ec
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Post by ec on Feb 16, 2021 20:01:06 GMT
Hi Monica I feel a bit anxious about returning to work partly because of Covid and partly the worry of how I’ll feel physical when I’m there. Although when I returned after my second child I was still suffering with pni symptoms and somehow got through. Today I felt so spaced out, heavy head, weird brain fog and aches and pains that I feel like I’m pretty out of it at home, how on earth will I cope feeling like this at work? I feel like I’m going through a bit of a blip at mo with virtually every day of last few weeks suffering these symptoms. Most times they come and go throughout the day but had them the whole day today. Ironically my baby slept through for the first time last night in months. I don’t know whether to consider upping my anti depressants but don’t really want to do that as worry I’ll alway be having to increase them. Hope you are well and are serving this endless pandemic x
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ec
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Post by ec on Feb 16, 2021 20:08:20 GMT
Hi Monica Wrote a reply and then lost it, argh Had a bit of a rough day physically with a lot of the old symptoms returning. Although I’m looking forward to getting back into work, I’m most worried about how I will feel. Had head pain,spaced out feeling, aches and pains today and I find it hard to concentrate at home, worry how I’ll cope at work? I have to remember I did before. Think I’m going through blip at the mo as these symptoms have been with me on and off for the last few weeks. Sometimes wonder about upping my anti depressants but worry that this will become my coping mechanism. I hope your doing ok? Xx
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ec
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Post by ec on Feb 16, 2021 20:08:45 GMT
Oh reply seems to be on there, sorry xx
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Post by monica on Feb 17, 2021 9:30:39 GMT
Hi EC
Great to hear from you. It seems like the symptoms have coincided with going back to work? It’s perfectly understandable that this will provoke anxiety even if you’re looking forward to it. You’ve been out the loop for a bit, and now you have three kids to sort out!
As you say you’ve done it before and it will be fine, so trying to manage the worries might be useful. Can you prepare in any way? Could hubby take a little time off so you could get up and go for the first couple of days? Could you talk to your manager about your anxieties? Perhaps try to do something relaxing and nice over the weekend ?
Good luck anyhow! Let me know how you get on . I hope it’ll be a positive experience and possibly easier than being at hime!!
Monica
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Post by monica on Feb 17, 2021 9:35:53 GMT
Perhaps talk to dr? Maybe give yourself a a couple/few weeks to see how going back to work goes then maybe talk to dr about upping meds?
I’m ok thx. Middle son continues to worry me with his night time/day time reversal, listlessness and lack of motivation. I’ve been trying to get him a place at college but they’re so slow in making a decision ! X
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Post by monica on Feb 23, 2021 20:33:23 GMT
Hi
just checking in to see how you got on at work. Fingers crossed it went well for you and your family!
Monica
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ec
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Post by ec on Feb 24, 2021 22:11:56 GMT
Hi Monica Thanks so much for asking. I had a good day thanks (only working one day at mo then increasing to 2 days in a few weeks) felt a bit low on Tuesday that I was done for the week as was nice being around other people and being somewhere different. I’ve definitely felt like my pni symptoms have been getting worse over the last few days. I’m getting really painful muscle pain in my shoulders, base of neck and down my arms. Also shooting pains in my hands. They have come and gone most days over the last 2-3 weeks and are starting to get me down. That along with heavy head and spaced out feeling coming and going. I really hoped it was a blip but it seems to be going on and on. Don’t know whether it’s a change in hormones as I’ve dropped down my breast feeding. I’ve read that you can feel bad physically and mentally due to drop in oxytocin. Think I’m going to phone doctor tomorrow but don’t want to up medication as I’m worried that this will keep happening. I don’t know what to do! I guess what’s so strange is that I’ve had all these physical symptoms without seemingly being as anxious and depressed as I was after my second child. I know that sometimes I do feel stressed but other times there’s no reason for these physical symptoms. Can it all be hormones? Unless lockdown/ virus is affecting me more than I know? I’ve had lots of stress and anxiety pre children and never had any physical symptoms like this. It’s so frustrating. Do you ever get a reoccurrence of your pni symptoms?
How’s your week been? Have you managed to get your son back to school? Thanks for being there. I really appreciate it xx
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Post by monica on Feb 24, 2021 22:45:13 GMT
Hey EC
So pleased you enjoyed your day back at work and it’s always a pleasure to hear from you! The phased return sounds perfect so you don’t feel too overwhelmed. You might find going back two days will be even better for you!
I’m sorry your symptoms seem to be resurfacing. It’s worth going back to drs not that I think it’ll be serious but for advice and reassurance. And after all just putting up with those symptoms is annoying . Did the symptoms seem to increase when you started to cut back in breastfeeding with your middle child?
I seem to remember that most of symptoms disappeared after starting antidepressants but the foggyheadedness was a particular one that would resurface with pmt, tiredness or illness.
If you can maybe just wait and see for a few weeks to see if your hormones settle and so do your symptoms? Let me know what dr suggests.
My youngest is now 12 and I’m perimenopausal - think that started about 6 years ago. I’ve noticed the foggyheadedness seems to have reappeared. I’m going through a phase of feeling completely wiped out atm which reminds me of Pni. Saying that I care less now too so don’t worry too much but generally find my mood is lower than it was.
Thanks for asking about me! Yes my son started back at college this week and it’s done him good. He’s gone in everyday he’s had to and I think likes the travel. He’s still behind on his work. I feel a bit rotten tbh - just low and fed up. Had a huge argument with my youngest though we made up. He went over to his dads yesterday and his dad was drinking. He’s supposed to come home when that happens but dad has Xbox so he likes to stay. I’ve said to him that if he doesn’t remove himself I’ll have to stop him going there and a court can decide how he should see his dad eg supervised and when and social services can monitor. I don’t want to do that but I might have to. Do you have any suggestions? X
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ec
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Post by ec on Feb 25, 2021 9:57:31 GMT
Hi Monica thanks for the reply. That sounds really tough. Does his dad have a drinking problem? Does it happen a lot when he goes round there. Is he unpleasant when he drinks? Can you speak to your ex about it or is he just not interested? My mum is an alcoholic and you can’t tell her anything. I had counselling and realised I had to set up my own boundaries but that was as an adult. She also has a personality disorder so is quite a toxic person. Does your son like going to see his dad or do you think part of it is the attraction of the Xbox? Do your other sons have a relationship with him. Could they speak to your youngest? It’s such a hard situation. My boundaries were the same as what you told your son. I would leave if my mum started drinking and became unpleasant and will not let her come round to my house at all. Can you son see your ex outside somewhere in the day where he can’t drink?
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ec
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Post by ec on Feb 25, 2021 10:10:37 GMT
Sorry you feel low and wiped out. The pandemic doesn’t make things any easier. I guess where previously we would of had distractions- there are none which I think could be my problem. I spoke to a friend who said she felt fluey when she cut down on breastfeeding so could be that. Don’t really remember how I felt after I stopped breastfeeding with my second. Tbh think I just felt so anxious and horrendous the whole time that I didn’t really notice. X
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Post by monica on Feb 25, 2021 13:25:15 GMT
Hi EC
I’d get some advice from dr (does yours have experience of post natal care?) or even midwife or health visitor. Hormones can impact hugely on women (don’t we know that!!) I know some women struggle when they change their breast feeding pattens with physical symptoms. At the same time the symptoms are bothering you understandably so it’d be good to get drs opinion. Could it be a separate back issue for instance?
Thanks EC for sharing your experience. I hope telling me in detail hasnt upset you but I really appreciate it. I’m sorry you’ve gone through so much with your mum. You’ve had it tough but in spite of that, you’ve grown into an amazing woman , wife and mum amd chosen a different path to your mum. That’s really something amazing.
My sons’ dad was always an alcoholic from the word go but from the time we moved in together he managed to minimise it and largely would only drink when the kids and I went to visit family or if he went out which was rare. Since we split up it’s worsened to the point he’s away from work a lot (I don’t know how he gets away with it). Covid has been a brilliant excuse to drink as he frequently needs to self isolate.
Hes disowned our older two kids - they’ve not seen him for three years - for such insignificant reasons. He was always a good loving dad even though not good partner. He’s not aggressive either so my youngest is happy to go round there. It’s the lure of the Xbox which means he’s willing to stay and play on Xbox even though his dads not drinking. But I just want him there if his dads not parenting him as my youngest pushes boundaries and will fully exploit the situation. He hates me ever since I started dating (sometime after our split) so he doesn’t talk to me. I’ve emailed him about drinking and posted AA leaflets through his door. X
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ec
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Post by ec on Mar 22, 2021 19:59:17 GMT
Hi Monica How are you? I hope things have improved now schools and colleges are open. I’ve had a Rocky couple of weeks. I went for a blood test about the aches and pains however they had improved a lot since booking the appointment so put it down to anxiety about starting work. I got results a week and half ago and was told that I have a slightly under active thyroid and that I have to take medication for life. I slept on it and had a lot of questions for doctor but then couldn’t get to speak to them. Last week finally cot to speak to someone about whether I could wait a couple of months to see if hormones levelled out and have another blood test in a couple of month. She said it wasn’t that sort of thing and that by delaying medication I could be damaging my thyroid. She agreed to a second blood test to confirm results. Just waiting for results of these but think they’ll prob be the same. I was feeling a bit low about this as I don’t want to have to take medication forever. So strange that if this had all occurred when I felt so physically off with pni I would have jumped at the chance for a diagnosis but now I would prefer it was just a stress/anxiety symptom. Then I went into work fri, a day I don’t usually work and got a text yesterday saying I have to self isolate as someone I was in contact is has Covid. Just feeling low and anxious. Worried I will get the long Covid and have another year like 3 years ago if feeling ill. Long term things freak me out now. I have only done 3 days and I think the average time for incubation is 5 days so feel like I’m waiting to get ill. Xx
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Post by monica on Mar 23, 2021 16:05:28 GMT
Hi EC
Lovely to hear from you as always. I’m sorry it’s been tough recently with those health issues triggering the anxiety. Have you had the repeat blood results back yet?
I’m wondering if you have had an under active thyroid, whether this could have worsened some of the physical symptoms? I know it can cause depression.
Agh how annoying about the notification to self isolate ! Firstly there’s a higher chance this person wouldn’t have passed it to you and if you were to get it most people have it mildly . I certainly did. But I do understand how anxiety provoking the uncertainty can be and the worries about long covid given the horrible Pni symptoms you’ve suffered with. However, again if you can try not to dwell on the ifs . Easier said than done! Try distraction techniques and breathing exercises. Maybe try a run again if you’re up to it. I’m trying to do the couch to 5k with my youngest , who’s ballooned weight wise! It’s great! X
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Post by monica on Apr 15, 2021 8:33:40 GMT
Hi EC
I’m just checking in to see how you are.
Did you get the repeat blood result? Are your thyroid levels low? How did the self isolation go? Hope you and your family are well!
Best wishes
Monica
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ec
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Post by ec on May 17, 2021 20:22:08 GMT
Hi Monica Thank you for checking in and sorry for late reply. I don’t know where the time has gone. I’ve been busy back at work and I started a second job recently which has turned out to be too much so am giving it up. I got through self isolation ok thanks and unfortunately my hormone levels were low and I have under active thyroid. I started the medication and didn’t notice much difference for the first month or so but I definitely think I’m less achey recently. I don’t know if it’s a hormone change but last week or so I’ve felt so on edge- like I’m about to do a presentation or something nerve wracking. My stomach was all over the place and I’ve felt really jittery. I’ve been needing to see more too- and I’ve started to notice a weird feeling down below and then panic that I’m going to lose my pelvic floor and wet myself. I haven’t but it’s like it’s I’m really anxious about it with no evidence for it which is really annoying because the more I worry about it the more I focus on how my bladder is feeling. I don’t know if i just feel like I need the toilet more because my body is in this flight or fight state. It’s so frustrating suddenly having a bad bout of anxiety when I’d been relatively free of it for a few months. I can’t even run at the moment which is a good endorphin releaser as I’ve got an injury which doesn’t seem to be improving. Sorry to moan on. How are you? Have you had the jab? I hope you are well xx
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