OHSS, low HCG and possible ectopic!

[yogibunny]

He everyone,
I'm really starting to feel the strain at the moment. I've had an awful time with OHSS, and am just starting to improve with this after four weeks. However, now I have new worries. In the process of all the blood tests for OHSS they have noticed that my low start (49 day 15) are not doubling properly, and they couldn't see much on the ultrascan - as much as they should do anyway. They are now suspecting ectopic and I'm going out of my mind with worry.

If it had just been the scan I wouldn't worry so much, as she found it hard to find anything on the screen as there is still so much fluid around from the OHSS, however more concerning is the low rising HCG. It was 3111 on day 29 and only 4001 on day 31. They seem to think it inevitable that this is going to fail one way or the other.

I'm now overanalysing every single twinge I get and worrying what will happen when it does happen. I have a scan booked for weds but think I will go mad before then.....

Does anyone have any advice or knowledge of symptoms of ectopi

I just wish we could get a decent break
Thanks for listening.
Angela

[chellejaya]

Ho Yogibunny

I know its hard (I really do) but please try not to worry too much. I too had bad OHSS and was extremely worried I would have another ectopic. I was certain of it. They didn't see my embryo till about 6 weeks and that was a really faint sac. Have they seen anything or nothing? The fluid in your abdo makes a huge difference.

The symptoms I had when I did have an ectopic were; severe pain in my right side (unmistakeable) and spotting (red not brown).

Because I didn't realise I was pregnant till about 9 weeks, I didn't have any hcg tests. This time I have had alot of blood tests and although my hcg has risen, it hasn't doubled. To top this, I had no idea that I am carrying twins. I thought that hcg levels rocketed with twins, but obviously, everyone is different. What I am trying to say is, stay positive and relax. You have been on such an emotional rollercoaster and this is just another hurdle.

I hope your mind is put at rest very soon.

Chellejaya xxx

[yogibunny]

Thanks Chellejaya,
Your message was very welcome. They did see a sac on the scan last week, but couldn't see anything in it - my HCG at time was 3000, so they thought they should by then. If it was just this I wouldn't be too concerned, because it was very hard to find my womb let alone anything in it because of all the fluid. I think it is this plus the HCG levels not double that worries them.

I haven't had any real pain yet and no bleeding, but I will only be six week today (post ET), so I guess it is a bit early maybe for the pain? How early did your bleeding start?

I also don't really feel pregnant either. Having had a daughter already I'm sure I did by this point before. This doesn't help my mind games!

I have asked my DH to come with me on wednesday so that at least he will be there if it is more bad news. There is just the glimmer of hope I'm clinging too.

What have your HCG levels been?

Thanks for your support,
Angela

[chellejaya]

Yogibunnny

If they have seen a sac, that is a great sign. I reacon you will have a nice surprise in about a week or two. As I said before, the OHSS and bloating makes a huge difference.
I had a scan at 6 weeks (vaginal) and there was one sac with a embryo and a heartbeat and a second sac with nothing in it. I thought it had attached but not developed.
This week (7 1/2 weeks and external scan not vaginally) they saw two sacs and two heartbeats.

I had spotting from about 5/6 weeks with my ectopic.

Please try to stay calm, I am sure it will be ok.

If you want to pm me anytime, feel free.

Chellejaya xxx

[Cla]

Angela,
I had an ectopic last year and was in great pain with it. Like the most severe af pains I've ever had. And bleeding. In fact I didn't know I was pregnant - I thought I was having a very heavy, very painful period but eventually went to docs to find out about ectopic. If you haven't had either of these it's a great sign. They are classic symptons.
Seeing the sac is also a great sign. Not sure about numbers so can't really comment on these I'm afraid.
Best of luck on Weds. Will be keeping everything crossed for you.

Cla
xx

[DebraP]

Angela, the numbers do our heads in don't they?

It is very early to see anything more than a sac. I had a scan yesterday (6wks1d) and there was no heartbeat yet but they could see the sac in the uterus. My hcg yesterday (ET+26) was 1400 which scares the living cr*p out me. Seems way too low BUT it's been consistently slow so my clinic just think it takes me more than 72hrs not 48 to double, which is still in the OK range.

ET+ 14 = 84
ET +16 = 114
ET + 20 = 385
ET + 26 = 1400

Re. ectopic symptoms. I had one rupture last year. I'll write all the details, not to scare you but to give you the full story of how it was.

There were strong, sharp pains over my right ovary (or that general area) just after getting a +ve. I also had cramps throughout from ET. I had no bleeding/spotting. At 7.5weeks, the night before my first scan, I was driving home and suddenly had a really strong pain, enough for me to yell out. I think that was the moment of rupture. Trying to walk 10mins later was really difficult, I was bent over. I made it into the house, starting calling DF, MIL (to collect DD) and was finding it hard to talk and then fell over. Not fainted, just fell over in pain. I lay there until DF took me to A&E. I still found walking and talking really, really difficult. Getting through A&E was quick, the doctors were astoundingly good. Because I'd had 3 embryos put back but no scan, they didn't know how many might have been involved in the rupture and/or if there were others still in the uterus. They were lovely and took hours and hours to make a diagnosis. They only did the repair the next morning to give even more doctors a chance to scan me, just in case.

I read this week of a woman who had 3 embies put back, one was ectopic but didn't rupture and she carried the remaining twins full term.

I wish you luck. I know how frighening this all is.
Debra.

[yogibunny]

Thanks everyone for your replies - they help alot.
This time tomorrow I should know one way or the other how it is going. It's really weird someone telling to possibly expect an ectopic - I worry that it may still happen, just that they picked it up really early - waiting for the inevitable is kind of hard and scary. I just hope they are wrong.

The fluid has gone down alot in the last few days so I'm hoping they will see alot more this week. I figure each day with no pain and no bleeding is a good thing for now. Grow little embie grow!

Debra - I have my fingers crossed for you hcg numbers too - I'm glad your clinic are positive.

Thanks for your support - I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow

Angela

[taylorjools]

Angela

thinking of you for tomorrow sweetie

hugs

bigJ

[Barny]

Hi Angela,

Good luck for today. Praying that everything is OK.

I've had an ectopic pregnancy previously which took about 3 weeks to diagnose so I know what you are going through at the moment. I didn't know whether I was coming or going in that time. One minute it looked like it would be a viable pregnancy and the next minute it didn't. It really did my head in - much much more than the 2 week wait.

From what you've said so far it doesn't sound like an ectopic to me. You've seen a sac which is a good sign.

I had left sided niggles from a few days after ET and then quite bad pain at 7 weeks, just before I had the laparacopy to remove the ectopic. I had bleeding on and off, sometimes red but quite often a dark drown watery discharge (a classis ectopic symptom). My uterus was quite clearly empty at a 5 and a half week scan. My HCG levels started at just 8 and although they just about doubled for the first week or so they soon tailed off and at 7 weeks I had only got to a HCG level of about 900.

I hope you find out one way or another soon, what the position is. Let us know how you get on.

Barny
x

[yogibunny]

Hi all,
Just wanted to let you know how my scan and bloods went today.
The scan showed an egg yoke in the sac, but no fetal pole - which still worries them, as they say it should be there for the dates really. The lady doing the scan said outright that she wasn't too optimistic for this pregnancy - which wasn't nice to hear.

We then had hours of worrying what the HCG would be today as this seemed to be really important determinant of how it is now going. It has reached 12000 (day 36). I think this isn't too bad really - about the minimum it should be taken the level of 3111 last Weds. I think it takes nearer 96 hours to double than 48 or 72.

We are now more hopeful therefore that it isn't ectopic, but still with the worry that it may not last - we have to repeat scan next weds and I guess that will be an important one to see the fetal pole.

I found a website that suggests a wider range for doubling times which is more reassuring: www.ivfer.com/hcg.htm

Thanks to all for your support - it is really appreciated - we just have to cross our fingers for a little longer now!

Best to all,
Angela

[Barny]

Hi Angela,

Thanks for updating us on your news. You're still hanging in there. It's going to be a long long week waiting for the next scan, isn't it?

I guess all you can do is try to remain positive. Your HCG is still rising and there's definitely something going on in that uterus. Everyone is different and some babies just take a little longer to get going.

Will keep everything crossed for you.

Really useful website by the way.

Barny
x

[Cla]

Angela,
Great to hear it's not ectopic, but I'm sorry there's no definitive answer (wouldn't it be great if they could just guarantee everything!). The waiting just never ends.
Best of luck for next week - make sure you keep us up to date.

Cla
xx

[yogibunny]

Hi -
I went to my clinic today - for the 'normal' day 35 scan that they would do. I thought what the heck they might be more encouraging thant the hospital... so I decided to go to it.

Now I'm depressed. They were even more blunt that it wouldn't last as they couldn't see the fetal pole. She was even suggesting stopping the progesterone pessaries really. I really feel low now - like they took away the glimmer of hope I was clinging to.

I've decided to keep going until the scan next week at least - otherwise I shall always wonder. but now I shall be expecting the miscarriage any day... very sad today

Angela

[chellejaya]

Angela

I am really sorry to hear your sad news. Its not over till its over so hang on in there and wait till next week. Hard I know.

I am here if you need to chat, just pm me.

I am thinking of you

Hugs

Chelle xxx

[Mel_P]

Hi Angela,
I dont have any advice, but just wanted to send you all my heartfelt support. I can only imagine how difficult this waiting must be. It isnt over yet, and in the meantime were all sending you heaps of calming and positive vibes. I hope next week goes well for you, I really do.
Mel