Strange symptoms

[Woozy2]

So, I just want to run a few things by you ladies and see if you have any ideas. I'm 2 days late with my period and still no signs of it showing. I'm too scared to test, for a variety of reasons. I just think the odds of actual pregnancy are so slim, given I'm 38 and smoke and drink (not very much though) This month has been a strange one with my cycle. The only sex I had where ejaculation inside me was on the last day of my period, other than that it's been the withdrawal method. I would love to be pregnant but am not actively trying. So.. 3 weeks ago, I started intense cramping coupled with flu like symptoms and bad cough, it lasted for 4 days and then some blood in my urine for an hour and the cramping ceased (I'm guessing ovulation) I went to ER ( they said they saw no bacteria in urine but yes to blood (I also had slight fever but it was coming and going. I took Bactrim (neg pg test in ER) for 5 days and then cramping in urethra starts (no cramping in urethra first time around, more pelvic cramping and menstrual like cramping) and pee frequency, lots of pain. Resume Bactrim for 2 days, then stop, doc orders it. Then symptoms come back (UTI) but nurse says no bacteria in urine.
So today, UTI symptoms gone, I'm still running hot temps in evening, have slightly sore throat,watery mouth, very thirsty, fatigued.. I don't think I'm pg, I have never been pg in my life except maybe fantasy symptoms but never actually confirmed with any PG test. I"m running slight fevers, like between 98.8 and highest 99.4-- feel warm all the time. BBs not sore, no cramping.. period is now late esp given what had to have been OV pains.  Also my sister and I cyle together and I get mine before hers and she started 3 days ago.
What are the odds I'm pregnant? I've never had symptoms like this before, esp the intense OV cramping, it was severe (but maybe b/c I had flu-like thing too?) I'm so scared to test. Anyway, I continue to feel run down, dizzy, appetite through the roof. If that cramping bout ended 7/24/2009 when can I test?  

[40smama]

Shoot - I meant to say DNA - I need to proof better before I press the send button.

[40smama]

I completely understand, believe it or not, about the letting nature take its course w/a little restraint!

Sorry about your UTI - those are NOT fun.  The last one I had I found during an internal u/s.  I'm sorry but we'll have to agree to disagree - I believe & I also believe I can prove that pre-stuff (I wish they'd let me just write the word) has sperm.  The reason I'm so persistent on writing this is because later on down the road, some poor teenager who's been having sex using the withdrawal method, will come across this post and will believe what her boyfriend's been telling her - that withdrawal's safe because the fluid emmitted before ejaculation has no sperm.
  
Sometimes we just have to do that - agree to disagree.  It happens all the time on this forum - LOL!  Happened to me once when I said you can't get DHA off of an amniocentesis - boy, was I wrong and people sure let me know it.

Anyway, take care of yourself - try some cranberry juice or supplements?  That might help in preventing them - I need to do that myself - jen

[Woozy2]

well, I read that when studied, Cowpers fluid, (that's a nice name, huh?),  doesn't contain sperm. But though I dont think the withdrawal method is fool proof, I've used it for years and years with no pregnancy whereas others have gotten pregnant, like yourself. I guess I'm letting nature take it's course with a little restraint? I want a baby but maybe SO is unsure. He doesn't even know I'm suspecting anything right now. We love each other very much but I think he would be overwhelmed. Oh well, I still haven't tested, but tomorrow without a doubt I'm getting a test. No symptoms except peeing a lot and drinking lots of water, plus sore nipples, and no period. I do feel a little PMSy too so I bet I'm not. Just never had a UTI  before in my whole life and it freaked me out!
Thanks for the advice and help. --R

[40smama]

Pre-stuff absolutely contains sperm. While I think I have an inkling of letting nature take its course, I'm a little unclear why you do the withdrawal method when you're doing the nature taking its course thing.  But that's between you and your partner.  I just wanted to make one thing clear - there are so many women (and of course teenage girls) who've gotten pregnant w/that method thinking that sperm is not in the pre-ejaculation stuff (for lack of a better word - LOL)  when it most certainly is.  Heck I've actually gotten pregnant that particular way.

Best of luck to you and I hope you get to feeling better soon - jen

[Woozy2]

Thanks for the help, no you aren't being too blunt at all. I know I need to test. I will pick one up tonight. I think I'm not pg though. I'm guessing I ovulated later due to the virus. I'm not having any symptoms now.that couldn't be pegged to PMS. I didn't wake up nauseated this morning. I only smoke 5 cigarrettes a day and I've already whittled it down to two, just in case. Of course a positve means I will quit immediately. I will be thrilled if I am PG but I know it's unlikely. We just use withdrawal because we aren't "planning" per se, but letting nature take it's course. I plan on quitting smoking on the 17th if not Pg , I see my doc and I'm getting chantix.  I did read that pre-*** never contains semen. honestly, it's supposedly residual semen that comes from a prior ejaculate that gets mixed in. My SO is only once a day with me, no self servicing with him, so should be no residual. But I wonder about his accuracy sometimes, ha-ha
Thanks for not being judgemental, or just being judgemental enough.

[40smama]

Your symptoms (and I hate to keep saying this) could mean anything - even just a viral bug can do this.  You can now test but do so w/FRER (first response early result).  It's the best test on the market to pick up low hcg levels.

Your odds are really who knows?  My sister got pregnant the best she could figure was the day after her period stopped.  She ovulated that soon!  Also you could've easily gotten pregnant even w/the withdrawal method.  That birth control method is really not birth control at all so it's pretty common for women to get pg even when the man doesn't ejaculate inside her.  There are lots of sperm in the prestuff (they won't let me say the real word) which leaks out even before ejaculation.

Take a hpt and just get it over with, my dear.  That's really your best option to rule out pregnancy and if you are pregnant or seriously ttc, stop smoking.  Sorry to be so blunt about it but the risks to the baby are high - even fertility is compromised w/smokers.
  
Best of luck to you & I hope you get to feeling better - jen