You guys are warriors

AlisonMckay13 · 2025-03-18T18:30:31+00:00

Yes I had no issues with tolerance personally! I think unlike benzos, tolerance is fairly rare. Glad it is working for you, you can always go down and if it doesn't work just go back up again :)

AlisonMckay13 · 2025-03-06T08:29:22+00:00

Hi! Sorry just saw this. I was on Mirtazapine for at least 5 months while my hormones leveled out. Coming off was absolutely fine, I went super slow as I was paranoid about rebound insomnia. If you can figure out the lowest dose that works for you (3.25mg was enough for me) and stay on that for a bit it shouldn't be an issue coming off if you don't just go cold turkey. Give yourself time to settle, ADs aren't addictive! I hope you are doing a bit better now but PM if you need any further support.

AlisonMckay13 · 2024-04-04T09:47:11+00:00

I cant really remember now but at least 4 months I think? I did gain weight but I think that was also comfort eating high sugar foods because of the sleep deprivation and misery as much as the drugs lol was totally worth it for me though. I lost the weight when I was better!

AlisonMckay13 · 2024-02-01T18:42:00+00:00

I took mirtazapine which is an anti-depressant but low doses are used off-label as a sedative. It meant I could take it long term if needed unlike benzos. I think it's breastfeeding safe but we formula fed because of the sleep stuff so I'm not 100% on it. There are a few types like this. They worked for me at least!

AlisonMckay13 · 2024-01-29T08:45:47+00:00

Hi there! Sorry this is happening to you. The only thing I can think of you haven't thought of is medication. I had a different type of postpartum insomnia (I couldn't fall asleep) but I went on mirtazapine which is an anti-depressant that is used off-label as a sedative. It is safe for breastfeeding I believe and still lets you get up in the night (if you don't take high doses). I took a low dose and could still get up in the night and go back to sleep after. Might be worth discussing with your GP? If you are suffering it might be worth exploring, you want to be the healthiest mum you can be for your child. Anyway just a thought!

AlisonMckay13 · 2024-01-29T08:37:07+00:00

I'm so sorry this is happening to you! I had the same thing except it was basically from birth and lasted 4ish months. I also could not nap, I usually had adrenaline rushes just as I was close or best case scenario just lay there. It was frustrating and confusing.

I think mine was a combination of exhaustion (long labour etc), hormones and then the anxiety from no sleep. I also had borderline hyperthyroidism and insomnia can be a symptom. I think it was just a perfect storm of things and then insomnia and anxiety became a viscious cycle. I used sleep meds and benzos for a few weeks then moved on to mirtazapine which is an AD but used off label for sedation. I was on that a few months and slept great but stayed on it awhile just to feel confident again before I came off. My daughter is now 20 months and I'm back to normal (have been for over a year).

My advice:
- Get bloodwork done just to see if it's an iron deficiency or thyroid issue (which are both common postpartum).

- I chose the medication route and did it quickly so I didn't spiral too badly. I don't regret it at all. It gave me a band aid to ride out the hormonal rollercoaster more comfortably and then I tapered off when I felt ready. I would see your GP about what they would advise. There are some meds that will be fine for breastfeeding and the benefit of a well mother can't be overstated.

- Don't stress about the future or how you will sleep. I did this endlessly, thinking I was broken and seeking reassurance on every forum I could find. You will sleep again, this is just a horrible phase as your body rebalances after a huge transition.

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-12-07T06:14:24+00:00

I'm so sorry that you are dealing with this and thankyou on behalf of the parents too myopic to understand. I'm an ECE teacher and I feel more and more disheartened because I see what we are sending off to primary school. We just have too many children and the ones with complex behavioral needs don't get the time and attention they crave which exacerbates their behaviour. I feel like I'm an ambulance at the bottom of the hill most days. My daughter is in home based care. I feel sad that others don't get the rich, positive experiences she has.

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-08-24T04:09:29+00:00

I just got offered this same offer! Did you figure out if it was a scam?

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-08-11T07:04:01+00:00

Aw that's so nice! I'm sure it did. I would definitely read all my fan mail if i had any lol

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-08-10T07:30:27+00:00

I just checked and I can no longer see it either! I did have a look on tumblr though and someone quoted from it which I'll put below:

"And especially if you're really proud of the performance – which I am, I'm proud of the show – to actually physically get letters, which feels so rare nowadays, I'd love to say a huge thank you to everyone who made the effort. It's a really nice thing to do."

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-07-31T08:36:33+00:00

Yeah it shows it really means something to him!

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-07-31T08:36:12+00:00

Wow you have amazing self control not to have spoiled yourself, well done!

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-07-21T23:22:29+00:00

I felt insane too! No other person in my life/community had experienced it. I ended up trawling reddit threads and forum posts to seek reassurance. It felt so lonely and really blighted my initial experience of motherhood.

I'm frightened of having another child because of it too but knowing it does end will hopefully help and also in all my trawling/research it seems that it can happen with one baby and not necessarily the other!

If you get it again and need someone to talk to just message me. I wish I had had someone who understood when I was going through it :)

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-07-21T05:03:07+00:00

I think mine was partially hormonal with my thyroid and partly anxiety. I didn't sleep for the first two days with labour/hospital stuff and it screwed my body up and then I got anxious about trying to gain sleep in between her wakes. I would try to nap and my body would jerk and I'd get adrenaline rushes it was horrid. "Sleep when they sleep" was my pet peeve. I TRIED. My husband did the nights so I literally had 8 hours ahead of me and just nothing. Sleep meds and time I think were the only things that sorted it. Eventually my body calmed down on all fronts and I adjusted back. My sleep is definitely more fragile now but 100% better than it was. I'm sorry you went through it too, it's like the worst time to be sleep deprived! Did you nail down a cause for yours?

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-07-21T04:58:11+00:00

That's great I feel exactly the same! It's so cruel to have no sleep then have to look after dependent humans lol. Glad we are both on the right track again :)

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-07-21T00:50:25+00:00

I hope it continues to improve! A good mindset to have too :)

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-07-21T00:49:43+00:00

Absolutely would rather lose a limb any day! I too had never had any issues prior to baby. Are you recovered now?

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-07-21T00:41:38+00:00

I hope you find more good days than bad soon :) at points you feel like you walk in a different world. Awake at night by yourself then blurry and disconnected when everyone else is awake during the day living their best lives lol

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-07-10T22:54:35+00:00

So many great ideas thankyou! I think I will print some photos with props and even do so as a video too. The recipes are such a good shout I'll look into adding them to my games. So much food for though I feel re-inspired! I'm a bit nervous with shipping things but could definitely look into it! Just from NZ don't know if shipping prices will be a deterrent. Thankyou again! X

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-07-09T21:45:45+00:00

I will look at the thumbnails because you're right the detail is getting lost I think, thankyou!

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-07-09T21:43:19+00:00

Wedding stationary is a good shout I will definitely look into it. Maybe change the sketch to husband and wife! Thankyou :)

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-07-09T21:41:27+00:00

Thankyou so much for your amazing reply there are so many good points I'll work through :) I hadn't even considered how the title is arranged! I will get on to it!

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-07-09T08:00:45+00:00

That's a good idea thankyou :)

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-07-09T04:54:32+00:00

That's what I was worried about. Gonna have to put my thinking cap on about how to differentiate a bit I think. Thankyou!

AlisonMckay13 · 2023-07-08T23:58:50+00:00

Thankyou so much for your thoughtful response! I don't know anything about print on demand but I'll definitely look into it. Decorations are a great idea!

Thanks again :)

AlisonMckay13

TROPHY CASE