Shortness of breath😯

[Dani31]

So it's been well over 8 weeks now of random numbness, pins and needles, heavy chest, short of breath(oxygen levels are fine) 24/7 which i went to ER for twice was perfectly fine, this has been the worst for me. I've been to so many doctor appointments, had full bloods, chest xray which was clear. I've litrally given up was perfectly fine till my daughter was 7 weeks old and had my first panic attack randomly. I'm convinced there is actually something physically wrong with me. How can anxiety stuff my breathing up? I never had breathing problems before. My doc has said you need to start antidepressant as I'm destroying my life and family's. He is refusing to do anymore testing as he believes it's all anxiety. He said 100% the antidepressants will take my symptoms away. I have been to a phychologist a month ago but my next appointment isn't till next week feeling so defeated why is this happening to me😭 i actually don't even care if i die anymore. Has anyone else experienced this or am i just losing the plot😂

[ecomama]

Dear Dani31

I had similar bodily experiences after the birth of my second babies.

If any of this seems similar, please take from it what you will. I really hope it helps. Hugs.

I also breastfed and arching over the babies for so many hours 24/7 really did whacky things to my neck, back, all sorts. I saw a chiropractor later on and this helped immensely. Mine is wholistic so took into account all things he could and helped me adjust many things; diet posture additives to baths (like Epsom salts) etc. A chiro can give you "corrective" stretches and movement exercises to release the compression of your sternum due to breastfeeding.

I was already in the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA). They have helplines with trained Breastfeeding Counsellors, you can call them. You don't have to be a member. ABA Counsellors have vast experiences with new mum's symptoms, no one can qualify for training unless they've breastfed long term. They REALLY helped me over many years. They're also accustomed to the sleep deprivation / exhaustion that comes with being a mum. And the psychological impacts too. AND the impact on the family and what types of support you need.

In combination of the above happening physically, I was having panic attacks. I was given very dim prognoses for my twins but they were perfect at birth. After they were born (HEALTHY) I was always in "protection" and caring mode, worried that the prognoses may be true, lots of Drs wanted to see them, not because they were ill, but because they weren't! Couldn't be MORE wrong. They are healthy young adults now.

It was a scary time with medical professional up to Professors telling me all these bad things - parallels to you feeling shunned with your symptoms.

Covid social restrictions / isolation is NOT helping new mums. You need support and the warmest support is from other mums who've "been there".

If you have been diagnosed with anxiety and / or have a number of children under a certain age, have little or no available family support, you may qualify for an inhouse "carer', heavily subsidised. You Baby Health Care nurse should be able to help you there. Don't give up on trying to get this. It's a very supportive initiative.
Ours was BEAUTIFUL. She held the babies so I could use the toilet! lol. Have a shower. Stand up straight.

Congratulations on the baby! Hugs.
EM

[Dani31]

Thankyou so much for your reply this is my second baby my first is 8 years old now. Baby is now 5 months old and i feel i havent been able to enjoy much cause of this breathing issue, my doc said i have reflux too but sure as i always have a sour taste in my mouth. I most days jist wanna curl up and not wake up but i can't i have a baby and a 8 year old who need me. I'm just mentally exhausted i feel like the doc isn't helping much nor any doctor.

[ecomama]

Dear Dani31

The twins were not my first babies either, but the first time I had amalgamated issues, similar to yours. I did have aching neck with breastfeeding the others though.

Please try calling one of the helplines. The ABA one will understand a lot.

People care very much about you and this is a difficult time, after a baby and the other problems you have.

I'm not downplaying nor dismissing your physical symptoms or MH either. You could get a second opinion. Maybe try a GP who has breastfed her own babies?

EM

[Dani31]

Thankyou for your reply🙂

My doctor is male so seems like he is just flogging me off. I will defiantly give the aba a call and see what they help me with. It has been very hard finding the right way to go with covid going on. I seem to get a bit better everyday but when partner goes back to work for a week away i go downhill again. I don't have any family where i am as I'm from NZ and have been here 5 years now so it has been a real struggle i suppose last fee years and not been able to have support come to help me due to restrictions🙁 i guess i just have to keep going and hopefully i can get some answers and help

[therising]

Hi Dani31

Treatment for the silent migranes was blood pressure medication, to help regulate the blood pressure in my head.

I'm 49 now and this all happened over a period of time a few years back. I wonder whether it was hormone related for me. Even though I don't get the migranes anymore and haven't taken the blood pressure meds for a while, these days I tend to 'power up' in more predictable ways as a female at this stage of life. Things can get a little warm on occasion. I've become physically and mentally sensitive to a lot of things like heat, certain sounds, foolish people, certain foods 🙂 and a host of other factors but I've got it all pretty much under control through some trial and error kinda natural strategies. Though 'sensitive' is a challenge it definitely has it perks in many ways.

We're definitely complex creatures. Takes a bit of a medical detective sometimes to put all the pieces together. If your GP is a little too fixated on the anxiety aspect and this just doesn't sit well with you, might pay to find a GP who loves playing detective (loves a challenge).

🙂

[blondguy]

Hi Dani31

I understand your feelings where shortness of breath is concerned...I used to have the same in my 20's and it was horrible to go through....I was slack and thought I could self heal which didnt work as it was my chest muscles restricting my breathing capacity due to my anxiety issues

Annabay (a Beyond Blue member like us) wrote a great thread topic about 'physical symptoms of anxiety' last year and its a great thread that also includes your symptoms...I really hope you find the link below helpful 🙂

www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/what-physical-feelings-of-anxiety-do-you-get

any questions are always welcome Dani31....The forums are a safe and non judgemental place for you to post!

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Dani31]

My mum suffers high blood pressure after having my brother and has been on meds for years . Everytime i get my bp checked its high but my doc says its realted to anxiety as my heart rate is always high because I'm nervous haha.Thats amazing you found answers in regards to your migraines, I'm feeling mine has something to do with my reflux he says to control my reflux i need to calm my anxiety but my reflux is giving me anxiety lmao i don't have any stomach issues but i could be aspirating acid or pepsin into my lungs or have upset my vocal cords which is not allowing proper function restricting my breathing as thats where im struggling to breath comes in i can breath out fine but wheeze on inhaling . But who knows this is my theory and doc won't investigate so guess im stuck and to tired ro find anymore docs. Thankyou so much for your help 🙂

[ecomama]

Hi Dani

My Nanna was from NZ too, and she went home to birth ALL her babies. She stayed for MONTHS and good on her too.

Family, friends, other new mums, other mum's support is so vital at this stage (indeed any stage) of having a baby! It's okay. You'll get answers because it sounds you won't take people fobbing you off and you SHOULDN'T either.

Straight up if you can see another GP who's a female, I really hope you get some empathy. Some answers would be awesome lol. Even referrals.

For goodness' sake add covid on top, you need support.

If anything an ABA Counsellor will probably get most of your issues in one call. Some have EN training too and who knows.

With anxiety we really need GROUNDING and the layers of problems you're listing aren't helping. I would ask for a MHCP for a counsellor and get that going via phone at least. I think this would really help whilst you're H is away for work. This may help ground you as you seek second opinions and some answers.

Yes, I suffered migraines but the key thing for me was / is to avoid foods high in salicylates. My mother still suffers from them but ignores any bio-feedback for her symptoms. I also know the initial signs of one, so nip it in the bud before it escalates. Stress is a biggie there.

Big hugs
EM

[adarkbloom]

Dani31, oh my god i feel exactly the same as you. same symptoms and everything and all my tests came back clear and my doctor says i'm fine and nothing is wrong but i am still so convinced that something is wrong with me when it very well could be brought on by my anxiety. ive been dealing with this for 2.5 months now.

Alison

[therising]

Hi Dani

I know I keep throwing possibilities your way, as opposed to some solid direction to investigate. Here's another:

With the acid reflux factor and the emotional factors, might be of interest to do a bit of research on 'Mood and Food'. A lot of groundbreaking research being done in this area these days, in relation to anxiety and depression. Amazing how our gut microbiome can impact our mental well being. Might explain the reflux too. Perhaps you're sensitive to certain foods you never were before on top of an imbalance in your gut. Let's throw a dietician into the mix of possible 'go to' people. Best to consider one who is enthusiastic about the mood and food connection.

🙂