OHSS recovery

[Booda21]

Afternoon ladies,

I ended up with late onset OHSS. I started to feel unwell 8dpt but got really bad 10dpt and ended up in hospital for a week. I unfortunately lost the pregnancy too/it didn’t progress whatever the correct terminology is for so early on I do not know. I was in hospital from 1st sept til 8th and then started to bleed on the 10th. I also had some kind of infection they think so was on IV antibiotics for a week too.

I just wanted to know if it was normal to have felt so run down after this? It’s only just now that I’m starting to have more energy. I’m experiencing the most horrendous night sweats. Has this happened to happened to anyone else? I don’t know if it’s related to what’s happened and a drop in hormones or if it’s a separate issue. I’m having to change like 5 times a night. It’s so horrible. Did anyone else have these symptoms after OHSS? I know it’s difficult as most people who have it when pregnant stay pregnant so won’t necessarily be the same goings on. I had a scan on Tuesday and my right ovary was still enlarged. I keep getting pains where I feel my ovaries are. Is this also normal? I’m hoping they’re just continuing to go down. This journey is one hell of a ride isn’t, definitely sent to test us!

Sorry also for posting so much this week. Everyone’s replies have been so helpful so thank you all so much! X

[Chel91]

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss and ending up with OHSS 😥 I was hospitalized with OHSS for a week also, and it was one of the hardest recoveries I've ever had. My liver and kidneys were not doing well, my ovaries were huge and it was hard to walk. I was so exhausted, it's totally normal. In severe OHSS your body basically starts starving itself and shutting down as all the fluid and nutrients are being leaked into your abdomen.

Make sure you are getting plenty rest, plenty electrolyte drinks, lots of protein and good quality food. There isn't much else you can do, just slowly build up your energy. If you are getting a lot of pain you can always ask for another ultrasound to check your ovaries and fluid is going down (just an abdominal one, it's dangerous to do a transvaginal one with OHSS). It might take some time, mine was a very slow recovery. Hope you feel better soon lovely xx

[Booda21 in reply to Chel91]

I feel like you are describing exactly how I was. My liver was struggling (not sure about kidneys) my potassium levels were non existent. I was only sick once but was so so nauseous I couldn’t even barely drink and couldn’t eat. My stomach was huge. Obviously my hormones fell so my symptoms subsided but I’ve just been left like a weak pathetic version of myself. It’s awful isn’t it. Glad to hear that it is actually normal.

When I went back in for my scan on Tuesday a senior doctor told me there’s no way I have OHSS because I’m not pregnant. Even though on the day the sonographer scanned my ovaries and my right was still 9cm and she said it’s hyperstimulated and full of blood where the follicles had bled in to themselves. This was a doctor over the phone advising the junior doctor who was speaking to me. It’s unbelievable isn’t it: she started saying it was my endometriosis. I was totally perplexed as two sonographers have confirmed my ovaries were hyperstimulated. Maybe my local hospital doesn’t see much of this so didn’t know but it’s quite unbelievable. I had been told upon discharge as well that that was what I had. And a Google search confirms with my symptoms it is 100% OHSS. So hard when you have to fight to be heard that something is not right! So sorry you had such a hard time with it too, and thank you so much for replying to me xx

[Chel91 in reply to Booda21]

That's crazy they said that to you! Of course you can get OHSS without being pregnant (I wasn't). Honestly, my hospital and doctors there had not really dealt with it before, they told me this. And that includes someone who worked there as a women's doctor for like 20 years! There is a lot of confusion. I was treated like I was a baby who couldn't handle pain by my clinic, until I ended up in the emergency dept with shocking bloodwork and they drained like 4 litres of bloody fluid out of my abdomen. Then my clinic changed their tune! Definitely keep advocating for yourself if you need to xx

[RDT144]

i’m so sorry to hear that you had to go through that.

I had severe OHSS straight after EC and it was the most horrible thing ever. I was hospitalised for over a week and even after was in a bad state. My kidney gave up on me and I looked like a hot air balloon. A month on I just don’t feel like myself anymore and mentally it’s pretty tough too. I keep telling my husband why am I feeling like this even though I’m “better”, my energy levels are nothing like it used to be. I was know for being over active and diagnosed as having high-functioning anxiety.

I would say allow your body time to heal and don’t rush.

I hope you a speedy recovery and pray it all works out for you 🤎

[Booda21 in reply to RDT144]

I’m so sorry you’ve had such a rough time with it too! It’s awful isn’t it! My clinic completely dismissed me when I rang up 2 consecutive days feeling unwell and in absolute agony telling me it had absolutely nothing to do with my treatment and I probably just had anxiety. I couldn’t believe it.

How you have described feeling is exactly how I feel now. Like someone has took half of my life force and drained me! It’s horrible. I am so much better than I was but I just can’t believe what a slow process it has been. Hoping you feel better soon and good luck with your next steps. Thanks for replying xxx

[RDT144 in reply to Booda21]

That’s exactly what happened with me; told them about my pain and my stomach was swollen well before EC. I couldn’t breath, bend nor walk. They reduced my dose and that’s about it. I probably didn’t say much thereafter because I wanted it sooo bad. Thinking about it makes me pretty sad.. once I was hospitalised they called to check up on me everyday 🙄

Anyways, lets hope it all works out for all of us and we don’t ever have to go through that again 🙌🏾

[Booda21 in reply to RDT144]

Exactly the same here, leaving voicemails wishing me lots of love etc. One extreme to the other! So scary when you have to push so hard to be heard when you know your own body and what does and doesn’t feel right!

Yes you’re absolutely right. Fingers crossed for full health and good news in the future 🫶 xx