Post natal anxiety

[missVN]

Anyone have any experience?

I saw my doctor 2 weeks ago for various symptoms - extreme tiredness, nausea, diarrhoea, headaches, achey shoulders, hot flushes/ cold shivers spells, irritability.
My almost 10 month old has never slept through so put it down to having such disturbed sleep.
Doctor recommended some bloods which I had a week ago.
Went in for my results on Friday. They were all normal, apart from one which was slightly raised and shows there is some level of infection or inflammation in the body.
After doing some thinking and reading and discussing with the doctor, it seems like a lot of my symptoms may be from the effect of anxiety. I've generally been a bit more anxious since finding out I was pregnant but just recently have realised that my reactions to a lot of situations is just not normal. Always thinking the worst, and almost constantly have a feeling of dread in my stomach.
The doctor has started me on a low dose anti depressant for the anxiety. She says it's quite common after pregnancy and thinks my anxiety is 'low grade' so I'm hopeful that they will help.
Anyone have any advice or been through/ going through similar?

 

[Megandelv88]

I went throught something similar but never saw a doctor. My babes was starving since the moment he was born and cluster fed 24/7. I was anxious to leave the house because i didnt want him to want eat and i didnt want to nurse in public. I also had anxiety about bed time because I never knew how the night was going to go with all of his wakings and so much feeding. I rarely slept and I dread it every night. But hes about 6 months now and I haven't had these issues for awhile. They kind of went away as things got better on their own. I wish you luck and keep in mind, it does get better.

 

[xdxxtx]

Yes, I've been there. I treated with Zoloft (Sertraline) for 5 months and then weaned myself off once I was feeling more like "myself" again. I couldn't wait to get off. The side effects of the medication weren't fun, but at least I could think straight, and that was much more important!!!!

My PPD/PPA (depression & anxiety) symptoms were MUCH more obvious than yours. I would scream and yell and throw things and cry and hide in my room with my baby and threaten anyone who tried to come near that they couldn't take my baby from me and was truly terrified that someone was coming to steal my baby away. It was terrible! I FELT like I was thinking clearly and that it was truly happening, but looking back, I know I just wasn't in my right mind. So yes, your problems are much more "low grade" than mine were - ha! I hope that makes ya feel a little better... I hope this treatment takes care of the problem because it is so worth it to just start to feel "normal" again.

 

[Left wonderin]

Not sure if your doctor checked your thyroid ? An overactive thyroid can explain all of the symptoms you are having . I had that exact feeling after my Ds and went to the doc . He tested and I was overactive . On meds 2 weeks and felt like my old self... Was diagnosed with GRAVES.

Worth making sure he tested for it . Its quite common after pregnancy .

 

[missVN]

Thanks for the replies. I've been started on 10mg citalopram so hoping to start feeling better soon as the side effects are making me feel worse than ever. Only started them Friday though so know I've got a little way to go yet.
Yes had full bloods including thyroid and all was normal.

 

[1nceUponATime]

I could've wrote this thread. I have an almost 7 month old. Her sleep is so sporadic. She on average still wakes 2-3 times, on bad nights she won't go back to sleep or wakes 5 times or just ends up in bed with us. Once in a random while she will sleep through. I am SO sleep deprived but we are breast feeding and so I get up w her. My anxiety starts to sky rocket at bed time. I am so anxious about her waking up, and when will she wake up, and will she go back to sleep. Any noise she makes literally makes my heart skip a beat and I get so much anxiety that I can't even fall asleep! It makes me a mess all day, and then I snap at my DH 24-7. It's kinda depressing because I really thought before I had her that at SOME point in time she would sleep lol

I wish you luck! I hope your anxiety decreases w the meds. Any idea if meds are safe for breast feeding ?

 

[missVN]

The lack of sleep really doesn't help, my anxiety is definately worse following a bad night. It's early days but feeling positive.
I think a lot of the anti depressants that's they tend to use for anxiety are not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding but it would definately be worth you speaking to your doctor if you feel it's affecting you.