*Please Read* Obstetric Cholestasis

[MommyGrim]

Finally got my blood results back...and they said my bile salts were absolutely normal. However, due to my symptoms, they ran further tests and found very high acids? I'm in the dark on what that means. Waiting to hear back from my doctors nurse, who was getting a hold of my doctor. Feel kinda in the dark right now...

 

[Jchihuahua]

Finally got my blood results back...and they said my bile salts were absolutely normal. However, due to my symptoms, they ran further tests and found very high acids? I'm in the dark on what that means. Waiting to hear back from my doctors nurse, who was getting a hold of my doctor. Feel kinda in the dark right now...

I'm not sure because I thought bile salts and bile acids were the same.

 

[MommyGrim]

Finally got my blood results back...and they said my bile salts were absolutely normal. However, due to my symptoms, they ran further tests and found very high acids? I'm in the dark on what that means. Waiting to hear back from my doctors nurse, who was getting a hold of my doctor. Feel kinda in the dark right now...

I'm not sure because I thought bile salts and bile acids were the same.

I thought so too... The nurse made it seem like it wasn't related though. I haven't heard anything yet and it's only half an hour till the office closes, so it must not be that serious?

 

[MommyGrim]

Finally got a call back from my doctor and it's been confirmed that I do have cholestasis of pregnancy. Relief that I actually know what's wrong but... They're putting me on medication and I'm going to see the high risk doctor (which I already was on the 9th since I'm having twins) so I'm waiting to hear back from them to see if they want to see me any sooner. They said he'd explain everything in more depth and discuss how they're going to proceed the rest of my pregnancy.

 

[Dime Cuando]

Finally got a call back from my doctor and it's been confirmed that I do have cholestasis of pregnancy. Relief that I actually know what's wrong but... They're putting me on medication and I'm going to see the high risk doctor (which I already was on the 9th since I'm having twins) so I'm waiting to hear back from them to see if they want to see me any sooner. They said he'd explain everything in more depth and discuss how they're going to proceed the rest of my pregnancy.

Well, at LAST someone has got to the bottom of it and you have a diagnosis, you poor thing! Good on you for persevering and not being fobbed off. Hope you get sorted soon....use camomile lotion in the meantime to help with the itching.

 

[Jchihuahua]

Finally got a call back from my doctor and it's been confirmed that I do have cholestasis of pregnancy. Relief that I actually know what's wrong but... They're putting me on medication and I'm going to see the high risk doctor (which I already was on the 9th since I'm having twins) so I'm waiting to hear back from them to see if they want to see me any sooner. They said he'd explain everything in more depth and discuss how they're going to proceed the rest of my pregnancy.

Sorry to hear that but glad you've got a diagnosis. My itching already feels a bit better and I only only started the meds on Monday so hopefully you'll feel better soon.

 

[MommyGrim]

Thanks ladies! How long did it take for the medicine to kick in? Today's been pretty bad, itching wise...hoping for some quick relief. Definitely will try the chamomile until the medicine kicks in though!

 

[Jchihuahua]

My itching is still bad but it is a lot better than before I started the meds. It took maybe 3 days to notice a difference.

 

[sugarplumbum]

Hello,I had a call yesterday eve to tell me I have OC too, have managed to hold it off until now (had it in all 3 prev pregnancies). As soon as I got that call to say it was the Gyn registrar and she had been trying to get hold of me all day, I replied with "it's my liver isn't it?"

Been told to go into Maternity assessment on Monday to repeat bloods and get medication.

Terrible nights sleep and constant itching / prickly skin past 2 nights now, I don't think I can wait until Monday even, I feel like crying it is driving me insane!!! Looks like I am being induced AGAIN too so slightly gutted I couldn't just go into labour naturally.

 

[MommyGrim]

Hello,I had a call yesterday eve to tell me I have OC too, have managed to hold it off until now (had it in all 3 prev pregnancies). As soon as I got that call to say it was the Gyn registrar and she had been trying to get hold of me all day, I replied with "it's my liver isn't it?"

Been told to go into Maternity assessment on Monday to repeat bloods and get medication.

Terrible nights sleep and constant itching / prickly skin past 2 nights now, I don't think I can wait until Monday even, I feel like crying it is driving me insane!!! Looks like I am being induced AGAIN too so slightly gutted I couldn't just go into labour naturally.

I know how you feel. Was still holding out some hope that Baby B would flip and I could have a natural labor but after finding out I have cholestasis, there's no way

 

[MommyGrim]

Hello,I had a call yesterday eve to tell me I have OC too, have managed to hold it off until now (had it in all 3 prev pregnancies). As soon as I got that call to say it was the Gyn registrar and she had been trying to get hold of me all day, I replied with "it's my liver isn't it?"

Been told to go into Maternity assessment on Monday to repeat bloods and get medication.

Terrible nights sleep and constant itching / prickly skin past 2 nights now, I don't think I can wait until Monday even, I feel like crying it is driving me insane!!! Looks like I am being induced AGAIN too so slightly gutted I couldn't just go into labour naturally.

I know how you feel. Was still holding out some hope that Baby B would flip and I could have a natural labor but after finding out I have cholestasis, there's no way

 

[x3love61708]

IM almost convinced I have cholestasis.
Here is some blood results please tell me what you think.
08/22/13 : bilirubin total: 0.4
bilirubin conjugated: 0.1
AST: 7
ALK PHOS: 193
ALT : 22
Bile Acid:4
These results were taken the following day of symptoms beginning. All pretty normal bsided ALK which wasn't too concerning. I let it go and figured it's a regular pregnancy itch no big deal. Few weeks later itching came again on soles feet and palm 10 times worse so demanded blood and went to the ER on 9/29/13 here are those results.
Bilirubin Total: 0.7
bilirubin direct: 0.1
ALK PHOS: 196
ALT:39
AST:22
Didn't get bile acid this day. Still within normal range but definitely increasing.
Still itchy demanding more blood work. . So on 9/30/13 Just one day late r I got more here's those results
bilirubin total: 0.9
Bilirubin conjugated: 0.3
ALK PHOS: 297
AST:18
ALT: 53
STILL WAITING ON BILE ACID TO CONFIRM DX OF CHOLESTASIS FROM DOCTOR.
same day on 9/30 urine specimen came back with bilirubin in it as well. So levels raised alot just within a days time.

im interested in finding out your opinion on my lfts, possibly cholestasis?

 

[Jchihuahua]

It certainly does look like your results are rising and your ALT is above the normal level.

I do have cholestasis and my last lot of results were:
ALT (should be <40 and mine was 92)
ALK PHOS (should be 70-300 and mine was 449)
BILE ACID (should be <14 and mine was 89)

They won't do a diagnosis until the bile acid results confirm it though. It took 2 weeks from itching starting to my levels being very abnormal and that showing in my blood. I have been tested for OC throughout as this is my third pregnancy having it.

 

[kelloggs]

Jchihuahua how did your scan go? X

 

[Jchihuahua]

Jchihuahua how did your scan go? X

Hi, thanks for asking.

The liver scan went fine and showed no underlying problems and the fetal assessment scan didn't go as well because even though the baby was fine and in no distress or anything it showed that I have too much fluid around him which although unconnected to the OC is a problem in itself and a condition called polyhydramnios. I had to have a load of tests to see if baby has an infection or if I had GD or it could be a birth defect or it may well be nothing at all but it is just one more worry to add to the list. I have been measuring big all along and the scan showed he is measuring right for the dates but it was the fluid making my bump so big.

I have another fetal assessment scan on Monday and will also be given a date for induction then too.

How are you ladies doing?

 

[kelloggs]

Jchihuahua how did your scan go? X

Hi, thanks for asking.

The liver scan went fine and showed no underlying problems and the fetal assessment scan didn't go as well because even though the baby was fine and in no distress or anything it showed that I have too much fluid around him which although unconnected to the OC is a problem in itself and a condition called polyhydramnios. I had to have a load of tests to see if baby has an infection or if I had GD or it could be a birth defect or it may well be nothing at all but it is just one more worry to add to the list. I have been measuring big all along and the scan showed he is measuring right for the dates but it was the fluid making my bump so big.

I have another fetal assessment scan on Monday and will also be given a date for induction then too.

How are you ladies doing?

My fluid righted itself and I think you were just over the 25 weren't you? If your scan at 20 weeks was of no concern then baby will likely be fine!

I'm getting fed up of the twice weekly hospital trips and just want baby with us now but am remaining patient! I'll hopefully have my date set at my 36 week consultant appt. so far no BP or growth issues and hope it stays that way! Xxx

 

[Yipee]

Hi, just wondering if any of you who have this could give me your opinions. I'm 37 weeks, and for a few weeks, I've had a dry, mildy itchy patch on my right wrist. I didn't think anything of it and would just scratch it occasionally. Now I have the same on some of the fingers of my right hand and it's a bit more itchy. It's not driving me crazy, but I am scratching a few times an hour, probably, maybe even once every 10 minutes.

Could this be cholestasis? I only really became aware of this disease yesterday. I looked up the other symptoms; dark urine and light-colored stool; I don't have those. Of course I'm kind of tired, but no more than I have been throughout this whole pregnancy. I'm trying moisturizing my hand to see if it takes care of it (if it's just a skin issue), but will call my doctor on Monday if it continues. Just wanted to see if I could get some opinions between now and then. Thanks!

 

[Jchihuahua]

Hi, just wondering if any of you who have this could give me your opinions. I'm 37 weeks, and for a few weeks, I've had a dry, mildy itchy patch on my right wrist. I didn't think anything of it and would just scratch it occasionally. Now I have the same on some of the fingers of my right hand and it's a bit more itchy. It's not driving me crazy, but I am scratching a few times an hour, probably, maybe even once every 10 minutes.

Could this be cholestasis? I only really became aware of this disease yesterday. I looked up the other symptoms; dark urine and light-colored stool; I don't have those. Of course I'm kind of tired, but no more than I have been throughout this whole pregnancy. I'm trying moisturizing my hand to see if it takes care of it (if it's just a skin issue), but will call my doctor on Monday if it continues. Just wanted to see if I could get some opinions between now and then. Thanks!

With cholestasis there is generally no skin irritation to see or no rash other than excoriations caused through itching the skin. The itch is under the skin not on the skin's surface and generally would be palms, soles and spreading to arms, legs, sometimes bump, even face but not localised in just one spot so from my experience (had it 3 times) I would say what you have is probably not cholestasis.

 

[Yipee]

Hi, just wondering if any of you who have this could give me your opinions. I'm 37 weeks, and for a few weeks, I've had a dry, mildy itchy patch on my right wrist. I didn't think anything of it and would just scratch it occasionally. Now I have the same on some of the fingers of my right hand and it's a bit more itchy. It's not driving me crazy, but I am scratching a few times an hour, probably, maybe even once every 10 minutes.

Could this be cholestasis? I only really became aware of this disease yesterday. I looked up the other symptoms; dark urine and light-colored stool; I don't have those. Of course I'm kind of tired, but no more than I have been throughout this whole pregnancy. I'm trying moisturizing my hand to see if it takes care of it (if it's just a skin issue), but will call my doctor on Monday if it continues. Just wanted to see if I could get some opinions between now and then. Thanks!

With cholestasis there is generally no skin irritation to see or no rash other than excoriations caused through itching the skin. The itch is under the skin not on the skin's surface and generally would be palms, soles and spreading to arms, legs, sometimes bump, even face but not localised in just one spot so from my experience (had it 3 times) I would say what you have is probably not cholestasis.

Thanks! That is what I was hoping to hear. I'm thinking it might be eczema or something, though I have never had eczema before. I'll probably call my doctor on Monday anyway, if I can't clear it up on my own.

I'm sorry you've had to have cholestasis; it does not sound fun at all, and pretty scary too.

 

[natty1985]

Hi there, this is my 4th diagnosed pregnancy with cholestasis, boooooo im 35+5 today and on a strict management plan every other day ctg with induction booked at 37+1 had steroids already incase they need to pull baby sooner so fed up !

Anyway what I came on originally to say is as said above the itch is like an itch you can't get to it's infuriating however with mine it's been generalised aswell as palms of hands and feet so I think it can be pretty much anywhere and it has to start somewhere!

I would call your dr Monday and get the bloods there's no harm x good luck xx