Those who have kids...

[Rebecca85]

What was the first indication that you were pregnant?

I'm kind of worried I might be pregnant, I don't want to mention this to anyone because I'm probably being really paranoid and silly. But I have had a few minor things, on their own they don't mean anything but taken together, I don't know.

1) spotting over 2 days
2) sore/tender nipples
3) being really REALLY tired again
4) moodiness
5) the odd ache/cramp that feels period like
6) a really bloated lower abdomen

All those started a week or so ago. I don't get any of those symptoms in the run up to my time of the month, I'm on the pill so at worst I might get them the day I have my period. But those symptoms started in the middle of a pack. Now I might sound paranoid, worrying about being pregnant while on the pill, but almost 3 weeks ago I had a stomach bug with severe diarrhoea. We didn't have sex for 6 or 7 days afterwards, but I did have milder diarrhoea for a while, so I guess it's possible I didn't fully absorb the pill.

Obviously the best way to tell would be to wait for my period. But that's quite a way off yet, and I'm driving myself nuts with 'what-ifs'. So someone please tell me if I'm worrying legitimately, or if I'm just being paranoid!

 

[xJillx]

You sound like me! Before I started the pill, I always thought I was pregnant. And even now being on the pill, I get a flash of paranoia here and there. I always have a prego test in! However, it has always been a false alarm, though I swear I had symtpoms. But what most likely caused my "symptoms" was the stress and anxiety. The mind is a powerful thing. I am sure you felt some kind of symptoms, but now you are focusing so much on them and your stress is making them increase. I would assume that would be the case. However, if you are really concerned, do you think you should phone your doctor? Perhaps they could provide some insight. Hang in there until you can take that test!

 

[Lisa]

Do you have the early pregnancy tests (pee on a stick type) at your local pharmacy?...that would be the way I'd go - the symptoms you mention all do sound like it - OR - maybe your hormones are out of wack for some reason?.....

 

[Rebecca85]

Well I now only have 2 days to wait till my period is due. I'm sure I can wait that long! I am under a lot of stress at the moment, so that could definately be a factor, and maybe my hormones are out of whack because of the bug and not absorbing the pill properly or something? Hadn't thought about that before! But like you Jill, I often get paranoid that I might be pregnant, but I know it's just paranoia. I'm normally so regular that I start panicking if I'm an hour late!

 

[xJillx]

Oh, see, I am just a little bag of crazy. I am way too paranoid. But now that I am married, I don't worry as much, though I am not completely ready to be a mom yet.

If it is only 2 days until your period, you can use a First Response test. It provides results 6 days prior to your scheduled period. Obviously, it is more accurate closer to your period date. Regardless, hang tight and good luck! We will be waiting to hear.

 

[Rebecca85]

Something weird is going off here. I started my period yesterday. And finished it. It lasted less than 12 hours! I spoke to my pharmacist, who said to take a test. So I did, and it was negative. So what is going off with my body?!

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Sometimes when you're on the Pill, even when you've been on the same one ages, funny things happen!

Are you sure that you've finished? If you're getting discharge that could still be your period. I usually have discharge at the start and end of a period.

 

[Rebecca85]

I had a bit more the next day (after a completely clear gap), but then that was it! No discharge, nothing. I will be phoning the doctors later, the pharmacist said I ought to because it sounds like something is going off with my hormones.

 

[xJillx]

Hmmm, I would get in to see the doctor for sure. Date set up yet?

 

[Rebecca85]

Yep, tomorrow afternoon. Will let you know what she says.

 

[Rebecca85]

Well, that was pretty much a waste of time. For the moods/tiredness she has upped my dose of fluoxetine, since I was doing so well on it before. And she wasn't at all concerned about the spotting/weird periods, just said to keep an eye on it. I told her I wasn't happy about increasing the fluoxetine, that I feel sure something physical is causing the tiredness, which is causing the depression rather than depression causing tiredness. But she says there is nothing left to test me for. So I agreed to increasethe dose, simply because I can't carry on as I have been.

 

[xJillx]

Thanks for the update.

I hope the increased dose of fluoxetine helps.

 

[dreamintwilight]

I've had some unexplainable weird blips when it comes to my period. I might start a day early and then have a really light period and then maybe nothing until the next day. Usually when that happens I end up having discharge longer than normal, so the total time of my entire period is longer.

Back when I was on the pill I used to be super paranoid I was pregnant. Not sure why. I was on Seasonique at the time and that was before I was diagnosed. But I had a lot of fluctuation with my symptoms from time to time. I don't think periods every 3 months was for me. Now I'm on the patch and I've never been so regular, though like I said on occasion I'll have some symptoms like you with starting early and not having much flow. There are several times where I'll experience extra crampy soreness leading up to the day I'm scheduled to start. And I know it can't be absorption issues because I'm absorbing it through the skin.

It definitely could be a fluctuating hormonal thing. Especially since you say you've been extra tired lately. What about getting some blood work done to rule out other things like thyroid issues or anemia?

 

[raindrop]

I wonder if the Humira isn't causing that strange fluctuation because I think my cycles have been a bit like that when I used Remicade. When I stopped Remicade, they were more normal until I used Humira. They're never quite the same each month. But I'm also 46, so age may account.

I was going to mention that if we're taking these medications for Crohn's and suspect pregnancy, it's reasonable to ask for a blood test sooner than someone from the healthy population. If you do become pregnant, you want the best care soonest for yourself and your child. So knowing sooner rather than later is reasonable.