QuestionI am really confused and could use some expert opinions. I am seeing an ND
weekly, and have an appointment coming up for a appointment with an MD.
But, I figured while I'm waiting for appt.'s & answers I would ask through
here.
My ND believes I have endometriosis and fibromyalgia, and I'm getting ready
to schedule surgery. Although lately I've had almost all of the symptoms of
being pregnant (fatigue, nausea, heightened sense of smell, food aversions,
dark areolas, tender and enlarged breasts, and frequent urination). I haven't
been able to get definite answers to if I am, and I don't want to have surgery
if I am. I have been pregnant before, but I didn't carry to 2nd trimester. And, I
really feel like it's possible that I could be.
Okay so, I have a tilted uterus, endometriosis & fibromyalgia (it seems), my
periods are always on time (except when I was pregnant previously and when
I had an ovarian cyst), and I'm taking supplements. My cycles are 23 days
long, my periods are 5-7 days long and very heavy. My LMP was September
13th, 2008. It was possible that dates of conception are Sept. 21st or 26th (I
was ovulating on the 21st). I had some light spotting around Oct. 10th & Nov.
6th (near the 6th I was stressed). I have taken a few HPT's with the results
being negative. I'm wondering if it would be possible for me to be pregnant
and getting a false-negative. The supplements I've been taking are weekly B-
12 shots, Probiotics, Bio-inflammatory Plus, and Milk Thistle. I haven't been
able to find much information about these and if/ how they effect HPT
results.
I am waiting for an appt. for an Ultrasound in December. I've been really
patient and waiting already. I would rather know my odds of being pregnant,
or what else it could possibly be before getting my hopes up (thinking I am
pregnant).
Thank you for your time.
AnswerDear K,
False-negative pregnancy tests are very rare. Tests performed too early in the pregnancy, before there is a significant hCG level, may give false-negative results. Also, urine hCG tests may give a false negative result in very dilute urine. That's why women should not drink large amounts of fluid before collecting a urine sample for a pregnancy test. Very few medications give false-negatives unless they are a fertility drug containing the hCG hormone. It is thought that certain diuretics (which would cause the dilute urine) and promethazine (an antihistamine) may cause false-negative urine results.
As far as your odds - with a 23 day cycle history, you likely would have been fertile for the unprotected sexual encounter on 9/21. The spotting on 10/10 and 11/6 may actually be cycle-related and, because of your other diagnoses, you are experiencing cycle irregularities. It seems that the Oct/Nov spotting is occurring on CD 27-28, so I would not rule this possibility out.
Generally, if pregnancy test results are questionable, they may be confirmed by testing with a different method. Quantitative blood pregnancy testing (serum beta hCG) measures the actual amount of hCG
present in the blood and is much more accurate than urine or qualitative blood testing which only give a positive/negative result. The scheduled ultrasound will also conclusively tell you whether you are pregnant.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
Brenda
