Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: dentstudent on 24/05/2009 11:26:11

Title: How long should a patient receive drug treatment for post-natal depression?
Post by: dentstudent on 24/05/2009 11:26:11: I'm curious about how long someone who suffer(s)ed from post-natal depression and who began taking prozac (flouxetine) to combat the PND should keep using the drug. Does PND last indefinitely? How does someone using the drug know when to stop using it? Obviously, consultation with a doctor is required, but is there a standard assessment protocol to determine whether someone still needs the drug?

Thanks

[MOD EDIT - title changed to make the question more search-friendly!]
Title: Re: How long should a patient receive drug treatment for post-natal depression?
Post by: JnA on 25/05/2009 06:41:17: I read this question last night but wanted to leave it until someone with experience can answer.... I suspect there is no answer yet because the answer is very individual.

My anecdotal answer is that I have known women to continue to have PND for years and others who only need meds for a few months (and all the combinations in between)
AFAIK PND is not 'cured' just dealt with. I believe (and I am prepared for correction) that the meds increase the uptake of dopamine, and the 'depressed brain' can be 'motivated/trained' (I'm not sure what the right word is) into replicating this.
How do they know when to stop? trial and error? I understand that the cessation of these meds needs to be gradual.

Sorry I can't help more.
Title: Re: How long should a patient receive drug treatment for post-natal depression?
Post by: dentstudent on 25/05/2009 07:28:51: JnA - Many thanks for your comments. It seems to me that this is something of a grey area, and as you say, is somewhat individual. I'm aware that PND is controlled rather than cured, and perhaps it's more the desire of the individual rather than the time that is important.

Any other prozac/fluoxetine comments out there?
Title: Re: How long should a patient receive drug treatment for post-natal depression?
Post by: kdlynn on 25/05/2009 17:19:18: i don't really think there's a time limit. i'm no doctor, but i am a mother, and i think i did have a little more than the baby blues after spencer was born. i think it really depends on the person.
Title: Re: How long should a patient receive drug treatment for post-natal depression?
Post by: dentstudent on 25/05/2009 18:07:53: Quote from: kdlynn on 25/05/2009 17:19:18
i don't really think there's a time limit. i'm no doctor, but i am a mother, and i think i did have a little more than the baby blues after spencer was born. i think it really depends on the person.

Hey Kadie - long time no morning coffee! Thanks for your input!
Title: Re: How long should a patient receive drug treatment for post-natal depression?
Post by: kdlynn on 01/06/2009 02:16:52: lol nice to see you again too. i've been busy...being pregnant, giving birth, taking care of a baby...but i certainly have needed coffee!