*Please Read* Obstetric Cholestasis

[Lotso]

I've been diagnosed with OC, after 3 miserable weeks of itching, to the point of bleeding, all over my feet and hands. I got Urso 500mg per day, but have no relief - does anyone know how long it takes (if at all) to get any relief. It's only thanks to this thread that I persevered, as I wouldn't have known about OC.

I'm taking the acid but I have to take 6x250mg a day so 1500mg. My levels have started to drop but the itching hasn't changed.

I had hoped to get the itching subside a bit. I'm going back to the hospital on Monday for a follow up, they might increase my dose. Do they see you often for bloods etc?

 

[Incubus]

Yeah I have to go once a week to see the consultant and have my bloods taken. I've also had a growth scan and a few ctgs to make sure he's happy in there still. I've been prescribed piriton for itching a well, doesn't do a great deal for the itching but it does knock me out so I can sleep, taking vitamin k as well for bleeding afterwards.

 

[Lotso]

I've been taking Piriton too, but it's only occasionally making me drowsy. I haven't had Vitamin K mentioned to me, yet. I did have a growth scan this week, baby was,easuring slightly small. Have they made any plans with you to have the baby early? There seems to be a mixed opinion now on that.

 

[pinkandfluffy]

I'm being induced Monday - they like to induce 37-38wks here. I'll be 39 as its taken time to get a diagnosis my bloods took time to show up raised x

 

[Incubus]

I've been taking Piriton too, but it's only occasionally making me drowsy. I haven't had Vitamin K mentioned to me, yet. I did have a growth scan this week, baby was,easuring slightly small. Have they made any plans with you to have the baby early? There seems to be a mixed opinion now on that.

Piriton has always had that effect on me, usually I won't take it as it makes me so drowsy, I've been told to take 4 a day but I'm having 1/2 otherwise I'd be a zombie. The consultant just said "we'll see how it goes" when I asked about induction, baby is measuring fine (if a lil chunky lol) and my levels are dropping quickly, this seemed to confuse the midwife who told me they were dropping as this doesn't normally happen. Just gotta wait and see what the consultant thinks on Wednesday now.

 

[daangconcepts]

Just curious, with Cholestasis, has anyone noticed a rash on the itchy areas?? I have an extrememly itchy tummy (right after stretch marks appeared) nothing really helps. But last night and this morning, I noticed I have broken out in a rash on my tummy, upper thighs, wrist, neck, pretty much almost everywhere. I do sorta itch in those areas..however the only extrememly itchy area on me is still my stretch marks.

I plan on making a Dr's appointment, just waiting on them to open.

 

[Incubus]

Just curious, with Cholestasis, has anyone noticed a rash on the itchy areas?? I have an extrememly itchy tummy (right after stretch marks appeared) nothing really helps. But last night and this morning, I noticed I have broken out in a rash on my tummy, upper thighs, wrist, neck, pretty much almost everywhere. I do sorta itch in those areas..however the only extrememly itchy area on me is still my stretch marks.

I plan on making a Dr's appointment, just waiting on them to open.

I had a rash all over my bump that appeared overnight, it came up a few days after the itching had started.

 

[daangconcepts]

Just curious, with Cholestasis, has anyone noticed a rash on the itchy areas?? I have an extrememly itchy tummy (right after stretch marks appeared) nothing really helps. But last night and this morning, I noticed I have broken out in a rash on my tummy, upper thighs, wrist, neck, pretty much almost everywhere. I do sorta itch in those areas..however the only extrememly itchy area on me is still my stretch marks.

I plan on making a Dr's appointment, just waiting on them to open.

I had a rash all over my bump that appeared overnight, it came up a few days after the itching had started.

Hmm.. Mine appeared in my stretch marks at first then moved to my upper thighs, wrist and neck. My OB thinks its most likely PUPPP, but has given me an ultrasound, and blood work to check for cholestasis. He advised me to take benadryl and it looks like my rash maybe fading a little, and it has completly taken the itch away. Praying for the best, but so anxious I dont know how I am going to make it till my appointment Weds of next week.

 

[TreeMH]

Hi,

I'm currently under investigation for Obstetric Cholestasis.

Started itching about a month ago, but it has mostly been mild. Had 3 sets of bloods done, all showing normal except for a mild case of aneamia.

Saw a consultant last Thursday, routine appointment (I'm under consultant care for Thyroid issues) who requested a follow up check as the itching hasn't subsided. Got the results Friday evening, showing that my 'ALTs' are raised, only slightly, apparently should only be up to 31 but are 37. Advised to call midwife today to arrange care, also advised that I may need to be seen weekly from now.

Can't get hold of midwife this morning, so while I'm waiting and trying to get through I wondered if this is how it started for anyone else? Or has anyone had high ALTs and found it to be a different issue?
Itching has been getting worse since mid last week and was driving me crazy last night, so I'm not surprised the bloods are finally showing as abnormal. Just wondering what was done for you if you've had a similar experience?

Sorry for all the questions, just a little lost as I can't get through to anyone!!

Thanks in advance x

 

[smawfl]

How far along are you Tree?

I had mega itcing, and a rash - they did ots of bloods and monitoring but luckily cam back ok. The itching and rash eventually went but it was very annoying,

 

[_Nell]

Tree - I hae had raised ALT but not OC. Mine were 48, 42, 41, over the course of a month or so of tests but my bile acids were all fine.

I'm still being monitored but last test my ALT was 31 so it's coming down gradually. Your ALT can be raised for other reasons that might cause a slightly inflammed liver, drug toxicity, intramuscular jabs, or and muscle strain on your body - including a sudden growth spurt of the uterus!

 

[TreeMH]

I'll be 33 weeks tomorrow. Itching started at 29 weeks.

I've had no rash at all, I thought that you didn't get one with cholestasis? Only marks I've had on my skin are the occasional cuts caused by the scratching.

Still no luck getting through to midwife office, only been trying for 3 hours!! lol

 

[Incubus]

I just went to look at my ALTs for you, its says they should be between 10-35, mine were 8 on first blood test and 6 on the latest one, so I'm of no help, also I have no idea what this means!

 

[TreeMH]

It's a little frustrating, I don't have the results to look at. All I know is that my first bile acids were 7 then 6 on the second test. So they seem to be fine, thankfully. No idea what level they were on latest test but I'm sure they would've mentioned something if they were over 14.

Midwife who gave me the result said that the high ALT is probably causing the itching. Thanks Nell, I knew that ALT could be high for other reasons but was having trouble finding out what - growth spurt of the uterus is fine by me lol! I know baby is measuring a little big for dates but not abnormally big

Finally got through and am seeing a midwife on Wednesday to discuss follow up care, probably just be seen more often and give even more blood (I think the NHS just like my blood lol). Fingers crossed whatever it is, it clears up soon!

Good luck to every one else going through this

 

[natrozza]

hiya ladies. im 37 weeks pregnant tomorrow and i was telling my midwife from 30 weeks that i'd had severe itching on my legs, she fobbed me off telling me it was my hormones, even though i told her cholestasis ran in my family. i since booked myself a doctors appointment and had bloods done. my ALT was 102 so have been refered to the hospital and am awaiting a liver scan. i cant find any info anywhere on alt levels. i know ideally they should be under 40 but does anyone know if 102 is considered really high?? the hospital staff have told me i will probably need inducing early but thats all they have said!!! i feel pretty much in the dark with regards to the dangers etc! xx



https://www.countdownmypregnancy.com/tickers/countdown-1325570400z1349758800zb.png

 

[natty1985]

102 is not ridiculously high but you may find it develops it's own pattern mine used to double every so often every 3rd day, on the day I had my first child they were 900 x

 

[natty1985]

My ALT sits at 50 all the time it's not abnormal to get to 60 my go said they don't worry unless it's past 60 so nell you may just have a high alt in life ? It's normal for you kind of thing I wouldn't worry at 48 x

 

[_Nell]

Natty, thanks. My pre pg ALT is around 10 -16 though.

 

[natrozza]

well my doctor called today, she said 2 weeks ago my alt were 45, 1 week later they were 102 and will find out friday what date i will be getting induced!! hopefully soon xx

https://www.countdownmypregnancy.com/tickers/countdown-1325570400z1349758800zb.png

 

[wishfulmom2b]

any of you girls have advice for me? i have been having bad itching but my dr didnt seem concerned just told me to lotion more? i hadnt researched this until i got home yesterday after my appointment. should i ring her or i'm i just being paranoid? maybe she thought i had no other symptoms..?