Could I be pregnant?

[klove3]

I new here and I'd like to get some advice. We're TTC and I stopped taking BC pills about 5 months ago after being on for about 15 yrs. My husband and I do not use any other form of birth control. I've been having a lot of weird symptoms each month since I came off of the pill. I know this sounds weird but I've been having pregnancy symptoms since the day after I ovulated. The very next day after ovulating I was extremely tired so much so that I had to leave work because I couldn't keep my eyest open. On the 2nd day after ovulation I've been feeling nauseaus and have been feeling this way for almost a week straight with no relief. I also have weird cramping and lower back aches. My period is due in 8 days. Any advice?? Thx!

[klove3]

Thanks Dr. Brown. I'll wait to see if my period shows up this Thursday and go from there. It's so nerve wrecking to be in suspense!!

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
Unfortunately, PMS symptoms (which are minimized by the pill) are very similar to early pregnancy symptoms, so it is almost impossible to tell the two apart until the pregnancy test is positive.  Most of the home tests will become positive at about the same time that the period is missed, so I usually recommend that my patients wait to do their test until the period is late.  That saves on the cost of tests, and increases the likelihood of a true positive.
Good luck!
Dr B