Length of treatment???

[redw44]

Hi,

I have just joined the forum, as am now ready to start talking about me and my episode of PP.  Basically I developed PP 7 days after the birth of my son (1st child) and had a 5 week admission to a Mother and Baby Unit.  Yes like others the experience was unreal and challenging to say the least. 

My son is now 6 months old and I am pleased to say that I have not had any further episodes including mania and depression (I felt I would never get better so this I am extremely proud of).  I now take 250mg of Quentiapine once a day at night.  I am interested to hear others experiences with regards to their medication following PP.  I've been advised to continue on Quentiapine for at least 3 years.  To be honest, this I find difficult to accept as initially I was told it would be for a year (excluding recommencement immediately following subsequent pregnancies).  Clearly I need to discuss this with my Psychiatrist.  But, hearing from yourselves would be really helpful.

Also, my Psychiatrist at the Mother and Baby Unit I stayed at seems to believe my PP is likely to be the beginnings of bipolar.  Has anyone else been told this?.

I look forward to hearing from anyone with any help.

Ruby.
 

[bry]

Hi ruby

My wife developed PP just after our first childs birth and he is now 16 months old but my wife is back at square one. She refuses to talk to psychiatrist and has stopped taking her medication without telling anyone. So you have done really well and should be proud of yourself.

All i would say is take any medication you are told to take and talk to psychiatrist and trust them because you dont want to end up like my wife. You might think you are ok but when you come off the medication you could end up back at the start. Believe me if its for 3 years or the rest of your life its worth it!! My wife thought she was ok until she stopped her medication and now the paranoia and depression is terrible and worse than ever. She also been told she could have bipolar

Good luck and enjoy your son.

brian

[redw44]

Hi Brian,

Thankyou so much for your advice.  Hearing your story about your wife is certainly a wake up call. 

However, I genuinely understand why your wife has stopped her medication...there are times when I think I'll be ok without my tablets.  Plus taking them makes me feel like I have no control over my life and the bad things they could be doing to me long-term.  The inconsistant advice I've had does make me feel like a guinea pig and that really the Doctors don't know what they are doing.

Rest assured I will listen though because I do want to be well and lead a normal life.  I think what I'm saying is what is the norm in this situation?.

Thanks again and all the best for you and your wife.  Much appreciated.

Ruby.

[Debra]

Hi Ruby

It was nice to read your story.  It's great that you can talk about it after only 6 months.  It was years later before I felt I could.  Three years does seen a long time to take your drug but you'll have to discuss this further with them.  I took an anti-psychotic drug for a few months then swapped over to an anti depressant for a few years.  I wouldn't worry about the comment that was made about it being the beginning of bipolar.  Maybe if you had a family history of it or you'd had previous bipolar episodes then it might be the case but not if you've had a one off PP episode after a baby. I had PP 13 years ago, I've never had any signs of bipolar since.  Good luck with everything, you sound like you're doing great.  Debra x

[redw44]

Hi Debra,

It's lovely to hear from you.  Knowing you are well and have been for some time does make me feel really hopeful, thankyou.  Fortunately I am seeing my Psychiatrist in a couple of weeks so I will have a good chat then.  Unfortunately though, yes I do have a family history of bipolar I guess.  My Aunt from my father's side.  Not that I should know this...my father doesn't know anyway.

Thanks again,

Ruby.

[stuart]

hi ruby

my wife was the same,she got pp on the day daughter was due home,which was 5 days after birth,she too was admitted to a mother baby unit.
daughter is 5 years old in march,and wife is still on medication,she has had a few relapses tho,first was after she had come off the medication after a year and a half,her psychiatrist had thought she was well enough,im now her full time carer,she doesnt have the paranoia and depression,but that is after the changing of her medication so much,wife has asked on many occasions if she can come off her drugs,but her cpn has talked to doctor she is under,and they have said no,she has even said about going back to work,and again they have said no,and i agree with them.

hope this helps

stuart

[redw44]

Thanks Stuart,

Again, the feedback I'm getting seems to lean towards persisting with the medication and trusting the mental health team. I guess it's such an individual thing.  I'm returning to work in March...breaking myself in by doing one day a week for a month and building up to three days a week.  Fortunately, my CPN wishes to stay in touch during this time to obviously ensure I stay well.  For me returning to normality is really important.

Best wishes for you and your wife and thanks again for your input.

Ruby.

[LisaK]

I don't mean to sound negative, but I am a big supporter of medication.  I had PP almost four years ago.  And, I plan to stay on medication for decades.  My doctor is very conservative.  He has dropped the amount of medication over the years, but he is afraid of a relapse and so am I.  He said to stay on it for 20 years.  If by that time, I don't relapse, I probably won't.  I want to take the medication because of my daughters.  While my daughters are still young, and I am still responsible for them ( along with my husband ), I just want to make sure that I am well, and do everything possible to stay that way.  I believe the anti psychotics have no longer term affects.  It is the lithium that can cause problems over the long term.  I am checked periodically to make sure the lithium is not hurting me, and my doctor says that if it does, there are ways to control that also.  There is a price, but I am willing to pay for it, to try to ensure my overall health.  Sorry to sound so militant, but I guess I feel strongly about it.  I wish you well.

[redw44]

Thanks for your comments.  I don't know what to say really.  One thing is certain, this works for you and that's what's important.  But right now I'm not sure this is right for me.  Yes, I do have a problem taking tablets and for many this may seem ridiculous and short-sighted.

I believe in looking at the cause of the problem.  Leading upto my PP I had a great deal of stress and was (still am) a 'yes' girl and I strongly feel this was a big factor in my PP.  Now I am trying to live my life differently (having a child gives you little choice) and am fortunate financially and with the huge support of my family, I know I can lead a less stressful life.  I have taken control of my life basically and that's why I feel so strongly that I will stay well.

However, I do hear everyone's message and will be sensible.  And listening to my Psychiatrist is a definate must!.

Thanks again.
Ruby.

[LisaK]

I am glad that you have a plan and a lot of support.  That will go a long way toward recovery and maintenance. With regard to the pills, it is a difficult decision.  Every time I take those pills, it is a reminder of what I went through - and yes, feelings of failure surface - that there is something wrong with.  And it doesn't really go away.  That is life though.  And I am glad that I have recovered.
Best of Luck
Lisa

[redw44]

Thanks for writing in Lisa.  I think you have some really valid points.  And like you said being well is the most important thing ever.  Best wishes to you.

Ruby.

[Roosmarij]

Dear Ruby,

I read your post regarding the length of treatment and I am surprised to see so many different replies. I think this illness is so personal that there is no 'one size fits all' treatment, so it may be worth experimenting (with help of the psychiatrist) to see what works best for you.

I had PP nearly 3 years ago, and I too was on quetiapine (initially 200 mg). Since the drug made me tired and gave me very scary palpitations, my psychiatrist agreed to slowly wean me off. We reduced the dose by 25mg at a time, starting about 8 months after my psychosis, and 6 months later I was drug free. I have been drug free for 20 months now and have had no signs of relapse.

I hope this helps.

All the best.
Rose

[Claire]

Hi Ruby

I think everyone is different and the length of medication depends on each individual person.

I had PP in June 2008 after having my daughter, I was in hospital for 12 weeks on a mother and baby unit and had to have ECT treatment. I think I had 12 treatments which is the maximum you can have in one session.

I haven't been on any medication since about Sept 2009. I have been really lucky and not had to go back on any medication. I think it was the ECT treatment that helped me plus the medication.

I would speak to your team and see what they advise but I would definatly go with what they say.

Good luck with it all.

Hope to hear from you.

Claire x

[redw44]

To Rose & Claire in particular (& anyone else whom is following),

Thank you very much for writing in, I have enjoyed reading your stories/situations alongwith your support.  Sorry I haven't been on the site for some time now, what with being busy and no news to report really. My Psychiatric appointment has been postponed several times and alas this monday I will have a chance to see what's planned for me.

I have been to work 3 times now (fortunately supernumary) and have coped really well...I am a professional so have a very stressful job and am delighted it went smoothly.  Although it is still very early to say with full confidence that I will stay well.  I do feel great, and as hoped & predicted I have had no signs of a relapse.  Long may this continue...have all fingers/limbs crossed.

I plan to write again soon with a further update following monday's meeting.

Kind regards,
Ruby x

[Claire]

Hi Ruby

Good luck with your meeting on Monday, hope it goes well, let us know what they say.

Take Care

Claire x