physical symptoms

[caroline]

Hi,
is there anyone out there who also suffers physical symptoms along the anyway nasty symptoms of PND? I'm having serious trouble with my immune system and I'm not totally sure but suspect very strongly that it has to do with my depression- I'm constantly going down with one infection after another- bronchitis, diarrhoea, shingles- hardly two or three weeks in a row that are without any health problems. Of course I am deeply worried that something else might be wrong (am very much afraid of something like cancer etc.) and the doctor will check my blood next week (he had it already checked in October and everything was "fine" despite the many symptoms), but as I said I suspect that the immune system is damaged or more fragile with any sort of depression and especially with PND so I catch things more easily.
What I find extremely hard is to look after my little son (9 months now) whenever I'm ill and I try not to panick over it. I always feel I can't give him enough attention, strenghth and above all love when I'm so weak and often lying down- I feel like a terrible mum right now, not caring enough for him- the whole guilt-trip back and forth.
As soon as I move to England (in four and a half weeks) I will try to get in touch with a Chinese doctor. Has anyone any experience with alternative medicine? Accupuncture etc.? Because even though I get counselling and do give my soul some "caresses" I do get physically ill so often - maybe an approach to body AND soul will help.
Sorry for my English, I'm foreign.
Any advice? Thanks for listening and take care,
Caroline

[Wendy]

Hi Caroline

I think that with any major illness like this, it takes it's toll on your overall wellbeing, including physical health.
My understanding is that the physical being responds according to whats happening on an emotional level.
Also panic and excessive anxiety can be experienced during PND. I also prefer to use alternative medicine when I can, but reluctantly resorted to conventional medicine when I realised how ill I was with Post Natal Depression. There are some great alternative remedies for mild depression I found, but also suggest something stronger from the doctor if your feelings and health situation start getting severe.

Good luck with your upcoming shift and health journey.

Wendy

[Caroline]

Hi Wendy,

thanks for your reply. In the meantime the doctor has found out, again, (via blood test) that nothing is PHYSICALLY wrong with me- a relief in itself for my over-worried mind. So I'll concentrate on curing the soul, however and whenver that will happen (I am sooo impatient), and even though I don't expect any miracles from it I'll try accupuncture and herbal remedies once I'm settling in in London. And I agree with you: When the PND continues to feel so severe and if the bad days by far outweigh the good or better ones I will try common "school" medicine (I don't know the English expression for it) meaning: anti-depressants that my counselor for whatever reason hasn't suggested to me yet.

Take care and how is your business doing by the way (or am I mixing soemthing up?),
Caroline