Anxiety

[bellainthemiddle]

The last month or so I've been totally overwhelmed with anxiety. I'm pregnant and some of the anxieties have been pregnancy-related, but I've also just been getting ridiculously worked up over the smallest things, or over nothing at all. It hit a point last week where I was just in constant floods of tears over anything and everything and barely managing to sleep, eat, etc. etc..

I went to the GP, who gave me a crisis line number, and otherwise pretty much advised me to calm down and learn to deal with it. I know I should be able to, but at the moment I am struggling to - and I feel really rubbish about myself because of that. (I called the number and they advised me to self-refer for CBT, but the self-referral won't be processed till after Christmas.)

When I saw the MW she felt the GP should have given more help and managed to get me an out of hours appointment at the weekend, where the doctor I saw prescribed me Sertraline. I was worried about taking it because of the risks, but I equally afraid of the risks of carrying on as I was and took the plunge.

The Sertraline has actually made me even more anxious over these first few days (but I understand that this is normal) and I've been having panic attacks, horrible thoughts, all the rest of it. I'm stressing out because they only gave me 2 weeks supply, but I can't get a GP appointment to review within the next 2 weeks. So I am basically panicking, because I'm worried about taking the medication and concerned that we're about to hit the Christmas week when basically everything will shut down.

So I'm basically in a massive panic, and any advice or experience that anyone can offer would be gratefully received. x

Hand hold and solidarity for you OP.

I can't comment on taking meds during pregnancy, but having my DD helped me realise that I had been suffering with anxiety for years. I went on citalopram when she was a year old and had that for a while. I thought I was ok, but relapsed badly this summer.

I want to TTC for number 2 soon and know that I will feel the same as you in many ways.

That must be tough @LancashireTea, I think you're very brave to have faced up to the anxiety and started the meds after becoming a mum, I know I would find that hard!

I was worried about taking meds during pregnancy, but I've also been really concerned that it can't be good for the baby for me to be so desperate and wound up and that sort of tipped the balance. I'm still worried about the fact that I can't eat (even when I'm not feeling sick it's like I've got a lump in my throat and everything tastes of sawdust). I've lost weight and I'm usually a scrawny size 6 anyway, so it's not really ideal. But the doctor I saw today was quite reassuring about that, and I'm trying to calm my panics a bit (and eat more). I managed a whole fruit smoothie this evening!

Your getting there slowly which is a start.

Well done for making the appointment.

Try to eat, drink milk if you can and take a pregnancy friendly vitamin tablet until you are eating better. My sister drank complan? When she was pregnant as she couldn’t eat. I’m not sure if it’s still made as this was 30ish years ago.

That's all such good news bella, really glad you saw a helpful doctor. I definitely found that it was hard to make decisions and assert myself when I was in the thick of things. Once you get the medication sorted, this should ease up.

Also remember the loss of appetite. Good advice from PP about drinking milk. Just eat what you can, when you can. I found juicy fruit like oranges, mango, grapes etc fairly easy to nibble on.

Just do whatever it takes to get through the next few days at the inlaws, with whatever help you need from DH. Your body is going through a lot so be kind to yourself! And know that it will get better.

Thank you for the advice and support! I am feeling a bit better. I had an awful panic attack in the night and couldn't stop shaking and crying for ages afterwards. But I've stayed in bed this morning with DH bringing me hot drinks and I actually got a few hours sleep and feel a bit calmer.

Thanks for the food advice - the fruit is a good idea. Not really a milk-lover, but will give it a go!!

DH has told in laws that I'm feeling sick and they've said it's absolutely fine if I need to stay in bed and rest a lot. So I hope it's all going to be manageable.

Thanks again x

Hope everyone has a good Christmas. We are driving to inlaws early this afternoon. I'm feeling very anxious and my tummy's tied in knots! Tmi alert - I had awful diorrheoa most of the night and this morning and got very freaked out by the cramps (I had a mc earlier in the year which I think is one of the reasons for my anxiety). But I see that it can be another Sertraline side effect! We were actually supposed to travel this morning but I was still running to the loo every 10 mins - crossing my fingers that I'll be alright this afternoon!

And to you! X

Hi bella - was just thinking of you, and hoping your Xmas is going ok!

That's so nice of you! I'm still feeling very anxious and did just have to take a lot of time out while we were away, but I've just about managed to cope. Going back to the GP (this time my regular GP!) on Monday and will see what they want to do with the Sertraline, but I guess it is - hopefully! - going to have some good effects soon.

Hi bella, really glad you got through it! And good that you're going to see your regular GP as well. I don't know where you are in London, but where I am there's a really outstanding perinatal mental health team, might be worth asking doctor or midwife if you have anything like that and could be referred? I really benefitted from being 'in the system' from an early stage of pregnancy - although you may find that everything gets a lot easier once you've given birth anyway...

That's a great idea, thank you! I'm under Imperial NHS Trust and I'd be surprised if they don't have it, they seem to have just about everything! We are lucky being in London having access to so many services.

I have my dating scan next week, so I will ask then. I am absolutely terrified about the scan! My bump has become quite noticeable over the last week (it seems early!!) so I am planning to go shopping for some loose fitting tops, since I'm feeling in no way ready to do the Big Announcement at work just yet!