2WW cramping and major Blah's because no other symptoms

[amh6967]

i had 2 grade B embies transferred 2 days ago. one was 8 cell, one was 5 cell. no frosties if this doesn't work...
i am having some big time cramping, which alternates feeling like period cramps and feeling like bowel cramping.
no other symptoms.
i have read through everyone else 2ww threads, and figured what the hell, i'de start my own.
i test 5/23 and 5/25. will probably get a HPT on 5/22 just so i can prepare myself for the (bad?) news

[StephanieD]

I am also on the dreaded 2ww. I had no idea it could be this miserable; I think that coupled with the fact that I've been off of work for 2 weeks is making it worse (though EVERYONE at work is pregnant).

I had 2 8-celled "perfect" embryos transferred last Friday. I had some cramping the past 2 days (none today which is making me freak out) and I also had major food cravings yesteday- quite hilarious since I love sweets and hate salt but I NEEDED potato chips yesterday.

I have no idea if the cramping is implantation- feels like my period is coming, which I know it's not even if I'm not pregnant b/c of the progesterone. So are my symptoms in my head, due to the progesterone, or actually pregnancy-related?

I am going to start doing HPTs soon b/c I don't think there is a worse thing than a stranger telling me that I am not pregnant. Sorry about all the rambing, but this 2WW is making me bananas!

[Rady]

Stephanie,

I am just out of my 2WW. I had lot of crampings (even now)and sharp pain in the pelvic area and always felt like AF coming. But it turned out to be BFP. waiting for my second b/w. Cramping and pain are due to the progesterone shots and try not to worry much on that. Stay positive and try to postpone the HPT as far as possible.

Rady

[rikirees]

I agree with Rady. My Dr's office said all of the cramping was due to the progesterone maturing the lining. The HPT's usually show positive if your Beta is high (like over 1000). Usually by beta testing days for IVF patients the Beta's are not high enough to register a BFP on HPT unless you are high (possibly due to multiples). It is my understanding that HPT's are for women who "have missed thier periods" and are 14-21 days post ovulation therefore beta are in the high 1000's by that time. I hope that helps.

[Ghost]

The cramping is a common side effect of progesterone supplements.

There are nearly always no symptoms of very early pregnancy. The only exception is worsening (late) OHSS, which can be caused by an early pregnancy, but it's not something you want to have.

[Jovigal]

Ghost - just curious but are you male? I've always had early symptoms that are legit.

[Ghost]

Ghost - just curious but are you male? I've always had early symptoms that are legit.

Yes, I am a male scientist that studies IVF.

But my statement still stands. Cramps are common side effects from progesterone, and cannot indicate pregnancy in IVF cycles. So absence of cramps does not indicate absence of pregnancy. Using cramps as an indicator can give wrong impressions in either direction.

Don't take my word for it. Here's the page on drugs.com that describes the side effects of Crinone, a common progesterone supplement FDA-approved for use in assisted reproduction:

http://www.drugs.com/mtm/crinone.html

"Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

* mild nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps..."

There's a long list.

At implantation embryos are smaller than salt grains. You cannot sense them. The tiny amount of hCG they make at that stage also cannot be sensed, unless you are having OHSS. Worsening OHSS is the only sign of pregnancy you can have on the 2WW.

In a natural pregnancy, you might sense the effect of the hCG as it signals the corpus luteum (CL) to continue making progesterone, because you can sense the effects of that progesterone. But in IVF you are getting progesterone anyway, so you can't tell whether that progesterone is coming from a CL stimulated by hCG or from the supplements.

If patients could sense their pregnancies, we would not need the tests.

[sharon2007]

Hi
When i was 8dpR3dT i had very severe cramping.After like 5 mins. it started to fade away but during that 5 mins it made me cry.
I am on PIO shots .could this be due to pio shots or could this be implantation??Does a bad cramping indicates a -ve pregnancy ??

[Ghost]

Hi
When i was 8dpR3dT i had very severe cramping.After like 5 mins. it started to fade away but during that 5 mins it made me cry.
I am on PIO shots .could this be due to pio shots or could this be implantation??Does a bad cramping indicates a -ve pregnancy ??

Cramping is a common side effect of progesterone supplements.

Embryos are tiny, almost microscopic, at implantation.

[Bunky99]

Ghost,
How about stomach upset? I have had horrible stomach cramping right in the middle of my stomach, feels like someone is stabbing a knife through my stomach and out my back. Do you think that could also be from the progesterone? Wow, I can't believe how much progesterone can affect you physically. I also have no symptoms, am testing an May 24, but I feel a little better now hearing how tiny those embies are and how hard it would be to feel anything at all at this point.

Jessica

[Ghost]

Ghost,
How about stomach upset? I have had horrible stomach cramping right in the middle of my stomach, feels like someone is stabbing a knife through my stomach and out my back. Do you think that could also be from the progesterone? Wow, I can't believe how much progesterone can affect you physically. I also have no symptoms, am testing an May 24, but I feel a little better now hearing how tiny those embies are and how hard it would be to feel anything at all at this point.

Jessica

Those are among the common side effects of progesterone.

The following website lists the side effects of one of the most common progesterone supplements. Take a look.

http://www.drugs.com/mtm/crinone.html

You may very well be pregnant. Best of luck to you.

[sharon2007]

if we say that the embryo is implanted on day6.Does it mean that the process started some days earlier and the embryo finished the implantation on day6 .Or does it mean that the embryo started implanting on day6 itself and finishes implantation on that day itself.
Is implantation a multiple day process??

[Ghost]

if we say that the embryo is implanted on day6.Does it mean that the process started some days earlier and the embryo finished the implantation on day6 .Or does it mean that the embryo started implanting on day6 itself and finishes implantation on that day itself.
Is implantation a multiple day process??

If embryos implant, this takes place 6-8 days after fertilization, regardless of when they are transferred. Early embryos inside the zona cannot implant. They don't hatch out of the zona until days 6-8.

Maybe someone else can post how long it takes, I have the impression it takes hours, not days. That is, from the point where the implantation actually starts.

[Jovigal]

Ghost - not trying to argue with you but I'm not taking the supositories I'm doing the injections (prog in sesame oil). From the same site you mentioned, here's the list of side effects:

The following side effects have been reported with Progesterone Injection. Consult your doctor if you experience any of the side effects mentioned below, or other side effects.

breakthrough bleeding

spotting

changes in menstrual flow

amenorrhea

change in weight (increase or decrease)

pain, irritation, swelling, and/or redness at the injection area

general swelling

vaginal discharge

yellow discoloration of skin or white of eyes

breast tenderness, discharge from the nipple

skin reactions including rash, hives, itching, and swelling

acne

hair loss or growth of new hair

mental depression

fever

insomnia or sleepiness*

nausea

anaphylactoid (life-threatening allergic) reaction with symptoms that may include a sense of uneasiness or apprehension; flushing; fast, throbbing heartbeat; itching; hives; difficult breathing; swelling of the throat; fainting; nausea; vomiting; or convulsions.

It really doesn't mention cramping. The early symptom that I am referring to is more like a "pinching" sensation that happened about 3-7 days after transfer. Unless you were a female patient, you wouldn't know what I'm talking about. It's real.

Thanks for all your help and info.

[Ghost]

It's real.

I believe it's real.