Could this be pre eclampsia or am I worrying about nothing?

[wingingit1987]

32 weeks with 6th baby. I’ve got gestational diabetes this time round. Since the end of last week I’ve been experiencing headaches every day- not horrendous headaches, I hasten to add but enough that I’m using paracetamol every day. I also keep experiencing vertigo, floating spots in my vision and dizziness. I had put these down to diabetes, and I’m due to see my diabetes consultant tomorrow to planned to discuss it then. Today I’ve had pain just under my right breast that’s worse when doing things like walking. After googling it, several of my symptoms flagged up as risk for pre-eclampsia. I don’t have the swelling though. I panicked and thought about calling mat assessment but then I’m sure none of this needs dealt with tonight and it’s likely just the diabetes?

Has anyone else had experience of this?

Please please call triage ASAP

Call. That’s too many potential symptoms for my liking. Always best to get checked and find out it’s nothing than to stay home when it was a real problem. And RUQ tenderness can mean HELLP not PE.

Go to triage, they can check your blood, urine and take bloods you'll then know if its pre-eclampsia or not.

Thanks everyone. I wasn’t sure if I was over reacting

Please call triage or go to the hospital asap. Better safe than sorry.

Really hope you've gone to get seen, you're underreacting if anything, not overreacting!

Good luck x

Hi all- just to update- I called triage and they advised me to wait and see my consultant in the morning (have a routine appointment then).

Wow really?! I'm not sure I'd be happy with that personally! Hope you're feeling okay and you get sorted tomorrow. I really would urge you to just go to triage if you have another headache/floaters in vision/pain. Do you or anyone you know by any chance have a home blood pressure machine? X

I was actually just thinking there- I think my mum has a BP machine so I might try her.

These were all the similar symptoms I had with pre eclampsia. My swelling didn't really get noticeable until I was at the hospital. I'd definitely go into triage I'm surprised they've told you to wait!

They said it was likely just with the gestational diabetes but I’ve not had the pain under my breast before and it’s worrying me a bit. I’m glad I have an appointment tomorrow but feel I’ll probably be up all night worried.

Bless you. Have you managed to get the BP machine from your mum? X

Sorry OP but I wouldn’t be happy with that. I’m gobsmacked they’ve told you to wait overnight. I would be turning up at triage if it were me. You’d never forgive yourself if something happened.

For anyone else reading this- this is an emergency situation! Go to the hospital if you have symptoms like this.

I’ve managed to get a hold of my mum who is lending me her BP machine, so will see what that says. I feel like if I show up, they will think I’m a time waster after they told me to wait til tomorrow but I am also feeling a bit iffy about the whole thing.

They will NOT think you’re a time waster. They would rather see 99 women whose babies turn out to be fine than 1 that isn’t.

What if something happened to your baby? You would NEVER forgive yourself. Please don’t worry about wasting anyone’s times it’s literally what triage is there for.

Please. Please go now.

I had pre eclampsia with my first and gestational hypertension with my second. I'm really surprised you were advised to wait till the morning to be seen. Please please consider going to maternity assessment as soon as possible tonight. Without trying to scare you too much, left untreated you and baby are massively at risk. If you do manage to get a BP machine anything 140/90 or above is cause for concern but the other symptoms you have are very concerning. Please let us know how you and baby are?

Thanks all- my blood pressure was ok but pulse is 135. I’m going to give them a ring back now.

Good. They should also be ruling out a blood clot eg with a blood test (D Dimer) if poss.

IME the call handler sometimes just goes by your feeling on things so if you are prone to playing things down have a good think about how you actually feel about staying home. You have updated this thread several times and obviously seem concerned. I think that alone is worth investigating tbh.

I would just go to triage to be honest with you.
I do feel my local triage would happily fob you off if they were busy, especially if you disnt seem too worried on the phone.
Give them a call back, explain your concerns again, say you have a high heart rate and would like to be seen for reassurance.
If there was a problem youd never forgive yourself and it will help put your mind at rest.
They cant refuse to see you if you explain how worried you are.

@wingingit1987 Glad you’re calling them back OP. You’re absolutely not overreacting to be worried about the symptoms you’ve described.

And even if you were, IMO during pregnancy and when dealing with young children is when it will always be better to overreact than to “wait and see”.

Let us know how you get on ❤️

Hi all, just to update, they think it’s likely costochondritis as no protein in urine and BP is ok. Thanks so much to all of you for your replies

Hi OP, relieved you've been seen and it's not pre-eclampsia. Have they given you anything to help with the headaches?

I’ve been told I can take low dose cocodamol if I’m struggling with them.