some things I have found helpful

[nicolamell]

Just wanted to share some of the things I feel have helped me cope with this crappy illness

Vitamins, fish oil and magnesium. The magnesium really helps with the anxiety.

Exercise - I joined a gym with a creche so I get some me time as well

taking baths with my baby - helps with the bonding

counselling and talk talk talk - i have hidden this from no-one and every time I have one of those naasty thoughts I call someone

a family holiday

a good routine for bub and a bit of sleep for us

treating myself however I can (funds permitting)

deep breathing and relaxation cds

bach flower remedies ( I used to be a sceptic but I really think they help) in particular white chestnut and aspen

not trying to fight it

my fabulous hubby who has cooked, cleaned and cared the older kids as much as he possibly can

and of course this website which makes me feel like I'm not a freak and I'm not alone

[winegirl]

Thats fab Nicola thanks! I too take aspen and think it takes the edge off things a bit. Never heard of the Magnesium though, so will definately give that a try!

Thanks for sharing this with us x

Winegirl x

[Scarlet]

Thanks for that Nicola,

I used to give magnesium to my eldest at bedtime to calm him. They also give it to pregnant women to stop the contractions.

Found this Winegirl, worth a try hun.....

Some of the symptoms of folks with a magnesium deficiency include anxiety, depression, fatigue, irritability, restlessness, fear, insomnia, reduced attention span, memory loss and confusion. These conditions are a lot like those of folks diagnosed with anxiety disorder.
Research has shown that folks experiencing these symptoms as a result of a magnesium deficiency and who then begin to supplement and take magnesium for anxiety, may experience some dramatic results.

Recently, a clinical trial was conducted in France using the double-blind, randomized, placebo method. 264 folks with generalized anxiety were involved with the study. Half were given a placebo and half were given an herbal treatment which contained 300mg of magnesium.

At the end of the study, the folks in the group that had taken magnesium for anxiety and magnesium for depression experienced a "statistically significant" reduction in anxiety and depression as measured with the Hamilton anxiety scale.

Magnesium supplements have been shown to have a calming effect on symptoms of anxiety and stress levels. Research is just now starting to discover that folks taking magnesium for anxiety and magnesium for depression are enjoying some real positive results.

Research is now also showing that nervousness and insomnia symptoms decrease when folks supplement with 200 mg. of magnesium and 400 mg. of calcium. Supplementing with magnesium for anxiety and magnesium for depression is thought to be an inexpensive way to help reduce those symptoms

Source
www.health-supplements-advisor.com/magnesium-for-anxiety.html

[carlie x]

can u take magnesium when u are on anti depressants without them havin a horrible affect? if so i will try it, do i jus go to a health shop and ask for magnesium? xx

[stevensmummy]

Thanks Nicola

I said about a week ago on another thread I would look out my self help techniques i got from a friend and never have yet. I will endeavour to do so asap and add to your list. I'm sure its you scarlet that I said i would look for them for, I will get there I promise!!

sarah x

[winegirl]

Thats fab Scarlet! Thanks for that! Definately gonna give that one a go!

Carlie - I am due to speak to my GP tomorrow as am also on the meds so will ask about taking magnesium with them and let you know x

Thanks girls, great thread by the way x

Winegirl x

[cheshire]

Hi Nicola,

I agree – esp. exercise, short family holidays, routine, treats, vitamins, not trying to fight it (good one) and I really should give my OH some credit!

Hope things are on an upward trend for youxx

Hopefulx

[nicolamell]

I'm pretty sure you can take magnesium with the meds, shouldn't cause any interaction but check with doc anyway. I am sure it is helping me a lot and I am taking heaps of it (600mg/day). Take the chelated magnesium though as it is absorbed by the body best.

The other really effective thing for the anxiety is the breathing exercises my psychologist gave me. It is basically breathing in and out in 6 second cycles and telling yourself to relax as you breath out. It sounds silly I know but I find if I start doing it as soon as I get anxious I can avoid a full blown panic attack.

Another one that helps with the bad thoughts is pain diversion therapy, put a rubber band around your wrist and every time a bad thought comes you flick it. I believe it can really work but takes dedication as you have to be really consistent.

[nicolamell]

Further to my initial post

some things I have heard of but not tried (if anyone has I'd love to hear)

sepia (a homeopathic hormone balancer)
natural progesterone cream
giving up breast feeding

I am interested in the hormonal aspect of pni as I have always suffered really bad hormonal shifts and can't take anything with eostrogen as I turn into a seriously angry nightmare. Funnily though all my others pregnancies and months of breastfeeding have been my most peaceful and happy times (no pms).

Things I haven't tried becausae you can't when BF

St Jon's wort
vitex (herbal hormone balancer)
valerian

I noticed there is a thread about BF I would love to know how other people have been affected by this. When I took meds for three days (disasterous) I stopped feeding which triggered a period. Although I had pms the pni hasn't seemed so bad since plus I miraculously got my libido back after it being conspicuously absent since late pregnancy (needless to say hubby was pretty happy about that!!). I started feeding again after I stopped the meds but am now thinking maybe I should just give it up. After all happy mummy is more important than breast milk right???

On the other side of the coin some thing that definitely don't help and seem to trigger bad moments/hours/days.

Caffeine
alcahol
stress (in particular going to shops with four kids under 8)
boredom - big problem for me and most other new mums I imagine

If anyone can add to my lists please do

Nicola

[stevensmummy]

Hi Nicola

With regard to breast feeding, I too am feeding myself and I have considered the thought of giving up. Not for the hormonal factor and thinking it may contribute but for the fact that I have to do everything myself, Its alsways me who has to get up to feed etc. But I considered all alternatives and I decided its prob less stress to breastfeed as I couldnt imagine the hassle of sterilising, making feeds and getting organised to go out If I have to think about heating bottles and prepearing in advance. At least I always have my tit with me and its always hot and on demand when required!

As for the hormonal aspect, like you said it will start a period and thats prob just as hormonal as feeding. I know its for a shorter time but, last time I stopped feeding I had very irregular periods for about 2 months, off and on all the time. So could you handle the stress of that just now?

B4 you stop feeidng I would consider all aspects as when i did I realised its prob less stressful to carry on rather than stop.

Goodluck, I hope you can decide on the best solution

Sarah x

[nicolamell]

Just wanted to check in after not being on this site for a while. I am pleased to say that I am now all but fully recovered from my PNI!! I did decide to give up the breastfeeding and as a result my bub is now sleeping 12 hours at night. Huge benefit for me. To make it easy I just bought an electric steriliser, 5 bottles and five little formula pots which I prepare every night so I have a whole day's worth, no big deal at all.

After I gave up the feeding my naturopath put me on something called SAMe and within days my mood lifted and the anxiety pretty much disappeared. She also put me on the vitex which balances out my hormones and although I relapsed a little just before my first period it was pretty minor and I knew why so it didn't worry me at all.

The only thing that makes me feel anxious now is the thought of getting pg again so I am going for a tubal ligation in a couple of weeks and that should be the end of that.

All in all I am really happy with the way things have turned out and I feel like a survivor of PNI now not a victim of it.

If anyone else is thinking about the SAMe I couldn't reccomend it highly enough.

Nicola

[Scarlet]

Nicola,

Thank you for coming back and telling us how you are getting on. I'm so pleased that you have at last said goodbye to PNI. Glad to hear that your baby is sleeping well now that you have changed to formula. It makes all the difference when you get a good nights sleep.

I've never heard of SAMe, is it a herbal remedy? I have heard of vitex though (chasteberry) and I think this is one of the ingredients they use for PMT if I remember rightly, and for increasing fertility ~ not that you'll have any worries on that front soon

Let us know how you get on after your op hun if you get the chance. I'm thinking of going in for one myself.

Wishing you pink (always).

Love

Scarlet
X

[cheshire]

Hi Nicola,

It's great to hear your story of recovery

Glad things are going well for you

Hopefulxx