| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| KellyB |
Posted - 06/27/2006 : 4:02:09 PM
Hey Guys,
Thank you all so much for the information and support that you've given me over the past few days since the doctor told me the possibility that I could have PE and ordered the 24 hour urine collection. [:)] One of my friends was telling someone about my symptoms and the lady told her to tell me to come here and ask questions and get information, but I'd already joined up! [:D] Just goes to show what a wonderful group you all are.
As of today, I'm STILL waiting on the results of my 24 hour urine collection. It was sent out last Thursday morning and as of this afternoon my OB hasn't received my results yet. I'm frustrated. I'm still having major swelling in my feet and swelling in my hands. I have a very bad, pressureful headache and bad vision still. I'm just concerned, mostly because I bet that everything is okay but PE isn't something that I want to take lightly. When I'd gone to L&D last week because the swelling was so bad and I was getting high BP readings (at the CVS pharmacy machine...not the most reliable, LOL! [:p]) the nurse and resident that I saw didn't even look at my swelling or ask about symptoms. I tried telling them about my headaches and visual disturbances and they didn't listen at all. My BPs were in the safe zone, so I was discharged after three hours. There were two emergency C-sections going on, so they were really, really busy. But, since then I haven't improved - and if anything my swelling has gotten worse.
Would anyone mind telling me what you think of this swelling?? I'm not hot (AC is on and I haven't been outside in days) and I'm not ever on my feet - only a few times a day to go to the bathroom. I'm a SAHW and "Dr. Husband" has me on self-prescribed bed rest, LOL. He's wonderful. [:I] He's also concerned, and I know that he wants answers just as much as I do. Also, when I was at L&D I'm guessing that the dipstick test came back normal b/c they'd taken bloodwork and urine and told me before I was discharged that things looked "okay" but didn't go into any specifics?? Does that mean that my urine collection will be good, too??
(I'll put links to the pics so that I don't gross anyone out...don't worry, these puppies don't smell! [;)])
The swellng right in front of my toes *never* goes away...not even at night. My ankle and lower part of my calf are swollen, too. My ankles go down a tiny bit at night but the foot swelling never does.
http://i4.tinypic.com/15xvbwm.jpg
My feet at their BEST yesterday evening - you can see the sandal marks on them...and I hadn't worn shoes for like 24 hours at this point :( (Where did my skinny ankles go?! LOL!)
http://i4.tinypic.com/15xvjit.jpg
My regular nice-looking leg and foot! ;) (From a garter shot before the wedding! [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v342/brynstars/lol.gif[/IMG] )
http://i3.tinypic.com/15xwb5y.jpg
Thank you all SO much for your opinions. I pray that my OB (who has evening hours) has my urine results tonight. |
| 26 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| missgamecock |
Posted - 06/29/2006 : 9:23:42 PM
I am SOOOOO glad that you are going. Some drs just don't know and are ignorant of the disease. Especially if they don't deal with it very often. Just to let you know, my ob was experienced with PE. However the nurses were not. The day after I had Sara, my ob actually had two other nurses with him and was teaching them how to do the PE checks. Severe pe is just not something that is common. I am glad you went in. |
| Anathor21 |
Posted - 06/29/2006 : 5:37:37 PM
Let us know how it goes - best of luck. I hope that it does turn out to be nothing, but do make the trip worthwhile - be sure that they provide enough information that you and your husband are comfortable with explanation of your symptoms - visual disturbances that you have described here today are not "normal preggo stuff" as far as I've ever heard anyone say! |
| KellyB |
Posted - 06/29/2006 : 5:30:42 PM
Thanks, girls.
I'm looking up directions to another hospital right now. I just need this to be checked out and cleared as normal preggo stuff if that's what it really is. I'm actually not even telling my OB where or that I'm going. I'm going to a different hospital than the one that I'm scheduled to deliver at because they weren't very good last time and I have a feeling that me going back there will just make them treat me the same way again.
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| missgamecock |
Posted - 06/29/2006 : 5:23:33 PM
Go go go go go. This is not normal behavior. Who cares if you have to go to TEN drs as long as you get one that listens to you. You know in your heart this is not normal. Things happen so quickly. My peri on the day I had Sara, took one look at me in the waiting room and said I was done. She didn't like how I looked, she didn't like my pressures, and she wanted Sara out before something bad happened. My ob was waiting for lung maturity as I wanted to deliver at my community hospital with him. Listen to yourself and trust your instincts. They will not guide you wrong. Please update when you can. |
| Anathor21 |
Posted - 06/29/2006 : 4:44:28 PM
Your vision as you are describing it is NOT normal.
I really think you should get it checked out - I'm quite serious and believe me I am not one to jump on this sort of "get thee to the hospital" sort of bandwagon easily.
You may be experiencing a bad migraine - or it may be something much more serious. The consequences of going into the hospital and getting checked out for a migraine are really not much - the consequences of NOT getting checked out if this headache and visual disturbance is a result of brain swelling could be terrible for you and your baby. It is impossible for anyone (especially us non-doctor types) to tell based on reading messages or even by talking on the phone with you what is going on with your head... however, what you are describing does not sound good.
I really suggest that you call your husband, explain what is going on and get him to take you to the hospital. When you get there, explain as calmly as you can what you are seeing visually, how your head has been feeling, etc. Tell them that you are concerned that these are all symptoms of PE and that you would like a full evaluation to insure that both you and your baby are really ok.
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| Season |
Posted - 06/29/2006 : 4:43:30 PM
Your doctors behavior, in my experience, is not normal. Your symptoms are quite concerning. the swelling plus headaches could be VERY serious. Go to L&D without calling your doctor first. Find someone who will listen to you. |
| holliadrienne |
Posted - 06/29/2006 : 4:43:21 PM
kelly...
yes august 5th is a great day to deliver but my gyn says i will not make it that far, which at this point is somewhat of a relief to me as i am miserable:)...and yes this is my first child also
yes, my gyn diagnosed me with pre-e, and then diagnosed me with pih, and then pre-e again...who knows really, but as much as i don't like the office i am going to i am at least pretty confident in their medical ability and they are taking me serious...i have been on bedrest since june 9th and they are seeing me twice weekly. As frustrated as i get with them sometimes, they honestly are being proactive...
what has your bp been like in the office?
my dr's take my symptoms seriously, and if i had told them about the vision problems you have or the rt sided shoulder pain they would have landed me right back to my familiar room in L&D with the lab team waiting to draw my blood,
i wish your dr would take you more seriously! if you can't talk to the dr, see if there is an office manager you can talk to at the office, are there any other dr's you can go to?
keep us informed, thinking about you[^]
holli
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| KellyB |
Posted - 06/29/2006 : 4:15:55 PM
Thanks, guys.
I'm really frustrated with this doctor - and to make matters worse, this is the second OB that I've seen during my pregnancy. The first one was a group of 8 doctors in the practice and they came highly recommended. Some were great, but there were a few that were really not very kind. One even refused to let my husband hear our baby's HB for more than about 3 seconds on the first visit that my husband attended with me...and of course Ed told the doctor that he'd like to hear it again and the doctor acted aggravated. Plus, they dropped my insurance network and didn't tell me, so I started getting all of these bills and then switched to my current OB who is alone in her practice (thought that I'd get more personal attention and get to know her better this way) and she's in-network.
Basically, she goes by the test results and not my symptoms. The nurse told me that she was satisfied with the test results b/c I'd been tested and then also checked out at L&D the other week...BUT, all the nurse and resident did in L&D was take some pressures and my temperature. They never listened to me about my symptoms or even looked at my swelling. I was feeling so sick and they discharged me. They didn't even take my temp until the very end and left an IV needle in my hand - without an IV hooked up to it - just in case I needed BP meds. The nurse didn't want to draw blood AND insert the IV, so she did it from the same hand (through the IV) to "save me the trouble" although I told her that it didn't matter...I'm not medically squeamish or nervous around needles at all. So I was laying there in a bed for three hours with an IV attaching to NOTHING sticking out of my arm. Sorry for that rant. [;)]
Is this normal behavior for doctors?? This is my first pregnancy and it's just been difficult from the get-go...I had terrible all-day long morning sickness for the first five months where sometimes I'd throw up 8 times a day. It was horrendous. God bless that wonderful two month grace period in the middle, LOL! [:D] I just don't know if this headache is normal or not. My vision hasn't improved and that's what worries me the most. It was like this since I woke up...I feel like I haven't been "awake" all day?? |
| Corinne |
Posted - 06/29/2006 : 2:50:04 PM
Wow that is some major swelling. My doc said its something to worry about if it doesn't go down. |
| Anathor21 |
Posted - 06/29/2006 : 2:24:03 PM
I hope you have taken Sabrina's suggestion to head into L&D - better yet, get your husband to take you in (it sounds to me like you are in no condition to be driving with that headache!).
Serously - it seems to me that you really need to be checked out. I'm not a doctor or medical professional of any sort, but what you are describing sounds quite bad to me and very consistent with the way others have described nasty PE symptoms. It is best to take these things seriously and get them checked out.
Please do let us know how things work out whatever you decide... I know I'm not the only one who will be wondering and watching for updates until we see your next posts... |
| missgamecock |
Posted - 06/29/2006 : 2:10:21 PM
YOUR DR REFUSES TO SEE OR TALK TO YOU TILL YOUR NEXT APPT??????? If it were me, I would be finding me a new doc. My dr was NEVER like that and even now that I am not an OB patient anymore doesn't do that. In fact, I didn't want to bother him with my gyn issues. In January I landed in the ER because of it. Course they called him at home and he told the ER to tell me that I was to call him ASAP at the office the next morning, he wanted me to call him, and he was waiting for me to call him. He also gave them directions for treatment. If it hadn't of been after 5pm, that nurse and ER dr would have had me calling him from the treatment room in the ER. In fact when I did see him the next day (he had already arranged for an appt), he told me to CALL him if I had ANY question, concern, or issue. Even if I was out of town.
It really concerns me that your dr doesn't want to hear from you while you are having these problems. My dr and the mw that worked for him told me they have their parameters, but only I could tell them if I felt really sick. I was to call for anything. I usually didn't as I didn't want to bother him (boy has that mindset changed). They usually let me know that they were irritated that I hadn't called.
Now that I think about it, couldn't what your dr is saying being constituted as abandonment???? I'm not trying to be overdramatic, but I really think you need a new doc. Course I am not a dr or anything, just someone who has btdt. Please keep going to L&D if you feel sick. Things turn so quickly. When I had my first I was totally fine when my dh left the hospital at 9pm. By 12am I was deathly ill. Don't worry if they laugh at you. Better to laugh at you a thousand times then to have a baby die or you get sick or die. Please keep an eye on yourself and let us know how youa re doing. |
| KellyB |
Posted - 06/29/2006 : 1:46:52 PM
Hi Holli!
Congrats on your pregnancy...August 5 is a great day to deliver! [:D] That's so neat to meet someone else due on the same day! I know a few women due in August but all near the end. Did your doctor diagnose you with PE? I'm talking to my husband tonight about getting a home BP monitor. One of my nurse friends recommended it and my doctor has basically refused to see me for another appointment or even talk to me on the phone until my next regular prenatal appointment, which is on July 11th. Today I can actually barely get on the computer (but I'm renewing my husband's driver's license online, so I wanted to get that done, LOL) because my headache is the worst that it's been. I woke up feeling like I was going to puke - but that it was coming from my head?? It just hasn't let up and my vision is incredibly bad. It's like there's a bright light in front of everything and I can't open up my eyes. I just can't believe that pain.
How has your pregnancy been going? You're expecting your first, as well, right? August can't get here soon enough! [:)] |
| holliadrienne |
Posted - 06/28/2006 : 7:19:38 PM
kelly -
i am due the same day as you! :) congrats on getting this far...
my feet look exactly like yours, and it is unbearbable...all i was going to say is that a home bp monitor would be a great thing to have. Knowing i can keep a close watch on my bp gives me some sort of feeling of control over all this and it has came in handy more than once...
i check my bp at least 3 times daily, and in the last few days it has really been shooting up and i don't feel any differently at all, which is scary. not trying to scare you, but it could be a good idea...plus it helps to be able to tell my GYN what my bp's have been doing...
thinking of you! are you on bed rest?
holli |
| KellyB |
Posted - 06/28/2006 : 3:06:41 PM
Hey Guys!
Thanks. I had a hard time last night because my headache still won't go away and neither will the swelling. I called my OB back and didn't even get to speak with her. I was on hold for a long time and then the nurse said, "The doctor said that your results were fine" and I told her that I'd already known that but that I had questions. The nurse called me back about an hour later (she'd told me that the doctor would call me back, which frustrated me when she didn't) and just gave me the same info that they keep giving me - cut out salt, rest, drink lots of fluids and take Tylenol Cold & Sinus for my headache since apparantly "lots of women in the area are having sinus problems". It was frustrating.
I'm thinking of getting a home BP monitor and monitoring it myself. |
| Michigan |
Posted - 06/28/2006 : 2:55:05 PM
Not that this is happening to you, but....
My feet looked like yours when I had baby #1 three years ago--it was almost umbearable. I had perfect BP and no Preeclampsia. I hounded my doctor, and test after test came back no PE. I literally thought my skin was going to rip on my feet because the swelling was so bad! I tried Ice-foot bathes, feet up the wall, foot massages, and nothing helped. I had hands and feet sweeling from about 28 weeks right through delivery, and it was progressively worse each week!
Now, today I have PE with baby #2, and guess what?...I have almost none of the swelling (at least not like before)! Go figure. |
| missgamecock |
Posted - 06/28/2006 : 06:51:12 AM
Hey I had the same thing happen to me in the bathtub. I always felt a little better too. I have a clawfoot tub that you can soak in.
My ob's office did the same thing when I came in for my pp appt. They were like WOW. They couldn't believe that I had lost so much weight. Comes off fast for me both times. |
| Laura |
Posted - 06/28/2006 : 01:00:53 AM
ooh, yeah, salt. I also had the blessing of finding out that I am salt sensitive through my pregnancies and any processed/salty foods would cause me to have an appreciable change in swelling. It might be worth a shot to pay attention to if you swell more with salty stuff or not, so you are aware if it is a factor. |
| Laura |
Posted - 06/28/2006 : 12:59:17 AM
Swimming, too. I used to wonder why I'd have to get up and go tinkle everytime I soaked in the bath when pregnant- turns out the pressure from the water helps push some of that fluid back into your circulatory system so you can void it out. 'Supposed to work only in full body immersion like a swimming pool, but it would work for me in the tub.
I sure would be uncomfortable with that kind of swelling- it might help to bring in the pre-pregnancy leg photos in so they can compare. I swear they think it just chub- my doc did a double take when I came in for my postpartum appt looking svelte(er than I had been, any way)
Did you call your doc and ask about it? |
| Season |
Posted - 06/28/2006 : 12:08:23 AM
Extreme swelling can be so uncomfortable, whether you have high protein or not, I hope you cna ginfd some releif for you feet/legs. I had a friend that had severe swelling in all her pregnancies. She found that wearing support hose made a huge difference. When she wore them she had little to no swelling; without them her entire leg would be extremely swollen. |
| Kara |
Posted - 06/27/2006 : 8:47:12 PM
I agree with the other gals. Call back the OB and ask what the actual number is for your 24 hour. Unlesss you have a pre-existing kidney problem there shouldn't be any protein. So if there is some there is cause for concern and more careful attention. 300 is the cutoff for what they will consider a pre-e diagnosis, but numbers less can mean you are on your way....and things can change in only a matter of hours.
Considering that 24 hour was taken on Thurday, your numbers could be much higher now. If you do have some protein I would request to have a nother 24 hour done and to have blood work done. Also, ask if you can have the test sent somewhere that can get results faster (typically a hospital can do these prono).
The swelling isn't so much a concern, because you have it all the time. If it appears in your face , particularly in the AM then I would be calling. But your headache and vision is VERY concerning and SO is the shoulder blade pain. My epigassstric pain felt like heartburn behind the sternum radiating back between my shoulder blades and I was delivered 48 hour later. Please keep nagging them!
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| sweetiesuzy |
Posted - 06/27/2006 : 8:30:39 PM
I have been thinking of you. I would specifically request what your 24 hour urine number was. The headache you have been describing has me concerned. I just had that "headache" and was delivered within 24 hours. Please make them understand how you are really feeling.
Hugs, |
| missgamecock |
Posted - 06/27/2006 : 6:40:01 PM
OMG that swelling looked like MINE! Flashbacks here. WOW, I had forgotten what that is like. Call asap if you feel sick or off. |
| AlexP |
Posted - 06/27/2006 : 6:34:01 PM
Hi Kelly,
Your ankle pictures gave me flashbacks, LOL! [;)]
All joking aside, based on my own experience (I am not a doctor or other expert, of course) I'd be concerned about the swelling, headaches and right shoulder blade pain you are experiencing - those were the symptoms that landed me in the hospital...I had severe PE and HELLP, but my 24 hour urine numbers were either right on the brink of PE (300 mg is the cutoff number) or right under it everytime I was checked.
Do you know the exact number from the 24 hour urine? Also, do you have a home bp monitor? Have you had a PIH panel (bloodwork) done?
We typically consider a "headache that won't go away with tylenol" a pretty scary sign around here, as this kind of headache can be associated with the threat of eclampsia. And pain in the shoulder blade area, on the right side, can mean a woman is having the liver problems associated with HELLP syndrome.
If it were me, I'd call the doc's office back or perhaps just go back on in to L&D.
Please keep us posted - I'll be thinking about you! |
| KellyB |
Posted - 06/27/2006 : 5:55:02 PM
Thanks, guys!
The swelling is the same all day long pretty much. The sides of my feel are less swollen when I wake up, but my ankles and the top of my foot stays huge and has been for over a week now.
I just actually got a message from my doctor that said my 24 hour urine collection has come back "fine". [:D] I'm very relieved about that!!!! But now I don't know what to think, because I continue to have swelling and I have a headache so bad today that I can barely open up my eyes and Tylenol isn't helping. I also have a pain in my right shoulder blade area...but I don't think that's related. Just another thing, haha! |
| Kara |
Posted - 06/27/2006 : 5:14:21 PM
Kelly,
Sorry your getting the run around. Is your swelling worse in the morning, or is it the same all day. Do you have swelling in the face (lips, eyelids)? How about the hands?
The visual disturbances and headache scare me the most though. I would call L&D and ask for the actual numbers of any tests they ran and then call your OB and have them explain what is safe, borderline, and cause for immediate concern. If you keep bugging them, you will eventually get some results.
About the bedrest, I would talk to the OB about that. Some experts, even some on our expert panel, do not reccommend bedrest for all pre-e patients. Moving around may help remove some of the fluid...BUT THIS SHOULD BE DECIDED BY YOUR OB, I am not a doctor.
Lastly, can you call a Perinatologist to discuss your concerns? Tell them your OB thinks it is PRE-e, but your not getting answers, or attention that you think you should. Many OB's just don't have the education or experience with Pre-e to know what to do and what not to do.
Keep us posted!
Kara |
| jrmerritt |
Posted - 06/27/2006 : 4:54:05 PM
Does your Dr. have a BP limit that you have to reach in order to go to L&D? Mine was 160/110. With your visual disturbances, and high BP you should really call your Dr. Tell them you are worried about the swelling and the other symptoms. Maybe your Dr. could go over your blood work results with you and explain to you what it needs to be before they take any action. Have you gained any weight? You need to watch for sudden weight gains. Also the best advice I can give you if your Dr. (or L&D) doesn't seem to care is to keep on them. PE can come on so quickly. Never let them just brush you aside. Also try to stay off of your feet as much as possible. I know when I was on bedrest and would go for my appts. my legs and feet would swell up like balloons. I hope you get to feeling better. Let us know how things go. |
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