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Original poster

hCG levels not falling after miscarriage

30 replies

applepi · 17/10/2009 23:03

Hi all. I miscarried two weeks ago at 9 wks, however my hcg levels are still very high (close to 2000)and taking a very long time to drop. Internal scans have shown my uterus to be empty but a slight swelling on my ovary. I am told there is a possibility that it is ectopic but since my levels are dropping, albeit very slowly, I am just being monitored and having blood tests every other day. Has any one had the same experience? What other reasons besides an ectopic preg could there be for levels taking so long to fall? This experience has been so frightening, any help would be very much appreciated.

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daisytaylor · 17/10/2009 23:27

Hi there i am so sorry to hear of your loss, i had a similar experience with my 3rd m/c. I fell pregnant with twins but i had 1 in my womb and 1 in my tube, i bled for a week and also told that my levels were not dropping as they liked. after 2 weeks i had a really bad pain in my side and then i passed a huge clot and both babies went on their own. All in all i bled for 3 weeks and eventually my levels dropped but i did end up with an infection in my tube. I had a course of strong anti biotics and didn't need anymore treatment. I would of thought that by 9 weeks if the baby was still growing in your tube you would be in agony. If you do get any pain i would strongly recommend you go to a&e and i really hope everything works out ok. If you want to ask me anything then please feel free, i am happy to answer any questions. I am also going through a miscarriage at the moment so i really can sympathise. Best wishes.

Original poster
applepi · 18/10/2009 10:15

Thank you so much daisy, and I'm really sorry for what you have been through and are going through. Your strength is an inspiration.x

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daisytaylor · 20/10/2009 16:11

Hi there, i noticed you have had no other replies and just wanted to check how you were doing. Best wishes.

reikizen · 20/10/2009 16:16

Yes, please don't hesitate to get help if it is a suspected ectopic pregnancy as it can potentially be very serious. Pain in your shoulder (oddly enough) can also be a sign of ectopic pregnancy. Good luck.

MaureenMLove · 20/10/2009 16:30

I am afraid I had the very same thing and sadly it did turn out, for me, to be ectopic. Pain in the shoulder is one thing to look out for, although it is by no means present in every ectopic. (I didn't have it on the first, but did the second ).

How long have they said they will keep checking you for? From memory I was checked every other day for 2 weeks and then they made a decision to do a lapaoscopy to just make sure everything was OK inside. Sadly, once they took a look, clearly it wasn't fine.

Up until that point, there was no physical reason to suggest I had anything wrong with me, since I was no unwell at all. Even when I saw the anaethatist on the the morning on the procedure, he was shocked that I was so fine and was convinced I'd be in and out within the hour.

Look after yourself. I'll be around if you have any other questions, although I'm always a bit nervous to suggest things, since I'm not a doctor and you may be perfectly fine (as fine as you can be, under the circumstances, anyway)

MaureenMLove · 20/10/2009 16:32

Pain in the shoulder is because the ectopic has burst and fluid is building up inside you. It's like when you get really, really bad hiccups. Sometimes you get a pain in your shoulder!

Original poster
applepi · 20/10/2009 16:35

Thank you daisy and reikizen. My last blood tests showed a drop of 500 so my levels are now at 1000, which is the largest drop so far. I'm thinking since the doc told me that an ectopic is possible, I am being treated 'expectantly', not that they've said that to me in so many words. I would love to hear from other people who've had a very slow drop in hcg levels for no obvious reason. Thanks again. Daisy, I hope you're doing ok.x

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Original poster
applepi · 20/10/2009 16:40

Thanks Maureen, yes, that is my worst fear, although I'm more hopeful now that I've had a substantial drop in my levels. I have been checked every second day, but now only have to go back on monday.
I'm sorry to hear about what you've been through and thank you for your support.x

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MaureenMLove · 20/10/2009 16:46

My pleasure.

Try to relax until Monday now, but if you feel the slightest bit unwell, get yourself straight to A&E. Things to look out for are severe stomach cramps on one side, hot/cold sweats and the shoulder pain. Any one of these things and you must go.

Fingers crossed for you. x

jo69 · 20/10/2009 22:06

Hello. I have had the same experience. An ectopic was diagnosed but they couldn't find anything visible on repeated scans. I found the waiting and uncertainty really stressful. These days if your hormone levels are relatively low they will treat you by close monitoring and there is also a medical option open to you rather than laparoscopic surgery if the hormone levels don't fall away completely. If your hormone profile is right they can give you a methotrexate injection. Worth discussing with them at your next appointment as this treatment was open to me 3 years ago. I am not sure where you are but also worth knowing about is the amazing 24hr emergency gynae clinic at St Thomas's hospital if you start feeling worse. You can self refer, it doesnt matter where you live in London and you can also talk to a qualified midwife if you are worried. Best of luck.

Original poster
applepi · 21/10/2009 09:35

Thanks jo, yes they were going to give me the injection but then my hormones dropped so they're waiting to see I guess. The waiting and uncertainty is awful, I just want an end in sight! I'm nowhere near St Thomas's unfortunately, my EPU has been relatively supportive, if a bit cagey about what's going on. Thanks very much for your reply jo, it's good to not feel so alone in this nightmare.x

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Original poster
applepi · 21/10/2009 09:36

ps jo, were you able to get pregnant again?

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Surfermum · 21/10/2009 09:41

Hi applepi - I had exactly the same experience with my 2nd mc. I ended up having a laparoscopy but they didn't find anything, everything was completely normal, and they could never explain what had gone on.

I remember how awful all the waiting was, I hope you get to the bottom of it soon.

Original poster
applepi · 21/10/2009 11:45

Thank you surfermum. Good to know that everything was normal in the end but how disconcerting for you not having an explanation.

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Surfermum · 21/10/2009 12:00

It actually didn't bother me that much that it was left unexplained. All I wanted to know was that there wasn't any reason why I wouldn't go on to have a baby (which I did a year later). And I was very relieved just to draw a line under it and get back to "normal".

Original poster
applepi · 21/10/2009 14:54

Glad you had a baby

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jo69 · 22/10/2009 22:10

Hello applepi

I have had 2 since this happened. The one positive that I clung to about the whole ectopic episode was that at least I knew I could get pregnant. It took a while afterwards as I was so stressed and monitoring what was happening each month. The minute I forgot about it and relaxed, it happened. No reason why you won't either - particularly if you haven't had to have any surgery. Best of luck and hope this doesn't drag on too long for you.

MaureenMLove · 23/10/2009 22:06

Just brining the thread 'live' again, so I can catch up with you on Monday.

clothaddict · 24/10/2009 10:38

I have just foubd out I'm in the same boat now too. I have had a horrific time and I'm just hoping and hoping that this is nothing else wrong. I had a mmc at 10 weeks, medical management, 3 weeks of continued bleeding, an ERPC, septicaemia and in intensive care! 2 weeks on from that now and although I feel fine they have said my hormone levels are still faintly positive so want another scan on monday.

What can it be now?It can't be an ectopic surely as I have had numerous scans and it has been 5 weeks on from my 10 week scan now and i have no pain? Also I did "pass" the baby 5 weeks ago.

Could it just be my case is really weird and my hormones are all just shot to pieces?

I am coping but couldn't take something else wrong! Sorry I've hijacked your post! But essentially it's the same question as you. Hope you are doing OK?

Original poster
applepi · 25/10/2009 19:23

Oh clothaddict I'm so sorry, what an awful time you've had. I'm no expert but I'm sure it's just a case of crazy hormones, and your body slowly returning to normal.
I started bleeding quite heavily with clots and back ache on thurs night. Phoned epu on fri am only to be told they couldn't possibly see me and I would have to wait til monday . Bleeding and back ache now subsided a bit but it was horrible as it felt like another mc. Am hoping it was just my body getting rid of everything and not something more ominous. Scan and more bloods tomorrow. Am hoping my levels will be way down!

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Original poster
applepi · 25/10/2009 19:24

jo69, thanks for the encouraging post x

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sickofsocalledexperts · 25/10/2009 19:40

I had a mc and my hcg levels dropped so slowly that it took me 6 months before I had another period. It was not ectopic, it was as if my body just didn't want to let go of the preg hormones. I now have 2 kids though and I got preg with the first one not too long after the mc. I do feel for you.

Original poster
applepi · 25/10/2009 19:47

Wow, ok, well glad I know now that that is possible. Thanks for posting sickofsocalled.

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clothaddict · 26/10/2009 15:51

How did you get on applepi?

I went in today and had bloods and scan. My scan was OK and hormone levels are still higher than normal but coming down so I think it is just body doing it slowly.

Hope you're OK?

My bank balance can't take the stress, I bought a coat, hat and boots after being at the hospital (and it's not like I haven't been buying other things this month!). However I don't feel guilty and feel if there was ever a time to treat self and feel a little bit nicer with new clothes then it's now- plus not been buying as was pregnant, so now can look at clothes again anyway!

Original poster
applepi · 26/10/2009 19:21

Hi, levels have come down a lot again (from 1000 to 100) and doc is pleased. I had a big bleed on weekend which seems now to have been a good thing as it was instrumental in bringing levels down. Doc is now being more forthcoming and talking more openly about the 'swelling in my right tube' which she hasn't really done before. She says it could still rupture at anytime though but hopefully my body will manage to do it all gently. I JUST WANT THIS TO BE OVER ALREADY!

Clothaddict, that's good news. And Good For You for treating yourself. I think will take a leaf out of your book and do the same

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