since having my son 10 months ago I've developed health anxiety and it's driving me insane...

[BeckyGherkin1991]

I had my boy July last year and the first 3 months I realised I was worrying about him dying randomly (as all new mums do) but when that passed n I got in t the swing of it all I realised that I'm overly aware of everything I put in to myself, (stopped smoking weed, stopped eating greasy foods, stopped anything unhealthy and unnatural basically) and started getting chest pains, like stabbing pains and constant dull aching) and also the feeling that my tongue/throat is tightening, and it all always on my left side, and I get myself in a state of panic, crying, thinking I'm dying, wondering what will happen to my baby n how I'd miss him growing up, how i know it's all in my head yet 'if it is why can I physically feel pain' but more despair n agitated that this has happened as I was so carefree before having my perfect boy..and so I go to the doctors and when CBT didn't help they prescribed me propranolol but I tried it once made me worse as it works by slowing your heart rate and I have a naturally low heart rate, so they've now given me 2mg diazepam and (ironically) I'm too anxious to try it, even when I'm in the middle of a major panic..
So.. I was just wondering is anyone else has had something like this or post baby anxiety and if there is a magic switch t fix my scrambled egg brain back t normal, or if it's worth me taking the diazepam as I've heard they're addictive N make you "stoned" n I can't be drugged up when I have my boy t think of n play with..
Rant over, cheers guys x

[crispiecrunchie]

I've been feeling like this recently. I have two kids and I an very anxious at the moment about the health of the oldest. This seems to have been triggered by a few illnesses in a row, two of which needed a brief hospital admission. I have had anxiety about my own health in the past but it's been fine for years. I keep thinking of the worst and that I might miss a vital symptom and it'll mean its my fault. Its starting to take over and I have a constant feeling of dread this last week. I take Prozac which usually keeps me well.

No solutions but just wanted you to know you are not alone!!

[Damegemma82]

I have struggled with anxiety since my DD was born 3.5 years ago. I have always been a worrier but I make myself feel ill with it and constantly ruin what should be nice occasions (Christmas, holidays, days out) worrying that she will get ill. We now have another DD who is 5 weeks on Wednesday and can see the same happening with her. My main obsession is sickness (I am emetophobic) but I also am afraid of them getting high temperatures and having seizures. The grip anxiety has on me is ridiculous and so frustrating as I know the scenarios I worry about are 99% hypothetical. I have had CBT and while I had one "lightbulb" moment it didn't really help that much but this is probably my fault for not implementing the techniques as much as I could have. I tried antidepressants when I had PND with DD1 but they made me nauseous so couldn't entertain them at all.
I wish I could give you advice but honestly I'm just as lost with it myself at the moment, that's why I came on this section! If I find a wonderful magic cure to sort my head out I'll let you know!! I fear it won't be as easy as that!
If I could offer you any advice it would be don't surrender to the fear or let it control you any more than it has to. Don't change plans for it, don't avoid things you would previously have enjoyed such as days out etc. Also, when you're obsessing ask yourself if the thought is hypothetical or an actual reality) If it's hypothetical just throw the thought away (I'm working on this myself but much easier said than done!)

[crispiecrunchie]

Hello gemma. I read your post with interest as my anxiety has been triggered by my daughter starting to have seizures from high temperature. She has had a few now and I am now on constant high alert. I hope she grows out it soon. Thing is there is nothing you can do to prevent it as its the temperature going up to quick rather than just being high. For what its worth of your daughter hasn't had one by her age it's very unlikely she will. I have done as lot of reading so you can trust me on that!! I worry less about my other younger child but I think it's because he hasn't been so unwell. My thought just seen to jump from her being a bit ill to it being fatal. My main worries are sepsis or meningitis though I also worry about accident and choking. I am working hard to not let it get out of hand as I'm aware she will pick it up.

One thing that helped me was a child first aid course. They also have really good apps on what to do. It makes me feel a bit more in control though I am not sure how I'd cope alone. And it is likely she will have more seizures.

It's hard isn't it. In fairness mine does get a lot better with periods of good health. Though with young kids the time with no cold or virus seems minimal!!

[KindDogsTail]

THis must be difficult for you Becky
I suffered from extreme anxiety about the same time after the birth of my child. It may be related to hormones, but I would stay away from drugs if at all possible and read a book about managing hormones naturally through nutrition.

Also, are you taking any vitamins? B Vitamins, including folic acid and vit B6 and Vit B 12. Vit E and Zinc?
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16542786
Dietary deficiencies of magnesium, coupled with excess calcium and stress may cause many cases of other related symptoms including agitation, anxiety, irritability,

[Dingdingdong]

Hi OP

I'm afraid I don't have any useful advice but I have also had this since the birth of my eldest DS. I seem to get it under control for a while but then it flares up again - I get it both in relation to myself and my DC. My DF has just been unexpectedly diagnosed with terminal cancer and it seems to have triggered and sent my anxiety back into overdrive. My DS has a temperature tonight and I am desperately trying not to have a full blown panic attack.

I wish I had some answers too. The only thing I try is to create a plan of action of what I can do if things do get bad but tbh that doesn't help that much!