Raised BP and Headaches at 22wks - HELP!

[M2T]

What next eh? I had my 22wk antenatal check yesterday and it wasn't good. I have been getting horrible headaches for the past 2 wks and generally haven't felt very great. A couple of times I've noticed my feet have swollen too.

Anyway, the GP found protein and blood in my urine and prescribed AntiB's for a UTI.... which would explain why I'm peeing 3 times a night!

But then he checked my BP and it was high. My BP sits at around 110/70. But this time I noticed he wrote down 84 for the 2nd number.... didn't see the 1st one.

He checked again 15 mins later and it was the same. He said it wasn't enough on it's own to concern him, but together with the headaches, protein in urine he is quite worried. He asked me to go back next week to be checked again and perhaps go into the hospital to be monitored over 4 hours, but I'm on holiday. I promised the GP I would take my notes with me and see a doctor if the headaches and swelling returned.

I have an appointment to go back to see him on my return (14th April).

Has anyone else had this? Could it be the UTI that is raising my BP and causing headaches? Surely it isn't pre-eclampsia at 22wks?????

What treatment can they give me to lower my BP without harming the baby? I'm so worried. Luckily the baby is still very active.

Anyone have any words of advice/reassurance... anything?

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Twiglett - Unfortunately with BP it depends on what your 'normal' is. The 2nd number for me sits at between 65-70 and any rise of 15 or above is classed as a concern..... so I think I was very borderline.
It's the headaches and swelling that have really got me and the GP worried. The headaches are intense shooting pains behind my eyes that make me squint in bright light.

I hope you're right Twig and I'm hoping the antiB's will help.

I had raised BP and protein present in my Urine at 37 wks last time and was admitted to hospital until I went into labour at 39wks. But I think at that stage it's pretty common??

I'm worried that I won't be able to continue working, I have a 1.5hr commute to work on public transport which is quite stressful.

bump

You had a really stressful day earlier this week, M2T. Could that have affected you temporarily? Hope you get some more advice and are feeling better soon - also that the BP settles. Take care.

Sorry M2T - can't be any help on this whatsoever!

I was worried about this about 6-8 weeks ago as i was experiencing horrible headache's but each time i went to my midwife and asked her about them she said it was all just part and parcel and that because my BP was fine there was no cause for concern.

However, this obviously isn't the case with you. Where are you going on holiday?
Do agree with Twinkie that he should've given you more information

I suffered from high BP during my first pregnancy, although I only had trace amounts of protein. At one point my BP was up to 155/115 (my usual was about 110/75) and the advice given was just to rest and put my feet up to help the swelling go down. Obviously this probably isn't as realistic in a 2nd pregnancy when there is more work to be done. I guess I'm just trying to reassure you that your BP would need to be a lot higher before it would need medication to bring it down. I was lucky to escape medication-free.

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Thanks folks... I think it's the combination of all the symptoms of Pre-eclamspsia which is really frightening me.

Last time mine went from 110/65 to 150/95 and that's when they admitted me. They let me go home when it dropped to 120/80 after 3 days, but I was back in 2 days later as it had risen again. I went into labour before they had a chance to induce me or send me home again. So it turned out okay.

Has this happened to anyone as early as 22 wks before? I know in the last trimester it's quite common, but halfway through the 2nd?

Could this just calm down on it's own? And apart from bed rest is there anything else I can do help?

Twiglett - yep, that was back when I lived in Newcastle. I had quite a few BP Profiles done. That really high reading appeared during the middle of one of them while I was relaxed and resting. They said that I was probably a 'spiker' rather than having any particular problem.

Hi M2T. Sorry to hear your troubles... what a week you are having!!! I suffer from raised B/P all the time, and have been told that there are a number of things that can affect a reading: were you rushing round to get to your appointment? Have you been stressed recently (yes!!) etc. As for trying to reduce B/P without medication, I was told less salt in my diet, and gentle increase in exercise. As it was this did no good in my case and I am permanently on bp medication - I am 8 weeks P/G and the medication I am on does no harm to the baby.

I guess what I'm trying to say is try to relax, cos worrying will just make your B/P increase more and if it is something that is a consequence of your pregnancy, then medication is not such a bad thing - I don't really get any side effects with mine! Oh, and whilst I remember, headaches are a common sympton of having high blood pressure, so perhaps it's just a temporary blip that is related.

Good luck - hope it all works out

I had been sitting in the waiting room for 20mins watching daytime TV before my appointment so it shouldn't have that. I've taken ds to appointments before and my BP has always been just fine.
Stressed YES! But the headaches have been going on for 2 wks. My BP hasn't been checked since my 16 wk appointment..... so I don't know how long this has been going on for.
The swelling ankles is odd too, I was at my friends for dinner the other night and my feet started to swell whilst I was sitting at the dinner table. I took me shoes off and couldn't get them back on when I was going home.

At least I know I'm not alone with the high BP.... it's just that it's so unusual for me. I had a thing for red wine in my last pregnancy and had a couple of glasses a week...... maybe that helped!

M2T - panic not, you do not need any medication for your blood pressure at this stage.

It is not uncommon to have headaches in pregnancy and if you have any stresses going on that would contribute to them too. Also pregnant women tend to avoid taking any medication for the headache so it persists. Paractemol will shift it.

Did you have any other signs of a UTI? Does it burn when you pass urine? Do you only pass small amounts? Do you have abdominal pain or backache? I would have thought the GP would have sent off a smaple to confirm daignosis.

GP's are not the right professionals to deal with pregnancy IMO. They do not often have enough knowledge to reassure women. Much better to see a midwife and if there are any problems to be referred to an obstetricain.

Go and enjoy your holiday

At 22 weeks it is extremely unlikely that you are developing pre-eclampsia ( have never seen it that early but it rarely can happen).

Swelling is not uncommon in pregnancy either I should have said. It is not a reliable diagnsotic sign of pre-eclampsia either. Ankle swelling isoften par for the course being pregnant. Meant to say that your BP is not particularly high so honestly do not worry.

Thanks Mears. You should start charging for your services.

Funny you should mention it, but all day today I've had an aching low down in my back, but I put that down to another SPD symptom. I've had no burning, but I am getting up 2 or 3 times a night to pee the smallest amounts! I'm drinking lots of water now too.

The GP prescribed cocodamol instead, as paracetamol didn't seem to get rid of the headaches very well..... although it definitely took the edge off! It's horrible going to bed with a headache and waking up with it still there.

I think I'm getting too old for this pregnancy lark..... GOD KNOWS how you lot manage it in your 40's.... hats off y'all.

Hello again,

I had my follow up appointment today to check if my BP was still up and guess what? It is!

My normal is 110/65
2 weeks ago it was 135/93 (finally got it written in my notes!)
Today it was 130/88

There is still protein and blood in my urine and there has been since February! And lab results show NO UTI.

I'm still getting these strange headaches. I have been booked into the daycare at the hospital tomorrow morning and I'm terrified!

The Doctor and MW both said that they couldn't explain why my BP was up and why there was protein/blood present.....

What could it be? And what next?? I'm only 24wks pregnant.
Will this be harming my baby? Could it be the symptoms of something else other than pre-eclampsia??

Mears? Anyone? HELP!

no help here M2T but thought i'd bump this up.

hope all goes well

M2T - BP could be up because you are anxious about it (white coat syndrome). Protein in urine could be contamination if you have any increased discharge (very common during pregnancy. How much protein is there?
Try not to worry too much. Headaches and BP could be linked to anxiety - understandable.

Datcare will do seriel BP moniroting to see what happens over a length of time. Also will check your blood for other markers of pre-eclampsia. Will probably be able to reassure you after that. Be prepared to be there for a few hours. Good luck, mears.

missed this M2T - sorry to hear about all your stress and worry - lots of positive thoughts and vibes coming your way
I can't help at all on the medical front except to mention that I have really bad headaches like you describe right now and I think it's from all the tree pollen - probably a really stupid suggestion, but could the headaches at least be caused by something totally unrelated to your pregnancy like that? really stupid idea I know I just remember that during my pregnancies sometimes my allergies got a whole load worse
anyway, that was just a random thought - I'm sure it will all go fine on the tests - the serial bp monitoring is much much better for checking out your bp - mine fluctuated absolutely loads due to stress at whether they would be high or not and it was much more relaxing to just sit in the chair and read magazines for half an hour or so than having doctors poring over me
lots of love

Just seen this M2T, . I am getting lots of headaches too but my nose has been blocked and I think this may be causing them, I sound like an elephant when I blow. Do you think you may have a blocked nose? No advice on the blood pressure, think mears may be right (as per) though with the stress of wonderering could be causing probs.

Let us know how things go after your appointment.

Hugs ((((((()))))))

(it's oliveoil by the way, I am in disguise xx)

Thanks peeps for all your suggestions... Blocked nose and allergies are possibilities as I have both. But the headaches feel almost like migraines. Really quite intense sometimes.

Mears - I had thought that perhaps the disharge (yuk!) could have something to do with it. There seems to be rather alot of it!!
Would that also account for the trace blood too?

I've come into work this morning (not the head office.... just the local one near my home) to drop off some stuff then the Project Manager is giving me a lift to the hospital.

I remember daycare from last time.... I just have bad memories of it as the only 2 times I've been there I've ended up being admitted! But at least that was 37wks+.

Ho hum.... we shall see. Either way I think this will put an end to my 3hrs commuting a day.... maybe they will let me work from home as I use a laptop anyway!

Will keep you posted, if I'm admitted I'll post when I get out, DH is useless at using a PC so best not ask him to post on my behalf.

M2T
xxx

M2T I have had pre- eclampsia, so I do know a bit about this. It is rare for you to get it so early in your pregnancy. So try and not worry too much about it. I'm sure they will monitor you closely in your pregnancy the fact that you developed headaches, bp and protein. If your GP or consultant are concerned you will be admitted to hospital for further tests. Pre-eclampsia tends to show itself from 30 wks onwards, so try and not worry. There can be many reasons why you developed certain symptoms. I would ask your midwife/GP for possible answers to reassure you. Larsxx

M2T

Only just seen this thread, goodluck today, try and get the biggest pile of hello and ok magazines possible and come back and tell us the truth about "Becks and Ms Loos".

Headaches are a common sympton/down side in pregnancy. I never get them normally, but as you describe get intense migraine like ones when pregnant, which make me highly sensitive to light etc. The best cure for me seems to be drinking loads of fluid

Good luck with today, at least you will be the experts

Hi folks!
The good news is I'm home! My BP went back down to my usual 110/70 ish and today my urine was all clear.

That bad news is.... the hospital told me that the travelling to and from the head office of my work carrying a laptop is probably aggravating it and if I don't slow down I will end up being admitted. I work between the site office (5miles from my door) and the head office which is 1.5 hrs and 3 forms of public transport away! I phoned my boss to tell him the score and to suggest that I work from the site office until I leave for mat leave in 9wks time..... he was less than nice!
He told me he NEEDED me in the head office (that's ridiculous coz they don't, I have a laptop and a phone)..... and that he was seeking advice from the Personnel Director about his next course of action. WHAT THE FU**??

He really wasn't nice and I came off the phone and burst into tears. I have tried to speak to my Union, but can't get hold of anyone until next week. In the meantime I feel like a sitting duck..... what CAN he do? Surely they can't make me start my Mat Leave at 24 wks? I only get 6wks pay then it drops to £100 per week. I'm sure this worrying is probably effecting my BP now.

I just want to be informed as to what course of action they can take against me. I don't even know whether I'll get full sick pay if I'm signed off as the Company Intranet doesn't really tell you much. I don't want to give up work.... I was offering him a viable and reasonable alternative which would allow me to continue to work fulltime without the large commute, but he seemed totally disinterested.

Just what I needed.

Glad to hear your ok.
As for work I don't really know the legal implications suggest you open up a thread on this. I'm sure somebody will be able to repsond with some good advice/perhaps there might be a legal mum out there that can help.
I would imagine that your boss will have to be careful as his attitude might distress you even more causing you to have high BP. Take advice and be ready for your boss with an answer. Keep us posted Larsxx

Thanks Lars. You're right, it would be better if I started another thread for this.... it might 'attract' some legal experts.