Possible Ectopic, Beta Hell... Really Scared.

hydrangeagirl

Ladies,

I really could use some thoughts on my situation for those of you who have suffered an ectopic pregnancy; I am incredibly anxious, nervous, and could use some support.  We got our second BFP (first resulted in m/c last November) on 10dpo, after our fourth round of Clomid and HSG.  We were cautiously optimistic.  I am followed by a RE and my betas are as follows:

13 dpo:  49, progesterone 62! 

15 dpo:  52

18 dpo:  115, progesterone 68

20 dpo:  186

22 dpo:  268, progesterone 48

RE and RN have mentioned three times that they are concerned about ectopic b/c of the way levels are rising. They also said though that I could have released more than one follicle, implanted two, one died, and the other is trying hard to catch up.  Other than second and last beta, RE said he has been satisfied with the way the levels have increased, but still is concerned about ectopic. I have had no bleeding, spotting, and have had minimal cramping.  No warning signs as of yet.

I have another draw tomorrow and then an u/s on Wednesday.  RE says that if I can get back on track then they should be able to see something in my uterus by Wednesday.  If not, then what?  What are the next steps?

The other issue is that DH and I are supposed to be leaving for vacation on May 11 for two weeks.  I know, terrible timing.  I am so afraid that this is going to be a bad outcome and the vacation we so desperately need won't be possible.

I could really use some perspective on my levels and what to expect if my levels don't go up from someone who has experience with ectopic.  I am a nervous wreck.  TIA.

Mrs.McIrish

We were concerned that mine was ectopic in February. My betas were similar to yours in that they were rising but clearly not rising appropriately. I know some will tell you to keep hoping but the odds of it turning out well are not good. They told me the same thing about maybe 2 taking and one didn't make it.  I also had no bleeding or spotting. I had no pain either.

At this stage, I do not believe you will see anything in your uterus to be able to say it is or isn't ectopic.  We tried to do an u/s when my beta was 575 and we couldn't see anything. I really didn't want a methotrexate shot if we didn't know for sure it was ectopic. Note that you can't TTC for 3 months following methotrexate since it crashes your folic acid level and a baby conceived during that time could have birth defects.  Even though a natural pregnancy is far fetched in my case, I still didn't want to go on BCP.

With a beta of only 268, the embryo is so small that it can't rupture the tube right now. So all you can do is wait or take methotrexate.  I'm really sorry about your vacation plans as I would not feel comfortable being in limbo in the " is it or isn't it ectopic" and "when will I start bleeding".  If you elect methotrexate, you still need blood draws to make sure the beta dropped correctly as you can need a 2nd shot or it might not work at all. But it usually works when your beta is as low as yours. Are you taking any p4 support or is the 48 a natural level?  I didn't start bleeding until my p4 got under 10. My beta rose up to 575 and then finally started to drop once I started bleeding.

It is a miserable wait and see process. No one wanted it to just go away more than I did and there was nothing I could do but wait. It took 40 days for my beta to get back to zero. It's a long process. As for your vacation, I think it depends on where you are going. A beach vacation with massive bleeding is a bad combo as well as another country with language barriers.

Hugs.

 

MCH77

I don't have any thoughts.  Just wanted to send you some ((HUGS))

Jacque Sills

I am so sorry that you are going through this unknown scary time....I have never had an ectopic pregnancy, so have no advice to give, but just wishing you the best during this daunting time and hope that we all are seeing this wrong and you have a little fighter in there just snuggling in for a healthy and happy nine month adventure.  Sending you lots of hugs!!!!  Please keep us posted to how you are doing.  So sorry......

hydrangeagirl

Mrs.McIrish:

We were concerned that mine was ectopic in February. My betas were similar to yours in that they were rising but clearly not rising appropriately. I know some will tell you to keep hoping but the odds of it turning out well are not good. They told me the same thing about maybe 2 taking and one didn't make it.  I also had no bleeding or spotting. I had no pain either.

At this stage, I do not believe you will see anything in your uterus to be able to say it is or isn't ectopic.  We tried to do an u/s when my beta was 575 and we couldn't see anything. I really didn't want a methotrexate shot if we didn't know for sure it was ectopic. Note that you can't TTC for 3 months following methotrexate since it crashes your folic acid level and a baby conceived during that time could have birth defects.  Even though a natural pregnancy is far fetched in my case, I still didn't want to go on BCP.

With a beta of only 268, the embryo is so small that it can't rupture the tube right now. So all you can do is wait or take methotrexate.  I'm really sorry about your vacation plans as I would not feel comfortable being in limbo in the " is it or isn't it ectopic" and "when will I start bleeding".  If you elect methotrexate, you still need blood draws to make sure the beta dropped correctly as you can need a 2nd shot or it might not work at all. But it usually works when your beta is as low as yours. Are you taking any p4 support or is the 48 a natural level?  I didn't start bleeding until my p4 got under 10. My beta rose up to 575 and then finally started to drop once I started bleeding.

It is a miserable wait and see process. No one wanted it to just go away more than I did and there was nothing I could do but wait. It took 40 days for my beta to get back to zero. It's a long process. As for your vacation, I think it depends on where you are going. A beach vacation with massive bleeding is a bad combo as well as another country with language barriers.

Hugs.

 

 

Mrs. McIrish,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.  You are so right that this is a miserable place to be.  I would not wish this on anyone... and am so sorry you had to endure the pain and waiting for so long.  This just sucks so bad.

My P4 levels are natural.  From what I read the P4 levels that high are rare for ectopic, but the h*ll knows; I am hanging on to all the hope in the world right now, but am realistic that the outcome is not favorable.

We are going to CA.  I am not so concerned with bleeding while on vacation; I can handle that (I think).  I just know from all my reading that getting a MTX shot is not an option if I am planning on traveling and how in the world would I manage getting monitored in a different state- this just does not seem like a fun vacation to me.  I am in the worst limbo, as you know, and am just praying for some kind of miracle that it is not ectopic.

Thanks again for your thoughts and support; I appreciate it more than you know.  

 

hydrangeagirl

MCH77:

I don't have any thoughts.  Just wanted to send you some ((HUGS))

 

Thank you so much for your hugs; I need lots of them right now. 

hydrangeagirl

Jacque Sills:

I am so sorry that you are going through this unknown scary time....I have never had an ectopic pregnancy, so have no advice to give, but just wishing you the best during this daunting time and hope that we all are seeing this wrong and you have a little fighter in there just snuggling in for a healthy and happy nine month adventure.  Sending you lots of hugs!!!!  Please keep us posted to how you are doing.  So sorry......

Thank you Jacque... I hope they are wrong and that I have a little fighter.   I appreciate your thoughts, hugs! 

BeckyP005

I am so sorry Big hugs.

hollyweenOR

No advice, just hope the upcoming tests can at least give you a definitive answer.

HeathernSteven

I am so sorry you are in beta hell, I hope it resolves quickly for you one way or the other.....(((hugs)))

hooligans4

i am praying for you and your baby.  i hope you get some answers on wed. 

i didnt have an ectopic so i dont know about that but i had beta hell for a week when i had my M/C. 

sending sticky, sticky dust and hugs to you

QOTR

I'm sorry you're going through this.  Good luck to you.

jb2rn

PHOTO TICKER

I am so sorry you have to go through this. I really am hoping for a good outcome for you. Sending you lots of strength.

svega232

Hi, I'm sorry to hear you are going thru this. I know how you feel because I just went thru the same thing.

 I did my 1st round of Clomid which resulted in a "faint positive". My levels were rising and falling but not as high as yours (mine were 10, 12, 19, 13.3, 16, 9, etc.) My Dr. was concerned that it could be an ectopic pregnancy. We did do an u/s but they did not see anything. After weeks of bloodwork and 2 rounds of the methotrexate injection, my level finally dropped to a negative last week.

 It turns out I did conceive but it was more than likely a chemical pregnancy which ended in a very early m/c. I know it's scary knowing that it could be an ectopic pregnancy but if you are being monitored on a regular basis, you should be OK. As someone mentioned here earlier, if you get the methotrexate injection, you have to wait 3 months to ttc again, which is not ideal but I'd rather be safe than suffer an ectopic pregnancy. And the 3 months start the day you got the MTX injection. The reason for the wait is to make sure the medicine is completely out of your system before ttc again bc it can do harm to the baby.

I was also going away on vacation during this process. I ended up having to do bloodwork in Florida (I live in DE) and I got the MTX injection the day before I left. I ended up bleeding heavily right before I boarded the plane and continued to do so during my entire vacation. So it was not an ideal trip but I had to go because it was my goddaughter's baptism.

In the end, it took 1 month from the time they did my pregnancy test to the time it was dissolved. A very long and emotional process but you'll get thru it and once you do, you can focus on trying again. I wish you the best of luck and hope that you get your BFP soon!!!