Need some input.

[Harleybird]

I am a 26-year-old woman and have never been pregnant. My last period was over a week late so I bought an early response walgreens home pregnancy test. The test came out somewhat unclear. There was a very light but noticeable line. I figured I would wait a while and then take the second test. A couple days after taking the test, I saw that I had some vaginal bleeding. I assumed that I was menstruating, inserted a tampon, and felt that I had no reason to worry at that point. Once I took my tampon out, I noticed that it collected very little blood. This is unusual for me so I decided to do some research and learned about implantation bleeding. Four days after I started bleeding, I took the second pregnancy test and there was no sign of a line, so I started to worry that I had some other problem. The amount of blood flow started to increase, but is still lighter than my regular periods. I'm on my sixth day of flow when normally, it begins to lighten the third or fourth day and is completely over the fourth or fifth day.

Aside of the disruption in my cycle, other symptoms are fatigue, slight nausea, and rapid (but mild) mood swings. The only thing that is different lately is that I had an epidural of cortisone to relieve nerve pain from a couple of slipped discs. If I was pregnant, this may cause a complication as the procedure uses an x-ray. I am also taking 300 mg of buproprion, 300 mg of lamotirgine, and 1 mg of risperidone daily all of which are a moderate potential risk of causing a problem during pregnancy. I take them for a mood disorder, but have had relief from which for years and the nature of the mood swings I am having now I have never experienced.

I am not sure what to think. I am considering possible pregnancy and perhaps a miscarriage from some of the research I have been doing but I wanted input that comes from those with experience before I see a professional. I am still waiting to hear back from the doctor who administered the injection to discuss the symptoms and see if they are attributed to the steroids. I know moods play into it, but they started over a week after the injection. I also haven't found any information connecting a disruption to the menstrual cycle and steroid injections.

Thank you for your help.

[ranamb11]

Did you test before or after the shot?

[Harleybird]

The first test was taken two and a half weeks after the administered injection.

[ranamb11]

I would get to a doctor and explain the situation. I have never experienced a m/c so I can't say how long that bleeding last, but I would definitely get to a doctor. Good luck!

[ZsaZsa]

A miscarriage does last longer than a normal period in general. However, it sounds like you have a lot going on. Definitely, get into the doctor.

[pumpkinpeejays]

All of my miscarriages were only about 2 to 3 days in length, very different from a normal period. My periods are generally 4 to 5 days but light to moderate, whereas the m/cs were more heavy for 2 days then spotting for 1 and stopped very quickly. I would agree to make an appointment to be sure what's going on. I'm so sorry for what you are going through.

[Harleybird]

I am still at the same flow of blood but the last two tampons I had in had small pieces of tissue. So if it is a miscarriage, do I need to seek medical attention for my health? I am actually having financial trouble. Because of my lower back pain, I am unable to walk or stand for more than 20 minutes so I have been unemployed for over 6 months. My parents have been supporting me financially and I have gone back on their insurance to fix my back problem. I am actually close to 26 but not until the summer meaning because of the change in healthcare, I can be on my parents' insurance until I am 26. So at this point I literally have no means to actually go seek medical attention and I don't want my parents to know about my situation as any checkups or treatment will become apparent to them if I use my insurance. I have my boyfriend to help me with this and he got me the pregnancy test and was very supportive during the situation before. When the test came out that their was a light line, we both thought it didn't mean anything. So I told him when I began vaginally bleeding and we were both relieved. He left for a vacation on Wednesday towards the coastline and won't be back until tomorrow. I haven't told him what has been going on because I'd like him to enjoy his time off and not put any kind of heavy load on his mind until he comes back. Thereafter, he can help me get a medical checkup and anything else.

To be honest, I have no idea what to feel. Like I said, I have never been pregnant and everything I have been experiencing has only been speculation and never really confirmed. I don't think I can reach any kind of full emotion until certainty is reached if it can be. There is sadness but, I am mostly very confused. The only person I have talked to about it is my exboyfriend who is still a friend of mine. It was nice to have someone listening, but I guess it's not quite the same as talking to my partner. I am looking forward to his arrival home.

[ZsaZsa]

Take out the tampons and wear pads...just to make sure everything passes out and to prevent infection. When I had a miscarriage the doctor didn't feel the need to see me, but I felt better being seen. I would call your OB and see what they say and ofcourse do what you need to do for your piece of mind.

[auntmommy]

i agree with pp take out the tampons. i have had several miscarriages and that is one of the first thing the office always says is to not use tampons because of infection. everyone is different as far as length and flow during a miscarriages. if you do not have insurance or want your parents to know you could try a resource center or free clinic to see if they can help you.