bleeding when weaning off meds?

[nomnom]

My RE is finally letting me reduce my estrace dosage from 2 pills to 1 per day. Of course, I got a headache yesterday and started light bleeding overnight. Both of these have happened before when I change med dosage, but it's more unneeving when I'm pregnant. Waiting for a reassuring call back from the doc's office.

Antone have bleeding when you started weaning off the supplements?

[IFinTN]

Are you weaning off progesterone too? I have heard of bleeding from the progesterone wean but have not heard anything about estrace weaning and bleeding. I do know sunshinedaisies had to fight to stay on progesterone a little longer because she experienced bleeding when trying to stop taking it.

[nomnom]

IFinTN I'm weaning off both. Estrace went from 2 pills to 1, PIO went from 2cc to 1.5cc. Yesterday marked 12 weeks, so I don't think it's too early.

ETA:not 11 weeks, 12 weeks

[IFinTN]

Mar 15, 2015 9:08:33 GMT -5 nomnom said:

IFinTN I'm weaning off both. Estrace went from 2 pills to 1, PIO went from 2cc to 1.5cc. Yesterday marked 11 weeks, so I don't think it's too early.

It's probably the drop in progesterone. Are they monitoring your levels? Some folks take it a little longer than others. I stayed I until 14 weeks because my levels were measuring low.

[nomnom]

I don't completely stop pio until 15 weeks. They haven't tested in a few weeks.

[ProfessorChaos]

((hugs)) It may be coincidental, or it may be due to the decrease in meds. I'd call the RE/OB, whomever is in charge of your care these days. Also mention to them if you're Rh-. While you're waiting to hear back, rest up and drink lots of fluids. Fingers crossed it's no big deal!

[sunshinedaisies]

Thanks for the tag, IFinTN, I'm super impressed you remembered that about me!

nomnom, I was told to stop PIO at 10w3d, but I finished out the week through 11w. I then stopped 2mL of PIO cold turkey, and started bleeding a few days later. I also thought that since I was at 11w, I would be fine, but I'm 100% convinced it was because I had such a high dose and stopped without any weaning, but all I was told was that it was "possible." I never had any blood work done to check my levels, so I have no idea what my levels were.

I then had to argue with my old OB (notice I said old - this was the reason I left that practice) to get oral progesterone (I think 100 mg a day - I'm not positive about the dose), which I took through 12w4d and then stopped the day of my NT scan and all was fine.

Your situation seems to be a little different since they are decreasing your doses, but any change in dose at this time can cause all kinds of reactions in you. Even though the placenta is supposed to take over by now, it can need a little more help for a few more weeks. I know it's scary. Do you have a fetal HR monitor? I got mine a few days after the bleeding and it was the only thing that kept my sanity.

Like others have said, I would definitely call your OB and RE. And don't be scared to demand to come in with your OB and make sure all is ok - I had to and I don't regret it.

[nomnom]

sunshinedaisies I left a message with my RE, but they don't seem very interested after confirmation of pregnancy. I need to track down the after-hours phone number for my OB. It is on my fridge at home, but DH and I are visiting relatives. The bleeding seems to be turning brownish, so I suspect it is a reaction to the change in hormone levels. It'd be nice to hear it from a medical professional. My NT scan is already scheduled for Wednesday.

[viola]

Mar 15, 2015 11:24:59 GMT -5 nomnom said:

sunshinedaisies I left a message with my RE, but they don't seem very interested after confirmation of pregnancy. I need to track down the after-hours phone number for my OB. It is on my fridge at home, but DH and I are visiting relatives. The bleeding seems to be turning brownish, so I suspect it is a reaction to the change in hormone levels. It'd be nice to hear it from a medical professional. My NT scan is already scheduled for Wednesday.

Lack of support from the RE sucks, doesn't it? I felt kind of out in the cold too after all the hand holding they do to get you pregnant. 

I have no experience with bleeding but you have my hugs and support

[gsancho]

Hopefully your OB gets you in or at least can get back to you! It could be from changing the dosage, or it could be a coincidence. If it's brownish now, it could have been a small SCH that made it's way out...it seems like most of us who had bleeding, experienced it between 7-11 weeks.

[sunshinedaisies]

Yes, I also didn't get much help from my RE, but we contacted my nurse who helped me a lot when they were still monitoring me and I had a ton of bleeding (like week 6-7) and she was at least willing to answer questions, even though the RE couldn't do anything. It's also frustrating because a lot of OBs do not have that much experience with IF/IVF stuff and meds and have no idea how to handle them.

Hope you were/are able to get in contact with someone and get some answers.

[nomnom]

I got calls back from both the RE's and OB's offices. What's interesting is that the RE does not think the bleeding is related to the change in meds, but gave me lab orders for tomorrow to check hormone levels (mostly for my peace of mind). The OB thinks it probably is a result of changing hormone levels from the meds and said as long as it was red only briefly it is probably benign, though I should call if it becomes red again.