[cgduncan]

Hi,
I had an ectopic pregnancy three months ago (sept. 07). Luckily, I did not have to have surgery and only had one injection of methotrexate. The hcg levels dropped and I have had two "regular" periods since. I have had no problems, and as far as I was concerned, my body was back to normal.

However, a few days ago, I started having that familiar pain in my left side (where the ectopic had been). It is the exact same feeling in the exact same spot, so I am convinced that something is not normal. I called the obgyn and the nurse told me just to take some asprin and see if it didn't go away. I feel like she did not take me seriously, and I am not convinced that everything is ok. I know what it felt like when I had the ectopic, and that feeling is back. I do not want to think it's nothing, and it turn out to be serious.

I did take another pregnancy test and it was negative. I have no idea what it might be. My only guesses are that it could be some type of cyst or that there is some type of infection. Has anyone had any problems with pain several months after the ectopic had supposedly "cleared up?" Should I call back to the obgyn and request an appointment anyway?

[Aries]

I had an ectopic in May and metho didn't work so I had to go in for surgery.Have you got your HCG levels checked after the metho shot?Were they below 5?
If you're concerend something's wrong please call your obgyn or go to ER.

Also hon my RE asked us to wait for 3 mos before trying again after the shots.

GL and keep us posted.

[jenedens6102]

I didn't experience pain with my ectopic. Just one day I had a light pressure during a bowel movement but that was it. I too was told to wait three months before trying again due to the methotrexate. In this pregnancy I was told that sometimes pain on the lower left side is gas or constipation because that is where your large intestines are. Could be a cyst as you mentioned but the only way to know for sure is an ultrasound. If you aren't feeling comfortable press the issue further, tell her it's your body, your dollar and your time.

[bd711]

I am not yet past my ectopic pregnancy, but I did have surgery in August for an ovarian cyst, and I do often get what I call "phantom pain." It's not horrible pain, but it's similar to the feeling I had from the cyst before it was taken out. And I've had a gazzilion ultrasounds since then (for IVF, etc) showing that all is fine. So I can imagine that there's a possibility of phantom ectopic discomfort.

That said, I'm tired of doctors - and especially their nursing staff - being dismissive of symptoms. I feel like my past month has been telling people that I know something's wrong, the doctors' offices saying "there's only a small chance of something being wrong," but then my feeling turning out to be spot on. I'm not saying that something's wrong in your case, but I certainly think you should push it with your doctor. What could it hurt to be checked out?

[cgduncan]

Thanks for the comments.
My hcg levels dropped quickly and the last test I had measured at 4. The dr. said that was low enough to stop testing. That was about 2 months ago.
We are NOT trying, as our dr. told us to wait at least 3 months after the metho also. Accidents happen, even when you are careful, so I just took the test to give myself some peace of mind.
I talked to two nurses that I know personally and they both said it could be pain from ovulation (the timing of when the pain started would coincide with that), but it doesn't seem to me that it should be lasting this long.
Since the pain is not really severe and does not seem to be worsening, I am going to see what happens over the weekend. If it is still there on Monday, I am definately going to make an appointment, since by then, it would have been bothering me for over a week.