Pre-Eclampsia Watch Dog on the loose. - Page 19

[shannon0218]

Factor V can be tested while pregnant, it's more the auto-immune related clotting factors that are difficult to test for while pregnant such as anti-cardiolipin antibodies. The biggest documented dangers with Factor 5 are later in pregnancy although MANY people believe it also results in early pregnancy loss.
This is a yahoo support group for Factor V leiden and other clotting disorders in pregnancy.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FVL-PG

[funnygrace]

Thanks for the information. That makes sense--pregnancy shouldn't change your genetics. I'll definitely look into the yahoo group if I test positive.

[Satori]

Well ladies, i've been following this thread since it started forever ago and it looks like i'm headed for a repeat, I ended up with severe pre-e/hellp with my dd and i'll be 24 weeks on wednesday and i've had some sudden weight gain/swelling issues this weekend, facial swelling last night that thankfully is gone today (vain I know but I start a new job today!) but I woke up with pitting edema in my feet and hands this morning. OB's office is closed but I managed to snag an appt with my family Dr this morning before work to check BP/weight/urine dip and labs if I need them. I pray this is just a normal pregnancy thing but my instincts are telling me there not.

[flyingspaghettimama]

I am sorry, Satori. Also, sometimes you can check your BP & weight at least at a pharmacy...I did this a lot during my pregnancy, although I see you will be able to get into the doctor's today.

This is a wild shot, but have you tried upping your cal-mag intake and drinking more water? Sometimes that can help flush things through, if it's normal water retention. If not though, best to get it checked in any case. Let us know how things turn out, ok?

[gossamer]

Satori, how are things? What did the Dr. say?
Gossamer

[Satori]

Originally Posted by gossamer

Satori, how are things? What did the Dr. say?
Gossamer

ugh, I'm ready to slap some medical "professionals"! I finally saw the OB today and I've gained 16lbs in 19 days! My BP is rising fast and was actually high for ME last night when I went to the ER for pain under my right rib. Dipstick wouldn't check my liver functions because I wasn't jaundiced looking so I was obviously fine and decided I needed a friggin tox screen instead: Anyway, my OB kinda blew me off today and just suggested bedrest and paying a visit to the high risk clinic on Thursday since I'm not presenting with "typical" pre-e, why the heck do they think protein should be the first thing to show up? He wont even order a 24 hour urine to check for it! Says his dip sticks are just fine when I know they can be wrong and miss it. I mean honestly, I've got all this:

16lb gain in 19 days and not eating enough to account for that much and its not helping that its staying distributed in my body but at night I swell up like crazy and my poor feet and hands burn like there on fire.

vision blurring on occasion (keep thinking my glasses are really dirty when there not)
pain under my right rib and right shoulder pain
indigestion from hell
rising/high BP
swelling with occasional pitting in hands and feet
nausea is back

and i'm only 25 weeks, i've got a right to be concerned! I know this baby will be here very early at this rate but I also know they can do things like give steriods to help the baby out even if I manage to hold out another couple weeks.

At least the baby is active to reassure me she's ok.

[acrathbun]

ugh, I'm ready to slap some medical "professionals"! I finally saw the OB today and I've gained 16lbs in 19 days! My BP is rising fast and was actually high for ME last night when I went to the ER for pain under my right rib. Dipstick wouldn't check my liver functions because I wasn't jaundiced looking so I was obviously fine and decided I needed a friggin tox screen instead Anyway, my OB kinda blew me off today and just suggested bedrest and paying a visit to the high risk clinic on Thursday since I'm not presenting with "typical" pre-e, why the heck do they think protein should be the first thing to show up? He wont even order a 24 hour urine to check for it! Says his dip sticks are just fine when I know they can be wrong and miss it.

Umm, time to find a new OB? Maybe immediately?

[gossamer]

Go to the pre-eclampsia website , preeclampsia.org, print off the symptoms of pre-e and run as fast as you can to the emergency room.
Gossamer

[shannon0218]

Satori, I completely agree with the pp's, you need to get into a hospital right now. Tell your OB to smarten the heck up!

[Satori]

Yippee! Just saw my regular Dr to get copies for my BP/weight increase since my OB didn't have crap and yesterday I weighed 149 on there scale and today I'm down to 143 and my BP is down to 122/68 The cause? I doubled my potassium and magnesium intake (the prescription level I'm supposed to take but don't because it causes GI upset) because my labs showed they were really low again and my body is flushing everything now. Lets hope it keeps up! I'm going to be in the city for the next day or 2 so if something's up I'll go to L&D but otherwise I have my appt at high risk tomorrow morning.

[massaginmommy]

whew Satori I am glad to hear that.
I have a Gyn appt today, finally for a yearly. I am going to talk to here about getting some testing done as DH and I are ttc #5 right now. I am going to ask for a liver function panel a 24 hour urine output and blood tests for clotting issues? Anything else I should get tested? I have never seen her before as we moved after YDS was born. She is a highrisk OB/GYN so I am hoping she will be familar with what tests I need but I would like to sound informed when speaking to her.
I have had pre-e with all my births and hemorraging after my first sons birth 21 years ago. My bp's run super high during labor (225/170 the last time) and I was induced for all my births. BTW I am almost 43
TIA Laurie

[massaginmommy]

SO the appt was kind of disappointing. She told me clotting factors had nothing to do with pre-E and we didn't need a urine or liver fundtion until I was actually pregnant. She did order some blood work, a fasting liipid for cholesterol because I am 42 and had this checked over 5 years ago and she ordered a comprhensive Metabolic panel. She said that would show liver function or something. I just feel like I didn't have the kind of appt I was hoping for. I amwaiting ot hear how my pap and HPV turn out.
WHy is it that sometimes with our research we seem to know more than the medical doctors?????

[flyingspaghettimama]

Could you find a different doctor who would be willing to work with you on prevention and/or figuring out some root issues? Perhaps someone who knows about Factor V or other thrombophilias? Maybe a ob/gyn perinatologist who specializes (you could interview a few first and find out who knows the most)?

Have you ever had a blood clot?

Have you tried different nutritional/exercise approaches in previous pregnancies?

[massaginmommy]

I hemmoraged after DS #1. I was passing clots bigger than my fist. I have had PIH or Pre E with all three of my births. I tried dietary stuff with the last pregnancy High protein, plus herbs. I am going to look into other docs. She is actually listed as a high risk and on her website it says she has experience with Pre-E. How do you know who is good? I need a list of questions to ask or something. I definitely want to find some answers.

[flyingspaghettimama]

Yeah, they don't mean that kind of clots with a underlying clotting issue - it's like, you have blood clots during your pregnancy in your body (i.e. in your leg, etc). Do you have other underlying issues i.e. high blood pressure? It might be good to get in as good as health as you can before TTC.

As far as questions go, I asked the docs and midwives what their personal opinion was as to what caused pre-eclampsia. I sought people who seemed to have a better answer than "I don't know, it's a mystery. You can't do anything but pray." The high risk doc I saw had definite opinions about it and suggested watching sodium intake from processed foods (which is different than salt to taste) and extra calcium and folic acid during TTC and throughout pregnancy, said he'd seen really amazing results due to folic acid supplementation.

So basically, having some sort of opinion about the matter and willing to investigate possible underlying issues and causes and solutions with you...

[massaginmommy]

My placenta fell apart upon delivery with my first. I have recently been doing some reading about the link between the placenta and Pre-E
With my last I watched my weight gain ate healthier than I ever have in my life had no BP issues until about 4-6 weeks prior to EDD They induced 2 weeks early. I haven't had blood clots in my body. I have had High BP but when we monitor at home it is much lower and within the normal ranges. Maybe white coat syndrome. I have wondered if I should be on BP meds during my pregnancy. I did extra calcium and herbs for bp. I walked a couple miles everyday and did yoga. We also used accupuncture to try to keep the BP down.
With the clotting factors though what would be the harm in testing for them anyway? I am sure some of them are hidden. Many women have issues with miscarraige due to clotting and never know that is the culprit until someone tests for it. KWIM? I figure they could at least rule that out.

[flyingspaghettimama]

Bummer. I agree with you. They could at least check due to your request and the severity of your preeclampsia in the past. Maybe this isn't a doctor who isn't open minded enough to listen and/or investigate your request? If you stay with your doc you might want to bring her info on Factor V, etc.

The baby aspirin regimen at bedtime is supposed to help many previously preeclamptic women, and they think it has something to do with clotting issues. Same with the folic acid. I dunno, when I was trying to prevent a recurrence I was on baby aspirin (18-35 weeks), mega doses of folic acid, calcium, B vitamins, and magnesium, high protein/low carb, heavy exercise, and constant management of my weight and BP. Oh, and beet juice! Whenever I started getting puffy, I'd drink some fresh beet juice and pee it all out. Sounds weird, but it worked for me.

In any case, hugs to you - it sounds like you're trying everything humanly possible to get to the bottom of it all. You just need a great doc partner in your mission!

[massaginmommy]

You are right. I am gonna keep looking until I find a great doc. Thanks for all the great tips.

[clavicula]

hey mamas,

i have a q for you, flyingspaghettimama.
i am ttc#2 now, and trying to prevent a recurrence. (with dd i had severe PE started @36w, delivered @37w3d) your ideas are great , i wrote it down for myself!

Originally Posted by flyingspaghettimama

I dunno, when I was trying to prevent a recurrence I was on baby aspirin (18-35 weeks), mega doses of folic acid, calcium, B vitamins, and magnesium, high protein/low carb, heavy exercise, and constant management of my weight and BP. Oh, and beet juice! Whenever I started getting puffy, I'd drink some fresh beet juice and pee it all out. Sounds weird, but it worked for me.

what do you mean on heavy excercise?

[flyingspaghettimama]

Clavicula,
I went to the gym at least every other day for at least thirty minutes of exercise (elliptical, yoga, bike, walking), exercising until I was sweating, all the way until the day I went into labor. I was also running (outdoors) until my 7th month of pregnancy at least once a week. I skipped a few weeks in the middle of summer, but that was it. The reason why - there was a great study that explained the role of exercise in prevention of preeclampsia. I can post it to you if you're interested.

The best part, I was hardly ever sick! It felt super good, I would stop if I felt icky or too hot or something...and it was a great confirmation that I was doing the right thing when my son was born and he was huge and the placenta was huge - plenty of nutrients getting in there.

Here is a longer version of what I wrote:
http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...&postcount=351