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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

puppps, pep, OC?

26 replies

woodwaj · 07/01/2015 11:23

I cant stop bloody itching!! Its driving me insane. Its been a week now and i am only 35+3. I have been given creams and shower gels (emoliants?) And i am awaiting a blood test for OC But i have a rash now so i doubt its that. I am seeing the midwife tomorrow so ill see if she has any other advice but has anyone been through this and calmed the itching?? HELP!

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FruitBadger · 07/01/2015 12:09

Yep, I got this right at the end of pregnancy too, think I was 38 or 39 weeks and blood test confirmed not OC so diagnosed as PUPPPS / PEP.

I found Piriton helped to just about keep it at a bearable level of itching, MW and GP said this was fine to take as I was so close to the end. I also used Aveeno shower gel and had oat baths, which eased the itching. The GP prescribed Doublebase and a steroid cream called Audavate.

I stopped itching and the rash went within hours of having DS and I've not needed anything since, he's 5 weeks old now.

woodwaj · 07/01/2015 12:25

In that case i need induction and not oats!! The thought of going over and this being potentially another 7 weeks is bad enough. Its the double base I've got. Did you have to have a prescription for the piriton? Thanks for the reply!

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cathpip · 07/01/2015 12:52

I had itching all over my arms and shoulders from 20 weeks in all three of my pregnancies. Cold flannels helped, piriton so I could sleep at night, and I also found a gel. Vaseline sell an aloe Vera hydrating gel, this worked wonders for me.

woodwaj · 07/01/2015 13:11

Im defo going to check on the piriton with the midwife tomorrow!! I am sat in my own house freezing because being hot doesnt help

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FruitBadger · 07/01/2015 16:52

I took normal, OTC Piriton. It was what we had in the cupboard and the MW said it would be fine. Boots refused to sell me more when O ran out, MW said to get DH to buy it and lie about who it was for!

Don't underestimate the oat baths, on their own they'd be useless but combined with everything else they definitely helped a little!

woodwaj · 07/01/2015 17:15

I have just found a lotion on Lush called Dream Cream that has good reviews, Its made from oatmilk or something, I might give that a whirl as well!

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woodwaj · 08/01/2015 17:30

I rang for my blood tests results today and all i was told was to make a new appointment with the gp! Any ideas anyone?

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TallGiraffes · 08/01/2015 20:48

Oh you had my total sympathy. I had PUPPPS first time round and it nearly broke me. I remember crying at my consultant after not sleeping in days because of the itching. She took one look at me and marched me off to dermatology. They got me started on steroids and I was feeling better within 24 hours. Hope you get some relief soon, my antenatal ward were fab about it - I was on daily monitoring anyway and apparently it isn't that common so you might need to fight a bit!

woodwaj · 08/01/2015 21:00

I got that impression from the midwife she just jumped straight to an allergy. And i hate suggesting my own diagnosis, i always think docs go with the opposite because they hate people using Dr Google!

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Allstoppedup · 08/01/2015 21:03

Had PUPP/PEP from 20 weeks, I was covered and it was miserable. I was given lotions, potions, antihistamines and (eventually, 2 weeks after DS was born and hysterical tears I'm my GPs office when he said I couldn't have them whilst BF) oral steroids!

They worked wonders and I wish I'd pushed for them whilst still pregnant as I'm sure they wouldn't have done much damage to DS and would have saved me months of sleeplessness, discomfort and scarring (I tried not to itch but it was impossible!)

I hope you have more luck and feel better soon. You have all my sympathy!

Allstoppedup · 08/01/2015 21:05

Oh and as PP have said, fight your corner as I was dismissed quite a bit before getting my diagnosis and treatment!

Allstoppedup · 08/01/2015 21:07

Damn, posted too soon.

Meant to add my midwife had never seen a case and my sister (who is also a midwife) had only seen it in text books and so treated me like a case study

jellycat · 08/01/2015 21:37

Oh no, poor you!! I had PUPPP for about a week before the birth of ds2, and an allergic reaction (to my support belt!!) before that, both of which were so itchy they kept me awake all night (or so it seemed!). I used Piriton but TBH it only helped for a couple of hours and then the itch came back. I also used E45 itch relief cream. And I tried to keep cool (it was winter for me too so I suppose that's better than having it in the summer!).

Do you have the rash on your tummy, upper legs and lower arms (IIRC that's typical of PUPPP, and that's where I had it).

It did start to improve literally as soon as I'd given birth although it probably took about 2 weeks to calm down completely.

woodwaj · 08/01/2015 21:46

Thanks all the advice is much appreciated. I have just had a piriton so hopefully ill get some sleep! All my legs are itchy but the rash is only on my upper legs, belly, all arms but especially around the arm pits. Im turning the heating off to help even though im actually freezing. Your right though im so glad its not summer!!

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TallGiraffes · 08/01/2015 22:17

Can I be nosy and ask is it your first and do you know what you're having?

woodwaj · 08/01/2015 22:18

First and boy! I'm a prime candidate for it!!

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jellycat · 08/01/2015 22:35

Ah yes, it's more common if you're having a boy (although I didn't get it with ds1, just ds2). BTW, one of the midwives who was on duty when I first arrived at the hospital in labour with ds2 had suffered from it so at least I got some sympathy from her!)

OrangesJuicyOranges · 08/01/2015 23:03

I have OC and I've had a horrible rash since week 25. I was told this meant it wasn't OC, but it is. I got diagnosed after a blood test at 35 weeks. I haven't managed to stop the itching but I can ease it by wrapping a frozen gel pack in a tea towel and covering my feet/ hands with it.

TallGiraffes · 09/01/2015 07:34

At least you know you're having a boy! I remember thinking at the time this would be a rubbish way to find out

How are you today?

TallGiraffes · 09/01/2015 07:41

Also meant to add, have you had any scans recently? I developed oligohydramnios at the same time (low amniotic fluid) and they thought there was a link with me. If you haven't had one for a while I would push for one

woodwaj · 09/01/2015 08:13

4o scans here since 20 weeks! I do have a very active baby and the midwife didnt seem concerned from that point of view yesterday. Just rang and i am in at the docs at 9.30 so not too bad. I am tired today but had an ok sleep woke up once around 3.30 for a E45 top up!! And a few times for a scratch. :/

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woodwaj · 09/01/2015 08:37

40 scans!! Defo a typo! That should say no scans!!

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Craicalack · 09/01/2015 11:54

I also had PUPPPS for a week before having DS - it didn't help that we were also in the middle of a heatwave! Cold showers, piriton and aveeno helped.

Midwives were shocked when they saw me in the birthing pool as the rash looked really bad and DH was panicking in case baby had it too. Mine literally began to disappear as soon as I gave birth and was completely gone in a few days.

DS came at 37 weeks, don't know if the PUPPPS was a contributing factor!

You have my sympathies!

woodwaj · 09/01/2015 12:10

Thanks craic! I was given a low dose steroid cream today and iron tablets. The doc did say there were some abnormalities with the liver according to the blood tests but didnt think it was oc. He never mentioned puppps either! Also slightly low iron count

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RumNoRaisins · 09/01/2015 22:23

Sympathies! I had it with my first and itched till I bled. Have since learnt there is such a thing as menthol in aqueous cream which really helps. Found it on amazon!

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