Those with PND, what are you taking for it?

[littleboyblue]

My gp prescribed me Fluoxetine, 20mg, one tab a day.
Is this a low dose?
I ask because my hv got ne the appointment with the gp, I went in, he told me how I felt and didn't give me much time to tell him how I'm feeling, he first tried to give me sleeping pills because I'm clearly just tired and frustrated. I said no way and he then just sort of tossed me the slip for anti-d's and said go back and see him next week.
I don't really want to take them, but kind of feel like I don't have the physical or emotional strength to keep pulling myself out of these difficult days, so maybe I do need something to help me through it.
Anyone else taking this?

DAISY I did look to see if there was a support thread for PND, would be a great help for many people no doubt. Luckily for me, you, Carnberry and ouchitreallyhurts came and gave me support, reassurance and advice which was fab.

As of yet, I don't think I've experienced any side effects from the meds, but it's only been 3 days, so we'll see.
I've had a good day today, apart from the fact that I am wet through. I went to get ds2 weighed, we then went to play group and then to Tescos and are now having a bit of lunch before i try to get ds1 to have a quick nap so I can do a spot of cleaning.
We normally go out first thing everyday so I don't have time to think about it iyswim, this is why I do my food shopping daily for that day only, it ensures we go out every day.
Hopefully this afternoon will stay a good day, I am going to gp to ask about these tablets and hopefully get better advice than last time!

Cranberry Hope you're doing ok. Is dh back yet?

LBB - how'd you get on at the Dr's?

Yes DH is back so an extra pair of hands I'm feeling so rough this afternoon, I just have to keep lying down, god I hope this passes soon. I'll be in touch tomorrow

Big hugs x

Hi. All went fine at doc's. He did the test on me and I scored 15 out of 30 which doesn't seem too bad does it? I don't know what the 'pass' mark is though........
He said I seemed to be doing fine, but today has been a good day, I've been fine all day, but he said he's happy to keep me on the AD's and I'm to go back in about 3 weeks for a follow up.

Sorry you've had a rough day. I really hope you feel better soon, especially all these physical symptoms. Hope you have a nice evening, and manage a few hours 'off' now dp is home.

Cranberry You ok? How's today going? Hope you're feeling better.

I saw hv today, she wants to keep in touch weekly either by phone, clinic visit or home visit, up to me if i don't mind, she just said she'd like to follow up so I know there's the support there. She also asked if I wanted her to send home start round. Don't know what that is, but I think we'll be ok. Was feeling bad earlier, wasn't really in the mood to go out or do anything, but today's turned out to be quite good, we've been out most of day at play group and park and I've had some adult conversation which was lovely!

So pleased you've had a good day and better still that you've support on hand Might be worth looking into Home Start if it's offered, not sure what it is though?
Well done for getting out and about today

Well I was ready to throw in the towel this morning, I just felt so dreadful but my dh persuaded me not to give in yet. A couple of friends popped round which cheered me up and this afternoon I've felt a bit better, fingers crossed I'm over the worst?
It's quite good that I walk DS1 to and from school, at least it get's me out in the fresh air

Hopefully I'll sleep better tonight.

Fresh air always helps me too - although myPND is over now (see there is light at the end of that tunnel!!) I still have the odd low day premenstrually and a walk can be really good medicine.
homestart are great if they cover your area - you can refer yourself through their website or ask your HV to do it - they can offer trained volunteers to pop round and offer adult conversation (oo-er, not that kind!!) or be company for you at the toddlers group, supermarket - whatever. they didnt' cover my area sadly but a couple of friends of mine who had PND found their volunteer's invaluable and are still great friends with them now.

Cranberry Glad you are feeling a bit better. You're right, a good old bit of pavement pounding is great for working away the mood swings and low points isn't it? Tbh, I was feeling a bit low this morning until I actually got to play group, adult company makes the world of difference. Although ds1 escaped, I took my eyes off him for a matter of minutes to pick the baby up and he was gone, cue me running round like a headless chicken screaming his name, flung myself outside just as the postman was bringing him back! Thank God! but did not do my feelings of uselessness any good!

ouch I'd feel really funny getting home start round then.........almost like I was begging for a friend? I can see how it could help, but not sure if I'll do it..........maybe if I get to the stage I was at last week then I'll think about it. Or maybe I should get someone else to come to playgroups with me and watch ds1 when I need to put ds2's coat on

God these meds are the pits, I hope the side effects wear off soon. Last night I was struck with insomnia, I must have looked at the clock every hour and the few times I drifted off I'd wake with a start and only 10 mins had passed, so so horrible.
I spend the afternoon dozing on the sofa when DS was asleep.......I want to feel better now not in 2-3 bloody weeks, aaarrrgh!!!!

At least the sun in shinning so got my bit of fresh air and adult chit chat on the school run. I'm really fortunate to have great friends too and they been taking it in turns to pop in a see me as I don't really feel upto going out, at least DS gets out too then.

Feeling a bit sorry for myself today

Hello havent read the whole thread but just thought I would add my experiance.
I was put on citalopram. I wanted to give up so many times. They made me feel horrendous and even worse than I had done previously. Everyone told me to keep going for 8 weeks and I thought they had begun to work but if im honest with myself They have only really started working over the past few weeks. That said I feel better now than I have done in years. Im able to compe with the children crying and have learnt that there are good and bad days.
I have also learnt to just give myself a break. the house is usually a mess because of this but my head seems so much better. Before it felt like it was filled with cotton wool. I started them at the beginning of the year and i would say it has taken about 3 or 4 months for them to really kick in. Keep going and make sure you rest lots as they make you feel rough.

Hope things start to pick up for you soon. I never thought I would feel normal again but now I really feel like my life is going in the right direction and that things are on the up.

Cranberry Is it worth trying to switch to another brand? This sounds awful! I'm so sorry the meds are having this affect on you

spookycharlotte Thank you for coming and talking to us and sharing your experience. I feel quite lucky as I'm not experiencing any negative side effects from them yet. It's only been 6 days though.

We had a reallly bad nigt, they were both awake on and off all night so in the end, I gave up and we got up at 4am. Needless to say, haven't been feeling great today.

Thank you for replying spooky I knew the first two weeks would be tough, I really did feel like stopping but have carried on. I slept better last night thankfully. I haven't done much housework lately but managed to clean the bathrooms today.
I pleased your feeling better, I know these things take time. I was on them 9 months last time and really worked so it was worth it.

LBB I'm pleased your not suffering with your meds, hopefully you'll start to feel better too soon.
All meds carry side effects and having been on these previously I know they work. I was actually put on Fluxotine first last time and they sent me hyper, I didn't sleep for a week!!
Hope you had a better nights sleep, I'm shattered now from my cleaning, how pathetic is that.

Hi Cranberry It's not pathetic to be shattered after cleaning. Especially with all this going on. I still have to work very hard just to function, but hope that'll also get better as the meds kick in.
I am also looking forward to not feeling low and down and rubbish and guilty.
I ended up telling a friend of mine today that I have started taking these tabs because she commented on how I have a lot of guilt that I need to work at getting rid of. It's mostly because I see the frustration, jealousy, anger etc on ds1's face, and I do feel really guilty, he didn't ask for a baby, and he really does get frustrated, he is only 20 months. Then I feel guilty towards ds2 because I feel guilty about ds1 if that makes sense?

So, what is it exactly these pills will do? They control certain hormones released from the brain to control my moods? Will they take away these feelings of guilt? Or will they just numb all feelings?

The tears are back today. I'm really miserable and pissed off today, I feel awful, just completely drained and like I could slip into a black hole and stay there forever.
I hate my dp and am seriously thinking of leaving. I do everything with my 2 ds's (20 months and 12 weeks) on my own, apart from dp baths ds1 and puts him to bed, and expects me to be eternally grateful for it, so I get minimal hands on help and support and he'll only do something if he feels I have to. I think he only does bedtime with ds1 because ds1 has always got in the bath at 7pm, and at 7pm I'm still settling ds2, so he feels he has to do it, but any other time, I could litterally be changing both nappies at the same time, one handed each and he wouldn't offer to help.
I also don't get any emotional support from him. He never tells me I'm a good mum, he only ever tells me he loves me if I tell him first and evertime I just want a hug, it has to turn into sex and I've had enough. I think I want to be on my own now too.

So sorry you are feeling like this today and that it's taken me until to respond, I really feel for you. It doesn't sound like your dp is being very supportive, have you tried talking to him? He needs to help you. Do your parents live near by, can they help you?
It's early days with your meds, don't do anything hasty, wait until your feeling stronger, poor you, sending you big hugs.

Maybe it's a Friday thing, I've had a really rough day today, my anxiety is high again and I feel very panicky tonight, I think I'm expecting too much too soon.

Try and get some rest, hopefully your weekend will be better.

I give up talking to my (d)p. He just either doesn't listen or doesn't care.
My parents are in London. I am not, we live in Middlesex, only about 30 mins door to door. I've been on the phone telling them how I'm struggling, they both know I'm taking AD's now, and I've even said to them "what more do I have to say to people to get some help?". Eve when I am really obvious and ask one of them to come and help me, I'm always left feeling like I'm stopping them doing something else, so I tell them to just forget it. They don't call me to find out how I'm doing, I have to call them mostly. I've just had enough of it all. I'm thinking about today taking the boys over to my mum's, not sure I can be arsed though. We stayed in all day yesterday, I couldn't even face getting dressed. I just feel like I don't care about anything anymore. I hate this. I still hate dp.

Hope you feel better today and the anxiety is coming down. It really does sound like you shoud try a different brand though. Surely this is worse than just the depression before going on meds??

I would go over to your Mum's, if she see's you she may understand more, it's better to talk to her face to face, I think when we feel low we feel like a burden and are not forceful enough at asking for help.
The tablets take time to work I know, it's so hard as we just want to feel better the minute we pop the first one, if only.

I was struggling with anxiety before so it's no different, I just know the tablets haven't kicked in yet and enforces why I am taking them. I'll carry on for another week, most the side effects have subsided now and I had a better nights sleep.

Reading back over spookys post and other bits I've read online I know things often get worse before they get better and we just have to keep going.

Hope you have a better day, at least the sun is shinning

I did go to mum's, but as I don't get that way too often without dp, I took the opportunity to catch up with some friends. Dp is quite shy so always stays pretty quiet and I feel guilty making him socialise with people that he has not much in common with.
We had a lovely day, so am feeling a bit better at the moment.

It probably did you good to catch up with your friends, change of scenery and conversation. See how things are once your feeling better. I'm pleased you had a good day.

We has a lovely day too, dh took us all out for lunch then spent the afternoon out in the fresh air so I feel much better myself.

Here's to a good nights sleep x

How you doing today? I'm having a pyjama day. I'm struggling to keep my eyes open, nevermind do anything productive!! Had a really good night last night, ds1 slept all through and ds2 slept from 7pm until 3:30am and then 4:30 til 7, so I had loads of sleep. I think it might be the tablets leaving me feeling a bit drained? I'm sure I read that was a side effect......I've also got that empty feeling again today, almost like I don't actually care about anything at all. I'm not happy, sad, angry, or anything really, feels most odd.

My DS slept until 8:45am!!! Fab lie in too I've spent most the day ironing, what joy!
I'm still feeling weird, my vision seems a bit funny today? I was saying to DH today the problem is I felt physically unwell then you throw a load of side effects into the mix and I'm bound to feel worse before I feel better, I just want to get through this week and so how I'm feeling then. It's DS2's 2nd birthday next weekend and we're having a biug bar-b-que so I need to find some energy this week to get things arranged.

You might find you start getting a few side effects this week as the meds kick in, hopefully nothing to bad. Lots of rest is the key

What a fantastic lay in.
Hope ds2's birthday goes well, no doubt I'll hear about the planning and the party as it all happens.
My vision was a bit dodgy this morning, didn't think much of it at the time, but now you mention it........
Also, I've noticed my concentration is worse today. Dp apparently said the same sentance to me 4 times before I even realised he was in the room! How frightening is that?

Hi LBB how you doing today?

I feel like crap Yesterday I felt much better until the evening, then had a bad nights sleep. I think the tablets are starting to work though because the feeling of panic I kept getting has subsided and I definately don't feel so on edge just still feel unwell, It's only just been over a week though so we'll see.
I had a lovely weekend with dh and the boys and just submitted a huge shopping order for delivery on Thurs as I'm not in the mood for a big shop, I'll just get the bits that are missing on Friday ready for the bar-b-que Sat, I'm really praying I feel MUCH better by then.

Hi Cranberry. I'm good today. We've stayed in sun and yesterday just in our pj's which was nice.
Ds1 has now officially dropped his day time nap, so it's on-stop til edtime, but I also feel alot calmer now and not so over-whelmed. Not sure if that'll be tabs or if it's just a natural progression now that ds2 is 13 weeks iyswim.
But whatever the reason, am just glad it's getting better.

Cranberry How are you doing? Ready for the party tomorrow?

Hope the party goes well.

Are yu feeling ok?