By registering on our forum, you can view and contribute to more topics on ectopic pregnancy. Your details are confidential and we do not send unsolicited emails. For your confidentiality, you can choose your own forum name to protect your anonymity if you so wish. If you register, there is no obligation to post; you can simply take comfort from the words of others. It is entirely up to you whether you post a message or read others' experiences or do both.
The anxiety and uncertainty...
The anxiety and uncertainty...
Now we are back here after a long time of hesitating to try again, and after finally getting pregnant, I started bleeding and having cramps at 6 weeks. I knew something was off because it was fresh blood, no clots, a lot of pain, and very slow to progress - different from my previous miscarriage, which went very quickly. As our former doctors have all gone on to different places, we are left without contacts, and I could barely convince the hospital to admit me for a scan (my GP wouldn't, though he took my hcg levels). On Sunday, they only found a tiny sac, and said this could still happen with an ectopic as it was very small for my stage. They did not find anything outside of my uterus. They told me it was most probably a miscarriage, but took my hcg levels and checked them again today. I have been in a state of extreme anxiety since - and it is bringing back a lot of trauma for me. I really hoped it would not be so difficult this time around.
My hcg levels have been 299, 317, 332 so far (taken every second day). The doctor called me today to tell me it is most probably an ectopic since the levels are rising, but that they will check my hcg again on Thursday, and do a scan. Then if they have not dropped, they will give me methotrexate. I am finding this all very anxiety inducing. I am still not convinced this is an ectopic, as they did not find anything outside of my uterus. But at the same time, I hate this watchful waiting - I have been in a state of panic for 4 days now, and would like some peace of mind that the worst is not going to happen.
I am wondering if any of you have had a similar experience with hcg levels/scans, and if you could share your stories? Also, how much did you bleed? Were there clots and tissue or just mostly fresh blood?
Also, for those of you who have taken methotrexate, what were your experiences? How horrible is it?
Thank you in advance.
-
- Posts: 249
- Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2018 11:23 pm
Re: The anxiety and uncertainty...
It's not unusual to pass a decidual cast if it is ectopic. I passed 2 Triangular womb shaped pieces of tissue and assumed all was done.
I spotted and bled for 2 months. No massive bleeds, beside the tissue describe above but even that didn't have much bleeding.
Hope you get a swift resolution xx
-
- Posts: 3175
- Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 10:58 pm
Re: The anxiety and uncertainty...
I am so sorry to hear of your previous losses, my heart truly goes out to you.
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. This is possibly the reason why your doctors are waiting until a further appointment to carry out scans and tests.
Unfortunately there is no set pattern to ectopic pregnancy, which is why it can be notoriously difficult to diagnose. Personally, I had the occasional twinge in my side around 2 weeks before but as it was my 1st pregnancy and wasn't bad, I thought it was implantation pain. I then had nothing until the day I was taken into hospital with severe pain and heavy bleeding. For me it was more dark than fresh blood. Other women have barely any signs at all.
I was treated with methotrexate too. It made me feel extremely tired for around 2 weeks. I hardly bled and only had a slight niggle of pain during the first week, then I started cramping and getting heavier bleeding the 2nd week. I'm afraid I cannot remember how long I bled for as this was 9 years ago now. I took two weeks off work, but wish I took longer to cope with the fatigue and emotional impact of baby loss. You will also require regular hospital visits for blood tests to ensure your hCG levels are declining.
Following methotrexate, I am afraid it is difficult to predict how long it will take for your hormone levels reach non-pregnant levels. As we are all individual, our bodies respond differently to the drug and it depends on factors like how high levels reached and our unique physiology. What I can say is that it can take a number of weeks and, while it can take some time, it is not as invasive a procedure as surgery. Also, in terms of chances of future successful pregnancies, studies do not show a significant difference between treatment routes, whether surgical, medical using methotrexate or expectant management (allowing time for the body to resolve the pregnancy itself).
We do have more information on methotrexate here https://ectopic.org.uk/patients/treatment/
It is good that your EPU are following up with further tests, having said this, I do think that if you are feeling pain which seems unusual and is concerning you and, in particular, if you experience any unusual 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.
Sending much love and warm hugs,
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
***************************************************************************
Re: The anxiety and uncertainty...
How did you cope during this period?
-
- Posts: 3175
- Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 10:58 pm
Re: The anxiety and uncertainty...
I hope things are a little smoother for you.
I just took one day at a time and tried to distract myself by going out for gentle walks. Do whatever you can to pass the time, but I know how frustrating it is.
Sending much love,
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
***************************************************************************