Postpartum neurological symptoms

[nat_nz]

I have been experiencing strange neurological symptoms since my baby was 5 weeks old (born 20/12/08).  It started with generalised weakness and dizzyness, and I have now started twitching all over and have tingling in both feet.  The weakness and dizzyness seems to have reduced, but I am twitching all night, all over.  I have been so consumed with worry about ALS, MS, so my doctor and neurologist sent me for a MRI which was normal.  My neurologist assures me this is not the way ALS presents and so is sure I definitely dont have that.  I have been diagnosed with aggitative postpartum depression - but this is my 3rd child and didn't suffer with the others - certainly with no physical symptoms such as these.  I had a very heavy epidural this time, which numbed me from head to toe and which, for the next few days, I experienced double vision, weakness in arms and legs (similar to the way I felt 5 weeks after the birth).  Any ideas?  Anyone else experiencing a similar postpartum depression?

[djou]

Hi there,
I gave birth January 2009 (my first baby, natural birth) and everything went well, until I had a big hemorrhage 4 weeks after delivery. I still had pieces of placenta in my uterus. I rushed to the hospital and had a curettage and 2-3 days after that, I became extremely anxious, I was very dizzy all the time, like I was on a boat. A nightmare.

My doc gave me antianxiety pills. It helped a bit, but it just got worse with time (insomnia, panic attacks). After three months of wondering what I had, my doc suggested me to start anti-depressors (a kind that treats anxiety). I did not want to take them, but I had no choice. I felt no good at all.

I'm still taking them right now (it's been 15 months now). I tried to stop them last October, but felt dizzy again, so I re-started them. I will try to reduce my dosage by half (with my doc's advice) at the end of this month since I feel less much stressed.

I also did an MRI (all fine) and all kinds of tests linked to dizziness (ears). Nothing. Everything normal. The neurologist I saw told me that anxiety can cause SO MANY symptoms. It's frightening!!!

Please know that you're not alone and that these symptoms will slowly but surely go away. It probably will take you a few months to get better, based on all the things I read on the subject.

Hang in there. :-)
julie

[lovingmom123]

I'm glad I found this site. I thought I was the only one having problems.I wonder if everyone's symptoms have gone already. I had my 3rd baby feb 2010 (c-section,) and I started to have strange neurological symptoms that comes and goes -predominantly left side from 5 weeks postpartum. Never had any issues with first 2 that I had them naturally. I've been to specialists, done all kinds of lab, MRI of the brain with and without contrast, cervical spine, echo,EEG, CAT scan and even ultrasound of uterus, ovaries etc.(had tubal ligation this time). Everything came back normal except my thyroid antibodies which is very high. I wonder if that causes these problems.One doctor told me that I'm anxious - I'm anxious because of this crazy symptoms. They really don't have any explanation.  I'm nursing my baby who is 4months old. I'm hoping and praying it will go away soon.

[nat_nz]

Hi there, sorry to hear you are having horrible symptoms, its just awful isn't it.

Yes the symptoms following an epidural certainly make you wonder whether that is the cause.  I certainly was convinced it was that for me, but having made contacft with other new Mums who are experiencing strange neurological symptoms following the birth, i've found that some of the Mums haven't had epidurals and still feel weird after the birth...  so its a hard one.  I do know that everyone i've spoken to has come right eventually - so perhaps hormones are playing a part too?  I do know that I was extremely dizzy, sort of like when you've been on a boat for a week and get off, you still feel the floor moving beneath you.  This happened until I stopped breastfeeding.  This is my 3rd baby, I had no symptoms with my first two and had anaesthesia with both previous births, breastfed until 6 months.  So seems that it can occur any time really?  

I gave up breastfeeding this time at 3months because I was feeling too rough and needed to start taking anti-d's - which also helped things.

Anyway, I really hope that you feel better soon.  Its horrible feeling so rubbish and having a new baby that you need to look after and want to enjoy.

Take care, Nat

[Heatherjayden]

IM 20 YRS OLD MY SON IS 10 MONTHS I GET REAL DIZZ Y  EVERY TIME I STAND UP ALMOST FAINT AND I HAVE REALL Y BAD LOWER BACK AND LEG PAINS AND CRAMPS!!!THE DOCS DONT SEEM TO HELP !I ALSO HAD A C-SECTION AND EPDURAL...I TRUELY BELIVE THATS WHAT ITS FROM!!!ITS HORRIBLE ...

[nat_nz]

Hey Julie, just sent you a private message with my email address....

chat soon,
Nat x

[nat_nz]

Hey Julie,

Yeah would be great to chat directly.  I'm just about to head out with my boys - will drop you a private message in a couple of hours with my email address :)

Take care,
Nat