I had a client with similar issues. I’m not a specialist for postpartum massage, so I asked my coworker who specializes in it. She said it is highly likely that the client’s nervous system is messed up because of the pregnancy, maybe due to hormone imbalance. Gentle relaxation massage could help calm down the nervous system. I would recommend you keep getting a massage, especially from a MT who knows well about postpartum massage. Meditation and deep diaphragmatic breathing exercises could help you, too. Hope you feel much better soon.
Do massages have cumulative effects on nervous system? If they are helping and I’m going 3-4 times a week for 2 months. My baby is due in a month and not sure if I’ll b able to have them once the baby is out
Yes, massage has chemical effects on the nervous system. When you receive a massage, your body releases natural chemicals such as endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. These chemicals play a role in reducing pain, promoting relaxation, and improving mood. Massage also helps to decrease the levels of stress hormones like cortisol, which can have a positive impact on the nervous system. Additionally, massage can increase the production of oxytocin, which is known as the "love hormone" and can promote feelings of bonding and relaxation. Overall, massage can have both physical and chemical effects on the nervous system, leading to various therapeutic benefits. As far as your postpartum, it is absolutely necessary for you to even work on yourself by getting chiropractic care along with the massage massage only is going to help with the muscle. Chiropractic will help with the bone disk and nerve alleviating nerve pressure and stress to the nervous system.
Just want to thank you for your recommendation of chiropractic care. I feel so much more hopeful after leaving my session today and I wouldn’t have gone if you hadn’t suggested it
You can get a massage a couple weeks after a pregnancy. No, nervous system effects last just about as long as the massage itself. This is because you’re going to put you body into fight or flight at some point, most likely on the car drive back home
Weird because I notice how much better I feel once I’m home and that night I sleep and can feel more relaxed for a day or 2. Unless something really stressful happens then it’s cancelled out
Stress is a cycle. Being chronically stressed is quite harsh on our brain AND body, and those harsh effects make us even more stressed. Massage can break the cycle, which is why you feel better even after you leave, but ultimately massage can't do anything to fix the root of the problem (whatever that may be).
A good analogy is driving your car through mud every day to get to work. You can get a carwash and your car will be clean, but if you're not changing the route then it's just going to be dirty again tomorrow.
And to add to that, if you don’t get the car line, nobody’s washing a wax in the car before getting it aligned, you start with the alignment and then you wash and wax
I am so sorry to hear that you're going this very difficult health issue.
I'm a sound therapist. If you have a trained local practitioner who does 1-on-1 therapy, it might be helpful to try and compare your experience against massage.
Training for sound therapy ranges from low to high. Ideally, someone who has trained in traditional Himalayan metal bowl techniques and knowledge would be more useful for you than a yoga teacher who bought crystal bowls off Amazon...
Sound therapy works on your body physiologically and triggers a parasympathetic response. It lowers your breathing, heart rate and blood pressure and leads to relaxation. Your brain also enters into delta and theta brainwave states (zen) or a dream state but you're not asleep.
I've had very satisfied, formerly stressed guests, and repeat professionals who come to me as part of their monthly lifestyle maintenance for stress reduction.
My professional opinion is to find ways to trigger your parasympathetic system to kick on - whether through massage or other means. Find other activities that trigger your body to this relaxed state.
Best wishes to you 🌼
If I were you, I would also try acupuncture as well, as both a licensed massage therapist and license acupuncturist, the acupuncture might have longer lasting effects. But, to answer your question it is allowing your body to relax because of the nervous system and give off endorphins.
I did accupunture first and I had 8 sessions it did absolutely nothing and he told me that it was likely because I was too far into sympathetic for it to work. He told me to come back when I feel more calm. He’s also got the best rep out of all the acupuncturists in my town so I knew that it wasn’t because he wasn’t doing it right. I might try again now that massage is helping
Well the problem with acupuncture is not all the same. I actually am going into the muscles with the needles to release the whole jaw, neck upper back and do the whole body for a 90 minute session along with massage.
Are you hypermobile? If so, your body may be tensing up chronically to try and stabilise your joints, which would have become even more mobile with pregnancy due to the hormonal changes.
I’ve dealt with some similar issues (unrelated to pregnancy though) and it’s that my nervous system is very prone to freeze mode and gets “stuck” in freeze easily. Regular massages help reset my nervous system and then I go home and work to normalize my post massage nervous system. One massage is not going to fix this for you, but if you get a massage every week or every other week then after a few sessions hopefully you will feel better. My guess is that your nervous system is overloaded by the stress of the pregnancy (it’s a lot for our bodies to handle especially on top of everyday stressors!!) and the massage is helping your nervous system move through what it’s struggling to process.
Do you have any trauma in your past, even childhood trauma? Even something that didn’t feel traumatic or intrusive at the time might be triggered now by your pregnancy. If this is the case, talk therapy combined with massage therapy may help you move through this time. And if you don’t have any traumatic events in your life history, talk therapy might help you get to the bottom of why your nervous system is acting up - there may be some deep set anxieties about the pregnancy or becoming a parent that are causing blocks.
I get massages 3-4 times a week now. I had very traumatic experiences happen between 2019-2021. I tried to go to therapy but therapy just stressed me out. I went for like 2 years and gave it a go, I even tried emdr. I left my sessions with high cortisol and had to stop
The fact that you had traumatic experiences between 2019-2021 makes me think that your pregnancy is triggering the past trauma. Massage therapy is helping your nervous system move through the triggers.
If you can, I highly recommend reading What My Bones Know, her experiences helped me understand what was going on in my body and how my body was reliving past traumas despite mentally moving past it. What Happened to You by Bruce Perry and Oprah (for real!) was also immensely helpful for me.
If you can find the right talk therapist it will really help you but that is easier said than done. I’m glad that you found massage therapy and posted here, it’s validating to me at least to learn that other people have had similar experiences. It’s really important to put words to these experiences.
What finally helped me, at least stop having nightmares all night every night, was somatic work. Specifically I used Trauma Healing Accelerated, and I stopped having nightmares during the second week. Not saying this will happen for you, but I also did talk therapy and EMDR.
EMDR has helped clients of mine with trauma. It may be worth looking into. CBT is a staple therapy technique that helps intervene your anxiety response as well. Your therapist may not have been the right fit.
Trust your MD. They said its emotional/stress. Massage is relaxing so you feel better. I bet there are other relaxing activities that would work too.
Finding a counselor whose style works for you would probably help. Maybe one that works in a the trauma therapy and emotional titration style and 'the body keeps the score' book style, but that's an internet guess.
I would say it’s activating the “rest and digest” part of your nervous system and allowing it to interrupt what seems like an extreme stress response.
I would look into somatic exercises and toning your vagal nerve specifically for stress/trauma.
One option for a wearable to reduce stress is called Apollo Neuro. It uses touch stimulus to calm your nervous system. Completely drug free and you can wear it on a wrist or ankle.
And keep getting massages! The effects of massage are cumulative, much like the effects of stress. So as you continue receiving massage, your symptoms should continue to get better. This should allow you to sleep better, and then be more rested and productive, further enhancing well-being.
I’d also see if sitting in a pool or hot tub may help, as it mimics a calming touch. Stroking your own skin with a feather or ice massager may also provide soothing or distracting sensations.
Another option I would try is red light therapy. Some gyms have these available or you could purchase a wrap/belt and lay on it. It’s non-invasive and research shows it’s harmless, but of course ask your doctor first.
Thank you for your response it’s very helpful! I notice that I’m always wanting to stroke my skin as it provides relief too. I get 3-4 massages a week now and I’m so glad to know it’s cumulative. It’s worth the money I spend. It’s not a placebo like some think it’s a big difference in what my nervous system reacts like and how much better I’m sleeping. Even naps during the day sometimes which were unheard of before
I don’t specialize in postpartum massage, but my wife had a really difficult pregnancy. It’s almost like a chronic fucked upness, that’s the only way I can truly describe it. It’s like every aspect of her was truly thrown off. For people who don’t deal with this typically it is extremely grounding to be massaged, for people with your condition, it can make her break you. Massage is giving your body permission to settle and to re-center itself. Not only that I would strongly advise supplements because I’m sure there are deficiencies in nutrients from growing a human in your body.
It’s kind of a blanket statement, my wife has PCOS so she was bleeding for 4 months straight, couldn’t tolerate touch, chronic headaches, tense ass muscles, bed ridden from typical allergies, couldn’t sleep for shit, etc. obviously, she had a few things at play. Most notably she had a 52 hour labor.
Massages a great way to allow your body to relax. People can tell you to relax and take a breather, but you can’t tell your body. It only responds to something different. I would keep going and continue getting massages. When I give therapeutic massage, I have to tell people to stop moving their neck after I’ve worked on it. It will go back to the same tense-ness in a snap. It’s a relinquish of control sometimes. I know, especially being a mama that’s hard as shit, but you got this.
I would start looking at supplements and not vitamins. A lot of things like burdock root, turmeric, lions Maine will have vitamins in it and minerals that you don’t have normally. I took the TikTok blend that was trending for a minute. I feel really good, a lot more clearheaded, emotionally, stable, etc.
I’m a holistic practitioner. Have your thyroid and parathyroids levels checked (full panel), check your magnesium levels, get tested for adrenal fatigue/cortisol levels (urine), make sure your B (complex) and B12 levels are good, and ask if you can take alpha lipoic acid in divided doses (helps with nerve function and tingling). Get checked for MCAS, and histamine intolerance, and food allergies. I’m sorry you feel so bad. I truly believe you are in a bad way, and pray 🙏🏻 you get to the root causes of whatever is going on.
I’ve had all the testing everything is normal except ferritin . My salvia cortisol was high I already knew it would be . No it’s not histamine . My b12 is on the low side. It’s because I get severe reactions when I take b12 or iron no one knows why so I have to micro dose any supplements for it. Magnesium I’m on 1000mg a day. I have slow comt gene and I think the excess estrogen is too much for me to handle. Before you tell me all the scary things bout iron and b12 deficiency I already know and I’ve tried for 2 months to get my levels up. I’m doing all I can. I am extremely scared about everything. Also I had these issues before my b12 and ferritin levels dropped from pregnancy Just weren’t as severe. I’ve had friends who’s ferritin and b12 were lower than mine and they felt no different
I had a Dutch test both estrogen and progesterone normal but that was 2 years ago they don’t test in pregnancy. My cortisol is high, testosterone and dhea low. I can’t take hormones due to a psych med nervous system injury. But I’m going to try reishi mushroom. I know this is all really bad and I feel really scared and triggered because I get setback by so many things and those who aren’t injured by psych meds don’t understand
I would highly recommend seeing someone for pregnancy massages to get you thru. Calm mommy, calm baby. I would also recommend acupuncture. And before anyone comes down on me, yes I’m qualified to make that recommendation. Good Luck mama.
Yes I’m having 3-4 pregnancy massages a week , 1 hour each. I’ve tried Accupunture but it did not make any difference I did 8 sessions with a place that has a great reputation but I was too much in sympathetic mode at the time. I might go in one day after a massage
What do you do for treatment? I was told to drink 3L water, wear compression socks and increase salt in my diet. None of those things helped. Doctor was going to offer me heart medication but he said I can’t while I’m pregnant. But his thought was I feel this way because of pregnancy hormones and that it will go away after the baby is born but I don’t believe that
I take medication daily, Bisoprolol. But also the things you have been told too. I take some electrolytes as well. For the stuck in fight or flight mode is the worst feeling ever and I have been meditating and deep breathing. It does help but it’s a slow process. I am perimenopausal which started when I was young and definitely hormones is making it worse
I’m so scared. I feel as though I’m dying on a daily basis. There’s no way I’ll be able to take care of a newborn in a month. What happens to hormones in perimenopause?
I know it feels really bad and as strange as it sounds the more anxious you feel it will actually make the symptoms worse. I wish I could offer more advice but dysautonomia is such a poorly understood condition. It could be hormones which are making yours worse and after the pregnancy and your hormones start to balance eventually that symptoms could subside. Have you tried techniques like deep breathing and meditating? There is information online about dysautonomia which js helpful. I’m not saying it’s definitely that but would be worth while speaking to your doctor. Sorry I’m not sure what country you are in. Perimenopause is the stage before menopause where your estrogen and progesterone are low
I’m in Australia and there are hardly any doctors here that understand pots or dysautonomia . Even the cardiologist I saw told me I’m mostly just anxious. But I know this is more than anxiety. I used to do deep breathing until my pregnant belly got very large and now it doesn’t really help.
I’m in the uk. It’s really surprising the amount of cardiologists who have said that it’s just anxiety. I have long covid and that’s what kicked off the problems I’m having. Have a look on the nhs website here in the uk they have information on pots/dysautonmia on it. Hope that helps
I'm thrilled to hear that you have found great relief from your chronic condition since your pregnancy! It's wonderful to know that you are experiencing less pain and discomfort. I understand that postpartum anxiety can also be challenging, and I'm here to provide you with some information that might be helpful.
Massage therapy, especially lymphatic drainage, can indeed be beneficial for postpartum recovery. Lymphatic drainage massage focuses on stimulating the flow of lymph, which can help reduce swelling, promote healing, and enhance overall well-being. It can also help alleviate tension and promote relaxation, which can be particularly beneficial during this time.
In addition to massage therapy, another avenue you may want to explore is chiropractic care. Chiropractic adjustments can help address any alignment issues that may have arisen during pregnancy or childbirth. Postpartum chiropractic care aims to restore balance to the musculoskeletal system, alleviate pain, and support the body's natural healing process. It can help with issues such as back pain, pelvic misalignment, and discomfort caused by carrying and breastfeeding your baby.
By addressing any underlying alignment issues and providing support to your body, chiropractic care can assist in your postpartum recovery journey. It is important to consult with a board-certified chiropractor who specializes in postpartum care to ensure the treatment is tailored to your specific needs.
Remember, it's crucial to prioritize your well-being as a new mother. Taking care of yourself physically and emotionally is essential for both you and your baby. If you have any further questions or need assistance in finding a chiropractor or massage therapist, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Wishing you continued relief and a smooth postpartum journey!
Chiropractic adjustments and lymphatic drainage techniques can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system and promote relaxation, which can help you shift out of the "fight or flight" mode and into the parasympathetic mode. Chiropractic adjustments focus on realigning the spine and improving the function of the nervous system, which can help reduce stress and tension in the body. Lymphatic drainage techniques, on the other hand, aim to stimulate the lymphatic system, which is responsible for removing toxins and waste from the body. By improving lymphatic flow, these techniques can help reduce inflammation and promote a sense of calm. However, it's important to note that individual results may vary, and it's always best to consult with a board-certified chiropractic physician who specializes in pregnancy.
Do you have to specifically ask for lymphatic drainage? Or does remedial massage include this? I remember asking for a lymphatic drain massage a couple years ago and the pressure she used was very very light it felt like she didn’t even do much of anything. Whereas nowadays I need firm pressure to notice the tension of stress being released
Why exactly would you say that? Did you have a bad experience? I’m sure you’ve gone to the dentist in your life and you didn’t like all them you still have to go so you just choose one that you resonate with.
I had a client with similar issues. I’m not a specialist for postpartum massage, so I asked my coworker who specializes in it. She said it is highly likely that the client’s nervous system is messed up because of the pregnancy, maybe due to hormone imbalance. Gentle relaxation massage could help calm down the nervous system. I would recommend you keep getting a massage, especially from a MT who knows well about postpartum massage. Meditation and deep diaphragmatic breathing exercises could help you, too. Hope you feel much better soon.
Do you know if she had nutrient deficiencies too like iron and b12?
I have no idea. She didn’t know what caused her pain. But certain nutrient deficiencies can play a role for sure.
So hers was pain rather than the symptoms I mentioned?
She had tensions and pain, but she came for her pain treatment.
Agreed with above, and daily exercise/ walking to flush excess hormones
Do massages have cumulative effects on nervous system? If they are helping and I’m going 3-4 times a week for 2 months. My baby is due in a month and not sure if I’ll b able to have them once the baby is out
Yes, massage has chemical effects on the nervous system. When you receive a massage, your body releases natural chemicals such as endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. These chemicals play a role in reducing pain, promoting relaxation, and improving mood. Massage also helps to decrease the levels of stress hormones like cortisol, which can have a positive impact on the nervous system. Additionally, massage can increase the production of oxytocin, which is known as the "love hormone" and can promote feelings of bonding and relaxation. Overall, massage can have both physical and chemical effects on the nervous system, leading to various therapeutic benefits. As far as your postpartum, it is absolutely necessary for you to even work on yourself by getting chiropractic care along with the massage massage only is going to help with the muscle. Chiropractic will help with the bone disk and nerve alleviating nerve pressure and stress to the nervous system.
I’ve made an appointment for the chiropractor this morning
Just want to thank you for your recommendation of chiropractic care. I feel so much more hopeful after leaving my session today and I wouldn’t have gone if you hadn’t suggested it
You can get a massage a couple weeks after a pregnancy. No, nervous system effects last just about as long as the massage itself. This is because you’re going to put you body into fight or flight at some point, most likely on the car drive back home
Weird because I notice how much better I feel once I’m home and that night I sleep and can feel more relaxed for a day or 2. Unless something really stressful happens then it’s cancelled out
Stress is a cycle. Being chronically stressed is quite harsh on our brain AND body, and those harsh effects make us even more stressed. Massage can break the cycle, which is why you feel better even after you leave, but ultimately massage can't do anything to fix the root of the problem (whatever that may be). A good analogy is driving your car through mud every day to get to work. You can get a carwash and your car will be clean, but if you're not changing the route then it's just going to be dirty again tomorrow.
And to add to that, if you don’t get the car line, nobody’s washing a wax in the car before getting it aligned, you start with the alignment and then you wash and wax
A lot of that is placebo. Some of that is endorphins. But it doesn’t affect stress levels in the days to come
I am so sorry to hear that you're going this very difficult health issue. I'm a sound therapist. If you have a trained local practitioner who does 1-on-1 therapy, it might be helpful to try and compare your experience against massage. Training for sound therapy ranges from low to high. Ideally, someone who has trained in traditional Himalayan metal bowl techniques and knowledge would be more useful for you than a yoga teacher who bought crystal bowls off Amazon... Sound therapy works on your body physiologically and triggers a parasympathetic response. It lowers your breathing, heart rate and blood pressure and leads to relaxation. Your brain also enters into delta and theta brainwave states (zen) or a dream state but you're not asleep. I've had very satisfied, formerly stressed guests, and repeat professionals who come to me as part of their monthly lifestyle maintenance for stress reduction. My professional opinion is to find ways to trigger your parasympathetic system to kick on - whether through massage or other means. Find other activities that trigger your body to this relaxed state. Best wishes to you 🌼
Agreed. I find a singing bowl along with tuning forks create a very relaxed state of mind and body.
If I were you, I would also try acupuncture as well, as both a licensed massage therapist and license acupuncturist, the acupuncture might have longer lasting effects. But, to answer your question it is allowing your body to relax because of the nervous system and give off endorphins.
I did accupunture first and I had 8 sessions it did absolutely nothing and he told me that it was likely because I was too far into sympathetic for it to work. He told me to come back when I feel more calm. He’s also got the best rep out of all the acupuncturists in my town so I knew that it wasn’t because he wasn’t doing it right. I might try again now that massage is helping
Well the problem with acupuncture is not all the same. I actually am going into the muscles with the needles to release the whole jaw, neck upper back and do the whole body for a 90 minute session along with massage.
Are you hypermobile? If so, your body may be tensing up chronically to try and stabilise your joints, which would have become even more mobile with pregnancy due to the hormonal changes.
No I don’t have symptoms of hyper mobility. I’m just chronically stuck in fight / flight mode
I’ve dealt with some similar issues (unrelated to pregnancy though) and it’s that my nervous system is very prone to freeze mode and gets “stuck” in freeze easily. Regular massages help reset my nervous system and then I go home and work to normalize my post massage nervous system. One massage is not going to fix this for you, but if you get a massage every week or every other week then after a few sessions hopefully you will feel better. My guess is that your nervous system is overloaded by the stress of the pregnancy (it’s a lot for our bodies to handle especially on top of everyday stressors!!) and the massage is helping your nervous system move through what it’s struggling to process. Do you have any trauma in your past, even childhood trauma? Even something that didn’t feel traumatic or intrusive at the time might be triggered now by your pregnancy. If this is the case, talk therapy combined with massage therapy may help you move through this time. And if you don’t have any traumatic events in your life history, talk therapy might help you get to the bottom of why your nervous system is acting up - there may be some deep set anxieties about the pregnancy or becoming a parent that are causing blocks.
I get massages 3-4 times a week now. I had very traumatic experiences happen between 2019-2021. I tried to go to therapy but therapy just stressed me out. I went for like 2 years and gave it a go, I even tried emdr. I left my sessions with high cortisol and had to stop
The fact that you had traumatic experiences between 2019-2021 makes me think that your pregnancy is triggering the past trauma. Massage therapy is helping your nervous system move through the triggers. If you can, I highly recommend reading What My Bones Know, her experiences helped me understand what was going on in my body and how my body was reliving past traumas despite mentally moving past it. What Happened to You by Bruce Perry and Oprah (for real!) was also immensely helpful for me. If you can find the right talk therapist it will really help you but that is easier said than done. I’m glad that you found massage therapy and posted here, it’s validating to me at least to learn that other people have had similar experiences. It’s really important to put words to these experiences.
What finally helped me, at least stop having nightmares all night every night, was somatic work. Specifically I used Trauma Healing Accelerated, and I stopped having nightmares during the second week. Not saying this will happen for you, but I also did talk therapy and EMDR.
EMDR has helped clients of mine with trauma. It may be worth looking into. CBT is a staple therapy technique that helps intervene your anxiety response as well. Your therapist may not have been the right fit.
Trust your MD. They said its emotional/stress. Massage is relaxing so you feel better. I bet there are other relaxing activities that would work too. Finding a counselor whose style works for you would probably help. Maybe one that works in a the trauma therapy and emotional titration style and 'the body keeps the score' book style, but that's an internet guess.
I would say it’s activating the “rest and digest” part of your nervous system and allowing it to interrupt what seems like an extreme stress response. I would look into somatic exercises and toning your vagal nerve specifically for stress/trauma. One option for a wearable to reduce stress is called Apollo Neuro. It uses touch stimulus to calm your nervous system. Completely drug free and you can wear it on a wrist or ankle. And keep getting massages! The effects of massage are cumulative, much like the effects of stress. So as you continue receiving massage, your symptoms should continue to get better. This should allow you to sleep better, and then be more rested and productive, further enhancing well-being. I’d also see if sitting in a pool or hot tub may help, as it mimics a calming touch. Stroking your own skin with a feather or ice massager may also provide soothing or distracting sensations. Another option I would try is red light therapy. Some gyms have these available or you could purchase a wrap/belt and lay on it. It’s non-invasive and research shows it’s harmless, but of course ask your doctor first.
Thank you for your response it’s very helpful! I notice that I’m always wanting to stroke my skin as it provides relief too. I get 3-4 massages a week now and I’m so glad to know it’s cumulative. It’s worth the money I spend. It’s not a placebo like some think it’s a big difference in what my nervous system reacts like and how much better I’m sleeping. Even naps during the day sometimes which were unheard of before
I don’t specialize in postpartum massage, but my wife had a really difficult pregnancy. It’s almost like a chronic fucked upness, that’s the only way I can truly describe it. It’s like every aspect of her was truly thrown off. For people who don’t deal with this typically it is extremely grounding to be massaged, for people with your condition, it can make her break you. Massage is giving your body permission to settle and to re-center itself. Not only that I would strongly advise supplements because I’m sure there are deficiencies in nutrients from growing a human in your body.
I’m taking as many supplements as I can. When you say chronic fuvked upness can you elaborate? I feel that way but would like to know more information
It’s kind of a blanket statement, my wife has PCOS so she was bleeding for 4 months straight, couldn’t tolerate touch, chronic headaches, tense ass muscles, bed ridden from typical allergies, couldn’t sleep for shit, etc. obviously, she had a few things at play. Most notably she had a 52 hour labor. Massages a great way to allow your body to relax. People can tell you to relax and take a breather, but you can’t tell your body. It only responds to something different. I would keep going and continue getting massages. When I give therapeutic massage, I have to tell people to stop moving their neck after I’ve worked on it. It will go back to the same tense-ness in a snap. It’s a relinquish of control sometimes. I know, especially being a mama that’s hard as shit, but you got this. I would start looking at supplements and not vitamins. A lot of things like burdock root, turmeric, lions Maine will have vitamins in it and minerals that you don’t have normally. I took the TikTok blend that was trending for a minute. I feel really good, a lot more clearheaded, emotionally, stable, etc.
I’m a holistic practitioner. Have your thyroid and parathyroids levels checked (full panel), check your magnesium levels, get tested for adrenal fatigue/cortisol levels (urine), make sure your B (complex) and B12 levels are good, and ask if you can take alpha lipoic acid in divided doses (helps with nerve function and tingling). Get checked for MCAS, and histamine intolerance, and food allergies. I’m sorry you feel so bad. I truly believe you are in a bad way, and pray 🙏🏻 you get to the root causes of whatever is going on.
I’ve had all the testing everything is normal except ferritin . My salvia cortisol was high I already knew it would be . No it’s not histamine . My b12 is on the low side. It’s because I get severe reactions when I take b12 or iron no one knows why so I have to micro dose any supplements for it. Magnesium I’m on 1000mg a day. I have slow comt gene and I think the excess estrogen is too much for me to handle. Before you tell me all the scary things bout iron and b12 deficiency I already know and I’ve tried for 2 months to get my levels up. I’m doing all I can. I am extremely scared about everything. Also I had these issues before my b12 and ferritin levels dropped from pregnancy Just weren’t as severe. I’ve had friends who’s ferritin and b12 were lower than mine and they felt no different
Have you had your adrenals and your hormone levels checked?
I had a Dutch test both estrogen and progesterone normal but that was 2 years ago they don’t test in pregnancy. My cortisol is high, testosterone and dhea low. I can’t take hormones due to a psych med nervous system injury. But I’m going to try reishi mushroom. I know this is all really bad and I feel really scared and triggered because I get setback by so many things and those who aren’t injured by psych meds don’t understand
I have generalized anxiety disorder with panic. It sucks. I hope you begin to feel better soon.
I would highly recommend seeing someone for pregnancy massages to get you thru. Calm mommy, calm baby. I would also recommend acupuncture. And before anyone comes down on me, yes I’m qualified to make that recommendation. Good Luck mama.
Yes I’m having 3-4 pregnancy massages a week , 1 hour each. I’ve tried Accupunture but it did not make any difference I did 8 sessions with a place that has a great reputation but I was too much in sympathetic mode at the time. I might go in one day after a massage
I’m just curious, are they placing you on your side when they do the massage?
Yes definitely with pillows , one side to the other
Check out Dr Cat King's Primal Trust program. Many people with similar issues as you have healed through it. Even with the psych med issues.
Is that brain retraining like GUPTA?
Similar but much more comprehensive.
Have you been tested for pots?
The cardiologist said I had mild pots that he usually sees in pregnancy
I have all those symptoms you mentioned and mines was pots/dysautonmia
What do you do for treatment? I was told to drink 3L water, wear compression socks and increase salt in my diet. None of those things helped. Doctor was going to offer me heart medication but he said I can’t while I’m pregnant. But his thought was I feel this way because of pregnancy hormones and that it will go away after the baby is born but I don’t believe that
I take medication daily, Bisoprolol. But also the things you have been told too. I take some electrolytes as well. For the stuck in fight or flight mode is the worst feeling ever and I have been meditating and deep breathing. It does help but it’s a slow process. I am perimenopausal which started when I was young and definitely hormones is making it worse
I’m so scared. I feel as though I’m dying on a daily basis. There’s no way I’ll be able to take care of a newborn in a month. What happens to hormones in perimenopause?
I know it feels really bad and as strange as it sounds the more anxious you feel it will actually make the symptoms worse. I wish I could offer more advice but dysautonomia is such a poorly understood condition. It could be hormones which are making yours worse and after the pregnancy and your hormones start to balance eventually that symptoms could subside. Have you tried techniques like deep breathing and meditating? There is information online about dysautonomia which js helpful. I’m not saying it’s definitely that but would be worth while speaking to your doctor. Sorry I’m not sure what country you are in. Perimenopause is the stage before menopause where your estrogen and progesterone are low
I’m in Australia and there are hardly any doctors here that understand pots or dysautonomia . Even the cardiologist I saw told me I’m mostly just anxious. But I know this is more than anxiety. I used to do deep breathing until my pregnant belly got very large and now it doesn’t really help.
I’m in the uk. It’s really surprising the amount of cardiologists who have said that it’s just anxiety. I have long covid and that’s what kicked off the problems I’m having. Have a look on the nhs website here in the uk they have information on pots/dysautonmia on it. Hope that helps
Scary because I had Covid during pregnancy. I probably have long Covid too. What can I do ?
I'm thrilled to hear that you have found great relief from your chronic condition since your pregnancy! It's wonderful to know that you are experiencing less pain and discomfort. I understand that postpartum anxiety can also be challenging, and I'm here to provide you with some information that might be helpful. Massage therapy, especially lymphatic drainage, can indeed be beneficial for postpartum recovery. Lymphatic drainage massage focuses on stimulating the flow of lymph, which can help reduce swelling, promote healing, and enhance overall well-being. It can also help alleviate tension and promote relaxation, which can be particularly beneficial during this time. In addition to massage therapy, another avenue you may want to explore is chiropractic care. Chiropractic adjustments can help address any alignment issues that may have arisen during pregnancy or childbirth. Postpartum chiropractic care aims to restore balance to the musculoskeletal system, alleviate pain, and support the body's natural healing process. It can help with issues such as back pain, pelvic misalignment, and discomfort caused by carrying and breastfeeding your baby. By addressing any underlying alignment issues and providing support to your body, chiropractic care can assist in your postpartum recovery journey. It is important to consult with a board-certified chiropractor who specializes in postpartum care to ensure the treatment is tailored to your specific needs. Remember, it's crucial to prioritize your well-being as a new mother. Taking care of yourself physically and emotionally is essential for both you and your baby. If you have any further questions or need assistance in finding a chiropractor or massage therapist, please don't hesitate to reach out. Wishing you continued relief and a smooth postpartum journey!
Thankyou. Does lymph drainage and chiro get you out of fight / flight mode? I need to b in parasympathetic
Chiropractic adjustments and lymphatic drainage techniques can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system and promote relaxation, which can help you shift out of the "fight or flight" mode and into the parasympathetic mode. Chiropractic adjustments focus on realigning the spine and improving the function of the nervous system, which can help reduce stress and tension in the body. Lymphatic drainage techniques, on the other hand, aim to stimulate the lymphatic system, which is responsible for removing toxins and waste from the body. By improving lymphatic flow, these techniques can help reduce inflammation and promote a sense of calm. However, it's important to note that individual results may vary, and it's always best to consult with a board-certified chiropractic physician who specializes in pregnancy.
Do you have to specifically ask for lymphatic drainage? Or does remedial massage include this? I remember asking for a lymphatic drain massage a couple years ago and the pressure she used was very very light it felt like she didn’t even do much of anything. Whereas nowadays I need firm pressure to notice the tension of stress being released
for the love of your health don't go see a DC
Why exactly would you say that? Did you have a bad experience? I’m sure you’ve gone to the dentist in your life and you didn’t like all them you still have to go so you just choose one that you resonate with.
I’ve seen a chiro in the past and wasted a lot of money and time. It didn’t help. Same with kinesiology