Headache & vision problems...PLEASE ADVISE! :-)

[clouiseg]

Hi all

Has anyone had symptoms of pre-eclampsia and its all blown over??

My bp is normally great (around 114/60) but do have several other pregnancy health issues (prev DVT & Embolism so on Clexane plus vascular condition which is too complicated to explain ).

Routine dipstick at 24 weeks showed a diddy bit of protein (enough for nurse to send it off, results came back clear).

Last few days I've had the most stinking headache on and off. Had odd little 'sparkly' dots in my vision which move really fast (sorry know that sounds stooopid but cant think how else to describe it ). Also had intermittent pain in the top of my bump which has been enough to get right on my nerves. Feels like cramp...v sore. Anyhow, feel a little strange today so DH insisted on bringing home a BP machine from town (bless him!) and it measures around 138/80 (3 times).

Silly question I know, but I'm only 28 weeks and have never had BP issues or anything with 3 DDs. Should I be worried? I mean BP isnt THAT high so I'm inclined to wait it out?!

I will say I have been under a phenomenal amount of stress lately. So many issues at the moment so I literally dont know my arse from my elbow. Hoping its nothing but unsure whether I ought to be concerned!! My mum & sister both had PE but I escaped it. Have booked a nurse appt for a wee check but feel a bit of a wally as it may be nothing?!

Any advice? XX

I'm back

Bp was up on 3 arm readings but still a dash under 90 diastolic. Was slightly lower on the wrist one. A little protein in my urine (only a trace though) and just explained about the symptoms.

The nurse was a little concerned so got me in to see the GP. He said that 145/82 is not considered high although he says it is for me compared to normal?! Also he wanted to check my eyes to see if there was any bleeding (something to do with the retina/clexane risk??!!) He couldnt see anything & when I described it he assured me that if I'm not seeing anything 'floating' in my vision not to be too concerned!

He said some viruses can present with headaches & visual disturbances so I may be brewing something (WTF?!) but that if the headache/spotty vision is still there tomorrow he wants me to get in with the midwife the same day as it could be the the onset of pre-eclampsia.

Very . But to be fair the headache has eased slightly so hopefully thats a good sign. Or maybe I just have a crap GP

Ok... Have you still got swollen hands?

How are you feeling? Apart from confused?! Will you be able to get some rest?

I'm ok thanks cristiane.

Oddly my fingers are v swollen i.e.wedding rings are giving them a 'muffin top' effect but hands and wrists are ok. The nurse reassured me thats normal to which I replied...ummm 4th baby...I KNOW its normal!

DH has treated me to a Dominos and is putting DDs to bed so I can get some rest but my neighbour is due to pop over shortly to collect her Avon book. She's pg with DC1 and very nervous so looks for my advice bless her. May have to cut it short and get some peace

I actually feel ok just a little drained (nothing new there!) and a niggling worry that there may actually be something developing. Am crossing everything that its not the case.

Thank you for giving me a MN kick up the bum to get it checked or (if I'm honest) I probably would've cancelled

lousie

hope all goes well for you tomorrow.

Hmmm how many weeks are you? (sorry if you have said)

I would say any problems like this would really warrant a call to labour ward or your DAU. I wouldnt faff around going to your GP/Nurse.

Your BP is always dependant upon what your booking BP was, and this is what we go from. I am suprised your GP didnt get you to be seen by the Obstetric doctors. Or take bloods.

Good luck

Slightly bout your GP, think tomorrow maybe give maternity hospital a ring and speak to midwife.

BP not mad high but a big jump from your usual reading.

Any increase in headache, visual disturbance, more swelling or pains please please phone your unit ASAP, honestly don't chance it.

No offence to nurses or GPs but unless they have a special interest in obstetrics I would be inclined to contact the maternity dept at your hospital; there is always a MW available for advice even at night & that is their speciality.

I think that you should probably give hospital a call, don't you clouiseg, before turning in? So much better to be safe than sorry

I agree - call the labour ward. Nurse clearly doesn't know anything about pre-eclampsia (nor would she if she isn't a midwife - I can't understand why someone with your symptoms would be seen by a nurse TBH)

You have a collection of signs and symptoms that should be assessed by a midwife/obstetrician.

GP also doesn't sound really on the ball.

Hi all only just popped back on as my neighbour stayed til midnight!!! Yawning my head off as well I was!

Im going to call the MW first thing in the morning, after reading this I am a little concerned that the GP seemed blasé, but he did say that he was "going to record that it may be the onset of PE symptoms" so in hindsight I think he's covering his backside!?

I do still have a headache but the irritating spottys have gone from my eyes - for now. Will keep an eye on the swelling when I attend one of my 5 toilet trips in the night & any change I'll be on the phone!

Really honestly can't thank you enough for the valuable advice...and I am a little miffed about the Drs, the nurse was meant to ring the MW to discuss but put me in with gp instead....arrgghhh!!

I need to learn to be more assertive I think....!

X

Watching this with interest....I had almost exactly the same symptoms as you - raised BP but not 'above the 190/40', little protein in urine, headache and the exact thing you describe with the eyes. I didn't have the swelling or the pain but I was very dizzy. I spent a day on Sunday in the clinic on docs orders where they checked BP every hour and it never went above the line. They let me go and wrote 'hypertension' on my notes, no one ever mentioned PE.

Now I feel much better, no more vision problems (but I have to say I occasionally got those before being pg) BP seems to be back to normal(ish) for me, but still protein in urine (I had to send in another sample this morning). Had an awful headache last night but to be fair I have had those throughout the pg. Really don't know where all of this is going....

Jimper you need to get checked out too

My friend's sister had PE on her 4th pregnancy & it developed to Eclampsia, because her symptoms came on so quick & severely. She didn't even know she had PE!

She had no trace of it before, same father for all children & no family history.

So, just because you have escaped it before, don't take the chance that you will this time.

How are things today?

Have just seen your other posts & thb, I don't feel very reassured. My midwife took 4 urine samples (over several weeks) before she referred me to the hospital! Then only because she called them and asked the what to do about it. They told her to send me down straight away & fast tracked me to see a consultant!

After a few days of tests (24hr urine collection - oh joy) and several blood tests, monitoring (I was not admitted at this point) they took my bp & it was 140/110! The consultant was shocked that I was left so long!

I was admitted straight away for an induction. I was 36 weeks.

So, this is just to say that not all community midwives know what to do for the best sometimes!

Good Luck!

Just to say, my first pregnancy, very obvious PET symptoms, highBP,headaches swollen like a balloon etc, was in hospital fir weeks then induced at 36. On medication for BP for months afterwards.

2nd time, great pregnancy, occasional trace of protein, but it all kicked off at 39 weeks. Felt fine, not bad BP, but protein increased and my kidneys stopped working, luckily my care team were on the ball and I was already in hospital when this happened.

Can't understand why some Dr's etc are so laid back about it tbh.

Morning everyone. Well woken up this morning and the headache is still going strong. Strange, I didn't wake up last night at all I slept til 9 which NEVER happens so must've been shattered! Thank god for DH sorting the kids for school today!

No symptoms other than the lovely (!) headache, swollen fingers and ankles! Sparkly eyes are barely there although that got worse as the day progressed yesterday

Think I'll rIng the MW now just in case.

X

I had severe PE picked up at 31 weeks, but I now realise I had it since 28. I also called the MW twice about my complaints and she dismissed it as normal pregnancy discomfort. My GP was brilliant and asked me to come in once I contacted her. She picked it up, but I think another GP could have easily missed it- my BP is very low normally and so (like you clouiseg my BP wasn't crazy high (yet), but was high compared to my norm. I was, very, very ill and was so lucky to have been sent to hospital immediately where I stayed for 3 weeks and my DD was born very small and early, but safe. My doc later said had I waited a week as my MW had suggested I or my DD may have been dead. It is a very serious condition and I wouldn't worry about badgering to get proper help/ reassurance.

I, too, had headaches and vision problems at 27 weeks, but since I suffer from migraines I put it down to that and didn't even consider PE. It came and went. So I had it for a month without knowing. Please, please make sure you get properly checked.

Hi clouiseg, I had pre-eclampsia with DD1.

I was admitted to hospital when my blood pressure was about the same as yours is now, after complaining about headaches and literally going blind in one eye as there were so many little flashing lights in it. I was about 37 weeks and they said they would probably do an EMCS (they didn't as my BP went back down). It's important you make sure they take you seriously :)

Omg lulu & baby!

I can't imagine how scary that was !

I think it's wrong how some health profs are so unaware or even uncaring about certain things! It's disgusting when considering the fact that there are babies involved as well as mums.

Out of interest at 31 weeks in particular, did you have protein in your urine too or was it mainly the vision etc? Thank god you were both (and your babies) were ok. It's terrifying .

Have called my MW and left a message on the answer machine! X

I start getting protein in urine from about 20 weeks, but never enough to warrant much concern from my midwife.

It really is the case that if you want to be taken seriously, you have to keep fighting. I didn't, and that's why I was left to go to 41+4 weeks despite having pre-eclampsia and ended up needing a lot of treatment and a long hospital stay after she was born.

I'm sure you will be okay, try not to worry too much, I'm sure that won't help your BP! :)

If you don't hear from midwife call labour suite or some places have an antenatal day unit (phone hospital and ask to be put through)which has midwives who assess this exact thing. I have seen a friend who went through severe PET and it took us giving her a push after being told she was fine to go and get further help. She delivered 12 hrs later and thankfully she and baby were ok but it was very close to it not being. Some GPs have lots of experience in this area and some less so depending on their background.

Your symptoms and BP all fit with PET and really someone with obstetric experience should be involved. Everything may settle down and HURRAY if it does. Take care

If I was the poster I wouldnt have left a message, the answerphone messages can take a day to pick up as they are non urgent.

I would say as a Midwife, your symptoms are urgent. If a woman called Delivery suite and told me those symptoms I would want her in for a check up.

If it is PE, it can affect the placenta, un turn the baby so it is always better to be safe than sorry

Just checking to see if there an update, hope all ok.

Hello all

I rang the hospital from the home phone as MW hadnt called back yet and the bloomin MW rang my mobile as I was on the phone to the hospital

Anyhooooo long story short the midwife is very [shocked] that the GP didnt send me straight up to AAU, but that nobody listened to babies heart or took any bloods .

She's asked me to come straight up to have baby checked, bp/urine etc & bloods done.

Have to confess that the spots are back along with (silly description alert) a strange "smudge" in my right eye iywsm? Almost like when you get a tiny little hair in your eye across your vision, but nothing's there . And once or twice have been able to 'see my pulse' in my vision for a few seconds. Gosh I sound like a loony but trying to describe it exactly how it is . Havent mentioned this to her but will do shortly.

Also left ankle is quite swollen but BP is down from yesterday (on my home machine that DH got). Am a little confused and sceptical that anything serious is afoot as the BP is so erratic & the urine had only a tiddy bit of protein but I am also anxious to ensure baby is ok.

Will be leaving shortly as soon as DH gets back from the school pick up...!

Thanks again everyone. X