Gestational Diabetes

mamajudec2018

I just talked to my OB, who happened to be the on call doctor. She said because I do have some face swelling and it's been going on for a few days now that she would suggest urgent care. So I'm going to head there soon. I'll keep you posted.

LLynde5

@mamajudec2018 I am happy you called.  Best to take extra precautions while carrying that sweet little one!!  Prayers everything will be just fine!

prudence9-2

@mamajudec2018 glad you called! Keeping my fingers crossed for you that it’s nothing. Please let us know how you’re doing!

texas_t

I was creeping and saw your issue @mamajudec2018 have you heard of bells palsy of pregnancy? I heard about it through a Friend. I don't know if that's what you're experiencing, but sounded familiar. Glad you're calling and I hope it's nothing.

mamajudec2018

I wanted to update you guys. Thank you for your prayers and support and all!

I just left the ER. They did an MRI on me, a strep swab, and blood tests. They ruled out anything serious like stroke, brain aneurysm, strep, infection, etc. but honestly don't know what's wrong. 

I'm supposed to follow up with my OB but I don't think there's anything she'll do. The ER doc did mention Bells Palsy but she said I don't really have the symptoms for that either since typically it's accompanied by droopiness in the face and I don't have that.

prudence9-2

@mamajudec2018 glad they didn’t find anything. When will you see your OB?

mamajudec2018

I already had an appointment scheduled for Thursday so I'll probably just keep that. They called her from the ER and she said, based on their test results, she didn't need to observe me or anything. I'm wondering if I should call the dentist tomorrow because this numbness doesn't seem like something I can live with. It's hard to chew and drink and everything.

texas_t

So bizarre. I'm so glad you went to the ER. I wonder if baby could be on a nerve?

CecilB93

@mamajudec2018 oh how scary!! I'm glad you went in for testing. I was also going to mention Bells Palsy, but you didn't say anything about drooping so I wasn't sure. I don't know a ton about it anyways, just that it's a thing. I'm really glad they didn't find anything major, but I really wish they were able to help with the numbness. Maybe the dentist will figure out something, I would call and at least ask if it's something s/he could take a look at. Keep us posted!!

mamajudec2018

My husband was joking about baby being on a nerve. But I mean there has to be some sort of medical explanation so maybe he is. I have also read it could be an early sign of preeclampsia but they seem to completely brush that off too.

Yea, I think I'll just ask if it's worth coming into the dentist. Maybe I have swollen gums from hormones and they're messing with nerves. 

I am so beyond grateful nothing serious is wrong and that we heard little man's heartbeat. I also know if I wouldn't have gone, I would've been so anxious all day and night. But when the nurse was sending me home and she was like well we don't know what's wrong and you could tell she was a little annoyed about that. It's just kind of weird to me that they can send you home when they don't know what's wrong.

mamajudec2018

Well, I called the dentist. Basically they need an X Ray to see if it's an abscess. Which of course I can't get. So I guess I'll just be praying it goes away and waiting it out.

texas_t

I wish I had saved the article I was looking at, but apparently there are a lot of nerves in your spine that lead up to your mouth, lips and gums. From what I read it's entirely possible that it could be baby on a nerve. If it continues, could you maybe try a chiropractor that is familiar with pregnancy? Or maybe try looking up ways to reposition baby? I hope it's not an access. Is there any pain?

mamajudec2018

Hmm I wonder if that's it! Thank you for taking the time to do research! That's really nice of you. It seems like my OB should've mentioned that as a possibility or the ER doc. I have an appointment with my OB on Thursday so I will ask her if she thinks that's it and if so if she recommends anything. This is an IVF baby and I'm high risk so I probably won't be allowed to see a chiropractor. But, she may have some other suggestions. I also have physical therapy Thursday morning (I've been going for my hips.) So I am going to ask her if she has ever heard of this and if she has an movement recommendations to try out. I don't have any pain just the numbness and tingling. I'm just so concerned that if no one figures out what it is, that I might have permanent damage. It's really scaring me.

I also heard the ER doc say she really doesn't think it's preeclampsia but I have read it can cause numbness and my ankles and feet are crazy swollen all the time. So I am going to run that by my doc again.

prudence9-2

How are you @mamajudec2018

mamajudec2018

@prudence9-2 Thank you so much for checking on me! I am still numb in the same spots on my face and still swollen. I've been icing and resting a lot but it's the exact same. I tried to go to ophysica therapy today (I go for my hips.) but she didn't want to treat me with this condition and not knowing what it is. She tried calling my doctor but she was with a patient. I have an appointment with my doctor this afternoon so I am hoping she will try to get me some answers. I know they say they made sure it wasn't anything serious, but, when anything like this happens it makes you so uneasy. My husband told me we will just make sure they realize how uneasy it is making me and hopefully they will be willing to help. I've just been praying a lot to keep myself from getting worked up!

texas_t

@mamajudec2018 FX for some answers at your OB appointment!

prudence9-2

@mamajudec2018 please let us know how the appt went. 

I hope they try to get to the bottom of what it is!

mamajudec2018

@texas_t @prudence9-2 Thank you guys for checking in! Well she basically said she really doesnt know what's wrong but doesn't think it's pregnancy related. She said she doesn't think its positioning or anything like that because of where the nerves are on the spine that connect to that part of my face. She told me I need to go see my primary doctor and ask them if they'll send me to neurology. Also to ask high risk at my appointment in two weeks. I have an appointment tomorrow with the primary doc but just don't feel super excited about going because I know they are just going to say they don't know what's wrong. But, I have to go because they won't let me go back to physical therapy for my hips, since it is needling, until my primary doc or neurology clears me. I kind of feel in my heart of hearts that it is pregnancy related and it's just not going to go away until baby is here.

@prudence9-2 @CecilB93 On a sidenote, I told her keeping my sugars down has been a bear and I lost a little weight so she is putting me on a pill once every day so that hopefully I can eat more.

prudence9-2

@mamajudec2018 ahhh. I hope you get some answers. This is scary! Maybe baby somehow pressing that nerve?

and you shouldn’t be losing weight! How many carbs a day do you eat? My goal is 175 gr per day (divided between 3 meals & 3 snacks)

i already doing 3-4 shots a day (depending on the day) and actually had fasting elevations this past 3 mornings. So I need to increase my nighttime insulin tonite. 

mamajudec2018

@prudence9-2 I asked her if baby could be pressing on that nerve and she said she really doesn't think so based on where the numb is and where the nerves are on the spine.

I think I've been eating like 160ish for carbs per day. I keep having to go down for each meal because my numbers aren't cooperating. It's breakfast and lunch not fasting which is interesting. My OB said she hopes that with this new pill I can eat more and not lose anymore weight. She also said if one pill isn't enough in the next week, I can bump it up to two. The good news is I haven't lost much weight at all but I mean that's definitely not what you want.

I know it's not enjoyable to add more injections but it's good for the baby and makes it so you can consume enough carbs! So overall, I think it's good that they are adding and staying on top of that for you!

CecilB93

@mamajudec2018 so glad to hear things haven't gotten worse at least!! I really hope you can get some answers and hopefully relief soon. And sorry you're having to add in a pill, but like you said, it's good for baby!

Not great that you're losing weight! I will throw in that I lost 14 lbs when I started the GD diet, and I've really only just started gaining any back, so far about 3 lbs. Granted that was all in first tri when I lost, but sometimes you can see your weight drop a little as you're trying to eat healthier and cut carbs. I mostly pay attention to baby. As long as he's measuring okay and my uterus is measuring on track I'm okay with whatever my weight dose honestly. Hopefully the pill helps you with your numbers and meals though! 

Keep us updated on everything! I'm curious if your primary doctor has any thoughts about what could be causing the numbness.

mamajudec2018

@cecilb93 Thank you! Yes, I am not too worried about the weight because my doctor didn't seem to be and with this new pill I think I'll get things back on track.

I will definitely keep you posted! Thanks!

CecilB93

So I'm confused guys...the last two nights I've only eaten dinner, check my levels 2 hours later, then eaten my cheese and crackers before bed with my insulin. Fasting number has been high (96). However, usually I'll eat some of that carb smart ice cream, or some popcorn, chips, etc. and then still do my cheese and crackers at bedtime with insulin. Basically, I usually eat extra carby snacks. And when I eat those extra snacks my numbers are fine (so long as I don't go overboard). I'm going to try eating an extra snack tonight like normal to see if my numbers go back to being okay, but that's weird right? You'd think more carbs would be the issue right? I've had nights where I do go overboard and my number is high the next day, but the fact that I'm eating less and seeing a high number is weird to me. If it doesn't go back down I've got the okay to increase my dose, so I will if I need to, but it's just weird. 

prudence9-2

@mamajudec2018 better take a pill/shot than eat less. Glad they prescribe the pill for you. 

mamajudec2018

@CecilB93 That is weird! Maybe you are just getting to the point where levels are getting harder to control. That's where I am for sure. Or maybe it's because you are eating less protein. That seems to effect me a lot! Let us know if the numbers are better when you go back to eating more!

@prudence9-2 Yes, I totally agree!

CecilB93

@mamajudec2018 but the protein hasn't changed, I've eaten less carbs the last two nights than normal, protein has stayed the same (5-6 small Cheese slices). We'll see what it's like tomorrow morning, it just seems like a sudden change and it lined up perfectly with me eating less snacks. But yea, I've considered that things are changing since I'm becoming further along. 

mamajudec2018

@CecilB93 I'm sorry! That's really frustrating! 

@prudence9-2 and @CecilB93 I had an appointment with my primary care doctor today. She said she thinks the numbness and swelling is due to facial nerve swelling. Probably from a viral infection or potentially just pregnancy swelling. She prescribed me Prednisone, a steroid, 20mg for 6 days. My OB's office said it's fine since it is for a short time but I'm freaking out at the thought of taking it. Any thoughts?

prudence9-2

@mamajudec2018 yikes. Not sure what to say. But if the OB is ok with it... then maybe it’s fine! 

@mamajudec2018 @CecilB93 my GD is more difficult to control this past week too. My theory is that this is when ppl usually get diagnosed for it. So maybe it’s the time when the placenta really rejects the insulin. But in our case it was happening way sooner. But maybe now the levels are just higher! So I think the fact that the 3 of us having worse time recently makes sense. 

mamajudec2018

@prudence9-2 I agree, I think we've officially reached the difficult stage of gestational diabetes.

Yea I'm just not sure if I'm alright with it. They also say are other things are ok that I don't do. So I don't know. Ugh, don't want to be dealing with this.

prudence9-2

@mamajudec2018 I guess it’s a matter of what’s worse, not treating the numbness? Or using prednisone....

mamajudec2018

@prudence9-2 Yea, I was all set to use the Prednisone and then got concerned about that interacting with the glyburide they just put me on for diabetes and now I feel unsure again.

mamajudec2018

@prudence9-2 Ok, I just talked to a doctor from my OB. She said that the Prednisone might cause my blood sugar to spike but to watch it closely and if they go up above 200 for meals or up a lot for fasting or even if all of the numbers go up to let them know because then we might have to adjust. She said it's fine to start glyburide tomorrow morning and Prednisone tonight so I am going to go for it and pray that my numbers aren't insane and baby is perfectly healthy.

CecilB93

@prudence9-2 I was thinking about that too since my OB mentioned this is when we'd normally do the glucose test. Hopefully we can all get adjustments worked out easily! 

@mamajudec2018 glad you saw your primary doctor! If your primary and OB are both okay with it, I'd probably take the prednisone, just a personal opinion from me. FX it doesn't mess with your numbers too terribly! But if it does at least it's just a week of making extra adjustments. I really hope it helps the numbing!

mamajudec2018

@CecilB93 Thank you!

prudence9-2

@mamajudec2018 maybe you can take more pills while taking prednisone... hope it will give you some relief!

mamajudec2018

@prudence9-2 Yea!  My doctor already told me I can bump it up to 2 pills if needed! Thank you!

mamajudec2018

@CecilB93 What ended up happening with your sugars?

prudence9-2

@mamajudec2018 any relief?

mamajudec2018

@prudence9-2 I keep telling my husband that I can't tell if the steroids are helping so the numbing isn't quite as intense or if I'm just getting used to being numb. I'm assuming I need a couple more days to know for sure!

The new pill they put me on for my sugars is working amazingly!

CecilB93

@mamajudec2018 thanks for asking! I had a 90 reading yesterday, and then it wasn't 98 today. I'm going to try bumping up to 24 units tonight and for see how it is tomorrow. I'm thinking its just timing and being further along now. 

Glad to hear the numbing isn't as annoying at least, hopefully that means the meds are working!! And glad the glyburide is working well for you!