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Post partum illness/sleeping problems
I am a month post-partum and my life has been hell since giving birth.
I was induced and had an epidural.
I was perfectly happy and healthy before giving birth.
The day after I gave birth I developed severe health and sleeping problems.
Everytime I try to sleep, I get muscle spasms in my legs, even in my head.
I get weird sensations like I am falling. It's like a wave. I don't even know how to
describe it. I never had it before.
A few nights ago, I even got what felt like an electric shock in my head.
I wake up during the night a lot. It's so uncomfortable and scary
I feel like I'll never sleep normal again!!!!!!!!!
I also get weird feelings like I stop breathing when I sleep.
I've had some mental problems as well. Seeing spots and things
out of the corner of my eye.
I've also got tingling in my shoulder, and my ear crackles ALOT.
And I've been feeling very VERY sick. Shortness of breath, pressure
in my head, etc. I have this HORRIBLE sick feeling I can't describe.
Every minute is a living hell!
I have been in and out of the ER. Always come back with a clean bill of health,
I feel like a prisoner in my own body.
The doctors say I am fine physically, but I feel like I am dying!!
And I just want to be able to sleep normal again! It's killing me!
I still have it after a month!
I feel like something is SERIOUSLY WRONG and that I'm not getting
taken seriously.
The doc says I have post partum depression, but the only reason I am
depressed is because I am having these problems!
I feel like they will never go away!!!
What should I do? Any ideas on what is causing all my pain?
I have had blood tests, EKG, urine tests, chest X ray, all normal.
What other tests should I get done?? I just want to feel like my old self again.
I am scared. Everyone says it's all in my head but I know that it is NOT!!
I feel so ill I can BARELY function. I feel so sick.
Please help!
I was induced and had an epidural.
I was perfectly happy and healthy before giving birth.
The day after I gave birth I developed severe health and sleeping problems.
Everytime I try to sleep, I get muscle spasms in my legs, even in my head.
I get weird sensations like I am falling. It's like a wave. I don't even know how to
describe it. I never had it before.
A few nights ago, I even got what felt like an electric shock in my head.
I wake up during the night a lot. It's so uncomfortable and scary
I feel like I'll never sleep normal again!!!!!!!!!
I also get weird feelings like I stop breathing when I sleep.
I've had some mental problems as well. Seeing spots and things
out of the corner of my eye.
I've also got tingling in my shoulder, and my ear crackles ALOT.
And I've been feeling very VERY sick. Shortness of breath, pressure
in my head, etc. I have this HORRIBLE sick feeling I can't describe.
Every minute is a living hell!
I have been in and out of the ER. Always come back with a clean bill of health,
I feel like a prisoner in my own body.
The doctors say I am fine physically, but I feel like I am dying!!
And I just want to be able to sleep normal again! It's killing me!
I still have it after a month!
I feel like something is SERIOUSLY WRONG and that I'm not getting
taken seriously.
The doc says I have post partum depression, but the only reason I am
depressed is because I am having these problems!
I feel like they will never go away!!!
What should I do? Any ideas on what is causing all my pain?
I have had blood tests, EKG, urine tests, chest X ray, all normal.
What other tests should I get done?? I just want to feel like my old self again.
I am scared. Everyone says it's all in my head but I know that it is NOT!!
I feel so ill I can BARELY function. I feel so sick.
Please help!
Thank you both so much!!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
I am sorry you are feeling this way since the birth of your child. In rare cases spinal anesthesia (epidural) causes arachnoiditis (inflammation of the coverings of the spinal cord) which causes tingling and other sensations in the leg. Treatment is through medications to reduce inflammation and physiotherapy.
You could also be suffering from spinal headache which is a very common complication of epidural. The headache worsens It may be treated with blood patch at the site of puncture, medications and physiotherapy.
Epidural also causes breathing problems, which usually do not last long, but may persist due to other reasons. This is because sympathetic block persists and causes low blood pressure and low pulse rate (bradycardia). This becomes more prominent when you sleep. I think getting a holter test done will help identify the pattern of your heart rate and blood pressure as you go about your daily activity (including sleep).
Though not connected, the symptoms can be due to restless leg syndrome too. Hence, you can get a sleep study to see if you are suffering from sleep apnea (due to breathing problems while sleeping) or restless leg syndrome.
Breastfeeding, looking after the baby and other activities could have caused a pinched cervical spinal nerve. Benign intracranial hypertension is another possibility and is possible after a spinal tap. If your doctors feel it is post-partum depression then getting a complete psychological assessment for depression can help confirm or rule out this possibility. Please consult your doctor regarding all these possibilities.
Hope you get well soon! Good Luck and take care!
I am sorry you are feeling this way since the birth of your child. In rare cases spinal anesthesia (epidural) causes arachnoiditis (inflammation of the coverings of the spinal cord) which causes tingling and other sensations in the leg. Treatment is through medications to reduce inflammation and physiotherapy.
You could also be suffering from spinal headache which is a very common complication of epidural. The headache worsens It may be treated with blood patch at the site of puncture, medications and physiotherapy.
Epidural also causes breathing problems, which usually do not last long, but may persist due to other reasons. This is because sympathetic block persists and causes low blood pressure and low pulse rate (bradycardia). This becomes more prominent when you sleep. I think getting a holter test done will help identify the pattern of your heart rate and blood pressure as you go about your daily activity (including sleep).
Though not connected, the symptoms can be due to restless leg syndrome too. Hence, you can get a sleep study to see if you are suffering from sleep apnea (due to breathing problems while sleeping) or restless leg syndrome.
Breastfeeding, looking after the baby and other activities could have caused a pinched cervical spinal nerve. Benign intracranial hypertension is another possibility and is possible after a spinal tap. If your doctors feel it is post-partum depression then getting a complete psychological assessment for depression can help confirm or rule out this possibility. Please consult your doctor regarding all these possibilities.
Hope you get well soon! Good Luck and take care!
I am so sorry this is happening to you. Sweetie. I think you might be having a bad reaction to the epidural.
You might try taking a Benedryl every night before bed to help you sleep and to help you with the symptoms. (Don't if you are breast feeding)
Magnesium can help with the cramps, spasms and the electrical zaps that you are experiencing. If you have some prenatal vitamins leftover, take them. We need the prenatals for at least two months after having a baby as it takes a lot out of us. -
Back in the day, 6 weeks of rest was recommended after giving birth. I am so sorry that you are having trouble resting.
I hope this information was/is helpful.
You might try taking a Benedryl every night before bed to help you sleep and to help you with the symptoms. (Don't if you are breast feeding)
Magnesium can help with the cramps, spasms and the electrical zaps that you are experiencing. If you have some prenatal vitamins leftover, take them. We need the prenatals for at least two months after having a baby as it takes a lot out of us. -
Back in the day, 6 weeks of rest was recommended after giving birth. I am so sorry that you are having trouble resting.
I hope this information was/is helpful.
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