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mom29
Senior Member
USA
1251 Posts |
 Posted - 03/09/2010 : 2:54:53 PM
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| How did your last appointment go? |
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brandib
Junior Member
US
268 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2010 : 8:02:28 PM
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Oh geez.......where do I begin!!! Well, you know I'm seeing a 'fellow.' She was one of the docs I saw with that crisis in January. She remembered the situation and from now on I'll be seeing her. With all that said, I am floored at the mfm's attitudes so far. My BP was 130/100 at the office and decreased fetal movement so they did a NST. I landed in L & D all day and just got home :0( They had us on the monitor for over an hour and the baby wasn't reacting very well, so they brought in the ultrasound machine, but said said everything looked okay and finally let me go home. They upped my Labetalol to 400mg THREE times a day plus still on the Norvasc. As far as all the spots, flashing lights, hyperreflexes, crazy visual disturbances, HORRIBLE headaches,......she still thinks its migraine related because I'm not spilling protein in my dips :0( She said and I quote " I'm pretty sure these headaches and visual disturbances are either from high blood pressure or migraines." WHAT????? NO DUH!!!! It's high BP!!!!! So, I also had to keep a log of my pressures and the MFM looked at it and told the fellow ..." wow, she's right. Her head does hurt the worst when her blood pressure is high." NO DUH! I'VE ONLY BEEN GOING THROUGH THIS FOR MONTHS NOW AND WEEKLY VISITS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME THINGS!!!!!!!! They said that the goal is to keep me pregnant as long as possible and only "massive amounts of protein would push delivery." I have another appt on Tuesday and an ultrasound the same day. I told them that the Neurologist said that Lebetelol itself is a migraine medecine and I'm on another migraine pill ( I don't take that often because it knocks me out.) SO, she wrote a perscription for a new migraine medecine and said " hopefully this will give you some relief." Also, she noted my face being swollen and my hands and legs and another 8lb weight gain on top of bad diarreah, sorry,.....and still no new labs or 24hr urines or anything. I still get " wow her blood pressure is too high " and " it must be migraines." They explained to me that migraines cause all the same symptoms of preeclampsia minus the protein so since I don't have the protein.....guess what....it must be migraines.
UGH------ I just feel like something terrible is gonna happen. My BP right now is 150/106, but I just took my first dose of 400 Lebetelol instead of 200, so I'm sure it will be down soon. I know it sounds selfish because I don't want my baby to have a long Nicu stay or anything....but I'm getting scared to stay pregnant. I have this horrible feeling that somethings gonna happen......the mfm told me that " awwww, pregnancy can be so miserable. I love your skirt though." Oh yeah, she also told me that she's fine with my pressures being 140-150/100. I have to call in if I sustain a 160/110 for an hour!!!!!!!!
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mom29
Senior Member
USA
1251 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2010 : 8:48:10 PM
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Hmmm...maybe between the higher dose of labetalol and the migraine meds. you will start feeling better. I get migraines when I'm not pregnant and also got them during almost my entire pregnancy last time. The ones during that pregnancy were different (I don't why I didn't remember this when we talked on the phone) in that I had a lot of visual disturbances ~ black spots, no peripheral vision, slurred speech, and an headache all over, not just over one eye.
I'm not saying you are having migraines, but I am hopeful the migraine med. will still help anyway. The swelling and 8 pound weight gain would concern me. Was the MFM overseeing the fellow the one you told me about on the phone? L
I'd still call in when you hit 160/110 even if it's not for quite an hour. If the increased labetalol doesn't keep your bp down, call the on call doctor after office hours because someone will eventually order new labs and a 24 hour because of your symptoms. Be sure to give detailed information ~ swelling , 8# weight gain, headaches, and your previous history.
I know it's hard to advocate for yourself and I would be frustrated and worried if I had all those symptoms. Maybe next time you can ask the fellow for more labs & a 24 hour just to put your mind at ease. How did they explain away the swelling and weight gain? |
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brandib
Junior Member
US
268 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2010 : 9:07:05 PM
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| Judy, yes it was the same Mfm--L---. They didn't explain the swelling or the weight gain. I totally forgot to ask about the pager number!!! If these are migraines.....I just can't imagine. I know one thing, I took 400mg of Lebetelol at 7:30pm and now it's 9:00pm and I'm still 150/100. I was laying down in bed and told my husband that my head was hurting reallllly bad all of a sudden ( we were both kinda scared that 400 was gonna bottom me out) when I checked my pressure and couldn't believe it was still 150/100. The fellow that I'm seeing said that she'll order another 24hr urine when I dip protein.....so we'll see what happens. |
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brandib
Junior Member
US
268 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2010 : 11:06:23 PM
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| My body still continues to shock me-----Me and my husband have been in bed now for over an hour ( just talking about the events of the day and our two children and such) and I started seeing yellow lights. I mean, taxi cab yellow solid lights and I've never seen those before, so I took my pressure and I'm still at 152/98.....How in the world???? I just took 400mg of Lebetalol at 7:30. All I've done is play "The Lady Bug Game" with my daughter which just consists of moving little lady bugs and put my kids to bed and climb in bed myself. This is crazy! Lets not get started on the headache :0( But what do I do? I'm not at my call in numbers and my docs are fully aware of the symptoms minus the new yellow lights and I just left L & D not even six hours ago......so here I am. Again. |
Edited by - brandib on 03/09/2010 11:08:21 PM |
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Jamilyn
Junior Member
USA
424 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2010 : 11:14:08 PM
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| My explanation from my Peri is that the BP meds wont mask the PE or push your BP's really low it will just help out where it wont spike as high until well it just doesn't work anymore. I would def be worried with all of that going on still and you on BP meds. I'm sorry I havent been able to follow everything going on but how far along are you? |
Jamilyn
Dallin 10/9/01-10/16/01 (born at 27 weeks due to severe Eclampsia & HELLP) (admitted & diagnosed 4 days before Eclamptic seizure)
So Small, So Sweet, So Soon
Stratton - 4/27/05 (my miracle baby born at 35 weeks due to PIH & preeclampsia after 5 weeks of full bed rest. In NICU for only 11 days!!!!)
Anthon - 11/12/09 - Born into the arms of the Angels (25 weeks gestation after almost 15 weeks of bed rest) Pre-Eclampsia, HELLP and Complete Placenta Abruption
http://2angelsandamiracle.blogspot.com/ |
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brandib
Junior Member
US
268 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2010 : 11:23:04 PM
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28 weeks exactly-------I've been having serious BP issues since mid-January and serious visual issues for about 4 weeks now.....headaches have been since about January I think.
Edited to say---I started on Labetalol 50mg twice a day, then 100 twice a day, then 100 three times a day, then 200 twice a day, then 200, 200, 50 PLUS Norvasc 5mg, then 200, 200, 100, then 200three times a day and Now I'm at 400mg three times a day and Norvasc. |
Edited by - brandib on 03/09/2010 11:25:57 PM |
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glimmer
Junior Member
US
144 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2010 : 12:32:18 AM
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| Hi Brandib - your symptoms are scary and your BP very high given the meds you are on. Could you ask for a second opinion or go to the L&D of another hospital? |
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Jamilyn
Junior Member
USA
424 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2010 : 03:35:24 AM
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Brandi I am sorry but your numbers and stuff are scary to me. I know everyone is different but those BP numbers just arent ok from what ive heard my dr say and i cant believe your dr is saying to wait till they get worse... My numbers werent that high and i was admitted into the hospital on bedrest (after already being on bedrest at home for 8 weeks at that point) i was 23 weeks when admitted.
do you have a good hospital near you? if so id be going in and asking to be monitored for awhile and even have a 24 hour urine ran while you were there. when it comes to this disease you can never be to careful and it can act so quickly. I had no protein in my urine the day before i ended up spilling a plus 2 (with my 3rd) and the afternoon before i started a 24 hour urine that came back at 3000 i only had a trace in my dip at the drs office.
take care and i really hope you can get the answers you need. |
Jamilyn
Dallin 10/9/01-10/16/01 (born at 27 weeks due to severe Eclampsia & HELLP) (admitted & diagnosed 4 days before Eclamptic seizure)
So Small, So Sweet, So Soon
Stratton - 4/27/05 (my miracle baby born at 35 weeks due to PIH & preeclampsia after 5 weeks of full bed rest. In NICU for only 11 days!!!!)
Anthon - 11/12/09 - Born into the arms of the Angels (25 weeks gestation after almost 15 weeks of bed rest) Pre-Eclampsia, HELLP and Complete Placenta Abruption
http://2angelsandamiracle.blogspot.com/ |
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mom29
Senior Member
USA
1251 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2010 : 04:08:35 AM
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I'm probably remembering this incorrectly...but doesn't hellp syndrome present the same with the exception of not spilling protein? Caryn?
Considering your new symptoms of yellow flashing lights I would call the on-call doctor and ask why the increased labetalol is not bringing your pressure down more, and why you are swelling and gaining 8#'s a week. Tell them you had HELLP syndrome with a previous pregnancy and are concerned about that.
I guess I'd want a neurologist to confirm that these are not migraines. I understand why you are hesitant to call after just coming home from L&D, but until your questions are answered you aren't going to be comfortable. Can your husband call and ask for more lab work to be done to rule out hellp and for a neurology consult to make sure it isn't migraines you are experiencing? What you've said about Dr. L isn't inspiring any confidence, which is why I'm saying to call the on-call doctor. Hopefully you would get a doctor that will order some labs. |
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alexa5
Advanced Member
US
552 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2010 : 08:31:27 AM
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Your situation continues to frustrate me to no end! I just don't agree with your doctors. I know I am not a doc, but the fact that they are so reliant on waiting on protein baffles me. You have really high bp a lot of the time--on meds. That alone can be diagnostic for pre-eclampsia. And like I have already told you, in my case I didn't have any of the symptoms you are having in regard to vision/headaches, all I had was high pressures similar to yours and a little higher. I did have a bit of protein, but they never mentioned that as the reason why they considered me severe pre-e. More than once they told me my pressures were the reason they considered me severe pre-e, and they said more than once that my labs were not all that bad.
I went to a teaching hospital for my delivery since it was before 34 weeks, and all I can say is that I appreciate we need to teach residents and all, but I wouldn't trust one of them to be in charge of my care. I would only trust an attending or some other doc that has practiced for several years. |
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love_the_daschies
Advanced Member
US
859 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2010 : 09:09:27 AM
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Just a note on teaching hospitals - even though the fellows are in training they are practiced in OB already - plus they have an experienced attending overseeing absolutely EVERYTHING they do & say. Which kinda makes this situation even more baffling.
I am considered a chronic and BPs of 150s/100s would have me delivered. I agree with Alexa on how this situation is just so frustrating. Can you go to a different MFM?
I mean, I can totally understand them not wanting to deliver you yet at 28 weeks - that is a long and hard road in the NICU - but I am very surprised they do not want to monitor you more closely or admit you for closer hospital observation. |
Jamie - 28 - CHTN, asthma
Hubby - 31
Mom to Vincent ~ b/d 4-29-09 @ 22.5 wks due to severe superimposed PE. * I miss you little boy *
Little Lou - 3/30/10 - 4 lbs 11 ounces and 18 inches @ 36 weeks 4 days(GD, superimposed PE)
http://definingme-ramblingsofaneurotic.blogspot.com/
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atvlady
Advanced Member
US
958 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2010 : 09:49:52 AM
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| I would go to L&D in the express lane. Seems like to me with your pressure's that high you don't have time to wait to see another MFM. Along with the visuals and headaches. |
Delissa(37, Hashimoto's, NAFLD and Diverticulitis. Possible Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. Tested positive for LA while pregnant.) Hubby(44)
#1 Rissa-Janelle "Darren" King born 6-6-09 10:33 p.m. passed 6-6-09 11:53 p.m. 20+1, 192 grams (6.8 ounces), 9 inches long. She was the size of a Barbie doll but a tad bit bigger. Severe PIH, severe Preeclampsia and severe HELLP.
TTC #2 Now! |
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mom29
Senior Member
USA
1251 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2010 : 10:16:04 AM
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How are you feeling this morning?
I'd call and tell the secretary you have a previous history of hellp syndrome, your bp is still going over 152/98 on 400 mg. of labetalol 3x's a day, you are swelling a lot, gaining 8# a week, have massive headaches, visual disturbances and Dr. L is not explaining why you are continuing to swell and gain weight. Tell her you do not want to see Dr. L (at least this is what I am getting from your posts). Give the secretary LOTS of information so she sees your legitimate reason for wanting a different MFM to oversee your care.
I am truly surprised about this Dr. L not answering all your questions. For those of you who may not have followed all Brandi's posts from the beginning, she was going to another hospital in our area and when her symptoms were ignored a few of us here highly encouraged her to go the hospital she is currently going to. Three of us here had great doctors at this hospital and I never would have thought she'd get a doctor who isn't answering her questions and taking her concerns seriously enough.
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Ilovesweetpea
Junior Member
US
283 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2010 : 10:32:36 AM
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Geez... and I thought MY doctors were laid back. This is crazy. They are so hung up on whether or not you are spilling protein. Your other symptoms and high bps alone warrant hospital bedrest I would think. You're obviously very sick - protein or no protein. I don't get it! Do you feel that they don't believe you about your symptoms or something? Well... you can't make up or fake high bps!!
I'm so frustrated for you. I'm so sorry you have to fight hard just to get listened to. I hope someone "hears" you soon!! ((((HUGS)))) Please keep speaking up, even though I know you must be exhausted and disheartened with their responses so far. |
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alexa5
Advanced Member
US
552 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2010 : 10:35:25 AM
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I agree with Judy. I also want to add that if you have a GP that you have a relationship with and feel comfortable with...perhaps you could engage their help in the situation. Maybe they could help you find the care you need. I only throw that out because my OB is a family practitioner....so even when I was transferred to the teaching hospital out of his care because of early delivery, he is the first person I turned to for help when I needed support in a medical situation.
But please try to get someone to listen to you.
Jamie: re: the residents in OB... I agree they do have experience. I guess in my case I just wasn't getting consistent information from the "team" as they called it, so didn't have a huge respect for any of the residents in general. That said, it doesn't mean that none of them were qualified. I just didn't feel I could completely rely or trust any of them to provide the personal care I would have preferred. |
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brandib
Junior Member
US
268 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2010 : 11:45:56 AM
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Hello all. Thank you so much for the concern! I assure you, it really means a lot to me. To answer some questions---I am at a good hospital, I am seeing a fellow for the rest of the pregnancy and Dr.L just so happened to be the MFM that was overseeing again yesterday. They know of my first pregnancy with severe pe and hellp, they knew my second was induced at 36 weeks because of PE, BUT--- they are so caught up on the fact that I've had migraines since I was thirteen, that they just keep saying thats what it is. I did see a neurologist a few times and he said my pressures were way to high for someone my age, even if I was chronic----which I'm not. Dr.M who is the fellow that I am seeing told me yesterday that she just got my medical records and they are as thick as a phonebook and she'll be going over them this week before my next appt on Tuesday. I'm on lebetelol which is itself migraine medecine and I'm on another migraine pill SO--- I don't know how long they can continue to blame this on migraines. I was up to 250 protein, but the last 24hr it came down to 189.
sweetpea----They do sometimes act as though I'm making this stuff up, which just makes me more hesitant to tell them things, but I always tell them because I'm so scared something bad is gonna happen, which, I also told my doctor that yesterday. I have this feeling that all is going downhill fast.
I woke up today at 148/94----not feeling well of course.
The only thing that the docs are concerned about is my high pressures and said that they are gonna ultrasound my kidney's because some reallly rare things like tumors on the kidneys and such can cause very high pressures and the MFM said that my pressures are tooo high for someone my age Chronic or Pih. What I'm hoping is now that I'm on this Imitrex for migraines, if it doesn't take away all these neuro symptoms then I'm assuming they will finally put together the fact that it's PE , not migraines. Now-----the confusing thing is my doc said " it's either high BP or migraines" that is causing the symptoms......so she didn't seen concerned even if it's the high BP----which it is :0( They said that if this dose of Lebetelol and Norvasc doesn't work, they'll move to yet another medication. I would think if all this can't keep my pressures down, they would deliver me....but nope. The very strange thing is this-------I was deliverd with my first when my BP had been hovering around 150's/90's and spiked to 163/114-----then with my second, when it hit 147/97 I was sent to L & D to not leave pregnant! I'm just floored at this. Now I feel terrible for leaving my doc that saw me through my first two---he'd probably have me admitted already if not delivered :0(
Oh, and btw----Dr.M also said she wanted to get me to 39 weeks when my eyes bugged out of my head and It old her again that I was delivered at 37 and 36 with my other two......and thats when she told me that she won't push delivery until I spill massive amounts of protein. So one of two things is gonna happen------a crisis, or, I'll get as sick as I did with my first and then I'll be delivered really fast! I am scared about the "third trimester blood pressure rise" that I've heard of. |
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Trish
Ask the Experienced Moderator
2560 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2010 : 12:12:30 PM
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I'm sorry you are still having such high pressures & bad headaches. One thing, with my first I was delivered immediately (at 37 weeks) when my BP was like 150/100 and I complained of URQ pain. With my 2nd my BP got to 140's/90's pretty often & occasionally higher before I was delivered at 38 weeks. Then I was diagnosed chronic before #3 and with her I'd have 160/105 at an appt & my OB barely blinked & just said well we probably should increase your BP meds. So each pregnancy is different & especially if they think you are chronic they let you run higher BP's than other people.
I'm sure your Dr's are trying to keep you pregnant as long as possible since you are still only just 28 weeks now. Since no tests have shown it's PE related they have to assume it's migraines & continue to try and treat those. Being in pain *can* and will cause your BP to be higher even on BP meds. I just had kidney stones last week & even though I'm on 3 BP meds my BP was 168/102 at the ER. And being scared and anxious (justifiably!!) about yours & baby's health doesn't help BP either.
I hope you find some relief soon. Hang in there! (((HUGS))) |
Trish: Mommy to 3 little Princesses
Elizabeth 11/6/03, 6 lbs 13 oz @ 37 weeks for PE
Katie 4/14/05, 6 lbs 6 oz @ 38 weeks for PIH only!
Allison Nicole 12/27/07, 5 lbs 9 oz. @ 36 weeks for PE, still dealing with BP issues from PP PE |
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love_the_daschies
Advanced Member
US
859 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2010 : 12:20:48 PM
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I am so sorry your doctors are making you feel like this. I have had some weird symptoms that I felt silly and crazy about - like headaches that wouldn;t go away that almost got me delivered - where my pain was didn't make sense to the doctors. Turned out it was a sinus headache fixed by saline spray. I complained of URQ pain and lab work came back fine and I was still reporting it - turns out it was the gall bladder. The reason I say this is, even if it isn't PE related - there is a reason you feel the way you are feeling and you should never be made to feel like you are making stuff up!!! That is ridiculous. Even when things I was saying didn't make sense - we looked into it and there was a reason.
I really hope you can get some sort of help/ answers soon :( |
Jamie - 28 - CHTN, asthma
Hubby - 31
Mom to Vincent ~ b/d 4-29-09 @ 22.5 wks due to severe superimposed PE. * I miss you little boy *
Little Lou - 3/30/10 - 4 lbs 11 ounces and 18 inches @ 36 weeks 4 days(GD, superimposed PE)
http://definingme-ramblingsofaneurotic.blogspot.com/
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alexa5
Advanced Member
US
552 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2010 : 12:38:52 PM
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That is a bummer that you are going through this. I will never understand her take on the protein since you have other symptoms...seems to me she is looking at things as if they need to be black and white rather than accepting there are areas of gray when it comes to pre-e. It is not as if you are not spilling any protein at all....you have come close to 300.
I guess I also find it strange that they are looking for all of these other reasons for your high pressures, rather than looking at what could be the obvious--preeclampsia. Color me confused!
Anyway, not sure what else to say other than that I am so sorry you are going through this. And it is situations like this that make me feel thankful that in my situation they responded so quickly. They may have gone overboard when I was postpartum, but I guess at least they took me seriously. I can't imagine feeling as bad as you are and feeling like they are not listening or understanding what you are going through. |
Edited by - alexa5 on 03/10/2010 12:41:28 PM |
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Jamilyn
Junior Member
USA
424 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2010 : 2:13:06 PM
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I am so sorry hunny and I'm with the other girls, this is REALLY Frustrating, I wished I lived closer so I could go into the hospital and tell the Drs off. Protein is not the big trigger for PE yes it is a symptom but you can just be at the 300 cut off and end up going into full blown Eclampsia. The fact you have held HELLP as well, those symptoms are some of those as well. If I had your BP readings I wouldnt have left the hospital. I had my protein in my urine for my last pregnancy at about 400 and my BP was up and down from 135/75 - 160/106 while I was in the hospital, no way were they letting me go home. We hoped for me to make it to 28 weeks but I delivered at 25 to my son Stillborn. My 4 year old had to stay with my parents while I was in the hospital which was hard but I knew it was right. I know you dont want to stay in the hospital but sometimes that is the answer and I wish your Drs were noticing how serious this is. You could end up being just fine and delivering at 37 weeks which I hope is the case, but with this disease I've always been told you can't be to careful and just medicating and changing medicines isnt going to stop your BP from going high when its because of PE.
best of luck and I really hope your drs realize this. It shouldn't take a Dr an entire week to look over your records when you have your kind of history. No matter how big of a file it needs done quickly.
Please keep us updated. |
Jamilyn
Dallin 10/9/01-10/16/01 (born at 27 weeks due to severe Eclampsia & HELLP) (admitted & diagnosed 4 days before Eclamptic seizure)
So Small, So Sweet, So Soon
Stratton - 4/27/05 (my miracle baby born at 35 weeks due to PIH & preeclampsia after 5 weeks of full bed rest. In NICU for only 11 days!!!!)
Anthon - 11/12/09 - Born into the arms of the Angels (25 weeks gestation after almost 15 weeks of bed rest) Pre-Eclampsia, HELLP and Complete Placenta Abruption
http://2angelsandamiracle.blogspot.com/ |
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L412Angel
Senior Member
US
1341 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2010 : 3:38:11 PM
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| So sorry to hear you are going through this. Please dont hesitate to go to L&D! |
*Laura Angel
(Factor V Leiden & Hyperlipidimia)
Mom to Cara Angel, born still at 30+3 days on 11-17-09 due to Severe PE/HELLP(Class III)
Baby #2 due March 2011
"An Angel in the book of life wrote down my baby's birth. And whispered as she closed the book "too beautiful for earth."
http://onlyangelsmakethelist.blogspot.com/ |
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brandib
