Ladies need urgent help, 28 weeks pregnant

[Nimra]

I am 28th weeks pregnant and from past 10 days in a very depressing situation.
10 days ago first time I had flashy lights in eyes I thought its weakness or may be sugar levels are down because throughout my pregnancy I couldn't eat sugar, fruits or even juice.
any ways I had 3 spoons of honey and I was fine with in five minutes but later on I had headache ,very weak legs, sweats and I was cold (I felt depressed too) after that things looked so fine but now from a week its been every day I have that attack, and the duration is increasing too.yesterday it was for 25 minutes despite eating 3 table spoons of honey it took long to disappear.

I am booked at Sandy hospital Melbourne I asked my doc she said its all because of combination of Low blood pressure and low sugar levels.she took it so lightly.

just had my diabetes test my sugar levels are in normal range.

I have started eating quite well from past 10 days and eating 6 times to prevent the symptoms but nothing looks fine.i don't thinks its because of my sugar levels are down otherwise symptoms would have improved.

What I do? This thing gives me panic attacks.flashes scares me to death.please suggest me if any one have faced such symptoms and diagnosed some treatment too.

[Mildez]

Your symptoms sound like low blood pressure and if low it does make you feel horrid.
All I can suggest is eat and drink even more then you feel like you want to and when you go to move do it slowly. Sudden movements can trigger episodes of feeling faint or out of body type feelings. You may find some times of day worse then others times and some fluids better then others. If you have been checked out by a Dr to make sure its not high blood pressure then I would be sure that its the low blood pressure making you feel so terrible.
You might find towards the end of your pregnancy it will improve but not neccessarily. It should improve after your baby arrives. Other then increase your fluid intake or if neccessary have IV fluids in hospital there is not alot you can do for low BP. I had a terrible time with my BP when I was thinner then I am now. I had to keep moving or it would plummet and had to eat and drink alot just to function normally. I was terrible between about 2am and 11am.

[Lisa]

I'd say it is low blood pressure too. I have had it with all of my pregnancies and it is identical to how you described it. I always try to stay really hydrated also and keep a bottle of water beside me at all times as I found this helped.
All the best hun

[MummaSue]

Yeah, I've had a few eposides like that, it's not a lot of fun.

If you can, eat regularly, and when these episodes happen, try and have a lie down somewhere with your feet elevated, that gets the blood pumping back to your head again.

Hugs
Sue xx

[Nimra]

Thank you all sweet ladies your replies really helped me to ease my panic condition.I have just called to hospital and midwife asked to come there to see me.
I will update once I am back.
Nim

[sneakysparkle]

just thought I'd throw this in too - I get flashing lights about half an hour before I get a migraine - I dont know if youve ever had one?
Whatever it is I hope it gets better soon!

[Pandora]

Its good that you are goi ng to see them, they should be able to give you the best advice.

if you have low blood sugar, but dont have gestational diabetes (or other kinds) the best awy for you to keep it stable is to eat every 3-4 hours minimum.

Eating something high in sugar could have sky rocketed your blood sugar and given you the headache becuase they rose so quickly. Where possible it really is better to try to prevent the low sugar levels,

[Murph01]

Hopefully knowing others have gone through this will help you calm your panic. I have too and found that lying down reduced the stars and flashing. Drink lots of water and don't dehydrate. I didn't get diagnosed with high or low blood pressure, but extrememly low iron and after the birth had to have blood transfusions. How are your iron levels?

[Tish]

just thought I'd throw this in too - I get flashing lights about half an hour before I get a migraine - I dont know if youve ever had one?
Whatever it is I hope it gets better soon!

I was going to reply to suggest migraine as well. I'd had migraines on and off my whole life but never with aura (i.e. seeing stuff). when i was about 28 weeks i started to see the flashing lights and then have a migraine a few hours later. maybe worth mentioning to your gp too?

I also hope you're feeling better soon too.

Tish
xx

[Nimra]

Thanks for all supportive replies,

I had a very detailed appointment yesterday at hospital and was really impressed it was not less then the the one a long time ago I had while treating at a Melbourne best private hospital Waringal.

They took my urine sample and blood to check the sugar levels which were normal and first time in last 7 months my blood pressure was normal too ( I think credit goes to my proper eating habits which I adopted since past 12 days.lean meat, salad,complex carbs ,low GI juice and honey in milk)

Luckily the time I went Head of the Dept. Gyny Surgeon was there she saw me and talked to for more than half an hour.

seeing all reports normal she thinks its migraine because I get headaches and a heavy head followed by flashy lights.( I never had migraine before so I don't know how migraine feels like, but it feels like twitching in my brain nerves)

She thought its accompanied with hot and cold flushes because with migraine my anxiety levels also mixed together and brings the bad results.( well I feel some how thats true while having that flashy light attack i get scared to death I open the windows
I run here and there and my brain just don't work)

The third factor was my low iron levels its 104. I am eating Fefol from 3 months of pregnancy but its seems not working at all.I don't know what to eat to topup my Iron levels.

I hope I won't get these attacks any more and healthy diet prevent me from them.
love you all sweet ladies.
Nim

[MummaSue]

Well, I am glad to hear that you got to the bottom of it and your Dr took the time to listen and help you.

Fingers crossed you don't have any more episodes.

Hugs
Sue xx

[Nimra]

Thanks Sue for your good wish.

here is my little update.
After making my food very healthy I could see improvement in my blood pressure its a lot normal now mostly 106 to 110 by 65 or 70.

My sore limbs and arms looks cured too with 2 tabs of caltraite (previously was taking one)

I am taking Floradix two doses a day I could see the hot flashes are reducing ,heart pounding is also in control.My lips which were turning brown I could see are on little improve pinkish side too ( i think healthy eating from almost 15 days is also contributing)

Now the worrisome thing my flashy episodes are still there. I get one every day there is no improvement in that section .Now early in morning too even after eating at 5 or 6 in the morning so i don't get up with empty stomach in the morning.inner side of my eyes looks very red too but I have dark circles at outerside.

I have noticed that previously there were headaches followed by flashy lights but from two days after this episode (which lasts 15 to 25 minutes) no more headaches too.
( my HB count was 104)

These flashy lights still scares me i can't go my hospital i know they won't give me any more importance.I was already told to contact my GP for further assistance but GP is off till 8th.I thought It might help to have to Iron injections to cure anemia or have some blood work to check whats wrong may be Ia m deficient Vit B 12.( just googling all mornings to dig the cause)

No clue to how to improve these episodes really don't want to stress my husband in this issue I want to remain calm but once he comes home the first thing I discuss is " i again had those lights "

I want to enjoy my pregnancy like other women want to buy maternity cloths want to have smile on my face, beautiful dreams if my bub but I can't help.getting depressed is natural.

Love and hugs to my all my belly buddies.
Nim

[Dr. Tal]

I just wanted to give you some suggestons for helping to keep your iron up. I've had problems with anemia most of my life so have had to be very careful to make sure I get enough iron in my diet. Broccoli and bok choy are particularly good to eat becasue they have a high iron content and they also have quite a bit of vitamin C (vitamin C can help your body absorb iron). Spinach also has quite a bit of iron. Additionally red meat (like steak) has a lot of iron, which your body can absorb easily. So if you try to include one or more of these in your meals throughout the day it can help keep your iron levels up.

I also think that the 'lights' you are seeing are caused by a migrane. I also have migranes and get an aura (or lights) with most of mine. I've had them since I was about 10 and it can be very confusing and upsetting at first, especially if you don't know what is going on and why. I find that laying down in a dark room seems to help.

I hope that soon you will be able to relax and enjoy your pregnancy

[Pandora]

you say you drink juice, what kind is it?
just becuase oranges can be a migraine trigger for some people..