Post # 1
Member
186 posts
Blushing bee
Hey All,
I was wondering if anyone (or anyone you know) has been put on “bed rest” for mental health or physical health unrelated to the baby? I am asking because I am 16 weeks and having a very tough time this time around. I started getting sick at 5 weeks and have been sick ever since (I am not a vomiter, I only vomit when I attempt to take pills to help with the vomitting/other things). I am also a migraine sufferer and my migraines have increased and intensified to the point that I get so dizzy I almost black out whenever I stand up during them. I have had to take at least 2 days off a month because the pain is so bad that I cannot get out of bed (other than to get my son ready for school, which is a huge struggle). I have gotten nerve blocks that do nothing (I usually get a migraine 2 days later so I wonder if they are starting them too) and I am only allowed to take tylenol, which is laughable. I get a “normal” headache most days.
My biggest problem lies in the fact that this has caused extreme anxiety for me. I have started having panic attacks, which I have not had in a long time and never had when I was pregnant before. My panic attacks revolve around fear that my headaches will become migraines and my work load. My mom keeps telling me to use relaxation techniques, which again is laughable because I teach 6th grade all day and then come home to a 3 year old (my husband and I work different schedules). Not much time for relaxing!
I have an appointment next week and I want to and know I have to bring all this up (we have discussed my migraines at length) but I am worried that mental health bed rest is a “thing” and I may have to leave work until things get better. I am aware that there are anti anxiety meds that are safe-ish for use during pregnancy. The problem is that right now I 1.probably couldn’t keep them down anyway 2. Would be paralyzed with the fear that something might happen to the baby and I would never forgive myself.
Thanks for reading! Please do not start offering me advice/little tricks on getting rid of migraines/panic attacks. I guarantee there is no remedy that you will tell me that I have not tried. I have a neurologist and I have been dealing with both issues for a very long time.
Post # 2
Member
714 posts
Busy bee
Tatertot2003 : I have no experience with being put on bed rest as this is my first pregnancy. But I can somewhat relate because I deal with a rare and chronic disease that was made worse by my pregnancy (I’m also 16 weeks). My condition was getting to the point where I couldn’t do much (couldn’t walk at a normal pace or climb stairs or talk without losing my breath). I talked to my boss and she got me to work from home, which helped. I know that as a teacher that isn’t an option for you, but maybe you can work out cutting back and job-sharing… working even just 4 days a week might help with stress and give you at least one day a week where you can rest or recover if you’re dealing with a migraine.
I also know for myself one of the hardest parts of my disease is dealing with the emotional side of it (that is, being an otherwise healthy 30 year old woman but being forced to live like I’m a 90 year old). As my breathing gets progressivly worse I get more and more freaked out about what could happen. I am part of an online support group (online because we’re so rare there aren’t enough in one location) and I find talking to them about what I’m feeling and what I’m worried about helps to calm me down. I’ve also considered going to see a psychologist that specializes in chronic illness. Maybe seeing someone who deals with chronic migraines and dealing with living with them will help you deal with an anxiety that goes along with it.
Lastly, I know you don’t want tricks, so I won’t tell you things that I try for my mirgraines (I get them but they are not chronic) but I recently downloaded the app “expectful” – it’s a meditation app that is designed for pregnant women. I haven’t really tried it yet, and I’ve never been one to meditate, but it can’t hurt right? I plan on using it to help my breathing and sleeping by getting me to relax a little.
I hope you are able to get some relief. I have had a really hard time with this pregnancy and I know how hard it is dealing with other stuff while pregnant because you literally can’t take anything. Be kind to yourself, get massages, try accupunture, sleep as much as you can and learn to say no to things that you think you “should” do but don’t want to.
Post # 3
Member
2153 posts
Buzzing bee
Tatertot2003 : I’m 39 weeks tomorrow and also a teacher. I stopped working at 36 weeks bc my blood pressure was creeping up and my amniotic fluid was dropping. I don’t know how your particular district works, or if your finances allow it, but I am a strong believer that your anxiety and symptoms will cause actual physical strain on you, such as raising your blood pressure. I would speak to your OB and i also would not be comfortable taking any medication daily while pregnant. If your OB is okay with it and you can afford it, take maternity disability leave. I needed a note from my doctor and sent it to HR for approval. Teaching is a physically demanding, emotionally draining job and I found it painful to be up at 4:30, repeating myself 8,000,000x per day and stressing/yelling at my freshmen who had not an ounce of sympathy for a pregnant woman. It becomes a battle of what matters more- you and the baby or you stressing out about a job that would replace you in a week.
Post # 4
Member
971 posts
Busy bee
I don’t have any experience with pregnancy, but I am a chronic migraine sufferer and can tell you that in high school I was put on “medical leave” for 2 months because they were so bad I couldn’t function like a normal human. Anxiety is a symptom of migraines and the “migraine hangover” is all too real, so I think your anxiety is just a further symptom of trying to work through migraines you have no business working through and your body trying to convince you to relax. Medicine would just be a band aid approach although maybe a necessary one if your life circumstances don’t allow bed rest right now. Obviously you can’t continue like you have been so something needs to give.
I think if you approach this from a perspective of “my migraines are completely debilitating right now”, a reasonable doctor would fill out the necessary paperwork to grant you medical leave from work. I know that may not be what you “want” but it may be what you and baby need. There is great strength in acknowledging your limitations.
Ps turns out my migraines are completely hormonally related and a pregnancy obviously messes with your hormones. My neurologist was no help but a specialist gynecologist finally got me on the right track. Could you see someone who specializes in hormonal treatment? Maybe they can prescribe you something to help keep your levels a little more steady. I know you have tried everything and I know there’s no total cure, but I’m a big fan of consulting as many medical professionals as possible.
Post # 5
Member
1200 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: June 2015 - Malibou Lake Mountain Club
Tatertot2003 : sorry bee. i am 32 weeks pregnant tomorrow.
i suffer of hemiplegic migaines. this pregnancy, i have had to take a few days in the beginning but go on regular check ups with my neurologist. they had to take me off the Verapamil since it would be bad for the baby. but if it comes back, i am certain that the neurologist or OBGYN would put me on rest. i also see a rheumatologist for my immunity.
I also had 2 med changes during the pregnancy for my depression. which also i think my doctor and therapist would take into account.
just be open with your doctors and totally listen to your body. thats the best advise i can give you.
Post # 6
Member
1134 posts
Bumble bee
You didn’t want tricks, but this has eliminated my migraines. I wish I would have known about it when I was pregnant because I had hyperemesis with both pregnancies. I did meds with my first because I was so sick. Look into magnesium oil. You don’t have to take a pill, so you’ll be able to stomach it a lot easier. Here’s a link. http://mamawithabarbell.com/magnesium-oil/
This is one brand I’ve used. https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Minerals-Magnesium-Oil-oz/dp/B001AD0HL8/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1513574368&sr=1-4&keywords=ancient+minerals+magnesium+oil
With my second, I did 4 weeks of bedrest. It was stressful, also. However, if you having anxiety, I would think it would be in the best interest of your baby to take some time off. None of that sounds healthy for your baby.
Post # 7
Member
1866 posts
Buzzing bee
I don’t know if mental health bedrest is a thing. I sort of doubt it, because I am not sure that most practitioners would believe that being confined to a bed would be a big help to someone’s mental health, at least without giving serious thought to that person’s individual situation. But that’s just a guess.
I do think that your migraines and mental health symptoms might more of a function of the pregnancy than you think. Changes in your physical health, that are the result of your pregnancy, could be triggering these symptoms. Your doctors may want to look for changes in your blood pressure, blood sugar, iron levels, whatever else. If they find a problem, then dealing with that underlying problem may help you.
There is also a chance that, at 16 weeks, you are about to move into the stage of pregnancy where you don’t feel sick all the time. It doesn’t happen for everyone, but if it does, I think that will go a long way in improving your day to day life. I do hope you find some relief from all these symptoms soon!
Post # 8
Member
369 posts
Helper bee
Someone I work with was able to take 5 months off for mental health (not bed rest, but still). I’m sure it also depends on the company you work for and possibly what state you’re in. She just had to get notes from her doctor/psychiatrist/therpaists and there was a whole internal process she had to go through. For our company this was considered a leave of absence and I believe she was only entitled to 60% or so of her paychecks.
Post # 9
Member
956 posts
Busy bee
I’ve been a practicing psychologist for over 10 years and I’ve never heard of bed rest for mental health issues. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, but I’m not familiar with it. Sometimes, we will have patients go on light duty (fewer hours, more breaks) or take time off from work on disability to decrease their stress, but never put them on “bed rest.” I don’t know the whole story, obviously, but from a clinical standpoint, I don’t see how bed rest would be the right intervention here – it would likely make the situation worse.
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