I was a day late to my periods and I was tensed but my periods ( What I thought at that time) came on 23/11/21 and it was heavy and lasted for whole 14 days. After the bleeding was over I started to have pain in my lower left abdomen which was hindering my daily work so I went to my gyne where she diagnosed me with ectopic pregnancy. I was given methotrexate injection on 12/12/21. They didn’t do any blood tests just put a stick like thing in my vagina. It was hell of a ride for 1 week after which I started bleeding (19/12/21) and I bleed till today (28/12/21). I don’t have any cramps right now, all the pain ended 2 days ago. I called my gyn and she told everything is okay but I am not assured. Can someone please help me. Does the stoppage of bleeding is a good sign? And how long till I can be assured that everything is okay?
Dear Ectpgc,
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss .
Following treatment with methotrexate, you should have your bloods checked until the pregnancy hormone hCG reaches pre.pregnancy levels which is usually below 5.
If this is not happening i.would advise speaking your a medical professional or seeking a second opinion. If this is in the UK, they should be following NICE guidance which sets out how women being treated with methotrexate should be looked after and followed up. If they are not reviewing you for blood tests, they are not following national guidance and I would also speak to the Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) at your local hospital to ask why you have not received the care you should be.
As we are a UK based charity, I cannot comment on practice outside the UK, but I would like to think, it should be pretty common practice to have bloods and follow up after being treated with methotrexate for ectopic pregnancy.
I would advise speaking to a medical professional, if you have not had any follow up at all, and speak urgently if you do experience any worsening bleeding or pain.
We have a section on our website on methotrexate which I’ll add here.
https://ectopic.org.uk/treating-an-ecto … thotrexate
There is also important information to follow regarding trying to conceive again following ectopic pregnancy. I do not know if this is something you need to know, but as it appears you haven’t been given much information, I’ll add it here. Do not feel you need to read it, if you do not plan on trying to conceive soon.
If you have had either one or two injections of methotrexate, you should wait until your hCG levels have fallen to below 5mIU/mL (your doctor will advise you when this is through blood or urinary tests) and then take a folic acid supplement for 12 weeks before you try to conceive.
This is because the drug 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 cleft lip and palate, or even spina bifida or other neural tube defects.
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
During the coronavirus outbreak, The EPT team is still working hard to provide crucial information and support to women and families experiencing ectopic pregnancy as quickly and efficiently as we can.
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
My HCG was 7 on 7/1/22
And it increased to 20 on 12/1/22
Initially I was injected on 12/12/21.
Please help I am scared that it’ll rupture.
Is everything going to be normal or it’ll rupture? Please reply.
Dear Ectpgc,
Unfortunately I am not medically trained so cannot give you specific advice on your situation.
Often hCG levels plateau before falling, but it is not common for them to start rising again and I presume your medical team are monitoring your levels again.
Although they are low, I do not wish to alarm you, but as your levels are rising, I would like to gently remind you to seek urgent medical attention if you experience any unusual bleeding/pain/increased body temperature.
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
During the coronavirus outbreak, The EPT team is still working hard to provide crucial information and support to women and families experiencing ectopic pregnancy as quickly and efficiently as we can.
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
Whilst I do not wish to alarm or worry you, I do have to remind you that if you experience any unusual bleeding, abdominal pain, shoulder tip pain, bladder or bowel problems or feel dizzy and unwell to seek urgent medical advice.