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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Pain after ERPC?

14 replies

MrsGiraffe12 · 26/05/2013 08:26

So this is mainly for ladies who have had an ERPC as treatment for miscarriage.

I had my treatment on Thursday at approximately 4pm. Upon waking up I had some pain and was given oramorph. Because the pain was getting better etc and my observations were satisfactory etc i was allowed home by 9.30.

On Firday I didn't have too much discomfort but did feel the need for some paracetamol and ibruprofen. This seemed to help a bit and I mananegd to get a reasonable nights sleep.

When I woke up yesterday (Saturday) the pain was worse and after taking some paracetamol and ibruprofen which didn't help at all, I went and spoke to the pharmacist and got some co-codamol. This didn't help a bit and as a result I spent last night crying and nearly being sick due to pain. Plus the post op bleeding has gotten progressively worse too over the last few days.

I guess I'm posting to see if a) any of you ladies experienced this after EPRC and b) should I go up A and E to see if I've an infection / get some stronger medicines as I don't think I can wait till Tuesday when doctors are open again

Thanks in advance xx

OP posts:

mousebacon · 26/05/2013 08:31

I would say that that is unusual. Ring the ward you were on and ask for their advice. If you start passing clots or anything they may want you to keep them.

Good luck.

Reebok · 26/05/2013 09:05

I had an erpc after a mmc last year and the pain was quite mild like period pains that could be controlled by ibuprofen and the bleeding was hardly anything. I suggest calling nhs direct ASAP and being seen by a n e as this sounds unusual.

KatAndKit · 26/05/2013 09:50

I had an ERPC 3 years ago and I had a bad night 2 days after the procedure - I had more pain, passed more blood and a couple of clots. I think it was just a bit of stuff left behind that needed to come out. I went to the hospital and ended up being admitted overnight but when I saw a doctor in the morning, I got the impression that it wasn't really anything to worry about as I had not been very heavy bleeding, it was more a case that I had not been adequately informed about what to expect. I did get better pain relief in the hospital though.
I would ring the hospital and ask them what to do - they may want to check you out and they should certainly be able to prescribe adequate pain relief. Sometimes with an ERPC there is the risk that they didn't complete the procedure 100% so they will need to keep an eye out for the possibility of retained tissue.

Very sorry for your loss and I hope you are feeling better soon

Quodlibet · 26/05/2013 11:00

Hi Giraffe, yes I would go back A and E or the EPU if it is open. It may be that you have some residual tissue left - they are very gentle with the ERPC but this means in the minority of cases sometimes they leave a bit of womb lining behind. This happened to me and I passed it about a week after the ERPC (with a fair bit of cramping before it happened), I also had a mild infection which was treated with ABs. Go and get yourself checked to make sure. Sorry you are going through this.

NotSpartacus · 26/05/2013 11:07

I think you should go back to the hospital today. If you have an infection or some residual tissue then that needs to be sorted sooner rather than later.
After my erpc I had very little pain.

PurplePoppySeed · 26/05/2013 11:43

Hi giraffe, I was warned to expect pain and also that bleeding can continue / products can be left behind, particularly as I have a retroverted uterus. I actually had less pain than expected, but I did continue to bleed lightly on and off for about 4 weeks afterwards, which didn't concern the doctors, apart from being given antibiotics as a precaution for infection.

It could be your uterus sorting itself out, or they could have done something to cause you the pain, but I wouldn't expect pain from infection this soon. Whatever it is, you should see someone, might be worth going to the doctors first though, to save you sitting in A&E for hours?

Original poster

MrsGiraffe12 · 26/05/2013 19:44

So, I went to A and E as it pain got worse, and started having clots. I've an infection and am on antibiotics. And some strong pain killers.

Hopefully these will start to work soon, and these hellish last 10 days will be over soon :( x

OP posts:

Quodlibet · 26/05/2013 20:01

Oh poor you Giraffe. That's just what happened to me and it really feels like you've been dealt a cruel hand doesn't it?. Rest up well over the next week and give your body and soul time to heal. Trying to push yourself too soon or not allowing time to grieve properly will only prolong your recovery so do look after yourself. I would expect to take this week of work if I were you. Hopefully now you have the ABs you will start feeling better very soon. Really sorry you've gone through this and I wish you a gentle recovery.

Original poster

MrsGiraffe12 · 26/05/2013 20:10

Thank you quodlibet. It's all rubbish isn't it. I just wish there wasn't such a large number of us women going through these horrible experiences, it makes me sadder thinking I'm not the only one going through this.

I've already got the week off work as its half term where I live, and all my friends are offering to look after DS (4) which is lovely :-)

To make things "worse" if possible, hubby keeps asking why I've got an infection and if it can affect my fertility. This has already crossed my mind and doesn't help he's not being as kind as he could be. But then I guess men don't understand the emotional side of it really.

OP posts:

Quodlibet · 26/05/2013 20:21

So glad to hear you have help with your DC, but sorry your husband isn't saying what you need.
I dont know why you got an infection (for me, pushing myself back to work 5 days after ERPC prob didnt help) and it is most definitely your body's sign to STOP AND RELAX.

Please don't worry about your fertility (easy to say, but I did too!). It's not likely to be a serious infection, my consultant was very very reassuring when I went in for a follow-up scan and said how this is very common, she also scanned me to check all was gone and said there was no inflammation and all looked very normal and healthy. I conceived again 2 months later and am now 11 wks pg.

I think really only other women who have been through it understand, and sadly there are a lot of us. You will find loads of support in coming weeks on the Miscarriage section here on MN if you haven't already found it (in Body and Soul section).

KatAndKit · 27/05/2013 07:09

I'm sorry you are going through this and you don't feel you are getting the emotional support you need from DH. Infection can happen whichever method of miscarrying you go for (erpc, medical or even natural) so it is in no way your fault. Having any procedure can result in infection but it ought to be cleared up quickly.
Worrying about your fertility is common after miscarriage - i had two and I worried a lot that there was something wrong but in my case it was third time lucky.

Fakebook · 27/05/2013 11:30

Glad you went to a&e in the end and I'm sorry for your loss. When I had my ERPC I didn't feel any pain whatsoever. The pain you described did sound very unusual. Did they do another scan to make sure you didn't have any bits of placenta left?

Original poster

MrsGiraffe12 · 27/05/2013 16:43

No, just gave me antibiotics after checking temperature, urine etc. feeling much better today which is a relief x

OP posts:

Quodlibet · 27/05/2013 18:48

Do you have a follow-up appt at the EPU? I would ring and try to make one if you can, I think that's what I did after getting my ABs at A and E. They were very reassuring.

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