Hi Christey and Labby - thanks for the advice! I will definitely wait at least one cycle. :-) Good idea about taking the folic acid supplement in addition to prenatals. I've still got my prescription ones, so they have a lot anyway, but if there is no risk of taking too much, I might as well add the supplement for good measure.

I'm looking forward to my RE appointment tomorrow. I'm going to talk about my concern that I might have endometriosis, so not exactly about infertility (just trying to rule out any blockages, etc.)...I really just want to find out what she recommends for next steps (in my book, that's getting an HSG as soon as it is OK). What do you think - should I have my husband come with me? I'm conflicted...I think it's mostly just a consult, but maybe it would be good for him to be there?

I also have my next blood draw tomorrow afternoon - fingers crossed...

Hope everything works out OK for you Christey!

Hi all

I went in for a blood draw and my hcg was 1...so not pregnant. I suprisingly didn't cry. My loving honey n I are going to wait until October/November to TTC again. Thank you all for your support over the last several weeks! I'm going to take another few weeks away from the boards to keep from deciding to TTC sooner.

KB I wish you the best of luck and am happy to hear you will wait out the one cycle.

~*~Baby Dust All Around~*~

So I went to the Dr and my levels have been coming down.
7/22--585
7/24-671
7/27 -- ? i dunno my dr just said they dropped and at that point I didn't care.
7/28--They dropped again and I got a shot of Metho
8/1--285
8/4--86

So hopefully they will continue to come down. Even though my Dr told me to take the prenatel pills I have not. I spoke with the nurse and she said I needed to as it helped the body heal.

I have yet to find out if I have to go back for more blood work and a follow up appointment. So yet again waiting. I used to think I was such a patient person.. hmm now not so much.

Hi,how's everybody doing?I took a break from posting on this thread but was frequently checking all new posts.
I had my Ep in june and got 2 shot of metho.My HCG went back to 0 after 4 weeks of second shot and i got my first AF as soon the HCG hit zero.This month ,i am waiting for my AF to show up.If my old cycle retains,i should get it around 12 of this month.
In meantime,since i had my EP on right tube,i am still feeling some annoying pain in my knee and also where the right leg joins abdomen part.I am hoping it would go away after i get my Af this month.Did anybody had this ? My doc never bothered to do US after my EP.I am only conversing with the nurses .

Hi Ladies, I'm so glad I found you all, I've been going through all the posts and it makes me feel better about what's been happening to me and that there's hope.

I had a BFP on July 21st, exactly 4 weeks from LMP, and I was excited but cautious because I had a miscarriage this past January. Because of that I spoke with my doctor and had a few hcg tests scheduled. On 7/23 they were at 302, on 7/25 it was 175, I had another one at 7/27 but they just told me they were still dropping and said to come back in a week from now to get the fourth hcg test. I had started spotting a few days after the BFP and then it was off and on, brown, red, pink, and of course after learning about the levels, it was all so devastating to me. I don't know about you ladies but even before the BFP I could tell I was pregnant. My breasts this time and last gave it away with the soreness, tenderness, ultra-sensitivity, felt like bowling balls! And of course, having two miscarriages within six months of each other didn't help. I read here someone had the same experience, I feel you.

After those initial tests I thought everything would just happen quickly like my last miscarriage, but last time I had intense cramping and bleeding for a few days and then it was all over. This time everything seems to be taking its sweet old time which is worse because I just wanted everything to be over and done with, you know? I was/am SO TIRED of bleeding, wondering when it's going to be over, so upset and frustrated at my body's betrayal (read: having pregnancy symptoms and no pregnancy) and just wanting to be off the physical, mental, and emotional rollercoaster. My husband has been a support and comfort to me, as well as a punching bag, unfortunately!

So, I went in on 8/3 for my 4th test and the level was only down to 102. This bothered me because I thought the levels would have dropped significantly after a week. The 2nd test was 175, the third something between that and the 102. I spoke with my doctor who scheduled a pelvic exam the next day. I had been having some lower abdominal pain and so after the pelvic the doctor scheduled me for an ultra sound on 8/5.

The pain was intermittent, but what was bothering me was that I was still bleeding, and at that point for practically two weeks. I went in and the ultrasound tech was quiet, and I asked her if she could see anything off the bat and she goes, "I'll have to have the doctor look at these first" and took a series of pics, and I could tell something was wrong. The doctor then told me that they saw a mass in my left tube with blood flow to the area and recommended the metho shots, which were administered to me within the hour.

Ever since then I've felt like I've had the flu, definitely had a bleeding increase, and it was hard to swallow the fact that the rollercoaster ride wasn't over just yet. This morning is actually the first day I don't feel any pain in my breasts, and the bleeding seems to have subsided. Yesterday I had my hcg levels checked and I have to go back in on Tuesday, but I'm hoping this is it.

As for TTC, in the meantime I'm going to schedule an appointment with a Reproductive Endocrinologist so that my husband and I can get everything checked out, because I don't want to have to go through another miscarriage if I don't have to, and I'm hoping that either A) he and I are healthy o B) it's just a matter of regulating hormones like progesterone. I'm also turning 34 this month and of course, age is a concern.

I just wanted to thank everyone who has posted here, it really helped me get through the last few days! Thank you for letting me get all this out and listening.

I feel so awful for you, Seerah. I don't know why such things are even allowed to happen by nature. I am glad that your bleeding stopped at least. I hope that MTX took care of matters for now. Wishing you the best with the RE.

Odd question but did any of you get like pain in your hand and wrist? On 8/7 I went to give blood and the next day my hand started to hurt. I went to an urgent care and they basically told me that I have carpal tunnel. I had never had any symptoms of this before but he said pregnancy hormones can cause it to come out. He said my hormones are all out of wack and causing the pain. It’s an annoying pain but as you can see it does not stop me from typing I really had never heard of that before. Just curious if it happened to anyone else

Thank you Confussed211, I appreciate it! Apies, I didn't have any pain in my hand or wrist but after I took the MTX I did start to bleed and bruise easily. The next time I had my blood drawn, it soaked through the gauze and bandaid, and left a huge bruise and the area around the vein kept on hurting. It's still there and this blood draw happened on Saturday. Before that, I hadn't had any problems, and I've been having my blood drawn for nearly three weeks now. And, this was also my left-arm; for the previous five I had them done on my right. I did read somewhere that pregnancy hormones also release something that makes your joints loose. I just looked it up, it's called relaxin. Here's some info:

http://health.discovery.com/centers/pregnancy/backpain.html

and the following:
Loose joints
Exercise can help make your pregnancy more enjoyable, but you need to take caution to avoid injury. Pregnant women produce a special hormone called relaxin. The hormone enables muscles, ligaments (tissues connecting two bones), and cartilage (tissue covering bone ends) to stretch. This stretching of connective tissue enables your hips to accommodate the baby during birth. However, this tissue laxity also puts strain on your joints. You may twist your ankle or hip more easily, and your joints may hurt when you exercise. With the help of your doctor, modify your exercise program, keeping in mind the connective tissue changes.

Oh, I forgot the quick update. I basically spoke/typed too soon. Later on yesterday evening I started bleeding again and having more cramping. It is so strange to me because I felt better on Sunday, and now I feel like I did on Saturday, terrible! Last night I wasn't sure if it was normal or something to be concerned about, it took me two hours to finally fall asleep and be comfortable. Today, I feel utterly exhausted, couldn't go back into work, a lot of lower back pain, still bleeding, and just hoping this will all end soon. I have an appointment tomorrow with the doctor, and I'm also going to contact an RE. I have a PPO so I don't necessarily need a referral from my doctor. Thanks for listening.

Found out today that my HCG is gone - YAY! My last draw (about a week ago) showed only 49, so I'm not sure when it really went negative...anyway, the spotting/light bleeding has never really stopped. It's nothing heavy, but I feel the need to wear a pad. Anyone experience this? I don't think it's AF...I suppose that is possible, though.

KB,That could be your Af.I had the same experince.My HCG at July 10 th was 68 and they they skipped the blood draw for next week and checked it on 20 th of july which was at zero.In between at 12 th july i started bleeding like my AF and nurse told it's my real AF.The HCG went back to zero in those two days i guess.

Hey guys, my levels hit 0 last week. And ive had my IUD taken out a couple days ago. still no idea as to why my rght ovary is enlarged, or what the mass is. OBGYN to followup nxt month. I was told i could begin taking my vitmins now, and just one more cycle to begin TTC again. Im very nervous...my next cycle will be three periods since my EP and methoshot. Do you think this is enough time to TTC? and are you supposed to take prenatal AND folic? or just one? I know,,, lots of questions lol.

Thank you for the advice, and yes it's true...it really does get better with time. (..i'm still healing too) Just be patient with yourself....

Hi Butterflew...I agree that it is getting better with time...what is difficult is the wait!

I tell you, I am so darn confused on how long to wait. I know it's probably different if you have MTX v. surgery, too. My RE says wait one cycle (the Dr. that did the D&C to confirm ectopic said one cycle and my GYN said 3 months). But, so many other people say 3 cycles. I dunno...they are going to do an HSG between CD 7 - 12 (probably late August or sometime in September). I feel like we need to go for it after the HSG, but I do want to make sure I'm healed.

I was treated with MTX on 7/24 and I started my prescription prenatals again yesterday, so I should be able to build up a decent amount of folic acid in my system. I think I'll ask for them to do a blood test, just to be sure. I normally eat a diet high in folate and am also going to add a folic acid supplement in addition to the vitamins...

kb, likewise, i think were gonna TTC again by late Septemeber (my third cycle after metho). Hopefully things will be ok by then. Its hard to figure out which amount of time is best, Ive heard one month, three months and ive also heard six months. My doc said three cycles, so im going with that. If in doubt, it wouldnt hurt to wait a bit longer to be sure i guess... Im just as anxious though, its hard to wait any additional months! i think September is the month though...lol

Take care,
All the best for a healthy future pregnancy ladies!

oh i forgot to mention they gave me three metho shots at the same time! do i have to wait longer?

Hi
This forum is really helpful. I had a miscarriage early June and found out mid July that I was pregnant again. 2 1/2 weeks ago I thought I had miscarried again - heavy bleed but it was not for as long as last time. Did a test a week later an it was positive. Did another a few days later, also positive.

Have been having blood tests every 2 days to measure the count. Third test showed a drop of about 70 but the rest have risen and have now gone from just over 300 to nearly 900.

Had a scan but they couldn't see where the pregnancy is. They said it might be too early as I may only be about 5 weeks pregnant but said as not sure should abort pregnancy. Seems a bit extreme but am worried about ectopic pregnancy. Have no pains whatsoever or symptoms. feel totally confused about the whole thing.

rbecca, congratulations! About not seeing anything, as long as your hcg levels are increasing, almost doubling every 2-3 days, that's usually a good sign. If you were only at 900 at the time of the scan, it's understandable that nothing popped up. Usually at about 2000 there's something that would be show up clearly on a scan. Give it another week and try again. Good luck to you!

Butterflew and kb_virginia, my dr also said wait three cycles. Even if you had a D & C, I'm thinking it's better to wait at least two. Butterflew, I don't think it matters that you had three shots. Maybe they were small syringes and so what should have been two shots became three. I technically had two shots but it was really one dose. Did you ever ask if yours was one dose?

I'm actually kinda looking forward to "taking a break" for three months so I can concentrate on getting healthy, losing weight, building myself back up again with prenatals, maybe doing a cleansing, and definitely picking up yoga or maybe a meditation class! I'm tired of being so emotionally and physically exhausted! Two miscarriages, with this last one an EP in six months wreaked havoc on me!

kb_virginia, congratulations on the 0 hcg's! My last series of test started at 102, then dropped to 90, then went up to 97, and now dropped to 86. I go back in next Wednesday and here's hoping it's down to 0! I'm still bleeding but today it seemed like the blood was darker so I'm hoping it's just older blood and nothing new. I still get tired easily and still have some abdominal pains but most of my pregnancy symptoms have gone.

I asked my dr about RE's and he said he'd refer me to one but he told me he feels like I'm fertile, that my 1st miscarriage was normal, and that having an ectopic this time does not necessarily mean I can't get pregnant and carry a baby to term, and that what happened to me is still pretty common. I'm not sure what to think? For anyone that's seen an RE, should I still go to one? Which tests should I at least take now? I asked my dr about endometriosis and if that shows up on a Pap and he said no, but then again most women have some endometriosis, and having it doesn't necessarily mean you can't get pregnant and carry a baby. I then asked about pelvic inflammatory diseases and he said unless you've tested positive previously (doesn't show on a Pap, need a blood test) it's not a concern (never have tested positive). I don't know, any suggestions or experience with an RE would be helpful, thanks!

Hi Seerah and other newbies,

I'm Jen and haven't really posted lately due to well...depression. I have been really really down lately see I was like the second person on this thread way back in Jan '08.

Since then I have been supportive of many women just like you all. And have since watched all but two from the '08 ladies go on to conceive and have (not all yet but working on it) becautiful babies. And here I sit...only with a m/c to add it the EP...

My case is different then most as I had a tubal done yesrs ago and after a divorce and being with my current for 7yrs ( at the time) under went surgery to untie my tubes so I could give my husband a child as he has none. That was April '07 but do to him getting scared we didn't immediately try but throwing caution to the wind after a few too many at the Christmas party '07....bam Jan '08, I'm preggo...that was short lived as two weeks later I was diagnosed with an EP (which can happen due to the scaring the surgery I had can cause). So took 7 weeks for my numbers to go down (they were 7,000 at first dose and 11,000 at second dose). Then 5 more weeks till my first AF arrived.

My doc didn't want me trying for the 6 mo and refused to do the hsg till after 6 months had past. I finally had the test in Aug '08 to find both my tubes were blocked.

April '09 surgery again to fix my tubes with 1/2 cm being removed from both sides. First month out...m/c. Since then 3 more cycles...nothing!

I'm quite discouraged and please understand that my story is unique to you and I don't want you all to think you will be like me....cause most likely you will not! But again that is part of my sadness/venting...cause most likely I will watch all of you get your BFP's and here I will sit.

<sigh>

I'm sorry ladies I haven't brought you down which is the reason I have been trying to stay away...but I just really needed to vent and get support too.

I hope you all understand

Thanks,

~Jen

Jen - I'm so sorry. It sounds like you have been through a lot. That said, it sounds like the tubal surgery did work...I hope you get a BFP soon. If not, have you considered IVF? I know that it's ridiculously expensive, but it's a good option for folks who have had tubal issues.

Seerah - I called an RE very soon after my ectopic, because I felt like my OB/GYN's office was too busy to give me the time and attention that I needed. I found one who was in-network and they aren't treating it as an infertility issue, so most everything should be covered. She spent an hour with me for my first appointment - answering any and every question. They had me come in this morning for an ultrasound to see if I am ovulating (they saw an egg on my ovary, so I should this weekend) and did a culture for a bacteria that can cause issues. I'm coming in next week for a blood test to confirm ovulation and they will schedule an endometrial biopsy sometime after that (to make sure that I don't have a luteal phase defect). Then...I'll have an HSG between CD 7 - 12. Honestly, the reason I wanted to see this woman was to make sure that I could get an HSG, because I'm not comfortable trying without one.

I think an RE is a good option if you are hungry for answers and want more medical attention. If I hadn't started seeing an RE, I would've had little to no follow-up from my OB/GYN (with the exception of weekly blood draws to check beta levels and phone calls with results). But, I'm sure everyone's experience is different.

KB_virginia

Yes the tubal surgery worked but I always have that same risk that the scar tissue will build up and block my tubes again...last time I gt pg at 8mo after the surgery and both tubes were already blocked at that point...

I'm half way there now with the second surgery and even if they aren't completely blocked I still am at a 15% higher risk of EP due to my surgery and 10% higher due to the fact that I have already had one...

Blahhhh

Yes IVF is an option but one we were trying to stay away from due to the cost as it's a one shot deal for twice what I paid for BOTH of my surgeries where in theory it would give us multiple tries...obviously it looks better on paper then the reality of the situation as it has played out so far...

Anyway I truly appreciate ear, as I get a lot of the 'you already have kids' stuff which is true and I have been blessed...but I just feel it so unfair for my DH to only help raise his little bro's, his nieces, and my kids...and not be blessed with at least 1 of his own after giving to himself to fill in the blanks of others and replacing dead beat dad's...

On to everyone else...sorry this whole process is so painful. I'm here for all of you. It's recommended to do the 3 mo for each series of shots...metho strips your body of folic acid and although the meds are gone within 7 days...the effects (low folic acid) can linger. Most doctors don't want to have their patients take the risk of 'what if's'. Just to let you know...just as some people are more sensitive to sun, food, allergens so are some to meds..hence the reason there's are so many different view points on the subject. Who knows if your going to be one of those people, plus they think it gives you time to heal physicaly and emoionally during the waiting time.

It's a personal choice...

The same with the hsg...some women had to fight to get it from their drs...others opted not to get it.

Hope everyone is well and on the path to healing!

~Jen