Nightmare FRERs - Line progression

[weathervane123]

Hi everyone. Got my bfp on Monday at 11 dpo. After a missed miscarriage at 6+5 in April, and an ectopic caught very early in June, I'm nervous about the progression of these tests. They're so up and down. I'm trying to make sure my wee is as concentrated as possible (my samples are actually more reliable in the afternoon than with FMU), but I can't work out if FRERs are rubbish or my progression is the problem. I'm 16dpo today and was hoping for a line as dark as the control but no... it's lighter than 14dpo.

Anyone else dealt with this and had a positive outcome? I'm frustrated with my body for failing to give me any clarity, so am I being crazy here? Can you guys see progression or am I right to be cautious? We're at my inlaws and thinking of telling them before we leave but if I'm headed for a chemical I won't bother.

I'm 3 weeks from ovulation tomorrow which is why the 1-2 weeks bummed me out. Think I implanted around 8 or 9 dpo so, by the cb digi roughly, my hcg is less than 153 after approx 10-11 days.

That makes me slow, but if I started out and got a positive on a frer with close to nothing (e.g. 8) at least it's vaguely possible for it to have doubled and still be under the advertised threshold for 2-3 weeks.

Lol that's some creative maths. What a way to start the day!

The digital test is confusing I know, but I think the reason why it's calculating back to conception is because the majority of women won't have any idea how to calculate "correctly" at that point, so if they would get a "3-4 weeks pregnant" result they would be very confused (I know my 8 months older me would have been)

It sucks that your GP won't do any blood work for you. Why is that? They're kinda on standby for me if I get pregnant again because of my history.

@Bundaberg84 it’s frustrating but my guess is that they’re cheap and trying to save costs. If it’s not ‘necessary’ it doesn’t happen. My EPAU are exactly the same. I didn’t even bypass the need for a bloody referral despite having been seen by them literally two months ago for an ectopic. Still had to get referred either by gp or in my case by my consultant. The clerk also hasn’t contacted me yet to actually make the appointment. 🙄

@weathervane123 that doesn't sound right. Can you maybe say you're bleeding or have cramps or anything? Sometimes I think we have to overreact in order to be taken seriously.

Sorry to hear what you’re going through. There is a massive blood test tube shortage at the moment so GPs are even more reluctant to do blood tests at the moment. I’ve found that they won’t to HCG tests as it doesn’t change the outcome of treatment - it’s awful but they recommend a wait and see approach.

@Bundaberg84 I did consider it, but honestly I'd feel too guilty, and I'm too glad that none of that has actually happened (apart from some mild cramps)... yet. Noone has been in touch about the appointment time, so I'm guessing I don't have one booked yet. I emailed the nurse about it. Will be pissed off if it doesn't happen Weds.

@Tibtab yes. Typically all the tests would do is help me manage my expectations (and mental health) which is no small thing, but this time I'd like to know whether to continue taking progesterone supplements, which may delay a chemical pregnancy from miscarrying when it needs to.

@weathervane123 I hope they see you on Wednesday

Thanks @Bundaberg84. Still at 1-2 weeks this morning with FMU. 😞 22 dpo today so, if it weren’t for the progesterone pessaries I’d expect to bleed soon. Not sure if I should continue taking them but will until I speak to EPAU.

@weathervane123 I'm sorry, I know that would worry me as well - even though we all know those tests aren't 100% reliable, it's not the result you wished for. I would stop testing now, there's nothing you can do anyways and it will just make you more anxious. Xx

Yes, I think I will. Worked out I'm actually 23 dpo too, so that makes things just a little worse.

Still, your pee could have been diluted, anything is possible. Good thing it says pregnant, ignore the rest and try to relax a bit for the next couple of days, so something nice for yourself.

Thanks. I know I said I wouldn't test but after my boobs went completely back to normal yesterday, I did a FRER this morning that's basically lighter than the first one I did at 11dpo. In fact it's almost non-existent and at first I thought it was stark white. So, it's definitely over for me. Hoping for a quick bleed now. Third loss in sixth months.

@weathervane123 I'm so sorry to hear. Sending you a virtual hug. Take good care of yourself xx

I'm sorry @weathervane123.

Just as an update for anyone reading ( I hate threads that don't 'complete')

Began spotting then bleeding yesterday & miscarriage (PUL) confirmed by EPAU today. Been offered the option of a D&C on Thursday to collect pregnancy tissue for cytogenetic testing/karotyping, but as am bleeding reasonably heavily now am trying to 'collect' at home. Sigh.

Negative pregnancy test as of today.

I'm so sorry @weathervane123. Please treat yourself nicely and look after yourself.

I'm really sorry to hear that OP. Sending lots of love x

So sorry @weathervane123, I had seen this thread and was hoping for a good outcome for you. I hope they can look into this and get you some answers. Best of luck to you and take care xx