Does it fully go away?

[helenr]

Does PNI ever fully go away? Are you left with residual effects once you've recovered?

Although I'm 97% recovered, my only trigger is tiredness. Will that always be the case? I wouldn't even say I have blips now, just off moments, but not like people who have never had PNI have off moments.

I don't even know if I'm making sense, I just feel forever changed in some way!

love and hugs x

[sarajay28]

Hi Helen,

I've often wondered this too although i can honestly say after a bout of PNI in 1999-roughly about 2003 i felt so much better (but my marriage had broken down and things changed dramatically in my life so it could have been relief!).

I think women who have gone through this awful illness are more aware of their feelings and thoughts so notice minor mood changes much quicker than someone who's never had PNI and also get affected more easily by news stories/magazine stories etc.

But on a better note, i feel as though women who've experienced PNI are much kinder to themselves and feel more focused on THEIR lives instead of everyone around them.

Hope this helps a bit, i too have often felt the way you do now but it doesn't last forever!

Loadsa Love

Sarah.xxx

[susanneb1984]

Hiya Helen,

I know what you mean. I am 90% recovered, and I deal everyday with the effects my PNI has had on my daughter.
I don't think I'll ever be the same again, I do think PNI changes you forever in one way or another. I have realised PNI doesn't end with the day you get help, or the day you bond with your child, PNI carries on. For me, the guilt lives with me day after day. The fear of making my child more prone to a mental illness, or her getting PNI when she has children.
But I think this is a normal way of dealing with it all, and I hope this will go away in time.

I'm glad to know your feeling better, good luck
xxx

[louisee]

I suffered from severe PND that let to pyschosis a year ago. After anti-depressants, counselling and two spells in hospital, I can say there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am now recovered, and I feel more positive about my life than I have done in years.

I look after myself so much more now, because I have learnt the hard way, the effect on my husband and beautiful little boy of having a poorly wife or mummy. You truely do not realise how you hold the fabric of your family together until you become mentally ill.

Hang in there, it will get better and better!

[Scarlet]

Hi Louisee,

What an inspiration you are hun. Please post more if you get the time, it really helps us on here, that are not quite recovered, to hear success stories.

Hugs

Scarlet
X

[destiny]

Definitely!!

Prior to PNI I had mood swings and now that I have recovered I still have mood swings but I recognise this now and realise that I'm just a 'normal person'. I have learnt a lot from having PNI and I actually feel stronger and more able to deal with the stresses and strains of everyday life. I'm an emotional person... so what!! it doesn't mean that I still have PNI. I occasional get low or snappy... so what!! it doesn't mean that I still have PNI. Support, communication and lots of TLC. My psych has voiced that my fast recovery is down to all of this. I actually started to believe that I could pull through and I put myself first. PNI can lead to a positive future. I truly believe this...

x

[nellielou]

I'm recovering at the moment and it feels great!! I had depression before my pregnancy and have always got through, but it seemed alot harder this time due to ongoing family illnesses that have occcured since my son was born 14 months ago. But I've been given more help and support this time to actually be able to deal with things that stress me out as well as just getting through the day!!! I didn't think that things could get better as I would always be around my son ( I had very apathetic feelings towards him) and another family member would fall ill, but something has changed inside me and I now have the motivation to change the way I think. there will be times I'll feel low, but I've now been taught some of the skills to change things before they get worse again.

Whilst we can't change what's going on around us, as well as how we might react to this things, I believe that a good support network will help to alleviate some of the feelings of thinking we're alone. I learnt that the hard way and I'm still trying to find people I can trust not to trivialise my feelings.

There is alwasy hope...

xx