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Miscarriage/pregnancy loss

Find support and share your experiences on our Miscarriage forum. See also legal rights and support after baby loss.

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Original poster

So upset with EPU today

14 replies

mamadoc · 28/10/2010 19:36

I have had such a bad experience at my epu today. I felt that no-one believed me and no-one cared.

Am 5+4 in my 4th pregnancy. One DD aged 3, but this year have had two MCs around 8 weeks.

This pregnancy I have really bad left sided pain from as soon as I got the positive test which I have never had before.

I have been to the GP who did an internal exam which was really painful and ordered hcg tests.

Last Friday I had a scan which showed a sac in the womb but too early to see any baby. They sent me on my way saying it was all OK.

On Tuesday I had the most excruciating pain so bad I thought I would pass out, couldn't walk, doubled over. I went straight to A&E and they gave me morphine. I saw a gynae Dr there who I felt was listening to me. She said that it was possible that it still could be ectopic (my biggest fear) because at such an early stage the scan could easily be wrong. She wanted me to have hcg 48 hrs later to see if it was doubling and a scan tomorrow.

Today I went to epu to get the blood test and they refused to do it and also cancelled the scan for Friday saying it was unnecessary. They have no explanation for the pain but just say that since it went away they are not concerned.

I feel no-one is listening to me or believing me. I am still worried this could be an ectopic. I am not a person to make a fuss over nothing. I coped with both the MCs at home without going in and I have only ever been to A&E once before in my life.

I just don't know where to turn now that the specialists have sent me away.

OP posts:

mnistooaddictive · 28/10/2010 19:48

I feel for you. I have had some appalling experiences at epu. They aren't all the same though. Is there another hospital in the vicinity you can go to? If it is any help I would NEVER go back to royal berks in reading but great western in Swindon is fab. Go back tomorrow - could be different doctor with different view. Good luck

Original poster

mamadoc · 28/10/2010 19:56

I don't think there is another nearby. Its the hospital where I had DD and I wasn't greatly impressed with their care then. I was planning on going to the GP to see if she can do anything but not sure what.

It really makes me doubt them when they are disagreeing amongst themselves like this. How much would it have cost them just to do the stupid blood test vs how much reassurance it would give me. Can't they read my notes and see how anxious I am feeling after 2 MC already.

OP posts:

mnistooaddictive · 29/10/2010 07:46

Go to your go I sure they can order the tests!

banana87 · 29/10/2010 13:42

Go private. Sorry, I know it's unhelpful but quite possibly the only way forward. Hope everything is ok.

Original poster

mamadoc · 29/10/2010 16:03

I went to my GP today and she did the blood test.
She is lovely and she said she will ring them for me and try to find out what is going on- why one person is saying one thing and one another.

OP posts:

MummyAbroad · 29/10/2010 20:13

Hi again mamadoc,

so sorry you are going through this, this is shameful treatment by the EPU. You have every right to proper care.

I'm sorry to say I have been reading these boards a long time and yours is not the first story like this I have read, it seems that many hospitals and GP's arent following policy when it comes to suspected ectopics.

(I know what the policy is because someone posted in on MN)

I'm glad your GP is helping now. You must keep pushing for the care you need, I know that you shouldnt have to and it is the very last thing you feel like doing after all you have been through, but it is so important, because the consequences of an undiagnosed ectopic are so severe, and the peace of mind you will get if all is well will be so comforting.

hang in there! xxxx

Original poster

mamadoc · 31/10/2010 13:44

The hcg had gone up but not doubled. GP seems to think it is OK though.
She managed to get the scan reinstated for Tues.
In the meantime I am still getting the pain and it frightens me so much not knowing what it is.
Yesterday am it was really bad but got more bearable after some paracetamol and a hot bath. Today there is no pain at all but I hate not knowing if it will come back.

OP posts:

MummyAbroad · 31/10/2010 14:57

Hi mamadoc,

That scan is very important. Dont let anyone stop you from getting it, lie on the floor and scream in pain if you have to!!

It is a shame you couldnt get complete piece of mind from seeing the levels double, do you know exactly how far apart the bloods were done? Also, do you feel confident of how many weeks pregnant you are, I believe that the doubling part only really applies in very early pregnancy.

Your pain could also caused by something else, like a cyst, a scan really is the best way to find out what is going on in there, dont leave the hospital on tuesday without it!

xxxx

memoo · 31/10/2010 15:03

Mama, I am so sorry you are going through this. Please don't let them fob you off.

I have a very simular experience that went on for 2 weeks. They never took me seriously and kept sending me home. Finally I collasped and had to be rushed in, it had been ectopic and it had ruptured my left fallopian tube which had to be removed.

Please scream and shout until they listen and take you seriously!

LoopyLoupGarou · 31/10/2010 15:07

I've had a similar thing this week (not ectopic, thank goodness) but was taken very seriously.

I hope everything works out well.

By the way, I don't think a hot bath is a very good idea with a history of miscarriages.

Take care. :)

MummyAbroad · 02/11/2010 00:21

good luck with your scan tommorrow. xxxx

Original poster

mamadoc · 02/11/2010 14:02

Have just got back from the scan.
A consultant did it this time which I (perhaps snobbishly) felt more reassured by.
There is a tiny baby with a heartbeat, the right size for dates, in the right place.
The corpus luteum cyst apparently is quite big and enlarging which she seemed convinced was the cause of the pain.
The cyst is on the right and the pain is very definitely on the left. The scan itself was painful on the left but there was nothing on that side.
They are going to do another scan in 2 weeks as the cyst should shrink by then. She felt the severe pain could be due to it twisting or bleeding.
I do feel reassured now that it is not ectopic which was my main fear and hopefully the pain will stop if the cyst shrinks.

OP posts:

geraldinetheluckygoat · 02/11/2010 14:09

Ive just read your thread, Im so glad that everything is ok, and that you got to see the baby was ok - what a relief! I hope the pain subsides soon - I had pain in my side with both of my pregnacies too, which never got explained.
Best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy.

MummyAbroad · 02/11/2010 16:35

oh thats fantastic news! I'm sure its hard to take it all in, and if you still have pain its hard to accept when its unexplained, but what great news that its not ectopic and the right size for dates!

I'm glad you are getting another scan too - hopefully this will give you the reassurance that you need to be able to start enjoying this pregnancy.

do let us know how you get on,

best wishes xxx

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