Post Partum Anxiety?

[Crimson Serenity]

Has anyone heard of post partum anxiety... runs hand in hand with post partum depression, though I'm feeling the anxiety portion at least ten times moreso. I have GAD and I'm on medication, but my post partum anxiety has been The. Worst. Anxiety. I've. Ever. Experienced. Has anyone else experienced this? Come through the other side? Have any suggestions?

[kcg13]

Anxiety and depression are so closely linked.  I am not surprised you are experiencing bad anxiety.  considering that you already take anxiety meds, you may want to call your dr for a change in dosage, which would be completely normal as women who do not normally suffer from anxiety/depression will often be given drugs for post partum.  And the dosage can be changed again as your body heals.  I know post partum.can go for up to a year after you give birth.  I personally have 2 sons.  I know I experienced some post partum with my first.  I totally had depression when I was pregnant with my second (and my issue is HA), and heightened anxiety after having my second.  I do not currently take meds.  When I talked to a Dr about meds after having my second, she was reluctant to give them to me as I was nursing.  So I never took meds for any of this.  It did go away.  It took some months.  (now I just have my normal anxiety :). I highly recommend trying go exercise with or without the baby.  It will really really help you heal physically and will help the chemicals in your head.  I found being around other adults helpful as well.  Please know this is normal.  So many moms get this.  Feel free to pm me if you need to talk.  Know that it will not be like this forever.  Any exercise you do will help with the process.  Hope this helps.  P.S. my sons are 4 & 2 this month.

[Crimson Serenity]

Thank you KCG. I've been doing some reading on the topic and getting advise from other mothers who have gone through this or something similar.

I have an appointment to discuss my medications tomorrow. I'm on the highest therapeutic dosage of Cymbalta right now, which I was taking during and after pregnancy while nursing (I'm still breastfeeding) under the advise of a pre-and-post-natal psychiatric specialist. I'm trying to get back into the specialist, too. It feels like my medications have almost completely stopped functioning. My public health nurse is coming this morning so I will be able to discuss more options with her, and once a week I attend a Post-Partum Mood Disorders Support Group which has been quite helpful.

My son is 3 months old, and I'm worried that my problems will prevent me from trying to have more children (although I had always envisioned at least having two). I try to go for walks with my son, but I'm constantly worried about 1) if he will need fed and 2) if he will fuss. Every moment I'm on pins and needles waiting for one of these to occur. The feeding is nerve-wracking because I have difficulties nursing in public and the fussing is kind of self-explanatory.

I cannot imagine trying to conquer or suffer through this without medication. I had the worst panic attack of my life two days ago. This has been far more extreme than my GAD or depression alone ever was, I'm certain in part due to the fact that I feel solely responsible for the life of another human being.

[kcg13]

Good, I am glad to hear you have the dr appt.  Was it today?  How did it go?  It might be that you need a different med because of the chemical changes after giving birth.  And that is ok.  Your support group will be helpful.  Being around adults actually helps during this time, even if it is to get help for your mood.

Don't let this stop you from deciding to have more kids.  It will go away.  It is temporary.  I spoke to my ob/gyn who did say he recognized my depresssion with my second (but never suggested help at the time) and he told me there is only a finite period of time to expand your family.  That I can't let this stop me when it is not a permanent thing.  There is help.  There are things you can do.  And you may be totally different with your second.  Plus, your dr can take this into consideration and may end up changing your meds to be proactive with your second.  Don't let this let you feel defeated in any way.

In terms of the feeding, he is 3 months.  Feed him then take him for a walk.  He shouldn't need to eat again for at least 2.5 hrs or so, and at 3 months maybe a little longer.  He will be able to start solids soon (and do that cause he is growing).  He may fuss.  Bundle hiim up well so he is warm.  They do say that fresh air helps with fussy babies, and walk fast - keep him moving.  And sometimes he may fuss but you may need to try this a few times.  My oldest used to fuss but if I pushed him fast on bumpy roads - he was seriously fine (I was careful!)  but that might be what it takes.

My post partum does not sound as intense as yours, which is probably why I never had meds.  But allow the med switch.  Don't be afraid to be honest with your dr.  Know that this is normal, and it will pass.  Feeling solely responsible for another human being is alot of stress, but know that babies (kids in general) are pretty resiliant.  Feed him.  Hold him alot (that is a good thing).  Keep him clean and warm.  And you are doing JUST FINE!!!  As I said, pm me if you need to talk.  I feel for you.  And let me know how the dr appt goes

[Crimson Serenity]

I went to my Post Partum Mood Disorder Group on Tuesday. And then I have an appointment with my psychiatrist at noon today. There are a lot of circumstantial things going on, too... (difficulties in my marriage) ... so it's exacerbated by circumstances. I just wish there was a time where I could say... "This. This is peace."

[Beth0810]

Crimson, how are you doing? 

[Crimson Serenity]

Things have been up and down, up and down. I went back to the US -- where my family lives -- for awhile over Thanksgiving and then when I returned to Canada I had a HUGE regression. I started to ease out of it and then now I'm in another regression post-holidays. I feel like it just keeps sucking me back in every time I make a little headway, you know?

[Beth0810]

Are you in therapy, Crimson?  Therapy and meds are the best way to deal with PPD and PPA and other perinatal mood disorders.  I wish you nothing but the best. 

If you want to read my blog on my struggle with PPD, it's Rebirth from PPD.  You can google it and should find it fairly easily.  :)