Bleeding after ectopic/MTX

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1

Hi there,

I have a number of posts on here now so sorry, just so many questions!!!

I started bleeding (spotting) 6th Nov 22 and found out I was pregnant 11th Nov 22. I’ve basically been bleeding constantly throughout this process (except for two 1 week periods in December, one at the start and one bleed free week covering Xmas and new year thankfully!). The bleeding is varying levels from spotting to full on soaking multiple pads (went to A&E at the extreme).

I started spotting again on 3rd Jan and on this day I took my weekly bloods and the HCG had increased. I also had severe pain so went to A&E and they found it was a cyst. The bleeding had been super light, just a panty liner.

Then since Tuesday this week (10th Jan 23) the bleeding is SO heavy!! Getting heavier every day, like a heavy period. But on the 10th my bloods had gone from 136 on 3rd to just 20 on the 10th. I feel like the light at the end of the tunnel should be close and yet the bleeding is scaring me!

Is this normal?? Is this what happens towards the end? I just want to know when I will stop bleeding as it’s been pretty much non stop for 2 months :disappointed:

Advice/experience here is really welcomed and appreciated xxxx

2

After my bloods showing HCG at 20 on Tuesday they told me to wait 2 weeks and do a pregnancy test, if it’s negative they’ll discharge me.

I took a test early cos I’m impatient and it says ‘not pregnant’ so is this bleeding a period? Should I track it in flo as such?

Thanks againnnn cxxxx

3

And should I wait a week and test again as instructed or is it safe to take this pregnancy test as accurate?

4

Dear Elephant,

Never apologise for posting here, these boards are a safe space to share and ask questions, please continue to lean on us for as long as you need.

The heavier bleeding may well be due to the drop in hCG, this isn’t classed as your period yet. Your first period will usually be 4-8 weeks after the hCG has reached pre-pregnancy levels.

Bleeding can be spotty or heavy, and some women can certainly experience bleeding/spotting for many weeks after hCG levels have settled. If your bleeding becomes so heavy that you are having to change sanitary wear every 30minutes or less or you experience worsening tummy pain, please seek urgent medical advice.

Sending much love,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards

If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?

Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters

Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team

5

Thank you for the response Karen! I’m so confused, I thought that having a ‘not pregnant’ result would mean my HCG levels are back to pre-pregnancy levels and that I am out of the woods for urgent medical care? I thought my risk of rupture is gone now that I have a negative pregnancy test?

It’s so confusing! I reeeeeaaaaalllyy want the physical aspect of this to be over so that I can focus solely on my mind.

Also a couple more questions, if I may:

  • when can I have sex (protected of course) but I was hoping we could have sex again as soon as I stop this bleed?

  • when can I use tampons?

-do you think I can go to the gym/lift weights now?

I have a scan for my cyst on Friday so I’ll ask the doctor as well but none of the doctors I’ve spoken to have actually EXPERIENCED an ectopic so I’m wondering what others who actually relate feel I should or shouldn’t/can or can’t do.

Thank you again!!!

6

Sorry, another question, can I go back to folic acid and my other daily vits now?

7

Dear Elephant,

Sorry for the confusion, now your hCG levels are back to pre pregnancy levels, yes you are out of the woods from the ectopic point of view, I was thinking more of the cyst you mentioned, in case that was causing any problems.

To answer your question from an ectopic pregnancy point of view

I would repeat your pregnancy test as instructed by your medical team

I would suggest using tampons on your next bleed

Once you have completed your pregnancy test, I would advise that You can go back to the gym but start off slowly to build up your strength. You can have sex after your negative test and once you feel comfortable enough to do so.I

Yes you can restart folic acid and pre pregnancy vitamins.

I would discuss all of these questions with your doctor in relation to your cyst, just to be on the safe side.

Sending much love,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards

If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?

Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters

Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team

8

Thank you so much Karen, you have been such a great help and comfort to me! Xxx

9

Dear Elephant,

Honestly, we are here for you, whatever and whenever you need.

Never be sorry about posting questions, thoughts or feelings, or just to feel free to vent away.

I hope you also get some more answers from your doctor and from the scan on your cyst on Friday.

Sending much love,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards

If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?

Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters

Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team

10

Hi Karen,

I thought I’d update you that in my scan yesterday there was no cyst and no sign of ectopic. I’m still waiting for the final pregnancy test as per EPU instruction but physically feel the best I felt in a LONG time.

The only time I have pain now (apologies for the TMI) is whenever I go to the toilet, bladder or bowel, I get cramping pain in my abdomen until I’m done. I REALLY hope it subsides soon! The lady who did the scan said it’s tender from the trauma and it will pass but I’m waiting for my doctor to call next week!

Feeling positive FINALLY xxx

11

Dear Elephant,

This is such positive news and will hopefully put your mind at ease a little.

I agree with the lady who completed your scan, your body has been through a great deal and it will take some time to settle. If the tummy pain continues or worsens or if you are you passing urine a lot more than normal and it hurts when you do, I would advise speaking to your GP or medical team as you may possibly have something else happening like a urinary tract infection.

I really hope everything settles down soon,

Sending much love,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards

If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?

Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters

Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team

12

I also have a question myself, Has anyone experienced heavy bleeding two weeks after ectopic pregnancy? I had an ectopic pregnancy last June 2022 left tube was removed and I had another one this month 1/2023 right tube was now removed. I bled for 2 days very lightly then it stopped. It will be 2 weeks tomorrow February 1st and I started bleeding real lightly over the weekend and it got heavier as the days passed it’s been 3 days since I started bleeding. Can someone please help? Also it has gotten lighter

13

Dear Trujillo,

I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy losses. To experience one loss is difficult, to deal with multiple losses is heartbreaking and my heart truly goes out to you.

I would think This is the bleed we get following treatment for ectopic pregnancy as our hCG levels have reduced. I would monitor the bleeding and if you are bleeding so heavy you are soaking through sanitary wear in 30minutes, please seek medical advice.

We have more information on bleeding and periods on our website which I have copied here -

https://ectopic.org.uk/physical-recover … nd-periods

Above all, he kind to yourself and allow time to grieve and to heal both physically and emotionally.

We will be here for you for as long as you need,

Sending much love,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards

If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?

Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters

Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team

14

Hai elephant,

May i know how you progress now. Because I’m having similar condition with you. Started bleeding since my mtx which is 22.12.2023. But never having heavy bleeding. Just about half pad per day. But the bleeding non stop till today. Last week which is on 8/2/2023 the bleeding is brownish colour. So i thought it is the end of it. But on 15/2/2023 im having fresh blood just like before. So I’m really worried because im having bleeding for 2 months

15

Hi Downtime,

Sorry for your loss and your continued experience, it really really sucks. I bled from 6th November until around 15th of Jan, in waves of heavy, brown, to almost nothing and then back to fresh blood, I didn’t stop bleeding until my HCG levels were no longer pregnant and then a few days after. I then had very VERY light spotting on the 28th Jan which I now think was over ovulation.

Hang in there, our bodies have been traumatised, but they’re healing and your bleeding will stop soon. I get it though, every single day I’d go to the loo hoping it would be over and my heart would drop every time I saw blood.

Chin up! And always hear if you need to chat! Xx

16

Hi elephant,

Thank you for your response! exactly the same. How wish one day there is no blood on my pad every time i go to loo :frowning:

I want to ask did you anything that restrict you from doing any activities or eat. Because I’m afraid our daily life also may influenced the bleeding.

17

Hi Downtime,

I’ll be honest, other than a short walk with my pup, I did no exercise and hardly left the house. I had pain all the way through the ectopic and I still occasionally get it now so I only started going back into the office a couple of weeks ago and only went back to the gym last week. Oh and I didn’t drive the entire time my HCG levels were up, I couldn’t take the added stress and anxiety of it.

With eating, I had zero appetite the first 2 weeks after MTX but after that it’s not been a problem (I have binged a lot of chocolate)

You’ll get there soon, take it easy and be gentle with yourself <3

18

Hi Elephant,

I am happy to hear that you are back to a normal life now.

You mentioned that your HCG was 20. I am wondering how much time did it take to decrease from 20 to non-pregnancy levels?

Mine is 15 now

19

Hi Irina,

I was told to wait 2 weeks and take a pregnancy test, if negative they’d discharge me. I waited about 5 days and took a test and it was already negative, waiting another week and took another to be sure and I was still negative.

Experience in this forum suggests that we’re ALL different so you may be quicker or it might take longer. Grab a couple tests and do one in a week or so!

I hope the rest of your recovery is ok

Xxx

20

Hi Elephant,

Thanks for sharing your experience, it supports a lot. I have finally got to non-pregnancy HCG levels today and feel so relieved!

This forum has given incredible emotional and informational support. I hope everything will be fine for all of us. We’ve been through really hard times