ppp & weaning relapse

[Unicorn23]

hello ~ I had ppp back in Feb 2023 after baby #2 was born. I was able to continue breastfeeding and back in August/September 2024 I weaned her and got my period back (for the first time) shortly after. Around late September into October I experienced psychosis again……. I was on medication but it was t working wasn’t sleeping and started having a lot of religious delusions and hallucinations which is what happened after she was born. I’m feeling really distraught and confused….. has this happened to anyone else? What’s up with the spiritual thing and hormones and all of this….??????

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Unicorn23

I’m so sorry you felt really distraught and confused earlier. How are you feeling now? I had pp twice many years ago with relapses and remember how real and frightening the hallucinations and delusions were. I didn’t have religious delusions although in my notes it does mention that I’d thought God was punishing me for my actions during pp as my periods took months to return.

Have you talked to your GP about how you are feeling or your care team? According to my notes I was on a cocktail of medications to see which worked for me I suppose. An additional medication was added which prompted my psychiatrist to note that my delusions were eventually fading. So perhaps your GP might be able to refer you for the care you need to find your place again?

It’s not easy feeling unwell and caring for your family so be very gentle with yourself and please take care. 🌻

[Isabella5991]

Hello, I’m really sorry to hear you had it twice close together. This also happened to me. Postpartum psychosis in 2020 when my second was a baby, then 3 years later when I stopped breastfeeding I had another episode. It was much milder at least and only lasted a week. I was also already medicated so helped a lot. I also have pmdd and bipolar 1 and would have episodes every month. After heaps of medication changes, olanzapine is the only one strong enough to combat all my symptoms. I’m super sensitive to hormonal shifts like you and a lot of women who have had Ppp. Always feel free to chat to us here and speak with your gp and psychiatrist xx I’ve been under a psychiatrist team since my milder episode and have found it really helpful. If you aren’t already, I would ask your gp for a referral xxx

[Travel_free]

Hi Unicorn23,

Sorry to hear what you have been/ are going through. Hope you are getting the support you need?

I had pp a few days after my daughter was born in Jan 2021, I wasn’t diagnosed at the time so I wasn’t medicated. I was also breastfeeding and in March 2021 feeding really wasn’t going well so had to stop quite quickly, I then experienced psychosis again, also having religious delusions. I wasn’t ever medicated and these thoughts/ delusions stayed with me for a long time only getting less in time. I do think hormones must has a huge part in the onset of the illness, along with being pushed to your absolute limits. I hope you find the right thing to help you