So Eclampsia is no joke

[Deleted]

As you know, I had my baby boy on the 1st and got discharged the 3rd. The next day I was back in the ER because I couldnt stop vomiting and shaking. I was admitted another 2 days then discharged again. The vomiting and shaking seemed to be symptoms of anxiety and the doctor basically told me to suck it up, ask for help from friends and family, and that I'd get over it.

The next night I went to go to the bathroom and got lost in my own apartment. I had bright spots in my vision and got stuck in my hallway where my husband found me right before I suffered heart palpitations and a seizure. He called 911 and I was once again admitted to the hospital, this time for the apparently very rare postpartum eclampsia when I hadn't had preeclampsia at all.

I came home on Saturday and am slowly recovering from the seizure. I'm pretty exhausted and weak all the time, my vision is still a little wonky, and my tongue is sore as hell from biting down on it during the seizure. The past two weeks are mostly a blur, but I'm finally getting to bond with my baby even though BFing is out the window with the cocktail of meds I'm on.

Thankfully I have a great support system who has taken care if my baby and husband while I was in the hospital, but I basically missed out on the first two weeks of my son's life because of all of this.

All this to say, ladies please take care of yourselves, especially after giving birth. I thought I was just weak and anxious when in fact my body was telling me something was very wrong.

[Eagles]

Jesus Mary and Saint Joseph. I'm so glad that you were (eventually) properly treated and you're home.

[letsgetweird]

That's awful. I'm glad you're on the mend. I'm sorry you has to go through that.

[rachers]

Oh gosh, I'm so sorry! Glad you are okay and are being treated!

[starlily]

Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry you went through all of that. I'm glad you're okay and that you have a good support system.

[peachy]

How scary! I hate that they just blamed it on anxiety initially and sent you on your way

I'm glad you have a good support system and I hope you'll feel better soon.

[usuallylurking]

Wow I'm so glad you're ok and so sorry you had to go through that!

[atexan]

I can't believe they sent you home. Thank god your husband found you. Glad you're OK!

[Deleted]

Jan 17, 2017 17:22:51 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Holy Shit. I am so incredibly sorry:( That is terrifying. I am glad you're ok, and seem to be handling it all very well.

Is it all from high blood pressure after giving birth?

As far as I can make sense of any of it, yes, my blood pressure was astronomical and that was causing the vomiting and shaking and feeling anxious which all together equals eclampsia.

It was terrifying and just remembering it makes me so sad that my husband had to deal with that on top of trying to care for our son.

I remember being put in the ambulance and them asking me if I remember having my baby and being so confused and not remembering it at all.

[zoomzoom]

How scary. I'm glad you're ok!

[zoomzoom]

Jan 17, 2017 17:27:51 GMT -5 peachy said:

How scary! I hate that they just blamed it on anxiety initially and sent you on your way

I'm glad you have a good support system and I hope you'll feel better soon.

Agreed.  

[latte]

Holy shit that is scary! I am glad you have a good support system and are okay. I hope you recover quickly.

[cbwm1]

Holy shit I'm so sorry!! I'm glad you're doing better now

[mom2twoboys]

Omg. That is so scary. I can't believe the doctor was so dismissive to you. Glad you are starting to feel better.

[Deleted]

Jan 17, 2017 17:29:41 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Jan 17, 2017 17:28:51 GMT -5 @fs said:

As far as I can make sense of any of it, yes, my blood pressure was astronomical and that was causing the vomiting and shaking and feeling anxious which all together equals eclampsia.

It was terrifying and just remembering it makes me so sad that my husband had to deal with that on top of trying to care for our son.

I remember being put in the ambulance and them asking me if I remember having my baby and being so confused and not remembering it at all.

OMG, I feel like they should have caught it the first time you went back, but i don't know much about it. I'm so sorry:(

Its apparently really rare to get it after giving birth since the cure for preeclampsia... Is giving birth! None of the doctors or nurses had seen a case like mine before, but thankfully once they figured it out and got me on 2 different bp meds, things have been much better.

[dana2006]

I'm so sorry for what you've gone through. How scary it must have been. I hate that they were so dismissive the first time.

[greenlight]

Omg that is terrifying! Thank god you are okay now! That's shitty the dr told you to suck it up. Smh.

[Deleted]

Jan 17, 2017 17:32:17 GMT -5 @fs said:

Jan 17, 2017 17:29:41 GMT -5 mofongo said:

OMG, I feel like they should have caught it the first time you went back, but i don't know much about it. I'm so sorry:(

Its apparently really rare to get it after giving birth since the cure for preeclampsia... Is giving birth! None of the doctors or nurses had seen a case like mine before, but thankfully once they figured it out and got me on 2 different bp meds, things have been much better.

It happened to someone I know. She didn't have pre e, came home from the hospital, and had the same symptoms as you & had to be med flighted into Boston.

I am so glad you are okay.

[berbles]

OMG how scary!! Thank goodness for your awesome support system. I hope you're recovering well now.

[lilafowler]

I'm so glad you're home and doing better.

[Deleted]

Considering postpartum eclampsia is so rare, I dont totally blame the doctors for not catching it right off. I thought it was just anxiety too, but I really should have been more upfront to everyone about how i was feeling instead of trying to suck it up.

Kind of trite advice, but if something feels wrong definitely speak up, even if it is "just" anxiety.

[cville]

That is AWFUL. I hate that shit for brains/bedside manner doctor.

Take care of you. I'm glad you're doing better.


Eta: I see you don't blame the doctors. Harumpf. I'm still mad.

[MixedBerryJam]

Holy heck. What a scary experience! Did they not even take your BP at the ER? Was it the ER doctor who was so dismissive? Because I wouldn't be going back to him, I don't think. I'm glad you're feeling better and I hope you're spending extra time snuggling your beautiful baby.

[Deleted]

To be honest I dont totally remember about my bp before the seizure, I think it was high-ish but not crazy high so they didnt suspect eclampsia at first. I have a history of white coat syndrome (high bp at Dr appts but normal at other times- just because of anxiety) so I think they wrote it off initially. I'm just glad its under control now and I really look forward to feeling like myself again soon.

[Monica Geller]

How scary! I'm glad you're on the road to recovery now!

[knx9211]

Oh my goodness, how scary. I'm glad you're starting to feel better and so sorry that this happened to you.

[christy082]

Holy crap. I'm glad you are okay. How scary.

[Deleted]

Holy shit! So glad that you're OK now, but I'm so sorry you went through that.

[mrsd2006]

How scary! Glad to hear you have a great support system and that you are doing much better.

[BaliHai]

Holy shit, so scary. I'm so glad you're OK!