Let myself down

[hertshopeful]

Hi Girls,

I'm hoping some of you may be able to give me some help and reassurance that I've done the right thing. I have had PND for about 15 months now on and off and had been trying various things to help me get better.

Several times my doctor tried to get me to take medication but I resisted feeling that I must try natural methods first. Then last week I had yet another breakdown and thought that I owed it to my son to give the medication a go.

I started a few days ago and predictably I feel terrible! She prescribed Fluoxetine 20mg and I have a lot of the usual side effects - very dry mouth, aching, twitchy and nervous and terrible jaw ache, like I'm on some kind of drug come-down.

I guess my question is how can something that makes you feel like this be good for you?! Should I not have carried on with the natural routes (I've just started CBT which I'm finding really helpful and joined the gym which is good too)?

I'm really hoping that these awful side effects will calm down and I'll start to feel better, at the moment I just can't believe I've gone down this path...

Thanks so much in advance for any thoughts or advice xxx

[jessibella]

Hello,

I know how you feel about the meds and I know a lot of us find it hard to accept we need them but someone here made a good point. If you had a broken leg or appendicitis you'd take the meds right? Even if they had some negative side effects whilst your body got used to them

The side effects will improve over time

[jessibella]

Sorry accidently pressed reply too soon. AD's will help treat your pni symptoms whilst CBT will help you deal with the emotional aspect too. There is no shame in doing both and overall you will emerge from this having learnt some useful skills. You have been battling on a long time by yourself, give yourself a break accept the help and everyone here will tell you things dfo get better xx

[monica]

Hi

With most antids it's common to feel worse. I took citalopram and felt worse for few weeks before slowly feeling better but in my case it was the best thing I did as they turned my life around. You ave struggled for quite some time so I think you made the right decision. Perhaps give it few weeks and reassess? I also found that many f initial side effects calmed dwn after a bit too.

Monica

[juppster]

I woul definitely give it a few weeks for the side effects to settle down too. The initial few weeks can be hard I know. For me a combination of cbt and meds worked really well. Please dont feel disappointed in yourself, millions of people take medication for one thing or another and if it really doesn't work for you it can easily be stopped again. Well done for giving it a try x

[hertshopeful]

Thanks girls, your replies mean a lot. I have been on the medication for 9 days now and still no let up in the side effects. In fact the negative thoughts have got MUCH worse. I guess this is partly because of the meds and partly because I'm doing CBT so I'm noticing them a lot more?

Does anyone know when the side-effects start to calm down, I'm not sure how much longer I can cope with them!

x

[Weeble]

Hi the side effects were of relatively quickly. I don't have any from prozac anymore, I have taken it for three and a bit years. Don't worry about the going down hill a little when you start the drugs; it's really common. Well done for keeping going with the cbt

Kat

[wanagetoverthis]

How are you doing now Hertshopeful? xxx

[aura]

I hope you are doing well hertshopeful! I understand where you are coming from. I've also recently been put on meds, and despise it! My side-effects are still here on day 8, but I'm feeling pretty defeated by having to take them. There must be some other way to deal with this! Good luck! I know it will get better for all of us. We can only remain positive and believe.

[Weeble]

How are you doing? Aura you are right about the drugs, but as you recover you will be so grateful that they work!!

Kat