Cholestasis?

Question

Anyone had any cholestasis symptoms and end up not having it? Specifically just the itchy hands and feet? 
I called my doctor Thursday morning. Told his nurse that I had had extremely itchy hands and feet the past two nights. She asked me if I had any swelling and when I said no, she told me just to take Benadryl and use calamine lotion. (I have no rashes 🙄) 
Well today (Monday) I’m still suffering. I woke up at 3 AM itching the hell out of my hands and my fingers are super swollen (I have a ring that will NOT come off and it actually hurts)
I wanted to call my doctor again this morning and see about blood tests to test me for cholestasis but I feel like they’re just going to brush me off again. I guess I’m just curious if anyone has gone through anything similar? 
Oh, and I will be 36 weeks tomorrow.

Answer

I had severe itching that began probably around 35 weeks and my doctor kept brushing it off. One night I couldn’t stop scratching so I called the on call doctor because I couldn’t handle it anymore. The on call doctor sent me to get blood work and called me herself a couple hours later to get to the hospital to be delivered. My liver was failing because I had HELLP syndrome. I don’t want to scare you but you need to advocate for yourself and get that blood work done today. Your life could depend on it.

Answer

Another quick update: i went to ER, they sent me up to L&D.; The on call doctor agreed that my symptoms sounded like cholestasis. We did an ultrasound and the tech did a APGAR test on baby and he passed, so if he has to be delivered early, all should be well with him. They took several vials of blood and told me it would take a couple days to get the results back, but they sent me home with a prescription that should help with my itching. 
If they come back as cholestasis, i will be 37 weeks next week and we likely will deliver baby. If not, i just will continue the medication until 39 weeks when i have my c section. 
So glad to finally have been taken seriously!

Answer

Hello! I’m guessing your baby has come into the world by now 🤗
I’m currently 27 weeks pregnant and work up during the night with severe itchiness on my palms and the soles of my feet. I called the hospital the next morning and they got me to come in to have the tests done. It came back negative for cholestasis (and everything else they tested me for) which was a HUGE relief. But since then, the itchiness has continued and I’ve started to develop other symptoms as well (hello pale poo and dark urine!)
During one night of severe itchiness and wondering whether I was being a hypochondriac, I read everything I could about it. One of the medical papers I read said the itchiness can occur one or two weeks before there are any changes in the liver or bile levels. So - if you are itchy, don’t worry, just keep your midwife informed and make sure they keep doing blood tests if your symptoms persist - and keep monitoring your baby’s movements!! 
So have I’ve found lukewarm baths with lavender help, was well as canduela oils and taking on a ‘liver detox’ type diet to help with those acidity levels. 
Hope it’s helpful to other ladies that might be going through something similar!!

Answer

Update: so i called my doctor as soon as they opened this morning. They said they’d call back. They waited til 4 to tell me to do Benadryl and cortisone cream AGAIN. 😡 
Do i just go to the hospital and be like HEY I CANT STOP ITCHING AND NO ONE IS LISTENING, CAN YOU HELP? 
I honestly don’t know what to do. I don’t want to be turned away bc i literally stay up all night scratching and bawling bc it won’t stop. 😭

Answer

Yes! I was certain it was cholestasis especially because I have no gallbladder and have had pancreatitis twice. My bile acids ended up being super super low. No cholestasis! And the severe itching stopped after 3 days it was so strange. If I was having some type of reaction to something I have no idea what it could've been.

Answer

I did have cholestasis, I had to sleep with socks on my hands or I’d wake up bloody. It’s a really simple blood test and is usually diagnosed right around where you are at. Please do get it done because if you do have it they need to start monitoring your baby right away.

Answer

I have very itchy hands and feet. Started at 28 weeks. I got tested and everything came back ok. I’m still itchy but I’m more itchy when it’s warm and I’m swelled

Cholestasis?

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