I had a pregnancy of unknown location about three years ago. I was given methotrexate and folic acid to take with the first one. My pregnancy hormone went down to zero. I was told it had been delt with successfuly. Three days later I needed up in a and e with pain in my left side and pain in the tip of my shoulder. I explained about the treatment etc and was told I was not pregnant so could not be ectopic as I had no pregnancy hormone. The next day they scanned me and I had a 12 week baby in my left tube and was in a very bad way as had ruptured. I needed blood transfusions and a very long opperation. I lot my tube and was told I could try again as I still have one tube. It took me very long time to get over. A year later I had a miscarriage so went to go and see a consultant to help me fall as I have pocs. The gave me clomid which I fell with in two months. I had pain went to a and e again as was very scared Tuesday. They sent me to the early pregnancy unit who scanned me on Wednesday and could not see anything. They said I could just be early. They repeated blood and my hormone only went up by 100. Due to my history they called me in Friday and scanned me which is where they see the baby in my right tube. The doctors (different hospital) said to try methotrexate again which i have done to avoid surgery. Now I am petrified I will ruptured again and will not be saved. I can’t even be left on my own so dh can walk the dog and go shopping. How have people delt with going through an ectopic again. Has anyone else ever been give folic acid with methotrexate? I’m so scared I don’t know what to do any advice and experience is welcome. Thank you for reading. Xx
No experience of this one but thinking of you. Didn’t want to read and run… X
Dear Stacey1909,
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancies and losses, to experience one loss is difficult to deal with multiple losses is heartbreaking and my heart truly goes out to you.
Methotrexate is a folate antagonist which means it interferes with the folate in the body and blocks cell growth. Accordingly, taking folic acid at the same time as methotrexate can interfere with treatment. We therefore advise not taking folic acid whilst having methotrexate.
We advise that 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 would therefore question your Drs use of folic acid along side methotrexate injection.
Please, feel free to use the boards for as long as you need, we are all here for you.
Sending much love,
Karen x
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Thank you both very much. I will be asking the dr for answer as I could have kept my tube if the injection would have worked. I’m just so down and feeling so hopeless now Iv had the second ectopic and worried I will lose my only tube. Thank you for all the support and love xxx