So, went to gynecology clinic and they found the embryo and as it is small they are going to give me Methotrexate. What have people’s experiences with it been? How have you felt afterwards? Was there much bleeding or cramping? What food should I avoid?
Sorry but personally not had this experience. Wish you luck though. Baby centre uk has a thread of methotrexate journeys, but think it’s quite individual. You will be okay, and you will get through it. All the best X
LouiseO81,
I am so sorry to hear this,
I too had methotrexate injection, and I bled and had stomach pains after it but it does differ for everyone.
While methotrexate is metabolised quickly by the body, it can affect the quality of your cells including those of your blood for up to three months after it has been given. One of the side effects to treatment is fatigue and many women including myself feel very tired and are shocked by the exhaustion they experience through treatment. The impacts of the drug are on top of an already immense ordeal - the diagnostic process of ectopic pregnancy, regular visits to hospital, loss of a pregnancy which all take their toll physically and emotionally and is very understandable and normal.
We have more information on methotrexate here: https://www.ectopic.org.uk/patients/treatment/
As a gentle reminder with Methotrexate, you should wait until your hCG levels have fallen to below 5mIU/mL (your doctor will advise you when this is through blood tests) and then take a folic acid supplement for 12 weeks before you try to conceive. This is because the Methotrexate may have reduced the level of folate in your body which is needed to ensure a baby develops healthily. The Methotrexate is metabolised quickly but it can affect the quality of your cells, including those of your eggs and the quality of your blood for up to three months after it has been given. The medicine can also affect the way your liver works and so you need to give your body time to recover properly before a new pregnancy is considered. A shortage of folate could result in a greater chance of a baby having a neural tube defect such as hare lip, cleft palate, or even spina bifida or other NT defects. This is why the “wait” and then taking folic acid for 12 weeks before trying to conceive is so important.
I am afraid it is difficult to predict how long it will take for your hormone levels reach non-pregnant levels. As we are all individual, our bodies respond differently to the drug and it depends on factors like how high levels reached and our unique physiology. What I can say is that it can take a number of weeks and, while it can take some time, it is not as invasive a procedure as surgery. Also, in terms of chances of future successful pregnancies, studies do not show a significant difference between treatment routes, whether surgical, medical using methotrexate or expectant management (allowing time for the body to resolve the pregnancy itself).
Please also do not undertake any strenuous exercise or lifting or housework while your hCG levels are dropping. While I do not want to alarm you, there remains the risk of rupture even with low or declining hCG levels. You should not resume exercise until your hCG levels are falling consistently and are in the low 100s.
Above all be kind to yourself, allow time to grieve, to heal both physically and emotionally.
We are all here for you for as long as you need,
Sending much love,
Karen x
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
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Hi,
Sorry you’re going through this.
I was also treated with the methotrexate. Well unfortunately i am one of those that needed a second injection:(
First injection was given on 12/11/18. I didn’t feel any pain apart from being weak. Had no pain neither did i have any bleeding.
On my 7th blood draw, my hormones had not gone down as they wanted them to, so had the second injection. Found it so painful that i couldn’t sit properly the first few hours. Period like cramps kicked in on the third day. I referred to them as fake contractions as they came and went (although ave never been pregnant) . I was told this was nornal. They were worse than period pains but over the counter medicine helped alot and the hot water bottle.
I then started bleeding for 3 days. Had the pain for a day then the second night had the worst constipation pains. My husband had to help me walk.
It’s taken my HGC levels 7 weeks to finally go to non pregancy levels (2) . It’s been really hard and full of tears the whole past 2 months but glad i have an amazing husband and family who have always neen there for me.
Everyone is different so your levels might not take as long as mine to get back to normal. This trust has been so amazing.
I also tried to cut out any green foods from my diet or anything with high folate. Also i think taking more than a cup of green tea helped me in the last few weeks.
Keep positive. You will go through this.
Xx
Justjen:
Hi,Sorry you’re going through this.
I was also treated with the methotrexate. Well unfortunately i am one of those that needed a second injection:(
First injection was given on 12/11/18. I didn’t feel any pain apart from being weak. Had no pain neither did i have any bleeding.
On my 7th blood draw, my hormones had not gone down as they wanted them to, so had the second injection. Found it so painful that i couldn’t sit properly the first few hours. Period like cramps kicked in on the third day. I referred to them as fake contractions as they came and went (although ave never been pregnant) . I was told this was nornal. They were worse than period pains but over the counter medicine helped alot and the hot water bottle.
I then started bleeding for 3 days. Had the pain for a day then the second night had the worst constipation pains. My husband had to help me walk.
It’s taken my HGC levels 7 weeks to finally go to non pregancy levels (2) . It’s been really hard and full of tears the whole past 2 months but glad i have an amazing husband and family who have always neen there for me.
Everyone is different so your levels might not take as long as mine to get back to normal. This trust has been so amazing.
I also tried to cut out any green foods from my diet or anything with high folate. Also i think taking more than a cup of green tea helped me in the last few weeks.
Keep positive. You will go through this.
Xx
Sorry altogether, it’s taken me 9 weeks for my HCGs to get back to normal. X