Infections after miscarriage

[Tec]

I had a miscarriage about 9 weeks ago. I continued bleeding for 3.5 weeks after the the D&C (or ERCP as they call it these days), but was told this was normal. It stopped eventually to my enormous relief. I then had a break of 2 weeks and had another really heavy period. Great I thought I'm back to normal. I can try again - hurray. Then 1 week later I started to bleed again (mainly brown dicharge) with strange pain. They were not like period pains but very difficult to explain. I ached badly on the one side of my vagina and what felt like the top of my womb. It was a dull ache not sharp pains. I decided it was time to go back to my GP. he was very nice. Unfortunately he thinks I may have an infection (he described it as like having a cold in the womb) even though I don't have a temperature etc. He said the other alternitive is that everything has not been removed by the D&C. I must go for another ultrasound scan to confirm this and may have to have another OP. He has given me very strong anti-biotics (which have upset my tummy) in the hope that it is just an infection! Since starting the anti-biotics my period has gone heavier again with proper red blood. Is this the final clearout? Please say it is, I'm really fed up with it all. All I want is to be back to normal so we can try again.

Has this happened to anyone else. I just don't know what to expect next?

Thanks!
Yes I rang my doctor in the end yesterday and she has faxed the senior consultant who did my op. She said he will probably suggest doing another ERPC!
Since I stopped my supposed period last Friday I have had bleeding at the same time every day for a couple of hours, it is gradually going browner in colour and it is not heavy at all but I have always had a dull pain in the top right of my uterus before the bleeding starts.
I am now thinking well if there is no infection and there is no red blood at the moment, do I risk recovery by having another op and going back to the start and possible infection again etc..?? Can anyone add their experiences of this????
Hugs xxx

Have had a prescription for anti-biotics for 2 weeks that I have been taking. The pains I was having have subsided, but not gone altogether. They are like tightenings and dull aches as well as feeling sometimes as if my ovaries are swelling.

Still bleeding now, not heavy, mostly brown blood, but everyday there is some red blood. I have now been bleeding constantly for 3 weeks. However, I know I read somewhere on here that anti-biotics make the bleeding worse so I am hoping when I stop taking them tomorrow it will help? I am still waiting for a gynae referral. Th Doc said he was going to try to get me an appt in the next 2 weeks as he thought it needed sorting, I have heard nothing yet, but it has only been just over a week (and there has been a Bank holiday in that). If I haven't heard anything by the end of the week, I am going to go and check with the Doc's what is happening. At least he has referred me!

Like you Quakers I wonder whether they will say do another ERCP, I dont want another one as the 1st was horrid as I bled more than I should, had to have a drip and stay overnight. But I spose if they think that would fix it I spose I would.

The Doctor seems to think it could still be an infection, because when I went for the scan to see if there were remaining products there was a collection of fluid in my womb which Doc says is consistent with the symptoms of an infection. I don't think he knew what else to suggest which is why he is referring me to the Gynaecologist. Hopefully the appt will come through soon and I can get sorted.

No-one tells you that any of this can happen. The hospital info just says you will go back to normal. I wish there was moreinformation available on complications after miscarriage.

But Quackers I am glad it is not just me, you think it is don't you! Maybe we should write a book! Sorry I have not been in touch sooner, I only have access to the net at work.

Hi again Tec, just read your mail. Great to hear from you though. I missed you as you're in the same position. I do still bleed every day. My period was over 2 weeks ago and finished after 5 days then I've had a bit every day since then. It is very frustrating and you wonder why this is going on. I feel dull pains in my ovaries/tubes/top of womb whatever and then bleed for a hour. It is dark blood. I am now considering after reading your post asking for a gynae appointment just to see what is going on. I have slight thrush sysmptoms and they have not gone away after a tablet so may have another infection.
I hope your appointment comes through soon. I have done so many searches on the web for complications after miscarriage but there is very little info. Overall now I have had 9 weeks of this and I knew something wasn't right before the m/c. Kept having the heartbeat listened to and nothing was there. I wasn't growing as I should have been but the doc just dismissed me as overreacting! I was right - not that I wanted to be but it just shows that you know your on body!

Quackers -
No harm in asking for an appt they can only say no. Has your Doctor said you can still get pregnant when you are bleeding? I basically got a period 3 weeks ago and it has carried on.Not as heavy, but not stopping either. I assumed therefore I hadn't been ovulating or anything. I feel very tender, but no thrush symptoms. Do keep having terrible backache though and feel tired all the time. i have been taking a multi-vitamin and iron supplement so I don't get aneamic though. I am also very emotional. If I rest a lot the pains ease, but you have to try and carry on don't you? And you have to try and occupy your mind otherwise you'd go mad.

So glad somone is in the same boat. At least you know you aren't alone.

cyber hugs

Should have said it has been over 3 months since the miscarriage now. Maybe it does just need time?!

Hi Tec,
Yes my period was 3 weeks ago today and stopped 5 days after. I have had the bleeding ever since and the dull pains every day. If this acrries on for another week I'll go back.
Yes I've seen a posting where someone got pregnant fairly quickly after m/c and had all the bleeding still. It is possible to ovulate and still get pregnangt while bleeding. Just probably not a good idea.
I do remember when I had the infection I was tender and the doc could feel the tenderness when I had an examination. The firt lot of anti biotics didn't work and I had to go back and press for a different lot and they gave me more. Have you had any swabs? I presume you have. That may give the cause of the bleeding or if there is an infection.
Another reason was pointed out to me yesterday. My friend had an ectopic and got a cyst sometime after. She only knew because she lept bleeding. She went for a scan and they found the cyst. She has since had a little girl.

Do either of you have access to an early pregancy unit at a nearby hospital. I know the level of service varies a lot but after my mc I went to the one at Stepping Hill, Stockport and they were fabulous. I was told if I had any worries or problems to just phone up for a chat. The sonographers there were far more sensitive and clued up than in the normal ultrasound dept. Also because (sadly) they deal with this every day, they will have far more experience of what is "normal" or "complications" - a lot more than a GP and possibly as much as the gynaecologist who will see all sorts of other problems too. Although they may not have all the answers they will probably refer you faster and can at least provide reassurance which is what you really need.

I really feel for you both to have this dragging on for so long. Take heart from that fact that you can certainly bleed and ovulate at the same time. I am testament to that My bleeding continued for 13 weeks after my loss. It was horrible. Just when I thought it was over it would come back. I can so identify how you feel. Take heart from the fact that when my bleeding finally stopped I was 11 weeks pg! It has been a harrowing journey but regardless of what your body is doing it is what is going on in your head and your heart which is important. Bodies can surprise you but it is the emotions that really play havic. Hang on in there. Hugs

Thanks for this Katherine. It gives us hope! Have been for a scan and everything looked normal. I am on my second lot of anti-biotics. I went to and EPU originally, but last time just went to the ordinary ultra sound dept. they couldn't see anything wrong, in fact it showed I was ovulating! So it is either and infection or my hormones gone mad. It is the pains I am having that bother me more than the bleeding. Its so uncomfortable. I presume time just heals eventually

How did you find out you were pregnant? I don't think I am as I don't feel anything like I did just before I found out i was before.

Quakers. Not having much bleeding, but still tender and have pains. This is the 2nd lot of anti-biotics I've had. This one is 1 strong dose every day for 2 weeks. But as I found after I wrote the last posting someone definitely said their Doc had told them anti-biotics increase the bleeding and won't stop it.

I just have to be patient and wait for Gynae referal.

Thanks Katherine I thought it was you who could identify with this. I don't have an EPU. They send us to womens health unit and they know me very well now unfortunately and sort of chuckle when I go in which is very annoying.
I have had no bleeding or pain today and ovulated today so I'm hoping things will improve. I don't feel 100% but am getting there and really want to avoid another ERPC. I even did a pregnancy test agter seeing what heppened to you as my boobs are sore every day for the last 4 days but it was negative. If I improve I hope to start trying next month.
I went to the hairdressers before ( I know ehr fairly well) she was disappointed for me but has been trying for a baby for 10 months. She has endometriosis which I beleive stops the baby implanting properly. I hope she can conceive and have a baby.
Tec do you already have children. I forgot to ask you??

Quakers - no children. This makes it worse! I don't believe I'll never have any though. Still bleeding today but pain a bit better than yesterday. Took the last anti-biotic today. so hopefully bleeding will improve now. Wil probably have a period though as have just stopped taking pill. Maybe it will sort itself then!

I have a friend who has been trying for 14 months with no sucess. I only found out recently, I am frightened to see her now in case she tells me she is pg! This takes over your life. Hope you are OK today. I have a day off tomorrow, so hopefully will get chance to speak to you Friday. I feel like I know you, but I don't, its bizarre.

Bless you Tec! You're a gem. I'm so happy to have someone who understands. Yep, a little blood again today, right on cue. You were taking those antibiotics for such a long time. You don't know if they help or hinder sometimes do you!
Yor pill will hopefully regulate the bleeding a bit until your appointment with the gynae.
I'm so sorry, I assumed you had a child already. Please accept my apologies for banging on about my first etc..if I did.
14 months is a long time to be trying. I am using the Persona method of conceiving if I feel better next month. Even if we don't try I can use it to test my ovulating - that seems to give me hope that I can conceive!
Yes every time someone says - I've got news I cringe cos I think they are going to announce they're pregnant. How long did it take you to conceive? You know you can conceive and you have that on your side!
I feel like I know you too, but have never met you.
I imagine, you're about the same age as me. You're dark, fairly slim and are friendly but sensitive and love to be loved! - Like me I suppose. Enjoy your day off tommorow, I too am off and back in on Friday but do check Mumsnet at home.
Lots of hugs
xxxxx

Quakcers - Well, I'm fair, but apart from that very good description. Stopped taking pill for normal week break on Tuesday and bleeding has steadily increased and is really heavy today - what joy! Not sure whether I will bother re-starting taking it next week, I'll see what the bleeding is like I will take again if it continues like this. I would like to see what happens to see if my body can sort itself out now I have finished taking the anti-biotics. WHAT DO YOU THINK? Good news is no pain (apart from normal period bloating feeling.

I phoned the hospital yesterday to find out what was happening with my Gynae appt. Eventually found out who I had been referred to. I was told that the Gynaecologist had looked at my case and decided it was routine!!!!!!! Even though my GP had marked it as urgent. I was so cross and upset. The waiting list for her routine appts is 7 months. I started crying on the phone to the Secretary saying can't go on like this for 7 months. How can she say my case isn't urgent without even seeing me?! I phoned my GP straight away as I know he will go mad about this as he said he would try and get me an appt in the next few weeks (it has now been 2 weeks since I saw him) and if he couldn't he would send me as a day patient to see the on call Gynaecologist for that day. I left a message with the receptionist who was very understanding and sent an e-mail to my GP (as he was in a meeting at the time) with all the details. I have to phone today to find out his answer. I am working on a public counter all morning so it will have to wait until luch time as I don't want to phone in front of anyone!

I suppose that I should take heart from the fact that she considers it routine. After 7 months It will surely have sorted itself out.

I had been taking the pill for 10 years stopped taking it, had one normal period and got pregnant. So clearly I have nor problem conceiving. If my body would sort itself out again I daresay I would conceive again quickly. But I just want my body back to normal at the moment.

I really wanted to speak to you yesterday but I am not on-line at home, and my local library shuts Thursday PM aaahhhhhh! I will update you on what the GP said later on. Hope you are there. We will have to arrange times to meet online!

Cyber hugs

Hi TEC, great to hear from you!I'm here!
Gosh you've got a lot of news! I'm am absolutley amazed they have said you have to wait 7 months! I think you've got the right frame of mind though, that they can't see it as urgent so it can't be too serious. I'm so glad you got your period, doesn't it feel great - your body doing what it's meant to do! I will be due on in about 7/10 days and feel bloated already - or is that just too much booze through the stress??? !!
I have come to the conclusion that this bleeding will sort itself out. My Mum is a nurse and had a D and C about 6 months ago. She said it took her quite while to get back to normal and that if you are having a period and ovulating then give your body a couple of months to try and mend itself naturally. I have to agree now I think. I don't want to interfere anymore. I have had no pains for 3 days and the bleeding is getting less and less each day. Saying that about this time last month it did the same. Took ages to slow down , a couple of days free of bleeding and back on a period again.
I too was on the pill for about 10 years and conceived no problem after coming off. I think we just want reassurance that we can again. I'll just keep using my persona to detect the ovulation to keep my spirits up!
I'm glad you have a very understanding GP, they seem to be really on the ball! Hopefully they will get you in as an outpatient and see the duty doc. I have used this option a couple of times now. They're quite good, take swabs, blood, scan if necessary and take it from there. You just want to eliminate reasons for it and you can get on. I am really optimistic for you though. Truly, it's a minor glich.
I'm going for lunch today at 12. I don't know how you feel about this but I'm happy for you to have my phone number if you ever need someone for times like this and vice versa. I certainly would not be offended though if you prefer to e-mail 'on demand'!!!!
Do you work every day? What days would you generally be emailing and I can make sure I log on!
Big hugs for now, good luck at lunch time! I'm here all day for any news!

Ar work every day mostly. I work Saturday's sometimes so have a Thursday off when I do that. Idon't get chance to log on everyday though. I would love to talk to you. I don't evern know your real name. Maybe you have a mobile number and I could text you? It would be nice to talk for real i feel like I know you already

Glad to hear what your Mum says I know it will probably all sort itself as you say you just want reasurance that you're OK don't you. Have not had swabs done yet.

Have pain again now! but not like I have been, just like period pain. Bleeding very heavy big tampax lasted 2 hours! But I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to intervene anymore. Unless bleeding really bad or I am advised otherwise I will leave off the pill to see if my body will sort itself. I will message again this afternoon with news from Doc's.

Speak soon

Have just phoned the Doc's the GP has wrote another letter insisting that it is an urgent case! So I have to wait to hear again! I can see this going backwards and forwards, one insisting this is urgent and the other saying it isn't. Oh well I'll just have to see what happens. It is very frustrating.

Oh what a pain in the backside! More waiting for you! I hope that they get an appointment for you this time! I can't believe though they were happy to let you wait 7 months! You could always get a private appointment if they still put you on the back burner. I don't know how much it costs but I suppose it differs by area.
Has the infection gone now? I'm optimistic your bleeding will slow down a bit now you're off the antibiotics. So you're definately coming off the pill then? I would probably be tempted to do the same as there's just more hormones flooding your system. It sounds easy to regulate your cycle by going back on the pill but I don't know if I'm convinced.
I seem to be getting some degree of normality back a bit though. On Monday I was in agony and bleeding reddish blood. The pains have always been in the same place at the top. Then I went to the toilet and a couple of bits/clots came out and I have had no pain since. The bleeding has gradually lessened over the week and today there has been none - YET.
What date was your m/c?
Later gator
xx

M/c was beginning of Febraruy - have not noted the exact date deliberately. As the pains I was having when GP thought I may still have an infection have gone, I am presuming that infection has gone. I certainly feel better than I did even though I am havin a very heavy period.

Yesterday I had decided that I was going to stop taking the pill to see what happens naturally. But then I spoke to my Mother-in-Law last night who said when she was put on the pill to settle her periods when she started the menopause the Doctor gave her 6 months worth and said it would probably take that long to sort it out that was 15 years ago though. I just feel that I have pumped my body full of chemicals lately and waznt to give it a break. I think if I start taking the pill again next week and the bleeding does stop I will be worrying for the next 2 months if the pill is the only reason it has stopped and when I stop taking that I will go back o how I was I know that probably won't be the case. I think I will just see what happens next week and if the bleeding is still as bad, I can start taking it again to regulate it a bit until they finally sort out between the GP and the Gynaecologist if and when I am having an appt! I did ask if I could go private and the secretary said it was £100 for the initial consultation. She said there would still probably be a 2/3 month wait for that! I will see what the GP does first and then decide.

I am glad to hear your bleeding and pain is lessening, hopefully it will go soon. We just have to wait and see don't we, but that is the hard part isn't it?!

Hi Tec!
You managed a Sat posting!!! I've only just checked the messages! Going on hols next weeks, so been busy arranging that! Can't wait - some relaxation, guess what though. Due on that week so not much'activity' for us!!!
I've been thinking about this pill thing. If you are 'chemically' suppressing the bleeding - it might be hiding something underneath. I don't know - I'm no medical person. I'd be tempted to give it a go without the pill like you say - you can always start again if the gynae tells you to. But it might be worth logging the bleeding. I have been doing this. Then it is an actual picture of what your body is doing by itself. Iagree it would probably take 6 months for the pill to work, then you have to come off it again etc... Hopefully your appointment might come through soon. They can see what it is. You might have a little cyst, like my friend, causes bleeding but it is fairly simple to get rid of I believe. It's such a long time to have this going on though. February is 12 weeks ago.
I had a call from my docs this morning. The guy who did my op has asked me to go and see the doc. They wouldn't say why??? I asked if it was test results and she said no. I did ask them to sort out this bleeding a week or so ago. Maybe they want to get me in again for another ERPC.
I am going to tell her that I have had no bleeding for 5 days and no pain. It was ike this before my last period though and then Ibled for over 2 weeks really heavily and painfully! I think I'll ask t see how the next period goes before any intervention!

Yes i was at work on Saturday. Good to hear from you again. Period bleeding has slowed down a lot over weekend to regular level. Thak goodness. Still red blood, but it is only day 5. Normal period for me 7-10 days. Pains not really there at the moment. Still feel tender and a bit odd, but not like I did before so I am hopeing that the anti-biotics have cleared an infection and that things will right themselves now. I am going to try without the pill and see what happens I can always start taking again if bleeding still bad.

I have had to start believing that things will right themselves as I cannot keep holding out for a gynae appt as I was devastated last week when they said i wasn't an urgent case etc. I know my Doc is trying to get me an appt, but I can see it going backwards and forwards for ages,so I have to try and cope on my own for now and that is how I am doing it. If things get really bad things will have to come to a head won't they. I'll either have to go to casualty or back to by GP and say I want something done now! It can't go on forever can it?

If I have chance today or tomorrow I was going to set up an alias hotmail for us to exchange personal details. I don't know about you, but I don't fancy revealing all on here. What do you think?

Love to you, speak soon.

Try not to worry that they have called you back, look at it as an opportunity to see that everything is OK. At least they are being vigilent. They probably just want to check out what the extra bleeding is. I think you are right to wait for next period before intervening though.

Hiya! Good to hear from you, just came back from lunch and thought I'd check out the mumsnet situation! Sounds like your periods are normal. Like mine very heavy but start to slow abit after the first five or six days. They always were very light and only lasted 3 or 4 days but now - well very different!
I was going to ask are you still tender in one particular area? If so i really think you should have another scan. I know you might feel it's going back at bit but when I went to the docs last week and explained about this tenderness in one exact area she was convinced it was because of retained products. I know you were given the all clear but at my scan she said she couldn't see the whole of my womb because my bladder wasn't absolutley full. I was bursting!! It's just an option and if you've no infection it must be a 'foreign body' either cyst or product. I'm sure this will be eliminated if you don't settle down after this period. I passed a couple of clots a week ago and the blood has been gone since then and the tenderness at the top. That's why I want to hang on now. That odd feeling has gone and I honestly feel like my old self. I won't get my hopes up though till after my period!!!
The idea of the hotmail is great but how do we get the password without posting it on Mumsnet? Might be an idea to ask Tech to exchange our e-mails?
Hugs!
xx

Quackers.

Not tender in one area. I had an internal scan so she could see everything very clearly. I had to empty my bladder beforehand. I was glad to! I do feel much better in myself. My womb still feels a bit odd, but I think I'm just hyper sensitive that pains are going to come back at every little niggle. I probably always feel like this when having period, but have just never noticed!

Glad to hear things are getting better for you. When are you going back to Doc's?

Sorry to be thick but I don't know what getting "Tech" to exchange e-mails means. I have just set up a alias hotmail it is: [email protected] so you can e-mail your details there, without anytone other than me seeing them I will then e-mail you with my real details, and only you can see them. Does that make sense? The account will automatically close itself after 30 days of non-use.

Speak soon, have to go off and do a display nw so don't know if I will get chance to log on again this afternoon. But will logon tomorrow.

xxx

Cool! I think I'm the thicky here!!! Forgot I can e-mail you and only you can see it!!!
Well that's great, I didn't realise you had an internal one! I wish they had done that for me! Well I think you'll be fine! I know just what you mean when you say you get paranoid about feelings etc.. Slightest twinge and I'm thinking the worst!
You have lots on your side then. You've stopped the anti biotics, stopped the pill, giving your body a chance to settle by itself knowing there is no infection and no products!Going to Docs on Wednesday at 5.30. She slotted me in. I've never in my life known a receptionist'slot' me in!!!!
I'll e-mail you sometime today!!
xxx

Will be strange to reveal all. Look forward to hearing from you. There is a thread womewhere on here that I read the other day about a journalist who wanted details of people who had become friends on-line! Maybe we will be one of them. have just looked and can't find it now it was witht he non-member requests for help.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Consider yourself e-mailed!!!
xxxxx