Postpartum health issues

[Bethany1028]

Hi... I am new on here. I have a four month old little boy and ever since he was born I have been experiencing some serious health issues. I am curious if anyone else on this forum has encountered the same syptoms.

I have severe neck pain and pain in my cervical spine. I have numbness in my head, temporary plugged ear (right), and have experienced some vision failure in my right eye. Accompanied with all of these symptoms is constant dizziness.

I also experience panic and anxiety attacks. I frequently feel "out of it" like I am going to pass out, but never do.

I have seen a neurologist who took all kinds of test, all which came back negative. I have also been seeing a chiropractor and an accupuncturist.

Does anyone else experience any of these symptoms??? PLEASE HELP.

[snowy11480]

Bethany - wow, i am so sorry you are going through such an ordeal. I can relate to the panic, anxiety, and 'feeling out of it' stuff - i have a 10 month old who doesn't sleep well and i'm back at work full time so - i experience the anxiety, panic and out of it feelings, partly because of severe sleep deprivation and also because my days are so busy and packed i feel like i hardly have time to breathe! As I drive home i do feel like i'm 'in a fog' so to speak, but write it off as sleep deprivation. Also, hormonally i'm a bit out of sorts (i think!) because i'm in the weaning process with my son. so there will be a few days he only nurses a few times and then other days he's nursing a lot more. so i feel it causes my hormones to be very up/down. After a lot of these feelings i did go have blood work done just as a precaution and everything came back fine. Unfortunately the panic and anxiety and out of it feelings are possibly normal - you're a new mom, tired, etc. and you are experiencing some physical issues to boot, so i can see why you feel this way!

Maybe some other mothers can speak to your physical problems, which seem to be a cause for concern IMO. Did you have a difficult delivery? Did you talk with your OBGYN about these problems at your 6 week followup? has it gotten worse as time progresses? are you nursing? are you getting adequate sleep? Just a few questions that might help some other moms answer you.

[Bethany1028]

Hi Snowy. Thank you so much for responding. If feels good to know that someone is reading my post and cares enough to respond.

I had a very easy delivery, no complications. I breastfed my son for the first month and since then he has been on formula.

As far as sleep goes, I am a bit deprived, but I don't think that seems to be the root of my problem.

I have a feeling that the neckpain, scull pain, plugged ears, and eye issue are all linked, just wish I could figure out the cause. I have never experienced anything like it before, so I assume it is linked to postpartum issues.

When I feel "out of it" I feel like I am going to pass out or go unconsious and it scares me to death. I am alone with my son alot and it is my worst fear that something is going to happen to me and he is going to be stuck all alone my husband comes home.

[D'sMama]

Hi, Welcome and Congratulations!
This has to be short, but just looking at your symptoms, I'm wondering if you're having any postpartum depression - oftentimes, depression can manifest itself through physical pain.
Also, since most of your problems are upper body/head/spine, it sounds like you could maybe use craniosacral work, and perhaps try another chiropractor - one who does Active Release Technique perhaps? You could probably also use a gentle massage (couldn't we all?!)

There could be some misalignment in your neck/spine that's causing all of this. Are you right-handed? Do you often hold the baby with your right arm? Carry other heavy loads on your right side? Always feed baby with your right arm? Try looking at your lifestyle to see if there's any daily habits that could be contributing to it.

I'm sorry you're hurting! Keep looking for the cause, and good luck!

[olive&pimiento]

Hi Bethany, I have been going through similar weird symptoms since I had my ds in October. I thought I had Lymes Disease again and went to the doctor. I have lots of muscle and joint pain, numbness in my cheek, pain in my shoulders and jaw, etc. I had many tests and went to a rheumatoid specialist. No diagnosis. I have done a lot of reading on fibromyalsia and I'm pretty sure this is what is going on with me. I feel much better with more sleep, and much worse when I am up a couple of times in the night. I hope you find some answers. Just know you are not alone. I feel like an old woman since giving birth to this little one!