I gave birth to my third child 4 months ago. When she was 2 months old, I started feeling achiness in my upper and lower arms. This feeling comes and goes randomly throughout the day. I also sometimes get a feeling of warmth all over my chest. In addition, I feel a lump in my throat that also comes and goes randomly. The achiness feels like PMS, and I wouldn't be so concerned about it, except that it doesn't happen during PMS (it happens all the time). I first called my OB-GYN, who told me that I am past the postpartum mark and need to see my general practitioner. My general practitioner checked my thyroid, but my test came out normal. I read about hyperthyroid symptoms, and I had many of them. I have high anxiety / panic. I am restless, and I don't enjoy the simple things that I used to enjoy, such as having lunch with good friends. I cry all the time. ALL THE TIME. I am overcome with a sense of overwhelming sadness. I went to three general practitioners (I swore that I just had to be hyperthyroid! I just wanted to find some kind of answer!), and they each gave me a thyroid test that all came out normal. I even went to an acupuncturist and paid a fortune (my insurance doesn't cover acupuncture), and my acupuncturist says it's not my thyroid. I went to an ENT to find out why I had a "lump in throat" feeling, and he thinks I have acid reflux. He prescribed meds for it, but I am reluctant to take any medications, even for my anxiety. (My husband takes Zoloft, and he encourages me to take it, as it helps him.)

I don't want to take meds unnecessarily. My OB-GYN had put me on antibiotics before I gave birth in March (I was going into pre-term labor). She put me on antibiotics during delivery (I tested positive for Group B Strep and had another child who developed Meningitis from it). I ended up getting an infection in my C-section incision, and she put me on MORE antibiotics! I really believe this is what screwed up my stomach and is giving me acid reflux problems!

I also went to a neurologist, who thinks I have carpel tunnel (I am an editor for a hi-tech company, and I am on the computer all day). He checked me thoroughly and told me that he is concerned that my "reflexes were too quick." So now he wants me to do an MRI. My husband thinks I should do the MRI, but I have anxiety and do not want to do it. Besides, an MRI is very expensive, and insurance does not cover all of the costs. Could the achiness in my arms be from a hormone imbalance?

I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight, I speed walk on the treadmill every day, and I eat very well. I also take Dr. Wallach's vitamins and minerals, Natural Calm (a magnesium supplement), and herbs from my acupuncturist. I heard that a magnesium/calcium/zinc supplement helps achiness in the arms. Has anyone ever tried this? If so, what brand supplement? I just want to feel normal again. I don't trust my doctors, and I feel as if all these medications (antibiotics) and unnecessary tests are doing more harm than good.

One more thing, I am pretty sure I have postpartum depression, and I started reading The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. It's a great book, and his "be in the now" technique really work with my anxiety, but I still feel an overwhelming sadness. Thanks for listening and for any advice you can give me.