9 weeks postpartum & feeling weaker by the day

[Chocforthewin]

I am hoping that someone can put my mind at ease. I've googled the symptoms & am fretting as it's pointing to awful diagnoses making me feel sick.
I am 9 weeks PP & feel weaker by the day, To the point the bones in my feet, hands, wrists back hurt. I've had a sore throat only when I eat & drink last couple of days. I'm getting daily migraines - normally I would have 1/2 a year.
Of course would normally ring my g.p. But know if I mention the sore throat they will just advise me to isolate. I wanted to get my iron levels tested but my doctors cannot do blood tests for another month as they do not have the equipment.
I thought I would get stronger but it's the opposite. Has any other ladies felt like this? 🙏🏻

Are you taking iron?

My joints were
Sore for a long time, something to do with the relaxin.

@AriettyHomily I was taking the pregnacare tablets for breastfeeding but I became so constipated (sorry tmi) that was nearly crying so stopped as thought could be down to the iron in them. I will try again tomoz see if it's helps with everything

Try floridix. And I know how hard it is, but try to sleep as much as possible. It's a rubbish time to have a baby, there is no support out there and a new baby is lonely at the best of times. And if you don't feel better in a week or two, then do speak to a doctor.

"my doctors cannot do blood tests for another month as they do not have the equipment."

Eh? How can they not have the equipment to do blood tests?! I don't get it. You need blood tests ASAP. Ask your HV about it. I assume you've been discharged from the midwife team by now but you could try calling them too; when I was discharged they did say I could still contact them again if necessary. Perhaps you could have blood tests at the maternity hospital if your GP won't do them (grrrr!)

Difficult to know what you should be supplementing without blood tests but Floradix is a good suggestion in the meantime.

Hope you feel better soon

@Junobug thank you so much for the suggestion, I will get some tomorrow from boots, just googled it & it sounds brilliant

@NameChange30 Yeh it was actually in the appt for my 8-week check that the doctor said that the doctor surgery & also Bedford hospital are not doing blood tests as there's an issue getting the vials in. I thought it sounded like BS when she said it. Felt like she wanted me out the room 2bh. I think I am going to call tomoz & get clarity as do want blood tests to see if it's low iron. Am going to get some vit C & D also.
Even walking is hurting the bones on the outside of my feet & my knees. I used to be so active

If you can afford it, you can get private blood checks for thing like iron deficiency on Medichecks. You just prick your finger and collect the blood in a little vial and send it off. I use them regularly to monitor my thyroid function

Floradix contains vitamin C but you could also get some vitamin D tablets to take as well. If you feel that your bones are hurting maybe get a combined calcium and vitamin D tablet.

My cousins thyroid went out of whack and she was v vitamin d deficient after having her first. She described how you are feeling so yes you definitely need bloods ASAP!

Hiya OP. So I am 12 weeks pp and had your symptoms. I have been tested for rheumatoid arthritis and it’s come back as borderline positive. I have been referred to a rheumatologist but who knows how long the wait is. Apparently it’s from a traumatic birth plus hormones kicking it off. I was on iron tabs for 8 weeks due to blood loss which did sod all. Was super weak and couldn’t even hold LO. GP was largely shit until OH took baby for jabs and kicked off at them!

@CountryGirl36 thank you for your message, i hope you are feeling better now that you've got an answer at least 😔 surely they will speed up your appt as you've recently had a baby & need the strength & energy? Did they say anything in the mean time for you to take or not to do, eat etc? it definitely does sound the same, I've just researched it- especially the weakness in my bones in hands, wrists, knees & the feet. I am so pleased your OH kicked off at them, even though he shouldn't have had to have done but I feel that medical clinics are even worse now with coronavirus.
I've had to wait 3 & half weeks for my bloods, I've got them on Tuesday. Did you have any specific blood tests, thinking I should mention it but the dr just said they wanted to check for iron. Am sure it will be a battle with them to more bloods done. Will pray you get your appt asap @CountryGirl36 💜

So my anti ccp was raised which is a marker for RA, all others “normal” but that along with joint symptoms was enough for her to refer me. Keep pushing - I would ask for Rh factor and anti ccp as your normal inflammatory markers (esr, crp etc) may be normal.
Been told nothing else tho - on naproxen for inflammation but thats it!
Let me know what they do! X

@CountryGirl36 so I had my blood test & asked what was being tested. The HCA said that the g.p had just asked to test my iron levels. I did ask for more tests but she said I have to have another appt with g.p who would then put me forward for more tests if they see fit too, but again there's a 2/3 week for bloods 😞 Just hoping it's just low iron really am. I hope you are feeling better on naproxen, have they prescribed you omeprazole along with it aswel? X

Are you drinking enough water? Breastfeeding is SOO dehydrating, dehydration would explain constipation and sore throat (I had same). I used to drink about 2 pints of water overnight breastfeeding minimum

@Chocforthewin yes I have but was on it when preggers too!

So my blood test came back that I had an abnormally high B12 level but everything else is okay. I told the doctor about my symptoms, I felt he wasn't really listening & just told me not to take any vitamin or supplements with any b12 in. Feel abit defeated now