP to call me, he saw me out of usual suregry times today. Feel so much better today than weekend and yesterday, why I don't know! GP was going to up my dosage today but cos I felt better today he kept it the same but said I can call him when I like and he wants to see me same time next week and each week until I get to see my psych again. Came home from work did some gardening, made DD's dinners, fed her, made her lunch for 2moro and put jacket spuds in for tea - very big achievement for me!! DH is doing ironing though, can't face that!! Even wen PND is not about!
Here's hoping that this good feeling lasts a bit longer......

Glad to hear from you mummyemmy, and glad you're feeling brighter today. Some days are better than others, and I suppose it's important to remember that on your bad days, there are good days to follow iyswim!

I had pnd for nearly a year and my gp reccommended homeopathy which helped enormously.
Also reiki was very helpful.
I can also recommend seeing a qualified herbalist as there are some wonderfuly nurturing remedies which will help.
I also found that eating good food helped. No junk food no refined sugar no caffein no alcohol. Loads of bananas, potatoes, fish,colourful fruits and veg and organic grannary bread.
For some people conventional medicine is perfect and will sort them out but other people will benefit more from a more gentle approach.
I tried everything to get out of the black hole of depression and it was an eye opening journey.
Lots of love to you and I wish you happiness xxx