Anyone have pre-existing health problems that are making pregnancy difficult?

Knottie44691675

For me personally I suffer from Fibromyalgia and IBS. I just have to say that pregnancy and IBS are KICKING my ass right now. My past two pregnancies that resulted in miscarriages my stomach felt fine but for the past two weeks this time I've been in horrible pain from gas and constipation. It's hard to walk or sometimes even stand and the only time I feel any relief is if I manage to go to the bathroom. I'm stressed from the pain and worry of another miscarriage and it's hard to look up symptoms when you know you suffer from something else affecting you. I will gladly suffer for a healthy baby I just wish I knew why my health issues were spiking this time around. Does anyone else have a similar situation?

mrsschmity

Knottie44691675 said:

For me personally I suffer from Fibromyalgia and IBS. I just have to say that pregnancy and IBS are KICKING my ass right now. My past two pregnancies that resulted in miscarriages my stomach felt fine but for the past two weeks this time I've been in horrible pain from gas and constipation. It's hard to walk or sometimes even stand and the only time I feel any relief is if I manage to go to the bathroom. I'm stressed from the pain and worry of another miscarriage and it's hard to look up symptoms when you know you suffer from something else affecting you. I will gladly suffer for a healthy baby I just wish I knew why my health issues were spiking this time around. Does anyone else have a similar situation?

I can't say I'm going through the same thing as far as the Fibro and IBS, but I very am sorry you're in pain and feeling uncomfortable. I think everyone is bound to feel some level of being uncomfortable during pregnancy. However, if it's affecting your day to day life like that I would suggest bringing it up with your doctor, if you haven't already yet. They may be able to help provide some relief, or at least help with ways to manage it/cope with it during pregnancy. 

NamelessAria

IBS and IC. Fortunately for me diet makes a huge difference for both problems and after years of painful experimentation I've found things that work for me.. mostly. Prenatal vitamins have been a bit of a challenge though. I take Prelief with my prenatal vitamin to help make it a bit more IBS/IC friendly and it seems to work fairly well. I forgot to take it with the prenatal the other night and woke up in a world of pain.

jsl82

I have hashimoto's thyroidis which I believe is a cousin disease with IBS- and I have to say that auto-immune diseases are just so much fun! Luckily I was trying for this one- so I'd started taking an extra pill once a week to keep my thyroid levels elevated for conception.  I am extra gassy since the becoming pregnant- the slower digestive tract while pregnant added to the slower metabolism I have with Hashi's is causing me some discomfort as well (though not as bad as what you are describing).  Have you spoken with your doctors about your symptoms?  I don't know if there is anything you could be taking to help.  Hopefully these symptoms are just a sign that this baby is doing well.  

WinchestertoPittsburgh

Dang, IBS is more common than I thought! I have been diagnosed with a slew of things in the past couple of years... GERD, gastritis, IBS, etc.  I can't take any of the medications while pregnant, and so I'm really really having to watch my diet. I made the mistake of having pizza the other day and ended up crying in pain for a few hours... never doing that again. I have my first appointment this Friday, so I plan on asking my doc if there is anything else I can take that might be safe or any tips/tricks.

mkemommy

I have Celiac disease.  I turned 30 and the gene turned on apparently because (TMI) I was getting so sick I would just pass my food pretty much whole in addition to being terribly sick and dizzy.  After the blood test and a confirming endoscopy showed no villi for my intestines, I've been strictly gluten free.  

I've read a number of studies on how Celiac can impact both whether you get pregnant (harder to do when you body is attacking itself) and some links to other issues with children but I've got my Celiac well maintained now at nearly 34.  Cross-contamination is a bitch and I'm watching things like a hawk...it means no take-out or restaurants for me though during pregnancy (especially the first trimester).  Now that "gluten-free" is a fad/diet people at restaurants just don't take you as seriously as they should unfortunately.  I try to explain that Celiac can actually kill you eventually and they get it then but I just can't trust someone else with my health or my baby's health on this issue.  Its made morning sickness nausea more of a challenge too...carbs are all I can stomach lately so I have to eat the gluten-free variety and, yeah, they aren't the best but they do the trick.

VeraMali

I have hypothyroidism that seems to have ramped up with this pregnancy. Unlike the lady above with hashimotos this was a whoopsie baby so I was not monitoring my thyroid levels that closely. They've since adjusted my medication but it will take a little while for my levels to adjust. For now I freeze constantly and extreme exhaustion is my every day life on top of my pregnancy symptoms.

FutureMrsCAF

I have reactive hypoglycemia so I have to avoid sugar/carbs or my blood sugar drops. It's been hard finding things that sound good to eat that don't also make me feel awful. I haven't been as careful as I should be and my sugar felt pretty low yesterday, which isn't fun combined with fatigue and nausea.

OP, how has your fibro been so far? My mom and sisters have it, and I've often thought I have it too, just not as severely as them. I've heard that it can improve while pregnant.

goldie987

Another Celiac person here. Food options have been crazy difficult, although a wegmans recently opened nearby with an awesome GF aisle (a whole aisle!) which makes food options a little more manageable. I spent a good 20 minutes perusing just that one aisle this weekend.

Literally the only thing that sounded good yesterday was chipotle so I went to the store that knows me and will make my order in the back with stuff from the tubs that haven't had floury burrito gloves all up in them. Normally its too much of a hassle to bother going (it takes even longer than normal) but when all you've had to eat during the day is a handful of cheerios and half a pickle and that is all you're craving, you do what you've got to do.

mkemommy

Sgoldberg247 said:

Another Celiac person here. Food options have been crazy difficult, although a wegmans recently opened nearby with an awesome GF aisle (a whole aisle!) which makes food options a little more manageable. I spent a good 20 minutes perusing just that one aisle this weekend. Literally the only thing that sounded good yesterday was chipotle so I went to the store that knows me and will make my order in the back with stuff from the tubs that haven't had floury burrito gloves all up in them. Normally its too much of a hassle to bother going (it takes even longer than normal) but when all you've had to eat during the day is a handful of cheerios and half a pickle and that is all you're craving, you do what you've got to do.

I hear you.  I had been craving mozzarella sticks for days.  I caved and made them myself recently using gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.  It was heaven on earth.  I don't really have any place I trust around here that does gluten-free unless they ONLY do gluten free stuff (one bakery comes to mind). Too much of a risk for cross contamination using cutting boards and knives in the past.  I end up making my gluten substitute cravings at home...more work but what can you do, right?  

childcaremama

Totally hear you ladies! I have gastroparsis, my stomach is partially paralyzed. Add ME to that and I'm miserable. I am deathly allergic to milk and wheat so I hear all of you celiac mama's out there. I also have an immune disorder so things are complicated there. Ugh. Hang in there!

jmd921154

Another Hashimotos here! When I had my blood drawn to confirm pregnancy they also drew my thyroid levels - and immediately increased my dosage. This is my first so I'm nervous about regulating my thyroid on top of being pregnant. Glad to know I'm not the only one!

goldie987

mkemommy said:

Sgoldberg247 said:

Another Celiac person here. Food options have been crazy difficult, although a wegmans recently opened nearby with an awesome GF aisle (a whole aisle!) which makes food options a little more manageable. I spent a good 20 minutes perusing just that one aisle this weekend. Literally the only thing that sounded good yesterday was chipotle so I went to the store that knows me and will make my order in the back with stuff from the tubs that haven't had floury burrito gloves all up in them. Normally its too much of a hassle to bother going (it takes even longer than normal) but when all you've had to eat during the day is a handful of cheerios and half a pickle and that is all you're craving, you do what you've got to do.

I hear you.  I had been craving mozzarella sticks for days.  I caved and made them myself recently using gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.  It was heaven on earth.  I don't really have any place I trust around here that does gluten-free unless they ONLY do gluten free stuff (one bakery comes to mind). Too much of a risk for cross contamination using cutting boards and knives in the past.  I end up making my gluten substitute cravings at home...more work but what can you do, right?  

This is the only location I trust because they're willing to do the little bit extra to make sure my food doesn't get contaminated.  Since the only item with flour there is the tortillas which are packaged until they hit the front line, there isn't really a CC risk cooking, it's the assembly that's a problem.  Other than that, my GF substitutes are home made. Getting glutened on top of feeling kinda crappy just does not sound like my cup of tea.   

xaudreyx2011

Add me to the Hashimotos club. I'm having a hell of a time taking my medication. I have horrible nausea first thing in the morning so it's nearly impossible for me to wait an hour to eat after taking my synthroid. I can't wait for second trimester.

verily

I've never been formally diagnosed, but I'm monitored for being on the borderline of hyperthyroidism due to a few nodules. My blood pressure has been high since the day before my first U/S, so I'm starting to wonder if I've crossed that threshold. Time to give my endocrinologist a call about it.

cattlebride

Hugs to all you ladies. I have asthma and have had a bunch of attacks lately. It's been odd though because last pregnancy my asthma had improved.

knw007

I have high blood pressure which will cause me to be high risk.

mkemommy

cattlebride said:

Hugs to all you ladies. I have asthma and have had a bunch of attacks lately. It's been odd though because last pregnancy my asthma had improved.

Asthma sucks @cattlebride - I have asthma too. Are you on meds for it? I'm on advair and Proventil. I hate to take anything but my doctor insisted that a healthy breathing mom is 100x better than any med side effects. She also said most stay the same or get better with their asthma during pregnancy..,but a few get worse during pregnancy. I'm sorry if you find yourself in the latter category this time around. So far mine has been about the same.

cattlebride

@mkemommy Yes I usually only take advair if I have alot of troubles in the fall during Milo harvest. I can usually control it with claritin, coffee,and albuteral. I cut out the coffee tho

mkemommy

I also cut off advair while TTC and maintained with coffee and Proventil like you @cattlebride - I'm hoping I can stick with Proventil more than the advair since its fast-acting and better studied. Like you, I cut out caffeine though. Sucks.

Linsbins

Another asthma lady here. I actually went off my advair last year because mine had improved. The nurse told me that 1/3 of people's asthma gets better, 1/3 gets worse, and 1/3 stays the same. Mine has gotten way worse. Has been my only symptom really but not being able to breathe in a terrible symptom to have.

BlackAndGold09

VeraMali said:

I have hypothyroidism that seems to have ramped up with this pregnancy. Unlike the lady above with hashimotos this was a whoopsie baby so I was not monitoring my thyroid levels that closely. They've since adjusted my medication but it will take a little while for my levels to adjust. For now I freeze constantly and extreme exhaustion is my every day life on top of my pregnancy symptoms.

I hear ya, I'm hypo too trying to get my thyroid regulated im armor instead of synthroid since that never really worked for me. Last pregnancy I swear my thyroid temporarily "fixed" itself because my levels were SO good they lowered my dose. We will see with this pregnancy

Knottie44691675

@FutureMrsCAF I haven't noticed any spikes in my Fibro yet! Which has been a relief, not looking to add general body pain to my list of discomfort. I recently moved from a cold climate to California which has made an insanely positive difference. I don't know what it is about warm weather but Fibro no longer cripples me the way it did. Very hopeful it will cooperate during pregnancy because I've heard the same thing that it can get better during this time

TunieBee

@Linsbins @mkemommy @cattlebride

To my fellow preggers w asthma: this is my area of specialty...I would def recommend seeing a specialist at least once (preferably multiple times) throughout your pregnancy. They should do some breathing tests (PFTs) to get some objective data on your lung function. If indicated, it is absolutely better to be on an inhaled steroid than just relying on albuterol alone (although some people don't need the steroid--but it depends). There are some inhaled steroids that are Pregnancy Cat B. Albuterol is preg cat C (which of course is ok as it is essentially a life-saving medication). Advair is a combo med with a steroid plus a long acting bronchodilator (basically a long acting version of albuterol). You might be able to get away with a steroid alone (plus albuterol for rescue) depending on your lung health. Of course, this is all a generalization but please
talk to your docs before stopping Advair or any other inhaled steroid.

ETA tags

gll02

I have Crohns Colitis, I'm at about 8 weeks now, and I am experiencing a lot of irregular bowels. One day I am fine, the next diarrea, the next constipation. It is very uncomfortable, but what I try to remember is stress kicks up my flair ups so I try to calm myself and not worry as much especially because auto immune diseases thrive from stress. In your situation, I completely understand your worry about miscarriage but I hope you find comfort in knowing, as my doctor told me, that most pregnant woman experience uncomfortable bowel issues during pregnancy because your uterus is stretching and squishing everything together. Best of luck!

pkwest04

Club Hashimoto! TSH levels were optimal for TTC, with a tiny dosage of synthroid. TSH tested when pregnancy was confirmed and they had jumped up to 4.15 so my synthroid was adjusted. End of week 7 with no real symptoms other than cramping and sore boobs. Good ultrasound though with FHR 141 bpm.

nmjoshi

I have high a1c and thyroid. I am 7 weeks along amd have been on metformin and thyroid medication for the past 2 months. I am super gassy by night and one day its diarrhea amd one day its constipation. Trying to make some consious low carb choices.

Linsbins

TunieBee said:

@Linsbins @mkemommy @cattlebride

To my fellow preggers w asthma: this is my area of specialty...I would def recommend seeing a specialist at least once (preferably multiple times) throughout your pregnancy. They should do some breathing tests (PFTs) to get some objective data on your lung function. If indicated, it is absolutely better to be on an inhaled steroid than just relying on albuterol alone (although some people don't need the steroid--but it depends). There are some inhaled steroids that are Pregnancy Cat B. Albuterol is preg cat C (which of course is ok as it is essentially a life-saving medication). Advair is a combo med with a steroid plus a long acting bronchodilator (basically a long acting version of albuterol). You might be able to get away with a steroid alone (plus albuterol for rescue) depending on your lung health. Of course, this is all a generalization but please
talk to your docs before stopping Advair or any other inhaled steroid.

ETA tags

I have my first appt on Thursday. I have been on dulera (switched from advair because of insurance) but wasn't taking it over the last year because I didn't need it. This week I can barely breathe. Thank goodness I don't have morning sickness yet along with the breathing issues.

TunieBee

@Linsbins I'm so sorry to hear you're feeling awful. Glad you're going to the doc next week. Good luck!

nancykee

I had DVT blood clot in my left leg 5 yrs ago, I saw a midwife that that said the OB may put me on lovenox shots. I am praying that I won't have to though.