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Post by molliesmummy on Nov 8, 2007 22:50:57 GMT
hi naomi having just read your story, im still.. i cant find the words. i just hope your well now...
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naomi
Senior Member
Made it through the long recovery from PP!
Posts: 216
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Post by naomi on Nov 19, 2007 14:00:31 GMT
hello all
A very, very long overdue update - so sorry I haven't been on the forum for such a long while since my bouncing baby became an active, wonderful, loopy, talkative toddler! I just wanted to share a message of hope really for those of you who are still in the midst of deep depression, or the tiresome hills and valleys... You will make it out the other side, you really will.
Since last September, my mood really began to even out and I've been well now for over a year!! Motherhood continues to be a mad, marvellous journey and it would be unrealistic for me to say that every day is joyful - but I'm so proud of myself and even more so of my little girl (now 2) who is sociable, funny and loves both her daddy and mummy immensely - despite all my worst fears that we wouldn't bond after such a shaky start.
Thank you so much for reading my story, and being such a supportive community whilst I vascillated from coping to despair. I really hope I'll be able to share similar words of acceptance, encouragement and support with others on here amidst the demands of a playful 2 year old!
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Post by winegirl on Nov 19, 2007 16:54:29 GMT
Thats great naomi and thank you for sharing this with us! I am so pleased you found the light at the end of the tunnel and it really is inspiration to the rest of us!
WG x
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Post by cheshire on Nov 19, 2007 17:46:56 GMT
Hi Naomi,
It's great to hear from you and to read your update - you're amazing!
Hopefulx
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naomi
Senior Member
Made it through the long recovery from PP!
Posts: 216
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Post by naomi on Nov 19, 2007 18:50:00 GMT
Thank you so much winegirl and Hopeful - I think all families who live with postnatal depression are amazing! We're doing the hardest job we'll ever face in our lives - bringing up little ones - right in the midst of an illness that can be so debilitating and painful in many ways. If only I could have believed the friends at the time who told me I was doing a great job...
I'm really grateful to everybody on the forum for listening and being so non-judgemental, especially allowing me to be open about the type of thoughts I had when the PP caused delusions.
I thought I'd share a few of the things that helped me recover - maybe some of these will help others too:-
1) Medication - and reviewing the dose regularly with firstly my psychiatrist, and later on with my GP. Coming off meds very, very gradually - in fact I'll continue to take a maintenance dose (5mg Seroxat) until the Spring
2) Help with hormones - the depression seemed to become so linked to my monthly cycle that eventually my psychiatrist and GP suggested taking the contraceptive pill back-to-back (without a week's gap) and this does really seem to have helped. I think others have found Agnus Castus helpful with the PMT/depression link too.
3) Pacing myself - my support worker's mantra! Wow this took me a long time to learn but resting, putting my feet up when Anya slept, sacking the housework and not feeling guilty about doing 'easy' food was really needed to give my mind and body the time to recover from the hormonal upheaval of PP
4) Celebrating the little moments - trying to be proud of my achievements when I did something with Anya even when I didn't want to, like taking her swimming or to a baby/toddler group
5) Support +++ babysitting, washing up, shoulders to cry on, helping me to get out even just for a coffee, listening. I've been blessed with brilliant support from friends, neighbours and a very, very patient husband (although he did do a brilliant line in boot-camp style walks to get me out of the house, oh man I was horrible and complained throughout...)
Love to all, N x
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Post by cheshire on Nov 20, 2007 14:04:17 GMT
Great tips for recovery - know what you mean about no. 3 Thanks for sharing this Hopefulxx
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naomi
Senior Member
Made it through the long recovery from PP!
Posts: 216
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Post by naomi on Feb 8, 2008 14:39:59 GMT
In a thoughtful mood today...
I had a brief period of sleeplessness again recently, which was scary... odd how such a small thing really took me back 2 years and reminded me of the intensity of the time when the PP had just begun.
It's so strange to come to terms with the fact that relapse (especially of depression) is always going to be a possibility. But in a weird way, it feels reassuring to be 'forewarned and forearmed' - all of us who have been through PNI know that it is truly horrible, but somehow we've survived in the midst of it. So maybe we'll know more clearly what to do if there is ever a 'next time' or a blip...
Does anyone have any experience of trying for another baby after PP? I must say I can't really wrap my head around the possibility at the moment - I have this notion that Anya needs to be at least 5 and at school! But in a way I know that's irrational, as a bigger age gap doesn't guarantee me being well... Would it be any easier to explain PP to Anya just because she was older?
Would love to know what people think. If you've been through PNI did it put you off having more children, or did you risk 'relapse' - how have partners and older children dealt with this?
N x
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Post by monica on Feb 8, 2008 16:50:13 GMT
Hello
Yes blips can be so frightening and the return of any symptom evenmildly can bring us right back to 'those' days. They are a horrible reminder of what was and the fear of PNI or in your case PP returning is can be very vivid. I think if you've had a long period of being well this can be especially scary. However, blips can come and do go. Glad you're doing so well.
Re: more children, have you spoken to your dr about this. I have no idea of the chance of PP returning. However, I imagine you'd be far more closely monitored andmaybe even be on meds during the pregnancy. You mentioned forewarned is forearmed - and that is very much the case for PNI. You are at an advantage because you know what to look out for. Good luck if you do decide to have another baby.
I thought your tips above are spot on. With revoery you have to really take care of yoruself and be kind to yoruself.
All the best
Mnica
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Post by winegirl on Feb 8, 2008 20:08:49 GMT
Hi Naomi
I love what you said about being armed now for the blips! It really is so true and something we need to remind ourselves from time to time!
With regards to having another baby, I cant really comment as I only have one myself. But I would say that if it did happen to you again you are prepared for it and know how to get the right help straight away. And of course, you never know, it may not even happen!
I hope your sleeping sorts itself out really soon hun, and please keep us updated with how you are doing x
Take Care
WG x
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Post by cheshire on Mar 26, 2008 18:01:31 GMT
Hi Naomi,
I have been wondering about you and whether you have had any further thoughts on having another?
Hopefulx
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naomi
Senior Member
Made it through the long recovery from PP!
Posts: 216
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Post by naomi on Apr 2, 2008 15:23:45 GMT
Hiya Hopeful, winegirl & monica Thanks for thinking of me, I must admit it continues to be my big 'unknown' whether we will ever have another baby... Had a sickness bug recently and the nausea lasted for ages, making me think I might have been pg - it was very strange doing a test (negative!) and feeling quite sad in some ways, but also relieved as I'm heading to that stage of being quite desperate to go back to work!! Oh adult conversation, please So the plan at the mo is to wait at least another couple of years, Anya goes to nursery next January, and keep an open mind about another during her school years. The PP is still a very scary prospect, especially for my husband... Right now though, having a 2 year old is knackering enough! Naomi x
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Post by winegirl on Apr 2, 2008 19:25:42 GMT
Hi Naomi
Lovely to hear from you!! I feel the same way about having another one. Would like to get on with work for a bit and perhaps wait till little one has started school at least (she is 2 next month also - and never stops!)
It really is great to hear from you and i hope you enjoy going back to work! Keep us updated with how things are for you if you get chance hun xx
Take Care of yourself x
Love WG xx
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vicky
Full member
Posts: 47
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Post by vicky on Dec 7, 2008 19:44:14 GMT
Hi Naomi,
I am in a similar position to you with a 2 year old and having suffered PP. I has adifficult and traumatic prenancy so I feel I lost 2 and a half years of my life and only now feel like myself again. I was told its about a 40% risk of suffering PP again by my psychiatrist but also that it would last longer and be worse for a second time (can't imagine worse except actually killing myself) on the other hand they now know the meds that work and you cna have a mother and baby unit bed onstandby in advance.
Massice decision but I too plan to wait til Lottie is at school and I am in the best place possible before we decide
good luck
vicky x
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Post by HintOfSunshine on Dec 8, 2008 9:01:24 GMT
Hi Vicky, I’ve also got a 2 year old and feel exactly the same as you about losing 2 and a half years of your life with PP, it’s good to hear someone else feels the same! I was also told by doctors that it was less than 50% chance of getting PP again and I would be classed as high risk and closely monitored. For me though even a 1% chance is too high! I just couldn’t put my family or myself through that again, I’m not sure I’d get through it a second time anyway. I really couldn’t do that to my little boy as he’d be old enough to notice this time (I know this is really daft as it’s a short time really and medication would control it!). We had always planned on having 2 so we do feel sad that this won’t happen, but we just treasure what we have got. And the thought of being pregnant again simply terrifies me!! I think it’s the bravest thing to take the chance of it happening again and I guess the beautiful baby outweighs all the terrible bits if it does happen. I’ve heard of lots of people who didn’t get it a second time. All the very best of luck if you make the brave decision to have another, Axxx
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vicky
Full member
Posts: 47
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Post by vicky on Dec 10, 2008 21:07:29 GMT
Hi Andrea,
Thanks for your reply I do agree with you it is a massive risk I don't think I could o through it all again either. I Know I was a risk to myself and others so it is a scary prospect. i am nowhere near ready now but neither do I want to give up on the idea of having more children in the future...I guess time will tell.
Well done you on having got through it its such a horrible illness.
Take care
Vicky xx
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