Medical intervention after MC and slow rising HCG

[hairytriangle]

Hi

1. I had a miscarriage starting 26 days ago (counting first MC bleed as day one)

1. My HCG levels rose consistently but very, very, very slowly (on day 26 they are still only at 170) - I've had about 20 blood tests in 26 days

1. There has never been any rush on the part of the medics to scan me - or to intervene - they were going to leave it until two weeks into very slow rising HCG levels to scan me

1. They only scanned me when I was desperate (feeling shitty and stressed out) but seemed quite happy to continue to let levels rise slowly before doing anything. At first scan they found 1 functional cyst and 1 small unidentified piece of potential retained products - and absolutely no sign of an ectopic pregnancy

1. I've now had my second bleed (starting on day 22 - I usually have a 28 day cycle) and a second scan taken on the first day of that bleed showed no retained products and a shrinking functional ovarian cyst. I've bled heavily since Sunday - it is now easing a little

1. So I've had a bleed, the first FALL in HCG in three weeks, a clear scan, but now they seem to urgently want to give me Methotrexate.

Considering I'm 42, this is my first PG and first MC, I really think they should do at least one more blood test, considering I've had my first drop in HCG in four weeks, and I really don't want to take toxic drugs into a body I'm working quite hard on de-toxifying ready for another try!!

On the phone the hospital seemed like methotrexate is what I now need but I feel like they aren't taking the drop (or level ) seriously or as anything significant! I'd actually rather go through a further three weeks of blood tests and drops in HCG if it means avoiding Methotrexate!

No one seems to be saying I've got any danger of anything life threatening, all along they've said it's a mystery (but probably retained products) and I think the current bleed is probably getting rid of them!

what do you guys think???

Hi, sorry to hear About your loss. I had a similar experience in November last year - I ended up having medical management as the retained products were still there after 6 weeks of bleeding. Unfortunately I was one of the 1-3% ofthe population for which the drugs are ineffective. Ended up having a d&c between Xmas and new year. However on the positive side I am now 15 week pregnant so fingers crossed. Stay positive and it's amazing how well things can eventually turn out...

Hi there, so sorry you're going through this. I had a similar experience 2 years ago.. long story, and a monumental f**k up on the hospital's part, but basically, I was given two doses of methotrexate which did VERY little to my HCG levels. To cut a very long and painfull story short, my suspected ectopic pregnancy was nothing of the sort, and after being admitted for surgery and scanned, they found the 'ectopic' in my womb...
I ended up having a D&C.
Now, my understanding was that I was given methotrexate because my HCG levels were sky-high and therefore suggesting that the ectopic was growing fast and potentially endangering my life. Your situation sounds totally different. Have they scanned you to see if they can see an ectopic??
I'd definitely get a second opinion on this. Methotrexate makes you feel really quite poorly and on top of all the other MC stress and sadness, it's really not fun.
Besides, if you are actively trying for a baby, it is recommended to wait 3 months after the last dose before getting back on it... which for me, was an extra kick in the teeth.
I hope this all works out ok, but seriously, get a second opinion, maybe from a different hospital?
After my shitty experience, I now have a beautiful 6 month old DD So stay positive!

Jesstangle how awful for you!!!

I really feel for you. Thank you for sharing your experience.

I have been scanned twice and there is now definately nothing in my womb. my hcg levels have gone from 24 at 5 weeks to 170 now (7 weeks) so not a viable pregnancy. Peak was 182 last week and this is the first drop.

My concern is having to wait three months, and if the current bleeding is retained product coming out i feel I'd rather wait and hope it will right itself naturally.

So they're planning on using the methotrexate, instead of doing a D&C?
If I were you, I'd talk to your Doctor and explain that you'd really rather not wait 3 months to try and conceive again, and then ask why you can't have a D&C...If you did your body will right itslf naturally, as you said, and everything would be removed quickly, and pretty painlessly.

All the best hairy! My thoughts are with you. I know how hard all of this is, without having to make nasty decisions and potentially question your Doctor's judgement.
Stay strong xx

Yes, they haven't mentioned D&C at all thank goodness.

I'm going to listen to them this morning, but put it to them that I don't want to have to wait three months, but most of all as I've now had my first HCG drop (which is a good thing) I would like a couple more days to see if my body will do it itself.

Also, I don't want to pump harmful chemicals into my body - I've been eating really healthily including organic stuff in order to get all the toxins out of my body ready to conceive.

Jesstangle, Im so, so sorry for what happened to you and thank you so much for sharing your story.
x

Phew! I have another chance to get a lower HCG - took a bit of persuasion. They are now saying I have a pregnancy of unknown origin, but are ok for me to have another blood test tomorrow. If it stays the same or goes up, I will take the methotrexane, if not, we'll keep monitoring, as I would prefer nature to take it's course if there is a chance of that.

I will keep my opinions on the doctors to myself, other than blimey, they do find it difficult to cope with patients who have an opinion!!!

I'm just posting in case it's of help to anyone else.

The HCG test I had this morning came out at 100, which is down 70.

I feel now that I was quite justified in questioning methotrexate, and trusting my own instincts and listening to my body.

Had I had it I would hve had to wait to TTC for three months, and I would have been putting a serious drug into a body I've tried to keep well and healthy and toxin free, in preparation for pregnancy!

I'm over the moon!!!

today's hcg is 108 so I have to hav methotexate in the morning. I am nine weeks 5 days into 'pregnancy' but no baby ever detected on abdominal scan.

Just updating in case people are searching 'methotrexate'

After the jab, I was fine, but had a very bad trapped wind problem a few days later, continued to bleed and on day four my HCG had gone down to 56 so it worked

Hey Hairytriangle.

I didn't want to read and not post. I'm so sorry for the horrible few weeks you've had. Thanks for posting, hopefully will help others in the same position.

All the best for the future.

Oh thank you tagine it's been bizarre my first pregnancy and i really did have a long protracted time! I have updated in the hope tht it might help someone else in the future.

Hi just posting an update, HCG was up to 30 (day 14 ish) from 29 on day seven but today it's down to 0.4, just wanting to let anyone else out there in similar position now or in future that there is light at end of tunnel!!!

oh, ps: my bleeding cleared up after 32 days - I started antibiotics about five days before it stopped. Just info for anyone out there needing info! If your bleeding carries on, contact GP if the hospital is not taking fears of infection seriously, and see what they think.

So pleased it seems to be resolving for you HT. Hope to read your update one day that you have a gorgeous little one in your arms.

Aw thanks!!