Going crazy....

**KBear** · 03-17-2011, 05:41 PM

Ok, I have to complain and it has nothing whatsoever to do with backs. I am insanely itching all over my body, it's absolutely driving me mad. My legs, arms, face, scalp, hands, feet... you get the point, but there is not a rash or anything. I finally called the OB and asked what I could take for this, as Aveeno lotion and oatmeal baths are not helping. Turns out there could be a potential problem, so have to go have blood work first thing in the morning to check my liver function. Meanwhile they are calling in some prescriptions to help until then. If I can refrain from taking out my skin between now and then I'll be good. Hopefully it's nothing and from everything I have read, these things usually go away as soon as baby is born, so not much longer to deal with it at least.

**Cindylou** · 03-17-2011, 08:54 PM

Keep us posted Kathy. Sending prayers and good wishes your way from Mexico. CL

**Justin** · 03-18-2011, 12:17 AM

Hi Kathy,

I'm so sorry for the extreme itching. Your OB is probably checking your liver, as bile salts are processed through the liver and can cause pruritis (itching) if deposited in the skin.

Hopefully, they will give you something to relieve the itching. Hang in there...this doesn't help how uncomfortable you are at this point in your pregnancy.

**Katie** · 03-18-2011, 04:29 AM

Hang in there sweetie! That must be pure torture. Oh the joys of being a mom

**dalhousie** · 03-19-2011, 05:16 PM

I can understand how the itching is driving you crazy. Hope you can get some relief from it before your baby comes. Since I started with back problems (which dates back to 16 years ago) I've developed increasingly sensitive skin & now take a daily antihistamine - my doc thinks it's to do with all the stress I've had since I started with back issues - I also developed mild eczema as well.

Hope things settle down for you - itching all over is awful.

**jss** · 03-19-2011, 09:57 PM

Kathy, condolences on the itching. I can kind-of relate. When my third round of cervical problems started in Jan '08, they presented with INTENSE itching on my left forearm, wrist and hand. One night I dreamed that I had chopped off my left thumb with a meat-cleaver to get some relief; and woke up to find that I was chewing on that thumb. I found that I was able to scratch offending thumb without removing any noticeable layers of skin by scratching with the posterior sides of my fingernails.

Sigh...

Good luck, Jeff

**KBear** · 03-20-2011, 11:33 AM

Thanks guys. I'm still waiting on the blood test results, apparently it takes a few days to get results on bile acid levels. All my other blood work was good. The medication they called in is helping tremendously, I feel so much better, one is for itching and the other some kind of cholesterol medication. I've been feeling pretty crappy for a few weeks (nausea, extreme fatigue, and not much appetite, and pain under my right breast.) All of that is much better now, feeling more like me and walking down stairs is not exhausting and I'm hungry again. They also did a gall bladder ultrasound, the pain under the right breast, all looked good, they said it was constricted and to eat a low fat diet. I guess I'm a doctor's dream and nightmare in one.... I was so used to the horrible back pain, that I tend to ignore other pains and things and don't complain.

Hopefully tomorrow the final blood work will be back. I googled the condition they are testing for and scared the dog out of myself. Luckily it's very rare, so hoping that means it's slim to none I have it. Said the main symptom/ problem for the mom is extreme itching (who would have thought that itching could signal a problem?) For the baby though, it can lead to fetal distress, meconium or death (and the chances of these are very high the later in pregnancy one goes). It says that they generally induce between 36-38 weeks if someone has it.... which is pretty much what the nurse told me. I'm making sure to do my kick counts religiously and calling the doctor if anything seems not right. So far so good, I also had a non stress test on baby yesterday and he looked great (they hook me up to monitors for baby's heartbeat, contraction monitor and check my blood pressure).

**Justin** · 03-20-2011, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by KBear

I'm making sure to do my kick counts religiously and calling the doctor if anything seems not right. So far so good, I also had a non stress test on baby yesterday and he looked great (they hook me up to monitors for baby's heartbeat, contraction monitor and check my blood pressure).

Great news. I hope all checks out OK.

**KBear** · 03-21-2011, 09:10 PM

Good News, my blood work came back good. I have my pre op appointment tomorrow and they are going to do a sonogram to make sure baby is looking good. I'm still itching like crazy and what I assume is my gallbladder hurts like crazy, just keep reminding myself it's almost over- 4 days and counting.......

**Justin** · 03-21-2011, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by KBear

Good News, my blood work came back good. I have my pre op appointment tomorrow and they are going to do a sonogram to make sure baby is looking good. I'm still itching like crazy and what I assume is my gallbladder hurts like crazy, just keep reminding myself it's almost over- 4 days and counting.......

You're getting closer by the minute!