[Caneel]

The background - while pregnant with DS, I developed really out of control anxiety and panic attacks. I was worried about EVERYTHING associated with birth and the health and life of our baby. It definitely impacted my life in a not so good way.

I wouldn't take meds (because of the pregnancy) and my OB sent me to a really nice doc, I think he was a psychologists. After a few visits, I felt much better and went on with life.

So here we are more than 3 years later and the anxiety is back.

For a long time, probably close to a year, I felt like I could talk myself down from it. I could "put it in a box on the shelf" so to speak after I rationalized and processed whatever triggered the anxiety.

But lately, I feel like the anxious feelings are spiraling out of control. It is 99% focused on my child's health, the other 1% on my health. Every little thing sets me off. My son had hives the other day and I could barely function due to the fear…

The current trigger is some pending medical tests. I made the mistake of Goggle-ing for information and now I am over the top worried that I will be dead within months.

I don't know how to approach this with my family doctor. I feel really comfortable with him but I don't know how to start to explain it to him.
Does anyone have advice or experiences to share?

I was thinking of keeping track of the number of occurrences each day so I could show the doctor how much time I spend worrying but then I thought that might make me seem crazy, kwim?

 

[lovbeingamommy]

WOW, a lot of what you said I could've written myself. I'm in almost the exact same place you are...in fact just this last Sunday I had probably one of the worse days of my life with stress/anxiety. I have finally, after much debate in my mind, decided to go on medication (an SSRI). I went to a psychiatrist since I think they are in the best position to determine what meds may help a particular situation. I think what pushed me over the edge to go the conventional route (taking an SSRI) is because DH and I are going to ttc again in May after two consecutive m/c's. I've read a lot lately about how stress/anxiety can affect a baby possibly even more than taking meds. For me, the low risk of taking this med far outweighs doing nothing and living a miserable life of daily anxiety.

I would definitely get help from a HCP that has specific experience with stress/anxiety. Maybe a psychologist or psychiatrist or even a counselor. What you said about it spiraling out of control is exactly what happened to me and I think I waited too long to get help. I thought I could take care of it myself and it would just go away, but it doesn't. Please if your symptoms have lasted more than a few weeks get help as soon as possible. The earlier you do the better your chances for a speedy recovery. Good luck with everything and keep us updated on how you doing

 

[Caneel]

Is an SSRI something you take daily or on an as-needed basis?

 

[justicedante]

Huge hugs to you, mama. I am anxious as well, but I work VERY HARD to keep it under control. That said, I don't think I am as anxious as you describe (I'm just saying that for perspective). I find that taking a good fish oil supplement REALLY helps my mental health. Also, I try my best to stay away from GOOGLE when I am worried about a particular symptom/issue etc and talk to real people, instead. I turn to other moms, our ND and sometimes our GP. Finally, my own mother is very anxious, and I feel certain that she passed this tendency on to me. This is the main reason I try to keep my anxiety in check, because I do not want my children to be anxious. It takes a toll on one's health (physical and mental) and is not a nice way to live. I speak openly to my DH about my feelings, and will not hesitate to get myself into therapy if my feelings get out of hand.
Anxiety is a REAL disorder. Look after yourself. You won't believe how great it feels NOT to worry about everything!

 

[CharlieToaster]

Here is another perspective.....

I've had a really bad 6 weeks or so, but at the same time, it's been a GREAT 6weeks because we are finally figuring things out. I wasw feeling absolutely horrible. I have a prn script for Lexapro from my OB who's attitude is "take what you need." I had lot's of aches and pains. Stomach pains, what seems like gallbladder, ovarian cysts etc... I felt like I was still pregnant and a hormonal mess. I went for my annual. We checked my sugar and insulin and thyroid. All were fine. Did a pelvic ultrasound to find 2 small fibroids and cysts on each ovary. He sent me to a surgeon to look at my gallbladder. No stones. Ended up at my PCP (for the first time) She did a lipid and CBC, nothing major. Blood pressure rising, LDL's rising but no real biggies. Had a follow up appt scheduled. Was freaking out with chest pains. Finally gave in, went to the doc that day. They acutally sent me to the heart hospital ER to be totally checked out because of my age but it all came down to this:

Anxiety/Panic attacks. The acid in my stomach causing pain, chest pains from anxiety. I think I have PMDD too. I started Welbutrin on top on Lexapro which worked well until I ovulated. Had chest pains all day yesterday. Completely irrational anxiety.

Go to the doctor. Tell your story. The solution is so much easier then you think. You would also be surprised how many people are on these medications and how well they help. For me, it's not about talk therapy. It's about chemical imbalances. It's perfectly normal. Make an appointmen, talk to your doc. They will not think you are nuts.

 

[lovbeingamommy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caneel Is an SSRI something you take daily or on an as-needed basis?

SSRI (Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitor) these are meds like those such as Prozac and Zoloft. They allow for seratonin to be held in between the synaptic gaps of two neurons (brain cells). I kinda floats around in there keeping your seratonin level up. Most people that have depression or stress/anxiety tend to have lower levels. Since it's a conventional med (FDA-approved) only a medical doctor can write a Rx for it. A psychiatrist would be the most likely person to have the most experience with prescribing rountines. You do need to take it on a regular basis for it to work well - generally it takes a few weeks before you see symptom improvement. If it's severe enough and you need something to work quickly most docs will Rx a benzo med such as Ativan, Klonopin, or Xanax to be taken for a short duration. These ARE NOT drugs you would want to take whil ttc though and they can be addictive. However, in a pinch where the stress/anxiety are too much to bare - they work great!

I've also heard anectdotal stories of people who take a high-quality fish oil to help also. I do this too, but haven't noticed it to be helping my severe stress/anxiety and depression issues. Maybe it's works better for mild to moderate issues. In my situation I can't keep trying the natural route (I've been doing that for three years since DS was born) it hasn't worked for me so the meds are a last resort since we need to ttc soon and I need to be calmer and more in control iykwim.

 

[Caneel]

Very interesting about the stomach acid and such because.....

I am going in for a EGD (I think, a scope of my throat) because a few months ago I started having trouble swallowing.

The first throat doc said it was some sort of reflux reaching my larynx, causing irritation. The acid meds (Rx) didn't work so Throat Dr. sends me to a Gastro Doctor.

When sitting with the Gastro Dr., the subject of my aniexty came up and while he didn't necessarily link the two, he strongly recommended I talk to my regular doctor and said he was sending him a note about our conversation so I wouldn't feel so awkward bringing it up to Family doc. (He asked if I would like him to do so and I said yes.)

I am consumed (to put is mildly) with this throat scope thing, which takes place tomorrow morning. I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER should have googled it, the trouble swallowing symptoms.

Afterwards I am making an appointment with my regular doctor to talk to him about this. I am thinking I might write it all down and give it to him so I can stay focused and calm (ha!) while taking about it.

 

[CharlieToaster]

It took a while for me to think about the stomach acid issue too. I don't have reflux but plenty of people get stomach aches when they are stressed but as a mom who has time to stop and think about such things?

My PCP honed in on the stress issue right away. (she's great!) They deal with it a lot. It just seems like we are alone in the world with it. I've been taking prilosec for a week now and I think it may be helping? I've also modified my diet now that we are weeding through everything.

I think it's a great idea to write everything down. It's the best way. Depending on your doc just being there and waiting can be very stressful and hard to speak.

I would say it's great you are having the tests done. Just because the source of the problems may be stress, it doesn't change the fact that that stress may have done damage that needs to be dealth with.

Good Luck! HUGS!! Vic

 

[Caneel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieToaster It took a while for me to think about the stomach acid issue too. I don't have reflux but plenty of people get stomach aches when they are stressed but as a mom who has time to stop and think about such things? My PCP honed in on the stress issue right away. (she's great!) They deal with it a lot. It just seems like we are alone in the world with it. I've been taking prilosec for a week now and I think it may be helping? I've also modified my diet now that we are weeding through everything. I think it's a great idea to write everything down. It's the best way. Depending on your doc just being there and waiting can be very stressful and hard to speak. I would say it's great you are having the tests done. Just because the source of the problems may be stress, it doesn't change the fact that that stress may have done damage that needs to be dealth with. Good Luck! HUGS!! Vic

My bold - so true, so true...