AAAH!! Need help ASAP

[BeccaSueCongdon]

I've been posting all over the boards with questions about my chart, testing, AF being weird, etc - bc I'm on CD 33 (34 tomorrow) and still no actual AF. :-/ I'm on medication that can cause birth defects so I'm anxious to figure out what's going on ASAP so I can figure things out with my doc if I am pregnant. Well I just read in the TEENY type on the medication information sheet that this medication (carbamazepine) can give false negatives on hours. Blaaaah.

Anyone know if there are places that do blood tests on weekends? Or do I have to wait until Monday and see if my OB can squeeze me in? Gah!!!

[BeccaSueCongdon]

Nobody?

[3lilbubs]

I think the only place you'd be able to get a blood test tonight would be a hospital but in all reality, the cards have been dealt and if you are pg, there's not much that you could do to change things in 24 hrs. I'd call first thing tomorrow am and ask to speak to the dr directly.

[BeccaSueCongdon]

Originally Posted by 3lilbubs I think the only place you'd be able to get a blood test tonight would be a hospital but in all reality, the cards have been dealt and if you are pg, there's not much that you could do to change things in 24 hrs. I'd call first thing tomorrow am and ask to speak to the dr directly.

Thanks. :-) you're right. And thanks for the :hug:

"The cards have been dealt" is a good way to put it. :-)

I'll call first thing in the morning.

It's been such a crazy month! With all this crazy wondering about my cycle happening amidst dealing with an auto accident and just lots of stress. :-P Maybe the stress is just making my cycle funny?

[KatieB621]

Originally Posted by BeccaSueCongdon Thanks. :-) you're right. And thanks for the :hug: "The cards have been dealt" is a good way to put it. :-) I'll call first thing in the morning. It's been such a crazy month! With all this crazy wondering about my cycle happening amidst dealing with an auto accident and just lots of stress. :-P Maybe the stress is just making my cycle funny?

Definately possible about the stress. Call on Monday and see if you can't get a blood test to confirm either way at dr. Much cheeper than going to hossy on weekend. mama! I know all to well about meds causing birth defects and how stressful it can make you not knowing for sure either way.

[BeccaSueCongdon]

Originally Posted by KatieB621 Definately possible about the stress. Call on Monday and see if you can't get a blood test to confirm either way at dr. Much cheeper than going to hossy on weekend. mama! I know all to well about meds causing birth defects and how stressful it can make you not knowing for sure either way.

Thanks :-)

[KatieB621]

Any update?

[BeccaSueCongdon]

Originally Posted by KatieB621 Any update?

Sorry! Not yet. My DS (4 yo) has a thanksgiving thing a preschool today, and we're car shopping, and I'm meeting a doula client. *phew!

I'm going to squeeze a call in now while I'm waiting at the bank for DH. Thanks for checking. :-)

[themaelane]

Find out anything? If you are pregnant, relax, and go take some folic acid. Let me explain...

I'm on carbamazepine / Tegretol. And I was on it my whole last pregnancy. Some things to know. Yes, carb. can cause birth defects. But for me, I would have seizures without it. And seizures are much more scary for pregnancy. (injury during seizure from fall, contraction of uterus, and lack of oxygen). One thing that helps combat the defects (spinal bifida, cleft palatte, club foot, and a heart issue are the ones I remember) is folic acid. I took tons of the stuff, through diet and tons by pill. You just pee out the excess.

You'll have to go in for extra ultrasounds during first trimester, with a specialist. My lil girl got an ekg-its like a really zoomed in pic of her tiny heart. Then once you get through that point you are lowered from their concern, though probably still categorized high risk which is annoying.

Also you will have to get extra labs. As your mass and body fluid increases, they'll need to increase your meds.

I'm not going to say its not scary. But carbamazapine is one of the safest drugs for seizure patients, so that's why we stuck with it. It's an old drug, so there's more history. I also have highly regarded doctors at a important hospital, so I trusted him/them. There is a pregnancy study you can go into to help future mothers, BTW. I just tried to remember that stress isn't good for me (my seizures) or the baby, so I just had to focus on the positives that I could control.

I hope all this helps. Feel free to PM me. Best of luck!

[BeccaSueCongdon]

Originally Posted by themaelane Find out anything? If you are pregnant, relax, and go take some folic acid. Let me explain... I'm on carbamazepine / Tegretol. And I was on it my whole last pregnancy. Some things to know. Yes, carb. can cause birth defects. But for me, I would have seizures without it. And seizures are much more scary for pregnancy. (injury during seizure from fall, contraction of uterus, and lack of oxygen). One thing that helps combat the defects (spinal bifida, cleft palatte, club foot, and a heart issue are the ones I remember) is folic acid. I took tons of the stuff, through diet and tons by pill. You just pee out the excess. You'll have to go in for extra ultrasounds during first trimester, with a specialist. My lil girl got an ekg-its like a really zoomed in pic of her tiny heart. Then once you get through that point you are lowered from their concern, though probably still categorized high risk which is annoying. Also you will have to get extra labs. As your mass and body fluid increases, they'll need to increase your meds. I'm not going to say its not scary. But carbamazapine is one of the safest drugs for seizure patients, so that's why we stuck with it. It's an old drug, so there's more history. I also have highly regarded doctors at a important hospital, so I trusted him/them. There is a pregnancy study you can go into to help future mothers, BTW. I just tried to remember that stress isn't good for me (my seizures) or the baby, so I just had to focus on the positives that I could control. I hope all this helps. Feel free to PM me. Best of luck!

Still playing phone tag. :-)
I am actually on carbamazepine too. But I'm on it as a mood stabilizer. My doc and I are/were in the process of experimenting to see if I can come off of it, as it was meant to be a temporary aid to help me get through some traumatic grief counseling. I've been feeling really good and ready to start working my dosage down. I talked to him today and told him I'm late for AF and nervous and waiting for a blood hcg test. I was only on 400mg and he said it'd be safe to go down to 200 this week while I'm waiting for test results. He said its low enough that we can bump back up without the side effects I had when I first went on (yuck), and I can come off completely if I want with probably just a few days of headaches.

Thank you for your reassuring words! I'll be sure to post when I get results from my OB (still playing phone tag about when I can come in) and if I am pregnant ill probably be in touch about pregnancy related stuff. :-)

I had a homebirth with my last baby (#2) and it would be a very different scenario to consider if I end up having high risk things to take into consideration.