Ppp after 2 years

[becm]

2.5 yrs post ppp and still suffering . Is anyone else the same. Just had meds upped to maintain part time job if pos...can't take my little one out on .y own still. Just having downwards turn

[becm]

No I e else seems to be a rel apses I do

[dioni]

Hello becm. After the birth of my first son, I had depression for more than a year, then a psychotic episode, then depression again. It lasted more than 2 years. I couldn't work and I couldn't take care of my baby either.

I don't know if it was the right medication that made me feel better. I managed to find a part time job and do my master's degree at the same time, while being able to care for my child.

It is very hard when it lasts so long. Have faith, it never stays forever. Find a doctor you trust for the medication and psychotherapy also helps a lot. We are here, you are not alone, even if it feels like that now.

[Hayleynevin]

I feel your pain. I’m 5 years on and my life is so up and down on and off meds. Currently going through a really horrible bad time

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to Hayleynevin]

Hello Hayleynevin

Thank you for your heartfelt words to becm. I'm sorry to hear your are having a horrible bad time. Did you manage to see your psychiatrist who was on holiday until this month or the secondary mental health team you referred yourself to? It is a lot to cope with and I hope you have support around you. Or if you are not strong enough, is there someone who can speak to professionals on your behalf? Take care. xx

[Hayleynevin in reply to Lilybeth]

Still waiting to see my psychiatrist on Friday although the secondary health team did finally come back to me yesterday and agreed that I need to be back on the anti psychotics so have informed my GP who I have an appointment with this morning too. So I’m seeing lots of people but trying to make them all communication ASAP is hard. My children went for an extended holiday to France. Which was hard for me to send them with my mother in law but the rest had done me good too. Can’t wait to see them on Monday!!!! So excited! There little faces on face time each nights breaking my heart. I saw a hypnotherapist who agreed hypnotherapy could work but could also trigger the psychosis so would need permission from my psychiatrist so that might be an interesting route too. Oh, a stand in psychiatrist put me on lorazepam along with the fluoxetine too tho not sure that’s doing much so I’m hoping going back on anti psychotics will do the trick! Thank you so much for checking up on me xx

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to Hayleynevin]

Hello Hayleynevin

Thank you so much for taking time to reply. I hope your appointments with your GP today and psychiatrist on Friday go well. I think when you are feeling low, trying to get help seems to take ages but you have done really well to keep reaching out. At least by Friday after seeing the psychiatrist you might feel reassured and have an ongoing plan about your medication and treatment.

I'm glad you have been able to have space to yourself while your children are on holiday, although missing them so much. I'm sure you're looking forward to all the lovely hugs on Monday Take care ..... thinking of you. xx

[Hayleynevin in reply to Lilybeth]

☺️☺️☺️☺️

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to Hayleynevin]

Hello Hayleynevin

I hope your appointment with the psychiatrist went well on Friday and you were able to discuss medication which might help with the bad time you have been going through lately. Two sleeps until your children are home !! Thinking of you. xx

[Hayleynevin in reply to Lilybeth]

Thank you so much for checking on me. The psychiatrist had basically put me back on the anti psychotics and reminded me that I am spectrum of bipolar so HRT alone just won’t cut it. Which I know now. I’m feeling a lot better and soooooo looking forward to seeing the girls tomorrow. I’m very worried about how I’ll be because I seem to be worse when I’m around them. The psychiatrist said if that happens to double my Med dosage so at least there’s a plan. I like a plan! Xx

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to Hayleynevin]

Hello Hayeynevin

So good to hear you are feeling a lot better after speaking to the psychiatrist. I hope going back on the anti psychotics will be helpful and you will be reviewed regularly. I'm sure your children will be so excited to see you tomorrow too It's not been easy for you ..... we tend to put on a brave face for our children but we are all mothers of courage and in this together Take good care of yourself. Xx

[Hayleynevin in reply to Lilybeth]

😘😘😘

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello becm

I'm so sorry to hear you are struggling 2.5 years after suffering PP. I think given all that you have been through which you mentioned in your other posts, anxiety and relapse, you are fighting so hard to be well. It must be so difficult trying to hold down a part time job when you are dealing with the effects of medication and trying to cope with family routine.

I had PP many years ago followed by what seemed like endless depression. It was so hard to lift myself at times and I wasn't confident looking after my sons. It did take me a long time to come to terms with what I had been through and was still going through. I too had a relapse and it was such an awful experience.

Do you have help from a support worker or care co-ordinator? I hope the increase in medication will help but please take care not to push yourself to be well. It does take time to recover from such a traumatic illness although I know the need to work is a pressure. Take very good care of yourself and ask your GP to signpost you to support if you are feeling vulnerable. We are all here to listen. xx

[Hannah_at_APP Administrator]

Hi becm, I'm sorry to hear that things are tough at the moment. Recovery can be so up and down at times can't it, and getting the right balance of things (whether medication, work, confidence, mood) can take time. I just wanted to add the link to APP's Insider Guide to Recovery, in case you've not seen it? app-network.org/what-is-pp/...

We are all thinking of you and wishing you well. Having been through the trauma of PP, we know what it's like trying to get your life back on track. All the best, take care, xx

[Hazello Volunteer]

Hi becm,

My impression from this forum is that your experience is quite common with people who've had PP. I've never had a relapse of psychotic symptoms but have had a kind of agitated depression and anxiety which has come and gone. It takes a long time to start to feel back to some semblance of normal. It's so tough trying to juggle work on top of your own recovery. Thinking of you. Things can and will change it's just difficult when we can't see into the future to know when or how.

Hazello xx

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello becm

Just wondering if the increase in your medication has helped you? It's very difficult to work when you're not feeling well so I hope you have support around you. Take good care of yourself and please go back to your GP if you feel you are struggling. xx

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello becm

I hope you have been able to cope at work with the increase in medication. Is it possible that your GP could refer you for therapy to help with your confidence to take your baby out? PP is such a traumatic illness but you are doing really well to cope with the effects of medication and trying to hold down a part-time job. I hope you have support around you as it's not easy. Take good care of yourself. xx

[becm]

Thank you everyone for your comments as means a lot x sorry I haven't replied sooner by became very ill and now have home treatment team trying to sort meds..all will workout just a bit lost and confused right now xx

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hi becm

I’m sorry to hear you became so unwell after you posted. It’s really good you’ve got support from the home treatment team and they’re sorting out your medication.

I can imagine how confused you must feel at the moment but it’ll get better and things will get clearer again.

Look after yourself and just take things a day at a time, hopefully once your medication is sorted you’ll start to feel much better.

Best wishes

Jenny x

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello becm

Good to hear from you although I'm so sorry you have been so unwell. I also had support from the home treatment team which made such a difference eventually. It is confusing at times but you will get better, one step at a time, and with the good care you have around you. We are all thinking of you .... sending a hug x

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello becm

Thinking of you and hope the home treatment team will find a medication that works for you. I did have to wait a while until the right balance was found but eventually, dad by day, felt a bit better as I hope you will with support around you. Take care .... we are all here. x