naomi
Senior Member
Made it through the long recovery from PP!
Posts: 216
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Post by naomi on Jun 27, 2009 8:56:43 GMT
Dear all
Wow... been a long time since I posted and I'm so heartened to see new mums continuing to support one another through stories of the symptoms and recovery from PNI.
The happy ending to my own story of PP is that I am embarking on a new career path. I work for the mental health charity Rethink as a trainer, teaching medical students about my experience of PP and the recovery journey! It feels very special to begin to put the experience to positive use for others.
The second part of the new career is that I am working with my local University on self-help for mums recovering from PNI. If this project takes off into a PhD for me I would love to be in touch with members of this forum to find out what worked well and didn't work well for you...
Watch this space!
Once again, thank-you for being there 3 years ago
Naomi xxx
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Post by HintOfSunshine on Jun 28, 2009 15:30:34 GMT
Hi Naomi,
Thanks for your lovely words on my PP montage thread, we've certainly been through a lot haven't we?!
I'm so glad you had a happy ending too, this shows the others that are going through it at the moment that the happy endings really DO happen! ;D
That's fantastic with the new career path, well done for making positives come out of all the horribleness of PP! If you want other opinions/experiences of PP for your PhD, just shout anytime.
I've just started training with Mums4mums as a peer support volunteer for women with PNI. This is a research project at Warwick uni based on a sucessful Canadian system that if it's successful they hope to roll out to the rest of the UK, good stuff!
All the best & take care loads, Axx
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Post by winegirl on Jun 28, 2009 16:45:44 GMT
Just goes to show that every dark cloud really has got a silver lining x
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Post by Bookwormprincess on Jun 29, 2009 14:08:10 GMT
Hi Naomi and Andrea, That's great that you able to use your experience of PP to help others. I would love to do that one day, as it makes you feel it wasn't all for nothing.
I was thinking of becoming a volunteer for the Association of Post Natal Illness, but I think it may be too soon for me yet to support others. Even though I feel about 98% recovered from PP I still have low days, and I haven't quite come to terms with what happened to me. Maybe when I've finished writing an account of my story I will feel a sense of closure.
Good luck with your new careers!
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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 Jul 5, 2009 13:52:53 GMT
Hi bookworm princess
I think you're really wise to give yourself some more time - it sounds like you have made a great recovery and it's not at all selfish to prioritise enjoying life and your little boy! I know I was in a rush to make some 'sense' of the PP experience but I'm glad I'm just beginning to do more work now that Anya is nearly 4.
Hi Andrea - the project at Warwick sounds fantastic, I read the BMJ paper from the Canadian study with telephone supporters which was very successful. I do hope we see this kind of system across the UK in future years.
Lots of love Naomi
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Post by louloubexs on Jul 5, 2009 18:45:49 GMT
Hi Naomi
I also would love to help, if you need any research doing. I will happily be your guinea pig!!!
Also what a fantastic thing to be doing to be helping other mums.
I am going to write my story but I need a little more time as it will take me forever to write.
Much Love xx
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Post by winegirl on Jul 5, 2009 18:53:51 GMT
Hi Louloubexs
When you get round to finishing that story, how about posting it on here? No pressure obviosuly but it might help you to share it and it often helps others to read stories similar to their own!
How are things going with you?
WG xx
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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 Jul 8, 2009 20:48:29 GMT
Hi Louloubexs Thanks so much for your encouraging words about the next steps in my journey after surviving PP. If you are interested in being part of PP research, have you been in contact with Action for Puerperal Psychosis (APP) at Cardiff Uni? This was set up by a research administrator who had PP twice. APP is a group of survivors of PP who can keep in touch with one another & find out about what's happening in current research, as well as being 'guinea pigs' for the team at Cardiff in different studies if you want to. email: app@Cardiff.ac.uk web info: www.cardiff.ac.uk/medic/aboutus/departments/psychologicalmedicine/cups/app/index.htmlI think it can be helpful to put your story together - take your own time though as these memories can be quite tough to bring back to mind. On reflection, I began writing my story on this forum when I was still quite manic initially after coming out of hospital - so it's pretty hard reading now... Whereas for you it could be good as you will have had more time to reflect and think how your recovery is going now. Wishing you lots of love Naomi x
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Post by Bookwormprincess on Jul 9, 2009 19:47:34 GMT
Hi Naomi,
I am going to check out that APP group you have mentioned - I'd be really interested in their research especially if they can find ways of preventing it or drugs that don't totally numb you in the process.
Take care , N x
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Post by HintOfSunshine on Jul 9, 2009 20:38:23 GMT
Hi Lou, Naomi & Bookwormprincess,
I took part in the APP research towards the end of last year, they were all really nice & it was a simple process - just an interview, a couple of questionaires and a small blood sample. They also send you a newsletter to keep you up to date with what they're doing which is really interesting. There's also a link to it on the Facebook PP Survivors group. I'm sure they'd be grateful to have more names on their database.
Take care everyone, Axx
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Post by winegirl on Jul 9, 2009 21:44:32 GMT
Anyone know if they might disclose info for the likes of a wee student psychiatric nurse? i.e me? Would be really interested to read up on their research so far..
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Post by HintOfSunshine on Jul 10, 2009 5:13:54 GMT
Hi WG,
I'll message you the email address of the lady I dealt with at Birmingham uni, it's worth a try asking her. I'll forward you the next newsletter when it comes anyway and will dig out the old one too.
Take care xx
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Post by winegirl on Jul 10, 2009 7:50:01 GMT
Aww thanks andrea that would be great! Thank you xx
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Post by Bookwormprincess on Jul 15, 2009 19:00:50 GMT
Naomi, I was just wondering how long it took for you to be contacted by APP once you expressed an interest. I sent them an email about a week ago but haven't had a reply. I am really interested in getting involved, particularly as one of the Drs, Dr Ian Jones, is the son of a family friend. In fact, he helped reassure my parents and family when I was in the early stages of PP that I would get better. He said I can talk to him at anytime about my experiences and I might just take him up on that, especially as I am considering having another baby.
If I don't get a reply in the next week perhaps I will ring them using the phone number they provided on their website.
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Post by Bookwormprincess on Jul 17, 2009 12:49:35 GMT
APP replied and it was actually the Dr who's family I know. He's invited me to come for a chat in his clinic in Cardiff and since we will be in Wales for a holiday in couple of weeks, I might just take him up on that offer. Cool or what!
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