Which medication have you found most helpful?

[Zebrawhite]

I'm having a medication review soon and I think something needs to change as I am so weak now after nearly 4 weeks of taking ablify, and it is causing drowsiness during the day and anxiety at night. I need to look after my baby and am struggling.Which medications have you found most effective without these side effects for you?

[Ellacott_08 Volunteer]

Hi Zebrawhite

I had pp 8 years ago after the birth of my son, and doctors did have to try me on a few medications before they found one that worked for me.

I don't have any personal experience of being on ablify put can certainly understand some of the side effects you're having. It can be a really frustrating time.

I'd definitely talk to your doctor and cpn if you have one. Maybe take a family member or friend with you if possible so you feel supported.

I hope things start to improve for you soon x

[Maria_at_APP Moderator]

Hi Zebrawhite, it sounds really exhausting what you are going through at the moment. I took olanzapine when I had pp, it makes me very drowsy when I take at night, so I was able to sleep my hours with no problem. Do you have support for helping with caring for your baby in the evenings so you can rest?

Do let us know how does the review go, wishing you all the best

Maria

[Lizzo30]

Have you heard of flaxseed oil capsules? Holland&Barrett are doing a good deal atm

Flaxseed oil is a rich source of omega 3 and helps the body to make progesterone the calming hormone

Highly recommend you look into flaxseed oil benefit s

Don't stop you medication suddenly even NHS in my experience underestimate the importance of tapering

[SammySeal in reply to Lizzo30]

That's interesting Lizzo30. I take vegan Omega 3 (from algae, so no fishy taste). I first started it as I'm vegetarian and was aware I probably wasn't getting enough of it. When I take it I just feel generally all-round better, a bit like when I take iron supplements. If I run out and don't bother taking it, I soon feel the difference. I didn't know whether it was just psychosomatic, but perhaps not!

[NMG1991]

Hi Zebrawhite

Sorry to hear your medication isn't working for you.

I myself am on Olanzapine - I was on 7.5mg at my highest dose when I was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis. I'm now down to 2.5mg but I've been on it 2.5 years. I am tired on it however I have always been able to wake for my little one if he needs me in the night for night feeds and go back to sleep from that point. As he's got older he sleeps through with the rare night cry for a dummy or a cuddle. At 2.5mg I am sleeping less but still getting a good night's sleep. I have always been able to function fine in the day however I used to nap whilst my little one napped but I'm finding less of a need to do that now I'm on the lower dose.

Overall Olanzapine has been great. I have gained weight on it however (2.5 stone) which seems to have stabilised for some time now. I know this is a common side affect with most antipsychotics. I've had no other side effects other than those mentioned.

I hope you're able to find a medication that works for you.

Kind regards,

N x

[SammySeal]

Hi Zebrawhite

Sorry to hear you're not getting on with Ablify. Did the docs say how long it takes to start working properly and for initial side-effects to wear off? I've never had Abilify, but I know with other meds I'm on, some I didn't feel the benefit of (in fact, felt the opposite) until a couple of months in.

I think what med works for people really varies, but I have found that my current combination of quite high dose slow-release Quetiapine at bedtime, along with Venlafaxine in the morning, seems to manage both my psychosis symptoms and anxiety very well. However, I would say that the Quetiapine makes me very sleepy, which is fine as I sleep like a log at night, but then I don't have a baby to wake for in the night.

All the best

Sammy x

[MotherOfBears]

hi zebrawhite

I haven’t been on ablify. But haven’t heard the weakness/difficulty mentioned by anyone on here before as a side effect. Which makes me wonder if it is quite UNcommon and perhaps on a different drug you would find relief from those side effects?

Agree with others that should speak about your concerns with your doctor. Do you find them to be helpful and understanding?