PND (again sorry) and non AD solutions

[mumof1]

Hi I posted on the breastfeeding thread as I have been given ADs for PND. I was very reluctant to take them and after getting some feedback from other mumsnetters I have decided not to get the prescription dispensed, as there is some research that shows that it can affect breastfed babies.

Since it was only a low dose that I was prescribed (5mg escitalopram - aka Cipralex) I figure that things can't be too bad and so wondered if anyone had any experience of alternative therapies helping, e.g. reflexology etc. I'm usually a bit sceptical about these things but figure I have to do something.

I know there are lots of PND threads here and I am trying to work my way through them but with a 16 week old baby who has now learned to roll over, and can't be left alone too long I'm finding it difficult to find the time.

The other thing I wondered was whether I've not got PND but a thyroid problem. I did not feel brave enough to mention it to my GP yesterday as I would have felt a bit of a fool to question his judgement but I've done a bit of Googling and I seem to have some of the symptons - hair loss, tiredness, aching arms, rapid heartbeat, anxiety etc, lightheadedness. The trouble is some symptoms relate to an underactive thyroid and some to an overactive one! So I guess I am clutching at straws!

Any thoughts appreciated

Check out the thread on natural progesterone which is v. recent. I am going to give it a try myself. I am also taking st Johns wort which is recommended but I don't know if it's ok whilst b/f. Bach rescue remedy's are supposed to be excellent as well Mustard is recommended for pnd

I had the same symptoms and my thyroid was slightly over active however I took multivitamins and just tried to get body as balanced as possioble when I was checked 6 months later everything was back to normal - maybey ou are missing nutrients esp. if Bf as I was. I also found Bach rescue remedy helpful . Hope this helps also find time to relax and pamper yourself 5 mins a day just on your own can do wonders

I remember reading that your thyroid can go haywire after childbirth. Makes sense really as it's all hormonal. Once one hormone regulator is off balance it can affect your whole body.
Are you feeling hot/cold? tiredness is usually underactive as you can be giddy with overactive.
Don't feel scared to mention this, it's your body after all.
mega hugs xx

You're not supposed to take st johns whilst b/f btw

And is also not recommended if you are epileptic.

have a look at this

scroll down to pregnancy and thyroid

HTH

mumof1 I was convinced that after my 2nd child my thyroid had gone haywire and my mum has a history of thyroid problems so I went to gp thinking it was a done deal, my results were lower thyroid production than average but not enough to explain the symptoms I was having. I was diagnosed with pnd and given ad's which, like you, I felt unsure about taking and never got the prescription dispensed.

I do still wonder about my thyroid and may get it checked again soon but in the meantime looking for and using other solutions.(see my posts on the progesterone for pnd thread)

best of luck though, and definately go to gp and ask a for a thyroid test, its worth finding out asap then you can decide your next step.

Mumof1 - I would definitely get a blood test done. I asked for one and it was clear. Went back 11 mths later, asked again and thyroid was way off beam! Some symptoms can be interchangable and inconsistant. My GP said before doing the test that I didn't look like someone with a thyroid problem and I'm sure he was right, however I was way under. Even if it's not your thyroid, you'll feel better for knowing. Good luck!

Thanks for these suggestions. I can't take st johns wort as I am taking the mini-pill, and b/f. So I don't know whether that would also rule out progesterone??

I looked at that link, thanks juniper68, and noticed that they do an on line consultation, which I have completed. I figured I would rather anonomously make a fool of myself rather than go back to the GP, as I have been every week for the last four weeks - which probably equals how often I went in total in the 15 years before I got pregnant.

If they say that thyroid is a possibility then I will grit my teeth and see the GP again. I just don't think I have PND - but then my HV said that is a sign I do - that I can't admit it to myself???????

I don't think I help the gp though as I think I become totally inarticulate when in the surgery and it's only afterwards I realise what I said. [I've got a horrible feeling I suggested I was agrophobic on Thursday - and that's not at all the case] I really should write everything down.

I'll have a look at the Bach remedies too thanks.

Hi Mumof1,

I've said this on other threads but for me, having a wonderful health visitor was the thing that got me through. I didn't have full on PND but I was teetering on the brink - according to that questionnnaire they do and, having had experience of depression before I would say that what I had was like having PND that lasted for a couple of hours a day, the rest of the time I was just normal stressed/unhappy. I know every hv is different but mine was fab and she recognised that I was having problems and she came and visited me at home every week for about 5 weeks - she was a really good listener - I was one of these people who felt I had no right to be depressed coz I had a nice home, two healthy kids, a cleaner for a couple of hours a week - so I really couldn't talk to anyone else. Difficult to explain why she helped so much but she made me feel normal - she had two kids herself so I guess that helped - and she just seemed to understand. I know your situation might be completely different or more serious but it might be worth a try.

Similarly when I had depression before I had counselling (and ads) and it did seem to work - so it be worth asking your hv or gp if that's an option.

Gosh - real deja vu! When ds was 16 weeks I went to GP with similar symptoms, thinking I had PND. I had a blood test and found I had v overactive thyroid (graves disease). I had to start medication for that immediately which meant stopping b/f but if I had no choice as my thyroid was so out of kilter. I ignored the PND, thinking it was just my thyroid and then two months ago (when ds was just over a year) I found I could ignore it no longer and went to my gp feeling I was drowning and couldn't cope. Basically by ignoring the PND it had got worse and worse. I had 6 weeks off work and am started AD (citalopram) and lots of exercising! I am not sure what it is that has helped me more, but have reorganised my life (work different days in the week so I can exercise through the week, have changed my outlook on life etc) and am feeling so much better. The AD are good - I was worried about them too, but certainly don't feel I'm on a false high. I have ups and downs but they have helped me regain balance and have enabled me to put measures in place so that when I come off them in a few months I can live normally and happily! My gp explained ADs by saying if you had another illness, you'd take medication, this is the same.

I have read the St J's/W can provide real probs in some people and exacerbate the depression so do be careful if taking it. Also you can't take it with lots of things so might be worth checking with a gp.

Don't ignore it (thyroid or PND), is my best advice! Good luck.

Sushicat

Just one other thing - don't worry about seeing the gp lots. It's normal with a new baby. Between ds and me, I used to live at our gps for the first 6 months and I even mentioned it to the gp. She said it is entirely normal for a newborn/new mum: we hardly ever go now (go to the surgery more for repeat prescriptions than appts!).

Sushicat

I remember reading that thyroid tests can be very sensitive. I'd ask about a full thyroid test as the usual ones can miss a problem.

I have the ocasional squirt of bachs rescue remedy and that always cheers me up. I think it might have a bit of alcohol in it.

the suggestion to take multi vitmains is a good one I think - when i remember to take them my skin looks better and i get less cold symptoms - so maybe this is a good idea anyway to help boost you up.