Experience after methotrexate pls help!

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1

Good morning,

I wonder if anyone can advise or relate…

I had methotrexate on 29th Nov and I had been bleeding since 6th Nov (part of the lead up to the discovery of the ectopic pregnancy). After methotrexate the bleeding got heavier and then just suddenly stopped on 9th Dec. I have been fine for a week, even feel back to my old self but I’ve woken up this morning and it’s like day 1 of a period, quite heavy and even falling into the toilet.

Is this normal? Has anyone had this before? What is going onnnn? I thought I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel but now I am worried, scared and miserable again.

Hopefully this is normal?

Thank you in advance xxx

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Hi! What were your levels in your last hcg test ? Are they back to non pregnant levels ? The same happened to me I went from brown spotting to period like bleeding on Friday there, I went to a&e and was seen in the gynea ward they done bloods and a scan they said it all looked fine and that the lining oh my womb was thinning which could’ve caused the change in bleeding. My levels are still 200 odd so not out ot the woods yet xx

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Hi Emma,

Thanks for your reply! They went from 1500 to 600 within a week, I get blood tests now every Monday so I’ll see what they say tomorrow. It’s just so bizarre that for 10 days (almost) I had no blood and no pain and then today I’m getting the heaviest blood I’ve had along with mild discomfort and mild stabbing in the left tube (or where I think the tube is) with sudden movement or certain positions!

You’re at 200 and said you’re not out of the woods yet, is there still a risk of rupture then even if we’ve had a decrease?

Thanks! X

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Dear Elephant,

I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy loss and the worrying time you are going through.

As your hCG levels are not yet back to pre pregnancy levels and you have experienced worsening bleeding, I would advise seeking urgent medical advice, especially if you are soaking through a sanitary pad within 30minutes.

Although I do not wish to alarm you, there does remain a risk of rupture at low and decreasing levels. Getting checked out will put your mind at rest at the very least.

Sending much love,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards

If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?

Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters

Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team

5

Hey, yeah mine were the same kind of numbers ! I think for me it seemed to work quite fast the first week then slowed down the 2nd. The nurse did say this can sometimes happen and didn’t seem concerned. Yeah unfortunately until your numbers are <5 (I think) your still at risk of rupture so I’ve been really taking things easy watching what I’m doing and getting plenty of rest, contacting the hospital if needed as well. I think it’s pretty normal for bleeding and pain and change through out the course of the treatment but I’d always get checked with anything I’m unsure of, just better to be safe than sorry!

When I went to a&e on Friday because my bleeding changed I was admitted to the ward and then given a scan the next day, I got a fright because the a&e dr put in a cannula “just incase” and I thought it mustve been rupturing but thankfully the scan confirmed otherwise, I’d rather have a scan and bloods done everyday than surgery :joy: !

Good luck with you bloods tomorrow and mention your bleeding to the nurse xx

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Ps I had the injection on the 1st December so only 2 days after you, I went from 1680-700-500-300-290 now at 200 odds, so first week was quite big drops then slowed down a little xx

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Thanks Karen and Emma.

I ended up spending the entire day in A&E, was definitely better to be safe than sorry, as you both said!!

They confirmed what you both said, still at risk of rupture until below 5. My bloods are at 333 as of today, 644 a week ago and 1400 odd the week before that! No rupture and my ‘mass’ has stayed the same size since it was first found at the end of November so it least it hasn’t grown. They confirmed there was no embryo in there now, just chorionic tissue. They did the same for me Emma, I went straight into A&E, no waiting, straight in a private room and put me on a drip with some kind of acid to reduce the bleeding (which gave me a reaction I was sick and my eyesight went completely yellow for over an hour, was really scary!)

One thing they did say that I thought I’d sense check here because I’ve had a lot of conflicting info these past 6 weeks! They said the mass may never go? And that’s why the risk of ectopic is higher after the first?

They also said they wouldn’t scan again unless there was cause for concern, so how do I know when I’ll be able to have sex and go to Zumba and lift weights again?

Sorry Emma I didn’t realise you were basically in the same position as me! I thought you were further along! Sending you my love as it’s such a tough time!! Xxxxxx

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Also good to know your numbers dropping because I was hoping that I’d drop from 333 to zero in a week but now I know not to be alarmed if it goes down to only 220 or something!! Thank you!

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Dear Elephant,

I am sorry you had a day in a&e but am pleased you were checked out.

You are right in that there is little research evidence into how long it takes for masses to resolve.

In the UK, women aren’t routinely scanned or offered additional investigations before ttc again.

Following methotraxate injections, we and many healthcare professionals recommend to wait until your hCG levels have fallen to below 5mIU/mL, and then take a folic acid supplement for 12 weeks before you try to conceive. This time generally also allows time for any mass to be naturally reabsorbed.

The time it takes to conceive successfully after an ectopic pregnancy varies considerably from couple to couple. This can be affected by factors including age, general health, reproductive health and how often you have intercourse (sex). Overall, 65% of women are healthily pregnant within 18 months of an ectopic pregnancy. Some studies suggest this figure rises to around 85% over two years.

Sadly, it is not possible to stop an ectopic pregnancy from happening but importantly, help is available with future pregnancies with an early scan at around six weeks gestation to check that the embryo is in the right place. We are here too for emotional support, as and when you need us. We also have a specific board, Preparing for your next Pregnancy which you can look at as and when you feel ready.

As your hCG levels have reach pre pregnancy levels, you will be ok to exercise as there is no risk of rupture at this stage as it will not grow to cause any damage by rupturing.

Sending much love,

Karen x

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards

If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?

Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk

Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk

We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653

Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters

Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team

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Hello again!

I’m sorry to hear you had to go a&e but I’m glad to hear your numbers are falling well and hope they keep going this way :crossed_fingers:t3::crossed_fingers:t3:.

It’s funny you say this because I just said to my mum today I wonder if I’d be offered a scan after my levels drop below 5 to check the mass, it’s very odd that your numbers can lower but the mass doesn’t get smaller, bit confusing tbh ! I’m back in on Friday for bloods so I may ask the nurse about this, tbh near enough every time I’ve been for bloods they’ve asked me if I’d like a scan as I’ve still had pain and they know how anxious I am about the whole thing, last week I had a scan and there was some free fluid they sent me straight to the ward to be seen by the gynea reg dr they’re very through which I love! And the nurses are so nice I would feel comfortable asking them anything, I’ve been going back and forth so long now I’m like a regular there :joy:!

It’s a very worrying and scary thing to be going through and if you ever need to speak feeel free to send me a wee email, I love hearing about other people’s experiences and having someone who knows exactly how I feel to talk to, as it’s a tough subject to anyone else! I’m so sorry your going through this too xxx

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Ps I’m also worried so much about having sex again! Absolutely terrified that something bad will happen, don’t get me wrong I don’t think I’ll be ready to try for a baby for a good while but even the thought of having sex scares me :pleading_face::pleading_face:

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Hi Karen & Emma!

Karen - would my risk be lower if I waited until my HCG were lower and then took folic acid for 12 weeks? Because I am getting married in June 24 so I kinda MUST be pregnant by April (May latest 23) or I will be too big for my dress and coping with a newborn. My 90 days is up 27th Feb and I want to try again immediately!

Emma - you must be in a good area! Are you in Scotland? So good they’re offering you scans and giving you peace of mind!! Hopefully the pain stops for you too! Let me know what your drs say when you go on Friday!

They were worried about free fluid in my scan on Monday, they had to go get another dr for a second opinion! The doctor came in and said ‘you’re looking at her bladder’ :joy: I was being scanned for 20 mins and my bladder had started to fill up again! Didn’t get me the most confidence!

I’m away for Xmas, seeing family around parts of the U.K., so my next bloods aren’t until 29th Dec, hopefullllly I’ll see a good drop!

Also, how did you send me an email? I’ve seen it, is there a function on this website or do I hit reply on my email? Xx

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Oh I forgot to say, I am also terrified of having sex! And so is my partner, he won’t touch me :sweat_smile: my doctor said I’d be fine to have sex now as there’s no scientific evidence it’s linked to rupture (plus my mass is 1xm diameter). But we don’t want to risk it!

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Hey!! Yeah I am in Scotland, Glasgow! They have been brilliant. My pain seems to have subsided a bit thankfully and I’m starting to feel a bit less lethargic and fatigued :crossed_fingers:t3: oh god ! That must’ve scared you but at least it turned out to just be your bladder, I had some free fluid the other week and then in my last scan there was none so must’ve just been absorbed back into my body! Our bodies are the strangest thing! Hope your numbers are still falling well and thank you I can’t wait for my appointment tomorrow to see what mine are at :joy: I’ve been drinking green tea everyday as apparently this helps. Yeah you just click the persons name, I just wanted to make sure that you were okay!

Aw god not good, I did say I would wait until my numbers had dropped but probably by then it’ll be 2 months since the last time and I’m just scared incase i have any pain and freak out or anything !

Xx

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Hey!

I feel like we are quite similar in our worrying! Totally glad I’m not alone and really happy I found this forum because honestly it feels SO LONELY in the real world. And everyone looks at me with the sad eyes, it’s hard.

Please keep me posted on numbers tomorrow! I hope you get a drop! It won’t be nice to have to go through another round of MTX. I saw your response on another post and it’s like the worst hangover ever for a week isn’t it! So praying you don’t need it before Xmas!! But if it helps, my nurse said it falls quickly and then gets really stubborn at the end so not to feel too disheartened if the numbers fall really slowly!

Oh I had not heard about green tea! I hateeee the stuff but if it does the trick I’ll brew a cup now! Thanks sweet!

Yeah, I have noooo idea when we’ll have sex again, I’m 2021 I had an ablation for high risk pre cancerous cells and then got an infection so we didn’t have sex for like 3 months and then I was TERRIFIED! But it was fine… so hopefully this will be the same. I feel like each year my body is giving me a reason to hate my vagina :sweat_smile: xx

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Hi again!

I know what you mean, people just keep asking how are you and every other day your like aye fine just the same but really your emotionally and physically drained !! I know I really don’t want another shot… my nurse also said the same thing so hoping that means tomorrow I’ll have a good drop! It was 3 weeks ago I had the shot, and the last few days my bleeding has been changing from brown to red and heavier and less so am hoping this means something is happening! So bad to think your wishing this time away but it’s for the right reasons I suppose.

Omg yes the hangover feeling! I barely eat or anything for a week, I was practically crawling to the toilet and honestly thought I was dying! Now I’m better I’m able to drive short distances, walking okay for short periods at a time and actually eating normally! I still have some pain now and then and feel very fatigued early in the evening, then have trouble falling asleep at bedtime :joy: typical. But I’m just glad that first week afterwards is over it was horrible, my hair was matted I couldn’t even find the energy to wash it and dry&style it so it was just shoved in a bun after each bath it was horrible :woman_facepalming:t3:. Yeah the green tea is rank I have found Asdas own better than any branded and adding a wee bit of honey and cold water makes it a bit easier to drink!

Omg I think I had something similar, I had a smear test that came back with abnormal cells I had to have a biopsy and then the laser treatment thing can’t remember the correct name haha! And just now I have a cyst down there it’s a “gartner duct cyst” that in waiting to have removed! I feel the exact same with my pelvic area and reproductive system it seems to be constant problems. I got a lot of thrush and stuff like that when I was in high school as well I feel like some women are really prone to problems down there! And the. In labour with my daughter I couldn’t even push her out as she couldn’t get past the wee bend no matter how hard I tried so that ended in surgery as well! Being a woman is so hard sometimes :joy::joy:

When’s ur next blood tests ? Hoping it drops quickly for us :crossed_fingers:t3::crossed_fingers:t3: xx

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Morning!

Wishing you the best for today and keeping all my fingers crossed for a nice drop!!

Just over 3 weeks for me and my blood changed to red and heavy, that was part of the A&E visit Monday. They couldn’t find a reason for it and they said to expect it to slow/stop and have a sudden bleed again, it’s to do with our progesterone levels or something. So I’m sure that’s just what’s happening with you too but it just SO BLOOMIN ANNOYING ISNT IT?! Like go away already. It’s not nice wishing time away, and it feels wrong wishing the whole ordeal would just end, I can’t help but feel guilty like I’m wishing a life away. But I think I said, for me there’s no longer and embryo in there now.

I think we drew the short straws with our reproductive systems! I staggered a lot with thrush too and my bestie never had that or cystitis! Just unfair! I get cystitis from alcohol and I get thrush from antibiotics so there’s always something wrong with me!

Aww how old is your little girl now? Sorry it was such a traumatic birthing experience? Does it mean C-section next time too?

Again, let me know how today goes! Do you get your results same day too? Sending love xx

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Morninggg :smiling_face: thanks so much! Yeah I get my results the same day, the waiting is a joke I sit by my phone until the ring me I’m so impatient! Yeah that is probably what it is then! It is so annoying, having to wear pads all the time, the amount of money I must’ve spent on them over the last month and a bit is a joke! Yes definitely I’m the same with cystitis and getting thrush from antibiotics too! Such a nightmare:joy:

She’s 2 and a bit now! She’ll be 3 the end of March so she was a wee lockdown baby, it was traumatising to say the least but it could’ve been worse I have heard some horror stories! I think so, I was planning on asking that with my appointment for this one but obviously that never came around, but I would definitely assume so and if not I would request as I wouldn’t want to have to have emergency surgery again!

I’ll repost with my results later :crossed_fingers:t3::crossed_fingers:t3: xx

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interesting information

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Hey Emma,

Please forgive my ignorance I have never been to Scotland and I have no idea if the NHS is up there (but assuming it is). Do you get texts with links to hospital appointment letters? I get them through and it brings me to the NHS patient portal and I click on record and it literally has ALL my blood results and they’re posted like 1-2hrs after my blood tests! I go first thing and have the bloods at 7:30am and then by 9:30 o have a look online and they’re already there. Might be worth checking out? Because I don’t know about you but our nurses down in south london can take HOURS or even next day to call me!

Awww a little lockdown bubba! How wonderful, perfect age just understanding Xmas! Honestly cannot wait to have children!! Xx