anxiety... its back :(

[lowra]

I suffered with awful anxiety throughout my first pregnancy. Everything was fine thankfully and I was blessed with a beautiful DD. After a struggle to conceive again I found out I was pregnant last week. After initial feelings of happiness I seem to have sunk into a a depression. I feel close to panic constantly. I have tested again today (I know) after really feeling no symptoms at all yet. It looks like the lines on the tests have got fainter. Help!

Congratulations
Sorry I don't have a cure for anxiety, but didn't want to read and run. You only found out recently so it's quite normal not to have symptoms yet- some lucky sods never get them! Try not to compare to your first pregnancy as each is different. And no more testing for now... I know it's hard but you will probably beat yourself up looking for tiny changes. Have you spoken to anyone in RL?

Thanks for replying feminist. DP has been great but he is very 'take things as they come' so I'm sure he finds my neurotic nature quite hard to understand. I have no more tests in the house and am determined not to buy any more as that way madness truly lies. Trying to be zen but its just not in my nature!

Do you feel you worry constantly? One thing after the other?

Yes ginger that's exactly how I feel :(

Well, I have sort of the same problem, except I'm not pregnant and it's just how I feel all the time! I've started reading this book, "The Worry Cure", and it's really helpful. It doesn't tell you to stop worrying (which doesn't work, for example, if I tell you NOT to think about a green elephant, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES DO NOT THINK ABOUT A GREEN ELEPHANT! - what are you thinking about? )

Anyway, the book just teaches you about why you think that worrying works, and why in fact it doesn't work, etc etc. It's based on cognitive behavioural therapy which is the most efficient for anxiety.

I must admit I haven't finished the book yet, but thought I'd recommend it, from one worrier to another!

Thanks ginger I may give it a try.

Lowra, just a quickie to say I know the feeling.
I'm 28 weeks now and my anxiety has come back with bells on recently. Worrying about EVERYTHING and then worrying about worrying!!

Nothing practical I can say to help but just wanted you to know you're not alone....and to also say that for me some days really are better than others so just hang in there for those days and let the bad ones just be.

Thanks korovaj. It really is horrible isn't it. Today I have just wanted to lie in bed and block everything out.

hi there sorry to hear you're suffering.
I've struggled with anxiety throughout my life but especially after losing a close dear relative several years ago. I was on ADs and stopped these to ttc, and felt better up til about 6-7 weeks when the anxiety came back bigger and worse than ever before. it was hellish.
I think in my case the hormones really increased my anxiety, plus all of the worries about miscarrying.
I'm now 12 weeks and the horrible nausea and debilitating exhaustion has lessened a lot, and the anxiety too. I really believe it was these hormones behind my anxiety in the 1st trimester.
If you can lessen the other stresses in your life that will help, as will talking to someone - perhaps go to the gp and request CBT? I had to burst into tears to be referred but it worked!

Update: I think this one is a chemical / very early loss. No bleeding yet but the frer is now showing negative. I should be about 5 weeks, I'm not sure what will happen. Will it pass like a normal period? Do I need to see the doctor? I feel so miserable. This is not going to help my anxiety at all.