Joined: 22 November 2006 United Kingdom Posts: 1511 Gender: Female
Posted: 19 July 2007 at 11:57am | IP Logged
I was prescribed theses anti d's, but even though I was told by doctor they were safe, I convinced myself they weren't and didn't take them. They're still in my bathroom cupboard! Stupid, I know. I was still bf Ben quite a bit, even though he as nearly 1, and didn't want to stop just to 'take some stupid pills'. I think I was in denial that I had pnd, and ended up taking Evening Primrose and then St John's Wort instead. It seemed to me to be a 'quick fix' and I thought I'd just mask my symptoms and that when I stopped taking thm I'd be back at square 1. I know this isn't true, and that lots of you have taken anti d's successfully. That was just how I felt then.
Hope this doesn't put you off Greeds, I know what a difficult decision you are having to make. Do what you think is right for you, hunny. Hope it goes ok
Joined: 12 June 2005 United Kingdom Posts: 2616 Gender: Not Specified
Posted: 19 July 2007 at 8:08pm | IP Logged
bensmum I know what you mean and no you haven't put me off! I won't stop bf hannah because I don't want to yet, that would really upset me but I know I need to do something because I can't carry on like this -
I have the same thoughts about the anti-ds masking the symptoms, maybe lots of people think that but I need to cope with the here and now and see what happens..took my first one today and felt sick and tummy achey this afternoon and then was so knackered, I fell asleep with hannah on my bed...it does say these can be sideaffects but didn't think they'd happen so quickly so not sure if it was linked..feel fine now tho!
Joined: 22 November 2006 United Kingdom Posts: 1511 Gender: Female
Posted: 19 July 2007 at 8:15pm | IP Logged
Glad you've decided to take the plunge and not be an ostrich like me! Best to get on top of it sooner rather than later. Take care and let us know how you go on x
Joined: 12 June 2005 Germany Posts: 801 Gender: Female
Posted: 19 July 2007 at 9:35pm | IP Logged
Greedy, Well done for going to the doctors and wanted to send you some positive vibes. I hope the pills work for you as well and I'm sure they are fine if the doctors have prescribed them.
Joined: 12 June 2005 United Kingdom Posts: 5851 Gender: Female
Posted: 19 July 2007 at 9:59pm | IP Logged
[QUOTE=MrGreedylookalike]
I have the same thoughts about the anti-ds masking the symptoms, maybe lots of people think that but I need to cope with the here and now and see what happens..
Our brains produce a substance called serotonin, which helps the brain regulate anger, mood, sleep, appetite, aggression etc. When someone is depressed, the brain doesn't let the serotonin be used as it should so there is not enough available to regulate those things, making the person feel tired, moody, depressed, emotional etc. The anti d's mentioned in this forum are in a group called Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRI's for short. They basically help the brain to allow the serotonin to do its job properly.
There is a common misconception that anti depressants make you happy and are often called "happy pills", but that's not strictly true. Anti depressants help your brain to regulate the production and absorption of serotonin which in turn then helps the brain to regulate the functions listed above. So by taking anti d's, you're helping your Brain to work as it should which in turn will make you feel better.
There is a massive stigma about mental illness, post natal depression and anti depressants. Post natal depression is caused by the hormones that are wizzing about after the birth of your baby. Between 1 in 5 and 1 in 10 of mothers experience it to some extent but not all get the treatment they need. Please please please believe me when I tell you that you are not masking anything. How you are feeling is caused by a chemical imbalance. Its nothing you did, its nothing you could avoid - you just happen to be the 1 in 5 or 1 in 10. There are 2213 registered madmums so statistically, between 221 and 442 of them will have had pnd to some degree. That doesn't make it any better or any easier to accept or cope with, but knowing that I was not alone was what kept me going at my lowest points.
Keep an eye on any side effects. Its normal for any side effects to kick in after a couple of days, but then disappear within a week. If you do find that you're feeling unwell or unusual after 1 to 2 weeks, talk to your GP as it could be that another SSRI would suit you better. Fluoxetine has suited me brilliantly, I tried seroxat and that made me feel very sick.
I hope this explains a little about how PND actually works. I just wanted you to know that although you feel like you're just being silly or are a bit low, its a illness - just like a cold or a sore throat. By taking the medication, it won't mask the problem, it will help your body to deal with it and to heal. This is why people plummet when they stop taking anti d's suddenly - if the levels of serotonin aren't fully regulated, stopping treatment suddenly sends them even deeper as all the functions like mood and sleep are thrown into disarray.
I'll shut up now, but hang in there - the biggest step is admitting to yourself how you feel. the 2nd is telling the doc and the 3rd is taking the tablet. I hated taking my little blue pills, but I just had to keep reminding myself that as Rin's signature says - Depression is a flaw in chemistry, not character.
Joined: 13 June 2005 United Kingdom Posts: 8199 Gender: Female
Posted: 20 July 2007 at 11:31am | IP Logged
Well done Diz - I was going to write out something very similar but you've saved me the time.
Greeds until you've been there you cannot understand depression. It seems sensible to say 'pull yourself together' but it isnt that easy. It isnt like being upset about something you can forget, it is a chemical imbalance in your brain, bought about by changing hormones after the birth of your child and made worse by sleep deprivation.
Anti depressants help correct the chemical imbalance and put you back on track. They do not mask the symptoms, they address the problem. PND is cannot be helped by counselling because the problem is physical not psychological but many people dont realise that.
As for the side effects. It could be subconscious. You are still unsure about taking the pills and you have read about these side effects. However it is probably a short term reaction to the pills and will pass after a few days as the pills start to work. Dont be suprised if you dont feel better straight away - they can take a few weeks to work. Dont just stop taking them either or that can upset the balance more so make sure you agree any changes with your GP.
Sorry I've waffled. Good luck, I'm thinking of you.
Joined: 12 June 2005 United Kingdom Posts: 2616 Gender: Not Specified
Posted: 20 July 2007 at 1:27pm | IP Logged
thanks both of you...I will wait and see what happens..
I am going to take them after I've fed hannah and put her to bed so hopefully if I do feel sicky, it will be while I'm asleep as I go to bed more or less the same time lol
am trying to pluck up the courage to tell my mum at the mo
Joined: 22 November 2006 United Kingdom Posts: 1511 Gender: Female
Posted: 20 July 2007 at 1:32pm | IP Logged
I'm sure your mum wil be fine with you. When I told my mum I found out that both she and my auntie had pnd to some extent. It was just never talked about back then. Good luck, you will probably find she'll understand totally.
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Topic: breastfeeding while taking anti-ds?
