Are hormones to blame...

[armywife85613]

I am going to make this as short as possible. I have had anxiety issues since I was a young girl (I am 34). I took meds for years for GAD, panic attacks, depression, etc. I found a therapist that helped me tremendously & I was able to stop taking meds & I felt fantastic for at least 10 years. When I was in my 8th month of pregnancy my anxiety for so bad that I could not be alone, I couldn't eat & I was contantly on the verge of passing out. My throat felt that it was closed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I had my daughter & it went away for a couple of days & then came back with a vengence. After I stopped breastfeeding I was able to start on meds. I am currently taking wellbutrin, prozac & valium. I still have a mild feeling that my throat is closing all the time and at times it gets really bad & I get dizzy & almost pass out. I have also started having episodes where I can literally not take a breath in for a few seconds. My anxiety has NEVER made me feel like this before & has never been this severe. It seems to get worse during my time of the month as well. Could this be a hormone imbalance from having my daughter? She is 15 months old. I have had my thyroid checked and I am waiting for results. Has anyone had anything similar to this happen to them? Am I the only one that has anxiety symptoms 24 hours a day? I have anxiety in my sleep that causes me to sweat profusely and at times wake up not being able to take a breath (i don't mean labored breathing I mean I literally cannot draw a breath). If you made it through this long post thank you so much. I guess I just needed to get it out because no one around me understands at all.

[Aazz]

Hi there I feel your pain and I definitely think this is anxiety, you have already suffered from gad in the past so this already increases your chances of getting postpartum anxiety/depression which I think you have and hormones and whatever else happens to your body due to pregnancy and child birth definitely play a role. I too have always had a mild form of anxiety but 3 months postpartum I started getting all these physical symptoms and they are so much worse 1-2 weeks before my period. Have a read through my posts look at my first post that will tell you my story. I have been on countless forums with stories from many women experiencing the same symptoms as you after child birth. It can get better but the steps need to be taken, medication, therapist, exercise, eating right, meditation/yoga, supplements etc.

I wish you all the best I'm happy to answer any questions or if you just need to talk

[armywife85613 in reply to Aazz]

Thank you so much. It makes me feel better that I am not alone..or crazy. I am going to read your story. It stinks that we have to go through the pain of childbirth only to deal with this afterwards. I am starting therapy again soon so I hope that helps. I need to focus on exercising & diet now.

[Vixter1968 in reply to armywife85613]

I have anxiety 24/7 too and it's draining. I can be sat and from know where gasp for air and also wake up every morning like I've stopped breathing. I'm going through the menopause and my anxiety have got worse since it started so it could well be a hormonal thing. I suffered after having my second child too. I can't take too many meds as been diagnosed with atrial flutter so taking a beta blocker. Doesn't help with my anxiety either dealing with yet another draining illness.

Your not alone and not going mad. We look to others like we're fine and healthy when if like me you could scream sometimes.

Hope yours settles down soon. I was given Mertazapine after I had my daughter and it really helped.

keep your chin up.

Vicky x

[armywife85613 in reply to Vixter1968]

I am glad to know that I am not crazy. My doc said it has nothing to do with the birth of my child or hormones. He acts like I am crazy. I am so sorry you have to deal with the heart troubles on top of the anxiety. I wish there was something you could take to at least help with your anxiety. I do feel like screaming sometimes. This illness is exhausting & if you don't have it, you don't understand it so you have to smile & act like you are okay. Joining this group is really healping me because I am finding that I am not alone. Thank you!

[antianxiety]

I've given birth to my daughter in june 2015 and after this my anxiety also gotten worse. My periods time oh goodness it is horrible I get very bad anxiety a week and a half before it starts. Physical symptoms like really bad and painfull 24/7 but after it starts I feel a bit better. I'm thinking of going to a hipnotise in January as its really its so unbearable sometimes. I know God sees my / our pain....

The physical pains of anxiety it's so tiresome and draining plus scary...

[armywife85613 in reply to antianxiety]

I am in the process of trying to find a new doctor. Mine told me that hormones and/or the birth of my daughter had nothing to do with my anxiety. I say bologna! I might try to find a hypnotist....I am willing to try anything. Thank you for responding!

[Shiann123]

Someone who acc understands me, I'm not the only one, I always feel the way you do, right now I'm not sure if I am having a panic attack I'm feeling very scared atm and feel really breathless and scared an this lump is making it worse and I feel I acc can't get a breath I want to ring the abulance but because I've got texted, no one believes me anymore I feel like I can't do this anymore, it's a big bully and with not let go and I've tried my best I've tried eating ice cream and soup and ice lollys milkshakes nothing's taking this away my breathing is the case I'm so scared💔I feel real bad you have this as I know how scary this is😞I hope yours goes I really do😞

[Shiann123 in reply to Shiann123]

Tested*