Miscarriage/Pregnancy Loss

Postpartum Anxiety/Panic Disorder after Miscarriage

About 1 week after my miscarriage, i started having panic attacks/severe anxiety almost every day since then. I made two trips to the ER thinking there was something wrong. They ran a slew of tests, did 3 EKG's, a chest xray and tons of labs. Nothing is physically "wrong". 

I cry all the time my heart races constantly, I am nauseated and unable to eat some days. Other days are a little better. 

Anyone else going through this? I see people going through PPA after birth, but its rarer to find people who got it after miscarriage it seems (or who are willing to talk about it). 

I am on xanax at night only to help me sleep (I still wake with a racing heart/feel like I can't breathe usually halfway through the night and can't go back to sleep) and propranolol (beta blocker) as an attempt to slow my heart rate, but it isn't making me feel normal. 

Has anyone been through this? Currently going through it? I would love to connect and share stories/support. 

Re: Postpartum Anxiety/Panic Disorder after Miscarriage

  • I have not experienced anxiety attacks but do know friends that have. Are you going to counseling? That has helped my friends as well.

    I'm so sorry for your loss and that you're going through this *hug*
    I am not sure how to say this without getting a "solicitation" warning so I guess I just say that I am not longer active on THIS site. 



  • I have had anxiety attacks in the past. My MC didn't make them reoccur, but it is a really isolating, unsettling event and I can totally see how it would provoke a series of panic attacks. Come to think of it, the only time I actually threw up during my 10 week pregnancy was after I left the ER knowing I was miscarrying. I ran back to the ER to talk to the nurse who told me it wasn't any medication they had given me, I was just (understandably) upset.

    I agree with @Nikolie93‌ that counseling is a great idea. I finally saw a counselor 6 months after my loss because I just wasn't myself. It was the best thing I could have done.
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  • I believe I had an anxiety attack the other day. I've not had one before, so I can't be certain. Anyhow, it was awful and I am so sorry that you are having them repeatedly. I've been googling grief counselors and generally believe that if you think you need it=you do need it. I hope you can find a good provider and get some relief soon.
    Me: 34 | He: 40
    TTC since 08/2012
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  • Im so sorry you are having to deal with a loss and anxiety. 3 years ago my step father passed away suddenly and I had a lot of anxiety. I went through a lot of tests just to find out it was anxiety. I googled how to cope with it and it helped a little. Last month I found myself dealing with anxiety again, I thought I was going to die and some days I really wanted to. I made it through somehow and I hope you do too.
  • Thanks ladies for your kind words. I am seeing a counselor once a week in addition to the medications. I am still having the panic attacks, but it seems to be less often, but usually strong anxiety most days. I just so badly want to feel normal again. 
    I didn't think I was still "grieving" the loss so I have been fairly convinced this is a hormonal thing, but maybe not. I have no idea. All I know is a string of tests, labs and appointments have revealed no source of my physical symptoms, but at the same time, there's no specific thoughts triggering my anxiety. 
    As best I can figure, things were precariously balanced in my life until the trauma of miscarrying occurred. That seems to have thrown everything into a whirlwind.
    I wanted to get back on the wagon and ttc again, but I can't until this panic mess is sorted out!
  • I am glad they seem to be less often and hopefully soon they will end completely. 

    I think it's a good idea for you to get a handle on the panic attacks before you start trying again. 

    So many *hugs* to you. 
    I am not sure how to say this without getting a "solicitation" warning so I guess I just say that I am not longer active on THIS site. 



  • I'm new to this site but I've been waiting for the moment I can reply to your post. I'm terribly sorry for what you are going through. I went through the same thing after my ectopic. I had panick attacks so bad I couldn't drive. Just the thought of it would bring one on. It took me awhile to accept it was panic because I just KNEW I was dying each time. Even in the hospital I didn't care how many doctors said I was breathing I would try to convince them I wasn't as I didn't feel like I was at all. I was convinced it was a stroke or heart attack or both each time. I couldn't eat barely sleep or anything. Just feeling food in my throat made me feel like I was choking. I also cried constantly or I would zone out. I didn't feel real at times like I was dreaming almost. I eventually started taking the smallest dose of celexa for 6 months after seeing my Dr. I was so scared about taking an antidepressant after hearing horror stories. I actually cried for hours before taking the first dose. But it helped after awhile and I was eventually able to wean off. Its been 2 1/2 years since going off and I now just have anxiety every now and then. I don't take anything but I keep as needed medication (xanax) for any break through panic attacks but its been a few months since I needed them and before that it was few and far between. I just want you to know you can come out of it because I remember how I felt like I was spiraling down trying to find answers. It was a struggle but I'm now very ok and manage my anxiety well. If you need any advice or have any questions I would love to help as I had felt very alone and hopeless in the beginning. Sending thoughts and hugs your way.
  • I had a panic attack last night and another one today. I have anxiety being around friends or aquiantances who might ask about when I'm going to have kids or even worse, tell me that they're pregnant. I am have a ton of anxiety about my birthday - that's when we were going to announce our pregnancy. I had a D&C on 1/31 at almost 8 weeks with twins.
    TTC 02/11, Diagnosed IF 01/14 tubal factor IVF #1 08/14 - cancelled IVF #2 10/14 - egg retrieval only, fresh transfer cancelled due to OHSS FET #1 12/17/14 - 2 blasts, BFP 12/24/14, D&C 01/21/15 - twin blighted ovums FET #2 04/03/15 - 2 blasts, BFP 04/09/15, EDD 12/20/15
  • I haven't to that effect. Can you seek professional help/counseling? That may help.
  • edited April 2015
    The hormonal change after mc can cause anxiety and panic attacks. Also the xanax can cause it itself. It only lasts around 4-6 hours and then you can get interdose withdrawal which in and of itself causes panic and panic attacks for some people.  I would try and wean off the xanax slowly if you can if your dr recommends that, its not meant to be taken every day because of addiction/physical dependance issues after 2 weeks of use and just to be used on an as needed basis (couple times a month at most).  I hope you feel better soon, hang in there. I had horrible PPA and it took about 6 months to go away on its own. I did not take any meds and it was awful but did go away slowly. I am going through a miscarriage right now and hoping it doesnt reoccur. Its awful I know. Hang in there and I hope you feel better asap! Hugs, I know how hard this is and I am really sorry you are having such a hard time.
  • I'm 4 days out from my d&c for a missed miscarriage. I'm definitely feeling some postpartum depression crap hitting me. I'm angry and generally apathetic. I even started researching putting my house on the market and like thinking about dropping out of school and just getting a job instead. I'm not thinking or feeling like myself at all.
    I'm also really tired and cold.
    I hope my levels go back to zero soon. I know brighter days are ahead I just don't really care about things like hope right now.
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  • I'm a little late posting here, I had my MC a fee weeks ago. I also ended up in the ER thinking I was having a heart attack or something. I had EKGs and blood work all normal. It was definitely anxiety panic and depression. I started going to counseling which helped quite a bit. I tried Xanax but I didn't like the way I felt. I also read the impatient women's guide to getting pregnant, she talks about her MC it was helpful. I stumbled upon panicattacker.com it helped me a lot with my panic attacks. I hope some of this helps someone, I wish I would have had that advice before.
  • Yes, I am currently going through the same thing. it's been a week since my MC and I woke up out of my sleep with the panic attack, hot flashes and I am unable to sleep at night and when I do fall asleep I am right back up. I went to the ER and they ran a slew of test and told me everything was fine and that I was suffering from panic attack ,  anxiety.  They gave me Lorazepam to calm me down, but I don't like to take them because I don't want to be dependant upon it to go to sleep.  But I end up taking them because I can't sleep without it. I hope you get better soon. I have been writing in a journal to help ease my mind, but it will all get better with time. I just take it day by day. I hope you feel better soon and know your not alone. 
    Shaun37
  • I'm going through the same thing right now my heart races all day I have a headache I'm unable to drive i havent been to work can barely eat can anyone help it's been two months and dont know what else to do
  • Were you able to get help and what did you do?  I am currently going through this.
  • I am so so glad for this whole thread. I had my first panic attack almost a week after my late miscarriage. It’s been 2 weeks since the miscarriage now and I still feel like my body just is not right. I have had a headache the whole 2 weeks, feels like my neck & shoulders have been in a car accident but no abdominal pain. I’m still bleeding too. I’m on a beta blocker as well due to past cardiac history and a blood thinner for clotting disorder. There’s so much “wrong” with my body I keep thinking maybe it’s not a panic attack but reading others experience of it has helped. 
    When I ended up in the ER they admitted me because all my levels were off from hyperemesis. Our bodies really go through so much. Who knew a potassium drip was so painful 
  • I see this was in 2015 so I hope it has been resolved but wanted to post for others like me reading it on a sleepless night debating if an ER trip is worth it. I am a bereavement counselor and am experiencing almost word for word what you have described here. I know I am 100% grieving appropriately-I am the specialist, I know. Yet I continue to experience physiological symptoms. There is such a thing as a non-cognitive panic attack where there isn’t a thought that is associated with the physical symptoms. For me, I have to give my body credit for all it has gone through and the hormonal imbalance that I’m currently in. I’m doing all the coping skills, grounding technique for anxiety, breathing exercises, lavender, ice cubes, i got myself a counselor-you name it- and I still lay awake rn because my hearts racing and i have chest pain. In any circumstance for anxiety the best treatment is combined medication with counseling too. I’m 110% good on the counseling/behavioral side but I haven’t been able to get medication yet due to Christmas office closures. Take it from me, even if you know you’re not *that* upset, our bodies go through so much and they remember trauma. For 4 months my body has been building a baby and all of a sudden it’s not. It doesn’t help that Google says I have all the symptoms of internal bleeding. We can get through this 
  • Wondering how you are now?  I am currently struggling with exactly what you describe.  I had two miscarraiges back to back.
  • GillH said:
    I see this was in 2015 so I hope it has been resolved but wanted to post for others like me reading it on a sleepless night debating if an ER trip is worth it. I am a bereavement counselor and am experiencing almost word for word what you have described here. I know I am 100% grieving appropriately-I am the specialist, I know. Yet I continue to experience physiological symptoms. There is such a thing as a non-cognitive panic attack where there isn’t a thought that is associated with the physical symptoms. For me, I have to give my body credit for all it has gone through and the hormonal imbalance that I’m currently in. I’m doing all the coping skills, grounding technique for anxiety, breathing exercises, lavender, ice cubes, i got myself a counselor-you name it- and I still lay awake rn because my hearts racing and i have chest pain. In any circumstance for anxiety the best treatment is combined medication with counseling too. I’m 110% good on the counseling/behavioral side but I haven’t been able to get medication yet due to Christmas office closures. Take it from me, even if you know you’re not *that* upset, our bodies go through so much and they remember trauma. For 4 months my body has been building a baby and all of a sudden it’s not. It doesn’t help that Google says I have all the symptoms of internal bleeding. We can get through this 
    How are you doing now?  I had my first miscarraige in Dec 2020 and my second in June 2021 and have been on medications for a year, weaning off now and having recurring anxiety every so often.  I'm 20 days off the medication.
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