Dealing with a host of health issues in my breed

Hey everyone! I might be rambling a bit here, but I’m honestly at my wit's end and really need some advice..
I'm 29 with two kids. Ever since my second baby arrived via C-section about eight months ago, my entire life has just become one endless cycle of doctors and medical tests. It started with high blood pressure, but once I saw a cardiologist and got on some meds, that leveled out. Since the birth, though, I've had this constant ringing in my ears—like static on an old TV when there's no signal. My head spins too, especially when I turn it, making me feel super unsteady. Lately, I've been getting these sudden episodes that feel like attacks: my heart starts racing, I can't catch my breath, I feel like I'm going to pass out, and my whole body just starts shaking. My palms get sweaty, and I deal with this intense panic and fear. My blood pressure stays fine, but honestly, all I look forward to is crawling into bed and sleeping. My hands are constantly clammy, and breathing feels heavy. I have zero motivation, nothing brings me joy, and I'm always living in fear of the next episode hitting. On top of all that, my period is late, though I know for sure I'm not pregnant. I've already cleared a CT scan to rule out a pulmonary embolism (all clear), an MRI of my brain (fine), blood work including iron levels and thyroid hormones (all good), an X-ray of my neck (normal), and a gynecological exam and Pap smear about six weeks ago (everything was fine). On paper, I look perfectly healthy, but something is seriously wrong. I don't even know if I'm losing it. I'm scared of everything. I just want things to be NORMAL again, like they used to be, but I feel like something is eating me alive from the inside. I'm actually pretty terrified to even think about seeing a psychiatrist.
Please, if anyone has gone through something similar, let me know. Is it actually possible to get back to feeling like myself? Thanks so much ahead of time..

Have you actually gone through the rest of your hormone panel yet? I'm asking because—given that your cycle seems to be running late—it’s entirely possible there's some sort of underlying imbalance at play here.
Your OB-GYN could have easily written you a referral for a full hormonal workup, and depending on what those labs actually show, you might even need to follow up with an endocrinologist.

ambermason822

It might be a case of chronic fatigue syndrome—just total, ongoing exhaustion. I say that because you’re juggling two kids, and let’s face it, that daily grind is absolutely draining... (I'm speaking from experience here, and I've only got one little one)

To me, these symptoms feel a lot more like anxiety, perhaps even bordering on panic attacks, since what you're describing aligns so closely with how that manifests...🤷

That said, before jumping to conclusions, it would probably be wise to get your hormone levels checked and look into your thyroid function just to rule out any physical causes... once those are cleared, then you can dive into whether there's a psychological component playing a role in how you're feeling.

Samuel Morgan40 said:Have you actually gone through the rest of your hormone panel yet? I'm asking because—given that your cycle seems to be running late—it’s entirely possible there's some sort of underlying imbalance at play here.
Your OB-GYN could have easily written you a referral for a full hormonal workup, and depending on what those labs actually show, you might even need to follow up with an endocrinologist.

Nah, haven't checked my hormones yet. I've got an appointment with my OBGYN this Monday, and... honestly, I'm planning to see a psychiatrist too.

First off, I’d strongly suggest getting a full hormonal panel checked. From what you mentioned, your thyroid levels look fine 👍, but honestly, it would be incredibly helpful to see a photo of the other results as well. Sometimes we aren't even aware of how much our bodies can be thrown out of alignment—it's rarely just one thing, either. It could be anything from an increased heart rate or chronic stress to more significant shifts in our environment. Even just the general pace of life or your dietary habits might be at play here; those things tend to impact hormones directly, which in turn messes with a woman's cycle. It might be worth finding some time to just... decompress—maybe some massage work, light exercise, or just carving out a little space for yourself. But, I suppose, one step at a time. 🙂

Initially, I suspected my cervical spine because you described those exact same aches and pains I'm dealing with, though you did mention your X-ray came back within normal limits. But honestly, what does "within normal limits" even mean in this context? 🙂 There aren't really any standard reference values for an X-ray like that. What did they actually give you as a diagnosis? Or did they just leave you hanging with nothing?
You went into such detail about my symptoms—the dizziness, that sense of instability and all that—and the moment I showed my X-ray, they immediately labeled it cervicobrachial syndrome. Maybe your issues are just in the early stages, but to me, it all points back to the neck regardless. Plus, I struggle with high blood pressure too, so we have that in common. As for the stuff regarding menstrual cycles and things of that nature... I really wouldn't know.

The description provided seems to align perfectly with anxiety, specifically panic disorder—those intense panic attacks along with all the physical symptoms that come with them.
Of course, the first step is always to rule out any other underlying medical causes, much like the ones already mentioned.
If it turns out to be panic disorder, it can be very successfully managed through medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both approaches.

Nathan Baker said:Initially, I suspected my cervical spine because you described those exact same aches and pains I'm dealing with, though you did mention your X-ray came back within normal limits. But honestly, what does "within normal limits" even mean in this context? 🙂 There aren't really any standard reference values for an X-ray like that. What did they actually give you as a diagnosis? Or did they just leave you hanging with nothing?
You went into such detail about my symptoms—the dizziness, that sense of instability and all that—and the moment I showed my X-ray, they immediately labeled it cervicobrachial syndrome. Maybe your issues are just in the early stages, but to me, it all points back to the neck regardless. Plus, I struggle with high blood pressure too, so we have that in common. As for the stuff regarding menstrual cycles and things of that nature... I really wouldn't know.

RADIOLOGY REPORT AND FINDINGS - Cervical Spine

"Bone structure and mineralization appear normal. Vertebral body heights and intervertebral spaces are preserved. Flattening of the physiological lordosis with a formed dorsal gibbus at the level of C4 - C5. Posterior intercorporeal line is intact. Calcifications noted along the superior and inferior contours of the atlas."

Samuel Morgan40 said:Have you actually gone through the rest of your hormone panel yet? I'm asking because—given that your cycle seems to be running late—it’s entirely possible there's some sort of underlying imbalance at play here.
Your OB-GYN could have easily written you a referral for a full hormonal workup, and depending on what those labs actually show, you might even need to follow up with an endocrinologist.

How does that blood test actually work? And which specific hormones are we talking about?

ambermason822 said:RADIOLOGY REPORT AND FINDINGS - Cervical Spine

"Bone structure and mineralization appear normal. Vertebral body heights and intervertebral spaces are preserved. Flattening of the physiological lordosis with a formed dorsal gibbus at the level of C4 - C5. Posterior intercorporeal line is intact. Calcifications noted along the superior and inferior contours of the atlas."

Ugh, I haven't the slightest clue what any of this means, naturally 🙂. It’s just a bunch of technical jargon followed by a few lines mentioning C4, C5, and C7, and then right at the end, it actually states:

Diagnosis: cervicobrachial syndrome.

But in your case, there isn't even a diagnosis listed. 🤷

You’re checking all the classic boxes for thyroid dysfunction.
If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t just sit on this; I’d redo those tests and honestly, I’d go a step further and get an ultrasound. I’m also totally on board with the suggestion to get a full hormone panel done to see the whole picture.
Another thing that crosses my mind is having a specialist check your pituitary gland.

ambermason822 said:How does that blood test actually work? And which specific hormones are we talking about?

Yes, it’s all done through blood panels.
I would also—just to be safe, much like I suggested to Angela Wright—strongly advise you to have your thyroid checked once more.

I’m speaking from my own experience here; a shift in my circumstances, stress, and general lifestyle led me to roughly the same set of symptoms. It first started manifesting in my cycle—honestly, we women don't always realize just how much our hormones can mess with everything, and it's quite easy to mistake hormonal imbalances for entirely different medical issues.

So, the specific hormones you should probably look into are: FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), testosterone, total testosterone, estradiol, prolactin, DHEAS, and androstenedione. Additionally, you really ought to re-check your TSH (thyroid) along with T3 and T4 levels.

If any of those values come back elevated or low—or if certain hormones aren't balancing correctly for your specific cycle phase—then a doctor will likely suggest some form of therapy or other treatment. You can get the necessary referral from either a gynecologist or an endocrinologist.

If everything comes back normal, then the next step would likely involve more detailed testing—perhaps even an MRI of the pituitary gland right after.

Edit: I forgot to mention that you'll need to have your blood drawn on a very specific day of your cycle—either day 3 or perhaps around day 21 or 22. It really depends on what your gynecologist or endocrinologist tells you to do.

To get accurate results, you need to test those sex hormones during days 3 through 5 of your cycle—it's been verified, and I believe Samuel Morgan40 mentioned the same list of tests earlier.

Regarding the thyroid, you probably already realize that just because your hormone levels fall within the "normal" range doesn't mean everything is functioning perfectly.
When you go in for bloodwork, you shouldn't just stop at the basic T3 and T4 levels; you really need to check the free fractions, specifically free T3 and free T4, too.
It is absolutely vital to get a comprehensive thyroid panel done, especially including an ultrasound.

But honestly, if you ask me, all of this still feels like it points more toward anxiety...🤷

If we were just talking about panic attacks, she wouldn't be dealing with things like ringing in her ears or irregular cycles.

To me, this sounds like a hormonal issue. 🤷

melloworca6 said:If we were just talking about panic attacks, she wouldn't be dealing with things like ringing in her ears or irregular cycles.

To me, this sounds like a hormonal issue. 🤷

I don't think it's related to sex hormones, though it could potentially be the thyroid. Besides, menstrual cycles can get thrown off or stop entirely due to various types of stress without there actually being an underlying hormonal issue.🤷

Or maybe it’s postpartum depression. Here are the symptoms:

Beyond the standard stuff—like feeling low, depressed, or totally drained—PPD can also look like this:

- Feeling irritable or restless
- Constant sadness and crying spells
- Zero energy left in the tank
- Headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations, or hyperventilating
- Insomnia, extreme exhaustion, or both
- Losing your appetite and dropping weight, or overeating and gaining weight
- Brain fog, memory issues, and struggling to make simple decisions
- Obsessing over the baby or feeling zero connection to them
- Intense guilt and feeling worthless
- Fear of hurting yourself or the baby
- Losing interest in everything, including sex.

Look, a mother might feel anxious after giving birth, but that doesn't automatically mean she has PPD. It could be postpartum anxiety or a panic disorder instead. Those signs usually involve intense fear and anxiety, rapid breathing, racing heart, hot or cold flashes, chest pain, and dizziness. If you're dealing with any of this, go see your doctor immediately.

Samuel Morgan40 said:Yes, it’s all done through blood panels.
I would also—just to be safe, much like I suggested to Angela Wright—strongly advise you to have your thyroid checked once more.

I’m speaking from my own experience here; a shift in my circumstances, stress, and general lifestyle led me to roughly the same set of symptoms. It first started manifesting in my cycle—honestly, we women don't always realize just how much our hormones can mess with everything, and it's quite easy to mistake hormonal imbalances for entirely different medical issues.

So, the specific hormones you should probably look into are: FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), testosterone, total testosterone, estradiol, prolactin, DHEAS, and androstenedione. Additionally, you really ought to re-check your TSH (thyroid) along with T3 and T4 levels.

If any of those values come back elevated or low—or if certain hormones aren't balancing correctly for your specific cycle phase—then a doctor will likely suggest some form of therapy or other treatment. You can get the necessary referral from either a gynecologist or an endocrinologist.

If everything comes back normal, then the next step would likely involve more detailed testing—perhaps even an MRI of the pituitary gland right after.

Edit: I forgot to mention that you'll need to have your blood drawn on a very specific day of your cycle—either day 3 or perhaps around day 21 or 22. It really depends on what your gynecologist or endocrinologist tells you to do.

I already had a brain MRI and everything was fine, so hopefully I don't need to redo a pituitary MRI?
And regarding those specific days for blood work—how am I supposed to figure out which days they are if I haven't even gotten my period yet?

ambermason822, when you start your period, you’ll want to draw blood on either the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th day—that’s the standard window. Though, I suppose there's a good chance they might also have you come in on the 21st day of your cycle to check your progesterone levels (assuming, of course, you have a standard menstrual cycle).

ambermason822 said:Hey everyone! I might be rambling a bit here, but I’m honestly at my wit's end and really need some advice..
I'm 29 with two kids. Ever since my second baby arrived via C-section about eight months ago, my entire life has just become one endless cycle of doctors and medical tests. It started with high blood pressure, but once I saw a cardiologist and got on some meds, that leveled out. Since the birth, though, I've had this constant ringing in my ears—like static on an old TV when there's no signal. My head spins too, especially when I turn it, making me feel super unsteady. Lately, I've been getting these sudden episodes that feel like attacks: my heart starts racing, I can't catch my breath, I feel like I'm going to pass out, and my whole body just starts shaking. My palms get sweaty, and I deal with this intense panic and fear. My blood pressure stays fine, but honestly, all I look forward to is crawling into bed and sleeping. My hands are constantly clammy, and breathing feels heavy. I have zero motivation, nothing brings me joy, and I'm always living in fear of the next episode hitting. On top of all that, my period is late, though I know for sure I'm not pregnant. I've already cleared a CT scan to rule out a pulmonary embolism (all clear), an MRI of my brain (fine), blood work including iron levels and thyroid hormones (all good), an X-ray of my neck (normal), and a gynecological exam and Pap smear about six weeks ago (everything was fine). On paper, I look perfectly healthy, but something is seriously wrong. I don't even know if I'm losing it. I'm scared of everything. I just want things to be NORMAL again, like they used to be, but I feel like something is eating me alive from the inside. I'm actually pretty terrified to even think about seeing a psychiatrist.
Please, if anyone has gone through something similar, let me know. Is it actually possible to get back to feeling like myself? Thanks so much ahead of time..

I was actually healthy before I had my kid—well, minus the chronic sinus issues—but after giving birth, I felt exactly how you’re describing for months. Honestly? I was convinced I was losing my mind and heading straight for a state asylum. Every time someone even breathed the word "psychiatrist," I’d spiral, thinking they’d just lock me away and never let me back out, not even into the yard... 🙄
Of course, there wasn't any actual reason to believe that, but I was certain nonetheless. 🙂
But I was also dead set on the idea that most of this would vanish once I escaped the house and that isolation—being home alone with a baby for the first time in my life was brutal—so I cut my maternity leave short and basically fled back to work and being around people.
Along the way, I found out I have an autoimmune thyroid condition (could've had it before pregnancy, but it didn't show up at all until then), and shortly after that, I was hit with ulcerative colitis.
Seriously, pregnancy just absolutely wrecked me—mentally and physically. For some people, it's this beautiful, natural experience, but for me, it was just massive stress that I'm still recovering from. My daughter is 2.5 now.
I’m left with two lovely lifelong illnesses, a body that feels totally foreign compared to how I started the pregnancy, and the fact that I can't even grab dinner with my husband because we have no childcare. 😁 But—and this is the big part—it's only *now* that things don't feel so dark and depressing, and I'm finally starting to make peace with everything.
It took two and a half years. 😉
When I saw this thread title, I thought—okay, so it's not just me. 😁 I shared my story just so you'd know you aren't alone either. 😁

Btw, I know a woman who nearly died during labor and never fully recovered, and I know another who went completely off the deep end mentally after her second child and never came back. So... that hormonal explosion is absolute chaos, and honestly, it feels unfair that nobody warns us before pregnancy. Did they tell you guys and I just missed the memo? 🤔

Angela Wright said:You’re checking all the classic boxes for thyroid dysfunction.
If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t just sit on this; I’d redo those tests and honestly, I’d go a step further and get an ultrasound. I’m also totally on board with the suggestion to get a full hormone panel done to see the whole picture.
Another thing that crosses my mind is having a specialist check your pituitary gland.

The thyroid issue seems more likely to me. And honestly, checking the pituitary isn't a bad idea either.
The body needs time to stabilize after pregnancy. It doesn't just happen overnight.
Besides, a woman is under way more stress and exhaustion than usual following childbirth.
It wasn't until my child turned three that I finally managed to catch up on sleep during the day while someone else watched them.
I dealt with all those same symptoms, but I handled them differently. I'd take long baths, go for walks in the woods, exercise... basically, I just tried to survive motherhood. 🙄