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8 Negative HPTs since October 2020, Still no AF, Awaiting GP BT Results - Please Share Similar Stories!

33 replies

Equestre · 09/02/2021 23:32

Hi All,

I'm new to Mumsnet, so, "Hello!" Smile I discovered this site whilst mindlessly 'Googling' and thought I may as well reach out in case someone else has been through - or is going through - what I am right now; with the gift of anonymity, to avoid getting family and friends excited for potentially no reason! Also, apologies if I get any abbreviations wrong Blush

TL:DR - No proper AF since Oct 2020 ('mini' AF in Nov 2020), 8 BFN HPTs, had BTs at GP surgery & anxiously awaiting results, hoping someone can relate! Blush

Our story: BF and I decided not to put pressure on TTC, to DTD without protection and leave the rest up to fate - our relationship is wonderful (after I suffered through an awful, abusive marriage that ended because he had an affair; got divorced a year before I met my BF) we're in a comfortable position emotionally, financially and otherwise, we'd both love to have children and neither of us are getting any younger Blush BF suffered a devastating loss with his ex after their daughter was sadly stillborn at 6 months (he has no other children), and whilst he's intent on looking forward/remaining positive, I admit it still haunts me and I wish he'd talk about it as I know the worry is still there for him about future pregnancies as he's extra cautious with me (I've never been PG before, nor did I wish to afflict my ex-husband on any potential children because he was abusive), but my BF doesnt ever want to talk about it (likely because it's too painful) and I'm never going to force him to; I'd just like to know whether it's something that might put any pregnancies of mine at risk, though I trust that he'd never knowingly put me (or our potential children) in danger. So, in case you hadn't already noted, I overthink everything - and I mean everything. That, of course, leads to high stress levels Blush (Though I've always been a stressy person, and that's never affected AF before...)

Our adventure began in Sept 2020, and my AF for Oct was over a week late and was horrific - not like me at all! Next 'AF' was 5 days late in Nov 2020, but happened immediately after DTD and was nothing like a normal AF; only lasted 2 days and wasn't accompanied by the usual cramping or irritability. No sign of AF since.

I've done 8 HPTs (of 3 different brands) spread over intervals of at least a week since AF was late in Oct 2020, all of which have BFN.

I have emetophobia, so nausea is nothing unusual; though from Nov until around 2 weeks ago I found myself getting horribly nauseous in the evenings at around 7pm-10pm, then feeling absolutely ravenous from around 11pm-1am every night - not like me, at all! Whilst watching a gross scene in a film can trigger my phobic anxiety and make me feel nauseated, it takes a lot for me to feel hungry as I used to work 12 hour shifts most days a week without time for a break (now I work for myself I don't have breaks but do eat more healthily). Nightly nausea seems to have gone away, but I'm still finding myself falling asleep hungry (I'm very conscious about my weight and eating late is a no-go), though I've also been waking up in the middle of the night every so often with heartburn; something I've never had before, it even triggered a mini phobia-related panic attack the first time I experienced it!

I have put weight on in my abdomen area, which I initially attributed to bloating (you know, from being hungry yet refusing to eat late). It felt a little like a half-inflated balloon originally, though it's recently started getting rounder and now feels like (for lack of a better description) there's a little tennis ball in the lower section Confused What's worse is my abdomen area keeps getting bigger, whilst I'm not putting on weight anywhere else - although, my boobs are definitely 'heavier' (and really tender sometimes!); I've had to purchase a few bras online in a bigger cup size than I normally wear. For the last 3 weeks or so, I get these weird but mild 'twinges' in my abdomen area on odd occasions - not like PMS cramping, it's hard to explain, the sensations seem to be primarily along either side of my abdomen, like a 'stretching' or very light cramping feeling, and it lasts for 2 minutes at a time before fading away.

Other than feeling a little faint from time to time, I'm absolutely fine - though I'm being really careful, just in case.

GP ordered blood tests, as he said he wants to check for absolutely every scenario - didn't seem concerned about pregnancy whatsoever, even said I could carry on living life as normal (I don't drink alcohol and don't smoke anyway, which he knows); I've been sensible and stopped riding my (very naughty!) horses, again, just in case (overthinking has a lot to do with that decision, given my BF's past experiences and my fear of putting a precious life at risk). I was told BT results take 48hrs, but when I called, the receptionist couldn't tell me anything apparently Confused All she said was the GP insisted I be booked for a telephone consultation 8 days later - which will be Friday afternoon.

BF fully believes I'm PG, though I'm airing on the side of caution in case I'm not - I don't want to get his (or my) hopes up, only to have them dashed. It's totally unlike me to miss AF, though whilst I feel 'different' within myself, having never been PG before I have no idea what to think, feel, or expect Blush I've been assuming that I can't possibly have tested positive for pregnancy in the BTs, because I'd assume a GP would have a duty of care to inform me immediately if I were PG so I didn't do anything stupid - or is that a misguided assumption given the current pandemic pressures the NHS are under?

Please share your stories with me, to take my mind off the wait!

Thanks in advance Smile

OP posts:
Equestre · 13/02/2021 00:01

Thank you both! Smile

My BF has basically said the same as both of you, not to go riding until we are 100% certain I'm not pregnant and don't have a cyst or anything else that could be causing everything. So, I've contacted a local private hospital who offer diagnostic ultrasound consultations - hopefully I'll receive a response from them soon along with an appointment Smile

The weather is super cold at the moment, I wouldn't ride my horses in it anyway; so I'll be careful, but I am going to try allowing myself a little normality and try to stop being so overly cautious in case that's actually been stressing me out more and playing havoc with my cycles Blush (Although, when I asked the GP about whether the stress of it all could be the cause, he seemed to rule it out as the culprit based on my blood test results Confused)

Thank you all ever so much once again, and I will keep you all updated as best I can Smile

(P.S. Please take care in this freezing weather we're having! Hope your horses are staying safe and well too Smile)

OP posts:
Crazydoglady123 · 12/02/2021 19:45

Hey @Equestre as someone whose suffered with ovarian cysts I'd just book yourself a private scan. I've had a few now and cost around £80-90 but worth every penny. I'd personally say regarding riding if you feel like you're abdomen has got bigger and getting twinges like you say then stay on the ground until you get it checked. I had a large cyst which I stopped riding at the time but had a big show coming up so decided to do as was a big qualifier and by the evening I started bleeding quite heavy and ended up in hospital for a few days. If you was to have a large cyst, you're at risk of twisted it and also it rupturing. Just be careful until you get it checked

SweetShopSurprise · 12/02/2021 19:01

I’d 100% book a private ultrasound just to be sure. I’ve read posts on mumsnet from women that don’t get a positive pregnancy test, the only way they confirm they’re pregnant is with a blood test, maybe you’re one of those women?

From one horsey girl to another, I’d say if they’re naughty stay off until after the ultrasound, another few weeks off won’t harm them (and then you‘ll have seen the back of winter hopefully too) but I’d definitely try and book a private one if you can.

Equestre · 12/02/2021 16:52

Thank you WineInTheWillows, that's really kind Smile

So, after an extremely anxious wait - and over two and a half hours spent staring at my phone, the GP called and went through my blood test results. Apparently, they tested for many different things and assured me that I don't have PCOS, I'm not suffering from an early menopause, I don't have thyroid problems, and my hormone balance is "perfect", aside the fact that my progesterone levels are a "little low" - which he attributed to the fact I can't have ovulated when I had the blood tests taken. He said as far as my results were concerned, I should be experiencing normal monthly cycles. When I asked whether they tested for pregnancy (since the nurse/phlebotomist who did the blood test assured me pregnancy was once of the things they were testing for), he stated "No. We've completely ruled out pregnancy because you've had negative home pregnancy tests which provide extremely accurate results." Confused He said I was absolutely fine to do everything I enjoy as I'm not overweight, I have an active lifestyle, and my blood tests suggest I'm perfectly healthy - he even said it was fine for me to ride my horses again even though they have a tendency to misbehave. I have to call the GP back if no AF in 2 months, once I've missed 4 cycles, and he'll refer me to a gynaecologist who will likely arrange an ultrasound scan. He said he normally doesn't refer patients for fertility treatments until they've been trying unsuccessfully for over a year, but because I'm in such good health he'd be happy to have that conversation with my BF and I after a few months. The GP dismissed my symptoms, reiterating that my test results were all normal, fine and healthy.

My BF is adamant I'm PG, and though I genuinely do feel 'different' within myself, I've tried to explain that given all this it's highly unlikely I can be. It's disappointing because I've been exceedingly careful about not lifting heavy objects or over-exerting myself, I even stopped riding my horses for the last 2 months 'just in case', yet I can't reasonably justify 'taking things easy' anymore Confused My BF thinks we should get a private ultrasound scan done, though I'm not sure whether I should just try getting on with returning to being super active and losing the weight that's appeared around my abdomen area Blush I worry that my BF is clinging onto false hope because he so desperately wants me to be PG, and I just know I'm going to feel absolutely terrible when AF happens Sad

Thank you both for reading my story so far Smile Maybe I will stay on Mumsmet for now, perhaps having my story out there might help someone else...

Thanks again! Smile

OP posts:
WineInTheWillows · 11/02/2021 10:13

For what it's worth, you don't need to be pregnant or have kids to use Mumsnet. So, even if it's negative, feel free to stick around if you like. There's also a 'trying to conceive' section (go to talk>becoming a parent> conception) so you can meet other folk on there in the same boat.

Whatever happens, good luck on your journey.

Equestre · 11/02/2021 10:09

Thank you both! Smile

I will let you know the results on Friday, then, depending on what those results are, I may delete this new Mumsnet account - there's a chance I may not need to use it if it turns out I'm definitely not pregnant and have ovarian cysts, or a thyroid problem, or something else is wrong that has possibly caused these strange symptoms and lack of AF Blush

OP posts:
WineInTheWillows · 09/02/2021 23:48

No idea, OP, sorry. I hope it's nothing untoward. I'm surprised you have to wait so long for results though.

Cakelaur · 09/02/2021 23:40

Can't give much advice. But definitely crossing fingers and toes for a positive outcome and cannot wait to hear the results!! They all sound like pregnancy symptoms, but I convince myself every month I'm pregnant whilst ttc so I'm not the best one to ask. Although I've been pregnant 3 times! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻