What does shoulder pain feel like in ectopics?

[Olive1987]

Hello. I've just done a pregnancy test after previous bfn's and it's a lovely clear 2nd positive line!!!!
I'm worried though because I keep getting pains. It feels like period pain and then sometimes like and on off pain on my left side low down. Like where my ovaries are? I've had two previous miscarriages in a row so I am scared I've got an ectopic now! The pain was before I knew I was pregnant. It hasn't happened in a couple of days now.

But

Yesterday at work I had a pain in my shoulder. Right at the tip. It lasted about 30 seconds and was like a sharp throbbing. If that makes sense?
If I was reading this myself I would probably say it's nothing to worry about I'm just being paranoid because of the previous losses. I just can't help but worry. All I've ever been to the doctors for recently is bleeding in pregnancy. I think the epu are getting to know me. I feel like I shouldn't go back just yet.

If you had an ectopic what did your shoulder pain feel like? (If you don't mind talking about it). Thank you. X

I haven't had an ectopic pregnancy but have had similar one sided 'ovary' type pain (no shoulder tip pain though) and this page was helpful for me and meant I felt I could discount ectopic pregnancy for the moment.

If you are still worried I would give the EPAU a call, it is what they are there for and they would much rather see you than risk you getting very ill. Hopefully it is just your uterus stretching and an unconnected muscular pain, but better safe than sorry.

When I had a laparoscopy to investigate suspected ectopic, I had shoulder tip pain afterwards, as they inflate your abdomen to do the procedure. This is pretty much the same as ectopic shoulder pain apparently as both are caused by excess pressure on the diaphragm - bleeding in the case of ectopic, air in the case of a laparoscopy.

It was, as they say, weird, and absolutely nothing like muscular pain, almost like someone was poking me from the inside out, but quite sharp. The pain changed a bit with my breathing, and was made better by only breathing shallowly.

If your pain was yesterday and hasn't come back, I doubt you have much to be concerned about. But if it comes back or gets worse, then do call EPU. You don't want to mess around with ectopics. How far are you do you think? Pain is apparently normal in many pg's, but the EPU won't be able to confirm much on a scan until 7 weeks+.

If you were suffering from an ectopic, the shoulder pain wouldn't go away as it's caused by internal bleeding irritating the diaphragm. If you're worried see your gp x

Hi Olive, I know this message is a few days old but I couldn't read and not respond. I actually disagree with Tranquility as the shoulder pain can come and go, and sometimes its not even there at all! I had an ectopic in July. My main symptoms were some bleeding and cramping. I did get some shoulder pain just before I had my operation (I was lucky that they realised it was ectopic before it ruptured)

I would always advise to err on the side of caution considering ectopic pregnancies can be fatal. Push your GP for a EPU referral if you're not sure, I had to push mine as he said nothing sounded wrong but I was so glad I did.

FX everything is ok though!! :)

Thanks for answering ladies. I haven't had anymore shoulder tip pain. I think that may have been a muscle ache or some one off pain that panicked me.
I've still got the period type throbbing pain that lasts a few seconds at a time though. I'm scared to go to the gp incase I jinx it. I'm not in unbearable pain and no blood. So I don't think I want to waste gp nhs time and money. I am going to see how it goes. And fingers crossed it all works out for us this time. We both want this baby so badly.

This is like 4 years out of date but any update on how this went? Were you and the baby Okayy?

@robynrose96 hello I am looking for some answers regarding the shoulder pain. My situation is worse as I had a d and c 4 weeks before and we have been TTC in between and now I feel like I am having an ectopic. I have had a severe shoulder pain and dull left ovary side pain. Now shoulder pain has gone down but feeling stiff around neck. I am scared to death of this ectopic pregnancy.

Hi @Winkle2020 has anything come of your pain?

I've got a muscle ache in my back and into my neck, also bleeding, was checked out yesterday at EPU and have an appointment for a scan on Wednesday, but terrifying myself with google and Mumsnet.

I hope everything has worked out well for you, it's such a horrible limbo to be in.

@morningcuppatea long story short, I panicked about this ectopic and I called epu. They said I am having anxiety and asked me to wait. Then I phoned my Gp and asked for beta hcg test. In the mean time I spoke to one of the consultant in west call describing my symptoms. She said it’s just muscle pain. She also told me that if you have ectopic you will have pain on one side tummy not the place where the groin is. She seems to be confident that it’s not ectopic.

Also I have a scan tvus scheduled to see on how am I doing with the retained products of conception after d and c

All these confusions were because of my positive pregnancy tests after d and c. I tested my hpt this evening and I have a faintest line but not a bfn. I guess for me it’s going to take another two weeks for hcg to completely come out of my system

My advice for you is Please do not hesitate to ring up epu/Gp. Even if nothing is wrong for your own peace of mind please get things checked out. I was in the epu the whole Saturday but I am glad I did otherwise I would have got more anxiety attacks

Need advice please,

I’m convinced I have an eptopic pregnancy, however a doctors visit and A&E visit later, they think not. Here’s my symptoms.

Today I’m 5 weeks.

All week I have felt a tingle in my lower left pelvic area, I was convinced the egg had come down from the left side and that’s why it was tingling. However as the week has gone on the pain increased to a constant numb and pinch feeling. I went for a standard blood test 3days ago to confirm the pregnancy, my HCG levels were low, 31.4. I told the doctor about the pain increase in the left side. He gave me an ultrasound, and said not to worry as there was no liquid in the area. He did find a cyst on the right, but said it’s nothing to be concerned about.

The next day my pain increased on the left side, but also I started to feel cramps in the lower abdomen. Shortly after blood started to come out. As the day progressed so did the blood flow. It got to 7pm that night, blood was like a heavy first day period, very dark red with clots. I went to A&E, he gave me a vaginal ultrasound, I explained the pain, he sort of disregarded me. And said it’s probably just cramping which is normal when miscarrying. And most likely he thinks I was miscarrying and advised me to have a blood test again in a week to check HCG levels.

Went to sleep that night, not very relaxed. Woke at 5am to shoulder tip pain! I can only describe it as if I slept on it and it was numb and slight pins and needles. As the day has gone on, the pain in the lower left is still noticeable but not causing me to curl over, and the shoulder numbing/tingle is still present on the tip, but not overly painful, just noticeable. Im extremely confused as I was convinced it was eptopic, however two doctors over two days said otherwise. Now just wondering wether to go to A&E again to see if my tube has ruptured, or wait a little longer at home to see how I feel. Blood flow has slowed today, can compare to a second day of period, colour still dark red. I’ve had no dizziness or nausea, but slight lose of appetite. I have had lower back pain over this morning. The shoulder pain has really got me scared!! At this point it’s obvious I’ve lost the baby, I just want to do what’s best for me now. If you have been through this please help!!
update:
I wrote this yesterday, so today’s update. Shoulder pain is quite noticeable now, on right side. Bleeding has almost stopped, and cramps/pain has almost stopped. But today, I have the shoulder pain (like a gentle constant pinch) stiff neck, trouble to focus and ringing in my ears. I have an appointment tomorrow (Monday) with the Gynaecologis. Should I wait for that? Or could I be risking and potentially causing my tube to rupture in the mean time? Help!!

Hi there duffy I’m experiencing same symptoms,
Iv had 2 miscarriages one in October and one in December.both chemical,pregnancy’s found out 2 days before period due with a faint line on both,faint line for couple of days then negative and blood.i got told by doctor to not test so early and wait and see.so I didn’t test this time until a week late and was negative,now I’m 2 weeks 3 days late and still negative but feel pregnant the same as the last 2 times (sore boobs,nausea off food and period like pain)got shoulder pain which is weird it’s like a toothache/burning sensation comes and goes.rang the gp but given how things are in the world at the moment they don’t want to see ppl unless really Needed.he said just wait and see what happens weather it’s be I come on period or a pregnancy test positive later on.and to only go back if the pain gets severe.so worrying isn’t it x

Chelle2020 I'm having the same problems don't know what to do Im just over 3 weeks late nurse (work in a care home) at work done a urine test for me the other day to rule out infections all clear. But still getting negative results I hav had cramps for over 2 weeks now dizzy n lightheaded pain in my shoulder started last night but no bleeding! I don't want to ring doctors cuz of the way things r now feel lik I'm wasting their time so just don't no what to do at all 😔

Hi chick,yea when I rang the doctor yday they weren’t really interested usually they’d have ya in and do bloods and things but at this time they don’t want ya in.understandably in certain things i guess.iv tested again today with another negative result soo strange and unsure what to do.the doc said to wait and see what happens and if it’s not pregnancy then before they will do anything ya have to miss 3 periods.Xx

Hi girls, any updates from the most recent posts? And have you tried epu? I had a good response from them but still not sure what’s going on.
Found out I was pregnant last Monday and going by my LMP would be 5 weeks 3 days. Had a laparoscopy to treat endometriosis 3 weeks before finding out ( didn’t expect to catch so quickly but consultant gave the go ahead and said to have an early scan if we conceive due to the slight increased risk of ectopic)
At the weekend had right sided pain felt similar to when I’ve had a cyst before, called epu and had scan Tuesday but nothing was seen in the uterus or in the tubes. Hcg levels 214 Tuesday and 480 Thursday so more than doubling which is good but pain continues infrequently and is sudden then goes, brown bleeding/ discharge when wiping. Re scan 2 weeks but so worried it’s ectopic! X

Hi chick aww sorry to hear about your situation it isn’t nice.hopefully when they rescan you in 2 weeks all will be ok.its such a worry tho isn’t it.
Well I’m still no further on than before,
Doctor won’t do anything or put me through to see epu until he’s waited to see what’s happened after a couple of week.iv missed one period and are due to have another tomorrow but no signs of that one coming,still feel pregnant nausea sore boobs etc but had another negative last week.havnt tested since.when I went to the toilet yday for a wee I had loads of stringy clear mucus just hanging there was lots of it which was strange sorry for the tmi.xx

Thanks for replying girl, it is it’s so difficult we’ve been trying for almost a year and a half now so just desperately want it to work out!! Couldn’t believe it happens so quickly after my op and we’re just holding on for the reassurance scan at 6 weeks to be able to yell our parents and then this started!
Hold on to that it’s a good sign if the mucus hasn’t dried up yet, perhaps your levels were just so low that they weren’t showing on tests?
What’s hard is that lots of the symptoms can be attributed to pregnancy,/period/miscarriage/ectopic so it’s impossible to know what’s going on and we have to remember everyone is different !
Hope you get some answers soon and I’m really sorry about last year. X

Just wanted to post this incase it's helpful. I have had and eptopic with shoulder tip pain. Now i cannot say its the same for everyone, but when i had it it hurt like hell. I couldn't move at all without being in excruciating pain. Now obviously I'm not a doctor and I'm sure its not always like this but I hope this sets your mind at ease a little and I have my fingers and toes crossed for anyone worrying about this right now.

Hi to anyone that might see this post. I am very worried at the moment and just want some advice. Saying it out loud sounds very stupid but it’s easy for your mind to run away especially during times like this. I am on the microgynon a combined contraceptive pill as i’m not yet ready to conceive. Yet, my recent withdrawal bleeding was abnormal, it was on and off across the 5 days i had it which never normally happens. i have been on the pill since December so was just wondering if this was normal? The period was heavy at times and had clots in it so i didn’t think it could be spotting. So tried to just distract myself, however there is a pain in the left side of my pelvis area which feels tender and different to my right side. I also have experienced shoulder pain but on the back of my shoulder not the tip and it’s not very severe it just seems stiff.

I am very worried as it’s only been 3 weeks since the last time I had sex that this could be early symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy. I take my pill at the same time every single day so it should be up to it’s full effectiveness but i still can’t help but worry has my pelvis is tender to touch on one side and the shoulder pain has never happened before. no pain is severe, but was just looking for advice as i am reluctant to see my GP in times like this as i feel like i would just be wasting their time as there are bigger problems happening in the world at the moment.

can anyone help me? Also is anyone here ever been on microgynon, did it work for you?

thank you to anyone who reads this and replies i just need someone to put my mind at ease as i’m probably just overthinking.

Hey! I was on microgynon for years before our first and it never let us down for the 9 years we were together before we decided the time was right!
But, you never know, if you are thinking pregnancy, just get a cheap test off amazon - they do very sensitive ones for good prices and then maybe you can set your mind at rest?
If you’re feeling rough though, don’t be afraid to call 111 for some advice, look after yourself.
I hope you are okay and all turns out how you want it too x

Hi thank you so much for getting back to me, i have had no other symptoms so don’t feel as worried, when you were on microgynon did you take it at the same time everyday? Also did you get cramps sometimes in between periods because i do but the pill is meant to stop that which made me worry a little as well xx

Hi everyone I know no one has posted for 8 months so hopefully someone sees this, I'm just wondering how it turned out for you all? I'm currently 5 weeks and keep getting pain in my left shoulder and it's worrying me x

Me too @OliviaGrace15 and my midwife called me today to say my hcg levels are 3270 at 4 weeks which is apparently high and an indication of ectopic pregnancy. I’ve had 9 miscarriages so feeling incredibly anxious, so would appreciate anyone’s comments on heightened hcg/shoulder pain x

I'm sorry to hear that @WorkingMamaBear I hope it all works out for you, where about is your pain? Mines at the very top like where it joins onto my neck x

@Duffyy0986 any update on how things went for you? Did you end up confirming an ectopic? I’m having very similar symptoms.

[quote elliesophie001]@Duffyy0986 any update on how things went for you? Did you end up confirming an ectopic? I’m having very similar symptoms.[/quote]
How is it going for you? I have my scan in a few days and concerned with my symptoms.. this will be baby number 3 god willing