Anyone had negative tests but was pregnant?

[Londondreams1]

If I was pregnant I would be about 6 months by now. Belly is swollen to about what I normally look like 6 months pregnant. All tests (about 5 altogether since I thought I might be) have come back negative.

I have had two sporadic periods so thought I’m not and it might just be the fact my timing is now becoming irregular (I’m 40)? But then I thought what If I actually am and it’s some possible placenta issue?

Have requested a scan but doctors are not interested unless I show up with a positive pregnancy test.

I’ve thought about the idea that it’s all in my head, but I then thought that would be for someone who perhaps had been TTC? (I hadn’t been)

I’ve got two children so have experience of pregnancy, and it’s the “kicks” and movements when I least expect it that makes me think I am.
Could be some digestive issue, of course

Breasts are tender. Just feel like an idiot pestering the doctor again for a scan to rule it out (although I was a bit annoyed that they didn’t offer to make an appointment to see me on account of the fact that I might have IBS or chron’s or something similar, or to rule out allergies, although I understand that they are so busy at the moment. )

Guess I’ll find out in 3-4 months one way or another. I can’t really afford a private scan.
Maybe I could press another surgery for a scan?

I had similar last month, I did get a positive pregnancy test though. Was 21 weeks pregnant, no bump though which suddenly appeared after I found out. Can you ask them to do a blood test for hcg levels instead?

I was going to say the same- get a blood test at the doctors x

I had similar. I was actually 12 weeks pregnant. I think it's called the hook effect?

Yep was testing negative up to 28 weeks! I was most definitely pregnant, she’s 18 now.

I am surprised the doctors haven't offered some tests if you have such a swollen abdomen that you look 6 months pregnant?!! I'd have thought they'd want to rule out pregnancy first, because if you're not then surely something else must be going on. I would call and ask for bloods.

I'd also potentially think about getting a private scan?

Thank you for the replies.

Mushroomhunter and Eliotgoss see your reply is now making me certain that I am pregnant. I’ll Google the hook effect.

oopsyu and Topsecret99, I requested a scan as I explained that a urine test would probably come back negative at the doctors if it’s turning up negative at home,

Glitterygreen I am very slim generally and haven’t put on weight, just my belly area has grown, but I’d say I haven’t put on weight because I haven’t been actively nurturing a pregnancy. I carry small (doesn’t mean the babies are small, it’s just the shape of my body) so this makes the whole thing a bit trickier.
And yep absolutely, even if they are certain I’m not pregnant, why no interest in ruling other things out? I’m sure if I ask for bloods I’d get the same response.
I’ll see if the local maternity unit will do bloods or a scan. I was just going to leave it due to the certainty of the doctor’s that it could not be a pregnancy (they literally sent me a text the first time explaining I should buy a high street test and only to get back to them if it’s positive). The second time I contacted them I just got no response at all. And yet right now I’m lying down on my back and can feel movement that simply cannot be digestion issues!

I’m annoyed at the doctor’s as this wasn’t a planned pregnancy (if pregnant) and their dithering will have narrowed my options. That’s why I don’t understand why they don’t take it seriously.

I’ve also been abstaining from alcohol since I suspected I was, but it feels silly to keep doing so if I’m not, so I’m in a type of awful limbo.

In addition, the 6 month ball park would tie in with the date of the potential conception.

I’d go bank to gp and insist on investigation . A swollen uterus and a negative pregnancy test could be something serious

Sorry I don’t mean to sound like alcohol is an issue. I just mean I can’t relax and go about my business or do certain activities because of the possibility this is a pregnancy and it always being at the back of my mind. If I’m not pregnant it’s a huge waste of energy, if you see what I mean.
But anyway your responses have convinced me to call the maternity clinic tomorrow.

Catcrazy83

Absolutely. If this isn’t a pregnancy then something is not right with my digestive tract !
The only thing that makes me think it might be is as I said, the shape (and movements) tie in with a possible conception about 6 months ago. Without that fact to go on, I’d be certain it was something else.

You can stop the hook effect from happening by diluting your urine down before you test. Maybe get a few cheap ones and test a few different concentrations?

Oh I agree that another urine test in the drs would be useless but blood hcg levels would give you a definite answer. Just thought they'd be more likely to do that than give you a scan (or at least in my area they would).

oopsyu yes I’ll do that. A blood test is less of a commitment from them and can be done at the surgery I should imagine.

Pfbing I might do that with some cheap tests tomorrow.

Thank you everyone and sorry if I sound abrupt. I’ll update the thread when I know for certain one way or another.

Deffo get a blood test xx

Tbh I would be more worried about the fact I was experiencing unexplained swelling in my abdomen.

@Featuredcreature Definitely. I would be more worried, if not for the potential conception 6 months ago which muddys the waters and could explain it.
If I’m not pregnant then obviously it will need investigation. I had a friend who’s stomach swelled more than this because she was very lactose intolerant, and sometimes ate yoghurt, but I’ve never had that. That’s why I’m surprised the doctors hasn’t recommended allergy tests, maybe because they are so overbooked because of covid.

A potential conception is just that though, a potential. The periods plus negative tests would be conclusive tbh. People say they have periods whilst pregnant and get negative results but tbh people say a lot of things. I remember a girl who was obviously very pregnant, she was complaining to me that her parents thought she was pregnant, I didn't really know what to say .

I also knew a woman who was older and had no clue she was pregnant and suddenly popped out a baby. Hope it all turns out how you would like, really push for answers though, they haven't been listening to you.

Yes I get that. I just mean if there hadn’t been what I term a “possible conception”, then it would be conclusive and I’d know for certain that this definitely wasn’t a pregnancy, if you see what I mean.

But because something did take place around 6 months ago, that’s what’s causing all the confusion for me.

I’d be more worried about ovarian cancer than pregnancy tbh, you should absolutely get seen by doctor.

When I found out I was pregnant (all 3 times by doing pregnancy tests myself) no one asked me to see a positive test. I just booked in with the midwife. If I was you I would phone and tell them you've had a positive test and need to book in with the midwife and you think you're pretty far along.

Or book a doctors appointment and list all your symptoms but don't mention pregnancy. If your periods are basically non existent and your body is swelling etc but it's not a pregnancy, then there's something else going on and they should be taking you seriously.

@Catcrazy83 @Thatsplentyjack yep I just googled the symptoms of ovarian cancer and they do seem similar, especially peeing more often. It’s the “baby movements” that’s making me think it’s a pregnancy though. And exactly, that is why I simply do not understand why the surgery is not interested in seeing me with the symptoms I have. My first thought was , This could be cancer if it’s not a pregnancy.

The clinics near me are shut today so it’s going to be monday. So annoying.

I’m going to do that diluted pee test with a test from poundland, not spending any more money on pregnancy tests!

Wow this is all very strange!! My friend had this, she missed her period so didn’t think much of it, I mean it musnt have been a period at the time anyways just some bleeding. Her next period nothing, she took a test, negative. Thought nothing of it, went to the doctors for contraception they took a urine sample, negative still! She was going to have the implant but decided against it and went on the pill, she didn’t bleed inbetween cycles, thought it was just the pill with it being new, was in a car accident some months later and needed CT on her spine and what do you know, she’s 26 weeks pregnant. Had been drinking and partying the whole time not too mention a theme park on upside down rides!!! Her baby was absolutely fine and he’s 7 now.

Tests don't always work past about 15 weeks. This is because the tests measure something called HCG, which is present in your blood in the early stages of pregnancy, but not afterwards.

Get an ultrasound.

This happened to a friend - even the GP didn't know this.

I find baby moments very unique, especially as you progress in your pregnancy.

Have you ever tried pressing/pushing against your belly and see if there is a push/kick back?