Bleeding, scared and in pain.

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Hi I’d like some advice please. I’m scared something isn’t right. I had an eptopic pregnancy removed 5 days ago. I was 6-7 weeks pregnant and it had ruptured my left tube causing a big haemorrhage into my abdomen. They let me home later that night with paracetamol. I did push to go home because I was terrified to stay in hospital but was feeling okay at that point.

The next day I was in a lot of pain, I was taking codine as well as paracetamol but this wasn’t touching it so I went to my GP to see if there was anything more I could have. He sent me back to A&E because he wasn’t happy with the pain I was in. I was upset and didn’t want to go because I knew I was okay, just not coping with the pain.

After 9 hours in A&E they said they wasn’t worried there was a complication from surgery but they wanted me to stay in overnight for monitoring. Again I was so terrified of staying in I pushed to go home now I knew everything was okay. They wouldn’t give me any more pain killers because I hadn’t been to the toilet and they could constipate me and they said I need to try and cope with paracetamol.

The pain go better and me and my partner decided to pack a bag and escape for the weekend. We went away for 2 nights, the pain had been manageable. Last night I started bleeding, a lot. Cramping has also had me doubled over and is almost unbearable. It is so sharp I can’t find the words to explain I’ve never had period pains so bad, it makes me feel like I’m going to pass out.

I feel like I’m being a drama queen. I don’t want to call my doctor again, I feel like he will probably just send me to the hospital again and they will say I’m being an idiot and I’m fine. I’m just so scared and feel exhausted from all of this I don’t feel very strong.

I nearly died last year after an accident, I was electrocuted and burnt, I suffered full thickness burns to the bottom half of my body. I’m very lucky to be alive but I’m just terrified that something is out to get me. I have ptsd and I’m so anxious something is wrong. I’m being a wimp about being in hospital because they don’t let anyone stay with me. I can’t be on my own, I’m scared of dying on my own.

Are these pains normal? What should I do? Is the bleeding normal and how long did it last? Please tell me if you have experienced similar and what might help to get through it.

Thanks in advance,

A very scared and in pain Rebecca. X

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Dear Rebecca,

I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss and your continued pain.

Unfortunately I am not medically trained so cannot give you specific advice on your symptoms however I can provide general advice.

It is common to experience pain following surgery however this should be managed by using painkillers given to you by your Dr. Although you mention you are scared of hospitals, the pain you describe is not being controlled by your painkillers so I would strongly advise seeking urgent medical advice.

It is not unusual for women to bleed after treatment for ectopic pregnancy. This first bleed after treatment is a response to falling hormone levels and involves shedding of the uterine lining and is not classed as a period. The length of the bleeding can vary from woman to woman and some women do report spotting and bleeding for up to around six weeks after an ectopic pregnancy. You describe quite heavy bleeding and if you are soaking more than a pad in an hour or have offensive smelling discharge or body temperature of more than 37°C, please do get medical attention.

I wish I could give you the reassurance you are looking for however with the symptoms you describe it would be better getting checked out just to be on the safe side. No one will think you are being an idiot, you need to look after yourself at this difficult time.

Sending much love,

Karen x

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