I had another Beta on Monday and I am happy to report that it is now...2 !!!!

I am going to contact my nurse and see if a beta of "2" is as good as zero - I really have no idea, but I hope so! I will report back, but for now, I am happy that things are drawing to a close. 

I had my telephone consultation with Dr P last night.  We talked mainly about my the management of my ectopic & how he needs to see my beta go back down to zero.  I will be going in to see my local Dr again for another blood draw and if my HCG is still elevated we will need to discuss another course of action: Methotrexate. I am hoping and praying that I won't need this & that my reading will already be at zero.

I don't think I have ever prayed so hard for a NEGATIVE BETA.

Oh, please let me hear ZERO on Monday........

I have spent the last few weeks researching supplements to take in preparation for my next IVF cycle.  In addition addition my regular Pre-Natal (Sanatogen & Omega3), DHEA (which Michaela shippped to me from the US) & Royal Jelly/Bee Pollen, I am also taking 2 x 100mg CoQ10 daily.  I also plan on adding L-Arginine next week.

For those in the UK, I was able to purchase both the Royal Jelly (500mg) & Bee Pollen (500mg) at Holland & Barrrett. Both were around £10 each.  The CoQ10 was much more expensive (£37, for 90 tablets, at Boots).  L-Arginie is also available at Holland & Barrett and is only around £5 for 50 tablets (bargain!).

I am also researching Spirulina (microscopic Blue Green Algae) and Wheat Grass as supplements in preparation for IVF.

It is now 2 weeks, well 16 days, post surgery and my stitches are healing nicely. Another blood draw has shown that my numbers are still around 2000, *sigh*, so I go back in another 2 weeks where I am hoping to see a big fat zero measurement. I think the raised HCG is partly responsible for my tiredness at the moment. Experiencing pregnancy symptoms when not even pregnant truly sucks!

On a more positive front, I have started a 4 month course of DHEA and will also be adding in Royal Jelly & Bee Pollen. I have the wonderful Michaela to thank for sending me a huge box of it from the US!  I will also be taking my usual pre-pregnancy vitamin/fish oils etc.  My nurse has also prescribed Metformin, as I had a borderline Insulin Resistence result, which I will begin closer to my cycle. 

In other news, I met with my (home) Doctor yesterday and we discussed my general fertility, post ectopic surgery.  He said that the damage to my tube *may* effect things, although it would be hard to say and really, "only time will tell".

I got my Beta back today, one week post surgery, and my numbers have now dropped to below 3000 (down from "over 15,000").  This is good news as I was worrying about the risk of further surgery had the numbers continue to climb.  For those wondering, in order to save my fallopian tube, a small amount of tissue was left behind.  The danger of taking this course of action (rather than removing the tube altogether) is that the tissue *can* continue to grow, resulting in further surgery & removal of the tube.

As far as how I am feeling physically, the stitches in my tummy are still sore but they are improving every day.   Emotionally, I am finding this really hard.  I am trying my very best to be positive but thinking about the "what ifs" gets me down.

After reading the replies to my previous post & blog update, I became increasingly concerned about my high beta numbers and the possibility of an ectopic.  The Early Pregnancy Unit at my local hospital had instructed me to come back for an additional beta 'next week' which seemed like a long time to wait around if this was indeed an ectopic.

Saturday morning (1 day after my last post) I had a dull ache/cramp type pain.  Certainly not sharp or excruciating pain, which would warrant immediate action. However, I *was* concerned about the pain and just had a bad feeling about it so I rang the hospital anyway.  It was established that I should present myself to A&E within the hour.

Once there, I my blood pressure was so low (symptom of an ectopic) that they were unable to draw my blood.  They tried 4 times.  They also placed a cannular into my hand & the pain was unbearable (and I have had cannular's before).  I was admitted to a ward and told I was to have an emergency laparoscopy (investigative keyhole surgery with the use of a camera) to remove the pregnancy & it was likely I would lose my fallopian tube. 

Obviously I was shocked & devestated and worried as I was told an ectopic is a serious condition that can be fatal.   I cried and cried until they put me under.  I was really scared & just felt like I had not time to prepare myself for what was about to happen.

After I had time to recover from the surgery I was told that I was "very, very lucky" as my left tube was on the brink of rupture.  They were also able remove the pregnancy and save my fallopian tube, which I am thankful for.

I am now at home recovering from the surgery, which required 4 incisions - one through my belly button (for the camera) and 3 others (for the instruments). I am very sore & tired but grateful for my health.  I now have closure.

For anyone wondering how an ectopic pregnancy can happen with IVF, it is possible and the statistics show you are more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy with IVF than a natural conception.

From the internet: ".. you might ask how IVF could possibly increase the chances of ectopic pregnancy, since IVF "bypasses" the fallopian tubes altogether. Fertility specialists believe that ectopic pregnancy may occur if, when the embryos are transferred to the womb, they are placed too high in the womb cavity. The embryos then have a greater chance of "wandering" and implanting themselves in places where they are not supposed to be, such as the fallopian tubes. Embryos could also make their way into the fallopian tubes if they are injected into the womb with too much force. In the past, doctors would block the fallopian tubes during IVF treatment to try and prevent ectopic pregnancy from occurring. This method is no longer used."

And..

 For me, this chapter is now closed and I can move on with my recovery & try to keep positive for a future IVF cycle. 

Thank you everyone for your prayers, positive thoughts and messages of support. 

LL