Insomnia and pnd

[bluemarie87]

So I had a baby 8 weeks ago and I love him to absolute bits but I have pnd and insomnia. I was on sleeping medication and managed to come off it and have two weeks of sleep without it but for a week I've had to take it again, no idea why I can't sleep again.

Any positive outcomes of pnd and insomnia will be reassuring so please tell me things get better. I want to be me again, and not just for a few hours a week, all the time! How long until I'm better?

Bump

My daughter had a really tough time with this until she spoke to the Association for Post Natal Illness, a charity that gives the most amazing advice and support for PND. They were wonderful and the mentor they give you is always ready to help you through the difficult times, I can’t recommend them highly enough.

Hi OP. I really feel for you. I had PNA with insomnia. It was awful. Are you breast feeding? When I stopped my sleep got better as I had a shift in hormones.

@Battlebots can you tell me it gets better. I'm not breastfeeding anymore as I had to go on sleeping tablets. Was on then two weeks then managed to sleep unaided for 16 days now I'm back o sleeping tablets for the last week again.
I'm also on antidepressants and anti anxiety medication and I am FED UP! Why can't I sleeeep! I'm tired!!!!!

The AD and AA medication should be helping your insomnia. How long have you been taking them? If more than a few weeks, they should be kicking in. Can you speak to your doctor. Is one or the combination not helping your insomnia?

Or are you taking them at the wrong time of day? The night?

@Battlebots
I've been on medication for 6 weeks. Been on anti anxiety tablets for 4 days.
None of them are helping with the insomnia. My insomnia at the beginning was so bad I had about 3 hours sleep in 9 days. Not babies fault! Then I managed to start sleeping unaided now for the last week I'm back on them (zoploclone) they work so I get sleep and I manage to get back to sleep when I've woke up so that must be of my own accord.
How long did it take for you to get better? I feel much better with having some sleep than I did but the anxiety is so bad (I assume it's anxiety) as my whole body aches and it tense including my jaw.

@Battlebots oh and I'm taking them when I wake up on a morning. Along with the anti anxiety, vitamin d and magnesium supplements

Did the AD's not help with the sleep? You may need a bit more time for the anxiety meds to kick in. Did the doctor say how long it would take? Go back if you don't feel better after that time.

I know doctors don't like prescribing zopiclone for a long period of time, but it's good it is working. Is there not something you can take longer term?

Is there a support group you could visit as the poster below suggested? Do you have family / a supportive partner that could help you have a rest in the day? Although if you can't sleep, it is very frustrating!

You sound like you are coping really well. Take it day by day. It will get better. Your baby is only 8 weeks so it will take time for the hormones to calm down. It took me months, but I started to feel a lot better when I stopped breast feeding, but my baby was 6 months.

Also, you may need the sleeping tablets whilst the anxiety meds are taking time to work

You could try a weighted blanket to see if that helps you sleep - they are supposed to be very good for people with anxiety.