my itchiness continues....

I introduced myself a little over a week ago and mentioned that I was very itchy.

I was feeling better the next day so didn't think twice about my itchiness again until this past Sunday night when it started again. Come Wednesday I decided to call the advice nurse to see if there was anything I could do, she recommended I come in the following day. I met with a doctor (who I absolutely adore...and is a mother of twins) and she mentioned the possibility of having Cholestasis, which has to do with my liver and bile. I have to go back tomorrow for blood tests, I hadn't been fasting this morning when I arrived at the doctor. Typically I don't read a whole lot online about potential issues that I might have, but I decided to look this one up. I found a website called Itchy Moms (http://itchymoms.com/). Anyway, the doctor doesn't seem to be very worried, but adding this on is just adding more stress. Anyway...just needed to vent. I'M TIRED OF ITCHING.

She did give me something for the itching in the meantime....hopefully it helps.

Wish me luck!

 

Hi.

I have been a lurker until now

I was diagnosed with Cholestasis about a week and a half ago. The itching was HORRIBLE. My hands (the palms) and feet would itch and then it would "show up" in other parts of my body. Sleeping was so hard as it got worse at night.

I had my blood drawn and checked for bile levels on a Friday. My Dr. didn't want to give me any prescriptions until an official result so he suggested using Benadryl. I actually think it made it worse, not sure. By Monday I was so desperate for relief I called him and said I need something. I wanted to go to L/D and be put on pain relievers or something as I couldn't even sit still. There was never a rash or anything, just constant severe itching. He agreed to prescribe Ursadol (sp?). Monday night we went and picked it up and I think within a couple of hours I was feeling SO much better. He prescribed it without the official diagnosis as he was assured I had it. My results later showed my bile levels were over 100 and a normal results is under 20.

Since I (we) have twins there is no more threat of pre-term labor than we are already facing and still birth is not really a concern unless you Dr. wants to deliver after 38 weeks. Those were my major concerns as that is what I read about the most negative about (aside from the itching).

Cold showers and placing my feet on wet towels helped relieve a little. I hope you find relief as I know how horrible the itching can be!

Oh, I am 34 weeks tomorrow, I haven't added a ticker to my profile yet.

 

I too had this 10 years ago… and it stinks… the worse was the bottom of my feet… it was hard to reach when your tummy gets big… the only thing I have to offer, is out of all the drama I had with that pregnancy… I had forgotten I had this until someone posted about it last week… so if it means anything, it will be a faint memory… someday… good luck… I know it can be maddening :crazy:
Elizabeth

 

Good luck, hope you find some relief soon.

 

My legs and feet got the worst of it when I was pregnant. I would stand in the shower with COLD water blasting my lower half. I would be sooooo cold, but it was better than the itching.

I would scratch and dig on my legs, but it made it worse. It really did. It's hard not to itch, so go get some super thick lotion/cream.

Oh, I also used ice packs, too.

I remember this. Good luck. You are on the home stretch!

 

Hope something can be done for you *hugs*

Dianna

 

I have cholestasis too, I was diagnosed three weeks ago at 28.5 weeks. I was so relieved to finally get the official diagnosis just so I could get the medication and stop the itching. The urso medication really has helped my itching and my weekly labs have showed by bile acids back down to normal. I am only my OB's third cholestasis patient, but she is monitoring me with labs and I'll start weekly BPPs next week. Plus we'll be delivering at 37 weeks, so everything should be alright with the babies.
I know how miserable it is, I hope you get some relief soon!

 

I got my lab results back from my bile and liver tests. Liver tests all came back normal, but my bile levels and cholic acid were high.

Bile-normal 4.5-19.2, Me-23.6
Cholic Acid- normal <=3.1, Me- 14.1

I just got the test results through email, so I don't know what I'm suppose to do now, do I just wait for the doctor to contact me? I guess I'll see if the doctor emails me back. I still don't know if Cholestasis is what I have, but it seems like I fit into it.

For those of you who had or have Cholestasis, what did the doctors do once you were diagnosed?