Itching like mad

[RosiePosies]

I'm 29+4, and for the last 6 weeks or so I've struggled with itchiness. I've had blood tests and my liver function is normal but I am anaemic, which I started taking stuff for two days ago.

It started off just being a bit annoying, and I found my skin was super sensitive to what materials I wore. It's now got to the point where wearing clothes has become an absolute nightmare and I'm getting extremely down and barely sleeping at night.

It's not as bad in the day, I think because I'm up and about, but as soon as it hits 4ish I'm squirming about all over the place. I also feel generally agitated and restless, and have put that down to restless leg (which is more like restless body).

I genuinely don't remember the last time I felt 'relaxed'.

Is it just me? I've got another doctors appt tomorrow, but I feel like I need to know I'm not alone : (

@RosiePosies how long ago did you have bloods done?
Because I would personally be asking for another blood test to be sure. I had OC and the bile acid levels will continue to rise so if the test was a few weeks back maybe ask for a retest.

Feel your pain regarding itching. It really got me down. I would smother my skin in moisturiser and then stand in front of a fan naked while my skin absorbed the cream

I had this - I was so itchy that it was impossible to drive at times. Once they'd ruled out cholestasis, the gp told me to take Piriton, which sorted the problem immediately.

Oh and drink pure orange juice as the vitamin c will help your body absorb the iron. You might find once your iron levels pick up a bit the itching will calm right down.

I also used Aveeno cream and had coolish baths with Aveeno bath powder (colloidal oatmeal). If you can't get any at short notice, put a handful of porridge oats in a popsock, tie it up and swish it around in the bath.

@heydiddle20 they were done at my 28 week appt 10 days ago - I'm going to speak to the GP about it tonight

@Fozzleyplum amazing, will mention this to GP

I can't believe how much itching is ruining my pregnancy - it's the last thing I thought would put me off having another baby, but seriously I'm going insane!

My DD also had this with a visible rash all over - and she had pre-eclampsia. Someone needs to be keeping a close eye on this.

I had this later in pregnancy (went 2 weeks over). Got worse post birth. A few days later a new midwife saw me and demanded I see the GP who had no idea what it was. Turned out to be PUPPS and I needed oral and topical steroids to get rid of it. It tends to start in stretch marks and spread out across legs and arms.

I had really itchy legs in last several weeks of pregnancy - felt like eczema. I used lots of Bepanthem cream and aveeno cream, and oilatum or aveeno oats in the bath. It drove me mad at night too, combined with restless legs - it didn't turn out to be anything serious but it really is all you need when you need sleep anyway.

I had this with my first pregnancy. I'm not going to lie, it made me miserable. I was tested repeatedly for OC and they eventually decided it was PUPPS. I was making myself bleed with the itching. They said if necessary they would deliver early, so administered steroid injections which served two purposes. The first was to help with the itching, then like they said, if it didn't help, the baby's lungs would be prepared for a slightly early birth. Luckily the itching improved enough after steroids to get me to my pre-booked ELCS. Loads of moisturiser and Piriton helped too. On the plus side, I have been told it's highly unlikely to happen again!

Oh OP I sympathize - I had this and it was awful! Bearing in mind I was PG 8 years ago and I still clearly remember how bad it was, especially at night.

My midwife referred me to a consultant btw - I was almost at term when it started - and she just waved me away and recommended a chocolate teapot calomine (sp?!) lotion. Which was useless.

Agree with pp about Aveeno, that helped quite a bit. Glad you are seeing your doctor again, hope they can get it sorted

Could it be PUPPS. I had this. Horrendous. Try this soap (seriously, it cured me):
Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap 92 g https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0001TO3NA/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_gH0uCbKEZWJRZ

Hi, I had OC, and started itching at 30 weeks. it was unbearable and relentless at night and bearable in the day. At the start some nights were ok. It took 4 weeks for my bile acids to rise after the inching started (I was on weekly tests) which isn’t uncommon with OC/ICP so please do ask for repeated tests if nothing else is identified. I was then put onto urso which helped the bile acids not rise as fast and protected the baby (it doesn’t take the itch away though) and given piriton (which didn’t stop the itching either but did knock me out so I got some sleep). And I was then tested every 48 hours as the acids can rise quickly,until I delivered at 37 weeks due to reduced movements. Keep asking to be tested please unless something else is identified.

Thanks a lot everyone - I feel better knowing it's not just me.

The doctor has prescribed me piriton, and has told me to go back if it doesn't improve and they will redo blood tests. I was on promethazine about a month ago for sleep but it made my restless leg worse so I'm reaaaaally hoping this doesn't do the same thing.

He was very nice, but at the end said 'Come you can do it, the finish line isn't too far in sight!' and I very nearly punched him in the face.

@sleephelp - I am exactly the same - during the day I can get by, but when it hits 4pm onwards it's just awful. I will keep up with the tests, thank you

I get this intermittentently too, it woke me up the other night and I posted on here but it seems to have worn off again. I've found hypoallergenic sanex for washing and Aveeno for lotion helps a bit. It's rubbish though isn't it such a silly thing but so all-consuming when it's really bad!

I had this with DC1 and I was insane. If someone had offered to remove my skin I’d have leapt at the chance. What saved me was aqueous cream with menthol in it, I cried with relief when I got it. I think it needs to be prescribed but it is the BUSINESS.

It's not liver function they should do to test for cholestasis, it's bile salts. Please check they have tested bile salts.

I had OC in my last two pregnancies. My DS was lucky to survive as the midwife messed up and only did liver function instead of bile salts. With my DD I was diagnosed at 36 weeks when they did bile salts test, mine was in the mid 100s and rising and I delivered at 37 weeks. I am certain I had it with ds too. Worst at night, arms, legs, hands and feet. It was dreadful.

www.icpsupport.org/about_diagnosis.shtml