Length of treatment???

[redw44]

Hi.

Well Monday's review completed.  I laid it on the line that I didn't feel 'normal' being on the medication.  My Psychiatrist seemed empathetic, stressed that they couldn't make to continue with my medication but naturally she recommeded I continue.  And yes, for a duration of at least 3years.  I didn't expect any less to be honest. 

What was good though is that because I have difficulty waking in the morning and feel like I need to 'warm up' (muscular), she agreed to try me on a 'short release' version rather than the 'slow release'.  She thinks I am doing really well.  I stressed and maintain my word that I wouldn't be daft by taking myself off the medication without her support and agreement.

So, that's where I'm at.  Persistance and maybe I need to change my perception of the medication rather than see it as a link/punishment/weakness, somehow!!.

Ruby x

[heather_85]

hiya ruby

im new to the site just posted my story "think i had pp but never been given proper diagnosis".
i was sectioned after a traumatic birth and have been on quentiapine also for nearly 6 years, i was on 100mg in morning and 400mg at night until recently i just had enough and thearpist said to ask to come off it. im only on 100mg in morning now and dropping to 50mg next week before coming off.
i too think its a long time to be on for as ive been told its normal 1 year but my consultant never said anything before about when to come off them until i said.

i think its great that like others have said that you are able to talk about your pp only 6 months on

best wishes

heather

[redw44]

Hi Heather,

Thanks for writing in and I'm sorry for not writing in sooner.  Obviously I'm assuming you are now off your medication, how are you doing now?.

I know people have been encouraging and wanted to know how I am getting on, so here goes:

Since I last wrote in I have had 2-3 psychiatrist appointments and everything has gone brilliantly.  As I have been stable since my PP and made significant personal psychological changes to my life (taking control basically) we agreed that I could wean myself off my quentiapine (I am keen to try for another baby).  Reducing my dose steadily was sensible and I have had no 'wobbles' during this time.  I agreed that I would of either stayed on the dose or gone back up if I was having any problems.  So currently I am medication-free and doing really well.  The plan is to recommence my antipsychotic's as soon as my next baby is born (no, not pregnant yet).  I am anxious about what lie's ahead in respect of my mental health and am adamant that I do not want to experience anything like that again, so I would definately go back on the medication again if need be!.  I am over my hangup about feeling a failure because of the stigma of having a mental health problem. 

And for everyone out there you can/do get better!!!!! 

Best wishes and thankyou so much to everyone who has written to me - you have really made a difference by keeping me on track and by knowing i'm not on my own has been great.

Ruby xxxx 

[Lucky dad]

Hi,

My wife suffered from PP after our first child, now about 5 years ago, she was in a mother & baby unit for about 11 weeks (longer than the average) and it took a considerable time after that to get her confidence back. She stayed on Venlafaxine for 9 months after the MBU and then we reduced very very gradually as it seemed to have a bit of a funny effect. There were times when she said "I feel better and I want to come off the medication" but we always made sure she stayed on until the consultant decided it was time to reduce and then we took it so slowly   Now we have a very confident and sociable little 'un, my wife has done so much with him over the last few years and she returned back to her work part time after about a year of falling ill.
As you say people do get better and good on you for being open about it so soon.

best wishes
Simon