Struggling

[ATieLikeRichardGere]

I wonder if anyone can help me. I’m really struggling at the moment. As with everyone, it’s quite stressful living through this pandemic. I’ve got a 2 year old and at the start of all this was still getting help for postnatal depression. She is quite a handful. A couple of months ago my husband was diagnosed with cancer and is about to go through chemo. It is scary and he’s not well enough to help out much at home. I’m wfh and it’s stressful and I hardly ever get out. I do have help from family but they have their own problems as well, such as alcohol problems. I just feel like I’m totally at the end of my tether. I’m so stressed and tired and anxious and sad. I’ve got terrible health anxiety. I keep hearing about more and more young people with cancer. I’ve spoken to my GP who is nice and helpful. She has referred me to psychology but I won’t be seen until January, which is soon in the scheme of things but I’m just so distressed right now. I can barely eat. I don’t know how to get through the day. I’m embarrassed to call my GP back as I’m not sure what she can say or do for me. What would you do if you were me?

Hopeful bump.

I really hope someone can reply.

I'm sorry you are struggling I don't have much advice but take it day by day you have a lot on be kind to yourself try and take a daily walk. Snuggle up and watch movies / good tv to give urself some downtime? Just be gentle on urself

Definitely get back to the GP. Would you be prepared to try some medication? It may help.

Call your GP back. Have you been prescribed any beta blockers or anything? I'm not surprised you are struggling you're under serious situational pressure and stress. Ask your GP to get you access to the online CBT course, I found it helpful to have something active I could work on to try and help myself. It's called beating the blues. And the NHS can give you free access to it as you wait for your referral.

Keep going OP, sounds like you are actually managing despite the difficulties but you know you're hitting your limit.

I would take medication or anything to help. I haven’t been prescribed yet because the plan was that I would stop breastfeeding first plus I have a slightly complicated Mh history and GP thought someone more specialist should prescribe. But I’m not sure I can wait.

I’m trying to watch tv when I get the chance but it’s hard because my toddler isn’t a great sleeper.

Thank you for the replies.

Aw OP, you're doing great. I personally would prioritise your MH over breastfeeding, it really is precious to be as well as possible when they're little, not least for your own enjoyment. Your little one will be fine regardless but you need to be ok as a priority. Maybe ask your GP to think again. It's possible one thing might be more suitable to try than another. And the GP may prefer a specialist to advise but on balance might decide it's more important to act now if they hear how much you are struggling.

Thank you very much WishingHoping. I will look at CBT and speak to GP again. I’m fine with the idea of stopping breastfeeding but I don’t quite know how as she still feeds a lot.