PND - anxiety emetophobia

[funnybunny1]

I have never posted on here before but last night things came to ahead in my life and I had to confront the feelings I have tried to hide since I had my baby 7 months ago.

I used to be a successful workikng woman who has confidence, strength and was very outgoing. I could take on a challenge and succeed. Oh how I've changed!!!

On the surface my life is great. Fantastic DH, a 3 year old boy and a 7 month old boy.

My 3 year old woke with a sickness bug yesterday which threw me into a blind panic. I came clean to my DH about this almost debilitating phobia.

I then explained to him my feelings. There were lots of tears and he suggested I sat down on my own and bullet pointed how I was feeling. It took everything in me to put my feelings on paper and I plan to go and see soemone now. Trouble is I know there is no quick fix and I feel panicy, anxious and am terrified I am going to get this bug. My feelngs are consuming my life.

I thought I would share my feelings with you as I hate feeling this way.

Exhausted - mentally and physically
tearful
anxious panic
can't sleep properly
low self esteem
poor self image
scared
morbid irrational fears about sickness - can't cope with this one - terrifying
frightened of getting worse
guilty as so many peoples lives are far worse than mine
stupid.

Please share your stories with me - hopefully some positive outcomes of both PND and emetophobia.

OK found one drug mentioned: Itinerol B6. But I have looked up anti-emetics in a medical book and there are loads. You would have to go to your GP for them though.

Sounds just like me just before I was diagnosed with PND.

I saw my gp - he prescribed sertraline. After 3 weeks I already started to feel better. I was still struggling to sleep though, and after 4 months the dose was doubled (not as drastic as it sounds).

I havent looked back since

whoops

I meant not

What's setraline? Is it an anti d. I've been prescribed fluoxetine. I do believe that the emetophobia and PND are two different conditions, each made worse by the other. I just hope the HV will agree with me.

Yes, its an AD, of the SSRI variety.

Sorry Vicki, I'm not sure what SSRI is. I'm new to all of this!

SSRI = Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Sertraline and fluoxetine (prozac) are both SSRIs. I have sertraline.

Can anyone tell me whether I can drink alcohol whilst on Fluoxetine? I've read the patient information leaflet that's in the box and it doesn't say anything. Only it's the festive season and it would be nice to be able to have a couple of glasses of wine at the Christmas do!

This seems to be the longest week in history for me. My HV is off sick - not sure when she is coming back. It took everything I had to come clean to my DH about how I am truly feeling (he had an idea anyway). I feel like I've been left in limbo as nothing else can be done until my HV comes back.

I had hoped that by the weekend I and the HV would have been able to have a chat so that some therapy could be arranged.

DS 7 months now has croup - bloody marvellous! Wish I could stay in bed all day today.

My friend is on fluoxetine and drinks wine most evenings

So sorry to hear about DS & croup

Hoping next week will be brighter xxx

Just wondering how you are funnybunny?

Hi Amazonianwoman, I'm not doing fantastically well but I am hanging on in there. The ads are making me feel a bit queasy and the sleeping pills help me get to sleep but don't keep me there for longer than about 5 hours. GP has prescribed me some tamazepam, but I am a bit worried about taking this and it making me feel even more queasy and spaced out.

HV is coming to see me on Wednesday morning. It is just a shame I feel like I do so close to Christmas as I usually am very excited and organised by now but this year I can't summons up the same enthusiasm. I was going to be cooking lunch for 12 this year but my DH has thankfully put a stop to it.

I just have this anxioud feeling in the pit of my stomach that won't go away. It's horrible. How long have you been on your ads and did they take a while for you to start feeling normal??

(((Hugs)))

It probably took 3 weeks after starting ADs before I remember saying to DH that I felt good (I also remember him saying, "those pills must be working, you haven't nagged me for a while" )

Your post prompted me to start taking mine regularly again - I'd become very lax after taking them for almost 2mths - and yes, they do make you feel a little queasy (I do today), which is particularly hard when you're emetophobic, but it does pass after less than a week. So hang on in there.

Your DH must be The Best - glad he's put a stop to your hosting Xmas.

The ADs WILL help, and if you have a supportive HV, she may be able to suggest some complementary therapy (counselling, CBT?) to help further. Or you may find that you can start tackling some of your fears/low esteem yourself - they've definitely helped me in that respect.

Off to bed, hope you manage to get a good night's sleep xx

Only just seen your post funnybunny but wanted to add what little I can to help.

Although I am lucky not to have suffered with PND I am emetophobic and have been since early teens. The condition has got worse and worse and earlier this year I went to my GP about it, burst into tears, and luckily she referred me for CBT on the NHS. She also prescribed me valium for moments of crisis which I have only had to take on one occasion since.

I have now had about 6 sessions of CBT, with more to come. I am definitely feeling better now. Not in that I think I will be any better at dealing with sickness in myself or my dcs when the occasion arises, but just in that my life isn't dominated by it on a daily basis. I am calmer, more philosophical, and, crucially, more accepting of the way I am.

It works like magic this CBT, honestly, its like an invisible comfort blanket. I can't quite explain to you how it works or why it seems to be taking the edge off my anxiety, but somehow it is and I am grateful.

Emetophobia is the fifth most common phobia. There are thousands of us who share your feelings, in our own way. What I have begun to learn is that perhaps the feelings aren't so bad after all, and not to constantly fight and kick against them, because all that achieves is to reinforce one's image of oneself as a hopeless, irrational, inadequate person who isn't a good caring nurturing mother. I believe the key is to accept the feelings and learn to be confident that all will be well when the actual moments of crisis have passed.

HTH.

I've been taking the ads for 2 weeks now and I can't say that I've noticed much difference yet. I still have the most awful anxiety. Both children are ill again - this time with temperature and cold and because of my state of mind at the moment I'm almost panic stricken that it will result in another sickness bug - crazy I know.

My HV visited last week and suggested I get some rest and time to myself which is an absolute joke. Although DH is fantastic he works long hours. She's coming back this week with details of a PN Group which to be honest I can't face. It took me 7 months to tell DH how I feel, so what are the chances of me talking in a group. I think I may get some private therapy. Any ideas as to what is the most beneficial for PND and anxiety. Thanks

Hi Funnybunny, can't help with type of therapy but agree that private therapy sounds better than group sessions - I couldn't do the latter, and I'm by no means shy.

Hang on in there with the ADs - I think they take around a month to kick in.

re HV's comments - completely out of touch with reality as usual I'm sure the colds/temps won't evolve into sickness bugs - we're on 2nd round of awful coughing thing here, but no sickness this time, fingers crossed.

Hoping someone can help with therapy xx