To panic over side effects?

[DesignerRecliner]

Apologies for the posting-for-traffic but I'm stuck in a rock and hard place situation. I'm on pregnancy number 7 with only 2 living DC, so my nerves are in tatters. I've had 2 missed MCs this year, one which took 9 weeks to 'resolve' including botched medical management, botched scans and a botched D&C for background. Some may have seen my thread on the shocking miscarriage treatment previously.

I'm under a recurrent miscarriage clinic and on rectal progesterone - am 8 weeks. The progesterone seems to be doing a lot - I'm not bleeding or anything but I'm so breathless and tired I can barely move without going dizzy. I'm so nauseous I can't eat and I'm getting blistering headaches.

I'm getting really worried about the breathlessness as I have pains in my chest from the effort of breathing and I'm so tired I can't function. But I can't risk stopping the progesterone and risking my baby.

The miscarriage unit said to speak to my respiratory consultant.. the next appointment is JUNE 2023! The miscarriage clinic said to stop the progesterone if the symptoms are so bad but I'd never forgive myself if this baby didn't make it because I couldn't take the side effects. Can anyone suggest what to do beyond taking to my bed for the next 2+ months?!

Also, if anyone else has experience of side effects from rectal progesterone suppositories, please share so I know if this is 'normal' or not!!

Gosh I have absolutely no idea but 1) I can bump for you and 2) can you at least get someone like a GP to examine you to check if you feel breathless or if you have any actual breathing issues?

You must be able to get a medical professional to advise if these side effects mean you need to come off the meds, it can not be acceptable for you to be left with no advice as to what the medication is actually doing to you.

I’d try GP or go back to the miscarriage unit to say you can’t get an appt.

Have you told the miscarriage unit about the timescale for a respiratory appointment?

Can they get you fitted in somehow?

Also, have you tested for covid, or know you've had it recently? Flu and RSV are both beginning to appear as well.

Sorry I promise this isn't supposed to be a drip feed but I didn't want people think I was seeking specific medical advice, I have chronic lung disease and asthma and a history of possible clots (have had Clexane from 16w in 2 successful pregnancies). This is why I have a 'respiratory consultant' (who's never available!). So the breathlessness is scary but I don't think I can risk stopping the progesterone

GP won't touch me due to consultant involvement but asking the miscarriage unit to see if they can facilitate an urgent referral to respiratory may help.

PS - if anyone recognises my medical details/miscarriage history - please don't share the news with anyone

Tentative bump for the evening crowd

Sorry for your losses op. I don’t know what I’d do but I’m inclined to say that if it got worse or not better then I might take myself to a&e - preferably at the hospital with the respiratory department who will have your file on record.

I don't remember getting breathless from progesterone. Is that listed as a side effect?

Also is there any reason they're not giving you clexane from the get go? I had clexane from the first positive test (also had multiple losses)? Did they find what was causing the miscarriages because they makes a difference.

I'd be like you and not want to discontinue anything that could affect the baby. Can you take it easy until the appointment? Not much help I know.

I never suffered these symptoms with progesterone pessaries, I had them for 6 separate IVF cycles but I don’t have any existing lung issues.

Low iron can also cause shortness of breath though, how far along are you? Have you had any bloods taken yet?

Do you have a pulse oximeter? I am wondering, like a pp, if you are actually short of breath or having the sensation of being short of breath which is then causing panic and making you short of breath iyswim.

Sorry op, sounds awful for you

I'm sorry my advice would be to check your 02 Sat's and if the meds are effecting ur breathing that badly stop the medication and focus on you 2 living dc who no doubt need you to be present and healthy as possible

I think you need to be checked in case it's something else entirely.

I am on cyclogest as part of IVF and haven’t experienced breathlessness. I would consult a doctor about it as it may not be due to the progesterone but something else?

I’m Sorry you are feeling like this OP. I hope you get to the bottom of it.

You need both iron and bp checked to start with, either gp or midwife. Either being out too far either way could cause some/several of those symptoms.

Would you consider reducing the progesterone else a little to see if there's any impact? I only suggest that because they were okay with you stopping due to the symptoms and it would give you a better idea of where you stand.

Exhaustion and nausia could just be pregnancy though. And I've had all those symptoms, albeit not simultaneously, for hormonal related reasons, so I'd guess it's feasible all of it could be either the progesterone or the pregnancy.

You need to see a doctor. Progesterone does not cause breathlessness or chest pain, it’s worrying that you’re having those symptoms.

progesterone does increase the risk of blood clots, and if you’ve had them before then it’s all sounding pretty risky really. Did the clinic not consider starting Clexane immediately, given your known risk of clots and the hormonal medication?

I would seek urgent review. On Monday I’d talk to the recurrent miscarriage clinic and ask the question about clexane.

I have absolutely no medical expertise whatsoever. But I have had Pulmonary Embolisms. I would take myself to A&E to rule out a clot. It’s surely better to rule out something that could become an emergency than assume it’s just a side effect.

Good luck, I hope everything works out well.

I’m sorry, I’m going to give an unpopular opinion.

uour breathlessness needs urgent assessment. It could easily be a PE, and that is life threatening. Your existing children need you.

I personally would not (and i have been there, secondary infertility and multiple miscarriage) risk my life in this way when I had living DC.

Interesting no one else has had this as a symptom - and worrying
I've got a finger oximeter and I'm at 97% SATs and HR of 90-95 so not too bad. Negative covid test and I had the flu jab 2 weeks ago so not that. Temp is 36.8 so no fever.

As soon as I stand up I'm going woozy and breathless, so I'm going to call 111. I'm not willing to risk this baby but appreciate the comment about my existing DC needing me too. Thank you for your experiences. And here was me thinking this pregnancy would only screw with my mental health.

Progesterone made me breathless too. Reading your post has brought it back.

Can you try cutting the pessaries into two and doing half morning and half at night?

Spreading the dose might not give you the surge that's affecting your breathing.

Best check this out with your obstetric consultant before doing this, but it might help your breathing.

@thepurplewhisperer I'm on 2 doses per day already, one AM and one PM - so no way of spreading them out further unfortunately. 111 said I'll get a callback within 12 hours

Hi OP, is your asthma as well controlled as can be?

www.asthma.org.uk

This organisation has a WhatsApp you can message for info.

It is normal to be breathless sick in first trimester and it can feel quite bad. Could you call 111 or go to a walk-in to get assessed to put your mind at ease or be treated if necessary? If it's hard to breathe you do need to be seen and not in an outpatient specialist clinic.

If I were you I'd get reviewed before stopping treatment.

I had awful breathlessness when using progesterone. But I wasn’t sure if it was that or because of OHSS I developed after IVF. I’d go to the early pregnancy unit instead of A&E as you’ll be seen by a specialist more quickly I think.