Hi,
I have just been discharged from hospital following a week of an Ectopic diagnosis, monitoring and a decision for medical management.
I just wanted to know some experiences with the side effects. At the moment I feel very crampy and extremely tender in my abdomen. It feels like painful trapped gas. This morning I laid on the bathroom floor after taking paracetamol as I felt so nauseous and was experiencing contraction like pains. Is this normal am? I am so terrified of a rupture 
Drewj:
Hi,I have just been discharged from hospital following a week of an Ectopic diagnosis, monitoring and a decision for medical management.
I just wanted to know some experiences with the side effects. At the moment I feel very crampy and extremely tender in my abdomen. It feels like painful trapped gas. This morning I laid on the bathroom floor after taking paracetamol as I felt so nauseous and was experiencing contraction like pains. Is this normal? I am so terrified of a rupture
Dear Drew,
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss,
It is normal to feel pain, exhaustion and tiredness following Methotrexate injection for ectopic pregnancy
I have added more information on side effects here-
https://ectopic.org.uk/treating-an-ecto … hotrexate/
I would advise taking pain relief as prescribed (it is advised to avoid anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen with methotrexate injection).
If the pain doesn’t settle with the medication or worsens, especially if you feel unwell, I would strongly urge you to seek urgent medical advice as there is sadly a risk of rupture even with low or declining levels. You can do this by contacting your EPU, calling NHS111 or attending A&E if you are very concerned.
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
Hi drew!
So sorry you’re going through this, and hope you have a good support system during these times. I’ve had two doses of methotrexate, one last Sunday and another yesterday. I was only dizzy, with painful headache, eyes sensitive to lights, and sometimes period like cramps. I was informed though that extremely painful cramps (like someone cutting your arm, as one doctor described) should be reported directly to yoir doctor for urgent follow up.
I hope my experience helps, and wishing you a speedy recovery. Xxx
Hi,
Thanks for your reply, I’m sorry that you are going through this too!
What were/are your HCG levels? When the decision for medical management was made my levels were 3,500… day four bloods have risen to 5,400. I’m so scared! I hope they will fall by day 7 to show that the treatment is working.
Xxx
Hi!
It’s totally normal to see a rise on day 4, u did. My levels rise to 940 from 640 then dropped to 777 day 7, then down to 114 a week later. The shot takes time to work, so please don’t worry! A 15% decrease is what you want to see on day 7. They may drop quite quickly then. Take it easy, don’t put to much pressure on yourself to do anything! It’s your time to relax. I really hope everything goes ok, which I’m sure it will x
Heyya sorry just saw your reply. My levels were at 400. I was informed its ectopic since it was 40 hcg though so I “catched” it pretty quickly. I really hope you’re well now, please do send us an update?
I’m currently very worried as my hcg is still 280(although declining) but I’m having my period already, lots of cramps (my cramps are pretty awful ,like crying awful), in normal periods so it’s hard to tell if this is a red flag). Anddd I have swollen eyelids. What is this from, no clue. I’m travelling out of country tomorrow and I’m honestly so scared. I really hope we all get past this, and this is just a memory. I’m sending everyone whos reading positive energy , unicorn hugs, and rainbows. 