Help - Ectopic pregnancy with static HCG

[Ecas88]

I found out I had my second ectopic pregnancy about 10 days ago, I'm also now just over 9weeks. They have tested me and my hcg has been 327, 335, 321 and 390 with my progesterone 0.8. They have let me do expectant management so far but are now asking me to make a decision on whether to have medical or surgical. I'm extremely apprehensive to do either of these and really want to wait.

I can't find many stories regarding people waiting. Does anyone have any? What were your levels, how long did it take to go down?

Thanks so much, really hoping I'm not being stupid by waiting but I don't want more damage done to my body.

I'm very sorry but if you have been told your pregnancy is ectopic then it is not viable.
You should have been told this by the doctors.
I would say it is incredibly risky to wait and hope and you should take the reccomendations be it medical or surgical.
You risk your tube rupturing if you wait and hope.
I'm so sorry this must be awful to go through

@Princesspeachee thanks for replying, really appreciate it xx

It's my second ecoptic so unfortunately I'm now fully aware of all the facts 😔

I totally agree with not waiting and seeing for almost all ectopic scenarios, but I'm in a stable position where they are happy to let me do expectant management....it's causing a lot of anxiety though as it's remained static for 10 days straight (350 today). I'm terrified of the toxic drug and surgery even more though.

I just wanted to hear any stories where people have gone down the expectant management route and if it took a while?

Big hugs
It doesn't look like expectant management is overly common if you've not had anyone come forward with any experience and can't really find anything on Google etc, hopefully someone can help you soon.
What did you do last time if you don't mind me asking? Is this what has put you off?
I hope this is the last time you ever have to go through this and sorry I think I misread your post a bit earlier in terms of the waiting, I understand now you weren't waiting for a miracle just not rushing into anything because of the stability of everything.

They won’t advise EM unless the levels are dropping consistently. With levels like yours though you’d probably be a good candidate for medical management. I had methotrexate for my ectopic. My hcg levels had been similar 448, 570,535, 780, 670 so really up and down

@Princesspeachee I've read a couple of studies saying expectant management for certain scenarios should be the normal as it resolves in like 95% of cases other studies have been around the 60% mark but these have only been for women whos hcg has been dropping....there isn't any info out there on scenarios where it's remained static so I was hoping for some personal experiences.

EPU nurses told me they have had cases were people will wait and see but I guess most people will just opt to do something straight away as the anxiety isn't great.

My first one I was having major pregnancy symptoms, excruciating pain where I had to call an ambulance, then I had more pain a week later so I went to A&E and they decided to operate on me there and then, they kept my tube and it all worked out fine. (Managed to have my DS after that).

I thought after my son things would be fine, it never crossed my mind this would happen again. So when I found out it was another ectopic AND on the other side, I went into complete shock 😞

I'm indecisive at the best of times and it's even worse in the worst of times. I'm hoping so badly my body will finally resolve it, itself.

@PalepinkandAberrysmoothie how did you find the methotrexate side effects? I've read a wide range of side effects on here. Did they tell you that you should have medical management or did you opt for it after levels not going down? How long was it from when you found out it was ectopic, to when you took the methotrexate?

I don't know how long to wait before I give up on EM.

Xx

Will they be checking your hcg again? Maybe if its remaining static then consider other options and if its falling carry on expectant management? So hard to know from what you've read.
I'm so sorry you're going through this again, it's shouldn't happen and I imagine it is a massive shock. I understand why you're so anxious, could you reach out for some help with that too? I think long term you might benefit from some counselling, you've been through an awful lot more than anyone should ever. I've had to do it, it did help a lot and day to day is much more manageable now.

Hey OP, I hope you don’t mind me asking but how did you get on in the end with EM? Currently going through something similar. Thanks so much x

@Kellylouise45 how did you get on? I'm also currently going through something similar (and it's my second ectopic).

Hope things resolved for you naturally?

@SpringTulips22 things didn’t resolve naturally sadly. I had methotrexate on 17th December and that worked - officially discharged 3 weeks later. Hope you’re okay xx

@Kellylouise45 I'm sorry to hear that. It's such a long process and really draining mentally and physically. I had MTX for my first one.

If you don't mind me asking, did they locate it with an ultrasound? And what was your HCG and progesterone level when you had MTX?

Hi @Ecas88, how did this turn out for you? Did it resolve with expectant management or did you have to have MTX in the end?

How has your journey been since?

@SpringTulips22 it didn't resolve unfortunately. I waited for 2 weeks which ended in emergency surgery and they removed my tube. As my 1st ectopic was in my now remaining tube, I was advised to do ivf, which I did, and it was tough, but I'm currently 33 weeks pregnant and everything is going really well. I've known a couple of women who had 2 ectopics in the same tube, had that tube removed and then went on to have multiple children naturally through the other tube. I was just unlucky it affect both mine 😔X

@Kellylouise45 sorry Kelly I didn't see a notification for your message, apologies I didn't reply at the time. I hope you're doing OK now.

@SpringTulips22 yes they located a mass on my left tube, measuring 22cm.

My HCG was 118 when I first went to hospital - the highest it got to was 350. Went down to 224 day 4 after MTX and then down to 23 on day 7. Not sure about progesterone, sorry! xx

Thank you both for replying.

@Ecas88 thank you for sharing and sorry you had to have surgery. But your story gives me hope!

@Kellylouise45 thanks for sharing. Sorry you went through that. It's brutal. Xo

@SpringTulips22 I hope everything works out for you. Stay positive, things will work out in the end. Take care of yourself xx