Ectopic Pregnancy?

[odette123]

I wasn't sure whether to post in here or in the pregnancy forum but here goes.

We've been TTC for over a year now. My period was 2 days late and lighter than usual. I started on Wednesday night complete with period pains and everything, then yesterday I started having a pain in my shoulder joint although I can't remember doing anything to my shoulder to cause it. The pain isn't constant and it mainly hurts when I move my arm. I took some Ibuprofen earlier and the pain did ease but didn't go away entirely. My period now seems to have ended although it usually lasts longer. I have also been feeling really tired although that could just be early mornings and the time of year. I know that this shoulder thing and the tiredness CAN be a symptom of an ectopic pregnancy but I don't have any other symptoms, e.g. abdominal pain. I hate going to the GP and don't want to go if the pain in my arm is just from a strain or something but should I go just in case. Would I also have abdominal pain and/or other symptoms for an ectopic?
Help
Odette

[chocciechip]

odette The consequences of an ectopic can be catastrophic - if I were you I'd phone your EPU today. I am recalling a lady on a different thread a year back who complained of shoulder pain and delayed getting it checked, convinced she'd strained her shoulder, and it ruptured the next day and she lost one of her tubes. I wished then that I'd been more forceful with her so I am going to be so with you: if you think there is even the smallest chance of it being ectopic, phone someone and try and get it checked out fast. Shoulder pain is a significant symptom. The worst that can happen is they tell you its a shoulder strain, and that's the best news you can get. Seriously, don't mess around with this. Good luck.

[silverangel]

Odette,

I convinced myself last week I was having an ectopic due to being a complete paranoid mess after mmc last year. I must have read everything on the internet about it and the consensus seemed to be that the shouder tip pain is a very specific type of pain, and signals a dteriorating epc, usually accompanied by some bleeding and abdo pain.

I am not a medical professional in any way so perhaps best to get it checked out and at least put your mind at rest.

Good luck!

[mousebacon]

Have you taken a pg test?

[OracleInaCoracle]

does the pain get worse if you lie down. have you done a HPT?

[odette123]

Hi,

Just to update you. I rang the Early Pregnancy Unit at my local hospital and the very nice lady on the phone said that shoulder tip pain was a late symptom of an ectopic pregnancy and meant that you were bleeding internally basically. She said that at that stage I would probably also have abdominal pain which I don't! She advised me to do a HPT and if it was positive to go to Casualty. I hadn't thought of a HPT as I didn't know a ectopic would show up on that. It was negative, which for once was a big relief!

Thanks for all the advice though, I would never have phoned the EPU if I hadn't come on here and I would be still whittling now.

I might just do another test tomorrow morning just to be 100% though

[OracleInaCoracle]

hmm, I do just want to say that shoulder tip pain is not always alongside abdominal pain, you can have one without the other.

you have probably just pulled your shoulder without realising, but keep an eye on it and good luck x

[odette123]

Thanks.

I agree but it's hard to differentiate between shoulder pain associated with an ectopic pregnancy (unless you've experienced it before) and just run-of-the-mill shoulder pain but according to the lady from the EPU, once it had got to the shoulder pain stage you would usually have other symptoms in addition and the kicker would've been a positive pregnancy test immediately following my period.

TBH, once I spoke to the EPU, my shoulder pain didn't seem so acute. The internet is a great tool but, by crikey, it can frighten you to death sometimes. BTW, I never knew there was such a thing as an EPU so the internet (well, Mumsnet) has enlightened me on that score and I'm going to put them on speed dial :-) Obviously, I'm going to keep and eye on things but I think it's just an injury now.

Thanks everybody x

[OracleInaCoracle]

im not disputing that and I really dont want to frighten anyone, but Im just saying that not everyone gets all the symptoms. eg, my tube had ruptured and I nearly died... but I didnt have abdominal pains, just period-like bleeding. shoulder tip pain if there is a chance you are pg should always be hecked out. you had a bfn, which is (unfortunately) good news. but had it been a bfp and you had shoulder-tip pain, then it would be straight to A&E abdo painsd or not iykwim.

[OracleInaCoracle]

sorry, it does look like im being argumentative, its just scary how dismissive some medics can be about these things. i remember spooky who had a ruptured tube and period pains, but none of the other signs. and more recently thandeka, i just wanted to clarify for any other lurkers.

[SlightlyTubbyHali]

It's a fair comment Lissie. I suspect that shoulder tip pain that gets worse with arm movement is more likely to be muscular, but I am no doctor and you are spot on about how medics can be rather clueless about ectopics.

My GP told me I didn't have one because when she touched my tummy I wasn't in pain. Well, with a suspected ep she really shouldn't have been prodding! But more to the point I never had any pain at all (with 2 of them). Ectopics can present very strangely and it is best to always err on the side of caution.

Odette, I'm very glad you're okay.

[Bexamundo]

Another thing to note is I have a shoulder spasm that comes and goes (started after a bereavement) and last year it didn't go away. I left it and ended up being hospitalised because it was so severe and it turned out I had a virus and was an inpatient (very interesting as a nurse). This shoulder pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong. You did the right thing speaking to yur EPU but if the pain carries on get some medical advice. You might benefit from alternative pain relief and/or physio.
I'm pleased to hear you're ok.

[chocciechip]

odette You did the right thing, and I'm glad you had some reassurance with the hpt. But can I suggest you double-check tomorrow by doing another HPT with first morning urine to be sure the BFN is a BFN. Also, I agree with lissie: I've been been treated for what they thought might be ectopic and I had no shoulder pain at all. I argued the point, because their cautious approach meant I had to cancel a very expensive holiday which I really didn't want to do. I was told that ectopics then that can reveal themselves in a variety of combinations of symptoms and not everyone gets all of them. So its always worth being cautious. I think the EPU has been my lifeline and they're mostly brilliant, but have to also say I've been given some garbage info as well - e.g. if you're bleeding brown blood its 'old blood' and therefore probably not a miscarriage. That was cr*p in two of my experiences ... so, always take care of yourself regardless of what they say. I think a second hpt with fmu is a very good idea. I'm glad to hear you're feeling better about it.