Physical symptoms- postpartum anxiety or something else

[Murray11]

Hi all,

This is the first post from me, I'll try and keep it succinct...

Firstly, I have a 2 year old son and 13 week old daughter. Approx. 4 weeks after having my daughter I started experiencing physical symptoms which I attributed to breastfeeding and tiredness including visual disturbances of flashing lights when standing up, dizziness, brain fog.

Progressively I then started getting numb lips, numbness in my right arm, burning sensations in both arms and feet, with these last symptoms appearing only in the last few weeks.

I have seen my Dr and am awaiting results of a blood test and a brain MRI. He mentioned MS to me and since then I am convinced that's what I have, although (even though I know better) after googling the symptoms, I have realised that anxiety and MS (and other neuro conditions) can have quite similar symptoms.

I don't think of myself as an anxious person but I guess I'm reaching out to others who may have felt these symptoms, to see if you might see something in my story similar to yours...

The reason why I think my symptoms could possibly be anxiety related is that my dad was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease two years ago, which I feel sick about whenever if it discussed or I think about the future, I laugh and find things funny but see the future as "grey" due to dad's parkinsons and a strained relationship with my mum since the birth of my son two years ago, despite "happy" things happening in my life such as the birth of my daughter and my sister's wedding in October '17... I worry if people don't text me back straight away I've offended them or they don't like me any more, I worry my husbands friends avoid him because he's married to me and I recently thought my sister was avoiding me because I was annoying her despite her being my person I can call no matter what.

I also worry about anything happening to myself, my husband or kids, which makes possibly having MS terrifying. Car accidents, terrorism, etc.

Does this sound like anxiety? Or normal thought processes for the society we live in?

Seeking answers.

[Croix]

Dear Murray11
Thank you for posting here, it must have taken a great deal of courage to set out your problems to what seems to be a whole load of strangers

Actually it’s a pretty good move to make, the forums are full of people that have walked down all of life’s paths and wish to give a hand to those that are following

I completely understand the horrible place you are at now, and the cloud of uncertainty that hovers over you at the moment

I have suffered for a very long time with anxiety related disorders and as a result can relate to some of your physical symptoms and a lot of your feelings about the future and people’s responses to you and your husband (they ring a bell with me)

As firstly a non-medical person (and secondly as a male) I’m not in a position to do more than mention ‘common sense’ things concerning post-pregnancy disorders

You really do need to be diagnosed by competent medical professionals for both physical causes -perhaps such as MS - perhaps something else - BUT just as importantly for anxiety and depression. Maybe your GP can refer you on (see below)

On the top of the beyondblue home page is a drop-down menu called THE FACTS which will lead you through pregnancy, post pregnancy disorders, anxiety disorders and depression. It give details of causes, symptoms and treatments (see the Who Can Assist sections)

Family support is one of the great things, your sister and husband are needed and, if they are like my partner, are a great source of comfort and practical help. I'ts quite possiblet you may be misinterpreting your sister’s attitude – if in doubt talk (as equals) and see

If things get on top of you at any time you can contact us via the 24/7 help line 1300 22 4636 where our friendly professionals will talk to you and suggest ways to go. Phoning up is quite normal and they really are friendly (there’s also a chat line)

Please feel free to post here at any time and be assured of a warm reception (as you may have noticed at Christmas it may have taken longer than normal to get a response)

Someone will be to hand

My best wishes

Croix

[saltwater7]

Hi Murray11, I'm only new here but the word 'worry' appeared many times in your post, I think that might be an indicator? I've had the blood tests, the stress tests, the thyroid tests, the scans, and i'm apparently normal, physically. I have anxiety and am also on medication for high blood pressure and also the palpitations which are hand in hand with the anxiety (but only had to have the paddles once to get my heart rhythm back! 😀) I get numbness in the extremities, see stars, muscle spasms, pins and needles in the fingers, and I put this down to the blood pressure meds bringing it down and was wondering if you're on any blood pressure/thinning meds? By the way, these effects only happen when I'm not doing anything in particular, if I'm busy I'm fine.

[geoff]

hi Murray, I'm sorry for how you are feeling, it's never very pleasant to have to go through this at any time, but I am wondering whether or not you may have diagnosed with OCD, because with illness it comes from anxiety, so can I quote what you have written 'if people don't text me back straight away I've offended them', just as my 'husband's friends avoid him because he's married to you', plus the last comment you made, as these are classic signs of having OCD.
Google the word and see what you think and then please get back to us. Geoff.

[Murray11]

Hi Croix,

Thank you so much for your response. I apologise for my delay in responding, I have been trying to get my head around what is possibly going on with me....

I have spoken to my sister and absolutely everything is fine, all the weirdness was from conversations I was having in my head and me making things into a big deal. After talking to her I feel our relationship is just as it always has been.

I'll be seeing my doctor next week and definitely discuss anxiety.. it's strange that even posting on this forum is making my leg tingle... I just want these symptoms to stop!! It is strange that I am convinced now there is something wrong with me, I can't stop thinking about my family and future which makes me feel sick.... maybe a vicious cycle of symptoms and anxiety??? I'm scared.

But thanks again for replying, hopefully get some answers soon.

Murray

[Murray11]

Hi Saltwater,

Thanks so much for your reply... I don't take any BP meds, my blood pressure is normally 110/68, even while pregnant and I find that I don't have an increased heart rate even when thinking about the possible diseases I might have.... but definitely a churning stomach, and my symptoms seem to get worse, numbness in lips, tingling in leg etc. I wonder if it is all in my head?? Over Christmas when I was busy I didn't have time to notice or perhaps wasn't having any symptoms... sitting here breastfeeding gives me plenty of time to feel every niggle and pain. I'm hoping to get some answers soon.

Thanks for responding to my post. Murray

[Murray11]

Hi Geoff,

I googled OCD and it does ring a few bells for me... I'm going to chat to my Dr next week and maybe get some answers, at least start down the right path.. as I previously posted, just so terrified it's MS, equally terrified that it is anxiety related as this is uncharted waters for me.

Thank you for your time in replying to my post, I appreciate the support.

Murray