Postpartum Health Anxiety- stomach sensations and dizziness

[moneakers 3]

Hi all,

I'm new here but have struggled with anxiety for 10 years or so (since high school). Just looking for some support!

 

My anxiety has waxed and waned over the years. I'm cutrently 12 weeks postpartum and my anxiety has really been kicked into overdrive since about 5 weeks postpartum.  I cannot stop thinking that something terrible is going to happen to me and that I am going to leave my little girl all alone. Something catastrophic. Like my husband will come home from work and find me passed out or dead on the floor and our little girl will have been crying there for hours. 

 

I keep feeling weird sensations in my stomach. Sometimes it's a like a tightening or a muscle twitching sensation (the sensation seems to move around- sometimes in upper abdomen, other times lower). Other times it feels like all the blood is draining out of my stomach and my blood pressure is going down and I'm going to pass out. I've checked my blood pressure though, even when I'm standing and it is basically fine. I also feel really dizzy and off balance a lot of the day, which is a sensation I've had in the past and has come and go over the years. Ive never had an MRI for it, not sure if I should. I'm currently working with a naturopath and have had a ton of labs done and am getting all my hormones looked at. I get so anxious about these sensations though. I feel shaky a lot and am high alert throughout the day. I feel like I'm constantly scanning my body. I feel like health anxiety has taken over my life and it's hard for me to care for my little girl. I just want to be normal and to enjoy her!

 

I have started seeing a counselor who will be starting alpha-stim with me next week.  I'm also going to try the whole 30 diet as my midwife suggested this could help. I do have a prescription for Zoloft but I'm holding off  as long as I can as I am breast-feeding.  I'm thinking about trying medical hypnosis as well.

 

 Anyone have experience with these kinds of sensations or postpartum health anxiety?  Should I go to the hospital and demand an MRI of my head and an ultrasound of my abdomen? In the past week I've  convince myself I have worms, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and aortic aneurysm, and a brain tumor. I feel like a crazy person.

 

 

[Thrufaith 9]

I can totally relate with you...i am going through my own whirlwind of anxiety. I swear I have a heart condition or a brain tumor..i am constantly dizzy like all the time and at times I feel shake and faint like..i am currently 11 eleven weeks pregnant and I feel horrible...how can this be normal I co stanky ask myself. I also have a 4 year old to take care of and I have the same fears that you have. I am sorry you are going through this because it is swbilating and you can't enjoy life at all! It's a horrible feeling and I absolutely hate it. I am also contemplating the idea of going to the Dr and demanding a brain mri...but then I wonder if I will zoi d crazy...i have dealt with dizziness on and off for seven years ever since I experienced a traumatic situation and my anxiety struggles began. I am sure this is all anxiety but when we are deep into it we cannot see the light...here is hoping that we  can see the light at the end of all this and enjoy our family as it should be. 

[philb 92]

I have the intermittent balance problems, mine feels like the sensation you get when you are on an elevator and it starts or starts. I have had the brain MRI, cat scan,and a ton of labs and tests. I even went to balance therapy. In the end, my doctor said it is anxiety. Panic and fear spikes your adrenaline levels throwing off your sensory information. He put me on a beta blocker as needed to help with the adrenaline.

As for the naturopath, I would ask them about Gaia Adrenal Health, I felt better after taking them for 2 months. Skull cap tea calms me down as well. By far yoga has been the best for me. Be careful with natural supplements if you take an SSRI though, can produce too much serotonin. Also I take a 50 billion probiotic with ashwaghanda in it.

Anxiety can definitely cause stomach related issues.