Extreme itchiness

[chauvina]

I have extremely itchy calves and shins with a few slightly raised bumps but no redness or rash. It's keeping me up at night and I'm afraid that it may be related to something more serious (liver Cholitis??) I have a dr.'s appt. Thursday. Is it okay to wait until then? I've tried a new lotion (all natural) and took a cool oatmeal bath. But still itchy...Someone also said put my lotion in the refrig. which sounds great (wish I weren't at work and could do that right now). Any advice is appreciated. I'm 22 weeks along and just found out last week about the b/g twins.
addie
#1 and #2
EDD (40 weeks) 3-8-04

[Twins2003]

I've heard of others complain about itching due to something called PUPPS. To be honest, I don't even know what it stands for. If you want to post this question in the What's Bugging You forum you might find some answers quicker.
Good luck to you!

[genuine]

My legs were VERY itchy during my 8th month, with a rash. I did not have PUPPS and it went away after a month. The doctor said I could take benadryl - I did that once and the babies didn't move for over 12 hours which freaked me out (I think it put them too sleep, lol!) Baths and lotions didn't help for me, but thankfully it didn't last too, too long. Try to get in before Thursday if you are really concerned. Hope you feel better soon.

Jennifer

[Lrobins]

If you do a search of pregnant with multiples under "PUPPS" you will get lots of info. Sorry I don't have time to write more!

[Beo]

Like others have said, do a search for PUPPPS (Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy). You'll get alot of great ideas for soothing the itch. I didn't have it so I can't help more with that condition.

Definitely talk to your doctor if you suspect ICP though (Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy). That itching normally, but not always, presents on the hands and feet, is not accompanied by a rash, and will not be soothed by any topical treatment or bath. It's also potentially fatal for your baby if your pregnancy is allowed to continue beyond 36 weeks. Currently, a drug called Actigall is the best thing going for ICP. It helps block the bile acids from getting into you bloodstream, which helps the itching, and more importantly helps protects the baby. You can find out more about this at www.itchymoms.com. They also have a link to a message board where you can find support from other women who have been through it.

Good luck!

[beanibzerk]

Hi, I had a severe rash when I was in the hospital a couple of months ago. One of the nurses gave me Tronolane (sp?). It is a prescription hemerroid creme. Sounds crazy but the stuff works like a dream. You might try the over the counter stuff. Hope you get some relief soon.

[Cheri]

Hopefully you'll get your answer today from the Dr. It could be several things and treatment will vary depending upon what it is, so I'll bet your Dr. will advise you correctly.

I had cholestasis with my first pregnancy starting around 30 weeks and I was miserable-itched all the time! Benadryl was prescribed and was helpful. Delivery is the ultimate cure and sure enough it went away.

Good luck and hopefully you'll stop itching soon!

[chauvina]

I'm so worried about cholestasis. I talked to my dad about whether I should mention it to the dr. if he doesn't mention it upon my description of insane itchiness b/c I don't want to tell the dr. how to do his job...my dad said I should b/c I guess he's had elevated liver salt problems too. My mother passed away when I was 8 so I'm not sure if she had any problems in preg. but I'm sure my dad would tell me. I still feel weird telling the dr. what to do. It sound though like if it's undiagnosed, it could really cause the babies harm. I printed out some info about diagnosis to show the dr. Wish me luck. I sure hope I don't have this for the babies' sake. I guess I can live with the itchiness but not the worry of them being in any danger. I guess I'll know soon. Do you all think it's weird to push for the tests???

[Beo]

Hi Chauvina,

I have read that there could be a genetic element to ICP, so it's definitely worth looking into. As for your doctor, if he doesn't suggest it himself, I'd definitely bring it up. I know it's hard to contradict a professional, but ICP is so rare in the US that even many OBs don't know about it and pass it off as normal pregnancy itching. Bringing information with you is a great idea!

Did you happen to check out that website? They have lots of good information, especially on the message board, and they may even be able to help you find a doctor in your area who has experience with ICP (in case your doc turns out to be unreceptive).

In any case, good luck! I hope everything turns out great for you! Please keep us posted on your condition. You'll be in my thoughts!!

[chauvina]

Beo, Thanks so much. I did check out the website and even printed out the letter to the physician they had. I also printed out some other info and took it with me yesterday evening. I told the Dr. and he gave me an antihistamine, Zyrtec. Then when he didn't bring it up I did, about the ICP. He said that it couldn't hurt to run the test and was very accepting of it, although I don't think he thinks I have it (I sure hope I don't). I'll feel better knowing I had the test. Thanks for your help. I wish their heartbeats were a little different. One's 145 the other 142 so it's hard to hear two. It's nice to hear one but I'd feel better hearing them both. I won't have another ultrasound till after Christmas. I don't think I can wait that long to make sure everything's still okay.

[preciousbear]

I was diagnosed with PUPPs yesterday. It started at itchy rd little bumps where I was stretching on my stomach and now it has spread to the arms and legs. I have to take a steroid creme and sleeping pills because I had not slept in 48 hours. Some cases are more severe than others. This is the information I found on this topic.

PUPPS
A common rash during pregnancy is Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy. This is a most unpleasant rash with an incredible itch that's only cure is delivery of the placenta. Although this is most common in first pregnancies, it has been known to occur in subsequent pregnancies. This problem affects one in about 160 to 200 pregnancies. The onset of this rash is usually the third trimester but it has been known to appear in the early post partum period. The rash starts on the abdomen and then spreads to the extremities. It is an unbearably itchy rash. Happily the rash doesn't normally spread to the face. After delivery of the baby, the rash and the itch rapidly disappear Treatment of the rash is at best a mask. Benadryl is a safe and semi effective way of controlling the itch as well as a few prescribed topical ointments. As well, cold compresses, oatmeal baths help. Prednisone is not always prescribed unless the itching is unbearable. This is not a pleasant situation to have to face during pregnancy, but there are no known ill effects on the baby. Some doctors believe this to be an allergic reaction to the placenta but they also have noted a relationship to maternal weight gain, newborn birth weight and the incidence of twins


Now I did some research and there is a woman who used Granpa's Wonder Tar Soap that can either be purchased at a natural health food store or online at www.granpabrands.com. I am currently 26 weeks 4 days with boy and girl fraternaly twins. My due date is February 14th, 2004. If you would like to email me you can email me at paula.a.harris@nccourts.org. I ordered some of the soap so maybe I will get some relief. Good luck and hang in there.

[chauvina]

Thanks preciousbear. I've went to the dr. last week and I don't have PUPPS. I have no rash or itchiness on my stomach. He tested me for intrahepatic cholestasis but luckily it's not that either. He gave me Zyrtec, an antihistamine, and it's starting to help a little. I really think it's related to dry skin. I feel it more after a shower and in the middle of the night if I get hot under the down comforter. I've been splashing cool water on my legs after my shower and using a better lotion with olive oil, aloe, avocado etc. in it. I am 23 weeks along with b/g twins too. We are pretty close. Thanks for the advice and I hope that the meds for your PUPPS start helping you sleep. Are these going to be your first little ones?? I keep praying that this itchiness is my only problem during pregnancy b/c so far I've been really lucky. Take care and get some rest. addie+2