PND Experiences

[Whiffle77]

I've put this in pregnancy though I suppose it may be better placed in parenting...

I have a 16 week old, and the past few weeks DH and I have been discussing that probably how I'm feeling isn't OK and I could do with some help. I have contacted my HV and she is coming to see me next week, and I have a phone appointment with the GP later in the week.

I was just wondering if anyone else had asked for some support recently, and if so what to expect? From the conversations and from the support the available.

Thanks

Hi OP, I’m sorry, I don’t have advice but didn’t want to read and run and hope to bump your post.

Hope you get support soon xx

Hi OP. I had PND and significant anxiety with my son who was born in 2019. I had counselling last year in the thick of lockdown (March- august) with the local mental health team via zoom. I found it easier doing it in my own home/ not having to travel. I hope things get easier for you. Be kind to yourself. This parenting job is bloody hard x

I also suffered with PND and anxiety, I suppressed it for 18 months until eventually got really bad. I had 12 months of weekly CBT and it changed my life. Don’t hold off getting any help, I wish someone would have pushed me to seek help sooner. Good luck xx

Thanks @Carefree1

Thanks @bbb2019 and @Mamabearwhere, did you find it easy to get the support you took up in the end - was it all nhs? Was there a waiting list/time? Neither of you mention medication, did you have any?

I feel a lot better just for having made steps towards speaking to someone. My DS had a tricky start and that impacted my bonding, and made me feel like I had missed out on a lot. My biggest reason for trying to get some help is that I dont want to keep on missing out as he is only little once!

I feel like I am on a rollercoaster and some days feel good, and then others I cant stop crying and I'm irrationally annoyed about something really small. Im not pleasant to my DH on these days, and I'm impatient with my DS. I then feel even worse for being impatient as I know he is a baby, which starts the worry if maybe I'm not cut out for this.

I have anxiety anyway, and had a MC just before this pregnancy. I think that plus lockdown, and him having a tough start has just all built up. Kept thinking it would feel better once xyz had happened but it doesn't.

That’s pretty much exactly how I feel OP and I have also just made an appointment with my GP for next week. I’ve been treated previously for depression and this feels different, more like anxiety and stress. Anti depressants really helped me the last time but they aren’t for everyone. Sorry you are struggling. I really don’t think lockdown helps matters either, it is quite isolating. Hope you get the help you need soon x

Thanks @Nellie850, sorry to hear you are having troubles too. I've been on anti depressants before a very long time ago so I'm not averse to them but I will see what the GP says. Pleased to hear you have made steps to speak to someone too.

Yes lockdown has exacerbated everything. For some elements of it I think the things I am feeling are natural to what I have experienced in the past year, but the depth of how I am feeling them probably isn't ok. If that makes sense...

I'm hoping better weather and being able to spend an afternoon just as Whiffle, away from DS will help too.

Hey, literally the same over here. My son was hurt during birth and will require an op to his eye when he’s older. It’s only cosmetic but there were concerns about this arm. I blamed myself. We didn’t bond it was awful. I put a lot of pressure on my self and think on reflection lockdown was the best thing as it forced me to be alone with him and work though things. I’m a lot better now and feel I have dealt with this element of my life and the grief.

I contacted the health visitor and then contacted I talk and got a referral. If it makes within 12 months of you having your baby I understand they prioritise you.

Take care

Oh no medication either

No meds here either for some reason at the time I was petrified of being on meds so avoided it. I had my CBT privately via my health insurance but I know you can also via nhs and waiting list isn’t too bad.

@Whiffle77 Did you get the needed support from NHS?

[quote Mor1]@Whiffle77 Did you get the needed support from NHS?[/quote]
Yes! I messaged my HV and she visited me for a chat which was really helpful, and recommended a few bits. She's stayed in touch via text quite a bit too.

I went to the doctor and she referred me for some counselling, and offered me a prescription for sertraline. Im undecided on the sertraline yet but have started the therapy and it is definitely helping (albeit way out of my comfort zone).

I still feel like I am on a rollercoaster but I am better than I was. Hoping to keep improving

Are you suffering too?

I am taking Sertraline for the last four months. I started with 50g and now I am on 100 g. The maximum dose is 200g. I was also reluctant to take medication at first but when I started taking it, I felt the difference within two days although usually it takes two weeks. I missed the dose for five days a week ago because of some issue with repeat prescription and then the symptoms came back to me. I had the appointment with nurse an hour ago. I have again started taking Sertraline and now feeling better.

Sorry 100 mg not gram

@Mor1

I am taking Sertraline for the last four months. I started with 50g and now I am on 100 g. The maximum dose is 200g. I was also reluctant to take medication at first but when I started taking it, I felt the difference within two days although usually it takes two weeks. I missed the dose for five days a week ago because of some issue with repeat prescription and then the symptoms came back to me. I had the appointment with nurse an hour ago. I have again started taking Sertraline and now feeling better.

Glad you are feeling better (although sorry you need the meds to begin with!). Have you had many side effects? Its that bit which puts me off taking them. Although if it was for my physical health I'm sure I would take them!

@Whiffle77 my dose has been increased to 150 mg and in addition to that I am also prescribed with Quetiapine. Sertraline keeps me awake so I take it in the morning and the other medication keeps me sleepy so I take it at night. My repeat prescription was delayed for 5 days so I then felt worst of myself and then because of Quetiapine I felt sleepy and forgot to take pills for two more days. So, the consultant visited me today and she said that she is not sure that whether the pills would work and they might step up. I don’t know what does step up mean? And police also came to my home investigating. I think that I have done biggest mistake of my life while explaining everything to them.