PUPPS Anyone?

Well I thought I had nearly every side effect of pregnancy... until Saturday when an itchy rash erupted on my stretch marks. After a bit of online research I have diagnosed myself with PUPPS (along with two other twin moms confirming it). Has anyone else experienced this, and, if so, for how long? What worked for you for relief? I am currently using calamine lotion, cold compresses and penaten cream. I just can't imagine living with this severe itching for another four weeks. I now wish I hadn't complained so much about everything else I've had because this one takes the cake.

 

I had it badly during the last 6 weeks. I called my ob and told them it was miserable and they gave me something but I don't remember what it was now. Unfortunately that is all you can really do. It goes away after you deliver. I can totally feel your pain!

 

Oohh forgot about those! I used hydracortosone cream. But it only worked when I first put it on or if I really concentrated. Hated them. Sorry, they do go away after. But be careful of the epidural, because I think that was what it was that gave me the itchiness again for a couple days afterwards!

 

I had it really badly--it spread all over my body, and it didn't go away "immediately" after delivery, like another weak or two after. Cold showers worked best for me, but it was hot and muggy where I was at the time. I also had a cream that worked, but took several days to kick in.

 

I got PUPPS at like 32 weeks. It was horrible. I got the stuff from online, the cream and soap and it really didn't help all that much. I used cold compresses, hydrocortizone cream and benedryl. The Benedryl was a lifesaver only because it also made me sleep and I wasn't sleeping at all by that point. Mine went away almost immediately after giving birth, so that was good. I found the more I scratched the more it itched, so try not to scratch.
I feel for you, it was miserable!!! Hang in there, not too much further to go.

 

I suffered for about 4-5 weeks. the ONLY thing that worked was soaking in ICE COLD water, which meant that only my hands and feet got relief. If you have access to a pool, try that. All those lotions and baths just made things worse for me. The doc can give you steroids if ncecessary. I couldn't go on them because I had severe fluid retention and eventual pre-e. It was so bad. I would scratch myself until I bled only I couldn't tell I had made myself bleed because I was so swollen my nerve endings couldn't register anything. ugh. I'm hoping you have a mild case.

 

Got it when I was around 30 weeks with the boys and it was not fun. I had a cream from the doc (maybe it was a steriod...can't remember) and would take cold showers. Mine went away about a week after delivery. I hope you have a mild case and that it resolves quickly...it's not fun at all.

 

I had PUPPS with the twins and it was terrible. I tried a million creams and stuff, and even an RX from the doc for an antihistamine and the only thing that helped was scratching so bad that I bled, because that pain was easier to deal with than the itch. BUT ... I did research online and discovered Dandelion Root capsules, you can get them at health food stores, I started taking them and within two days the bumps and itching were dissapearing. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! Good luck!!!

ETA: if you google PUPPS there are actually websites out there dedicated to PUPPS and all the different treatments, medical and otherwise, that people have tried. That's where I discovered the Dandelion Root thing. NEver even heard of it before but it sure worked for me.

 

I got PUPPS around 37 weeks (delivered at 39) and they didn't go away until 3-4 weeks post delivery. I used a lotion called Sarna and that helped a lot - it cooled the itch down. It SUCKS. SO sorry to hear that you are dealing with this. Hope that it is relieved soon after delivery.

 

got it around 30 weeks. Tried creams, cold showers, lotions, oatmeal baths, even slathered oatmeal on my belly. After 2 long miserable weeks Isaw my OB and he gave me a shot of steroids. I freaked out at first because its steroids!! Then he told me its the same steroid shot they give to women in PTL. The same day I got the shot my itching already began to subside. Within a week the itching was practically gone and 100% more tolerable. Within 2 weeks my rash had cleared.
So, seriously talk to your dr about getting a steroid shot...I dont think I could have made it to 36 weeks without it.

 

QUOTE(adia2007 @ Sep 15 2008, 04:35 PM) [snapback]981365[/snapback]
I had it badly during the last 6 weeks. I called my ob and told them it was miserable and they gave me something but I don't remember what it was now. Unfortunately that is all you can really do. It goes away after you deliver. I can totally feel your pain!


Hey Adia- how soon after preganncfy does it go away?

 

If you have a local health food store, I would highly recommend taking the Dandelion Root along with applying Weleda Calendula Baby Cream as thick as you can stand it. The Calendula Flower is relative of the dandelion and is the only thing that I know of including steroid creams and cortisone creams that will soothe that terrible itch and also heal the wounds that you will probably inflict from scratching. If your local store doesnt have it you can order online or alternatively I can tell you how to make your own. I know how miserable this can be - this worked for me through several pregnancies and I also have Ichthiosis so I know first hand how to deal with irritable skin issues. Good Luck!

 

Never heard of this till I found you wise women here. My cousin called me crying last week with the same symptoms as you all are describing and because of what I read here, I asked her a few defining questions about her rash/itchiness and then told her to call her doc to talk about PUPPS. He had her in that day for a steroid shot and confirmed PUPPS. So now I look like a genius!! Anyway, during the course of goggling her some info I found that 70% of women with PUPPS have a boy in there causing some havoc with his male DNA and that the cure is to deliver his placenta. Creams and steroids only mask symptoms. I totally agree with PP's about more natural ingredients and trying cool and tepid water. Good luck, I hope you get to feeling better soon!!

 

I had it during my first pregnancy. It started around 18 weeks and it drove me crazy. My doctor would only let me use calamine lotion which was ok, but so messy.