[Editor’s Note: Today we welcome Warrior Mom Meri Levy who shares how her postpartum depression symptoms manifested primarily in physical ones like dizziness and nausea. -Katherine]
Whenever I prepare a list of symptoms of postpartum depression, I always include “unusual physical symptoms.” My experience with postpartum depression, anxiety, and panic disorder was quite atypical, and that was partly why it took months of suffering before I got the proper diagnosis and treatment.
I was pretty savvy about mental health. I had been in therapy on and off for years. I had suffered from depression once before, after my mother’s sudden death, so I though I knew what it felt like. During that episode, I was completely numb and couldn’t think at all. I was unable to concentrate or make decisions. I was completely checked out. I took medication for a few months and felt completely recovered, then I went off the medication because I found out I was pregnant.
I was pretty vigilant about postpartum depression after the birth of my first child since I knew I was at risk. It was a high risk pregnancy and I was on bed rest for six weeks. He was a fussy baby, and I was not very happy during his first few months of life, but I managed fine and didn’t feel the need for antidepressants.
After my second child was born, though, my stress level was off the charts. My first child got kicked out of preschool because he stopped using the toilet after his brother was born, and my new baby had a set of lungs that had my ears ringing whenever he cried. I never made enough milk for him because he was so big, and he gave up nursing as soon as he started solid foods. I felt guilty about having to give him formula. I was also afraid that I would not be able to go back to work because I couldn’t find full-time daycare that would take my challenging and potty-resistant older son.
In the meantime, I had difficulties in my marriage. My husband was gone for long hours every day, and when he was there he blamed me for my son’s challenging temperament and criticized my parenting style, my cooking, and my housekeeping. I tried to make everyone happy, but I was clearly failing.
In the midst of this storm, I started to have strange physical symptoms, ones that I didn’t recognize might be postpartum depression symptoms. It started as a feeling that the room I was in was tilting and that I was off-balance. I had to lie down and felt the room was spinning around me. I was told by my doctor it was probably either an inner-ear infection or possibly MS, and I was sent for neurological testing. The neurologist said she didn’t find anything on my tests that would indicate a problem, but that she couldn’t definitively rule out MS and that only time would tell.
My symptoms came and went for a while, but began to include nausea and vomiting, lack of appetite, and an inability to sleep. I had a low-grade fever on and off for a couple of months and my white blood-cell count and my blood pressure were high. When I could sleep, I would wake up feeling horribly sick and immediately throw up.
My husband continued working and told me to suck it up, and over the next few months, I lost 16 pounds, got to the point where I slept no more than three to four hours a night, and threw up on a regular basis—out the door of the car driving my son to preschool, in the sink at the pediatrician’s office, etc. The dizziness was sometimes so severe that when sitting perfectly still I would feel that my body was swaying to and fro, and my bed would feel like it was shaking as I was lying in it. At one point I began to leak milk out of one of my breasts when I felt waves of nausea. My skin burned all the time and my hands tingled. I felt sure that I was dying, but I didn’t know what from.
My doctor kept assuring me that he would figure out what was wrong with me, and the theories went from inner ear to hormones to diabetes to thyroid to encephalitis, but every test came back normal. I was living on Ensure and Gatorade, because I couldn’t keep any solid food down.
At one point I was in so much distress that I begged my doctor for an antidepressant (to deal with the stress of my illness, I thought), but he said he wouldn’t advise it because my stomach was already so irritable. The stress of caring for my children was unbearable, so we hired a babysitter and I spent most of every day lying in bed, praying to fall asleep for a couple of hours to get some rest.
After about four months of living this way, I lost it completely and told my doctor that he had to hospitalize me because I was obviously dying, and that I wanted to die if they couldn’t stop the agony I was living in. I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital, but my doctor still was sending me for tests, trying to figure out a physical basis for my symptoms.
The fascinating thing was that I stopped throwing up as soon as I was admitted to the hospital. Without the stress of caring for my children and my home and pleasing my husband, I no longer felt nauseated. That was when I finally realized that whatever was going on with me physically was connected to anxiety and depression; they were postpartum depression symptoms.
I spent 12 days in the hospital, during which I was put on antidepressants and was prescribed anti-anxiety medication and sedatives that allowed me to sleep. For a few days, all I did was sleep. When I was awake I was no longer nauseated (except, sadly, when my children visited me), but I was filled with anxiety and unbearable emotional pain. I was terrified that I would never be able to care for my children without throwing up. I felt like the worst mother in the world.
After I was released from the hospital, I was still unable to care for my children without constant symptoms that I now recognized as panic, but I did a full-day partial hospitalization program for a month and I believe that saved my life. I learned in group therapy about the ways in which I prioritized my responsibility for others high above self-care, in unhealthy and unhelpful ways, and I began to heal.
With the help of medication, therapy, and couples counseling, I recovered completely, and six months later I started a business with a friend: a store and resource center for new parents. I still had moments of anxiety but I also had joy and passion for life. I became a lactation educator and led new parent groups for several years, and eight years later I went back to school to become a Marriage and Family Therapist.
I now lead groups for women suffering from postpartum depression and related illnesses. I still have to be vigilant about managing stress and self-care. I know that I always have to be mindful to avoid a recurrence of depression, but I also know that I am strong and resilient and will do whatever I have to to be healthy and take good care of myself and my children.
The onset postpartum depression symptoms and anxiety symptoms were when my second child was seven months old, and just weeks after abruptly weaning. What amazes me is that I never heard the phrase “postpartum depression” until long after I was released from the hospital and was well on the way to recovery. The fact that no one considered the timing, including my doctor or therapist at the time, shows how many caring practitioners do not have the facts about these disorders.
To this day, my doctor can’t say whether I ever had a physical illness or whether all of my symptoms were related to depression and anxiety, but it really doesn’t matter anymore. What matters to me is that both mothers and their caregivers become better educated to recognize postpartum disorders so that they can be treated early. I look forward to the day when women don’t needlessly suffer because information about postpartum depression and anxiety is not widely known.
I now have three children, ages 16, 13 and 11, and they are wonderful and brilliant and funny and a pain in the ass (as all healthy children/teens should be). I love my children more than anything in the world, and yet I know that in order to be a good mother, I have to take care of myself and listen to what my emotions and my body are telling me that I need. I love the metaphor “put on your own oxygen mask before attempting to assist others.” I saw what happened to me when I felt I didn’t deserve my own oxygen mask, and I won’t let it happen again.
Thanks Katherine for this article, my sister went into postpartum depression just after when she gave birth to her son last 3 month. I notice she complained about her weight to much that she can kill her baby. She also show signs of not loving herself… even if we bought her clothes that will make her feel beautiful after loosing the baby bump (we bought her transitional clothes from Choo Choo London, topshot, mothercare, etc)… she went into therapy with a psychiatrist and she’s fine now. I realized, body issues affter giving birth is not as shallow as choosing the right clothes, it is more coming from within.
I think you just saved my sanity. I’ve always dealt with some depression/anxiety but it’s never been like this. Last year we had our fifth baby, a girl. She was in the NICU for a couple weeks so that was stressful and emotional. My doc put me on Zoloft but I stopped taking them after a couple weeks since I didn’t feel like I needed them or they were even helping. I just figured, this is normal…I have five kids – what do I expect to feel like? But I was more irritable, more enraged, more erratic, more everything. But then sometimes I’d also be fine…but I was usually my best self when I left the house and got away from it all. Then I added the stress of agreeing to instruct at Zumba parties and also got on a Church committee. Suddenly it felt like way too much responsiblity, all that plus motherhood, and I was freaking out. Surprise, surprise…I got physically sick when my baby was five months old and have been sick for two and a half months now. My baby girl was underweight during this time and the pediatrician looked at ME and asked how I was doing. It made me cry because he was concerned about me, because I knew he was right, and because I had to supplement with formula. I felt guilty, But her weight came on fast once I did that. She is now 7 months old. For over two months I’ve had head pressure, headaches, dizziness, blurry vision, heart palpitations, fatigue and malaise….my docs focused on sinusitis. I went through antibiotics, steroids, tried a netti pot, chiropractor, Naturopath, vitamins galore. Nothing worked. I’ve had every kind of blood test – all normal. My vitals are always fabulous. I’ve had CT scans of head, sinuses, mid-section…all normal. I even had a spinal tap! NORMAL. Saw an ENT, everything is fine. I’ve been to the ER twice. If anything, I’m slightly anemic but I already know that and I take iron. I’ve spent countless hours Googling my symptoms and self-diagnosing because I felt like my docs were doing nothing to figure this out. I’ve thought I was dying. I thought brain tumor, MS, candida overgrowth, mono…you name it. Nope, I had them all checked. I even thought it was a food thing and cut out sugar/dairy/gluten. Nope. To make this long story short, I am now on Zoloft again and I will stick to it. I went in to see my doc and there was a temporary doc who saw me. She was the first one to really go through my history, my results, listen to me, and try to piece it all together. AND the ER doc on my 2nd visit came to the same conclusion. I am finally beginning to believe these awful physical symptoms are from untreated post partum depression and anxiety. HOLY COW. I am going to move forward hoping the best (because being sick like this for so long is enough to cause someone depression and anxiety). I have to believe it will get better from this point on. THANK YOU for writing about this.
Ellen….my story is SO similar to yours! i wrote a big long reply, but it must have gotten deleted or somehow didn’t post. i tried SO many alternative tmts/blood tests/specialst appointments /diet changes for all those symptoms you mentioned and more and had NO success at all. a whole year after my daughter’s birth, and after all of this crap trying to figure out what is wrong with me… i was screened for ppd and i am now on zoloft as well. i’ve been on it for about 10 weeks and have seen small improvements in how i’ve felt. the head pressure is still pretty terrible, and my body aches/fatigue are a little better, we are still titrating the dose up…125mg right now. i’d love to hear how you are doing, if your symptoms have improved at all, etc…..i need some encouragement bc i have been SO feeling like i’m dying!
Hi ladies I n ow this is about a year old post but I am having the same symptoms and am considering taking Zoloft. I’m just wondering if you could update me in I you have gotten better or not and if the Zoloft helped?! Thanks!
Kris – I’m glad you’re considering treatment. Many, many moms have been helped by medications. It’s not the only form of treatment, but an effective one for treating symptoms of anxiety and depression. Wishing you the best as you find what’s right for you.
you are describing me totally right now. i know this is old but i needed this post!
ellen….i can’t believe i just read almost exactly what i have been feeling!! i do not have five kids, but 2. after my first child’s difficult birth and very challenging postpartum period, i knew i had ppd, but managed it w/o professional help and started feeling better when he was around 10 months old. after the birth of my second child, when she was about 2 or 3 months old, i started having many physical symptoms that you mentioned as well; major head pressure, headaches, sore eyes (i thought i needed glasses), terrible fatigue, malaise, achy muscles and sore joints, weight loss (much more than with my first baby), and more later on, awful insomnia, heart palps, racing heart and tremors. i, too, cut out gluten, and then dairy and sugar…all with no relief (i am still gluten, sugar and dairy free 9 months later). my nurse practitioner did TONS of blood work, everything came back fine. i was referred to an allergist, ENT, had breathing tests, everything “normal”. ( all these appts took months to get too). i kept holding out hope that the next specialist appt would find something wrong so that we could just treat it and get me back on my feet again!! i was also treated for sinusitis, used nettipot, naturopath, and chiro. i have tried many anti candida diet/supplements and vitamins as well. nothing worked. i finally saw my doctor in december b/c the heart palps and tremors were out of control ( i thought for sure my thyroid was whacked), but again, all results came back normal. she did a postpartum screen one whole year after my daughter’s birth and that indicated ppd/ppa…..!! i still can’t believe that all these symptoms are a result of anxiety..it’s crazy. i also, was started on zoloft and zipiclone for sleep. i’ve
started going to a mom’s ppd group locally and it is nice to talk to other moms about it. it has been 9 weeks on the meds (increased the zoloft up to 100 mg now), and i have had a few good days, and a week and a half where i actually felt pretty good! the heart palps and tremors have for sure gotten better. now again, i feel kind of back to where i started with all these physical ailments, but i am holding out hope that the good days will start to out number the bad. it has been so difficult to care for my kids, let alone myself, through all of this. i can’t imagine having five to take care of while feeling SO terrible! i haven’t been able to go back to work yet b/c of all this….
are you feeling any better? have you noticed any change in how you feel since starting the zoloft? i felt horrible the first 2 weeks on it from side effects, but they are very slowly starting to wear off.
hope you are starting to feel better.
Im so glad to read this blog entry. My symptoms are almost completely physical as well. Vomiting, nausea/knot in stomach, hot tingles, poor sleep, no appetite, general unease, inability to focus. I also did a stay in the Psych unit. I was only there 2 days, but I felt safe there. It was nice to sleep and have someone take care of me. I am on meds and going to therapy, have been for almost 6 weeks now. Clinging to the hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel!
There is definitely light Lauryn. Good for you for getting care – it’s such a difficult step to take but you did it! Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and know that you will get well. It takes time, but you will. ~ K
I’m having a hard time figuring out whether I’m suffering from postpartum anxiety/depression or if its antidepressant withdrawals. I just had my baby 2 months ago and have been on 5 different antidepressants in just 5 months none of which I was on. longer than a month for mild depression they all caused me to have panic attacks and anxiety which I’ve never experienced. and stopping them all cold turkey made everything way worse. So now I’m 5 weeks off all meds last one was Bupropion generic for Welbutrin and I can’t tell if its still withdrawals or if its postpartum. Anxiety and Panic is the worst part. Then there is the burning of the skin all over the top half of my body all of these symptoms being present the day after stopping Wellbutrin. Including nausea and diarrhea. I’m suffering and also scared because I’m obviously not great with medication very sensitive and I’m noticing my symptoms aren’t worsening they are just there. Any advice will be greatly appreciated
OMGoodness, I am going through some horrific symptoms that also match all of yours. My baby, number 5 also,is now 7 months.I have tried Zoloft, Paxil and lexapro which have all given me horrible side effects, I have convinced myself I’m dying.I have been through 3 PCP’s, 2 GI doctors a neurologist, And an ENT, as well as going to the ER four times to no avail other than being held for suicide watch and then sent to a therapist and psychologist who actually made feel worse along with Dr.s who did not even want to listen to what I had to say . I am miserable and am struggling to take care of my kids, as my husband is at work. I have had family members help for a while but now,I may just need hospitalization .I hate to leave my kids,but I am at my wits end. Katherine I am so happy you posted this just to let me know I’m not crazy and not the only one who is going or gone through this,I just want to feel better. God bless.
Ericka, I’m so sorry you’re suffering. I can tell by your post you have an enormous amount of strength and I know you will find a way to get better. A hospitalization is sometimes what’s needed for women dealing with these issues to get effective, quality help around the clock. You don’t have to suffer like this forever, you will get better!
Where do you go for hospitalization and if you don’t want to be on more anti-depressants? I too have physical problems that no one can diagnose. I am thinking of bio hormone therapy. I want to die.
I don’t know if this is PPD or withdrawal from coming off of Mirtazapine 6 weeks ago. I am afraid to go to a psyc hospital that they will force me to take anti-depressants.
Mariah – I’m sorry you are feeling so awful. You could go to your local emergency room or urgent care center and explain your symptoms. You have the right to deny any medication they offer to you. I hope you find answers soon. Keep reaching out, you will get better.
Thanks for sharing Katherine! I went through something very similar as well. I thought I had MS or some neurological disease like that. I had muscle spasms all of my body, tinglings, shakings, and even could barely walk for about a week. I went through lots of tests. My nurse practitioner kept telling me that it was postpartum depression. I didn’t believe her until I went on anti-depressants and I started to improve. I hope more women will share these stories. It takes courage to do it but it is so worth it when you see how much it benefits others! Keep it up! If you get a moment, I’d love for you to read my blog where I having been writing about my experience with PPD.
I’m so happy to have just happened upon this post. I’m 6 months pp and ever since I started back to work (in November), I’ve had these progressive physical symptoms. I’ve always been high-strung, but I’ve also always been able to handle it. Since November, I’ve had numbness and tingling up my face and down my right shoulder blade; ear ringing; clinched jaw; tension headaches; joint aches and pains all over; muscle tension; tremors. It has been absolutely horrible. I’ve been to a chiro, ortho, 2 months of pt, had an mri of my neck, had ct scans of my neck/head, and have been to the ER twice (swearing I was having a stroke). I thought (and sometimes still think) I was dying. All the tests have checked out as normal and surprise, surprise — the chiro and pt didn’t help. My ob/gyn tested my horomones — fine. He told me to take an anxiety med. My primary care physician did a full workup, including vitamin profile (I was convinced I had a vitamin D deficiency) — normal (in fact, exceptional). He told me to take a depression/anxiety med. I’ve refused meds for right now, b/c I’m thinking I should probably be evaluated by a mental health professional before I’m prescribed these kinds of meds — part of me wanted to try to fight this thing on my own, too.
I’m thinking I’ve been in denial about the whole thing, b/c I have been convinced it was something physical until only recently. I am now beginning to accept that perhaps it’s pp anxiety b/c the past three months have been brutal. I have a baby that was super fussy at first (still fights sleep like a champ). I started back to work (attorney = stress). My mom was diagnosed with recurrent cancer and had to have a major surgery. My dog was diagnosed with a protein – deficiency (meds and special diet; yay!). My daughter was perpetually sick for three months with respiratory issues (like, the pediatrician intake people know me by name now). Looking back on the past three months, it’s been exceptionally stressful, particularly for a high-stress, perfectionist-type like myself. And don’t even get me started on the pressure I put on myself to be super-Pintrest-mom, even though I have no hours in the day to even think about accomplishing a single craft, much less a super-awesome 1st birthday themed party. So, here I am — a complete wreck and the anxiety is starting to become debilitating. I’ve reached out to three therapist offices today and left messages, hoping that someone, anyone, will call me back. So far, nada. But I at least have some feeling of hope and positive thought, that I’m on the way to fixing this. Someone will call back, right? I even tried walking in the sunshine today during my lunch break — didn’t help as much as I would’ve liked. But back to my original thought – I’m glad it’s not just me. Reading this post helped. And thank God for my husband — he has been my rock.
Mare – I’m so glad this post has helped you feel less alone. You are on the right track. I’ve talked with many women who have been through similar ordeals with their health and have come to a place of treatment and healing from PPD/PPA. Keep calling until you get an answer. You are a fighter and you’ll overcome this.
I’m going through a lot of this right now. The physical symptoms. I would love to email a mom that went thru this and is now healed.
Hi Vanessa, you can join our private forum and talk with other moms who are going through this currently and some who have recovered. Here is how you join:
https://www.smartpatients.com/postpartumprogress
Hi! My baby now is 4 months old. I would love to join here to atleast help me with what I’ve been going through this time. This started when i got pregnant. I really didnt feel good specially going to work. To the point that I filed a leave for three months. After i delivered my baby i got back to work but this terrible thing came again. I can’t go out alone. I am having panic attacks. I can’t sleep. Whenever i wake up i feel like my body i not feeling well, i had a bad cramps in my stomach the weird feeling of having a lot of acid, i am palpitating, i got tremors and the hardest part is whenever i am about to sleep i suddenly feel this tremor or brain zap inside my head. Really it makes me more anxious and could not sleep at all. When i am at work i am always worried. Having this symptoms makes me think of negative things like maybe i am having a cancer, heart attack or stroke. I am afraid to die because i wanted to be with my kids. I also cant afford to lose my job because i need this for our needs. I just don’t know what to do.
Also, now i am on the stage wherein my hair is starting to shed. But, i am also having this itchy feeling all over me. Please do help me.
jhaylee – I’m so sorry you are going through all of that. Do you have a doctor you trust who you could talk to? Would finding a therapist to talk to be something you are able to do? We are here for you. You can join our private online forum to talk more about this with other moms who are struggling. Here’s how you join: https://www.smartpatients.com/postpartumprogress
Wow I can relate to so much from Mero Levy’s experience. It gives us hope and reassurance that I was not going mad as so many people commented ‘it’s all in your head’. I to noticed how when I was in hospital, I felt so much better knowing I didn’t have the constant demands of a 3yr old and my partner. Panic attacks, ridiculously low blood pressure, nausea, bleeds, pneumonia, asthma, flu, house on the market, open homes, no family as they live in the UK and I live in NZ are just some of the things making my second pregnancy hard. Toby was prem by 4 weeks, so whilst open homes were happening I had a newborn who suffered colic for 4mths. The exhaustion was phenomenal. No wonder I became depressed. Thank you for sharing. It’s still one day at a time for me, some days are better than others.
Thank u iam battling postpardum depression ever since my baby was bon in January the doctor put me on 10mg of lexapro but few weeks ago had to be moved up to 20mg some days I feel fine orther days feel terrible is there really hope out there I just want to be happy with my child .All the thoughts running threw my head It’s unbelievable u get depressed after having baby since taking this medicine can’t remember anything I just want to get better almost been 4mth
Kristen, you may find it helpful to talk with other mamas in your shoes in our private forum – https://www.smartpatients.com/partners/postpartumprogress
You can look for advice, encouragement in getting the right help, and so much support.
Hello. I know this is old.. However, I just came acrossed it today. I had my daughter 10 weeks ago yesterday on 4/14/16. I had a myriad of symptoms preceeding my pregnancy (off & on) including tachycardia (full cardio workup found nothing) dizziness & feeling like I’d pass out for a few years. I was diagnosed with Reactive Hypoglycemia appx. 3 months before my pregnancy & assumed EVERY ONE of my symptoms were due to it. I got my glucose under better control, lost 50 lbs & BAM: pregnant.
Now I’m 10 weeks pp & my life is out of control. My dizziness has a life of its own… My tachycardia & near fainting is at an all time high. I barely function & cry tons because of it. This is my fourth child & I am 26. I am sure I am dying & no one cares to help me.
I’ve gone to the dr. who says BPPV? Allergies? Ive had pretty in depth blood work done with no answers. I’m going for more blood work… Idk. I think I’m crazy most days. Non functional. Worthless to my hsband & kids. I still get up & do… But I feel like I am near death most days. I have so many ideas for whay it could be… From Lyme to Adrenal Fatigue to Meneires Disease. Im so overwhelmed & tired of the dizziness! Some days i feel id rather die than wake up to suffer. How will I ever work again? I have one semester of college left to graduate… How will I get through. Idk. I don’t know if I am struggling with ppd or just depressed from suffering so long without answers!
My heart literally beats into my neck & ears. I feel light headed all the time. Dizzy. Off balance. Clouded. No doctor knows. I’m lost.
Since we’re not medical professionals, it’s hard to say. But sometimes anxiety is entirely at fault, even if you don’t feel panicked. We get used to a level of anxiety that isn’t normal and we often aren’t even aware of it. Also, your body–chemicals, hormones, sugar levels, etc are all going through huge changes right now, so perhaps that’s why it’s worse. I hope it gets better soon. It sounds awful, and I’m sorry you’re going through it. I wonder if trying something for anxiety would give you some relief? Just a thought, a question for your doctor. Peace to you…
Im in the same boat. I woke up about a year ago and was slightly dizzy and within a few months it was so bad I was contemplating suicide. I went to my doc and she said bppv. She treated it which kinda helped but I’ve still got some weird dizziness that happens almost all the time. I was convinced it was a b12 deficiency but all of tests came back normal. I feel so lost half the time.
I know you posted this awhile ago but i wanted to see if you have improved ? I too have the terrible dizziness and now convinced I have MS or something worse! I feel your pain and now slowly realizing I might have PPD . Hope your better ! If so please tell me what worked for you .
I’m so glad I read this. Thank you so much…. I have a history of depression and anxiety. I’ve suffered from clinical depression for 10 years and anxiety for 4 years. I had my first baby on April 18 and when he turned 6 weeks I began to feel off. It started out as just feeling lightheaded and then I began to feel dizzy as well.
The six weeks before weren’t great either. I always thought there was something wrong with my baby or afraid something was going to happen to my husband. It was just this intense dread that my baby would die from SIDS or something. My husband has had a hard time adjusting to the baby too bc we got pregnant two weeks after we got married. He sometimes resents out little guy for taking me away… I suffer from hypochondria so I’m just so scared to go to the doctor and get diagnosed with something. I know I need to do something bc I either feel like I’m dying or going cazy. All I want to do is take care of my sweet baby. Is there a group I could join on here to get advice?
Yes, Stephanie. We have a private forum through smart patients. It’s a postpartum progress group and there are many supportive mamas there. The link for that is https://www.smartpatients.com/partners/postpartumprogress
You are more than welcome there.
Thank you thank you thank you!!! I read this post in the spring of this year and it literally saved me life. I have been dealing with bouts of vertigo, dizziness, feeling like I’m on a boat, vomiting, diarrhea, ringing and thumping in my ear,ear pain, heavy headedness, and other weird sensations since about 3 months postpartum. I started having vertigo spells when I was 20weeks pregnant with my second but slowly they became more frequent and intense and then eventually the other symptoms followed. I too have been to mulitiple drs. appointments, mri, ct, ent, ent specialist(after being told I probably had a hole in my in my inner ear) low iron, v. d deficiency… googling anything imaginable to figure out WHAT IS GOING ON, you name it. Then I read this post…. and immediately had a dizzy spell…that proved to me that this HAD to be something mental. I am now on 150mg Zoloft and see a therapist once a month. I am much better than I was!! Praise the Lord!!! I can finally recognize when I’m starting to feel overwhelmed, and have too many things I am focusing on at once, I am learning to say NO to people and things. I still have some off balance episodes I am learning to recognize them as panic attacks and how to deal with them as such. My therapist says that I’m just someone who is pretty much completely somatic in their panic/anxiety… I always say I don’t FEEL anxious, but I am and the only way my body can tell me to SHUT DOWN is to get dizzy. Anxiety runs in my family and weather or not this is specifically ppa/ppd for me I will probably never know. All I want to say is THANK YOU for sharing your story. I don’t know where I’d be today if I hadn’t read it.
I’m so glad you were helped here! That’s why we’re here!
Thank you for sharing. I’m having such a hard time with my appetite and it’s so miserable…it has me to the point I’m thinking horrible things. AIDS? Cancer? I had them test me for AIDS and I’m scheduled for an endoscopy/colonoscopy.
Hi, I’m slightly comforted after reading this article and the responses to it. I’m 5 months PP and started having neurological issues (dizziness, headaches, tingling, weakness/achiness all over, etc.) at 3 weeks PP. I’ve had so many tests and been to so many specialists (and the ER once). Nothing’s wrong…I keep thinking the docs are missing something. If you get this, could you please share your blog information? I’d love to read it!
The hodpital diognosed me with post partem depression and i was just wondering is any1 experiencing nausea,vomiting and getting headaches my baby is a month old nd i got sick for the whole 9 months and still getting sick ??!!
Sometimes anxiety and depression can cause these physical symptoms. Please be in touch with your doctor that diagnosed you to let them know what you are experiencing.
Hi Ellen most of what you described about your physical and mental health is what I am currently going through. I’ve gone to countless doctors and they all tell me that everything is fine, I felt alone and scared and I thought I was dying because no one else knew what was wrong with me.. my son is currently 3 months old and I’m starting on antidepressants tomorrow, I hope to make a quick recovery and I start to feel like my self again. I just sometimes can’t rap it around my head that postpartum anxiety and depression made me physically sick, I felt like it was a weakness but I’ll do anything to get back to my old self again for my son. Thank you for sharing your story
I just read this…a year ago I had similar symptoms, and I had no idea what was going on. They ran all the tests, even ended up taking out my gallbladder. I somehow pulled myself out of it, but then it kept happening occasionally. I had my first panic attack, then it hit me. I went to my doctor and she put me in a partial hospitalization program and on medication. Still working on getting better, slowly. I am so glad for this website.