Hi all, I was signposted here from another forum. It's been a rollercoaster couple of weeks with no end in sight right now...
2 weeks ago I got my surprise BFP. As I wasn't sure on dates I had an early scan on Thursday. At the time I was told that there was a gestational sac that put me around six weeks but couldn't get a proper look. Then they mentioned sac was slightly irregular shape, but likely because so early.
I then had a call on Friday asking me to attend local EPAU urgently as a consultant had looked at my scans. They really weren't happy with my scan and wanted to rule out any problems.
Had blood taken in EPAU after a long five hour wait to be seen. I was promised they'd ring with results later that evening. At the time I had no pain and no bleeding.
I rang the ward about midnight as has heard nothing, and was told I'd get a call in the morning. I then chased several times during the day as I had developed pain in lower right side and in to my hip. Kept being told they would call me back. Eventually I called again and was advised to go in for assessment, because at that point I was rolling around on the floor in pain. Still no bleeding.
Finally got blood results - 964, was told should be closer to 1500, and I was likely starting to miscarry. They examined me and gave me some strong pain relief and sent me home, with instructions to return Sunday for another blood test, in which they expected to see the numbers falling.
Finally got results of Sunday's blood test just now. Numbers have gone up, but only by about 15% in 48 hours, which is indicating I likely have an ectopic pregnancy.
Unsurprisingly I'm anxious, extremely stressed out and still in pain (though better controlled with stronger pain killers). I have found dealing with EPAU to be an extremely frustrating and slow process.
Next step is back again tomorrow for repeat bloods. Again. With advice to attend rather rapidly if serious changes in the meantime. Depending on results they plan to then scan later in the week.
I''ll be completely honest, I'm terrified. Having done all the reading I can, I tick so many risk boxes - over 35, previous c section as well as multiple abdominal surgeries, endometriosis... The list goes on.
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Suspected ectopic
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EctopicPUL
- Posts: 249
- Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2018 11:23 pm
Re: Suspected ectopic
glad you followed my arrows in the ether.*waves* xxx
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StarlightCaz
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Apr 01, 2019 9:07 pm
Re: Suspected ectopic
Thank you, couldn't remember who it was!
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EPT Host 20
- Posts: 3175
- Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 10:58 pm
Re: Suspected ectopic
Dear StarlightCaz,
I am so sorry to hear that you are going through such a difficult time.
When diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy, doctors use a combination of transvaginal ultrasound scanning and blood tests to check HCG levels.
If scans are inconclusive, doctors would carry out a series of blood tests to check hCG levels to see if the numbers are rising as expected. However, in isolation, hCG tests only provide a part of the picture - declining levels indicate that a pregnancy has ended and will be miscarried. It can also possibly indicate an ectopic pregnancy that is "self-resolving". Also hCG levels rising by less than 66% over 48 hours means it is likely (but not certain) that it is ectopic. If levels rise normally, they suggest the pregnancy is implanted in the uterus. You may see from this that hCG levels only indicate certain possibilities and are not in themselves a definitive guide. A positive identification of an implanted embryo on a scan is usually needed before a final diagnosis/certainty that the pregnancy has implanted in the uterus. This is possibly the reason why your doctors are waiting until your appointment to carry out scans and tests.
As you have mentioned that your scan showed a small gestation sac without a yolk sac or embryo, this is known as a Pregnancy of Unknown Location or PUL. This is not a diagnosis but a label until the final location can be identified with certainty. I cannot be sure but it could be that it is just to early to view a viable pregnancy.
Having said this, I do think that if you are currently feeling pain which is worsening or seems unusual and is concerning you and, in particular, if you experience any bleeding or spotting, it is better to get checked out to be on the safe side. As pain is unique to each person and I have such limited information, it would be better to get professional medical assistance by someone who can examine you. Visiting the hospital would give you peace of mind. I am sorry to hear you are having trouble with your EPU, if you have the strength to do so, I would mention the miscommunication when you go tomorrow, in the hope they rectify the issues and contact you as they should.
Sending much love and positive thoughts,
Karen x
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1071811
**************************************************************************
If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?
Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk
Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk
We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653
The latest EPT newsletter is out now! You can take a look at the Winter edition and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters
Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team
***************************************************************************
I am so sorry to hear that you are going through such a difficult time.
When diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy, doctors use a combination of transvaginal ultrasound scanning and blood tests to check HCG levels.
If scans are inconclusive, doctors would carry out a series of blood tests to check hCG levels to see if the numbers are rising as expected. However, in isolation, hCG tests only provide a part of the picture - declining levels indicate that a pregnancy has ended and will be miscarried. It can also possibly indicate an ectopic pregnancy that is "self-resolving". Also hCG levels rising by less than 66% over 48 hours means it is likely (but not certain) that it is ectopic. If levels rise normally, they suggest the pregnancy is implanted in the uterus. You may see from this that hCG levels only indicate certain possibilities and are not in themselves a definitive guide. A positive identification of an implanted embryo on a scan is usually needed before a final diagnosis/certainty that the pregnancy has implanted in the uterus. This is possibly the reason why your doctors are waiting until your appointment to carry out scans and tests.
As you have mentioned that your scan showed a small gestation sac without a yolk sac or embryo, this is known as a Pregnancy of Unknown Location or PUL. This is not a diagnosis but a label until the final location can be identified with certainty. I cannot be sure but it could be that it is just to early to view a viable pregnancy.
Having said this, I do think that if you are currently feeling pain which is worsening or seems unusual and is concerning you and, in particular, if you experience any bleeding or spotting, it is better to get checked out to be on the safe side. As pain is unique to each person and I have such limited information, it would be better to get professional medical assistance by someone who can examine you. Visiting the hospital would give you peace of mind. I am sorry to hear you are having trouble with your EPU, if you have the strength to do so, I would mention the miscommunication when you go tomorrow, in the hope they rectify the issues and contact you as they should.
Sending much love and positive thoughts,
Karen x
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1071811
**************************************************************************
If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?
Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk
Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk
We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653
The latest EPT newsletter is out now! You can take a look at the Winter edition and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters
Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team
***************************************************************************
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StarlightCaz
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Apr 01, 2019 9:07 pm
Re: Suspected ectopic
Thank you. Sunday's results indicated a 60% rise in HCG - only got result yesterday when I went in for next set of bloods. Had a call already to say that Tuesday's HCG level has increased only 15% in 48 hours. I am going on for an emergency scan at midday.
I'm a total mess. Yesterday, just for a moment, things were slightly looking up, today it feels like everything is crashing down around me again.
I couldn't sleep last night because I had pain, but more because I couldn't get comfortable - the pain is manageable. I still have no signs of bleeding at all.
Hopefully today will have a clearer idea of what's going on, because this emotional rollercoaster is exhausting.
I'm a total mess. Yesterday, just for a moment, things were slightly looking up, today it feels like everything is crashing down around me again.
I couldn't sleep last night because I had pain, but more because I couldn't get comfortable - the pain is manageable. I still have no signs of bleeding at all.
Hopefully today will have a clearer idea of what's going on, because this emotional rollercoaster is exhausting.
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EctopicPUL
- Posts: 249
- Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2018 11:23 pm
Re: Suspected ectopic
How did your scan go Caz?
