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Postpartum neurological symptoms
I have been experiencing strange neurological symptoms since my baby was 5 weeks old (born 20/12/08). It started with generalised weakness and dizzyness, and I have now started twitching all over and have tingling in both feet. The weakness and dizzyness seems to have reduced, but I am twitching all night, all over. I have been so consumed with worry about ALS, MS, so my doctor and neurologist sent me for a MRI which was normal. My neurologist assures me this is not the way ALS presents and so is sure I definitely dont have that. I have been diagnosed with aggitative postpartum depression - but this is my 3rd child and didn't suffer with the others - certainly with no physical symptoms such as these. I had a very heavy epidural this time, which numbed me from head to toe and which, for the next few days, I experienced double vision, weakness in arms and legs (similar to the way I felt 5 weeks after the birth). Any ideas? Anyone else experiencing a similar postpartum depression?
Nat please uodate us has this stopped? I feel.like theres no end in sight :( ive been experiencing this for 2 months now! Has anyone else who has commented manage to find out what this is ??? Please let me know if it stopped
1 Comments
Did you find out the cause and have the symptoms gone away? I’m going through the same thing 4 weeks postpartum
Is anyone else out there? Should we start anew thread.
I am 9 months postpartum. Started three months postpartum. I tried to get the epidural(they tried to place it over twenty times) and was never able to get it because they said my epidural wall was to small or something. I asked my neurologist about araxhboidits and he said not possible because i didn't actually get the medicine. I do have bruises on my spine from where it was places but no pain.
My symptoms;
Numbness and stiffness in my hands
Facial numbness vibrating feeling in different parts of body
Sometimes and intense vibration feeling st night throughout my body- it's really scary
I always wake up to numb arms hands and face but then i can shake it off
Numbness on my spine sometimes and upper back most mornings
Forgettfullness
Most recently well the past month I've had bladder issues which is really scaring me because i know that's a main thing with MS
I have had tons of tests including MRI of brain and cervical spine and both are clear
The brain MRI was done in an open MRI and I've read those are not as accurate so that gets me a little worried though my neurologist assures me ma would have showed up
Anyone else still going through this let's chat and get to the bottom of it. I've done so much research!
I am 9 months postpartum. Started three months postpartum. I tried to get the epidural(they tried to place it over twenty times) and was never able to get it because they said my epidural wall was to small or something. I asked my neurologist about araxhboidits and he said not possible because i didn't actually get the medicine. I do have bruises on my spine from where it was places but no pain.
My symptoms;
Numbness and stiffness in my hands
Facial numbness vibrating feeling in different parts of body
Sometimes and intense vibration feeling st night throughout my body- it's really scary
I always wake up to numb arms hands and face but then i can shake it off
Numbness on my spine sometimes and upper back most mornings
Forgettfullness
Most recently well the past month I've had bladder issues which is really scaring me because i know that's a main thing with MS
I have had tons of tests including MRI of brain and cervical spine and both are clear
The brain MRI was done in an open MRI and I've read those are not as accurate so that gets me a little worried though my neurologist assures me ma would have showed up
Anyone else still going through this let's chat and get to the bottom of it. I've done so much research!
6 Comments
Did you see my last comment?
Your Dr. doesn't know what he's talking about.... you don't only get arachnoiditis from the medication, it can happen from any puncture in the membrane(s) of the spine. Seeing they tried on you over 20 times, it seems highly likely to me. No surprise your Dr. isn't wanting to admit it is from epidural cause that would be admitting it was medical error....
https://www.causes.com/causes/335827-for-truthful-information-about-meningeal-pathologies-sacral-cysts-and-arachnoiditis/updates/335006-dr-long-john-hopkins-and-arachnoiditis
In the first paragraph of this article it clearly says arachnoiditis has symptoms similar to MS.
In the first paragraph of this article it clearly says arachnoiditis has symptoms similar to MS.
Did you have arachnoiditis?
The problem is I had something similar to this happen before. Well not as neurological but I still had some numbness and this was befor I had anbaby- but all of this back stuff going on started after baby and tinglijgnsnd burning
The problem is I had something similar to this happen before. Well not as neurological but I still had some numbness and this was befor I had anbaby- but all of this back stuff going on started after baby and tinglijgnsnd burning
So sorry you're going through this. My symptoms sound very similar to yours. I also had an epidural and have had clear medical tests including MRI etc. I saw you have had neuro issues in the past. I also had weird neurological issues about 10 years ago...once the whole right side of my body went numb for a couple hours and the numbness didn't wear off in my face until my doc put me on steroids. Then a couple years later my feet felt like water was trickling on them for a few hours. This is my third baby, third epidural. No issues with the other two. Docs are stumped. Maybe it's from the epidural, maybe a dormant neurological issue decided to rear its ugly head. Who knows lol. Feel free to private message me if you want to chat!
Hi~ I hope you al are doing better. I have never signed up at one of these forums, but I have the same story and symptoms as you all and am really struggling. I am 4 months postpartum FYI. I am wondering if your symptoms resolved and/or if you have any insights. I have a suspicion of a csf leak from the epidural as a cause. I would truly appreciate any insight, if you have any. Again, hope you have recovered. Thank you. Mackenzie
Have any of you had epidurals during labor? I have the exact same symptoms and I'm really worried they are from the epidural.
2 Comments
I had an epidural and get lots of twitching. Sometimes feels like my pulse. Then i see the muscle jumping xx
I had an epidural. My son is 12 weeks now. I've had full body twitching for the last 3 weeks. I'm so worried about it:(
I have been experiencing similar symptoms since about 3 weeks post-partum. It started with a strange sensation in my right calf - sort of tingling and cold. I soon had pins and needles all over as well as a feeling of weak muscles in my arms and legs. I also have twitching all over (legs, back, arms, face) as well as sore muscles - it almost feels like the day after an intense workout EVERY DAY. I am now 10 weeks post-partum and although the pins and needles sensation has dissipated, I still have muscle soreness and twitching. I've been to my GP and had a complete metaboloic panel drawn - all normal. I've seen a neurologist and had additional blood work done to check my muscles and for lyme - all normal. I've also had an MRI of the brain and cervical spine - no findings. Have anyone's symptoms gone away? I am praying that this is nothing serious and that eventually, I will get my life back. :(
I know this is many years on since the original post, but I came across it after searching for my own symptoms. I am 5 months post partum and suffering from weakness, tingling, twitching, inside tremor, slight numbness etc and of course these symptoms are VERY scary and related to lots of very serious illnesses, so it's not pleasant. I am feeling slightly comforted after reading this thread, if anyone who has posted here ever got any sort of resolution or answer it would be amazing to hear it. Also, anyone else currently in the same boat, please do feel free to email me. ***@**** xx
7 Comments
Hi Karris I'm currently having a similar experience and wondered if you had found a cause for your symptoms or had any updates. I'm feeling quite worried about these symptoms also.
I am 10 weeks pp and having muscle twitches all over although mainly in my upper left arm and elbow. This is the arm i usually use when holding my baby. Has anyone found a cause for this or is it maybe stress?
Hey. I'm glad I came across this and know I'm not the only one. Noticed that someone commented pretty recently and wanna know if doctors have figured anything out. And what everyone is doing to help their situation. I'm 4 months PP and feel like I get a new symptom every week. I've been dizzy since the day I delivered. I feel like the room is tilted or I'm on a boat. Hand eye coordination suck. Muscles twitch all over and sometime repeatedly in certain spots. Occasional heart palpitations. Facial numbness mostly in my chin. I feel like it makes me look funny when I talk. Just wanna know what everyone is doing. Thank you
I'm experiencing very similar symptoms..dizziness, tingling, mild numbness and other weird skin sensations, and occassional feelings like I have to gasp for air, if that makes sense? I'd love to hear from someone else going through this or from someone who went through it and is better. I've had extensive blood work done and MRI and all is normal.
Who here had an epidural?
Hi Karris, I've also developed these symptoms in the last few weeks - I'm now 9 weeks post partum. I'd would love to get in touch with you over email, but I can't see your email address. I would be really interested to know whether you got some resolution to this and if you've found anything useful to treat these symptoms. Many thanks Dawn
Hi Karris , I wanted know have your symptoms went away yet ? Because I’m 6 weeks postpartum and I’m having the same symptoms .
Hi. I'm searching for updates on the neurological problems all of you are experiencing. I've been having the same symptoms since 8 weeks pp - has been going on for 2 months now; tingling, numbing and burning sensations, weakness in legs and arms, muscle tics, troubles with coordination, shaky hands, eye pain and hypersensitivity. I had MRI and spinal tap, ct scan - all normal. Does anyone know what can cause these symptoms?
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Hello - would love to chat to you about this, great to see another relatively recent poster!! Would you like to exchange email addresses? xx
Hi I've had postpartum neurological symptoms for six weeks now. I was hospitalized for low potassium and kidney infection 3 weeks ago. They did every test Mri,spinal tap, ct scan, all normal. I have had tingling, numbing, and burning in legs, feet, hands, arms, face, leg weakness, leg contractions, hypersensitivity, cold and hot spells, sweating,lose of coordination, inside tremor etc. this is really baffling.does anyone have any information on what this is? Could it b bad epidurial? Neuropathy??
2 Comments
Did they ever find out what you have? I'm having the same issues
Did they ever find out what you have? I'm having the same issues
Hi, did your symptoms ever resolve? Going through something similar and it's all very scary!
Hi,
I had my baby in October and started to have weird symptoms a couple of weeks after that. I have been dizzy non-stop for over 6 weeks now. I have muscle weakness, tingling and sometimes an inside tremor feeling. I am so worried that I might have MS- although I did get an MRI of the brain that came back normal... let me know how you're doing.
I had my baby in October and started to have weird symptoms a couple of weeks after that. I have been dizzy non-stop for over 6 weeks now. I have muscle weakness, tingling and sometimes an inside tremor feeling. I am so worried that I might have MS- although I did get an MRI of the brain that came back normal... let me know how you're doing.
I have the same symptoms. Been going since 6 weeks postpartum. I am now 4 months postpartum the tingling has went away for the most part but i break out in cold sweats, muscle twitches all over, I feel like I'm wired all the time, teeth grinding. I've been through every mri, ct test and all normal. Wondering if they all found relief. If it went away!
I would like to know also how things turned out for the moms on this thread. I have had some awful postpartum neuro symptoms- to name a few- head to toe muscle twitching, issues with vision- mostly dizziness/foggy headed feeling, burning skin feeling, weird chills and tingling, feeling patches of cold and hot in various places on skin.
I had mri scans of the brain and spine. Bloodwork- a ton done. All normal.
I'm being worked up now for lyme.
Anyone have any input on what is going on? Anyone have the same problem?
I had mri scans of the brain and spine. Bloodwork- a ton done. All normal.
I'm being worked up now for lyme.
Anyone have any input on what is going on? Anyone have the same problem?
1 Comments
Hi Sunshine989 just wondering if you had any updates on your symptoms? I'm currently experiencing similar things and feeling quite worried.
Has anyone had any luck getting these symptons to go away? I am suffering the same issues! Muscle twitches all over since 3 months pp.
1 Comments
hi I'm getting muscle twitches all over too started 2 weeks after c section, how are you now are you still getting them?
Liza
Liza
Hi there,
I gave birth January 2009 (my first baby, natural birth) and everything went well, until I had a big hemorrhage 4 weeks after delivery. I still had pieces of placenta in my uterus. I rushed to the hospital and had a curettage and 2-3 days after that, I became extremely anxious, I was very dizzy all the time, like I was on a boat. A nightmare.
My doc gave me antianxiety pills. It helped a bit, but it just got worse with time (insomnia, panic attacks). After three months of wondering what I had, my doc suggested me to start anti-depressors (a kind that treats anxiety). I did not want to take them, but I had no choice. I felt no good at all.
I'm still taking them right now (it's been 15 months now). I tried to stop them last October, but felt dizzy again, so I re-started them. I will try to reduce my dosage by half (with my doc's advice) at the end of this month since I feel less much stressed.
I also did an MRI (all fine) and all kinds of tests linked to dizziness (ears). Nothing. Everything normal. The neurologist I saw told me that anxiety can cause SO MANY symptoms. It's frightening!!!
Please know that you're not alone and that these symptoms will slowly but surely go away. It probably will take you a few months to get better, based on all the things I read on the subject.
Hang in there. :-)
julie
I gave birth January 2009 (my first baby, natural birth) and everything went well, until I had a big hemorrhage 4 weeks after delivery. I still had pieces of placenta in my uterus. I rushed to the hospital and had a curettage and 2-3 days after that, I became extremely anxious, I was very dizzy all the time, like I was on a boat. A nightmare.
My doc gave me antianxiety pills. It helped a bit, but it just got worse with time (insomnia, panic attacks). After three months of wondering what I had, my doc suggested me to start anti-depressors (a kind that treats anxiety). I did not want to take them, but I had no choice. I felt no good at all.
I'm still taking them right now (it's been 15 months now). I tried to stop them last October, but felt dizzy again, so I re-started them. I will try to reduce my dosage by half (with my doc's advice) at the end of this month since I feel less much stressed.
I also did an MRI (all fine) and all kinds of tests linked to dizziness (ears). Nothing. Everything normal. The neurologist I saw told me that anxiety can cause SO MANY symptoms. It's frightening!!!
Please know that you're not alone and that these symptoms will slowly but surely go away. It probably will take you a few months to get better, based on all the things I read on the subject.
Hang in there. :-)
julie
I'm glad I found this site. I thought I was the only one having problems.I wonder if everyone's symptoms have gone already. I had my 3rd baby feb 2010 (c-section,) and I started to have strange neurological symptoms that comes and goes -predominantly left side from 5 weeks postpartum. Never had any issues with first 2 that I had them naturally. I've been to specialists, done all kinds of lab, MRI of the brain with and without contrast, cervical spine, echo,EEG, CAT scan and even ultrasound of uterus, ovaries etc.(had tubal ligation this time). Everything came back normal except my thyroid antibodies which is very high. I wonder if that causes these problems.One doctor told me that I'm anxious - I'm anxious because of this crazy symptoms. They really don't have any explanation. I'm nursing my baby who is 4months old. I'm hoping and praying it will go away soon.
Hi there, sorry to hear you are having horrible symptoms, its just awful isn't it.
Yes the symptoms following an epidural certainly make you wonder whether that is the cause. I certainly was convinced it was that for me, but having made contacft with other new Mums who are experiencing strange neurological symptoms following the birth, i've found that some of the Mums haven't had epidurals and still feel weird after the birth... so its a hard one. I do know that everyone i've spoken to has come right eventually - so perhaps hormones are playing a part too? I do know that I was extremely dizzy, sort of like when you've been on a boat for a week and get off, you still feel the floor moving beneath you. This happened until I stopped breastfeeding. This is my 3rd baby, I had no symptoms with my first two and had anaesthesia with both previous births, breastfed until 6 months. So seems that it can occur any time really?
I gave up breastfeeding this time at 3months because I was feeling too rough and needed to start taking anti-d's - which also helped things.
Anyway, I really hope that you feel better soon. Its horrible feeling so rubbish and having a new baby that you need to look after and want to enjoy.
Take care, Nat
Yes the symptoms following an epidural certainly make you wonder whether that is the cause. I certainly was convinced it was that for me, but having made contacft with other new Mums who are experiencing strange neurological symptoms following the birth, i've found that some of the Mums haven't had epidurals and still feel weird after the birth... so its a hard one. I do know that everyone i've spoken to has come right eventually - so perhaps hormones are playing a part too? I do know that I was extremely dizzy, sort of like when you've been on a boat for a week and get off, you still feel the floor moving beneath you. This happened until I stopped breastfeeding. This is my 3rd baby, I had no symptoms with my first two and had anaesthesia with both previous births, breastfed until 6 months. So seems that it can occur any time really?
I gave up breastfeeding this time at 3months because I was feeling too rough and needed to start taking anti-d's - which also helped things.
Anyway, I really hope that you feel better soon. Its horrible feeling so rubbish and having a new baby that you need to look after and want to enjoy.
Take care, Nat
IM 20 YRS OLD MY SON IS 10 MONTHS I GET REAL DIZZ Y EVERY TIME I STAND UP ALMOST FAINT AND I HAVE REALL Y BAD LOWER BACK AND LEG PAINS AND CRAMPS!!!THE DOCS DONT SEEM TO HELP !I ALSO HAD A C-SECTION AND EPDURAL...I TRUELY BELIVE THATS WHAT ITS FROM!!!ITS HORRIBLE ...
Hey Julie, just sent you a private message with my email address....
chat soon,
Nat x
chat soon,
Nat x
Hey Julie,
Yeah would be great to chat directly. I'm just about to head out with my boys - will drop you a private message in a couple of hours with my email address :)
Take care,
Nat
Yeah would be great to chat directly. I'm just about to head out with my boys - will drop you a private message in a couple of hours with my email address :)
Take care,
Nat
Hi Nat!
I met my new psychologist yesterday and her approach is much more appropriate than the previous one (my new one uses an 'analytical' approach and the old one uses a 'behavioral' approach). I find that with anxiety, 'analytical' works a lot better. You might want to verify with your psych which approach he uses.
Tomorrow, I will increase my dosage of anti-d's. Can't wait to see if they will work. This week, I haven't got much sleep, even if I take a sleeping pill before I go to bed. I often sleep from 9pm or 10pm to 1am and don't fall asleep again. I still don't feel any difference on my anxiety. Still there a lot.
And you, how are you doing???
Also, I was thinking that maybe we could write to each other directly. I saw that you gave your email address to another one of the girls here. What do you think?
Take good care,
julie x
I met my new psychologist yesterday and her approach is much more appropriate than the previous one (my new one uses an 'analytical' approach and the old one uses a 'behavioral' approach). I find that with anxiety, 'analytical' works a lot better. You might want to verify with your psych which approach he uses.
Tomorrow, I will increase my dosage of anti-d's. Can't wait to see if they will work. This week, I haven't got much sleep, even if I take a sleeping pill before I go to bed. I often sleep from 9pm or 10pm to 1am and don't fall asleep again. I still don't feel any difference on my anxiety. Still there a lot.
And you, how are you doing???
Also, I was thinking that maybe we could write to each other directly. I saw that you gave your email address to another one of the girls here. What do you think?
Take good care,
julie x
Hi Julie,
I was the same as you - it really took a couple of weeks to notice any difference. I still have really bad nights / days, but they seem to be getting shorter (i.e i'll have a couple of bad days / nights together) and then a few good ones. I had a really bad night the night before last and yesterday was awful. I actually just cried and cried alot. I saw the psych who was nice enough - but I actually dont think they are going to be able to help me at all. I really think (and from other ladies who i've met who have been through something similar), time is the only thing that helps. Last night and today were better. I'm starting to think it has a bit to do with what I eat - which is weird!
I really think you just need to take one day at a time (or even split it into half days). I'm 4 months postpartum now and have had this for 3 months. I'm sick of it, but just trying to get through each day and be positive and look after myself and my darling boys.
The anti-d's that i'm on keep me asleep until around 3am (if I go to be at 9pm), then I wake and check the clock and sometimes can drop straight back into sleep and sometimes it takes me ages (if one of the boys dont get me up before that). The psych wants me to increase my dose of anti-d's so I get more sleep - but to be honest, i'm functioning on the amount i'm on and dont need to feel more tired during the day than I already am. Plus I dont want to be completely knocked out at night either, I need to be able to hear the boys.
I'm having random moments of anxiety, but it is really much better now. I still have physical symptoms, but from what I understand that might just hang around for some time? So i'm quite prepared for those to go on for a few years, from what i've heard it can really take a while.
The anti-d's will definitely help with your anxiety - you'll probably feel it when you get to increase that dosage. Once that works you'll feel much better and probably be able to sleep well again too. I'm sure it will all come right - and fantastic that you dont have any more symptoms other than the anxiety and insomnia. Really things are getting better.
I did have tons and tons of horrid panic attacks that left me huddle on the couch frightened and clinging onto my family. Absolutely none of my friends (and I have tons who have young children) have experienced anything like this and certainly I didn't with my first 2. It can just happen to anyone at anytime and after one birth and not the next. Its great we can talk to each other about this aye!
Honestly i'm glad that you are on the road to recovery with those anti-d's. You WILL get better. Take one day at a time and each week that goes by know that you're closer to being back to your old self. I'm sure once you increase the dosage of them, you'll notice a change.
Take care and keep in touch - i'm supposed to see the psych again in 3 weeks, but really dont know if its going to help anything much.
Talk soon,
Big hugs,
Nat
I was the same as you - it really took a couple of weeks to notice any difference. I still have really bad nights / days, but they seem to be getting shorter (i.e i'll have a couple of bad days / nights together) and then a few good ones. I had a really bad night the night before last and yesterday was awful. I actually just cried and cried alot. I saw the psych who was nice enough - but I actually dont think they are going to be able to help me at all. I really think (and from other ladies who i've met who have been through something similar), time is the only thing that helps. Last night and today were better. I'm starting to think it has a bit to do with what I eat - which is weird!
I really think you just need to take one day at a time (or even split it into half days). I'm 4 months postpartum now and have had this for 3 months. I'm sick of it, but just trying to get through each day and be positive and look after myself and my darling boys.
The anti-d's that i'm on keep me asleep until around 3am (if I go to be at 9pm), then I wake and check the clock and sometimes can drop straight back into sleep and sometimes it takes me ages (if one of the boys dont get me up before that). The psych wants me to increase my dose of anti-d's so I get more sleep - but to be honest, i'm functioning on the amount i'm on and dont need to feel more tired during the day than I already am. Plus I dont want to be completely knocked out at night either, I need to be able to hear the boys.
I'm having random moments of anxiety, but it is really much better now. I still have physical symptoms, but from what I understand that might just hang around for some time? So i'm quite prepared for those to go on for a few years, from what i've heard it can really take a while.
The anti-d's will definitely help with your anxiety - you'll probably feel it when you get to increase that dosage. Once that works you'll feel much better and probably be able to sleep well again too. I'm sure it will all come right - and fantastic that you dont have any more symptoms other than the anxiety and insomnia. Really things are getting better.
I did have tons and tons of horrid panic attacks that left me huddle on the couch frightened and clinging onto my family. Absolutely none of my friends (and I have tons who have young children) have experienced anything like this and certainly I didn't with my first 2. It can just happen to anyone at anytime and after one birth and not the next. Its great we can talk to each other about this aye!
Honestly i'm glad that you are on the road to recovery with those anti-d's. You WILL get better. Take one day at a time and each week that goes by know that you're closer to being back to your old self. I'm sure once you increase the dosage of them, you'll notice a change.
Take care and keep in touch - i'm supposed to see the psych again in 3 weeks, but really dont know if its going to help anything much.
Talk soon,
Big hugs,
Nat
Also, do your friends and family understand what you're going through? Me, they don't really (well my close family does understand). Seems like no one ever heard of this in my circle of friends...
julie
julie
Hi Nat!
So, how did it go with the psychologist? Did it help?
Me, I'm seeing a new one tomorrow since the one I saw 3 times so far doesn't seem to help. I can't wait to meet her. I feel very anxious today. :-(
I don't sleep much. I took a sleeping pill in the middle of the night but like you, after 3 hours, I woke up... Very tired and anxious in the morning. I'm still having panick attacks during the day, and sometimes at night, when I look at the alarm clock.
I think you had a lot of those panic attacks too (??). Very annoying. Do you still have any? I've read that anti-d's help a lot with that. (Can't wait to find out!!!)
It will be a week in 2 days that I'm taking anti-d's. After a week, I need to double the dose I'm taking right now. My doc wanted me to start with a lower dose so I don't feel the side effects too much. I can't wait for them to work. No difference at the moment.
Did you have anything to change to get better sleep, or is it just that the anti-d's help you relax? I'm wondering what to do to help myself get some sleep!
And as for my symptoms, I only have anxiety and insomnia right now.
My mom is coming back tonight for a few days to help me with the baby when I will be too tired. She is so sweet. :-)
Hope you're having a good week. :-)
Write soon!
julie xx
So, how did it go with the psychologist? Did it help?
Me, I'm seeing a new one tomorrow since the one I saw 3 times so far doesn't seem to help. I can't wait to meet her. I feel very anxious today. :-(
I don't sleep much. I took a sleeping pill in the middle of the night but like you, after 3 hours, I woke up... Very tired and anxious in the morning. I'm still having panick attacks during the day, and sometimes at night, when I look at the alarm clock.
I think you had a lot of those panic attacks too (??). Very annoying. Do you still have any? I've read that anti-d's help a lot with that. (Can't wait to find out!!!)
It will be a week in 2 days that I'm taking anti-d's. After a week, I need to double the dose I'm taking right now. My doc wanted me to start with a lower dose so I don't feel the side effects too much. I can't wait for them to work. No difference at the moment.
Did you have anything to change to get better sleep, or is it just that the anti-d's help you relax? I'm wondering what to do to help myself get some sleep!
And as for my symptoms, I only have anxiety and insomnia right now.
My mom is coming back tonight for a few days to help me with the baby when I will be too tired. She is so sweet. :-)
Hope you're having a good week. :-)
Write soon!
julie xx
Hey there Julie,
Yes prior to all this starting I was such a good sleeper - always a solid 8 hours a night (when my 2 other little boys didn't wake me of course). Then when all the symptoms started I developed terrible insomnia, some nights I just couldn't drop off at all. So the doc initially gave me sleeping pills, but I would wake the minute they wore off, usually after 2 - 3 hours.
I was very scared to start taking anti-d's. I've always managed to get through anxiety and anything on my own and things usually come right with me. But after a week of no sleep and the sleeping pills not really working, I agreed to try something. Sometimes I believe it can take trying a few before you find the one that is really right for you.
I was first put on Citalopram which is a newer anti-d, and which didn't really help. After 10 days I felt worse. I still had to take the sleeping pills at night and sometimes valium during the day to help with the horrid anxiety.
When I went to the neurologist (who said that most of the people he sees are actually "depressed" rather than having anything physicially wrong with them) he said with anxiety some of the older tricyclic antidepressants work better. So he changed me to amitriptylene and I take that at night, right before bed and I sleep pretty well - well 6 hours usually and then I can drop back to sleep again for another hour or so. So I dont have to take sleeping pills as well. They seem to do the whole trick. They actually leave you feeling very relaxed in the day, perhaps sometimes a wee bit sleepy, but at least i'm not panic stricken and not functioning!
They took about a week to start working and then by 2 weeks I was feeling a whole lot better, i've been on them for about 6 weeks now and really feel that most of my symptoms have subsided, except for the twitching, but that's gotten better too. It certainly doesn't bother me in the day anymore.
My Mum spoke to a friend of hers who had a similar thing happen after the birth of her 2nd son (no probs with the first, same as me, no probs after my first 2 babies). She said that she was a nervous wreck, dropping things, insomnia, terrible anxiety and strange symptoms, so weak she could hardly do anything. She said it was a year before she started to feel more like her old self. So i'm not expecting any miracles in the immediate future, i'll just look after myself, eat well, avoid too much sugar, caffine and keep taking the anti-d's and supplements.
One thing the neuro said about anti-d's and depression is that the three problems with them are (1) not being diagnosed with depression / anxiety at an early stage; (2) being prescribed the wrong one; and (3) most importantly, coming off them too soon. So I wont rush anything, will give it a good year until the symptoms are well and truly gone and then talk to my doc.
Yeah I dont know if my appointment with the phychologist tomorrow is going to help me. I'm really not depressed (although I feel depressed about this having happened to me this time). But will go and see what's said. I'm definitely feeling better and much much less anxious - so that's a step in the right direction.
Anyways, I better get back to it. Let me know how your keeping. Its nice to keep in touch and know you're not the only person dealing with this horrible thing aye.
Take care,
Nat x
Yes prior to all this starting I was such a good sleeper - always a solid 8 hours a night (when my 2 other little boys didn't wake me of course). Then when all the symptoms started I developed terrible insomnia, some nights I just couldn't drop off at all. So the doc initially gave me sleeping pills, but I would wake the minute they wore off, usually after 2 - 3 hours.
I was very scared to start taking anti-d's. I've always managed to get through anxiety and anything on my own and things usually come right with me. But after a week of no sleep and the sleeping pills not really working, I agreed to try something. Sometimes I believe it can take trying a few before you find the one that is really right for you.
I was first put on Citalopram which is a newer anti-d, and which didn't really help. After 10 days I felt worse. I still had to take the sleeping pills at night and sometimes valium during the day to help with the horrid anxiety.
When I went to the neurologist (who said that most of the people he sees are actually "depressed" rather than having anything physicially wrong with them) he said with anxiety some of the older tricyclic antidepressants work better. So he changed me to amitriptylene and I take that at night, right before bed and I sleep pretty well - well 6 hours usually and then I can drop back to sleep again for another hour or so. So I dont have to take sleeping pills as well. They seem to do the whole trick. They actually leave you feeling very relaxed in the day, perhaps sometimes a wee bit sleepy, but at least i'm not panic stricken and not functioning!
They took about a week to start working and then by 2 weeks I was feeling a whole lot better, i've been on them for about 6 weeks now and really feel that most of my symptoms have subsided, except for the twitching, but that's gotten better too. It certainly doesn't bother me in the day anymore.
My Mum spoke to a friend of hers who had a similar thing happen after the birth of her 2nd son (no probs with the first, same as me, no probs after my first 2 babies). She said that she was a nervous wreck, dropping things, insomnia, terrible anxiety and strange symptoms, so weak she could hardly do anything. She said it was a year before she started to feel more like her old self. So i'm not expecting any miracles in the immediate future, i'll just look after myself, eat well, avoid too much sugar, caffine and keep taking the anti-d's and supplements.
One thing the neuro said about anti-d's and depression is that the three problems with them are (1) not being diagnosed with depression / anxiety at an early stage; (2) being prescribed the wrong one; and (3) most importantly, coming off them too soon. So I wont rush anything, will give it a good year until the symptoms are well and truly gone and then talk to my doc.
Yeah I dont know if my appointment with the phychologist tomorrow is going to help me. I'm really not depressed (although I feel depressed about this having happened to me this time). But will go and see what's said. I'm definitely feeling better and much much less anxious - so that's a step in the right direction.
Anyways, I better get back to it. Let me know how your keeping. Its nice to keep in touch and know you're not the only person dealing with this horrible thing aye.
Take care,
Nat x
Hi Nat!
Thank you soooo much for reassuring me about the anti-d's. Like you, I was very scared to start taking them, but I had no choice because of my insomnia (I sleep approx 3-4 hours a night with a sleeping pill, and I can't sleep during the day when my baby is sleeping). Never happened to me in my entire life. I normally sleep 8-9 hours a night!! (before baby, of course!)
So like me, you couldn't get any sleep before the anti-d's??
Anyway, let me tell you that I can't wait for them to start working. I started 3 days ago. So hopefully, in about 10 days, I should start feeling them working (please!!!)
I'm glad you can get some help from the hospital and also that your mom lives nearby. Mine lives a 5-hour drive from here... She came to give me a hand for a few weeks when this all started. I was so dizzy, tired and weak.
I'm also seeing a psychologist since February (3 times since then... not a lot) but I'm not sure she's realy helping me. I have an appointment with another one this Wednesday. I hope she will be better.
Me, I don't really feel 'depressed'. I'm just very tired and just hoping for my anti-d's to work so that my anxiety reduce. You?
Keep me posted on the colloidal silver!
And good luck while your husband is away.
Keep in touch!
I check this forum about every day.
Take care :-)
Julie
Thank you soooo much for reassuring me about the anti-d's. Like you, I was very scared to start taking them, but I had no choice because of my insomnia (I sleep approx 3-4 hours a night with a sleeping pill, and I can't sleep during the day when my baby is sleeping). Never happened to me in my entire life. I normally sleep 8-9 hours a night!! (before baby, of course!)
So like me, you couldn't get any sleep before the anti-d's??
Anyway, let me tell you that I can't wait for them to start working. I started 3 days ago. So hopefully, in about 10 days, I should start feeling them working (please!!!)
I'm glad you can get some help from the hospital and also that your mom lives nearby. Mine lives a 5-hour drive from here... She came to give me a hand for a few weeks when this all started. I was so dizzy, tired and weak.
I'm also seeing a psychologist since February (3 times since then... not a lot) but I'm not sure she's realy helping me. I have an appointment with another one this Wednesday. I hope she will be better.
Me, I don't really feel 'depressed'. I'm just very tired and just hoping for my anti-d's to work so that my anxiety reduce. You?
Keep me posted on the colloidal silver!
And good luck while your husband is away.
Keep in touch!
I check this forum about every day.
Take care :-)
Julie
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