thoughts during period

[Adoo97]

Hello my wife have had pp about 7 months ago and was put on medication aripriprazole 10mg and right now we are on veecation in albania she has felt wery tired but mutch better more happier but i have a question my wife said that when shes on her period she has more thoughts she is thinking more than she does and it can happen some times even when shes not on her period we have been here in albania about 2 months its been really hard for me but also very relaxing so do some one here know or experience this during recovery it seems for me like it will ever end i just want her to be her self again those medication makes her like a zombie 😔

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Adoo97

So good to hear from you and that you are on a relaxing vacation where your wife is much better and happier, although tired.

I’m sorry its been really hard for you to see your wife struggling in her recovery. I think, with your loving support, your wife is doing well only 7 months on from such a traumatic experience. Aripiprazole wasn’t a medication I took years ago but there will be other mums here to share their experiences. Although at the moment your wife might be like a ‘zombie’ I think it is worth remembering that the medication is keeping her stable.

Please believe that your wife will recover in her own time. It’s not easy for you but hold onto hope and try to enjoy your holiday together as a lovely family.

Take care ... stay safe.

[Dolly292]

Hi Adoo97, You have a very good insight into how your wife is feeling. I had pp 18 months ago and have only just been taken off aripiprozle 1 month ago. I was on 10mg for 6/8 months (which as you say makes you like a zombie) then 5mg for quite a few months, then 2.5mg and now nothing.

I hated the medication and prayed for the day I'd be off it. It did finally come, but it's not easy off the medication either. I'm very fragile mentally and have to be very careful about how much sleep I'm getting.

I wouldn't say I had more thoughts when on my period, but I definitely felt more emotional. For me I suffered with depression after pp. It was hard for me to accept that this had happened to me and that I had fallen so far. I also struggled with the amount of weight I put on with different medications.

Thankfully I can tell you that it does start to get better. I have lost 7 pounds in the last 4 months, which while it isn't a lot, I'm on the road to recovery. Now that I'm off the medication I also hope my weight loss journey will gain momentum.

I don't know if I can't answer your question on your wife's thoughts. Does she say what they are about?

I found that having a nap when the baby slept helped a lot. In fact I still try and lie down or nap when my toddler sleeps now! It helps so much with recovery.

[Adoo97 in reply to Dolly292]

Hi I spoke to my wife today she was quite depressed and she cried and said I have negative thoughts that come and go in seconds and she says she gets so tired of these thoughts and it bothers her especially during her period and even after her period but less I don't understand what this could be because I've read about this a bit it sounds like she has intrusive thoughts and I wonder if this is common during her recovery two days ago we went to a psychiatrist and he prescribed medicine for depression 10mg and she got even more tired i'm so scared that maybe a new illness has come up am so tired of all this but i'm trying to be strong and have hope but it feels like it's never ending

[Zebunisa_at_APP Moderator]

Hi Adoo97 . Thank you for reaching out to us.

I can't say whether periods affect thoughts, but generally when us women are on our periods we can be moody, so I can imagine being on your period and on medication at the same time can affect her thoughts as your wife says. Has your wife mentioned what thoughts she is having?

I suffered with PP just over a year ago when we welcomed our son and one thing I must say is that you get worse before you get better ..but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Your wife is still recovering and it will take time, as long as you are by her side and supporting her which it seems you are she will make a good recovery. I was on a lot of medication myself and I can say it does make you feel like a zombie, cranky and tired but a good support network and support from your partner goes a long way.

I hope you enjoy your vacation time together in Albania, it sounds relaxing