*TW** Question about CP

Lavendar83 · November 2016

I just recently found out that my 1st FET is a chemical pregnancy. On Monday I go in to see if my BETA is back to or close to 0. The nurse said that one option is to go right into another FET. I may have misunderstood but she said I wouldn't even need to get my period. Has anyone heard of this or had a success from it?

joneser1281 · November 2016

@Lavendar83 I am so sorry that you're going through this.

I've unfortunately also been where you are twice, possibly three times (depending on what I find out tomorrow). The first CP happened over 4 years ago when we were trying on our own. I tested early and got a BFP... only to start bleeding 5 days later. When I went in for bloodwork that day, my level was at a 6. That was the first I had ever heard of CP. My ObGyn told me I needed to wait for a period before trying again, however that the bleeding that I was experiencing was considered my period.

This past summer I experienced a second CP with my first IVF fresh cycle. I had a first beta of 117... a second beta of 238. I started spotting and then had full force bleeding two days after the second beta. I went in for a third beta and exam and despite bleeding furiously, nonstop and with giant clots, my third beta was spot on at 927.4. I still knew that things were not right and when I went back for a fourth beta three days later, it was down to 123.6.

I was told to wait for another period (following all of the CP bleeding) before calling the clinic to start BCPs for my FET. It took what felt like an eternity for AF to come! I think there were 41 days between the CP bleeding and my next period. So that was my experience... Have you been spotting or bleeding yet? I'm waiting for that to happen any minute myself. My second beta after this FET hasn't been doubling, so I'm wondering if this is yet another CP. Do you think you'll go ahead with another FET right away?

Lavendar83 · November 2016

@jonser1281 Thank you, for sharing your story with me. My heart goes out to you. I really hope this goes well for you. It helps to hear others stories and know I'm not alone.

I talked to the nurse today and I have the option of going on BC for three months. in case I have endo that they didn't catch when they did the scope. I don't think I do because my periods aren't that bad, they said they wouldn't change anything else. Or I can start BC once Im done with this period. My Beta came back today at 10 so I can now stop the estrogen and PIO shots. I am hoping I get my period soon, I haven't even started spotting yet.
Im leaning towards starting again after this period. Even though this has been really upsetting and emotional I feel moving forward is the right thing to do.

mtpbadger · November 2016

@lavendar83 I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. I've been through three CPs and have always started the next cycle right away after each, it definitely helped me to move forward mentally. Usually AF started for me 3-5 days after stopping the PIO and once my beta got down to zero, I started right up again. I don't ovulate on my own at all so my clinic really doesn't care when I start a new treatment cycle.

Lavendar83 · November 2016

@mtpbadger Thank you, for the reply. I'm so sorry you have been though so much. It is so hard to move forward right now, its torture. I didn't go to work today and I was just reminded all day about it. My breasts are sore from the hormones, I'm bloated and tired. I felt nauseous several times today. I have to drive 2 hrs to the clinic tomorrow morning for a 3rd Beta. It's been a rough experience and I'm afraid it's not going to get better for a little while. I really hope the level goes down enough that I don't have to go back for more blood work.

mtpbadger · November 2016

@lavendar83 it is the worst to deal with especially when you're still experiencing symptoms. Once mine were confirmed they were chemicals, I hoped the numbers dropped fast so I could start processing and healing. Being in limbo and just waiting is awful. Hang in there and know you're not alone. Take time to grieve and don't force yourself to move forward if you don't feel ready.

Lavendar83 · November 2016

@mtbadger Sorry, for the rant. Your words are very helpful. It makes it a little easier to talk to someone who understands. I think the being in limbo and having theses pregnancy symptoms really caught up with me today.

joneser1281 · November 2016

Thank you, @Lavendar83 . I'm once again in the CP boat... My level was down to 6 yesterday.

I'm just feeling so defeated. Like what the heck is the problem?! I get PG every transfer, but it never lasts! Is it the embryos? Is it me? I just want to know. My RE is supposed to call on Thursday to discuss the failed cycle and next steps. Up to this point she hasn't suggested PGS testing, so I don't know if she will now or not. We still have 6 embryos, so while I'm fearful I could go through this CP crap 6 more times, at the same time I'm afraid to have them tested because what if none of them are normal? Then we have to start over? I almost don't even want to know! I'm sorry you're going through this as well... It totally sucks!

@mtpbadger I'm also sorry that you're here too... You said you've had 3 CPs? Have you been given any indication why? I feel like I'm always told it's good news I can get PG... But that optimism only takes me so far once it's happened now three times!

mtpbadger · November 2016

@joneser1281 I'm so sorry you are dealing with a CP too

@lavendar83 no apologies necessary! Rant away! You are going through a craptastic situation and have every right to rant and be pissed and upset and sad and whatever else you need to feel.

My first two were during IUIs and my RE thought it was initially just bad luck. My most recent was during an FET and my RE thinks it's a lining issue as I have a really hard time getting it thick. This past one was devastating as it was a really strong first beta so really thought it was the real deal and was having really strong symptoms but it didnt double.

I just had some repeat blood work done and some of my levels are all out of wack (high prolactin even though I'm already on meds for it) so I'm thinking that might be contributing as well. I also just had an ERA done to test the receptivity of my lining. I didn't have testing done either and have 6 frosties remaining. I might talk to my RE about getting a recurrent loss panel done at this point to see if that turns up anything.

Worldtravler0522 · November 2016

@mtpbadger I'm so sorry to hear your FET ended in a CP. I was hoping you got your sticky baby with this cycle.

joneser1281 · November 2016

@mtpbadger Thank you for sharing your info. I hate that you can't even trust a good first beta... Why can't we ever be certain of anything, ya know?

When I spoke with my RE today, she said she will have my thyroid level checked again (it hasn't been checked in about 3 years since we started at the clinic, but it was normal then) and she said we could also do an endometrial scratch next time to try and help improve implantation. Other than that, she doesn't feel anything else needs to be done at this point. We are going to transfer two next time. She said although she knows it's difficult for me because this is another CP, she has seen many cases like mine and there's no reason to believe I have a uterine issue or even embryo issues or that I won't get PG. She said they really have difficulties getting some women's lining thick enough, but that mine was already at 12 almost a week before the FET.

She also said she would not recommend PGS testing on our remaining frosties because at this point it would be too much for the embryos... Meaning they would have to be thawed, tested, and frozen again and that's too much manipulation that could cause harm to them. She said they never say "always" and they never say "never," but based on my age, good health, and good number of good-looking embryos, she strongly feels that we have a baby in our group of 6 frozen embryos. I'm hoping there's more than one baby in that group! She said even if we'd gotten them tested, there would be some abnormal and some normal in the group and that is considered to be a normal thing.. meaning that even the healthiest of healthy and the youngest of young women would have some abnormal and some normal... and that even the normal embryos sometimes don't take either. She said that if she felt this was not going to work for us and that we should walk away, she would tell us that.

Sometimes I am caught between feeling good and optimistic after talking to her and other times I think, well is that enough? Shouldn't she be trying to do more to help us? But I have to remind myself she's the expert I guess.

mtpbadger · November 2016

@joneser1281 my RE sounds like yours! I actually just scheduled an appointment with a medical endocrinologist to have my thyroid rechecked and she's also running a bunch of other tests. Mine was in the normal range about 2 years ago but after doing some research it seems like it needs to be below 2 when trying to conceive and mine was around a 3.5

Lavendar83 · November 2016

@joneser1281 and @mtpbadger I think one of the hardest parts about this is you can't control everything and you just have to trust your RE. My husband has had a lot of health issues though out our marriage. One thing I have learned is that you have to follow your gut if something feels off about the doctor. On the other hand if you feel like they have your best interest in mind and feel a connection with them it makes things so much better. When we moved we decided to stay with the same clinic even though it is a two hour drive each way.

AFM- I had to get another Beta today and my number has gone up again even though I have been bleeding for 3 days. I also have go back on Sunday for a 4th Beta. They want to make sure it isn't ectopic. I don't meet with RE until Dec 7th. We are planning to try again in a month or so.

mtpbadger · November 2016

@lavendar83 during my second CP, aka "the cycle from hell" my beta continued to increase for about 2 weeks, even with bleeding for 7 days, before it dropped drastically and my RE thought it might have been ectopic but thankfully it wasn't. I'm sorry you're dealing with this situation, being in limbo was the hardest for me - I was just ready to move on.

I trust my RE and feel like she has my best interest in mind, but I also don't think it can hurt to get another side of eyes on my case at this point and see if another clinic/RE has different ideas. I don't know if I would ultimately switch, but would see if my RE would be open to other suggestions, ideas. I'm going to wait and see what my medical endocrinologist says about my levels and will go from there. Since my lab is closed for the holidays (which was a surprise to me! My clinic has always been open 365/year so I'm a little annoyed with that) looks like nothing will happen until January. I was hoping to get one more FET in before my insurance drops all IVF coverage Jan 1, but guess not!

Lavendar83 · November 2016

@mtbadger That is good know, that is a long time to go through beta hell.
I understand what your saying and I think that is a very good decision. Getting as much information and another perspective can't hurt.
I was hoping to to be able to start sooner with our next FET. If my levels would have been back to normal, I could have started BC pills today. I'm trying to look at things differently this time. I don't have any control over it so, I'm just going with it. I'm hoping my numbers go down on Sunday. I'll have to wait to talk to my RE but it is looking like a possible February FET as of now. Who knows maybe we will be cycle buddies and start a new year off with a bang!

joneser1281 · November 2016

@mtpbadger Well if my RE sounds like yours, is that a good thing or a bad thing? Haha. My thyroid was normal when it was checked a little over three years ago... I want to say it was 1.38? I'd have to go back and look. I guess there's no harm in checking it since it's been a while, but I have a feeling that's not really my problem.

@Lavendar83 That is good advice about doctors... I just don't know what to think. I think my RE is very smart, has so much experience and knows what she's doing, so I trust her. At the same time, she's not really the warm/fuzzy emotional type, so I can't say that I feel close or connected to her. I really like my IVF nurse though. She'd be the one I can get warm and fuzzy with haha. Ugh, how annoying that your level is being crazy. I hope things get figured out soon for you and you can move on.

AFM, AF arrived with a vengeance today, waking me at 4 AM with the weird stomach pains I sometimes get with my period that are above my belly button. I've been miserable with them on and off all day today. This evening I've been feeling very nauseous and even threw up a couple of times... That made me feel a little better. The last time I felt like this was on my period in July when I started the stim meds for my fresh cycle. Ugh. I hate it. I'm not on any meds now so I don't know what the problem is. My bleeding was kind of crazy at work today. I went through 2 - 3 tampons in the same amount of hours and... TMI alert... When I went to the bathroom at lunch, a bunch of pink/red/white tissue the size of a baseball came out. Lovely. The IVF fun never stops. Well I'm off to bed... Hoping these pains taper off and don't keep me up again. I'm kind of relieved to take IVF off the brain for a while. We are planning to do another FET in January.

Lavendar83 · November 2016

@jonser1281 I'm so sorry you are going through that. Are you feeling any better now?
AFM I was going through Beta hell for the last few weeks. Unfortunately, it was confirmed today that I am still pregnant with an ectopic pregnancy. I have to go to the doctor tomorrow and get a shot that will hopefully resolve the issue. It is so sad, if only it would have implanted where it was supposed to things would be so very different right now.

joneser1281 · December 2016

@Lavendar83 Well, funny you should ask... My last post about being sick and throwing up ended with me being admitted to the hospital. I threw up all that night and couldn't keep anything down. It was also the worst nausea I've ever experienced in my life. When I went to the ER, they did a CT scan and found a small bowel obstruction. I was in the hospital for 3 days. I had to have a NG tube up my nose and down my throat into my stomach to drain it... Worst experience of my life thus far! I had to sleep with it in too.. That tube was making my throat feel like sandpaper and giving me a bad gag reflex... and it killed my sinuses every time I moved. Luckily they took it out the next day. I was only allowed sips of water that following day... Liquids and soft foods the next day and then finally regular food the day after that, so they discharged me.

I have follow up appts tomorrow with the colorectal surgeon I saw in the hospital, and my gyno. The surgeon wants to do a colonoscopy soon. Depending on how that turns out, he may want to do laparoscopy. Since I have only had these stomach pains during periods (although not with every period), he is suspecting endometriosis in that small bowel area. I have been saying that for years, but I feel like my gyno and RE don't believe me. My ultrasounds and physical exams are always fine and they said they can only tell if it's endo for sure by cutting me open, and they don't want to do that if they don't have to. Well, I never want to feel that way again that put me in the hospital. I am guessing the endo is not visible on any reproductive organs because it's in that digestive area... But it also makes me wonder if it's possibly on parts of the reproductive organs that are hidden... Who knows! I just want to feel better and fix things and hopefully then the baby stuff will work out too!

I'm sorry to hear that you've been in beta hell. That totally sucks. Are you moving forward right away, or taking a break? I know we had planned to do another FET in January, but I need to get all of this stomach stuff figured out first. I have to say, I am enjoying the holiday season without any IVF worries about taking meds, shots, at this time, that time etc. I am drinking a little and it feels good to have a break from the IVF craziness. I am actually very nervous to do another FET. I've heard that estrogen makes endo worse... Well I was taking estradiol for my FET in Oct. So I am thinking that while it was thickening my lining nicely for implantation, it was also thickening the endo... Which caused the bowel obstruction. I am not eager to do another FET and experience the same thing again. Ugh! What I wouldn't give to have a normal fertile life!

tiffanyw1783 · December 2016

@joneser1281 my GYN never believed I was having cramps higher up in my abdomen with my periods either. She kept saying it was unrelated. She finally decided to do an HSG but she herself got pregnant and couldn't do it b/c of the radiation so I had to have a consult with her partner for him to do it. Once I told him my symptoms he immediately said I had endo and need a lap not an HSG. And guess what-- stage 4 endo with adhesions connecting my ovaries and uterus to my bowel. The same GYN that didn't believe my symptoms attempted my first lap and didn't know where to start when she got in there so she just closed me and referred me to an RE. He was able to remove a lot of the problems. I've had to have 2 more laps since for endo! I'm having an FET next week and the higher dose estradiol hasn't made my endo flare up. The stims during IVF did though and my fresh transfer had to be cancelled in the middle of the procedure due to endometriosis fluid in my uterus!

liljoy-2 · December 2016

Wow you ladies are warriors. I'm truly sorry for the heartbreak and all the medical problems...I can relate because I too had severe endo removed earlier this year and I am terrified that it's coming back and it's what's preventing me from getting pregnant (which ironically is somewhat the "cure" for endo). RE said he found some fluid on my "good ovary" during ER which scares me. My other ovary is already half-damaged apparently from the lap. I'm also scared that these fertility treatments for IVF are flaring up the endo due to estrogen priming...it's such a catch-22 and it's driving me crazy.

joneser1281 · December 2016

@tiffanyw1783 Thank you for sharing your story! So your RE took care of the lap, even the parts on your bowel? That's where I am struggling... The colorectal surgeon I am seeing is going to do the lap... When I asked him what happens if it's found on reproductive organs as well, he doesn't operate on those organs. He said ideally, my gyno could be there too to handle that aspect. The only problem is, my gyno recently moved to another health network and can no longer consult, operate, etc. within the hospital I go to (where the surgeon works). So I don't want to have to have two separate surgeries if they find it on the bowel AND reproductive organs. I am so torn with what to do! I don't know if my RE would do lap and take care of it all, or if she would only handle the reproductive organs like the gyno?

I'm sorry to hear you've been through so much! I'm glad to hear the estradiol didn't cause a flare up for you though. When I did my fresh cycle in July and was stimming, I was very sick then too with the upper abdominal pain... But I wasn't throwing up. I just thought my body was adjusting to the meds... It was prob endo! That's when I was taking Gonal F and Menopur. I didn't feel better until the Cetrotide was added into the mix. I need you to tell me about endo fluid in your uterus... What does that mean and how did you know you had it in there? I'm starting to wonder now that if I have endo, is that why I keep having CPs???

@bestofjoy Thank you... I'm sorry to hear you've been battling endo as well. I agree, it's so crazy that IVF is the "treatment" for endo to get PG, when all the meds seem to do is make the endo worse! It drives me crazy too! Ugh, and you have a damaged ovary from lap??? That's what terrifies me with having lap done... I don't want things to get damaged in there... I have enough reproductive problems as it is!

liljoy-2 · December 2016

@joneser1281 Not damaged, but when they take out endo cysts on the ovaries, they inadvertently take out healthy tissue too that contains follicles. Before the surgery the doctors commented I had lots of follicles on that ovary, and after surgery I only have a few each month...

joneser1281 · December 2016

@bestofjoy Thank you for the clarification... I'm glad it's not damaged, but still... That's a bummer that you have less follicles than before.

Lavendar83 · December 2016

I was MIA for a while. I ended having D&C and the next day a shot of Methotrexate. The RE was confident this would end the ectopic. Well... it didn't. My betas kept going up and a week later they did an ultrasound. I was feeling miserable and knew something was very wrong. I ended up having emergency surgery a few hours later. It was just in time. The baby was in my left Fallopian tube and it started to hemorrhage. I had some pretty serious internal bleeding. That was a couple weeks ago and I am feeling a lot better now. I'm just glad to have that behind me.

rainbowwishes5 · December 2016

Thank God @Lavendar83 !!!

joneser1281 · December 2016

Ugh @Lavendar83! I'm glad you are ok!

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