Am I experiencing a miscarriage or pregnancy?

[Sally_Oh]

Hello, I'm 34 and have been (successfully) pregnant before. Off birth control for almost 4 years with no pregnancies to date.
So I experienced what I thought was implantation bleeding/mild spotting last week. I have also been experiencing early pregnancy symptoms that I normally DO NOT experience during regular PMS. Aversion to meats and other foods that I normally enjoy causing nausea, increased sense of smell and aversion to smells causing nausea, dizziness/lightheaded when going from sitting/laying down to standing, tender swollen breasts, extreme fatigue, overly emotional, increased "creamy" discharge, just "feeling pregnant" in general...you get the picture. Two negative HPT's, both taken before I (thought) period was due, dumb I know but I couldn't wait because I thought I could be overdue - forgot to use my period tracker the last few months, so not entirely sure when period was/is due - yesterday I got my period with no warning, no cramps, no "gurgle or gush", just went to pee and wiped and had bright red blood on TP. Inserted tampon and went on with my day thinking I was wrong and it was all just wishful/paranoid thinking (Hubby and I aren't trying per se, just not NOT trying, if that makes sense lol). Have used three tampons in the last 24 hours, both came out completely brown (dark) with barely any red and some very tiny (slightly larger than grains of sand) "specks" that I'm assuming are clots/tissue. Cramping began after bleeding and is almost paralyzing in its intensity, off and on, both front and lower back.
Side note: I NEVER spot - period usually starts off very heavy with a few days of bright red blood tapering down to light brown before stopping. Usually prone to large clots. First few days usually require changing tampon (super plus) every 2-3 hours, plus relying on backup pad because of leakage (sorry if TMI). You get the idea - periods are normally extremely heavy, bright red, and I usually get light "warning" cramping and some moderate cramping throughout. Am I experiencing a miscarriage? Or just the weirdest period I've ever had in my life? Sorry so long!

[HTWKTW]

I have recently had a similar experience. 3 days of a light show only when wiping with the TP. I took a PT which showed a very faint positive. 4th day I got my period or miscarriage? Dark brown and tiny bits of clotting. Took 2 more HPT, both very faint positive and line not showing any clearer. It took me a bit to come around to the idea that I was possibly pregnant & I became excited with the prospect of being pregnant again. Spotted for a few days following the period thing. I had few symptoms (smells made me a bit nauseous, bleeding gums) but with my previous pregnancies I did not have symptoms so early. So I saw a nurse to confirm my diagnosis, and the PT was negative. I was disappointed, and needing to be convinced I retook the same HPT and it was a negative. I still have sore gums and have for the last few days my abdominals have been tensing and tightening subconsciously. I have to take a deep breath and relax my stomach continuously. This has all happened within 2 weeks. I am now looking forward to getting my next period because I am still in a bit of denial that I've miscarried