Hi ladies,
I realsie this is a popular question but wondered if anyone could help me!
I had Methotrexate on 3 July and my HCG levels reached 6 on 24 July. I started taking folic acid on 31 July.
I am confused about when I can TTC now… is it 3 months after the MTX shot or 3 months from HCG 0? Or 2 cycles after the MTX?! There’s so much information and I feel like I am constatntly calling the hospital with questions!
Hi Hayley
Firstly I’m sorry that you’ve gone through this too. I agree it is all a bit confusing. From my understanding the 12 weeks are counted from the hcg at 0 and when you start taking folic acid. Mtx is a nasty drug and it can take a while for it to get out of your system and from a ttc perspective for the folate levels to be built back up.
My experience is that I had my shot on 5th June and started folic acid again on 26th June. Just having my 3rd period now and will start ttc when it’s finished.
I’m not sure how your doctors are looking after you but I requested a liver function test after 6 weeks and have just had a folate level test, for which I’m waiting for the results.
Wishing you all the luck for your next time.
Hi Aric,
Thank you, you have replied to me before on another subject, so I really appreciate your help. Can I just confirm then that you will have taken folic acid for about 10 weeks since your levels were 0?
Sorry, I know I sound obsessive, but I really want to start trying again now and just want to be able to as quickly, but as safely, as possible!
xx
Hi again,
I hope I didn’t just repeat myself! 
I will have taken for 11 weeks by the time I (usually) ovulate (next Thursday/Friday) but I should get my folate levels back from the GP this Friday so I will know if I have built up sufficient reserves. I am intrigued to see what they are actually.
Have you been for a follow up check yet? Maybe you could ask to get your levels checked.xx
Thank you Aric!
No, not at all, you haven’t repeated yourself! I am just grateful for your time!
I actually have a medical through work arranged in 4 weeks time so I am hoping they will be able to check my folate levels then when they do my blood test.
I don’t want to start trying too early in case it causes an ectopic again, but at the same time I really want to start trying again as I feel like we are stuck in limbo waiting at the moment.
Good luck with your folate check results, I hope they have built up nicely! xx
I know what you mean. When everything was happening and I started to be able to look ahead to the future the wait seemed to be forever. I have been marking the weeks off and was really tempted to start after my 2nd AF in August but then we decided that after having a miscarriage in February we wanted to be sure that we’d done the right thing and waited. So at least if anything goes wrong next time I won’t be able to blame myself for not waiting. Of course I still would!
That all became a bit longer than I intended!
The medical sounds like a good opportunity. Hope that all goes well and hopefully you’ll be ttc very soon. xx
Thanks Aric,
I think I will wait the full 3 months, or like you say, if anything happens again I will just be blaming myself. My other half is desperate to start trying again but has been wonderful throughout.
Good luck with your TTC this month… have fingers crossed for you xx
Thank you! We’re lucky to have supportive partners. My husband can’t wait to be successfully pregnant and he’s always so positive.
Yes count down to ttc is very short now. I’ve just ‘treated’ myself to some clear blue ovulation stuff. Just trying to take control of whatever I can I suppose :lol:
So will it be October that you’ll be able to ttc again? I imagine I’ll be trying then too but hopefully we’ll both get some good news soon xx
Hey! I was told 100 days from the shot. So December I had it and was 1st April that I was to start back on the folic. From June could starts trying again. I had a rupture and left tube removed in emergency surgery week after my shot so its been a slow process. But bit of a positive foe you, I just found out I’m 5wks pregnant. First scan in 2 wks. Nerve wrecking but I was so worried with one tube id have bo chance. Now there’s hope. Just take your time. It will happen. Good luck. X x x
Just wanted to add. Clear blue ovulation kits worked both times for us. First pregnancy despite resulting in ectopic was just after 2nd month and again this 2nd pregnancy is on the second month of using the kit. Although its a bit awkward demanding rather than natural sex it did the trick. However i didn’t have to ask directly, I just happened to casually leave my flashing smiley face 
test in a place he wouldn’t miss it. Not glamours but worked. Give it a try. Pricey but I think £30 worth it from Amazon x
Haha I like your technique shellmalpas! I ordered the clear blue ovulation tests today as they were on sale. I’ve tried the opk sticks before but actually getting pregnant hasn’t been a problem up to now (fingers crossed that doesn’t change) it’s staying that way that has proved difficult. 
Congratulations by the way, I hope everything goes well for you xx
Sneeky Aric eh!
Yeah its the staying pregnant that I’m now anxious about. Trying to get by each day without worry is just as bad if not worse than the worry of trying. Men have it easy. They don’t get how we feel throughout it all. They say Don’t Worry and shrug. While we are on an Emotional rollercoaster, They ride on the Merry go round. Hee hee! Xxx
Very sneaky. I tried the ‘I’m ovulating’ tactic, but I’m afraid he just felt like it was pressure. The only way it works for me is having sex all the time (that way he gets used to it and we are likely to hit the right days). Obviously it is quite fun too! :lol:
I know exactly what you mean although my husband is very supportive and lovely he is sometimes annoyingly positive. His approach is exactly the same, ‘it’ll be fine’ ‘just relax’. Definitely easier said than done, obviously.
Hopefully the scan will give you some peace of mind but even so 2 weeks is a long time when everyday is tense. I wish you all the best and do let us know how you get one. I have my fingers crossed for you. xx
Just a little update regarding folate levels. I’ve been told they are in the normal range at 16.1 for folate and 679 for B12. I’ve just been taking the 400mcg of folic acid that’s in my prenatal vitamin. These are my levels after taking the vitamins for 9 weeks. Obviously everyone is different in how their body stores etc but I thought this might be helpful (mildly interesting information).
Hi!
Yes, I think mid to end October I will be able to TTC again… We had a day out today together and went for a walk along the beach. Nice to relax and not think of any of the horrible rubbish for a few hours at least!
Shellmalpas - congratulations! I have my fingers crossed for you this time!
Aric - folate levels sound good to me! I have my medical when I would have been taking the folic acid for 10 weeks so hopefully that will help.
Will look into the clear blue ovulation tests too… We got pregnant 1st month of trying last time so I didn’t really think of any of this… Have learnt so much!
Good luck ladies and thank you so much for the support xx
Tell you something! In these oast months I’ve done loads. Since Jan I played 2 netball matches a week, been to gigs and festivals and only just in Tues I was in the Lakes climbing Helvelyn’s Striding Edge clinging on for life. What a difference a day makes. Wouldn’t have done that gad I have known. But I’ve lived a lot these past 6/7 months. I’ll keep everyone posted. Until then all, live your lives to the max. Get out, party, climb a mountain. Much love x x x
Sorry for spelling. Blooming phone and predictive text :oops:
Oh wow sounds like you have been busy! Maybe taking your mind off things has helped getting pregnant…
Just found out my sister in law is pregnant… She’s 10 weeks so would have been 6 weeks behind me. Am made up for her but can’t help but feel completely gutted and sad too. Feel terrible for feeling like it, and am worried as she starts to show and progress I am going to be even more upset… Is this terrible of me?? Xx
Hello!
Shellmalpas it’s great you’ve used your time well. I definitely notice things feel better when you live a bit but my desire for a child is always there. Off to Norway this month though so something exciting to look forward to.
Hayley, don’t feel bad it’s totally understandable. My sister in law has a little girl who’s almost 3 and I know she’s thinking about another I have to admit I’ve been secretly hoping that she doesn’t get pregnant before me. It’s such an emotional pull that feeling sad for oneself whilst happy for another is totally acceptable in my book. I read a little thing today: “b gentle with yourself, you’re doing the best you can”.
Mid-October will be here in no time.
As ever I wish you both good times xx
Oh yeah girls don’t get me wrong that thought is like a ticking bomb in the back of my mind constantly, but it has helped to have things to do and look forward to. It is hard. My sister in law is just starting her 2nd trimester. It was hard, but she has a miscarriage of twins just before I had my ectopic so know she will have gone through the same issues and mind thoughts for her circumstances. Thing is we all talk on here but we don’t tall with our nearest and dearest. Partly we dont want them to know in detail so they can expect news on when we fall pregnant in months ahead, but also we just can’t find anyone who’s experienced our circumstances. I’m not saying miscarriage is easy, I have had friends who have gone through that and it is hard, but ectopic is a constant thorn in your side. We can’t help but worry about the next thinking will this one be ectopic never mind miscarry which is my constant thought now. All I’m doing is spending each day now monitoring my twinges in my tummy. I get loads of twinges from my left scar tissue side, which is a positive. But any little twinge on my right and I’m panicking thinking the worse. We don’t have to be 100% over joyed with other peoples news. I know its hard. I have felt so guilty over other peoples announcements because I was jealous. If you feel jealousy then don’t worry. As women we are super ace at showing face and aching in side. You can be smiles with friends and family who expect, but when you feel you need to cry then go do it. Just think…let them have their baby first, get the excitement over and then when its your time reap the glory and joy from your friends and relatives. And maybe you’ll be given some pretty brand new baby equipment that they wont need anymore and you will for nothing or a small fraction of cost. Timing can sometimes work in your favour. In the mean time, get off to Norway, go see some sights, make memories and have a brilliant few months. Marvellous fun to be had. X x x x x x