Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Original poster

Health anxiety and blood pressure

15 replies

iheartarchie · 25/02/2024 15:56

Hi all
I had my little boy last year and he was my rainbow baby. From the moment I fell pregnant I was worried I was going to miscarry again then when we went for our scan they couldn't measure the fluid in his neck so that was another few weeks of worry. I was diagnosed with hypertension at 26 weeks then it eventually developed into pre eclampsia and partial placental abruption and he was delivered by emergency section. He is amazing and I have no doubts about my bond with him, however the anxiety I have is really bad. I constantly feel like there's something really wrong with me and get palpitations and feel really uneasy. A few weeks ago i convinced myself I was having a heart attack and was home alone with my son and worried something was going to happen to me and noone would be here to look after him. By the time my husband came home it had passed and I was OK. I have been given a blood pressure monitor to monitor my blood pressure over the next week. So far the readings are like 135/95 in that area. I am due back to work next month and my work are messing me about with holidays etc and I am dreading going back as well as leaving my little boy. Its just a combination of things but I feel like I'm going mad and won't ever feel like me again. I guess I just really came on here to have a vent and unload on a forum that's mums who might understand. Has anyone had similar and a light at the end of the tunnel?

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 25/02/2024 16:13

Have you told the GP about your health anxiety? Sounds like you might need to consider AD’s.

Nov2023 · 25/02/2024 17:04

Did your GP take you off BP medication? I showed similar readings postpartum and have been left on a low dose of medication. I'm afraid I can't help with the anxiety issues but maybe chat to the GP to see what they suggest?

Original poster
iheartarchie · 25/02/2024 20:10

Yeah they weaned me off it but I suspect I will be back on them soon

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families Heart disease
Original poster
iheartarchie · 25/02/2024 20:12

DustyLee123 · 25/02/2024 16:13

Have you told the GP about your health anxiety? Sounds like you might need to consider AD’s.

I've got an appointment on 8th March to speak to her about it all

OP posts:
Garman · 25/02/2024 20:15

I had similar after pre eclampsia and birth trauma, it took a few years and a lot of work and therapy and advocating for myself in my third/last pregnancy but I got over it, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Original poster
iheartarchie · 25/02/2024 23:31

Garman · 25/02/2024 20:15

I had similar after pre eclampsia and birth trauma, it took a few years and a lot of work and therapy and advocating for myself in my third/last pregnancy but I got over it, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Sorry to hear you had similar. It's very frightening isn't it? Did you speak to your GP? For me I feel like I can't trust my body now and think that's why I'm so worried that something wrong is going to happen and can't rationalise it

OP posts:
Garman · 26/02/2024 07:04

My gp was lovely about it but no actual help tbh, she was great after my second baby when my anxiety was spiralling with all the bp checks from PHN and was always understanding about allowances when I had bp checks with her after that. Birth trauma resolution and other things helped because it’s a trauma response.

Kewchoc · 26/02/2024 09:26

How old is your little boy? If he's still under 1 year then you may be able to be referred to the perinatal team who I would imagine will be able to support you better than your GP with the anxiety. I also suffer tremendously with health anxiety (though it's more directed at my son than myself) and found the perinatal team to be incredibly helpful, I'm currently pregnant again and waiting to be referred to them again.

Also what are your work saying about your holidays? I'm HR so happy to help with that if you need any advice

XiCi · 26/02/2024 09:29

A beta blocker might be really helpful. It would serve as a double whammy to ease the anxiety and lower blood pressure

jhy · 26/02/2024 10:30

I had similar to you and had my son at 29 wks. He was 4 when I had a random BP check the doctors and my BP was 210/110 😳 I was living my daily life with high BP, never knowing any different. I dread to think how high it must have gotten when I was exercising or if I got stressed/angry. Needless to say I'm now on BP medication for life.
Your readings are what mine are medicated and that is the higher end of 'normal'. This is despite drs saying pre-E goes away after delivery. I've had every test going to figure out why, but no answers. It's just one of those things.
Best to speak to your Gp, they do take bp very seriously

LightSwerve · 26/02/2024 10:49

Have you had any birth trauma counselling? You've been through a lot, I think it's understandable you feel as you do.

But you can heal and you will feel better one day with the right emotional and physical support. It's a small steps process, don't expect to make big leaps but seeing your GP is a good start.

Original poster
iheartarchie · 26/02/2024 10:51

Kewchoc · 26/02/2024 09:26

How old is your little boy? If he's still under 1 year then you may be able to be referred to the perinatal team who I would imagine will be able to support you better than your GP with the anxiety. I also suffer tremendously with health anxiety (though it's more directed at my son than myself) and found the perinatal team to be incredibly helpful, I'm currently pregnant again and waiting to be referred to them again.

Also what are your work saying about your holidays? I'm HR so happy to help with that if you need any advice

Thank you, he is 1 next month so I might contact my health visitor and ask her? My work are saying I'm due my holidays but not public holidays as I didn't work them? I don't think that is right?

OP posts:
Original poster
iheartarchie · 26/02/2024 10:56

jhy · 26/02/2024 10:30

I had similar to you and had my son at 29 wks. He was 4 when I had a random BP check the doctors and my BP was 210/110 😳 I was living my daily life with high BP, never knowing any different. I dread to think how high it must have gotten when I was exercising or if I got stressed/angry. Needless to say I'm now on BP medication for life.
Your readings are what mine are medicated and that is the higher end of 'normal'. This is despite drs saying pre-E goes away after delivery. I've had every test going to figure out why, but no answers. It's just one of those things.
Best to speak to your Gp, they do take bp very seriously

Thank u, I'm sorry to hear this that must've been so scary those readings are higher than when I had pre eclampsia wow! I was readmitted a week after he was born with high blood pressure and like you felt fine had no idea. Which I think also made me feel anxious cos I was thinking what if I feel fine and have really high blood pressure not knowing then have a stroke or something. When I have my panic moments it's really quite scary and I can't rationalise my thought process.

OP posts:
Original poster
iheartarchie · 26/02/2024 10:58

LightSwerve · 26/02/2024 10:49

Have you had any birth trauma counselling? You've been through a lot, I think it's understandable you feel as you do.

But you can heal and you will feel better one day with the right emotional and physical support. It's a small steps process, don't expect to make big leaps but seeing your GP is a good start.

No I haven't where do I find out about that do I need a referral?

OP posts:
Garman · 26/02/2024 12:00

Same as you I had no symptoms of high bp so it was scary, I felt I couldn’t trust myself or my body at all.

Google birth trauma counselling/resolutions and you’ll find ones near you or online if you prefer. I’m assuming you’re in the UK? If you’re in Ireland I can’t recommend a charity that offers birth trauma resolution services nationwide.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread