What they don't tell you about an ERPC

One of the reasons I wanted the ERPC is that I wanted this over with. I didn't want to walk around, waiting for the miscarriage to happen. By my melt-down day on Wednesday, I wasn't bleeding enough any more to need a pad. Part of me felt lucky to have escaped the ickiness of bleeding through a miscarriage in all the ways I've read about.

Sadly, my uterus didn't seem to have read the rule book. On Thursday evening I started feeling cramps, and noticed I was bleeding a bit. I put on a pad, took ibuprofen as instructed by the doctor, and went to bed. When I woke up in the morning the cramping seemed to have died down and I got up and went to the loo as usual. When I wiped I found a big clot. I was a little surprised given how I thought I'd escaped all of that, but at least it explained the cramping. I got throught the day at work on Friday with just a little bleeding and no more cramping. The cramping started again Friday night, particularly after a shitty journey home on the tube in the rush hour and a seemingly endless walk in the heat from the station - yes I know I was stupid. I took more pain killers and went to bed. And got woken up at about 5am by concerted pain on my left side, about where my ovary is. I took more ibuprofen but after 30 minutes it wasn't having any effect and I was still awake so I got up and came downstairs to make a nest on the sofa. I've had a day today of bleeding - not a lot, but consistently - and a few more small clots.

The pain has been consistent enough, unaffected by ibuprofen enough, and on my left side enough that I decided to call the clinic to see if they thought I should come in and see if something was wrong. I spoke to Dr Casual who told me that everything was probably ok, that this was just my uterus getting with the programme, expelling what was left and shrinking back in size, but to add paracetomol to the ibuprofen, and to go to A&E if things got worse. That was a couple of hours ago. The pain is still there, although it comes and goes. It's not just on the left side, so I'm trying not to panic that it's an un-diagnosed ectopic. I'm very whiny because it's just debilitating to have been in pain consistently for nearly 24 hours. We were going to go and get delicious sushi tonight, but it seems a shame to waste on a time when I'm feeling so shitty. I'm going to give it til tomorrow morning and if I still feel like this then we will go to A&E and see what they say.

In the middle of this, our dear friend sube has found out that her embryo has no heartbeat. Words can't express how sorry I am. Please go and let her know you are thinking of her.

Comments

[AnnMarie@come undone]

Thalia, I pray that you're Ok and feeling better. Just to compare notes, I didn't bleed much after my D & C. My doctor prescribed tylenol with codeine which made me feel VERY relaxed. I do remember passing a tremendous clot that scared the hell out of me...when does it end!? keep us posted. I'll be checking frantically for posts.

[kattypuss]

Just to say, I hope that you feel better soon. I've been checking your blog to see how you are doing.

[Kay]

I'm so sorry that you're in so much pain, after already going through so much. Hoping that you are able to get some rest tonight and that the pain subsides. Keep us posted.

[stephanie]

Thalia I am sorry you are in pain. Not a great thing itself and a shitty reminder of what has happened. Not sure why Docs don't tell us that this happens after D&Cs or EPRCs. After my last D&C I passed tissue, it sucked. I hope it ends soon for you.

[Kath]

Dear Thalia, that is so distressing to hear. I'm sorry. I hope the pain goes away completely tonight.

Your body has been through enough. I won't even go into the other bits of you...

[Pamplemousse]

My clinic advised me to take Solpadeine or Solpadol for the pain. If these did not mask the pain, I should contact the clinic again on their emergency number, like last weekend. I am sorry to hear that you are stuck in the same situation as me, worrying and in pain. Don't try to tough it out if it gets too bad, please?

[sube]

It seems so unfair that after everything you've been through you're in additional pain. This really does suck, doesn't it? I hope the pain is getting better.

[Cricket]

I am so sorry you're in so much pain. I hope the new med works for you.

[elle]

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. I'm hoping you are feeling a lot better by now.

[Karen]

I'm so sorry you are hurting. Be a squeaky wheel with your doctors if you don't feel better soon!

[Nico]

I am so sorry that you're still dealing with this. I hope that your uterus gets with the plan in short order. I think it's perfectly okay for you to be whiny - this really stinks!

[Flicka]

I'm so sorry that all this is happening. I hope the pain goes away quickly and that there's nothing more serious going on. Hang in there and enjoy your sushi when it comes.

[Mary Ellen]

Thalia I am so sorry that you are feeling so bad. I hope that you feel better soon. You certainly have been through a lot these past few weeks. Please know that you are in my thoughts. Hugs.

[Manuela]

Darling, Thalia... don't HESITATE to get yourself to the hospital if your instincts are telling you something might be wrong. What's the worst that could happen?? False alarm and you go home? So what... it's no comparison to what the ramifications might be if you are in fact RIGHT and don't get it checked out.

After reading far too many horror stories from our barren sisters... I will ALWAYS counsel people to err on the side of safety!

[Gravida Zero]

Hang in there, thalia. I'm sorry about this whole mess and hope you feel better soon.

[Betty]

Oh Thalia, I hope you feel better soon. That sounds really horrible and as if you need it. Take care. P.S I'm glad you found me again.

[Carrie P]

Thinking good thoughts for you. I so hope this extra pain passes quickly.

[Avonlea]

I hope that either the pain has abated or you have sought prompt medical attention, it breaks my heart that you have to feel physical pain on top of the emotional. You are a strong woman who can endure a lot, but don't try to tough this out - go to the hospital (oops I mean go to hospital) so there are no doubts.

[StellaNova]

It might be nothing ... but why does it hurt like hell!!?? If you're still feeling bad tomorrow, I'd definitely go back and make them have a look. I did and thankfully it was nothing, but it might not have been and could have ruined all future chances. For peace of mind, don't ignore the pain.

[Meg]

That's our Thalia. Always sending love to others when she needs all she can get herself. xxx

[Summer]

I don't have anything more different to say then everyone who has commented so far, but yes, call your doctors or go to the A&E if you feel like anything is not right or you are have just been in pain for too long. Better safe than sorry.

And keep taking care of youself during these difficult times.

[Rebecca]

I hope the pain is easing up. I'm so sorry you have to go through this on top of everything else. Pamper yourself - you deserve it. Thinking of you.

[MoMo]

Thalia--hang in there--I hope you feel better soon. Hugs and thinking of you.

[MoMo]

Thalia--hang in there--I hope you feel better soon. Hugs and thinking of you.

[millie]

Hope the pain is much better. Please go to the hospital if you think you need it.

Thinking of you,

[electriclady]

Hope you're feeling better today. It sucks that you have to deal with this on top of everything.

[Dmmp]

Hi Thalia,

Sorry about your loss. I'm sorry for posting without taking the time to read all your history, but I need to run out the door, and wanted to share something with you. LISTEN to your body and to your instincts.

After 2 m/c, I was in my 3rd pregnancy and my HCG numbers were not doubling. I had a D&C, then about 3-4 days later I went to the Emergency Room in extreme pain. First ER couldn't find anything wrong (and they never did an u/s of my uterus). My body was telling me something just wasn't right, so I went to another ER and there they did find an ectopic.

I'm not trying to scare you, as I haven't taken the time to read your story yet, but I've just learned the lesson to LISTEN to your head/body... it knows better than the doctors sometimes. I hope this is NOT the case for you... good luck.

[T]

Just echoing Manuela and hoping you feel better soon.

[Liz]

Thalia, I'm so sorry for all that you are going through. I hope the pain will start going away.

[Krystal]

I'm delurking to extend my deepest sympathies. My heart truly goes out to you.

I hope the physical pain goes away soon, although I know the emotional scars will continue on. My miscarriage was quite physically painful as well, but if you are having an intense amount of pain that persists, please go to the ER or call your doctor. As others have said, trust your instincts. If they're telling you something is wrong, it's definitely worth a visit to the doctor.

I'm keeping you in my thoughts.

[Spanglish]

Physical pain coupled with the emotional trauma is sometimes too much to bear. You aren't whining. There is no way to prepare for this. I hope your uterus goes down quickly so that the hormones come back down to "normal." I know how you feel. You're in my thoughts.

[Alli]

Oh, Thalia, I am so sorry you are going through this - the worst part of it. I know how alarming that is - I'm saying a prayer for you and I hope the physical pain is under control soon.

[Jenny]

I am hoping the pain has subsided and that your sushi was excellent dispite the surrounding circumstances. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

[hopefulmother]

Thalia, I'm sorry that this has still not resolved for you. How horrible.

Definitely trust your instincts and if you feel the need to go into the ER, you absolutely should. It is so hard to know what is "normal" in these situations.

I am thinking of you and praying for this to resolve quickly.

[Lut C.]

I hope you're starting to feel better, physically at least. Emotionally I'm sure it will take quite some time. Take care.

[Carla Hinkle]

Darling Thalia, I am so sorry you have to go through this. I hope you are resting and recuperating over the weekend as best you can and yes, PLEASE head to the emergency room if things seem wonkier than they should.

[moo]

T - hopes this finds your physical pain better. I am thinking of you and checking each day. I hope you are doing ok, as best as can be right now. moo

[Kris]

I hope you are feeling better. I bled for a few weeks with a D&C last time, and this time without the D&C I'm still bleeding/spotting forever. I don't know that there is a normal response. But if there's any doubt, please go to the ER. Take care.

[Ellen K.]

I'm so sorry that you have to contend with such severe physical pain on top of the emotional pain... please take care of yourself.