My experience of Ectopic and Methotrexate

Dipanwita31191 · 27 June 2024 13:34

Around 24th/25th May, I started seeing brown colour spotting. I missed the period in May month, so I thought maybe it is period blood only. Then on 26th night, I had some pain on right side. I was not feeling good, but managed somehow that night and the pain was gone next morning.

However I decided to see a doctor on 27th. She did USG, saw thickness in the uterus and asked for pregnancy test. I didn’t experience much pain throughout the day but suddenly around 1am I started having severe pain. The severity was so much that I felt like biting my own skin just to bear the pain. And along with that, bleeding and vomiting started.

I rushed to emergency and they did all sort of tests and finally found a little mass in my right tube. Doctors said I have to get surgery and they will remove my right tube. Meanwhile the pain was gone.

Thankfully before surgery they checked my vitals and blood tests, and because everything was normal, doctors said will try methotrexate first. Incase it doesn’t work then will do surgery.

My first shot was given on 28th May. HCG Levels were 1300 before the shot.

Got the next test done on 30th May. HCG reduced to 958.

3rd test was on 4th June. HCG increased to 975.

Got second shot on 5th June.

4th test on 8th June. HCG reduced to 568.

5th test on 11th June. HCG reduced to 328.

6th test on 18th June. HCG reduced to 112.

7th test on 25th June. HCG reduced to 41.

Next test is due on 3rd July. Hope that will be the last test.

During this entire one month, this forum has given me lot of strength and support. It was a very difficult time for me because initially I was completely broken from inside. Every time the number reduced, I was feeling that my baby is moving away from me. And I was in the guilt of killing my baby just to save my life. My husband gave me the link of this forum on the 3rd/4th day and till now, every single day I visit this page, read new experiences and re-read the old topics. So thankful to this entire community that even though you all were not physically with me but still you left huge positive impact in my life, specifically in such difficult time.

Please pray that I come out of this soon and can get a normal pregnancy soon.

tinyjewel · 27 June 2024 19:04

Thank you for sharing your experience. I also had to do two rounds of Methotrexate and I felt the same way you did. You will feel better soon just hang in there and try not to stress too much. I ended up having to do so many rounds of blood draws to test my numbers, I felt like it would never end. Hang in there and know you can do this and it is hard, mentally physically and emotionally. It also helped me to try to remember the hormones in me were fluctuating like crazy (being pregnant, not being pregnant, stress, grief, methortrexate, etc. ) and to just remember to stay as calm as I could. These forums were very helpful to me too.

EPT_Host_22 · 28 June 2024 15:31

Hi Dipanwita31191,

My heart goes out to you, and I’m so sorry that you’ve suffered this ectopic pregnancy and loss. As you’ve seen, you are not alone; these boards are filled with women and men with similar experiences. There is nothing you did to cause this ectopic pregnancy, nor anything that could have been done to prevent it. Be kind to yourself in your recovery and take it in your own time. Please know that we are here for you at any time.

With good wishes,

Michele

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Registered Charity Number: 1071811

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Dipanwita31191 · 3 July 2024 13:18

Hi Michele and Tinyjewel,

Thank you so much for your wishes and support. Got my report today and it says HCG is less than 1.2, so that means the pregnancy has dissolved!

37 days, 2 doses and 9 blood tests…finally I am out of danger today.

Any idea what is the next course of action? I have booked doc’s appointment but the earliest availability is on 9th July so any advise to follow till then?

EPT_Host_20 · 7 July 2024 09:15

Dear Dipanwita,

I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy loss,

To answer your question on the next course of action, in the UK women and people aren’t routinely offered further investigations following treatment for ectopic pregnancy unless their medical team has advised.

If someone is wanting to conceive again following methotrexate treatment, we and many healthcare professionals advise to wait until your hCG levels have reached pre-pregnancy levels (your doctor will tell you when this is) then take folic acid supplements for 12 weeks. 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.

This also gives chance for your body to recover from the ordeal of an ectopic pregnancy, it gives your periods to return to a more normal cycle. This can be key when dating possible future scan dates.

For any subsequent pregnancies, as soon as you know you are pregnant, contact your local early pregnancy unit (EPU) to inform them and book in for an early scan at around six weeks. Remind them of your previous ectopic pregnancy. This self refer route is the best route in our view. Hopefully you will have some comfort to know you are under the radar of medical professionals right away.

Making the decision to begin trying to conceive is an emotional rollercoaster compounded by our sad loss. Again, you are not alone. We here emotional support whenever you need us. There is a

specific Preparing for your Next Pregnancy board you can look at too whenever feel ready.

Sending much love,

Karen x