Methotrexate

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Hi all, been admitted to hospital today after my methotrexate injection, feeling very anxious just now. Just been given an anti sickness for nausea I feel as though it is all coming off my anxiety of the whole situation.

Has anyone got any experiences with the methotrexate symptoms ? Thanks

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Hi Emmapx,

I am sorry to hear you are going through this worrying time. It’s good that you are being looked after, and I hope that provides you with some relief. I know how challenging it can be to receive an MTX shot and the wait which follows. The Trust has advised of the following possible side effects of MTX:

The most common side effects of methotrexate are:

  • Camping abdominal (tummy) pain is the most common side effect, usually occurring during the first 2 to 3 days of

treatment. Because abdominal pain is also a sign of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, report any abdominal pain to your health professional;

*fatigue – a number of women feel very tired and are shocked by the sheer exhaustion that they encounter during treatment;

  • vaginal bleeding or spotting;

  • nausea, vomiting, and indigestion;

  • light-headedness or dizziness – Again, because this is also a sign of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, please report it to your health professional;

*A numb or sore bottom from the injection.

Other rarer side effects from methotrexate treatment for ectopic pregnancy, include:

*Skin sensitivity to sunlight

*Inflammation of the membrane covering the eye

*Sore mouth and throat

*Temporary hair loss

*Severe low blood counts (bone marrow suppression)

*Inflammation of the lung (pneumonitis)

I recall nausea and fatigue from my own MTX treatment. You know your body the best, and while the hcg levels are decreasing, it’s important to be mindful of your symptoms until you reach non-pregnant levels under 5mIU/mL, as there is, unfortunately, still a chance of rupture. The symptoms of a deteriorating ectopic pregnancy, which include worsening or progressively increasing pain; vaginal bleeding; shortness of breath; feeling faint; and pain in the tip of the shoulder, among others, may become noticeable. You will need to be reassessed if you suffer any of these symptoms. Your hospital will give you a number to contact for health advice if you feel anything is changing, or you will have been told to report to the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E). If you have not been told what to do and need to speak to someone, ring the hospital department which is treating you or the NHS 111 Service by dialling 111.

From the bottom of my heart, please be kind to yourself through your recovery. We are here for you whenever you need it.

With good wishes,

Michele

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

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Hi Michele thanks very much for your reply. Just home after a night in the hospital for observation after MTX, I have had done slight pain and bleeding drs assured me this is normal and to be expected, over all I feel absolutely knackered and as though I’ve been hit with a bus. These past few weeks on the lead up to this have been hard physically and mentally and I feel so guilty that I haven’t been able to be there a great deal for my daughter, even more so now I am trying to recover and I feel as thought I am just abandoning her. I have my husband and my mum staying with us atm so plenty of help and support but still feel guilty. I’m just praying so much that the mtx works and I can get this all behind me :crossed_fingers:t3: I know it’ll take a long time to emotionally recover.