Anxiety, pain, and weight loss

[Mommyju]

Hi everybody

I, too, suffer from anxiety. I was diagnosticated with GAD 7 years ago. First I thought I had heart problems, then I would have a stroke.... Did a ton of tests and they were all normal. Took Lexapro and xanax as needed for over 2 years. Stopped the meds so I could get pregnant! Did really well, no panic attacks at all, trough whole pregnancy and a whole year after. But then, I started having panic attacks again. Went back to xanax 0.25 as needed, but no other meds since I'm still nursing, so when I take it, I have to wait a certain time to nurse, or "throw" milk away, even thought its a low dose, I don't want to pass it yo my kid! I just had a full healyh check up 2 months ago, all normal, had a thyroid nodule scare with my Obgyn, but the doctor was wrong and I have no problem at all. I lost 12 pounds in the last 2 months, although I wanted to loose the weight and was trying to loose it, I'm a little scared now! I lost 3 pounds in the week of my thyroid exams, couldn't eat or sleep. But now I'm eating normal again and the weight it's  still coming off a little, which can make me go crazy. Yesterday I went to see my psychiatrist and the first thing he said was: you lost weight and made me jump in the scale! After him looking at my blood tests he said I'm healthy and fine and I should be happy with the weight loss, but I keep thinking and google things like cancer, and I do weight myself like 10 times a day or more! Another thing it's I'm having muscle pain in both my legas for over a year, my doctor wants me to see a chiropractor for it, but he doesn't think it's a big deal. My pain goes and comes when I'm stressed or pms. Can anyone relate? HELP!!!!!

I'm almost 34, mom to 2 kids, very stressed, worrier, hypocondriac....

[Mommyju]

Wow!!! You brought so much understanding and calm. Thank you! Thank you all for the replies! The weight strategy it's a GREAT idea!!!! I'll try it!
On the weaning my kid, I know is past time already! I'm tired of it, we had enough bonding time! =) I don't want to sound mean, but, enough.....

Thank you guys! God bless us all with our anxiety issues! So not cool to feel this way! I'll keep you all in my prayers! This group it's really helpfull! :)

[mele48]

YES nursing burns calories!  Your body is working hard to meet the nursing demand your little one needs - that all translates to energy being burnt/calories being burnt.  

Anxiety860 is 100% right - anxiety can also cause weight loss.  I'm a tiny lady, and this fall I dropped 8lbs I could not afford to lose.  Anxiety is tough re: weight loss because your body recognizes it as a "work" chemical, so we might not feel hungry.  On top of that, the "work" is burning off the calories we are consuming, plus extra.  On top of THAT, "work" chemical can demand fast fuel (carbs) which it burns through super-fast & leave us nutritionally deficient - all of which can increase the anxiety chemical.  YUCK!

You've got a double-whammy going in terms of calorie burn with the nursing+anxiety.  Plus - you said yourself you're dieting & stretched thinner.  I'm not a mommy, and I know each child has different needs that a mom needs to adjust to.  But it might be time to start thinking about weaning.  I know that must be hard - the special bonding time, I'm told, is precious.  But this isn't about you taking something away from your little one - this is about *giving* something to yourself so you can continue to be a great mom.  Taking care of your body, whether it's nutrition, rest, new meds, etc., will help you feel better & positively impact you (and him!) in many ways.

Like anxiety860 said - be healthy and enjoy!

I agree with "anxiety860" - make a pact with yourself about that scale.  He had a great idea with setting up a timetable.  Tell yourself "For the next 5 days, I will only weigh myself # of times.  For the next 5 days after that, I will only weigh myself (less #) of times."  

Holidays can be tough - I've got family & money issues, too.  Make a list of "must happen" items - give yourself permission that everything not on that list is not worth stressing over.    

[anxiety860]

Oh I agree stay off "Dr. Google" and listen to your real doctor, and your real tests, which all say YOU'RE FINE!!  You even said it yourself when you are under stress and anxiety you don't eat, or eat less. I am the same way! Anxiety causes me to lose weight. weight I don't want to lose.  My anxiety thoughts come in and I think oh gosh... I lost this weight something must be wrong... Then i try to self talk... Ok I went to the doctor, had tests run, all was fine.... I know exactly what you're going through its rough. if you can I would relax as much as possible and try to weigh yourself less and less. start with twice a day, to once a day, maybe skip a day.  Stress and anxiety can cause you to lose weight I promise. It sure did for me. Idk i keep rambling on and now i'm not sure if this post will make sense. I guess what I am trying to say is, is that you are a HEALTHY MAMA AND ENJOY LIFE!! :)

[Mommyju]

You are so sweet! In regards to my thyroid, my Obgyn " felt" a nodule during my check up, sent me for a ultrasound and the radiologist said that that was nothing on my thyroid.... No nodules at all. And all my blood work is fine, too. Had a bunch of blood tests, from thyroid, liver, kidne function, blood count, and vitamins checked, all very good results.
In regards to my baby, he is 2 years old already, I know I should have stop the nursing long ago, but it's been a struggle with this boy! Other then my leg/back/muscle pain, I have no complains, until the weight loss! I did diet, cut down sugar and portions, but for the past week or so, I'm overdoing myself again and the weight still coming off. I'm extra anxious lately, holidays away from family, money is tight, and healt anxious, and I'm still nursing and my boy is EXTRA active! I don't know if breast feeding still burn that many calories after so long.... I just can stay away from Google and the weight!
But thank you so much for your words! You are very helpfull! =)

[mele48]

I'm sorry you're going through this!

The very first thing I would do is stop googling!  We anxiety journeyers are prone to the power of suggestion and are masters of "what iffing".  

I'm curious - so what did they do re: your thyroid?  Did they do ultrasounds & bloodwork to determine all was well?  The reason I ask is that thyroid issues and anxiety issues can mimic each other.  If the doctor did thorough checking in to a suspected thyroid issue and it all came back clear, then that's great news!

Anxiety can manifest itself in many different physical symptoms.  Also, it can cause us to focus on physical symptoms and fester over them when they are not related to our anxiety or any other health condition.  It's so easy to let ourselves get sucked into the vortex that we have something awful when our anxiety is grinding on us.

I complete understand your concerns about medicating while you're nursing - pumping & dumping is just hard for a mommy.  However, if you're still struggling to this degree with your anxiety, you might need a little more help.  I would keep talking to your psych/ob gyn etc. about your anxiety symptoms.  While nursing your baby is wonderful, if you need more help to be mommy to that sweet baby, maybe switching to formula is something to consider.

Also, are you talking to a pro about this (eg. counseling)?  I've had the benefit of a great therapist for many years who has been a wonderful resources and advocate for me.

Finally- being a mommy is hard work!  Make sure you're taking care of yourself.  Drink plenty of water, eat, get a baby sitter and sleep, do some kind nurturing things for yourself.

Hang in there!  You're trying to manage a lot - just stay off google ;0)