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Miscarriage/pregnancy loss

Ectopic? Need Advice Please

13 replies

Moffit · 11/05/2011 15:33

I was, by my calculations 7 weeks pregnant when I had very painful cramping low down on my right hand side. I went to A&E and was referred to the emergency gyne unit. The doctor I saw there asked lots of questions, took a urine sample (which was a positve pregnancy test) and bloods and examined me, he said it sounded like an ectopic pregnancy and sent me for a scan, which was inconclusive, they said there was no viable pregnancy in my uterus, but were unable to 'see' my tubes and ovaries clearly enough due to excess gas. He explained that quite often the body will deal with this on its own (eg. result in a natural miscarriage).

I was sent home and asked to go back in two days for repeat blood tests. I did this and my HCG level had fallen but only very slightly, so I was asked to wait 7 days and return again, where they expected that my levels would drop further and I think they thought that I would miscarry in the meantime. So I returned, had the blood test and my results this time had risen. I was then told to wait another 7 days and then return back for a pregnancy test and further bloods.

I am due to go back tomorrow, but I did my own test this morning and it was still positive, I have not had any heavy bleeding, just light spotting and mild cramps. so I think that the embryo is still in there growing somewhere, the nurse I spoke to last week, said that if the levels were still rising I would have to have another scan to see what was happening and possible keyhole surgery to remove it.

My question is has anyone else experienced this and what should I expect tomorrow? I feel as though it has been going on for long enough, I know I am not going to have a viable pregnancy, so I just want it all to be over with, so that we can move on! Thanks for reading xx

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Jan9ne · 11/05/2011 17:59

Hi Moffit sorry for what you are going through.
I had an ectopic 18 months ago. Started with a very bad pain on my left hand side followed by some bleeding at about 6.5 weeks. I went to A&E and all they could see was an empty sac and fluid. I know now that an empty sac is a 'pseudo sac' and is seen in about 20 % of ectopics. My HCG levels were rising normally and the hosp were a bit puzzled by this and booked me in for a mmc which at about 8 weeks i duly had. Not a great deal was passed apart from a lot of blood and i was still having v strong pg symptoms. I went for a scan where the ectopic was finally found with a heartbeat. It was all systems go but then they couldn't operate for 6 hours as i had eaten. 12 hours passed and the pg ruptured whereupon i was rushed down for emergency surgery, lost an awful lot of blood and got pneumonia. None of this would have happened had they operated sooner. Of course i would still have lost my tube but i wouldn't have nearly lost my life!
At least they have mentioned the word 'ectopic' to you - with me it didn't seem to cross anyone's mind despite the rising HCG levels and the pseudo sac. The fact that your levels are rising slowly i guess suggests that it is a failing pg and less likely to rupture if it is ectopic. I am no expert but since mine i have done a fair bit of research.
My levels were high enough for them to be able to see something - about 10,000. How high are yours? I don't think they can see anything until they are at least 2000. I don't know if i have been any help but all the best for tomorrow

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FessaEst · 11/05/2011 18:07

Sorry to hear about your horrible time Moffit

I had a similar situation a few years ago. I didn't know I was pg when I got horrendous lower abdo pain, had had what I thought was a period,so they thought I had miscarried. Scan showed nothing in the uterus, bt HCG levels, only slightly fluctuated over a couple of weeks. Despite not being able to see an ectopic on scan, the bloods were enough to confirm something was growing somewhere. I was treated with methotrexate to avoid surgery, so I had to have my blood levels monitored every 2 days until they fell below 10 I think (took weeks). It is so hard when you know you do not have a viable pg, but are unclear as to what's going on. Hopefully you'll get some answers tomorrow, and at least a plan of care.

I will never forget the pain and upset of my ectopic, but I just wanted to let you know that I went on to have an uneventful pg with DD and am now 30 weeks pg again with no complications.

Good luck.

PS - I found the miscarriage association and the ectopic pg trust really helpful.
Here & here

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flagging · 11/05/2011 18:10

moffit this could have been me (at 11 weeks). I started bleeding and went for an inconclusive ultrasound. Came back several days later and I had the whole ectopic pregnancy talk and how they might have to remove one ovary if this was the case. In the end I went back again the next day and they did an ultrasound (couldn't find a heartbeat) then put me under an anaethetic and did a D&C. It was all very inconclusive and they still referred to it as a possible ectopic pregnancy but suspect the body reabsorbed the foetus. It is good you accepted the pregancy is over because in my experience it helps you move on fast and try again. Good luck.

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schobe · 11/05/2011 18:17

Sorry you're going through this and it's been so long drawn out.

I had an ectopic a year ago but it all happened quite quickly at about 6 weeks. Abdominal pain that just wouldn't go away (not particularly one-sided) was a result of it starting to rupture and, luckily, a scan picked it up clearly. I had keyhole surgey and the left tube removed.

Imo (no expert mind you) they really ought to be trying to scan you again instead of all this faffing around with HCG levels. I hope they do so tomorrow. It's hard to be assertive when it's all so upsetting, but I would try and insist they scan you if you can. All too often some health care providers are still fobbing women off - ectopics can be dangerous.

It might be that you have miscarried - HCG levels can take a while to go down afterwards - sometimes around 2 weeks.

I hope they get it sorted for you tomorrow so you're not being left hanging any longer.

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AitchTwoOh · 11/05/2011 18:28

they aren't observing the protocols at all here, i'm afraid, you poor thing. they should be doing your bloods every two days if they are leaving the pregnancy to self-manage. my immense sympathy goes out to you, this is a tough time. but you must get better care than this.

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Moffit · 11/05/2011 21:39

Hi Ladies, thanks for all of your messages and reassurance. I will go tomorrow with an open mind and hope that they give some definate answers. However I will try to be more assertive and request a scan as part of the investigation process, hopefully I can update you tomorrow.

I'm sorry for the losses that you have also suffered, and thank you for sharing your stories, it is easier to talk to people who have been through similar situations and understand what I am going through. My DH has been very supportive, he took me out for dinner tonight and we had a chat about what we might expect tomorrow. He said that he is going to talk up for me (as I have been a bit emotional the last couple of days) and make sure we get definate answers about what is going on.

Many Thanks xx

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AitchTwoOh · 11/05/2011 21:50

hoping for the best for you, moffit.

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Moffit · 12/05/2011 19:26

Just a quick update for those of you that are still reading. I went to the hospital today, had a positive pregnancy test, but the nurse said it was only border line positive (I think she said the hospital test measures from 25). Then I had a blood test and the HCG level has dropped right down to only 61, I was quite pleased with that. Need to do another test next Wednesday just to confirm it is completely over.

But in my mind I feel as though the tests are proof that it has dropped to a level where everything is heading in the right direction and I am not so confused. So thanks to those of you that were able to help me last night. xx

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AitchTwoOh · 12/05/2011 21:01

okay, that's good. except it might hit you hard, you know, all the what ifs and might have beens. don't be surprisde if that happens, and be sure to shout out for help if you need it.

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Moffit · 12/05/2011 22:12

Thanks AitchTwoOh. I had a little cry this afternoon when we got home, but I think it will be easier now I know everything is ok, I feel as though we can draw a line under this episode and look to the future.

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AitchTwoOh · 12/05/2011 22:13
Smile
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schobe · 13/05/2011 09:40

Pleased for you that it looks like it is resolving.

Agree with aitch though that emotions can suddenly hit you (or not, it's so unpredictable). Just go easy on yourself if you hit a dip!

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flagging · 13/05/2011 16:38

moffit glad you are OK. Like the others said just be prepared for a few dips. It hit me two weeks later when I saw a photo of Sarah Jessica Parker and her new baby in Hello Sad Shock. After sobbing for fifteen mins I was ready to move on. And only one month later I was pregnant with the first of my two darling DSs. So very best of luck.

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