Pre Eclampsia support
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Pre Eclampsia support

For Women & their families who have suffered with Pre Eclampsia, Eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and related conditions.
 
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 P.E or not????

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chelle
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Posts : 18
Join date : 2009-04-03
Age : 50
Location : Northern Ireland

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PostSubject: P.E or not????   P.E or not???? EmptyFri 25 Jun 2010, 7:06 pm

This could take a while.
I am 29 weeks pregnant with my 3rd baby. My first two were born at 26 and 30 weeks due to P.E
I was put on labetalol at 13 weeks and in general it has kept my bp very well under control. A couple of weeks ago I noticed a little swelling in my hands, at the same time I developed 1+ protein and sore kidney area, my bp went up very high so I went to the hospital. By the time I got there the bp had come down again. Ever since I've kept 1+, the Dr gave me an antibiotic incase it was an infection but after finishing the course it's still there. I've also been told my urine is very concentrated.
Last Sat/Sun I developed bad swelling in my hands and feet. My fingers were agony and I couldn't even hold a knife and fork. Had my bp checked but it was good so told to go home and keep a close eye. The swelling went mostly down, just left with slight swelling now.
My community midwife came and thought that as I had swelling, 1+, pain in my chest. flashing lights that my labetalol may be masking a problem. Off to hospital again were my bp went very low, so low they got another machine. They done blood tests and said they were all normal.
Went to gp for a bp check a couple of days later and he thinks the protein is worrying and wants to keep a closer eye. I am now so confused. I don't have P.E but seem to have most of the symptoms. I am at the stage now where I just want to ignore everything from now on as I feel like a bit of a hypocondriac (sp). I would just love some straight answers and know what's happening (or likely to be). It's so frustrating when no two health professionals seem to agree. I feel like someone is playing games with my head.
Sorry to moan.
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thaiba2000
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thaiba2000


Posts : 130
Join date : 2009-09-02
Age : 41
Location : Bedfordshire, Luton

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PostSubject: Re: P.E or not????   P.E or not???? EmptySat 26 Jun 2010, 10:03 am

Hey Chelle, welcome to the site Very Happy . You have certainly come to the right place for advice and answers to your questions and im sure you will get them very soon. I too have had PE twice and now am getting prepared for a 3rd however im weighing out all the pros and cons AND seeing a PE specialist before making the final decision.
Liz Pigdley and the other members of this site will give you excellent advice and help you through the rest of your pregnancy.

Take care hon
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Bell
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Bell


Posts : 202
Join date : 2008-05-25

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PostSubject: Re: P.E or not????   P.E or not???? EmptySat 26 Jun 2010, 8:12 pm

Hi Chelle,

Most of the symptoms you have just described are the same as what i had when i was developing PE. I think your care team should be keeping an extra close eye on you considering your past history and the symptoms you've been experiencing. The labetalol could be masking a problem.

Take care and i hope you get the answers and care you need and deserve.

Bell.xx
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jules
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jules


Posts : 183
Join date : 2009-05-30

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PostSubject: Re: P.E or not????   P.E or not???? EmptyMon 28 Jun 2010, 9:34 am

Don't apologise in the slighest for "moaning"; you've had early onset PE twice. You are definitely not a hypochondriac. You deserve support and understanding from your health caer professionals.

I am concerned about your symptoms as they sound like how I felt in the week before PE and diagnosis. As you describe, there was nothing really obviously wrong, but I just didn't feel quite right. When I did develop PE, both myself and my baby went downhill very fast.

I don't want to frighten you (but you know about this disease anyway); just keep in close contact with all your doctors, and don't hesitate to go back in if you start feeling worse, even if you've had normal BP / Protein / lab tests the day before.

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chelle
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Posts : 18
Join date : 2009-04-03
Age : 50
Location : Northern Ireland

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PostSubject: Re: P.E or not????   P.E or not???? EmptyMon 28 Jun 2010, 9:44 am

Thanks for the replies. It actually really helps when people don't tell me to stop worrying everything is fine. Sometimes a bit of honesty is so refreshing. Like one of you have said I have had this awful disease twice. I have lost one son and came close to losing the second through complications of being so early. I feel in my gut that something isn't quite right but am made to feel like I'm going mad. I will keep watching the signs but feel so guilty every time it comes to nothing that I'm scared of doing something silly like waiting too long. One of the midwives even asked me why the community midwife had sent me to them with low bp. I felt like a burden.
We did consider seeing a specialist as Liz recommended it but our nearest one is hundreds of miles away and we just couldn't afford it.
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thaiba2000
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thaiba2000


Posts : 130
Join date : 2009-09-02
Age : 41
Location : Bedfordshire, Luton

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PostSubject: Re: P.E or not????   P.E or not???? EmptyMon 28 Jun 2010, 10:33 am

Hi again Chelle. Im happy that you are getting some relief from what everyones been posting to you. Having had it twice i know very well how you feel about feeling refreshed when people are honest in terms of PE. In my 1st pregnancy i knew nothing about it and everytime i would ask the doctors and midwives they would just kinda dismiss me and carry on doing what theywere doing. Only after i had my son did i realise how serious this condition is. Im so sorry to hear about the son you have lost but im sure he lives on within your heart.

Im seeing my specialist today im so anxious yet so excited! The specialist im seeing is all the way in london which isnt too far, 1 hour 9 mins (according to the AA route finder Wink ) but still is quite a drive from where i live in luton... Plus theres parking and the congestions charge Rolling Eyes

I know sometimes the professionals make you feel like a burden but you mustnt feel like that- this is your pregnancy and you are your own advocate. You have the right to get the best care available especially when you have had the dreaded PE twice and im no doctor BUT with the syptoms you explained it sounds like you might be getting it again. Talk to your doctors and make them listen. With them keeping a close eye on you you yourself will feel at ease and in control.

Take care hon and i hope you get the care you deserve. Keep us updated!

XxXxX
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Bell
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Bell


Posts : 202
Join date : 2008-05-25

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PostSubject: Re: P.E or not????   P.E or not???? EmptyMon 28 Jun 2010, 10:42 am

Hi Chelle,

You are not going mad and don't let any midwife or health care professional make you feel as if you are. Unfortunately some health care professionals try to make you feel as if you are being silly just cause they don't understand what it is like to have PE and you don't have the classic signs ie high BP. They did that to me in my first pregnancy and i was too shy too speak up.

I really believe there is a lack of education on pre eclampsia among midwives and as mums who have experienced it we should speak up and stamp our feet and make them listen. Chances are you know more about pre eclampsia than you midwive.

If you feel something is wrong keep going back to them and make them listen.

Take care
Bell.xx
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jules
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jules


Posts : 183
Join date : 2009-05-30

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PostSubject: Re: P.E or not????   P.E or not???? EmptyMon 28 Jun 2010, 11:35 am

Chelle, its better to have 100 false alarms than one PE death. Take care of you both x
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Liz Pidgley
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Liz Pidgley


Posts : 702
Join date : 2008-04-23

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PostSubject: Re: P.E or not????   P.E or not???? EmptyMon 28 Jun 2010, 11:59 am

Hi Chelle,

Im sorry I havent posted sooner, but it seems the ladies here have already said what I would have!

You are quite right to be concerned because of your history. Your care givers also need to remember the 'emotional' you as well as the 'physical' you.

As Im sure the ladies will have heard me say before - if this child were already here would you still allow that nagging feeling that something isnt right? Probably not. You are likely to be knocking doors until someone hears. Just because your baby isnt in the world yet is no reason to think any differently or allow anyone to think differently of you.

On a practical note - according to the PRECOG guidelines the longest you should go without an appointment now is 2 days. So if you are not getting that - ask...and feel confident in doing that is not against any protocols.

If it helps, you can ask for dipsticks at home to monitor yourself. (Or buy them from your chemist.) Equally, try weighing yourself. Its best to do it at the same times each day & naked. Any sudden weight gain should be reported. (More than 2lbs is significant.)

As Jules has rightly said, it is much better to ask 1000 times than not to ask once & something awful happen.....and any health professional worth their name will tell you the same.

Defend you little one with all your might.....although Im sure you will! (I asl second the 'dont worry about moaning' comment - its what we are here for!)

Good luck & keep us posted. (Hope we hear nice news in about 10 weeks!)
Warm Wishes

Liz




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