Severe anxiety

[LBNM19]

Hi,

I'm 21 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child.

4/5 weeks ago I found a lump in my breast and the doctor scared the life out of me. Ive had its checked by a consultant who said all is ok.

Ever since I've been suffering from severe anxiety, convinced I have breast cancer, thought I had throat/mouth cancer because of sore throat and ulcers. Started panicking about moles after watching something on tv and the latest thing is I'm convinced I have cervical cancer, I'm starting to think its spread to my lungs.

I've constantly been at the doctors or a & e.

The thoughts are constant and I'm terrified. I feel like i just can't take anymore and ended up going to a & e. I'm now seeing a mental health team and waiting to see the prenatal psyctrist next week.

It's just horrible, has anyone else experienced this?

I also suffered with PND and anxiety in 2012 after the birth of my first son, I didn't think it would happen again and don't now how I'm going to manage the rest of this pregnancy terrified there's something wrong with me.

[stargirl1701]

I had post natal anxiety after the birth of DD. I was referred to a clinical psychologist by my GP who taught me Mindfulness. It really helped. I used it as a way to separate 'me' from my intrusive thoughts.

Have you spoken to your GP or midwife?

[LBNM19]

Yes been to the gp about 6 times in tears, she just have me a number for IAPTS and was told there's a waiting list, tried to call midwife but no reply.

The mental health team are dealing with things pretty well and visiting my home everyday at the moment but don't want to start medication until I see the prenatal psyctrist because they will be a specialist on what I should take x

[stargirl1701]

There are mindfulness resources online. I used some You Tube videos to help me. I found the 'passengers on the bus' really resonated with me.

Do you have an ante-natal yoga class nearby? I find the meditation part of yoga practice helps me 'centre' myself.

It is simple but fucking hard! I did repeat things to myself like 'your thoughts are NOT you' to get through bad moments.

Having gone through all this, I have realised I am a very anxious person. I cover it by being a very organised person but root of my over planning is anxiety.

Be good to yourself.

[Spannertime]

I'm currently under the perinatal mental health team with severe anxiety. I was in a very bad way from about 10 weeks pregnant and the road since has been rocky with ups and downs. I was very close to being sectioned. You're not alone. Medication wise I am on quetiapine and setraline if you wanted to google them for more information. I was initially tried out on Prozac but it didn't work for me personally. I still have good and bad days but I am definitely better since taking quetiapine.

[LBNM19]

Thankyou for your replies, it's comforting to no I'm not alone but really feel for you to as I no it's just awful. I've not thought of a yoga class but will look & thanks spannertime I will look up those meds, they are waiting till Wednesday as they are not specialists in what pregnant woman should take but it literally feels like torture, Wednesday can't come quick enough xx

[janesxx]

when I was pregnant I got really obsessed with things I wouldnt clean anything with bleach cause I thaught it might absorb into my skin and harm the baby (sounds crazy now I think back) I would cry everyday thinking that all these tiny normal things like spraying deodorant would harm my baby, I was then diagnosed with OCD but now a year on im almost 100% better :)

[LBNM19]

Glad to hear your feeling better xx

[bakingaddict]

I came down with a rotten cold at 28 weeks and from that point on I had severe anxiety. I don't know if it was just sheer coincidence that the two started so soon after each other but the remainder of my pregnancy was hell. I was literally paralysed with anxiety and would not sleep because I was convinced I was going to die in my sleep. I waited a long time to see the peri-natal psychaitrist. I actually started sertraline after giving birth and all my morbid thoughts disappeared but due to side effects I had to stop taking them but the anxiety had disappeared anyway by the time DD was a few months old. I paid privately for CBT and did get some enlightment on what was causing my anxiety

[LBNM19]

Thanks for sharing your story xx sounds like the two may of been connected. It's just horrible. I think they will start my meds on Wednesday and I can't wait it's literally destroying my life. Xx

[Spannertime]

Hey LB. How are you getting on? Just to let you know less than a week after starting the setraline I am starting to feel like myself again. Keep holding on tomorrow and let me know how you get on. You can do this.

[LBNM19]

Hi spannertime, that's so good to here, I'm feeling ok. Best day today in a long time I had scan today so wondering if that's lifted my mood a bit, still seeing the mental health team everyday and they are helping.

I will defiantly be asking to be prescribed medication tomorrow though as want to make sure I keep going in the right direction Xx

[Spannertime]

You may feel worse before you feel better but stick with it and if you want to talk I'm here for you x

[LBNM19]

Thankyou xx they have prescribed sertraline 50m I'm now feeling nervous about taking it and very anxious tonight, I think I'm going to have to but now I'm worried about side affects on baby x

[Spannertime]

There are risks to the baby if your anxiety goes untreated too and gets worse. Especially if you aren't taking care of yourself properly as I wasn't. I was too anxious to eat or drink aNd was very distressed. This is about weighing up the risks, and benefits of each. Sertraline is one of the safest anti depressants to take but even in pregnancies where no meds are taken, there are no guarantees remember. The mental health team I am with have said that there is a risk of withdrawal after birth and I will be kept in for two days to monitor baby to be on the safe side but my mental health nurse said she has never actually seen a baby have any effects or withdrawal in all the years she has been doing the job on setraline. 50mg is the lowest dose too and I see my midwife every two weeks and baby's heart is good and strong. Do what's best for you xx

[LBNM19]

I no and I'm so worried about how I'm feeling and how its affecting my baby, it makes me upset to think he's sad/scared like me. Who nos? I think I will start taking it in the morning. I no deep down I can't carry on like this.

How far along are you now? Xx I'm 22 weeks and having a baby boy x

[Spannertime]

The worrying about worrying is all a part of the illness. You are doing a great job just getting through each day. He won't be scared or upset in there. The affects of anxiety are more how you look after yourself and as I said that does get better.

I am 19 weeks now and will hopefully find out next week what I'm having.

[LBNM19]

Hi spannertime how are you? Did you find out sex of baby? Xx