Anyone else ever had anything similar?

[ChloeK90]

Hi there,

I am currently in hospital and at my wits end. Hoping to speak to anyone who may have experienced anything similar before (or just after some general reassurance!)
I am currently 32+5. I have previously been admitted to hospital before with high ketones l/ headaches/ fainting episodes. I was told I was anaemic then and put on tablets, and antibiotics for an infection they found in my bloods. I am now back in hospital after coming into A and E with severe headache and light sensitivity. I was moved to labour ward so they could monitor the baby (they are doing well) and have my own room as they're worried about how infectious I am. Since being in hospital I've also now got a bad chest ", sore throat and the following symptoms:
High ketones
Low blood sugar
Severe heartburn
Night sweats and uncontrollable shaking
Stiff and painful neck
Swollen glands
Swollen face, hands, feet
Itchy legs and arms
Mouth ulcers
I have also been unable to eat since I've been here (so since Saturday morning)

I have been in a darkened room since then as I can't stand any lights being on.

I've been told that it's just a cold. Then I was told it was a chest infection. I've woken up again this morning in so much pain. I also keep waking myself up shouting my own name/ hearing voices even though I'm in a room on my own. I've so far seen 5 different doctors (they even went to get one from the main hospital building as they aren't sure what's wrong).

Sorry for the long post but just wanted to see if anyone had any advice. Is it just me?

Thank you,
Chloe

[Nogodsnomasters]

Have they considered mumps? The swollen face, neck and glands along with fever and pain really sound like mumps. If they've said cold/chest infection do you have a chesty cough, runny nose?

[ChloeK90]

Hiya,
Thanks for your reply. I don't have a runny nose or sniffles or anything like that. I have a slight cough that's no worse than a normal day to day cough. I have now lost my voice though. My face and neck is very swollen. Didn't think about mumps but will do some research.
I was admitted with high ketones and asked husband to get my home tester kit this morning and they're really high again. Nobody has checked since I've been here so I've just asked them to look at that again as well.


Chloe

[Nogodsnomasters]

High ketones in pregnancy can be caused by a number of things like dehydration, severe morning sickness causing lack of eating/retaining fuel from food you have eaten etc. But as far as I know it does not cause facial swelling and high temps etc. It is definitely some kind of infection whether that is viral or bacterial and you probably need to be seen in a proper hospital again instead of maternity dept.

[ChloeK90]

Thanks for your reply. I'm currently being treated for meningitis. I can't have a lumbar puncture because I'm on blood thinners so they're treating me as if I have it. I'm on a women's ward but next to the maternity unit so the midwives are checking in on the baby for me.

[Nogodsnomasters]

Oh op I'm sorry they think you have meningitis, are they going to lower your dose of blood thinners and do the lumbar puncture in a few days or just giving up on the idea of doing it? Do you have support in real life?

[ChloeK90]

No- they aren't going to do one because of the risk of clots. It's all been a bit mad really but my husband has been wonderful ( weird Donald Duck face mask and all )
I'm waiting for am MRI scan but I was told about that two days ago so I'm not really sure what's going on.
Thanks for your response x

[Nogodsnomasters]

Well at least they are treating it as worst case scenario even though they aren't sure, it means most base's are covered. Glad your husband is being supportive and helpful to you. Is it IV antibiotics you're on now? X

[ChloeK90]

Yes I'm on IV antibiotics. Into day 3 of them now so fingers crossed they're making a huge improvement!

[Nogodsnomasters]

Are you feeling any better in yourself, has the swelling reduced much? Hopefully this does the trick. There's nothing worse than being stuck in hospital, is this your first pregnancy?

[ChloeK90]

I'm starting to feel much better thank you. The scans came back clear so they don't know what it is now but are still treating for meningitis as it's helping. This is baby number one .