Has anyone tried or on Antidepressants to help with emotional hell of Endo?

[Amber83]

Hi girls,

I had excision surgery in March 2016 for stage 4 Endo and had a baby in May this year. I suffered really badly with anxiety and panic made worse by dealing with Endo. After surgery I started to get pain again after 2 months and decided to try for a baby partly in hope it would help my Endo. My baby is 6 months old and the pain has been getting worse month by month, I feel exhausted and the anxiety has taken over my life. I feel so bad to my baby as I find it hard to go out and feel ill and in pain most days so feel like she’s not getting the time she deserves. I’ve never wanted to take antidepressants as I’m scared of them but am starting to think I’m going to have to. The thought of the Endo getting me to how I was before my surgery is unbearable and I feel like life is not worth living. Until I look at my daughter and then I feel bad for feeling like this. Please help, any advice would be appreciated xxxxx

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

I haven’t personally taken antidepressants for any reason but many friends and family members have done so (not for endo) and they are amazing at getting people through tough times.

[kpulliam78]

This could be postpartum depression, and antidepressants definitely could help. I felt great after my first baby, but after my second I felt like I just could not "get it together". I finally had to see a doctor. Part of it is hormonal, part of it is chronic sleep deprivation that goes with being a new mother. Maybe even a little ptsd if you had a bad delivery. (When I was in delivery I kept hearing this woman screaming, and was so out of it with the pain I didn't realize it was ME. I would wake up in a sweat having nightmares about that inhuman screaming for weeks after. My son is ten now and I still don't like to think about it!) My point is, your body has been through a lot. Maybe even just talking to someone would help. I think that helped me more than medicine, just having someone tell me I wasn't crazy. Getting good rest/adequate sleep if you can is very helpful. Maybe a grandparent would give you a couple days help. Good diet helps too. Best of luck to you. It does get better!

[Amber83 in reply to kpulliam78]

I have a long history with anxiety and panic which as I say was made worse by endometriosis then after surgery I got pregnant which made it even worse then like u a traumatic labour and now it feels unfixable. Because I already had anxiety disorder, postpartum depression has been overlooked in my opinion and everything is just being put down to the existing anxiety. I have fought long and hard from the beginning of my pregnancy to get help but am still waiting. Then the Endo, another fight to get help for that is laid before me. I had an ultrasound the other day and they think there could be Adenomyosis aswell, this has tipped me even further. I don’t know, I’m just babbling now ☹️

[Jenstir75]

If you don't want to take antidepressants have you ever considered solution focused Hypnotherapy?

[ccsmith]

I’ve been low for many years but managed to control it. I started antidepressants after the mirena coil made me super anxious and I was having panic attacks at work. It’s made life bearable again.

It sounds like having the baby, hormones and new pressures of being a mum have exacerbated how you were before the baby. I was given Citalopram which helps with anxiety and depression.

Good luck with it all.

[Lallya]

I was prescribed amitriptyline to help me get through waiting for my op. They really helped me sleep also get through a day without wanting to rip someone's head off. I started on 10mg then increased to 20mg. I'm no longer on them but they helped me at my time of need

[J_d_1988]

Firstly congratulations on your baby girl! Secondly I definitely think it could be post partum depression. I came across your post whilst browsing and I think it’s the first time I have heard stage 4 and baby together. You have just given me a glimmer of hope so for that I thank you! I have stage 4 and am struggling extremely both physically and mentally. Please seek help, even if it’s not anti depressants but some form of counselling or other alternative therapy.

[Amber83 in reply to J_d_1988]

Thank you, she is amazing! I have had therapy in the past and am waiting again for more. I’ve been waiting since September 2016, they’ve spoke to me here and there and I saw a crap psychiatrist and have been put on another waiting list. It’s been a long road that doesn’t seem to be ending xxxx