PND - just been diagnosed

[benjaminsmum]

hi. I am new to the boards. I have a six week old baby who I wanted very much but now he is here I cannot cope with life or feel anything for him. I have spoken to my HV who after doing the PND questionaire referred me to the GP who has put me on anti-d's. However I still feel very paniciy for no reason and yesterday I scared myself with the feeling that I wanted to leave the house never to return. I have moved home to my parents as my husband is very busy doing a pilot course and cannot take time off. Is any one else feeling the same? how long does this go on once the drugs kick in?

benjaminsmum, hello and welcome to mumsnet.

Please don't be too hard on yourself. A new baby can be hugely overwhelming especially if you are not able to get much support from your husband at the moment. You have done the right thing going to your GP. How long have you been taking the tablets ?
I had PND after my ds2 and the tablets took 3 to 4 weeks before I felt any benefit. This is common with anti-depressants.
There are loads of us on here who have suffered or are suffering from PND, so you will get plenty of good advice and support.

thanks i started the pills today. i am glad i found this site as i can type when feeling crap with no where to go and it has made me feel better already just to talk (or type).

If you have only just started it will take a while. But you should notice a difference in 2-3weeks. If not get straight back to your GP as you may need a different prescription. I have read loads of PND threads on here and for some people it takes a couple of trys to find the right AD.

There are some other threads around that suggest other ways to stop the blues and some of them really do help. Mostly obvious stuff like taking a walk when the weather is good in daylight will boost you a bit. I know that even the most obvious things are difficult to see when you are fighting PND.

Will try and find the threads and give you a link.

welcome benjaminsmum and sorry to hear how bad you're feeling at the moment - as kayleigh says there are lots of mums here who have first hand experience of PND who i'm sure will offer lots of support and good advice

depends on what sort of ADs you're on as to how long they take to work - SSRI type ADs like prozac can take anything from 10 days to a month to take effect

hope you're feeling better soon

Hi benjaminsmum. As Kayleigh says you will get lots of support here, no need to look any further.

ADs do take time to work, so don't worry if you don't feel better immediately. It might take a couple of weeks before you feel any benefit. You might even feel worse, in which case so straight back to the docs as not all ADs suit all people.

However, do bear in mind that you will get better, no matter how bad you feel today, there will come a time when the light will appear at the end of the tunnel and get stronger and stronger, so hang in there.

Hi Benjaminsmum and welcome to mumsnet. I was mildly depressed after my ds was born, 6.5 yrs ago, and had a bit of a panic a while ago too (my baby is 11 weeks). I got some great advice when I posted here and I'm sure you'll get a lot of support and help here too. You've definitely come to the right place. It is a huge shock having a new baby, plenty of us here felt that, big time, especially with our first. I hope your parents are helping too.

There are a couple of threads here and here which are more to do with generally feeling down. But the advice goes for PND too.

If you don't feel you can do something I don't think you should push yourself and accept all the help you are offered. Are your parents able to look after the baby for a couple of hours at a time to let you get some rest ?

Hi Benjaminsmum -just to echo everyone else really. Its so frightening having PND but just try and keep in your mind that you WILL get better. Try and get as much rest as possible and dont expect too much of yourself over the next few weeks.
I found it really helped to write things down which you can do in a journal or on here - there are so many kind people on this site and Im sure you'll get loads of support.
Good luck!
Kizziex

B'smum - ADs take a while (4 weeks) to kick in, unless you are on Cipralex/Cipramil, which take less time to work. Try to rely on as many family/friends as you can to get you through the time until you feel a bit better. Can you manage a few hours to yourself one morning and have a long soak in the bath? I have been where you are several times (only once with a child though, and he was over 1yr by the time the depression came back), so I know how you feel. A new baby is a scary feeling aat the best of times, let alone with depression.

Keep posting. You are in the right place!

Welcome Benjaminsmum.
I was put on prozac shortly after dd2 was born (she's 7mths now). The Dr explained it as allowing me to enjoy my baby, instead of looking back on the time as difficult.
The prozac took a few weeks to kick in, and I felt a bit off colour at first, but well worth it.
Remember too that the first few months with a new baby are really tough. Neither of youy know what to do or when. And just when you think you've got it sussed, they change course!
You are doing the best thing for you and baby, by getting help.

Thanks for all your words of support. Today has been a good day when things seem to have gone well. Prehaps things are beginning to settle down. My parents are great and my brother and sister in law are here now so I am looking forward to watching Holby City in peace on my own upstairs while they have the baby downstairs. I will keep in touch on this board as there seems to be alot of friendly people out there.

Hi Benjaminsmum,
Great to hear you're having a good day
I had PND 6 and half yrs ago although didn't realise it at the time. I wish I'd got help then as I went on anti ds (citalopram) a yr ago for panic attacks (long story!) and realised that I've probs been depressed for a while. Maybe even before kids.
Take good care hun and keep us posted,
Juniper x

Hello Benjaminsmum,
Glad to hear that you're getting some time to do something just for yourself. I never used to watch Holby but now I'm a total afficionado since I had DD and have to stay in more of the time. I think I had mild PND after her arrival and I found it really helpful to get out and meet other peope in the same situation. I found a local mother and babies under a year group and also a baby massage group. Both of which made me feel like I wasn't alone with all these astonishing new feelings. Good luck.