HCG levels not doubling, anyone else had similar experience?

[harmonyb23]

Hi all,

  I found out I was pregnant the day before my period was due (I had been feeling strange and so decided to take a pregnancy test). I went to the doctors a couple of days after and was told I was about 4 and a half weeks pregnant. Last Sunday I started having spotting which got heavier until it was a bit like a very light period, there were no clots and I was in no pain, not even cramping. I went to the Early Pregnancy Clinic at my local hospital and they said that due to the fact I was only just 5 weeks pregnant I would not be able to have an ultrasound so they would test over the next 48 hours the change in my hCG levels.
  I went back on Tuesday and had more blood taken and got the results Tuesday evening. Turns out my hCG levels are going up but they didn't double like the doctor said they should be. My levels went up from 1052 to 1409 (the doctors said that these levels are relatively high for this stage in my pregnancy). I am worried as the doctor also mentioned that due to the fact the numbers aren't doubling I could be having an ectopic pregnancy - aren't they supposed to be painful? I have had no pain whatsoever.
  I was just wondering if anyone else had had a similar experience with low rising hCG levels?

[chit80]

low rising hcg can be an indication of ectopic. it need not be painful in all the cases. i had 2 ectopics and i didnt feel any pain or cramps. wait for another week and do the ultrasound, you can atleast see a sac in uterus by 6 weeks and confirm if it is ectopic or not.

[thickm]

my hcg levels were very slow rising! check them at betabase.info and see how many hours its taking! i miscarried at 8 weeks but my pregnancy never made it past an empty sac!! i am now pregnant again (3 months later) and everything is better!! good luck hun its scary as hell

[harmonyb23]

Thanks for your comments. I got the results of the blood test from yesterday the evening just gone. It turns out that the hCG levels have gone down to 1386 from 1409. They are concerned that the levels may be plateauing and so this may be an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage. I have been for a scan today at which they could identify no normal pregnancy. It turns out there is a area on my left fallopian tube which may be an ectopic pregnancy. They aren't sure as it is so early into the pregnancy. They have sent me home today and are going to do a blood test tomorrow to see if the levels are still dropping or if they have leveled off - to rule out whether or not it is definitely an ectopic. I am really nervous although I have come to terms with the fact that this is not going to be a viable pregnancy.

The nurses have said I may need to have an injection of a chemotherapy drug (Methotrexate). Do you have any experience of this chit80? Thanks for all your support.

[chit80]

I am sorry it turned out this way.. yes i had methotrexate. It is to stop the embryo growth and you may pass it out yourself within couple of days. but it didnt happen with me so i had to take a second dose of methotrexate. and on the night of my second dose, i started cramping (bad but bot too bad) and spotting and passed a little sac like tissue when i used the toilet. My dr said it was the embryo. Your dr will monitor your hcg levels closely untill it reaches 0. You may have to get blood tested every 3 days for this... and you have to be very careful that you dont get pregnant again in the next 3 months after methotrexate, it can cause serious defects for your baby.

Dont be scared, it is better than you had to go through a D&C procedure. It is not too much physical pain.

[harmonyb23]

Thanks for the information about your experiences with methotrexate. I had to go into hospital on Saturday evening as I felt a bit dizzy and had a slight pain in my abdomen. They administered the methotrexate on Sunday morning and I have had light-period like bleeding ever since. I am hoping that my ovulation cycle can get back to normal over the next 3 months and then myself and my fiance are hoping to try again! Thanks again for the advice.