TTC after Methotrexate shot

[Savasanna]

Hi all - so I just had my mtx (is that the appropriate abbreviation? I'm just learning the new lingo) yesterday so now I'm waiting to see what's going to happen. Not really noticing all that much, except for some extra tiredness and a queasy belly. No cramping and my bleeding has actually stopped (wtf?!) since yesterday.

But I'm hoping hoping HOPING Thursday's lab shows my levels decreasing. I know sometimes your levels can still go up a little after you get the injection - but for once I'd like to be in the majority of something (you know.. like how *most* pregnancies make babies) instead of the minority. Yesterday's lab had my levels at 1201..

Today was supposed to be the 8 week intake appointment at my midwife. It would've started at 1. I'd probably be leaving work right now to go pick my partner up so we could go together..

Anyway - I'm looking for a new thread so I thought I'd introduce myself here! Hi! Happy to hear things are moving along for you HerdingMomma - and CONGRATS Allforthegirl!!

 

[HerdingMomma]

Welcome to the group, and so very, very sorry you've found need to be here.

My understanding is that it's normal and expected for the first draw after MTX to have gone up. It's the 2nd post injection draw they want to see it dropping. So, if it goes up you will be in the majority.

I pray yours resolves quickly like mine has. What has your doctor told you as far as getting back to TTC?

 

[HerdingMomma]

Meant to mention that I had mild spotting before the injection, and a little after, but then nothing until this past Friday, 22 days after the first injection, 15 after the 2nd one. Thought I was gearing up to ovulate as the hcg dropped to zero, but nope, the LH surge was for AF's arrival. Saturday and Sunday weren't bad, yesterday I was very grateful to have a snow day and stay home. It was HEAVY. TMI!! Felt like I kept peeing on myself it was flowing so strong. Today seems to be more back to normal.

 

[Savasanna]

My doctor had said that we were set to continue TTC straight away, but that was when they thought this was a regular miscarriage. I'm not sure what's going on with me - they did a tranvaginal ultrasound a few weeks ago and said they thought they saw the gestational sac (that it was located right around my cervix so I should mc naturally "any day") and a cyst around my ovary. Although I was spotting/bleeding, the mc never happened so we did two rounds of misoprostol, one week apart. Nothing happened and my levels continued to increase so my doctor called for the injection. So.. I don't fully understand if I'm actually having an ectopic or a stubborn mmc?

Are ectopics ever confirmed with a visual sac or is it the lack of other evidence that leads to the diagnosis? And if it is ectopic, then what was that thing they thought was the gestational sac?? Not that it really matters but I'm just curious as to what happened. I believe I'm technically diagnosed ectopic - but that might be for insurance purposes? Or I'm living in denial..

In any event - I don't know if the methotrexate is going to have an effect on when we can start ttc again - did you have to wait a few cycles? If so that would be terribly disappointing news..

 

[HerdingMomma]

If an ectopic gets big enough they can see it on u/s, but the bigger they get the higher the risk of rupture if it's in the tube. For most, it's the absence of an intrauterine pregnancy that warrants the diagnosis. When I had my u/s there was a bit of fluid in my uterus that some may have thought was a gest sac, but it wasn't shaped right. The u/s tech I had knew right away it was just blood, not a sac. When I saw it I had the slightest glimmer of hope, even though I already knew it wasn't going to be a healthy pregnancy regardless. The numbers just weren't right.

Seems most women are told to wait three months, or three cycles. Some three months from the date of the injection, others three months from hcg getting back to zero. My RE told me we could try again after one period, that the advice to wait was based on studies on long term use of MTX, not the small doses used to treat an ectopic. I'm confident he knows what he's doing, and we're moving ahead and TTC this cycle for one last shot at a 2014 due date. One girl in this thread conceived after just one period and the pregnancy was progressing well. I wish she'd come back, can't remember her name.

 

[allforthegirl]

Hi all - so I just had my mtx (is that the appropriate abbreviation? I'm just learning the new lingo) yesterday so now I'm waiting to see what's going to happen. Not really noticing all that much, except for some extra tiredness and a queasy belly. No cramping and my bleeding has actually stopped (wtf?!) since yesterday.

But I'm hoping hoping HOPING Thursday's lab shows my levels decreasing. I know sometimes your levels can still go up a little after you get the injection - but for once I'd like to be in the majority of something (you know.. like how *most* pregnancies make babies) instead of the minority. Yesterday's lab had my levels at 1201..

Today was supposed to be the 8 week intake appointment at my midwife. It would've started at 1. I'd probably be leaving work right now to go pick my partner up so we could go together..

Anyway - I'm looking for a new thread so I thought I'd introduce myself here! Hi! Happy to hear things are moving along for you HerdingMomma - and CONGRATS Allforthegirl!!

I am so sorry that you have landed yourself here my dear. My numbers were around yours. I started to bleed a peachy pink colour before the shot and continued to bleed after that. Not everyone bleeds the same after the shot. It should though return 14 days or so depending on your LP (luteal phase) after you hit 0.

I know it is hard to hit milestones of your ectopic, but try and focus on getting better. Your LO will want you to be as healthy as you can be when you conceive again. Emotionally and Physically

 

[Savasanna]

Thanks allforthegirl - I'm slowly coming to terms with the fact that this is going to be a lengthy road to get to the point where we're able to try again. That's been the hardest pill to swallow, I think. I was somewhat prepared (as prepared as one can be) for the mc.. but I thought I'd mc within a few days and be back to trying within a week or two. But... that's just not the road we're on and I need to be ok with that. It didn't help that I didn't realize the methotrexate would delay things even longer. Not that it would've changed the course of action but it would've been nice if my doctor had let me know that before I had it done.

ah well..

I suppose it's better to wait a cycle as then we'll be able to better predict when ovulation will occur. My partner and I are inseminating with a known donor so timing is a little extra tricky for us. It's not as simple as "+opk - time to have sex!". Honestly, thinking about going back into the process of TTC kind of makes me ill. I was so excited to be done with that stage..

 

[HerdingMomma]

Honestly, thinking about going back into the process of TTC kind of makes me ill. I was so excited to be done with that stage..

Ain't that the truth? Back in 2004-5 I struggled with being able to get pregnant. This time got pregnant on the first "try" (wasn't supposed to be able to get pregnant - tubes) and I've lost two babies in three months. Going back to TTC over and over again is just not cool! As hard as it was to not be able to get pregnant, I'd choose that over this any day.

 

[HerdingMomma]

Waiting on results from what was hopefully my last blood draw for the ectopic. My SurePredict HPTs went negative a couple days ago, and they've been proven to be wicked sensitive, so praying for a big fat ZERO today! Will let you know as soon as I know.

Hope you are doing well, Savasanna.

 

[allforthegirl]

Waiting on results from what was hopefully my last blood draw for the ectopic. My SurePredict HPTs went negative a couple days ago, and they've been proven to be wicked sensitive, so praying for a big fat ZERO today! Will let you know as soon as I know.

Hope you are doing well, Savasanna.

GL I hope your tests were right!! You are that much closer!!

 

[Savasanna]

GL HerdingMomma! I'm hoping for a zero for you too! You're so close!

I went in for my first lab post shot this morning as well - I'm also waiting for those results.. although your news will be much more exciting than mine

 

[Savasanna]

Woh! My levels fell to 341! Down from 1201 on Monday!

I have another scan on Monday morning - Finger's crossed they're even lower! I have a dream they'll already be close to zero but that's just wishful thinking.. How did things turn out for you Herding?

 

[allforthegirl]

Wow that is good drop

 

[HerdingMomma]

Finally got yesterday's results. She said it was 3.something, therefore negative and we're done with weekly draws! I wasn't too surprised it wasn't zero, because my SurePredict ICs are still showing the very faintest of lines. Arron can see them, me... not so much. These danged tests are MAJORLY sensitive.

So it's CD7 and I should be Oing in 7-10 days. Unfortunately, the Mr's member got a little raw the other night and he's currently out of commission. Praying that he heals quickly. He says it could be 2 weeks, and hoping that he's just trying to freak me out.

 

[HerdingMomma]

Totally missed that there were messages on pg 398 earlier!

Holy beta drop! That's a great fall! And that's 4 days past inject? That's awesome!

 

[Savasanna]

Alright, alright! My test yesterday showed my beta at 81! I'm so happy at least THIS part is going well. Have to celebrate the victories when we can!

I'm having another test next Monday but with how fast my levels are falling I'm feeling confident I'll be close to 0 by then. My doctor DID tell me we should wait one full cycle to try again, so that's a bummer - but thanks to this board it was an expected bummer.

Soooo.. here's looking at the end of April!

 

[Savasanna]

So, I'm really confused about this 1-3 month waiting period discrepancy. I trust my doctor - but someone posted in another thread (over in miscarriage support) that their doctor told them a subsequent miscarriage they experienced was CAUSED by not waiting the full 3 months after their mtx shot. Another posted said their doctor warned them about and increased risk of NTDs if they don't wait 3 months..? (maybe that second poster was here? I don't remember)

I don't want to wait 3 months to try again, but I also don't want to risk another loss or harm to any future children.

I just don't know what to do..

 

[allforthegirl]

The problem is that the mtx depletes you of folic acid. So depending on how much you currently have in your system is depending on how well your body will take to getting pg again. My Dr asked me to wait, so we waited three months. It was hard to wait that long. Though I know there were even a few women on here that didn't wait and it turned out just fine for them. So maybe for your peace of mind just ask to check what your levels are at before you try again.

 

[Savasanna]

Ah.. And the reason you take folic acid is to reduce the risks related to NTDs - that totally makes sense.

I'm probably only going to just wait the one cycle then.. 1. because I can start taking folic acid supplements again as soon as my levels hit zero; and 2. because a lot of people who aren't TTC don't start taking prenatals until 6+ weeks and have perfectly healthy babies.

Thank you for clearing that up for me!

 

[summer2011]

I remember LadyLuck on this thread got her bfp 2 months after mtx and it ended in MC. Not sure if it was attributed to the MTX. My Dr would not take me in for fertility treatments until exactly the 3 months had passed. I'd wait if at all possible.