No worries FedUp. My AF was a full on 5 day heavy AF as normal. I was hoping it was implantation bleed but it was exactly as heavy and long as normal so I had ruled that out (basically I now know I had AF as HCG levels were not high enough to stop it at that point).
My first sign really was that I had a (faint) BFP only at 6 weeks. I only took the IC test as I had been feeling a bit weird and had an xray (unrelated) the next day so wanted to be 100% I was not pregnant for it. Was shocked at BFP. Went straight out and bought a CB with Conception indicator which said I was 2-3 weeks pregnant.. which dated me as conceiving when I was on AF, 2 weeks after ov. I knew this was wrong as I was using OPKs, but the GP and EPU didnt seem to think it was a problem and I trusted them as medical experts (HAH!)
Anyway, that was first sign. I was then referred for scans at EPU. First scan at 6.5 weeks showed nothing except thicker uterine lining. They took a blood test and told me I must have o'd later than I thought. I had another blood test a couple of days later and HCG had risen as it should (apparently I was in the only 10% of ectopics this happened for, so very unlucky as they didnt pick it up). Thing is my first blood test was something like 2500.. so when I heard that I knew myself they should have seen something in the scan. I still don't understand why things were left with them telling me all was fine. Week 8 I had another scan on the Monday and they said they could see a gestational sac and possibly yolk sac. I was already having horrendous abdominal pains and had been since the Friday. I had convinced myself it was wind/digestional caused by pregnancy, so that's what I told them at the EPU... They didn't even seem to acknowledge what I was saying so I assumed all was fine. I saw the GP on Wednesday about the pain but it seemed to be easing. He just said if it got worse or I was dizzy to go to A&E straight away. I collapsed on the Thursday night.
Unfortunately I didn't have the main 'classic' sign of an ectopic, which was bleeding. They usually refer to it as 'prune juice' coloured. Even when I had ruptured and was bleeding internally I never bled externally... so anyway, they ruled out an ectopic in A&E, and I spent about 6 hours in agony while the 'professionals' argued about appendicitis(!) until it was finally diagnosed, and they prepared me for emergency surgery just minutes before I started screaming and couldnt stop (never knew pain like it and pray I never do again).
So to try to answer your questions more directly: I ruptured at what I know now was 8 weeks (though the medics kept telling me previously I was not that far along to try to explain why the scans did not show anything). Through the many experiences I have read about since it happened to me I would say the main symptom is the one-sided pain, or severe (all over) abdominal gassy pain. To give my example I was on all fours at times with mine and I would rate it worse than labour pain. I couldnt put my son to bed at nights as I was generally in bed in agony, or curled up on the sofa with a hot water bottle. A lot of women also have bleeding with it, but heavy bleeding that is usually waved off as "you are having an MC" in hospital, told there is nothing that can be done, and they are sent home to 'get on with it', and its only when they end up in A&E it's realised to be an ectopic. Ummmm, also faint BFP's when they should be strong, and a lack of symptoms (generally again due to low HCG)
FedUp Did you use a conception indicator? Did your dates match what you think? I am not a medical professional, and as with everything EVERY case is different, but I don't recognise your symptoms as similar to any of the ectopic stories I have read.
If this is causing you real worry though, is it possible for you to call your EPU directly and explain your history, and that you have been having this brown spotting/discharge, and you are worried about an ectopic. Even if it is too early for a scan you might be able to ask for a blood test/progesterone test, or they might be able to book you in for a scan at 6-7 weeks. I know all EPUs are different but some accept direct requests. Either that or try via your GP. The other lesson I have learned is not to wait where health is concerned. If it turns out your fears are unfounded then who cares if you took up one more slot at the EPU!
Yeah thanks, I think I might knock the temping on the head, it was just nice to be able to do 'something' while I was waiting for the 2 cycles to be done! I though it would clarify, rather than give me something else to question.. which basically makes it pointless for me.
If you have any other Q's just ask. If anything I say helps anyone then it makes the ectopic feel slightly less.. pointless if you know what I mean.
xxx