Aa
Anxiety?
Hello! I just had my 2nd baby about 5 weeks ago, and last week ended up in the ER due to shortness of breath, major dizziness (to the point of vertigo)....and I also experience left jaw (hinge) and arm pain...they ran EKG, lung xray, even ct for blood clots, bloodwork...all clear. A few nights later - same symptoms....went back. Ended up with the same doctor. He diagnosed me with post partum anxiety. I am on .5 mg lorezapam (sp?) until I can see a psych/therapist next week. I am finding it hard to believe that anxiety can cause all of these issues...i feel like I am panicing about it all day every day and these symptoms are constant. Any thoughts?!?
The very worst thing you can do is search the internet. Seriously...it will fuel your anxiety something terrible. You have to make a concerted effort NOT to do this to start helping yourself.
You can put in..."stuffy nose, headache, sneezing"...and you will get search results about brain tumors, cancer, HIV, but not a common cold, or sinus infection...which would be the obvious answers. See what I mean? Just a BAD idea all around.
You can put in..."stuffy nose, headache, sneezing"...and you will get search results about brain tumors, cancer, HIV, but not a common cold, or sinus infection...which would be the obvious answers. See what I mean? Just a BAD idea all around.
let me also add that my babies are just about 12 months apart.....so I am sure I have a lot of hormonal stuff going on as well........
I also have a problem...every little symptom I feel..when I have the jaw pain....for example..or the arm pain...or the dizziness..whatever it may be ......i google it.....and then I diagnose myself with 100 different diseases bc I cant believe the symptoms can really be anxiety....so i also have anxiety about my health! ahhhh i feel like this will never go away, but hopefully will get better with meds and talking to someone
How long it lasts can greatly vary. It may be a few weeks, or a few months. The good thing is, you sought help right away, which will help a lot. A lot of people wait and wait, thinking it will just go away on its own, which sometimes it doesn't, without some professional help. You've already taken the first step, so that's great!
One of the BEST things you can do to help the anxiety is to stay busy (which I'm sure you won't have any trouble doing with a newborn, lol). The more your mind is occupied, the less you will ruminate about it, causing more symptoms.
You'll be just fine. The more you see (like on a forum like this) just how many people suffer with anxiety, it helps a lot to know you're not alone.
One of the BEST things you can do to help the anxiety is to stay busy (which I'm sure you won't have any trouble doing with a newborn, lol). The more your mind is occupied, the less you will ruminate about it, causing more symptoms.
You'll be just fine. The more you see (like on a forum like this) just how many people suffer with anxiety, it helps a lot to know you're not alone.
thank you so much for this long and thorough answer....it does help to know that other people go through this!! i think things will get better once i start to see the doc so I will keep you posted....its just so crazy.....i have never experienced anything like this. i wonder how long PPA usually lasts?!!
Hello and welcome! Congrats on the new baby! How exciting!
People experiencing anxiety for the first time DO find it hard to believe that such severe physical symptoms could be JUST anxiety and not related to something medical. Truth is, anxiety can cause thousands of different very REAL physical symptoms. I'm glad to hear that you had a very thorough work up (especially to rule out a blood clot, which is more common post partum). I also think that the fact that the Ativan helps the symptoms a bit a pretty telling that this could be anxiety.
You'll feel better next week after you meet with the psychiatrist. He/she will give you a thorough assessment and explain how post partum anxiety is a very real occurence for a lot of women and what to do about it. You have shifting levels of hormones, not to mention the added stress of a new baby and all of the responsibilties it brings. Childbirth is EXTREMELY taxing on the human body, and we spend MONTHS recovering from it, getting back to normal, both physically AND emotionally. Post partum depression and anxiety is fairly common.
Try to reassure yourself that you had a very thorough work up. You have to have some faith in the doctors and the tests. Also, you will have a better idea what the plan is for you when yo have your appt next week.
Until then, try to enjoy that little bundle of joy as much as you can, and remember you are not alone. A LOT of women experience some kind of emotional symptoms in the weeks (and sometimes months) following childbirth. You'll get through it. Take the Ativan when you need it, per the instructions. It's okay to need a little help with this.
Keep us updated!
People experiencing anxiety for the first time DO find it hard to believe that such severe physical symptoms could be JUST anxiety and not related to something medical. Truth is, anxiety can cause thousands of different very REAL physical symptoms. I'm glad to hear that you had a very thorough work up (especially to rule out a blood clot, which is more common post partum). I also think that the fact that the Ativan helps the symptoms a bit a pretty telling that this could be anxiety.
You'll feel better next week after you meet with the psychiatrist. He/she will give you a thorough assessment and explain how post partum anxiety is a very real occurence for a lot of women and what to do about it. You have shifting levels of hormones, not to mention the added stress of a new baby and all of the responsibilties it brings. Childbirth is EXTREMELY taxing on the human body, and we spend MONTHS recovering from it, getting back to normal, both physically AND emotionally. Post partum depression and anxiety is fairly common.
Try to reassure yourself that you had a very thorough work up. You have to have some faith in the doctors and the tests. Also, you will have a better idea what the plan is for you when yo have your appt next week.
Until then, try to enjoy that little bundle of joy as much as you can, and remember you are not alone. A LOT of women experience some kind of emotional symptoms in the weeks (and sometimes months) following childbirth. You'll get through it. Take the Ativan when you need it, per the instructions. It's okay to need a little help with this.
Keep us updated!
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