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Original poster

Can it be PND with 10 month old?

29 replies

ratherbesleeping · 24/10/2008 13:01

Subject says it all really; have 4 children had terrible PND with number 3 and was really thrilled not to have suffered this time. But after a fantastic pregnancy, home birth and a wonderful 10 months relishing every minute of my last child I suddenly feel like I'm going under

Can it really be PND kicking in this late!

OP posts:
RaspberryBlower · 24/10/2008 15:17

Oh sorry you're feeling like this. It does seem rather late, but I read that it can appear anywhere up to a year post birth. Since you've had it before I'd go to the docs if I were you and get it nipped in the bud. Also get tested for other things, like thyroid problems. I felt fine for five months and then went suddenly downhill, and it has turned out to be my thyroid rather than pnd. Has there been anything else to trigger your feelings?

ilovetochat · 24/10/2008 15:19

i felt the same when dd was 9 months, really low all of a sudden and it lasted 3 months.

ConnorTraceptive · 24/10/2008 15:20

Yes it can be. DS2 is 8 months and I went to the dr's yesterday.

Dr has ordered some blood tests first to rule out anything physical. Get yourself checked out.

fullmoonfiendbloodcurdlinghowl · 24/10/2008 15:21

PND can be officially diagnosed up to a year. After that and 'technically' becomes full-blown common or garden depression.
If you are convinced you have been fine up to know, it could well just be plain old struggling to cope. Are there other factors? Lack of support at home? Are you eating and sleeping ok?

wotulookinat · 24/10/2008 15:26

I have been suffering with PND, and although it was clear that something was wrong very early on, I didn't seek help until my son was 14 months old. Best thing I ever did, though.

WigWamBam · 24/10/2008 15:35

It's not late at all; the psychiatrist I saw when I was diagnosed told me that 8 - 9 months is the average time for PND to kick in. I didn't take the medication at that time, and when I went back when dd was three it was still classed as PND.

Raspberry is right though; underactive thyroid is very, very common in women who have recently given birth and it is very often misdiagnosed as PND. Ask for some blood tests to be done just in case.

candyfluff · 24/10/2008 16:53

i had pnd when my 2nd child was 8 months it hit me so hard and i didnt have a clue what it was i was suicidal in the end b4 getting help hope you get help and there is light at the end of the tunnel

BriocheDoree · 24/10/2008 17:10

Hit me both times around 8/9 months - change of diet and various vit. supplements (and wonderfully understanding doctor) fixed it for me so I was lucky. With me it was linked to but back in BF'ing / periods starting again.

Original poster
ratherbesleeping · 24/10/2008 17:36

Thank you all so much for your supportive messages, obviously made me weep.

It has hit me like a brick this week, a sudden sense that I would rather be in bed than with any of my (wonderful) children. A feeling of utter exhaustion and worthlessness. Am piling on weight which is making me feel terrible, I mean, it's not rocket science is it - eat less!!!!

From the moment I get up I am counting the hours 'til bedtime. Almost called husband (he's fantastic btw) home from work today because I felt I couldn't cope.

Up until this week I have been LOVING being a mum and the slightly chaotic nature of 4. I saw my GP (about something unrelated) about 4 weeks ago and she was thrilled to see that I didn't have PND this time. Now I even feel I'm letting her down.

So sorry to ramble, just feel so sad that it might be about to strike me down again!

OP posts:
Original poster
ratherbesleeping · 24/10/2008 17:38

Should probably add that I didn't seek help last time until dc was about 6 months although I know I was suffering from day 1. This time I was so sure that I was free of it as I have had no symptoms until now

OP posts:
fullmoonfiendbloodcurdlinghowl · 24/10/2008 18:57

so are you going to seek some help this time? It does sound like a visit to the gp might be in order....
I can't imagine what it must be like with 4 children, and one a baby. I'd say you had done marvelllously well to get this far. x

Original poster
ratherbesleeping · 24/10/2008 20:13

Thanks fullmoon..... am now sobbing into the keyboard again!!! Had a long talk with dh tonight, I feel like I'm on the edge of the precipice and with his help will give it a week or so to see if I can fix it without falling in.

Exercise was vital to my recovery last time and despite feeling too fat etc etc I haven't yet got to the blackhole stage of that becoming an impossible feat so will try for a child free swim or jog tomorrow.

DH has offered to give me a decent lie in on both days at the weekend because he feels that I am not like I was last time and that it might be more a case of exhaustion than depression.

So watch this space I guess, thank you everyone for being an anonymous, non judgmental, ear - I'm very grateful

OP posts:
fullmoonfiendbloodcurdlinghowl · 24/10/2008 20:44

we're here if you need us. Good luck

RaspberryBlower · 25/10/2008 07:49

Hi ratherbesleeping, with tiredness and weight gain as you describe - I would definitely get that thyroid checked out if you don't start feeling better with a rest and some exercise. Having said that, it is no wonder you're exhausted with four children and one a baby. Hope you feel better soon.

RaspberryBlower · 25/10/2008 08:05

I forgot to say - you are not a failure! I know that in your rational mind you know this as by your own admission you've managed to produce four wonderful children who are no doubt lucky to have you as a parent judging by the nice way you talk about them.

RaspberryBlower · 25/10/2008 08:25

Sorry I just read your posts again and realised it was only the doctor you said you felt you'd be letting down. I think my last post was a case of transferring my own feelings onto you! Anyway, I'll stop babbling now. Hope you feel better soon

lazyhen · 25/10/2008 12:05

I came on here to post the same question. My DD is 9 months old and has been a really good baby. This week she's had an awful bug so there have been disturbed nights, mountains of washing and lots of screaming. I heard yesterday afternoon that I hadn't got a job that I'd applied for, and to top it all off I got paid but it less than I thought I was going to.

Anyway, DH went back to his afternoon shift and I just felt completely broken. DD was crying... wouldn't eat, wouldn't be picked up, put down and then I did something really stupid. Whilst she was lying on the floor I punched the floor next to her really hard in frustration. I spent last night in A&E (told them I'd injured it playing with the dog) as I've fractured a bone in my hand. My parents were brilliant as I called them soon after it happened. Anyway I felt deeply ashamed and humiliated but confessed to my Dad that we're pretty broke. He said they could lend us some money to sort us out which was good to hear. Anyway, cut to this morning, DH has gone to work and I'm losing my mind again. I just feel I want DD to be with someone else for a while. I know she's obviously feeling shit but that level of noise is horrible. Also trying to do anything with a hand bandaged is really painful so I've just made everything a whole lot worse for myself.

Now I'm wondering if it's a horrible set of circumstances that was just a one off or if it is PND. I always thought I was borderline in the early days and then around 3/4 months but thought it had all passed.

I'm quite frightened and not sure what to do. Sorry to hijack the post - Just a very similar situation!

RaspberryBlower · 25/10/2008 12:27

Poor you lazyhen, you must be feeling awful. Can your parents take her from you to give you a break? Or can DH take some time off work? My advice to you would be the same - go to the doctors or speak to your HV if she's supportive. You are obviously under a lot of stress but your feelings about it sound pretty intense. I didn't want to go to get help at first because I'm very independent, but I'm glad I did and I'm sure there will be lots of other people on here who'll say the same thing.

lazyhen · 25/10/2008 14:02

Thanks raspberry. My parents are really good but even if I hand her over I feel bad becuase she's ill and guilty that I should be the one taking care of her. DH has had some time off already (unpaid) to look after DD so I could go into work, and he has a minor operation next week too, so it's all a bit difficult!

What help did you actually get? I have to say I worry about taking antideppresants just becuase of the stigma...

Original poster
ratherbesleeping · 25/10/2008 15:31

Lazyhen, don't worry - not a hijack, it's good to share experiences.

Sorry everything is so tough for you right now (makes me feel guilty for being so pathetic as I have no external worries at all) I'm the last person to give advice other than to say there is no stigma about ads. They just help get you to a place where you can help yourself.

OP posts:
brightongirldownunder · 25/10/2008 15:40

Ratherbe, I definitely had some form of PND at about 10 months - after 2 months of DD with terrible teething, broken nights etc. Problem was I didn't tell anyone as I didn't want people to see I was weak and presumed they would think I was a bad mum. It took me breaking down infront of my family to realise something was wrong. It really helped to admit it to family and friends as I finally got tehelp I should have asked for. make sure you can get some time to yourself in order to judge whether its lack of sleep or anything more serious. You should prob go and have a blood test too, just to make sure you're ok. I was anaemic which didn't help.
Hope things get better soon.

Original poster
ratherbesleeping · 25/10/2008 15:52

Thank you Brightongirl. I think the blood test is a good idea and not as scary as admitting it's happened again

OP posts:
brightongirldownunder · 25/10/2008 16:02

look after yourself. x

saffiw · 25/10/2008 16:06

Yes, my doctor told me you can get pnd up to two years after birth.

RaspberryBlower · 25/10/2008 17:20

Hi lazyhen, you asked what support I got. I work in mental health so found it really hard to admit that there might be something going on with me. I was initially offered anti d's until they worked out it was my thyroid, and now I've got meds for that. I certainly would have taken the ad's though and I would in the future if I needed to. I was also referred to a PND support service for counselling and support. As I said, it turned out to be my thyroid, but they are still offering me support as it is affecting my mood until they get the meds sorted out. Tbh the best thing for me was actually admitting there was a problem in the first place and then going for help, I realised I had some options and some control over my situation.