Feeling rubbish at 3 months post-partum

[trrk]

I had my beautiful DD 3 months ago and thought things would be getting easier by now but I have actually been feeling worse recently. I have terrible insomnia and night sweats and have been feeling a general level of anxiety. I have been back on the pill for 6 weeks and haven’t had a period yet. I never mastered breastfeeding and stopped completely several weeks ago. I just want to feel normal again and don’t know what’s going on. Is it post-natal anxiety? Is the pill messing with me? My Mum even thinks it’s peri menopause. My doctor said I could think about trying medication for anxiety but I’m scared to commit to this long term and scared of the side effects. If it will make me feel better I’m not liking to try but is it the answer if it’s sone sort of hormone problem? Anyone experienced someone similar?

Hey,
I think I’m in a similar position to you. My little one is 11weeks old and I’ve just admitted to myself that I have post natal anxiety. I too linked how I was feeling to my hormones as I’ve felt worse when I’ve got my period (had two periods since birth), but I’m still getting anxiety when not on my period and it seems to be getting worse lately too.

My other half looked after the little one most of the weekend to give me a break, which ended up in me getting very emotional when he left for work this morning, and that’s when I realised I need help - though my partner has been suggesting I have anxiety for weeks!
I called up the GP today and he’s prescribed medication, I’m also a bit reluctant/apprehensive to take them as he said to stay on then for at least 6 months but im going to give it a try as I can’t continue feeling this way

I’d encourage you to at least discuss it with your GP and go from there. You don’t have to make any commitment to taking medication if you don’t feel its right, and perhaps could get a referral for talking therapy or something instead.

wishing you all the best x

I'm glad I found this post - I feel everyone I know is doing well and I'm 13 wks in and feel so ill still 😩

I really don't want to go on meds and I think my anxiety is down to other factors x

How are you feeling today? @trrk @jadeftm

@chocsaucestrawb its hard isnt it, I really don’t want to be taking meds but if its going to ultimately help me feel better then im figuring its better to at least try!

I took my first dose of Sertraline yesterday afternoon and haven’t been feeling too good, but my GP did warn I would feel worse before it gets better in a couple of weeks so going to have to power through

hope you’re okay?

Thanks both for the support! Sorry to hear you’re having a chard tine too. My GP also suggested sertraline and I’m seriously considering giving it a go. I’ve had some better and worse days recently, mostly correlated with how well I’ve slept. I’m scared about feeling worse after starting meds, especially since my DH is very busy at work this week and I’ll be alone. I’m also reluctant to commit to 6 months in case the current problems are caused by something more temporary. I plan to follow up with my GP soon.

@jadeftm wishing you all the best for starting meds. Will be keen to hear how you get on.

With sertraline, take it in v small doses to begin with otherwise you’ll feel like crap. The suggested doses are too high. So if you’ve been given 50 ml, even 25ml will be too high at first, it’s a powerful drug.

I would start by taking a quarter or even less, doing that for a week and building up.

good luck 🤞🏼

Thanks for the tip @AndTwoFilmsByFrancoisTruffaut ive been given 50mg and took that as my first dose but definitely think it’s a bit too high from how bad I’ve felt! Will try taking a smaller dose

@jadeftm @chocsaucestrawb How are you two feeling? Is sertraline working for you @jadeftm ?

@trrk good morning, still feel pretty much the same really - like rubbish 😢
I just feel so so so tired and achey and the anxiety is there - sometimes it's hardly there and at times its there a lot
I miss my old life where I can just do what I want and I feel guilty for that. I miss time with my partner and my eldest which I think she's ok as we do make sure we make time but I still feel so guilty. How are you feeling? X

Also still feeling pretty rubbish. Speaking to my GP on Monday and wondering whether to just get the meds or continue to ride out the hormone storm.

@trrk I'm considering the same. I'm tempted to give it another month or so just to see how I feel. I didn't think about hormones.
I read somewhere that it can take time for your body and you to feel normal again. But if I have to take the meds I will. Just seeing if I can get through it without them.

I have a brain fog like a blur it's horrible.

How are you / baby sleeping? X

Last night was bad sleep wise. Baby went down at 9pm and then woke at 11pm and 1am so the beginning part of the night was fragmented. Baby then did a great 8 hr stretch but I had insomnia by that point and barely slept at all. So frustrating when baby sleeps better than I do! Not sure if anxiety is causing insomnia or vice verse but it’s really frustrating!

Morning! Sorry to hear you’re both feeling rubbish still :(
I do think hormones and also sleep has a lot to do with it!

I must admit it’s been a hard week with accepting needing to take the meds and then dealing with the side effects (for me I’ve had sickness, increased anxiety and headaches), but apparently the side effects wear off quite quickly and then you start feeling better after a few weeks so riding it out and feeling positive about it

Fingers crossed we all start to feel that bit better soon, it’s really hard going but I’m sure we will get there eventually :)

How are you doing @jadeftm and @chocsaucestrawb ? I hope you are feeling better? @jadeftm Did things improve after a few weeks on sertraline?

@trrk hey! Nice to hear from you
Umm not much better really, think it's more acceptance
I had a bad day and just cried and cried and since then I've told myself I have to try an eve positive
I don't like how it's making me feel
I feel achey and maybe because I'm 40 in just finding lack of sleep so hard
How are you doing? X

Just jumping on to say get checked for iron levels and B12 - both can affect sleep and mood if too low!

@chocsaucestrawb Sorry to hear you’re still feeling rough. We’ll get through this somehow!

I had a few weeks where I was feeling less anxious but it’s back now and I’m feeling crap again. Wondering if it’s connector my cycle somehow but still haven’t had a proper period yet. Lack of sleep definitely plays a role too. It’s funny though I slept poorly all through pregnancy but didn’t feel nearly this bad. I’m a similar age to you, 41.

@IWillBeWaxingAnOwl i have been checked for iron and folate and both seemed fine but not for B12 yet. Decided to try an iron supplement anyway just in case but I don’t think it’s made much difference.

@trrk good to hear you were feeling better
Sorry you don't feel great still. I think for me it may be acceptance- that life is changed and I just miss sleep!

I keep wishing time away I just don't enjoy the newborn baby stage sadly

My iron was low but now is ok
My vitb 12 is ok but my folate is low so on folic acid

X