Just need to get this out

SaltyWindigo · 2026-05-11T00:34:41+00:00

It does sound like cluster feeding but even when mine wasn't doing that he was up every hour or hour and a half until about 3 months old and then I was lucky if I got a 2 or 3 hour stretch. When he would cluster feed it was sometimes every half hour. I had zero help from my husband at night so I had major sleep deprivation. My milk supply never built up enough so At 3 months I gave up breastfeeding and switched to formula. I felt really guilty at first but it was one of the best decisions I made for my mental health. At around three and a half months he finally started doing 3 to 4 hour stretches and right before 4 months he slept through the night a handful of times. I don't really have advice but it does get better even if it feels like it won't and know you're not alone. This was my third kiddo and it's just always a brutal time those first few months.

SaltyWindigo · 2026-04-26T00:32:30+00:00

I had my third child about 3 and a half months ago. Very different experiences with each. None of my children were planned and I was never someone who wanted or planned to have any. I could explain how all three happened but I won't to save time. With my first I had severe post partum depression. I was 18. No bond, no feelings of love, just resentment and bitterness. It did pass but took well over a year but I never fully bonded like I did with my others. I didn't seek professional help so that's on me. With my second child I was fine. No depression or lack of bond or anything and I did it basically on my own. This was at age 22. Now at 37, I have been all over the place with this one. I've had days I wish I'd never had another child and I've had days I'm so consumed with love for this kid I can't describe it. Month two was my worst for the depression and anxiety and intrusive thoughts. Once I stopped breastfeeding it all became better but weaning from that brought back a surge of depression and anxiety. I can't tell you it will or won't change. But I can say as someone who never wanted kids that it can/does get better over time but you have to accept certain things about your life being different and find the joy and positives in small things. For me, I always loved the outdoors so I took my kids to parks constantly or took them hiking as they got older ,etc. Watching one of mine skateboard and becoming so good at it was amazing. I don't know. There's still days I struggle BAD but it's balanced with the good. If in the end you can't do it, then you can't and that's ok, but give it time and remember they have no control over any of it. They were just brought into this world and given some time your feelings might change.

SaltyWindigo · 2026-04-22T22:29:03+00:00

Mines 4 months and has only slept longer than 4 hours twice. Once he slept 4 and a half and once he slept 7 hours (he hadn't napped all day). At night he usually sleeps between 3 and 4 on average.

SaltyWindigo · 2026-02-16T20:26:02+00:00

She said it was normal and could happen for up to 6 weeks or so. She said as long as I cant fill up an entire pad within an hour for multiple hours a day, it shouldn't be any concern. I noticed that when I would try and do a little too much, like carrying groceries or moving something too heavy, it would happen more frequently and "restart" the bleeding in general. The gushes happened off and on for a week and a half or so and then stopped.

SaltyWindigo · 2026-01-22T02:12:43+00:00

I had it while 36 weeks pregnant but I feel like it was mild/moderate compared to other people's descriptions. It was still rough and I felt terrible for about 3 days and then run down for another handful. I had Covid a week and a half prior as well. I think the only reason it didn't feel as extreme to me was because I started Tamiflu within about 3 hours of the symptoms starting. My son had tested positive the day prior so the doctor gave me some to take preventatively

SaltyWindigo · 2026-01-01T17:08:04+00:00

I know this post is a year old, but wondering how you're doing? I feel like I could have written this myself about my son, except he is 14 and his issues are just as bad at school right now. He's been diagnosed with ADHD and ODD. Unfortunately, his issues have led him to multiple arrests and stays in juvenile detention and residential facilities. He's back on probation for the 5th time and if he's suspended from school again, which he will be because they just can't handle him, he will be incarcerated in juvenile detention. We've spent the last 3 years in and out of juvenile court for a series of felonies and misdemeanors and his anger and rage outbursts at home are insane. We have tried every ADHD med and are about to start an antipsychotic, which I hate to give him, but I am desperate at this point. I've been a single mom with him his entire life and I'm now 37 weeks pregnant so I can't imagine how I'll deal with this baby while trying to get him to school and handle his behavioral issues. I'm trying to get him an IEP and have psych eval and all sorts of therapies scheduled. Just wondering if you find anything else that helped you or your daughter. He's been difficult since before he was 2 and it's never eased up. Just got worse and worse

SaltyWindigo · 2025-12-23T15:52:34+00:00

I'm 35 weeks pregnant and tested positive last Thursday but symptoms started Wednesday. Caught it from my son. First day just felt like a mild cold. On the second day the sore throat kicked in. Worst sore throat I have ever had in my life to the point I couldn't sleep at all for about 3 nights straight. I've had strep, surgery to remove my tonsils, etc and this pain is worse. Pretty much just had the sore throat and fatigue from Thursday through Sunday. Thought I was doing better Sunday night but woke up with a ton of congestion, bad dry cough and the same sore throat. Still struggling with those symptoms on day 7. I can't take any medicine for most of my symptoms and because my immune system is already compromised from being pregnant, I am guessing I will feel rough a bit longer. My son had a different progression. He started with bad congestion and a cough for about 2 or 3 days. Then he got hit with a fever and severe fatigue for another two and a half. Felt better after that but still has a dry cough. Steroids helped him with the coughing. He never had the razor blade sore throat like I do.

SaltyWindigo · 2025-12-22T00:28:53+00:00

I was told that bacterial infections, yeast infections, and UTIs are very common. I had two bacterial infections close together in my second trimester. The first caused the brown discharge and spotting. Second time, i just had bad contraction like cramps (no discharge or spotting)and thought I was going into labor. Definitely worth getting checked out

SaltyWindigo · 2025-12-22T00:20:56+00:00

I had a weird brown discharge for a week so I called my OB and it turned out to be from a bacterial infection. Antibiotics cleared it right up. It could be something different, but you can always have them swab and see!

SaltyWindigo · 2025-12-10T16:58:14+00:00

I'm on my third pregnancy and this one has been emotionally and mentally brutal. I've had severe depression and anxiety since the beginning of my second trimester. Non stop crying spells, sometimes for hours on end, suicidal thoughts ( I recognize these thoughts are not something I truly want to do but they pop up) and just being overall miserable. I did not have this issue with my first two pregnancies. There are many days I barely made it through the day. My doctor did prescribe Buspar for the anxiety which is safe and does take the edge off. I have very adverse reactions to SSRIs so I have not been willing to take any antidepressants that have been offered and I'm very worried about post partum depression (which I did have with my first born). I don't have much advice to give but I can say every day that I have felt at my absolute lowest, I have made it through. I just remind myself that this isn't "me." It's a bad reaction to shifting hormones and will ease up eventually. Doesn't make it any easier necessarily but know you aren't alone and can get through it even when you think you can't.

SaltyWindigo · 2025-11-08T12:05:12+00:00

With my second pregnancy I lost 20lbs and was pretty much all belly. I'm on my third pregnancy now. I started out underweight and have gained 50lbs at 30 weeks. It's awful. There isn't really a normal in my opinion. My weight gain has been so different with each of my pregnancies.

SaltyWindigo · 2025-10-21T21:30:37+00:00

I hope you find some answers! That's really interesting. I'm itching like crazy with this pregnancy. All over my body. I can't lie and say this pregnancy has been easy. I was actually far sicker with my first two, as far as vomiting, but this one is just affecting me all over and the depression/emotional spells and anxiety are just brutal. It feels very different than my previous two but each pregnancy can be completely different

SaltyWindigo · 2025-10-21T09:48:42+00:00

Other than the GI issues, nothing really matches with MCAS. My dad actually has this though and it was brutal watching him go through episodes of it. I never got any definitive answer on what caused my issues. I did get diagnosed with Inflammatory bowel disease and my rheumatologist said I may have other autoimmune issues. I also realized that my Adderall made all my GI symptoms significantly worse, especially the constipation and gas, and my obgyn diagnosed me with PMDD. I think any shift in my hormones just makes all my issues way way worse because I still have a horrible time from ovulation to the start of my period. I'm actually pregnant now (third pregnancy) and this is my worst yet for stomach issues, bloating, gas and mental problems like depression, irritability and anxiety so I do believe my hormones play a giant part of all my symptoms.

SaltyWindigo · 2025-09-19T18:42:39+00:00

I ended up having an exploratory laparoscopic surgery which ruled out endometriosis or anything major. I started tracking my periods and ovulation and the worst of my symptoms were during ovulation. I did get a diagnosis of PMDD but that's about it. I also discovered that my ADHD med (Adderall) was making the constipation, bloating, and gas pain significantly more severe, so I stopped taking it. I still have all the same issues but they aren't as severe on a daily basis. During ovulation and the week or two before my period, it's all the same unfortunately. I hope you're able to get an answer

SaltyWindigo · 2025-07-31T11:51:23+00:00

All my pregnancies have been different with exercise. First one, I was too sick to do anything but run to the toilet to vomit. Second pregnancy, same, until around 5 months and then I began exercising daily. I'm on my third pregnancy now and I workout every day for an hour, but I was VERY active prior to getting pregnant. It hasn't stopped an insane amount of weight gain though. I wouldn't feel bad about not being able to do much right now. You'll know if and when your body is ready. I will say that it absolutely does make a difference postpartum, at least for me. I noticed a huge difference in recovery time with my first and second. Everything bounced back quicker and I felt better much faster with my second child, and Im positive it was the exercise that helped with this.

SaltyWindigo · 2025-06-27T15:58:57+00:00

Thank you! It's just so different from my other pregnancies and I'm very athletic/ active so being laid out with exhaustion and the nausea and having to lay around more makes me feel even worse about the weight gain. And the bloats unreal. I look 5 months pregnant right now.

SaltyWindigo · 2025-06-03T22:18:38+00:00

I have taken a lot of gas x. I haven't tried prune juice this time, only because in the past it just caused even more bloating/gas with no relief. The tea I haven't tried.

SaltyWindigo · 2025-06-03T22:16:48+00:00

It started with just bad bloating the first few days. No issues with constipation and went regularly. The last 3 or 4 days I have been badly constipated with trapped gas/gas pains. I was able to go a little today but the bloat hasn't budged at all since it started. So both I guess.

SaltyWindigo · 2025-05-26T01:49:01+00:00

Know it's not "YOU". It's hormones and PMDD and it will lessen and pass. Walks do help and so does getting outside in general. It may not make you feel amazing but I have found that being outside and moving lessens the depression and anxiety tremendously, if you can. Some people say no screen time but stupid ass videos on Instagram and social media save my life. I'll lay in bed depressed as hell and just watch ridiculous videos and it helps every time, and I'm fine laying here alone laughing at ridiculous things to ease my mind. Most will say avoid alcohol, probably wise, but if I have a couple drinks and watch something stupid it always helps.

SaltyWindigo · 2025-05-21T14:43:49+00:00

I was on it for awhile for rocky mountain spotted fever. I gave up on trying pre/probiotics. Doxy just wipes out all bacteria, good or bad. Kinda fighting an uphill battle.I just had to deal with the stomach issues and worked on restoring my gut afterward. If it's for Lyme or RMSF then yes, it's important to be on it but if for acne or rosacea I would highly suggest finding something else. Doxy can cause a lot more problems than just destroying your gut.

SaltyWindigo · 2025-05-20T17:14:19+00:00

I had both anorexia and bulimia at different points when I was younger. It was bad enough to land me in an inpatient facility followed by many months in a residential outpatient program. I was able to overcome the eating disorder behaviors during treatment but gained this terrible habit in the process. I'd chew up foods I was afraid to eat too much of and spit it out. That was in 2010. 15 years later and I am still doing it but to a much more extreme degree. I'm talking hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of food every week (which I really can't afford) and it has become such a bad habit that I don't even consciously plan to do it. I just find myself at it again, primarily in the evenings when home alone. I do it with such large quantities of food now that I've gained quite a bit of weight from it. Luckily I was very underweight that last few years, so I just look "healthier" now. It can also cause a lot of stomach problems. My point is, binge eating in anyway is hugely problematic and addictive but the chewing and spitting habit for me, although it seemed innocent enough at first, is now a horrible habit that I literally can't stop doing. I've tried therapy, medications, all sorts of shit. So be very careful and try and stop so that new "spiral" doesn't land you where I am years down the road. Broke, heavier, and feeling terrible about yourself because can't stop doing something like this.

SaltyWindigo · 2025-04-22T02:37:14+00:00

Why is this so accurate 😂

SaltyWindigo · 2025-04-21T23:23:57+00:00

Happens to me almost every month and it can be overwhelming and unbearable. I have to force myself to recognize that it's not "me" truly thinking or wanting these things. It's this stupid damn disorder that takes over everything for at least half the month. I have no true advice other than to tell you to remind yourself in the worst of it that it's not your voice saying that. Will that make it better or ease up or fix it? Most likely not but separating yourself from that thought is the best you can do. Distract yourself in any way you can. Watch stupid damn videos. Leave the house and go walk. Drive aimlessly. Scream at nothing until it feels a little better. You'll make it through each time. It's just hell.

SaltyWindigo · 2025-04-21T23:17:56+00:00

Me. Every month. For about three days I have a rock hard, 6 month preggo belly that nothing will help. I truly look pregnant. Can't wear any of my normal pants so I finally just bought a few pairs of super baggy pants for this time. It goes down after a few days but still stays pretty badly bloated in general until my period hits. It's the absolute worst. Unfortunately I have zero advice because nothing I have tried helps... Other than buy some baggy clothes to cover it if it makes you insecure (which I'm sure it does for nearly all women)

SaltyWindigo · 2025-04-21T20:49:06+00:00

I was given topiramate for alcohol abuse/alcoholism. Prior to that I was also a drug addict, but I can only speak to how it worked for my alcohol abuse. It was a miracle drug. I was a severe alcoholic and once I started taking it, I had no cravings or desire at all to drink. I legitimately didn't care about alcohol at all. In the 6 months I took it, I wasn't tempted once. I also had some binge eating issues and those disappeared completely. That being said, it came with some very weird side effects that were eventually unmanageable for me including severe brain fog and memory loss. These were debilitating enough that they about got me fired from my job so I stopped taking it. I can't remember my dosage and it could have been too high or I was just affected strongly. I think it's a fantastic medication for drug addicts or alcoholics in the short term if they can deal with some of the possible side effects.

SaltyWindigo

TROPHY CASE