Two Methotrexate Shots after Ectopic

Main Board
1

Hey all,

I somehow stumbled upon this website while trying to find stories and comfort while going through my ectopic pregnancy. I want to share my story in hopes it will help someone else. My husband and I were trying to conceive our first child and successfully did after only two months of trying. Amazing right?! So I thought. I was so excited when my pregnancy test was positive. A few days after my positive test, I began spotting, this turned into full on bleeding. I thought for sure I was having a miscarriage. There was no way there was still a baby inside after all the blood. I went to the doctor where they told me I had a negative urine pregnancy test, but did blood work to confirm. My HCG levels came back at 40 on 6/10. This was super low, but they assured me this could be very early pregnancy. I had to get another draw a few days after. It only went up to 50 on 6/14. This was very concerning and this is when they told me I could be having an ectopic pregnancy. I would have never dreamed this could happen to me. On 6/16 my HCG was 84. I had my first dose of methotrexate on 6/18. The day of the shot I felt very tired, but the next day I woke up extremely nauseous. I had some pain, cramping/burning sensation, like a band around my lower stomach area, this lasted around a week. My HCG was 283 on 6/21 and 304 on 6/24. I was devastated. I thought for sure this first dose would work, I was terrified of having surgery, and more so of my tube rupturing. They think they saw the pregnancy in my left tube. I went back to the doctor and they instructed me to go straight to the ER to get the second dose of the shot. I got the second shot on 6/24. After the second dose, I did not have the pain, nausea or cramping like I did with the first. I was terrified it wasn’t working. I went back to get my HCG checked on 6/27, it was 264 which was finally going down :raised_hands:t3: On 7/7 my HCG was 61 and 7/14 it was 4 (anything below 5 is considered negative). I started bleeding heavy on 7/6 and this lasted several days. This was the most emotionally and physically difficult thing I have ever experienced. The fear, unknown and pain is overwhelming. Don’t give up hope if the first shot doesn’t work. :heart:

My doctor did not give me details on what to do and what not to do while on the shot, which disappoints me the more the I think about it. I had to do my own research.

I have an appointment with a new doctor out of town to hopefully get some answers on whether or not I am safe to try again in the future.

I want you all to know how much you have helped me and to know you’re not alone.

2

Hi Talon23,

My heart goes out to you for the experience you have just been through. Our ectopic pregnancies and losses are physical and emotional trauma. For many of us, like yourself, it is something we never expected to happen nor had information about. I’m glad that you have found these boards and want you to know that we are here as long as you need us.

You’re experience is so recent that I want to encourage you to continue looking after yourself. There is no set recovery or set timeframe for recovery. As every women is unique, we all process it in different ways. Some days are better and some days are harder. Over time, the initial feelings may fade, but we don’t forget. Your well-being is the most important thing right now.

It’s good you will continue to follow up with another doctor. It might be helpful to write down questions as you think of them, and bring them with you. Often, we are so shocked by the experience that we don’t always know what we want to ask straight away. No matter what these boards are a safe space for your thoughts, questions or to just vent. We are here for you for as long as you need.

With good wishes,

Michele

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

3

Thank you Talon23 for sharing your story. I’m not ready to share my full story yet because I’m still going through it. I do take comfort and gain knowledge on what to expect after the methotrexate injection by only reading stories like yours on forums like this. I just had the 2nd dose of methotrexate today as my numbers didn’t drop enough. It’s been very difficult and emotional thus far and it’s better to have more of an understanding of what’s to come.

I understand about the lack of information given as well. Why should I have to research things for myself? The nurse told me today that you should flush 2x’s after using the restroom bc the injection is of course a cancer drug. She asked “No one told you about that?” I said no. I did see on another thread someone adjusted their diet to omit all folic acid and they said it seemed to help them in addition to not taking the prenatal vitamin. When I inquired about that the she said she’s never heard of a Doctor suggesting that. But it does seem like it would potentially help.

Thank you!!

:heart: MSKC

4

MSMK,

I’m so sorry you are experiencing this. :heartpulse: sending all the good thoughts and vibes your way. It is so hard.

I am so frustrated that the nurses and doctors are not giving more information. It’s so traumatic as it is, much less having to ask questions, research, etc.

I did not follow any diet restrictions during my first shot, however, after I found the information on this forum, I did limit my folic acid/folate intake after the second shot. I did not eat any fruits, veggies, cereal, orange juice, and tried to limit bread. I live in the US, so folic acid is added to nearly everything. I also drank green tea, which is supposed to keep your body from absorbing folic acid.

5

Talon23:
MSKC

I’m so sorry you are experiencing this. :heartpulse: sending all the good thoughts and vibes your way. It is so hard.

I am so frustrated that the nurses and doctors are not giving more information. It’s so traumatic as it is, much less having to ask questions, research, etc.

I did not follow any diet restrictions during my first shot, however, after I found the information on this forum, I did limit my folic acid/folate intake after the second shot. I did not eat any fruits, veggies, cereal, orange juice, and tried to limit bread. I live in the US, so folic acid is added to nearly everything. I also drank green tea, which is supposed to keep your body from absorbing folic acid.

6

Thank you SO much for sharing yoir story. Mine goes exactly the same, and I’m super frustrated of nurses and doctors as well. Not enough information, no one told me about the follic acid thing, and they genuinely don’t se concerned all that much.

I’m still going through my journy, my hcg is still at 289 today, and I’m already bleeding like a period. My eyelids are swollen too which I’m not sure if I should be concerned about. My doctor says its fine I have my period now, although my hcg is still at 280. Is it though? The fear that I’m going to die due to medical neglect in this country is real.

S

7

SarahHa:
Thank you SO much for sharing yoir story. Mine goes exactly the same, and I’m super frustrated of nurses and doctors as well. Not enough information, no one told me about the follic acid thing, and they genuinely don’t se concerned all that much.

I’m still going through my journy, my hcg is still at 289 today, and I’m already bleeding like a period. My eyelids are swollen too which I’m not sure if I should be concerned about. My doctor says its fine I have my period now, although my hcg is still at 280. Is it though? The fear that I’m going to die due to medical neglect in this country is real.

S

SarahHa,

I am so sorry you are also going through this. It is so painful. Sending positive thoughts your way. The doctors I have seen also do not seem concerned and I am determined to find a doctor that will listen to my concerns.

I also had pretty heavy bleeding, which from what I research is normal with your HCG dropping. Please watch for any sharp pain, shoulder tip pain, or light headedness, and go to the ER if needed.

8

Thanks for the replies Talon23 and SarahHa.

I’m gonna try to adjust my dietary folic acid intake if it will help. Im also going to try drinking green tea as well. I will have another blood draw tomorrow with results the next day so I’m just praying that the numbers will go down enough to let me know the 2nd injection is working. I only had light bleeding before both doses and a few days of small clots. I haven’t had any bleeding since my first methotrexate injection on 7/8/21. This wait and see approach is really difficult. I don’t wish for anyone else to ever have to experience this. It’s terrible. As I’ve read on another thread I’m glad that I’m not alone in feeling like I would’ve rather just had a miscarriage instead to get it over with. My 1st injection experience was worse than the 2nd but to have to go for a 2nd injection and it still feels like nothings happening (The 2nd injection pain hurt more than the 1st) then the waiting to see if numbers drop along with the continued blood draws it takes a lot out of you. And then still worrying that it won’t work and the potential surgery I may have to have. It’s crazy. I just want this to be over with already.

I’m so glad for this forum it is really helping me!

Thanks for reading.

MSKC :heart:

9

Hi Ladies!

I hope you two are in much better conditions right now. I had some pain on my left ovary side after hcg dropping to 21 and it was my tube inflamed and rupturing so they’ve removed my left tube 3 days ago. Paying close attention to pain is very important even if numbers are going down.

Sending you lots of love.

10

SarahHa,

Oh my goodness. I’m so sorry you had to go through with the surgery. My numbers are dropping 50% every week but didn’t really think that surgery could still be a possibility. Can I ask you how significant the pain that you experienced was? I just want an idea so I can be aware if it happens to me as well. Praying for your swift recovery. :pray:t2::heart:

MSKC