Diazipan

[Sweenm]

Hi All,

My daughter has been trying to recover from PPP for over three years now. We have had periods (as much as 9 months) when she has been well.

At the moment she is going through a difficult time. She is taking Quetiapine ( low dose) which has until recently kept the voices away and her well.

At the moment she had extremely high anxiety, so the voice are returning.

In the past , to help anxiety she has taken Diazipan but at the moment is reluctant to take it. We are unsure why.

Has anyone else taken Diazipan. Do you have any views.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Martin

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Sweenm

Thank you for reaching out to the forum on behalf of your daughter. I'm sorry that it is taking her a while to recover and the voices have returned. Is is possible that she needs a review of her medication to discuss with her GP or care team how she is feeling?

I had PP many years ago with delusions and hearing a voice which was all very real and frightening at the time. Eventually with treatment and medication the delusions and voice faded and I did fully recover. I'm sorry that I don't have any experience to share about diazepam medication.

I wonder if your daughter's GP or Psychiatrist would consider referring your daughter to Prof Ian Jones of APP at the Second Opinion Service, which is free to your daughter and the referring NHS Trust and available as she is in the UK. The link is app-network.org/what-is-pp/.... Prof Jones' advice and input has been invaluable to many of us here. Based at Cardiff University with Skype consultations possible if this is out of your area.

I am sorry your daughter is going through a difficult time and it must be very stressful for you too. I hope other mums will be here with their advice and experiences. Take care.

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hi Martin

I’m so sorry your daughter is continuing to suffer so long after PP. I hope she’s getting good medical care and support and that they’re able to help with a change in medication if your daughter doesn’t wish to continue with the same one.

I don’t have any experience of diazepam I’m sorry, hopefully others who have taken this medication will reply.

If it’s helpful to read about the medication, the following website is very good - choiceandmedication.org/ncm...

Very best wishes,

Jenny

[Teresa_K_S Volunteer]

Hi Martin,

Im sorry your daughter is having a difficult time and feeling unwell. I found that my recovery from PPP was a long one and for quite some time I was very susceptible to stress. I think an appointment with a consultant psychiatrist would be ideal. They are the best ones to advise.

Regarding Diazepam you will find gp's will not prescribe it or very reluctant but a psychiatrist will do. This is because of the addictive nature of diazepam. After a couple of months use the beneficial effects wear of as the body gets accustomed to the drug. By four months it is very hard to come off diazepam without withdrawl.

I find it does calm me down. I tend to use it very infrequently only as an emergency. Maybe your daughter doesn't like the effect of the drug as it gives quite a spaced out feeling. Or maybe like i was and still am, she just doesnt accept taking new medication. If she could talk through her options with a doctor I'm sure it would help

Take Care

Teresa x

[Bulb]

My daughter took quite a lot of it for quite a few months in high doses and gradually reducing came off it ok. We worried at the time but it has helped towards her recovery along side other drugs. Its always good to talk to a medical professional and get the right help and support.

[Charlene129]

hi yes this is what am on for my anxiety. and started with postnatill depression and then ppp cause of my horicic bith after my 2nd child .then sever anxiety .and now think am biypolar. Am on a few meds along with 250ml quetpine .40 ml beatablockerd 3 a day along with 2mg of them xc

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to Charlene129]

Hi Charlene129

Thank you for your supportive reply to Sweenm about Diazepam. I'm sorry to hear you are suffering with severe anxiety after PP and wondered if you would like to start your own post to have support from the forum? I had PP many years ago and found the forum a good safe space to talk and share experiences. Take good care of yourself.

[Charlene129 in reply to Lilybeth]

thank u so much x

[Sweenm]

Many thanks for all your replies. They are each, very helpful. Much appreciated.

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hi Sweenm

Thank you .... glad the forum replies were helpful. I hope your daughter will be able to talk to professionals about how unwell she is feeling. Take care.

[Becciandbump]

I found that diazepam really spaced me out and made me feel odd, My gp would not prescribe it last time I did feel very anxious as it’s very addictive he said I was better off without it

[NanaJudith_APP_Vol Volunteer]

Dear Martin,

I am so sorry that your daughter suffered with PP, my daughter did too. It is such a shock and trauma for your daughter and the whole family, isn't it. It is great though that you are there supporting. You have had very helpful replies from the brave Mums on the forum and I can't really add much except to say that I expect that your daughter, like mine and others, doesn't like the side effects of some of the drugs. So distressing for your daughter that recovery can be so up and down and everyone's experience seems to be slightly different. The only thing is to keep talking to the professionals and of course APP who I and my daughter have found to be of invaluable support.

I wanted to add my support to you from one parent/grandparent to another, I fully understand your anxiety.

Wishing your daughter well soon.

Best wishes

Judith

[Hidden]

Hello Sweenm

I am so sorry to hear your daughter is still experiencing difficulties with high anxiety and scary thoughts. As a parent, this is such a distressing thing to witness and it can make us feel quite helpless at times. You will certainly find the help and time given from the brave young mums on this forum to be invaluable.

My daughter suffered ppp over 5 years ago now. It has been a long battle for her and one I think she is now beginning to conquer. During this time she has had numerous relapses and medication has been revisited. Diazepam was given as an emergency to calm her but unfortunately would make her extremely tired and sleepy without a long term solution. Her pattern of recovery was similar to your daughter’s, in that she would have a few months and then relapse but things were always tentative. The doctors eventually diagnosed her with bipolar and she was prescribed Lithium alongside Olanzapine in June last year. The last 10 months have been the most stable and she is looking forward and feeling more positive.

I do hope the doctors can help and perhaps look at reviewing your daughter’s medication. Although it can seem very daunting and I realise not without some side effects, it can make all the difference to everyday life.

Our young mums never cease to amaze with the inner strength they show through this dreadful illness.

I wish your daughter well and you too in your pursuit to help her through this.

Kind regards

June

[louise4]

Hi, I've taken quetiapine and diazepam together. No problems.

Was changed meds and given diazepam to take as and when required. It's not a strong drug. They usually give it in small doses.

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Sweenm

I hope by now your daughter is showing slight improvement and her anxiety is not as worrying. It must be very stressful to see your daughter struggling so do take care of yourself. Hopefully with regular medication reviews and input from professionals she will begin to move forward in her own time.