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12-21-2012 at 8:38 AM
blue_elle
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blue_elle is online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 9:42 PMSilver

My Cytotec experience ***long***

I searched all over for stories to prepare myself, so I just wanted to share mine for those considering this option and looking for a "what to expect". Obviously there's nothing about miscarrying that isn't graphic, so be forewarned. This is a miscarriage at 10.5 weeks with an embryo measuring 7.5 weeks.

3 pm - took 4 pills (800mg total) vaginally. Doc told me to wet them slightly to help them absorb. Be careful when you do this because more than a tiny drop and they turn to mush. Took an 800 mg Ibuprofen.

5:00 pm - the first twinges of pain begin. It starts as a sharp, left-sided pain, not "menstrual-type cramps" like I was expecting 

5:30 pm - the pain is increasing much more quickly than I would have thought. Heating pads on my back and abdomen aren't taking the edge off anymore. Took a Lortab. 

6:00 pm - Pain is skyrocketing. I move to the bathroom. Either the Cytotec or the extreme abdominal cramping has caused diarrhea. I'm hardly bleeding at all, and I'm shocked by how much pain I'm in. Nausea starts in and I take to laying on the bathroom floor with a trashcan. 

6:30 pm - This can't be normal. I take another Lortab and make DH call the midwife. These aren't cramps, this is body ripping apart pain that never lessens, just persists and increases as a roll around on the floor. She assures us it's ok and says some people are just more sensitive to the Cytotec. I consider going to the ER because I'm hardly bleeding and have in my mind that I can't take hours of this while I wait. 

7:00 pm - Natcotics finally start to ease the pain. It comes in waves now, but that's bearable since I know that when it gets really bad there will be some relief coming in a moment. I move to a pallet DH made outside the bathroom door and we play cards to pass the time.

8:00 pm - The pain has skyrocketed again. It's a deep ripping pain behind my pubic bone. I move back to the bathroom and resume rolling around in the floor in an attempt to find any position that eases the discomfort.

8:30 pm - The pain has moved really low. Something is definitely happening. I move to the toilet and pass the first large piece of tissue. I continue to alternate between laying in the floor and sitting on the toilet. After about 30 minutes I pass the sac, about the size of a large lemon. I hoped this would bring immediate relief like some stories I read online, but it didn't. About 15 minutes after the sac passed I pass a final large piece of tissue and the pain subsides substantially. All was done by 9:30 pm.

I continued to have cramping through the night (now like menstrual cramps) and passed very small clots when using the restroom. I never had heavy bleeding except when sitting on the toilet. I was exhausted afterward, literally drained, but overall I feel pretty good this morning.

All said and done it took about 6.5 hours from the time I took the medicine, with about 2 hours of serious pain. I waited too long to take the Lortab despite seeing people warn to take meds at the first twinge of pain. Don't do this! And don't skimp like I did and only take half of the dose. I thought since I have terrible, vomit inducing periods anyway that I could handle it. This is not the same! Seriously, take everything they give you. There is no transition time from that first twinge to full blown pain. This Cytotec literally sends your body from 0 to 60 in a matter of minutes.  

 

Here are some things I'd suggest to have on hand to prepare yourself:

Have someone with you. This is imperative. If you begin to bleed too heavily or pass out you need someone to take care of you or get you emergency care.

Heating pads are a must. Have two, one for back and one for abdomen and make sure they can travel with you. Having one with me in the bathroom made a huge difference. 

Eat well before you take the medicine; you won't feel like eating again for a while. Hydrate really well also and drink Gatorade or similar before and during. Between Cytotec induced diarrhea and blood loss, you need those electrolytes.  

Have a bucket, trashcan, or similar to vomit in while you're on the toilet.  

Extra TP in the bathroom. You'll use a lot of it. Wet wipes are also good for small cleanups between events. 

Wear layers. Cytotec can make you have chills, but with the nausea and pain you may alternate between freezing and sweating pretty quickly. I used a beach towel as a blanket while lying in the bathroom.  

Have an old thick blanket, towel, or similar under you while you wait and a big towel nearby. I didn't have an issue, but some women gush before they make it to the restroom and you don't want to ruin your furniture/carpet. 

Have a place to lay in or just outside the bathroom. Once things get going you may be really uncomfortable sitting on the toilet, but not want to go very far.

I also had a small step stool in the bathroom with a towel across the top. I was able to lay forward on it while sitting, which helped with nausea, put my feet up some while sitting to give some relief to my back, as well as use it to lay across, grip, or put my feet on while on the floor.  

 

I hope this is helpful. Overall I'm satisfied with the experience (as satisfied as one can be to do this) and would still have chosen this over surgery (only with being smarter about the meds!)

 

***ETA: followed-up this morning and ute is all clear. One dose and a few hours of hell did the trick after weeks of waiting for my body to do zip*** 

mutt_zps2fb5f039-1_zps7220f27c
BFP 11.8.12 * EDD 7.17.13 * MC 12.20.12

BFP 4.28.13 * EDD 1.6.14 * Grow little bean, grow!
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12-21-2012 at 8:44 AM
snegde
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snegde is online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 9:45 PMBronze
It sounds like you have been through a mini version of he1l. But I am happy to see you emerged on the other side of it. Sending big ((HUGS)) your way. I hope you can rest and take some time to heal both physically and emotionally over the next few days.


BFP#1 11.14.12 (MC 12.2.12) EDD 7.24.13 TTC since 2.12 My Ovulation Chart
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12-21-2012 at 8:59 AM
ellajune20...
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ellajune2012 is not online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 5:11 PMBronze

Based on my experience, I agree with all the helpful tips you gave out. I will add (which you imply in there anyway)... to insist on your doc giving you an Rx pain med. Mine was certain that Advil would be just fine - and the only reason I wasn't insistent on getting pain meds was because I had leftover Vicoprofen from surgery earlier in the year. I know some people say they didn't need them, but I definitely needed it!! Advil did NOTHING. And the heating pad only helped in the beginning when the pain wasn't so terrible. The way I see it, better to have the meds there and not use them than to suffer needlessly in pain and not have them available.

I agree with you, even with all that I preferred this over my d&c last year.

So sorry for your loss and that you had to go through this.

~*TTCAL May Siggy Challenge*~



BFP with #1 11/18/2011 with twins; missed m/c at 8weeks3days; d&c 1/19/2012; myomectomy to remove 18cm+,10cm & 5cm fibroids 4/2012; TTC again 7/2012; BFP #2 11/13/2012 with twins-again; missed m/c at 7weeks

Balaustine: An anthology about wanting family http://balaustineanthology.com  
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12-21-2012 at 9:12 AM
1220winter...
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I would also rec. getting the biggest Overnight Maxi Long with wings! I soaked everything. and I took my pain meds RX an hour before I took the Miprosol. I think that helped me.

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12-21-2012 at 9:39 AM
ellajune20...
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ellajune2012 is not online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 5:11 PMBronze

1220winterbride:
I would also rec. getting the biggest Overnight Maxi Long with wings! I soaked everything. and I took my pain meds RX an hour before I took the Miprosol. I think that helped me.

The BEST pads I've ever used are the Always Infinity pads... super thin but they still absorb more than any other pad I've used.

~*TTCAL May Siggy Challenge*~



BFP with #1 11/18/2011 with twins; missed m/c at 8weeks3days; d&c 1/19/2012; myomectomy to remove 18cm+,10cm & 5cm fibroids 4/2012; TTC again 7/2012; BFP #2 11/13/2012 with twins-again; missed m/c at 7weeks

Balaustine: An anthology about wanting family http://balaustineanthology.com  
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12-21-2012 at 11:54 AM
layali
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ellajune2012:

I will add (which you imply in there anyway)... to insist on your doc giving you an Rx pain med.

 

Yes, absolutely. 

 

I didn't use Cytotec, but it sounds in many ways similar to my natural miscarriage. I'm sorry that it was so painful for you, but very glad that you weren't alone! 


BFP #1 9/22/12 EDD 6/4/13 MMC 11/22/12
BFP #2 1/26/12 EDD 10/3/13 keeping fingers crossed...

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12-22-2012 at 7:41 AM
blue_elle
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blue_elle is online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 9:42 PMSilver
Thanks for the additional tips ladies; all very good points. I also want to add to clean your toilet ahead of time. There's nothing worse than jumping off the toilet to vomit, lifting the seat, and realizing your DH need aim practice. I spent a few minutes in the floor fighting to hold back while I wiped down the toilet  >_<

mutt_zps2fb5f039-1_zps7220f27c
BFP 11.8.12 * EDD 7.17.13 * MC 12.20.12

BFP 4.28.13 * EDD 1.6.14 * Grow little bean, grow!
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