Going to the GP for the 2nd time tomorrow and having a bit of a wobble...

[neverenoughMEtime]

I have always suffered with anxiety, usually nerves before going out and panic in crowded places etc. but it didnt stop me going out and i have dealt with it on my own for years.
Then when i was 6 months pregnant with DD2 it got worse and i started avoiding places. Just after having DD2 I was terrible with nerves and panic, avoided going anywhere and felt very nervous and panicky at home even. I have never been panicky in my home. Now DD is nearly 7 months old and im suffering with this. Im shaky, i feel bad nerves constantly like im about to go for an interview or something. Ive lost my appetite, i feel really hot and sweaty when its not that warm at all, Im exhausted and feel i havent the energy to face other people or go out for the day etc. I often feel irritable, cant relax and struggle to settle off to sleep when i never used to despite the anxiety. Im so forgetful lately too. My heart sometimes pounds when i move and i feel this in my head and neck, really uncomfortable. Im also having palpitations more than normal. Last but not least, my periods have started coming more frequently, lasting longer and heavier. This month only 16 days between, very heavy and lasting 8 days There are usually 20-22 days between them...

Its important to mention that ive had CBT for the anxiety and was feeling a lot stronger, have been doing tesco shop alone which is a major improvement, been to big shopping malll alone for afternoons without panic, made really good progress. Now i feel there is something wrong in my body, i feel its getting worse. Im enjoying socialising at school runs/shopping now without panic
but body seems to be trembling all the time/sweating and i cant relax..

Im going to ask again for the doctor to check my thyroid..the last one said its not necessary because my periods are regular But when i went to see him i was having a period every 2 weeks, he said that was normal because i'd had a baby 12 weeks ago (at time of the appointment)

So, given all the symptoms ive written here, do you think the doctor is likely to send me away saying its just anxiety (and it may well be, i dont know) or does it sound like thyroid problem is likely?

Thanks for reading

Sorry no advice but didn't want your post to go unanswered.

Hopefully someone along soon with some helpful advice for you. x

Hi sorry you're feeling so awful at the moment sad face. Are you getting much help with your DD? If you're exhausted/not getting much sleep it can make anxiety symptoms worse. Also stress and lack of sleep can affect your periods or it might be a hormonal inbalance which in turn can make you more anxious.

Heavy periods are also very draining (literally) so it may be worth getting your iron levels checked. Would definitely recommend seeing your doctor as changes in your menstral cycle should be checked out. It sounds like you desperately need some rest and time for yourself which is difficult with a little one. If you feel like you won't get much help from your doctor, would your HV be able to help? Good luck xx

Hi sorry you're feeling so awful at the moment Are you getting much help with your DD? If you're exhausted/not getting much sleep it can make anxiety symptoms worse. Also stress and lack of sleep can affect your periods or it might be a hormonal inbalance which in turn can make you more anxious.

Heavy periods are also very draining (literally) so it may be worth getting your iron levels checked. Would definitely recommend seeing your doctor as changes in your menstral cycle should be checked out. It sounds like you desperately need some rest and time for yourself which is difficult with a little one. If you feel like you won't get much help from your doctor, would your HV be able to help? Good luck xx

I think you need to ask for thyroid function tests again, if necessary see a different GP.

Mention the pounding when you move, the palpitations and the heavy periods, also the shakiness. These are strong symptoms worthy of thyroid blood tests. Have you lost weight? Offer the symptoms and see if thyroid tests are suggested. If not you should suggest it.
Good luck!

thyroid problems are very common in the first year of being a mum, its definately sounds like there is something wrong with your physical being, i would ask again for some blood tests, i have an over active thyroid, and my biggest symptom has been anxiety, also not sleeping, very shaky hands and always on the go (cant relax) but my doctor didnt even ask about my periods when she first sent me for blood tests

It does sound like a classic thyroid problem.Of course it may not be that,but it is very common to go hyperthyroid for a while after giving birth,and then to suddenly plunge into hypo.You sound hyper at the moment,they are all classic symptoms so you should insist on getting it checked,and then re-checked.It is easy to put down your sort of symptoms to an emotional cause but with our hormonal system governing our emotional makeup things can get missed so easily.I hope your GP is helpful,and that you are feeling better soon.

Hi, thanks for the replies!

Orangeflutie - Ive been going to bed early and resting, I dont really feel in need of a break tbh my body just feels suddenly exhausted. I will ask about iron levels too thanks.

likegarlicchicken I havent lost weight..is it possible to have this and not lose weight?

macthewife - i feel always on the go too, im sat here, only just got up with DD's and im sweating, really hot and feel like i need to move around quickly, sort of restless, and hands are shaky as i type..i hope as its the 2nd time ive asked and this time its a lady doctor, that they will just do the test for me...

hellymelly - thanks. Im worried i wont be taken seriously due to my anxiety but if i tell her how my mind issues are improving and the progress i have made, hopefully she should agree that it needs testing just incase..

Just updating this, ive just been to see the doctor. She was very nice and understanding but she said she thinks the blood tests will come back normal and that its just built up anxiety because im now putting myself in situations that i was fearful of. She said she will test anyway though, im having a sugar test, thyroid and full blood count etc.

She knew im on propanolol and i told her i had taken one this morning. She wanted to check my blood pressure and listen to my heart then said it was all normal and she hopes that reassures me! Well, ive taken propanolol so it would be normal wouldn't it! Usually my pulse is fast, they are always re-checking it to see if its gone down when i have that done.

She read all my symptoms and said its anxiety basically. I knew she would. She is probably right but its so severe now and i had been doing so well

Anyway appointment for boods on friday so we'll see. Thanks for your helpful replies.

glad you got the bloods done. You dont seem convinced by your GP's reasoning...remember sometimes we put our faith in Dr's it wouldnt be a bad thing to go see another and get a 2nd opinion. I think then you would more satisfied...give it a go if bloods come back neg

thanks bottletopbilly. This is the 2nd doctor ive asked, first wouldnt do the tests. I dont know, its hard to sit there feeling so wierd and unwell and have the GP say its "only anxiety" "in your mind" etc etc. It feels so severe when im actually doing so well with my other issues. ike she said its maybe built up anxiety. How will i ever get well then if its going to stay away while i go out and about then appear because its built up?! I dont know wether its totally obvious that its anxiety and i look stupid going on about tests or wether im right and something else is going on. I dont trust myself or my doctor! I felt like a hypochondriac, although i rarely visit the GP or have tests..

I will go back once i get the results. Thanks

I think that your blood tests will show that you have anaemia caused by your heavy periods. I was told that my severe palpitations were caused by anxiety, until the tests came back and I ended up in hospital for a transfusion!!