I called my Shrink today for the first time in months. I haven't seen or talked to her since April. I wasn't sure if I would be able to get back at TTC without having to see her, but I hoped. Not that I don't like her, cause I adore her. I just hoped I was strong enough after everything I had been through to go it on my own.
I find that as I am still slowly easing my way off of the antidepressants, some days are worse than others. Most notably after I drop my dose another 5 mg. I have come to know exactly what to expect and when to expect it when I step down another 5 mg. If my doctor's 6 week plan to get me off the meds had worked, I would have been off them by the middle of September, but as it stands, I am only at half my full dose. It has been so much harder coming off of them than I ever imagined it could be.
I dropped my dose just over a week ago, and I knew then that within 7-10 days, I would start to feel blue for no reason, discontent for no reason, and slightly lethargic. It was like clockwork. Sadly, it happened to coincide with the appearance of AF after a wonky cycle, which makes things really hard for me right now.
Last month I did so great at not getting my hopes up and staying really zen about the whole TTC working or not working. That is, until I spotted at 5dpo and then every other day until AF showed, and then I started freaking out and wondering why the hell my cycle decided to be stupid the second cycle back in the game. My Infertile started screaming and shaking the bars of the cell that has held her captive the last two years. She's scared, and so am I. I don't want her back out. I don't want to relapse into that person. I have no right to relapse into that person. There is a beautiful, perfect little baby girl sleeping soundly on the other side of the wall behind me.
But old habits die hard.
Some things are so ingrained in us through pain that I don't think they will ever go away. They have turned into ugly scars. Even with a lot of work, they will always still be there.
I have been having a hard time since AF showed. I blame a lot of it on the drop in my meds. But I am aching and scared. I want so badly to be pregnant. It seems like everyone else around me is pregnant, even the people who shouldn't be. I'm not talking about they are crack whores who shouldn't be allowed to have children, I'm talking about they have medical issues and were told to wait, but they went ahead anyway. I hate the feelings I have inside when I see that woman. My Infertile wants to hate her, but *I* can't. Still, I can't seem to help the fact that I don't want to be around her, or that I have to force a small and even a nice hello. It.Is.So.Hard.
So last night I went to my husband and told him I wanted to go back to the Shrink. He seemed a little surprised and asked if there was anything he could do. I told him I just feel really off balance right now, and that I don't want to mess up our chances of getting pregnant because I can't relax. Because I am starting to freak out that things are all messed up in there again. Because I can't help wondering if we did fertilize an egg the last two months, but it implanted in my scar tissue and didn't make it, and is that going to happen for the rest of my fertile life, and if so, is there anything I can do about it.
Then I freak out about some bad news I just heard about a college roommate of mine that I won't repeat here because I don't want any of you freaking out, but it freaks me out.
I am just plain freaking myself out, and I can't do that. Not with trying to get pregnant again. FINALLY being able to try for another baby. I have to be able to put all of this anxiety aside, and the bottom line is, once again, this is bigger than me. I can't do it alone. And while I appreciate the love and support of my husband, family, and friends, they can't help me either. They don't truly understand. They can't say the right things. They can't ask the right questions. I don't know if my Shrink can either, but she sure has helped me in the past, and right now, I'm floundering. I'll grab a hold of any life preserver thrown my way that will help me float and swim to shore.
I seriously love this blog. I could never in a million years write these things on my primary blog, and they just flow through my fingers here. I am always able to exactly express how I feel, and it is so soothing.
It is hard to find myself on familiar ground, on this familiar ground. I am trying so hard to let it go, but it has wrapped it's chains around me, and every time I think I'm free, it pulls me back in. I can't wait to sit on that leather couch and let everything flow next week. I really need this.
7 comments:
You are far too hard on yourself, you're a wife, a mother AND you work outside the home...no wonder you struggle and need some support!
Hoping that going back to the shrink genuinely helps with all these feelings. It is so normal to have all these fears and doubts and wonder if it will ever work. I am so sorry you're feeling blue and having wonky cycles on top of everything!! Take care :)
I think it sounds like a great plan, there is something so great about being able to be on that leather couch and unload. I do think you need to give yourself a butt-load of credit for all you have been thru since you were there last. Yes, coming off the ad's hasn't been easy and it's hard on you each time you do it but you are doing it and sticking to it. You are an incredibly strong woman and although you may be stressed and off balance you have a LOT to be proud of. Pat yourself on the back too, hold onto that positive to help you overcome the rest! Love you girl!
I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time. I think seeing the dr again will help you work through this. I'm sure it's hard to go through these feelings again, after your first TTC journey, but I pray that end the end, you will be blessed with another beautiful baby!
Your post is helpful, to let me know what I might expect next time. I try to pretend that it will all be so much easier next time because at least I have my daughter if all else fails. But I shouldn't let myself be blindsided by the same feelings you are having. I want another baby someday and I will be hurt if it doesn't happen or it is a real struggle again. At least if I face reality and know it will be hard again I can be more prepared. Thank you.
I hope the therapist will help you work through the feelings. And hopefully munchkin #2 will be on the way soon! Good luck!!
I'm so sorry that you're going through this; I know what it is like. But I'm glad that you're going back to see your Shrink again. I think it will be very helpful. You're right, family and friends are very well meaning, but sometimes we just need some extra help. And that's where therapy comes in. I hope that you feel better soon. You are in my thoughts and prayers. A great big HUGS!!! to you.
TTC is never easy, it doesn't matter how many children you have to distract you or if you don't have any. A lot of people don't understand the abyss TTC can leave you in once you've been there before, and how quickly you can get sucked right back in. It's hard... I applause you for being honest with your feelings. I'm new to your blog :) Hope you don't mind my reading!
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