PND sufferers, please help......

[Sammystar]

I've been doing well this time around, coping with my PND. I was on the tablets for about three months, but I decided I wanted to manage without them so I stopped taking them about two and a half months ago. Since then I've done really well. I've been taking regular excercise (which really helps) and I've been coping OK.

Just recently though i seem to have fallen into one of those big, black holes again, and I'm just not coping again. I can't sleep, I have awful headaches the whole time, and worst of all, I'm back to being a ratty, mardy, cow to everybody at home.

I really don't want to go back on medication, as I really don't think it helps, and the last psychlogist I saw was useless, she just thought I was 'tired' and a good night's sleep would sort me out

I've been and bought some St Johns Wort because I've been reading it's a good herbal way to treat depression.

Does anybody have any experience of this herb? Is it worth trying? I've been reading up on it and I'm getting mixed messages.

 

[krystal&jack]

i haven't used it but my friend has and she said it was fantastic (her's wasn't pnd, just a bout of depression) - really hope u get something that helps hun, and good on you for trying to do it without meds but don't let yurself slip too much into that black hole, the meds are there to help even if u just take them for a bit to pick you back up again.

 

[-Betty-]

I have had PND, but very mildly. Do you not want to go back onto the tablets again? Have you spoken to your HV or GP?

 

[Sammystar]

We don't have HV's over here. My Gyn prescribed me the tablets at my six week check, but only for three months, after that if I'd wanted more I'd have had to go to see a Psychiatrist. Over here you go to see the specialist doctors for your condition, rather than a GP.

The last time I was diagnosed I lived in France, and I had a really good GP who I felt I could talk to. I don't have one here yet I know it's a silly reason but that's why I decided to come off the meds, because I just couldn't face going to see a complete stranger

Up until now I've done really well. I'm not sure why it's gone pear shaped these past few weeks.

I've been reading up on St Johns Wort, and like the normal meds it takes about six weeks to take effect, so I'm going to give it a go. The only problem is if it doesn't work and I go downhill even more.....

Oh b*gger, I'm not sure what to do.........

 

[krystal&jack]

it's not a silly reason, i can totally understand u not wanting to speak to a strange gp about your probs. I don't really know what else to say, i think good to take st johns but i also think u have to be careful not to let yourself slip into depression further cos then i think it makes it even harder to try and ask for help - here's lots of hugs for you

 

[jools221181]

Sorry I don't have any advice but didn't want to read and not reply

 

[Redshoes]

What about an holistic approach, if you don't want med's? I can vouch for hypnosis, and also you can learn calming techniques to help deal with your emotions, but that's if you have the time, relaxation CD's may help you sleep too, give them a go, they can really set up a great sleeping pattern if you go with them. Very best wishes Sammystar, the bestest thing you could do is talking about it and you're doing that so well done on speaking out about it, I really hope you find what works best to help you out of that hole very best wishes

 

[Sammystar]

Thanks so much for your kind words ladies. It's really nice to know I can come here and talk about it.

Red, I'll give some thought to your suggestions. I've never contemplated hypnotherapy, it's always scared me a bit, but perhaps it will help. I'll certainly look into it.

I think I'll definitely get myself a regular GP sorted out, somebody who I can go to if I feel the need. We've been back in Switzerland for twelve months so it's long overdue!

If push really comes to shove and I continue to slide, I'll go and get some medication again,but first I'm going to try the other approach. Excercise really helps a lot, but for some reason it just hasn't been enough recently.
I think I got unlucky with the last 'therapist' as well

Thanks once again ladies, you're all lovely

 

[mum2A&L]

aww hun. i did the same thing. Thought i was ready to take myself off the pills and a few weeks later ended up in tears at my local clinic. im back on them again, but after i get back settled into work, i want to drop the dosage back down again.

walking helps me loads as well. not only do i feel better for doing it, but alice will nap in the buggy / carrier, and i get away from my OH for a while (he works from home).

What excersise do you do? how about trying something different as well, dancing, that kinda thing?

 

[Sammystar]

My OH works from home as well, sometimes it can get a bit much with five of us at home! My therapist in France recommended jogging, so I've been doing that for a while now. I also have a cross trainer in the house so on rainy days I do that.
The jogging is excellent because it gets me out and away from the family. I leave the kids and OH behind, put on my Ipod, and run......it really helps! It was the best anti-depressant of all, but just recently I'm not sure what's happened.

I used to do a lot of walking too, when the girls were young and in a double buggy. It's not so easy these days with three kids in tow though....

 

[mrs_tommo22]

Big hugs sammystar, i was a pnd suffer and have got through it and not had t this time around. I hope you get through it nthough hun cvos its awful i know.

 

[Sammystar]

Big hugs sammystar, i was a pnd suffer and have got through it and not had t this time around. I hope you get through it nthough hun cvos its awful i know.

thank you

 

[trixipaws]

sorry i cant help iv been very lucky 2 escape pnd but want to give u these