niggly shoudler at 12 weeks - surely too late for an ectopic??

[moulesfrites]

I had thought I had got past the stage at which an ep would show up, but in the past few days I have had a few niggly pains in my right shoulder. Nothing severe, not even sure if it would register if I wasn't on the lookout iyswim. I have no cramping or bleeding. first scan is on Thurs. Should I be worried or am I being paranoid? I keep reading that shoulder pain is a "red light" symptom for ep. TIA

Hmm i'd not want to discount it, obv better to be safe than sorry, but i really can't see a 12 week fetus being in the wrong place without it having shown itself earlier, iywim?

I understand shoulder pain is one of the last symptoms to show itself, after severe stomach cramps.

I wouldn't worry, but do ring midwife if you're worried - it can't hurt to see what they say.

That's what I thought Pootles. Thanks for advice. Will keep an eye on it.

Hi,

Shoulder tip pain is usually the last symptom you will get, that usually means that the tube has burst .. honestly i really dont think you would of got to 12 weeks and not had spotting or terrible pain, and from what i hear ots terrible pain.

I got told when i was worried but the hospital that 6-8 weeks is usually the norm for them to cause probs.

Try not to worry of your not having pains or bleeding HTH

X

Thanks that is reassuring - I think I am just getting more and more paranoid and anxious as the scan approaches - I just know that the tomorrow is going to drag!!

of course , its terrifying, i was shaking when i had my scan i was so scared.

good luck

x

Shoulder tip pain can show up quite early in the course of events with an ectopic- it doesn't mean the tube has already burst.
It does suggest irritation in the peritoneal cavity though, typically from bleeding - but it could be a from a cyst on the ovary, a fairly common thing. I've had several cysts (between 6-8 weeks) and they have been assumed to be ectopic until scan or op showed otherwise as the symptoms are so similar. At 12 weeks I'd say ectopic is not very likely - unless it was outside the tube rather than in it (very, very rare). Usually you would have had spotting (often brownish) for days or weeks before you got the pain.
First off tho', are you having shoulder tip pain? is it to the front of the shoulder (top of arm in the joint between the arm/body), or is it to the back - on your shoulder blade (this would be indicating something else).

Another common thing to produce both shoulder-tip pain and sometimes shoulder-blade pain, is gall-bladder problems (often worse during pregnancy and often flare up for the first time during pregnancy). Do you have the pain in your right shoulder, with tenderness just at/under your ribs on the right? If so, that may indicate a gall bladder problem.

Phone your midwife/EPU, if they are not happy with what you are saying, they would scan you today - but if they feel the symptoms are unlikely to be indicating something serious, they will be happy to let you wait until Thursday. They would be able to advice you of any symptoms you should be on the lookout for - you know, "phone us back right away if you develop X, Y or Z", and at least you would be reassured that you were not developing important symptoms.

best wishes for Thursday.