rock and a hard place...

[laehmichal]

Hi, I posted a few months ago, when I started having reactions with zoloft and my milk supply. I had to stop taking it, and I just let the anxiety attacks run their course. I felt much better, for a while. Now, dd is 7 months old, and they are starting to come back, with the dreams, exhaustion, and mood swings. Poor ds, just a curious, active kid, is grating my last nerve these days. That's the rock. The hard place is, I can't take anything because my milk supply is so sensitive. And we have supportive friends, but no one able to help in any practical way. Our family aren't here, and our friends are at least as busy as we are. (DH works 60ish-hour weeks, and I work parttime when he is home.) I guess I'm not looking for solutions, just to know someone else has come out on the other side of this. Anyone? I'd love to hear your stories... They're the best medicine these days.

[Surfacing]

Laehmichal, as someone who has also had anxiety attacks throughout life, I can say I know it's hard. I am wondering if you have any techniques that you practiced other times in your life that might help you now with the anxiety? Some ideas are relaxation, yoga, meditation, chamomile tea, aromatherapy (lavender), bach's rescue remedy, calms forte homeopathic tablets, eating nutritiously, getting exercise (20 min/day in the sun) and fresh air, talking with friends, laughing, praying.

I can say that for me, at other points in my life, practicing self care and doing cognitive behavioural therapy (incl. worksheets) were key. However once I had kids the only thing that helped substantially was self care PLUS meds. Even now I occassionally have a breakthrough of panic attacks but I just take it one step at a time.

Do you have a counsellor? If you aren't considering meds right now then counselling itself might be helpful.

Do you have some stressors that have cropped up? Now that your ds is 7 mos. old, are there any changes in your life with him (like daily routine, his abilities, etc) that are stressing you?

This will pass. But you may need to reach out for some additional support. I hope you keep searching for the resources you need.

[Bird Girl]

I find that my anxiety gets worse if I don't get enough sunshine and enough exercise. Of course, when I get anxious, I also get depressed, and the depression makes me unwilling to get out in the sun and get exercise!

In my area, there are mom's hikes and mom's stroller walks. Even if none of these women become your BFF, having someone else to meet and get out with can really help. Do you know if there are any in your area?

[laehmichal]

There are in the spring and summer, but winter in western new york drives everyone indoors. I was thinking of going tanning, just for the UV exposure. I do have a good self-care practice, and I know even my seasonal depression gets worse if I don't dance, so that is a priority for me. Right now, t's just the frustrating process of letting the attacks run their course again. It lasted about 4-5 weeks last time. I'm thinking dd's greater demand for milk has given me another hormonal imbalance, and when it corrects itself I'll even out. My doc monitors my thyroid closely, and when the med for that kicks in I see a big difference.
We do go to play group at our church, and there are other moms there, but it doesn't seem that ppd or the like are prevalent with them. There are only one or to ap mamas there, too, so usually the suggestion is to leave the kiddos and go do something yourself. I'm trying, but in a gentler way than all that. Plus, I do need the family time when dh and I are home together. Thanks for your suggestions and support, I appreciate it a lot.

[Surfacing]

hbak

I can TOTALLY relate to the need to dance for emotional, mental and physical health!!! I danced for 25 yrs before having kids and it was such a huge downer for me to have to stop. I hope you get the break you need to dance at least occassionally!

I also understand the need to spend time with dh and your kids as a family.

Oh so you have a thyroid condition and are on meds? It's good to know that the anxiety straightens out once you adjust to meds.

This will pass, take care of yourself.

[LifeIsBeautiful]

Is there another medication you can take that won't have these effects? Medications are unfortunately trial and error. It sometimes takes a few tries until you are okay with one. There is also St Johns Wart, however I don't know the research done with breastfeeding. I take prozac and am bfing, my milk supply is great. I wake up sometimes and the sheets are soaked.