Anxiety/depression physical symptoms

[Mehripoop]

Hi everyone,
This is my first thread so bear with me. I recently had a baby during the middle of lockdown and it was quite traumatic. I had a catheter which stayed in 10 days and went home with me as I couldn’t urinate straight away. On the 10th day I did pass urine and was fine. This was so traumatic and I spiralled into a very low mood and began to google loads.

The very next day I got a UTI and was in against- and that’s when it spiralled out of control. I just convinced myself there was something wrong.
I developed non stop diarrhoea for a few weeks thanks to the antibiotics I had in labour (got a temperature) and the UTI. I began calling 111 daily and turning up at a and e. I even developed a brand new neck pain and headache which petrified me and had a CT scan to rule out a clot. Eventually, my skin began burning but there was no rash and it comes on as and when. I started also getting pins and needles, crawling sensations and random arm pains. My arm pains WAKE me up and it hurts to touch them. I’ve become so sensitive to every pain that it hurts so bad to even touch things with my hands. I’ve told the doctors this but they are now saying this is all due to my severe health anxiety and depression after the baby.

My question is- has anyone gone through such strong physical symptoms of depression and have anti depressants helped? I’ve been offered sertraline and I’m scared their effects will make me more anxious and physically ill.

Oh and I’ve got crazy symptoms like ears blocked and ringing, heart palpitations and internal tremor? How can all this be just anxiety/depression?

Hi OP, did you ever get clarification on wether it was anxiety? I’ve had similar symptoms to yourself!

No way? @Jaeloo. Tbh I’ve had no clarification and have constantly been told it’s all anxiety. I tried two anti depressants and they made the ringing in my ears constant.

I suspect a gut disturbance so I’m trying to ‘heal my gut’ and have sought help from a functional doctor. Will be starting my new way of eating soon- mainly a keto lifestyle with lots of veg etc. Herbs to cleanse tops I’ve been so run down and the ringing ears has heightened the anxiety some days. How are you? Have you spoken to your gp? My gps insist it’s anxiety and refuse to do any checks even though I keep insisting as I had so many rounds of antibiotics after labour.

To be honest * not tops lol

Ahhh sounds so similar! My GP too insists anxiety. I have been prescribed propranolol for palpitations which works wonders but doesn’t take the feeling of everything else away. Do you feel it’s got easier to manage at all? It’s so deflating isn’t it.. hopefully the healthy eating lifestyle sheds some positivity on it all for you. Wishing you all the best ☺️

@Jaeloo I hope so too. Thank you. How have you been managing? What are your symptoms?

I’ve not been managing so great if I’m honest. I’ve got the ear fullness blocked but won’t pop , palpitations, I get the shakes and my feet go extremely cold but sweat. I have just learned I’m pregnant but these all started before I conceived, I’m struggling to get through a day but hoping with a few changes in lifestyle they will calm down.

Ah @Jaeloo it will get better. Could be hormonal I’ve been told- although tbh I’ve had a baby before this one and didn’t suffer any of this. Hardest is the palpitations and the ears blocked/ringing. I really miss my silence. Have you tried gentle meditation? How’s your sleep?

I had/have PND and anxiety. Heart palpitations I definitely get. I also have nausea and sickness. I get very sweaty too when I have a panic attack. So some of your symptoms sound like anxiety, some of them I'm not so sure about.

@Mylittlesandwich I get all of that plus burning skin patches on my head, arms and back. I’ve had so many tests. The only thing I definitely have is carpal tunnel. The rest is so painful but all anxiety sadly

@Mehripoop hii!! I could of wrote ur post! Always been abit anxious! But since having my baby its been bad!!!!!
How are you now? Hows the ear ringing etc! I also get burning skin! Tests. Are are all normal . My ear ringing started when i was on nortriptyline for migraines but they are also used as an anti depressants !!! Xx

Hi @Starrr123 it’s a little better but the ear ringing continues. I think it’s linked to my stuffy nose which I’ve had all my life. It cleared right after pregnancy but somehow came back far worse with the ear ringing. I still have the carpal tunnel going up both my arms. The burning skin comes and goes on the back of my head and back. What are your symptoms? I’m back to work and it’s helping me move on some days at least.

@Mehripoop sorry to hear about the ear ringing still! Its very annoying isnt it!! Ahhh!
That can last for ages after pregnancy!
Have you had any tests?
So i had my baby 5 months ago, when i wqs fieat pregnant this all strted or 1-2 months before with ear pain! Neck pain! I had mris they put it down to clenching my jaw!
When i was pregnant i had vision issues, burning skin, numb leg it was all put down to hormones.
Aftwr the baby the dizzyness continueed! I still get it now! The last 2 weeks the ear rining started! Again i think it was those tablets! Hoping it goes down!
I got hypnotist the other day and i think thats helping with my clenching!
Im going back on Sunday for another session as it was amazing! I definitely recommend!!!!
I now get burning skin on and off, ear ringing, ear pressure, ears popping, vision still not great and lots of floaters still there!
Dizzyness still!
I am anxious because of these symptoms! They prescribed me citalopram yesterday. But thats makes you clench more and causes ear ringing! I feel like she just didnt listen to what i was saying?
I good friend is a mental help nurse and she said that anti depressants makes ear ringing ALOT worse!
Im glad being back at work is helping you :)
I am due back in march!!! Hoping i feel better by then ! Its draining :( x

@Starrr123 I feel your pain! 8 weeks ago I gave birth and dizziness and cold feet have continued I too have been just written off as anxious still. It’s the symptoms that are making me anxious too it’s just so overlooked isn’t it? I’m back to work in April and think I’m just going to be like this forever it’s so draining!!

@Jaeloo im aorry your feeling like it too!
Its rubbish isnt it ! They just say anxiety!!!
Which anxiety doesnt help but the issue is causing it!
Oo im due back in march and im dreading it! I just wang this to go! Its hprrible isnt it :( xxx

@Starrr123 I have been told it could possibly be low vitamin d and apparently that causes symptoms of anxiety. Been told so much though have no idea what to believe anymore 😫 sorry you’re feeling this way too I hope answers are found soon x