https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 04:51:05 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/norovirus-prep-tips-tmitriggers#post-2928049 Wed, 01 Mar 2023 15:40:14 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2928049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Years ago (pre-kid), I got a horrid case of norovirus and (I think) as a result I now have major anxiety about vomiting and stomach bugs in general. Of course norovirus is everywhere right now and the way I know to manage anxiety is to be prepared so I'd love your tips if you've lived this recently on what helped/would have helped, particularly around containing the mess. I have plenty of disinfectant, masks to try and keep the non-infected away from germs, trash bags, all that stuff. My biggest challenge, gross as it sounds, is how to manage when vomiting and diarrhea are happening at the same time. I remember very clearly and traumatically living the Bridesmaids scene with things uncontrollably coming out of both ends. My mom blissfully cleaned up after me then but what does one do with a kid who's not in diapers anymore in this eventuality? Multiple sheet sets to prevent the mattress from getting ruined? Laying down in the bathroom on something? We have small bathrooms so I'm not sure how to do that and overall I'm having a very hard time planning for that part of it. We don't use waterproof mattress covers because they're typically plastic and my daughter overheats easily so I'm just remembering how messy this was even for me as an adult and trying to minimize the damage (recognizing it will still be a mess but at least I'll feel somewhat ready for it). Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/adult-autism-diagnostic-testing#post-2923098 Mon, 29 Mar 2021 21:50:28 +0000 hellobeeanon 2923098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Posting anonymously.</p> <p>I have struggled with various things in my life that make me think I may have autism. I would be interested in getting formally diagnosed, but it is cost prohibitive right now ($1200 for the place I contacted).</p> <p>Has anyone pursued an adult diagnosis of autism or had a spouse or close family member who did? Has anyone had luck getting the test covered by health insurance? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anxiety-during-your-period#post-2923182 Sun, 04 Apr 2021 20:56:43 +0000 karenbme 2923182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi, my daughter was born in October 2019 and my period came back in December 2020. Since then I’ve had debilitating anxiety with every cycle. I can’t take hormonal birth control for a number of reasons, so that’s out for me as an option. Everything that is causing problems is stuff that I’m anxious about anyways (because pandemic parenting, etc.) but for a week every month it gets so bad that it’s disrupting my life in serious ways. I still hope it will go away with time, but I don’t know if anyone else has been in this situation and what their outcomes were. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cbd-oil-for-anxietydepression#post-2922911 Sun, 14 Mar 2021 14:00:39 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2922911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has anyone tried CBD oil for anxiety and/or depression? If so, how did it work for you? Were you also taking prescription drugs at the same time? Where did you get it? Would you recommend it? Thank you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-start-therapy#post-2922592 Thu, 18 Feb 2021 10:40:16 +0000 SweetCaroline 2922592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>11 months into the pandemic...it's getting hard to muster up positivity and optimism.</p> <p>My tipping point is a parent that is full on conspiracy theory. I get links to articles and videos all the time. It's crazy and I'm upset that one of my last support systems is essentially gone.</p> <p>So...tell me how to start therapy. What credentials do I look for, etc.? I know we have something through our EAP. To be honest, the only reason I've avoided in the past is that it sounds like a lot of work and I've got enough of that already.</p> <p>Bonus points if you have resources for dealing with family that have fallen down the rabbit hole.</p> <p>Thank you, I know that I am far from alone in this and appreciate your thoughts. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-take-care-of-yourself-right-now#post-2922507 Sat, 13 Feb 2021 17:33:57 +0000 karenbme 2922507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi, just wondering if anyone is able to fit in self-care right now and what you’re doing. I need something, but all of the things I would have done are unavailable right now because of winter (I live in northern New England) and the other thing 🦠. Both DH and I have demanding jobs and he’s in a masters program so I mostly solo parent our 1yo on the weekends while he does schoolwork. We don’t have local family and DD is young enough that we didn’t have a relationship with a babysitter before Covid so we’ve never left her with a babysitter and I don’t know when we’ll be able to (but what would we even do if we had a babysitter?) The rules in our state also preclude out of town family from coming for a weekend to help. I am so burnt out, but feel like I have no way to fix it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/annual-exam-amp-pap#post-2921390 Tue, 08 Dec 2020 13:02:42 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2921390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you get really nervous and anxious before your annual exam and pap? I’m have debilitating anxiety and worried about cervical cancer. Does anyone else worry like this? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-actually-live-in-the-moment#post-2920888 Mon, 16 Nov 2020 22:30:57 +0000 yellowbeach 2920888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>People throw the phrase out all the time, and I often chastise myself fir not doing this enough - but what are actual tactics to help you be more “in the moment?” </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/treating-anxiety#post-2919373 Sat, 03 Oct 2020 14:58:16 +0000 castilrm 2919373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi all! For those of you who have treated your anxiety issues, what steps have you taken? I’ve always had anxiety, but I generally was able to manage it by keeping busy, exercise, socializing. A lot of that is off the table right now, at least in standard ways (and I also live in an area with wildfires so walks outdoors are not workable for exercise right now), so my mental health has really taken a dive especially now that I’m helping my 3 and 5 year olds with distance learning and trying to work full time remotely (limited help by husband as his job requires a lot of meetings in the mornings). I think it’s starting to manifest in physical health issues or at least exacerbate some issues like acid reflux and potential asthma, so I’m starting to think I need a better way to manage. I’m open to talk therapy once I find the right therapist, but if you also relied on medicine, who do you talk to? Your GP? Is that something a therapist (if not a medical doctor) suggests in consultation with a GP? How do you know which treatment to try first? Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-really-struggling-today#post-2917854 Thu, 30 Jul 2020 13:43:12 +0000 Dahlia 2917854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm really struggling today. We still haven't heard what elementary school will look like in the fall, my job is being unreasonable, my previously controlled anxiety is through the roof, and I can't stop crying. Since misery loves company...how are you? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-help-for-dh-asap#post-2914956 Mon, 04 May 2020 20:48:48 +0000 gotkimchi 2914956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My dh is dealing with panic/anxiety and we’d like to get him talking to someone/on a med ASAP. Of course he doesn’t have a PCP. Any advice on where to start during these times? Try to go right to a psychiatrist? Find a pcp? Will anyone help us NOW v scheduling an appt in 3mo? Should we try urgent care? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mentalemotional-health-check-in#post-2913812 Sun, 12 Apr 2020 21:46:14 +0000 graceandjoy 2913812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How is everyone doing? </p> <p>I had a horrible day; I just need to vent here because I feel bad venting at all, with so many worse things to be going through. But I do think that having a space to just feel and know that it’s ok, is important! </p> <p>I just wanted a nice Easter Sunday but literally nothing was nice about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cbd-oil-while-nursing#post-2913634 Wed, 08 Apr 2020 21:19:28 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2913634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does anyone use CBD oil while nursing? I’m looking into it as an option for treating my depression and anxiety. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lexapro-side-effects#post-2913630 Wed, 08 Apr 2020 20:31:41 +0000 Madison43 2913630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wondering what people’s experiences with Lexapro have been like? I was recently prescribed 10 mg and have taken it exactly one time right before bed - I was up ALL night and the next day my whole jaw and face hurt like the worst ecstasy hangover of my entire life (hello 1999!). I finally started to feel normal again after getting sleep the following night but it spooked me from taking it again. Has anyone experienced anything similar? Do I need to just tough it out for a while and then it will feel ok? Or is this totally unusual? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/resources-for-adults#post-2913006 Sat, 28 Mar 2020 10:59:23 +0000 erinbaderin 2913006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Spinoff from my last post, what are you doing for yourself? Books, games, wine, podcasts?</p> <p>With no commute I have no more podcast time but I’ve been making time for Staying In with Emily and Kumail. I’ve been making an effort to go for a walk after the kids are in bed, and listening to this, and I’m really loving it. </p> <p>I’ve also been reading the new Oral History of the Office, and loving it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extreme-anxiety-leaving-the-house#post-2912588 Sat, 21 Mar 2020 18:16:20 +0000 macintosh 2912588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS has stayed home from school for the past week even though his preschool is open. DH has really stepped up to take care of him and they are having a great time together. </p> <p>However, I still have to run back and forth to work most days to pick up and deliver equipment for my mental health agency. My mom lives with us and she’s still seeing patients in person. I’ve stopped at drive throughs a couple of times to get food, but I can’t shake the feeling that it’s super dangerous and I’ve made too many mistakes.</p> <p>Luckily many people at my job are working from home, but people are also running around scrambling to get the equipment they need and I wish they weren’t. I’m doing everything I can to set up everything I need to ship to my house, but I’ll still need to drop off things at UPS. I’ll still need to go to the grocery store because Instacart is overbooked.</p> <p>How are you guys dealing with this? I am so anxious that I’m stress sweating whenever I have to leave the house. I just feel awful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/self-care-activities-that-dont-involve-food-or-beauty#post-2911331 Sat, 07 Mar 2020 23:53:04 +0000 Hypatia 2911331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DH and I are taking turns having a self-care day on Sunday from around noon until 8 PM. However, that’s the day that I fast for 36 hours (beginning at 8 PM the night before). I considered trying to move it, but it’d be really inconvenient (it’s tied to my rest day at the gym, etc.). So, whatever activities I choose, they can’t involve food. And I don’t want to be AROUND food, like at a coffee shop. Since it’s my rest day and I’ll be a little fatigued from fasting, I don’t want to go on a hike, either. </p> <p>I looked online for other ideas, but so many involve beauty routines. I just recently had my hair cut, so that’s out. I’m honestly not into pedicures, makeup trials, etc. I don’t enjoy shopping. I can’t do a massage because of nerve damage. </p> <p>The only thing I can think of is seeing a movie, but there aren’t any that really interest me right now, and there will be such a strong aroma of popcorn that I’m not sure it’d be all that fun. </p> <p>Do you have any other ideas? If you could spend eight hours alone under these circumstances, what would you do? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sudden-and-severe-anxiety#post-2910889 Thu, 27 Feb 2020 19:59:10 +0000 ThrowAway227 2910889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi all,</p> <p>Long time user that created a throw away account for this question because I’m extremely embarrassed. I know I shouldn’t be. I hope you don’t mind. </p> <p>For the past year or so, I’ve experienced low grade anxiety. Nothing terribly serious, just periodic unexplained butterfly/nervousness sensations that quickly passed. I was irritable during those episodes but have never had a panic attack or anything close.</p> <p>Over the past few weeks, I have been plagued by regular, intrusive thoughts about my own death. For the past few days, the thoughts are near constant and I am in a state of terror/panic about it nearly the whole day. To be super clear, I’m not talking about wishing I was dead, its more of a phobia level fear of not existing. I’ve barely slept in 3 nights because the adrenaline from the fear response is so insane; I can’t get any work done because I can’t stop thinking about it and my heart is racing; I am battling back tears the entire day and hyperventilating level crying in the middle of the night. Obviously, this is not normal or healthy and I have an appointment with my GP Monday morning and a therapist Monday afternoon and will tell them everything.</p> <p>But does anyone have any experience with anything like this?? Am I having panic attacks? I thought panic attacks were brief, intense events, not 3 plus days of rolling terror. Why did it come on so suddenly? Does anyone have any suggestions about what to ask my GP? Should I ask for a referral to a psychiatrist? I’m used to talk therapy but I’m not sure I can even get the words out to work through this because I’m so panicked about this particular topic.</p> <p>I know - unfortunately - that lots of women here have experience with anxiety so any insight would be much appreciated.</p> <p>Thanks. Sorry so long. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hitting-rock-bottom#post-2899540 Mon, 14 Oct 2019 18:43:47 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2899540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like I've hit rock bottom. I dread the time I spend with my kids. There, I said it. I'm very depressed and just went through a few months of thinking I had breast cancer (which I don't) and dealing with the mental health side of that. I have been a basket case in a lot of ways. Fear has been ruling my life. Fear of cancer. Fear of death. Fear of my kids losing their mommy. But, now I know it isn't cancer and for some reason I'm just extremely depressed to a point of standing in the middle of my daughter's room sobbing while she was at school today. I don't understand what's going on with my mind and why I can't feel the joy that I used to feel. I feel none. NO happiness. Nothing makes me excited (except maybe sleep). And the one thing I love most in the world is my kids. I'm dreading time with them I guess because I don't know how to fill it with happy moments when all I feel is darkness. </p> <p>I'm not really sure what the point of my post is. I just didn't feel like I could say these things to anyone in my life. I just feel like rock bottom has to be avoiding time with the biggest joys of my life. And, here I am. I've hit it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sickness-anxiety-tipscommiserations#post-2907054 Fri, 27 Dec 2019 08:47:24 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2907054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wondering if anyone tends to get exceptionally anxious about commonplace sickness (your own, LOs, etc.) - not catastrophic stuff, but your typical flu/stomach bug stuff (and especially the stomach bugs, because vomit is my kryptonite for reasons I never quite figured out). I have generalized anxiety that I work through with my therapist, but throughout the year and especially in the fall/winter, I get incredibly anxious about my family getting sick and this year seems worse than usual because it seems like the flu is hitting early and a lot of people are getting stomach bugs too. I try all my usual tricks, like deep breathing, reminding myself that we are really lucky that we have very liberal work leave and have no pressure to be at work or do anything if we're sick, we're close to doctors/urgent care if needed, etc., and I even write up problem solving scenarios like "if we all come down with a stomach bug, what's our action plan" to calm myself and be prepared. And still my heart races when I read a Facebook post of friends and even strangers being sick, I overanalyze my daughter any time she's "off" (or my perception of "off" because no one is 100% the same all the time), I have a hard time going to sleep, which isn't usually an issue for me. I think it bothers me even more that this happens because not only do we not get sick often, we always get through it just fine AND we're really in the biggest place of privilege when it comes to leave and resources so it frustrates me that I'm so overly anxious about this. I'm going to talk about this more with my therapist but wanted to see if this happens for others and if anyone has helpful tricks for getting their brain to relax. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/zoloft-question#post-2901274 Fri, 01 Nov 2019 06:42:18 +0000 caitcat 2901274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Random question...but I think a few of you ladies have mentioned taking this before when I looked back at older posts, and I have a question about Zoloft side effects I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on. I started taking it a couple days ago (after debating it for like two years...it's time to try something for some anxiety I just can't shake) and the only side effect I've noticed so far is a ridiculous dry mouth. My doctor had mentioned this as a potential side effect, but I'm wondering if it's one that can improve over time? </p> <p>On the plus side, I think I'll be better hydrated than ever before because all I do is guzzle water, but it's going to drive me nuts! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/antidepressants-irregular-periods#post-2898556 Sat, 05 Oct 2019 09:39:00 +0000 kce56 2898556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’ve been on anti-anxiety medication for just over a year now and my periods have been all over the place. My most recent period came just 2 weeks after the last one! I had a bunch of testing done earlier this year (including an ultrasound) and am going back to my gynecologist next week but am wondering if any bees have similar experiences. I don’t even know if the two are related, maybe it’s just age (I’m 37). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-take-ativanlorazepam-during-pregnancy#post-2895597 Tue, 27 Aug 2019 14:53:34 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2895597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If anyone took Ativan/Lorazepam during pregnancy, did everything turn out OK? My doctors say it's risky but sometimes benefit outweighs risk. I need it for sure (extreme OCD and anxiety), but it makes me feel so guilty every time I take it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/managing-health-anxiety#post-2769214 Tue, 22 Aug 2017 14:36:13 +0000 Dahlia 2769214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Anyone else have health anxiety? I have on and off for about 10 years now, and my mom's cancer diagnosis this month has sent it into overdrive. My period has been weird since I stopped breastfeeding DD. My doctor says nothing is wrong, but I'm panicked. I know it's the anxiety, but I can't stop worrying. </p> <p>How do you control your anxiety? I'm already on Zoloft and started seeing a therapist. What else can I do? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/health-related-anxiety-and-panic-attacks#post-2892159 Wed, 24 Jul 2019 14:45:15 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2892159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m looking for someone who shares my debilitating mental condition of fear, severe anxiety and panic over medical/health issues. </p> <p>Since my first daughter was a baby, anytime anything is even remotely off or questioned about her health, I have totally lost it. There was an incident where the doctors had her see a neurologist and I was inconsolable for weeks until we got into see him. Everything was fine. I have two daughters now. After the second was born, I was convinced she had something majorly wrong with her because her eyes looked odd to me. Again, everything was fine. Her eyes now look normal and beautiful</p> <p>. A couple weeks ago, I noticed a mole on my arm looked weird, so I googled and was convinced it was melanoma and that I was going to die. I went to the dermatologist and everything was fine. Then I kept worrying that she would call me and say she was wrong and that it was cancer. She didn’t. </p> <p>Last night, I felt a weird round thing in my vagina while inserting a progesterone capsule. You probably know where this is going. I immediately thought it was cancer and that I was dying. I googled and became even more convinced. I was shaking uncontrollably and couldn’t even be around my kids. I called a nurse who helped calm me. I went in today and the doctor said it’s not cancer. It’s a mucus buildup related to scar tissue where I tore with my first birth. Pregnancy can change it and it fluctuates. As I type this, I am still worried. I asked repeatedly to make sure it’s not cancer. He said it definitely isn’t. He’s going to remove it so it doesn’t get uncomfortable. I asked it they’d have to biopsy it and he said yes but only because anything removed has to be biopsied. That scares me, too. Like maybe it’ll still be cancer. Although he said it definitely isn’t. </p> <p>I have an emergency therapist appointment this afternoon. In the meantime, I’d love to connect with someone who can relate. I just need commiseration. </p> <p> :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-dose-seroquel-and-pregnancybfing#post-2893753 Tue, 06 Aug 2019 19:56:33 +0000 Autumnmama79 2893753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does anyone have any experience or insight? This was brought up to me today as an option but it’s a foreign concept to me and I’m looking for more information (besides dr google!) The psych did share that it is safe, but still I’m ultra cautious. </p> <p>TIA </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-take-lorazepam-during-pregnancy-for-anxiety#post-2893103 Wed, 31 Jul 2019 14:37:35 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2893103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My anxiety hit a high yesterday. So, I called my RE and they said I can take some low dose lorazepam. After taking it, I was me again. It’s absolutely amazing. However, there were risks to the baby. I’m 4w 1d. I don’t to harm my baby but can’t live like a crying, shaking mess of a zombie with my two little girls . Ugh. Have you been through this? If not, what would you do if you were me? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/moving-anxiety-with-2-kids#post-2889181 Wed, 26 Jun 2019 20:20:52 +0000 SweetiePie 2889181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So the rational side of my brain knows that a day or two of bad naps because of a move won’t be the death of anyone. </p> <p>But the super anxious, sleep-training maniac side of my brain is freaking out that my 16mo might not nap much, if at all, for the two days of our move (one day with movers packing us and one day of actual move). </p> <p>Literally just need some moms (ideally like minded in the naps/schedule/routine department) to tell me that it will be ok and you lived to tell the tale and if I am regimented and consistent when we get to the new place he will fall back into routine. </p> <p>I’m trying to make this ridiculous plan on how to get my son to nap while movers are here for two days but I almost think I’ll drive myself crazier by doing this.</p> <p>FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING HOLY SOMEONE TELL ME THAT ITS OK TO LET NAPS JUST NOT HAPPEN FOR TWO DAYS 😂😂😂 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-experience-with-zoloft#post-2876158 Tue, 12 Mar 2019 14:00:32 +0000 pachamama 2876158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really should start Zoloft but I'm very hesitant because of the side effects. I've always been very hands-off in terms of medicine and interventions. It would be for anxiety, mild PPD and moodiness.<br /> Tell me about why you went on it, your dosage, side effects like weight gain and sleep issues particularly, even how you weaned if you went off it.<br /> (I've talked to my doctors and family extensively and I just don't know what to do. I have a feeling Zoloft would be helpful but it's not necessarily critical)<br /> Also, I will be breastfeeding for 10 more months 😬 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-rage#post-2880203 Wed, 10 Apr 2019 11:57:33 +0000 LindsayInNY 2880203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Anyone heard of or experienced this? A friend mentioned it when I was telling her about the anger type outbursts I have. Currently BFing so that limits some options - like CBD, some antidepressants. So I’m wondering if yoga or therapy or something might help? Or if anyone had suggestions. </p>