TTC after Methotrexate shot

[Gray]

Welcome, Gray.

I'm sorry you're going through this again. Having this happen a second time in a row must be devestating. I've never had an HSG test and don't know much about them. What do they test for?

I hope your appointment goes well for you today

Yes Savasanna I thought I was going to go into a depression because it happened twice and so close but being that I have such a loving and supportive fiancé and family they keep me going and tell me it will happen in do time. HSG test is to see if there is any blockage in my tubes by placing a catheter in cervix and filling your tubes up and seeing if flows through. As for my appointment I am waiting for my results fingers crossed for a big fat ZERO

 

[Gray]

Gray, I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through this for a second time. I was also just diagnosed with ectopic on March 17th. I've done a little research about the hsg, but not a lot. I do know it's basically a scope and they go up and look around to make sure you don't have any damage, scar tissue or any other underlying issue in your tubes, ovaries or uterus. From a couple of blog posts I have read you're awake for the procedure and it helps if you stay relaxed, the more you tense up the more painful it is. I am hoping my doctor suggests we do this procedure once my levels hit 0, because I have had symptoms of endometriosis in the past, but for endometriosis to be diagnosed you have to have a surgical procedure, which I haven't. With the hsg test we would be able to see if I have any build up of tissue on my ovaries or fallopian tube which could have caused this ectopic. This information might not be much help, but from everything I have read the HSG test would give the doctors more insight as to what might be going on. Please keep us updated.

Thanks for the info I did a little research as well and seen how the procedure is done. I am so ready for my betas to be at zero so I can get it done and see what is wrong because I do not think I can go through this for a third time.How high did your Hcg rise to?

 

[WHITNEYG]

Gray, on March 17th my levels were at 485. I had the Methotrexate on March 18th. By Friday, March 21st my hcg was 929. This was the highest my hcg has been. On Monday, March 24th my level was at 651 (30% drop). I'm really hoping they start dropping faster, because I'm ready for this to be over. I'm having a lot of cramping in my right side that goes down my thigh. The doctor has done 2 ultrasounds, one on Monday and one today, since the cramping started on Monday to make sure my tube isn't rupturing, so far it's not, but the spot in my tube is getting bigger. They said it's only bigger because there is blood surrounding it, probably because it is being broken down, and since it's bigger that's why I'm having pain. They're going to check my levels again on Monday and to make sure they continue to decrease. How's your HCG, are you negative yet?

 

[Savasanna]

Damnit. Another Facebook baby announcement. Due in October. Just heard the heartbeat for the first time this week. That was supposed to be my story.

I hate those stupid Facebook announcements. I hate them so much. I don't blame the person who posts them - they're happy and are allowed to share their news however they want.. but I feel like I die a little each time I read a new one. And this one.. just ouch.

I don't think a Facebook announcement will ever not remind me of THAT feeling. Even when I'm pregnant again - I'm not doing a big announcement.

Damnit.. I wish I didn't go online tonight.

 

[WHITNEYG]

Savasanna, I know exactly how you feel. I swore I wouldn't get on Facebook anymore last Sunday, after seeing the 5th pregnancy announcement in 1 month, but for some reason last night I logged on and what do you know there was another one. It's extremely hard to see, but I just have to be hopeful that sometime in the near future I will be getting the good news that we are pregnant with a healthy baby. Hang in there and hopefully it will happen for us soon.

 

[Gray]

Gray, on March 17th my levels were at 485. I had the Methotrexate on March 18th. By Friday, March 21st my hcg was 929. This was the highest my hcg has been. On Monday, March 24th my level was at 651 (30% drop). I'm really hoping they start dropping faster, because I'm ready for this to be over. I'm having a lot of cramping in my right side that goes down my thigh. The doctor has done 2 ultrasounds, one on Monday and one today, since the cramping started on Monday to make sure my tube isn't rupturing, so far it's not, but the spot in my tube is getting bigger. They said it's only bigger because there is blood surrounding it, probably because it is being broken down, and since it's bigger that's why I'm having pain. They're going to check my levels again on Monday and to make sure they continue to decrease. How's your HCG, are you negative yet?

Whitney when I was going through my first ectopic my hcg went up as well and I had to get two shots to get them to decrease. It took me a month and a week for them to go to zero. However this go round they are dropping fairly quick. I am currently waiting on my doctor to call me for the results praying they are at zero they were 690 or 670 last week and that have been dropping in large quantities. How are you feeling today?

 

[WHITNEYG]

GRAY, I'm feeling better, cramping has gotten a lot better. I'm feeling even better knowing that my levels are still continuing to drop. I went back today for labs and my levels have dropped from 651 to 271 in a week. I'm so happy to know that we are getting closer to putting this behind us. I hope everyone is having a good week.

 

[Gray]

That is great whitney!! I spoke with my doctor and he said he would call me back tomorrow with the results. I am still praying for my zero. Hopefully by next week you will be at zero since your numbers are dropping rather quickly.

 

[WHITNEYG]

Gray, have you heard back from your doctor today?

 

[Gray]

Whitney, No I have not! I was mad that he did not call me today to tell me if I needed more blood work done or not but then I'm thinking the reason why he hasn't called could be because I do not need anymore blood work. I am definitely calling him first thing in the morning to find out some answers. How are your levels doing when do you go back for blood work?

 

[Nataliek]

Hi Ladies, do you mind if I join this group? I am just getting over an ectopic, I had the methotrexate shot two weeks ago and I dropped right to zero after 12 days. My levels were extremely low to begin with, 11, 19, 33, 48, 80 and then 98 when I finally had the shot. It seemed really odd to me that they were so low, I had a lot of bleeding that I thought was my period and my husband and I were getting ready to start the IUI process when the clinic called and told me my betas were at 11 and I couldn't start my injections. I should explain, I have two children from a previous marriage with zero complications, this would be my husbands first. Since 2012 we have had two chemical pregnancies and now this. I just can't believe it and I am trying really hard to cope with this struggle we are having. We sought fertility testing after the second loss and had every test under the sun, everything is textbook perfect. We decided to try IUI as my husband is a fireman and his work schedule sometimes prevents us from trying at optimal times and we are doing a medicated cycle to increase our chances.

Anyway, I am rambling and devastated that we have to wait another 2 months to try again. Even though I need it, emotionally and physically. Thanks for listening.

 

[Savasanna]

Welcome, Nataliek!

I'm sorry you've found yourself here, but I hope we can help keep you company in your wait. I know the waiting sucks. I'm currently waiting through this cycle as well and am planning to try again next cycle. I think my period is due sometime late next week? Although I'm not 100% on that.

I have to say, although the waiting is NOT ideal and I would never choose to do it, after the initial shock wore off there was a bit of a silver lining. It's been nice to FULLY step away from the TTC process and all the craziness that it entails. I feel like it's helped prepare me to be more calm and not so hyper aware when we do start to try again. It's definitely a shitty silver lining, but a silver lining none the less.

In any event - hi! How old are you other two children?

 

[Nataliek]

Hi Savasanna,

Thanks so much for your words, I really appreciate your response. I know I need this break both mentally and physically, I just need to come to terms with it. I am still having spotting so I guess I don't feel like it's really over yet. Are you in fertility treatment or naturally ttc?

My daughter is 16 and my son is 7. I actually can't believe I am going back to the baby phase. For the first time in my life I am with the right person and we have a wonderful little blended family so it's been hard to understand why now? When everything is so right. Anyway, take things day by day I suppose.

How are you?

 

[Savasanna]

That's understandable. I wasn't really able to start the process of moving on until after the bleeding stopped either. For reference, I stopped bleeding 19 days after my shot. Hopefully you'll be finishing up soon too.

My partner and I are inseminating using a known donor. We were actually just about to start the IUI process with frozen sperm when our her brother agreed to be our donor so we've set that aside for the time being. It's been a process. We started ttc back in October. I never, ever anticipated it would take this long. I actually used to be convinced we'd be one of those first try-ers.. seems so naive to think about now. In any event, I got my bfp on the second try using a known donor so I'm hopeful it'll happen quickly again. Fx!!

You mentioned you're waiting for two cycles to try again?

 

[Nataliek]

Yes, they told me they want to re-test my tube by having another sonohystogram. Not sure if you've had one but I had one in January. I have had two c-sections and because of the early losses they wanted to see if there were any issues that could cause problems for implantation and nope, totally normal. They want me to have two periods, test my tube, then go forward with the IUI. Even though I get pregnant pretty easily, I feel more comfortable with the monitored process of IUI and the doctors have agreed.

I am sure it will happen pretty quickly for you as well, I understand your feelings about the lengthy process. That's the hardest part of it! When do you start again, next cycle?

 

[Savasanna]

That completely makes sense. Even though monitoring can't change the outcome of everything, sometimes it's nice to have the peace of mind of "someone" being there. Even though it was the process of ending my pregnancy - I still felt "better" once I was being monitored regularly before/after the mtx. I just got the bill in the mail though.. it does kind of suck to have to pay for the end of a pregnancy..

(even though I totally know this was never a viable pregnancy.. I just have to keep remdinging myself of that)

We were supposed to start next cycle, yes. So my period should come sometime next week and then we'd start planning. However we just found out my brother in law is moving (not far, just apartments) at the end of the month and my parter and I are both finishing up grad school so we might end up waiting another cycle to let things settle a bit. I hope not though. Just going to play it by ear. I guess the recommended wait time following mtx is a little inconsistent. My doctor told me one cycle is fine while others were advised to wait longer. So I figure if we have to wait another cycle out of convenience at least that gives my body more time to build up folic acid.

 

[Nataliek]

You know I read that, there's a lot of conflicting things said. One-3 cycles is what I've heard. My clinic says 3 but technically I will be starting my cycle monitoring on my 3rd cycle, I think of it as two lol. Makes it seem shorter! I finally stopped spotting so I am hoping for a normal ovulation this month and a normal period at the end of April. Can I ask if you felt tender at all in the spot of the ectopic? I still keep feeling these little pinches and I don't know if it's just healing or what. It will be 3 weeks this Sunday since I had the shot but my levels dropped to 3 pretty rapidly so it didn't take long to start my period last Thursday. I am way to nervous to have sex yet, I think I should wait one more week even though the doctor says it's fine.

I know what you mean about deciding to wait or not. I am travelling for work in May and then we have vacation booked in June and I'm like well maybe we should cancel lol. Silly. I just hate the waiting.

 

[JPARR01]

Welcome, Nataliek!

My doctor advised us to wait 3 cycles. That's what we did and the first cycle back to ttc we got preggo!

 

[WHITNEYG]

Nataleik I'm sorry you found yourself on this blog. But my doctor has also advised me to wait either 3 months or 2 cycles. I've heard of other people who didn't wait the proper amount of time and the pregnancy ended in miscarriages. It may just be coincidence, but it scares me so much we will definitely be waiting that amount if not longer. Gray as for my levels I had another re-check today and I'm down from 271 to 19 so I only have to go back one more time and more than likely I will be negative next Monday. I'm so excited to put this behind us. Did you ever get confirmation from your doctor that you were negative?

 

[Nataliek]

Hi JPARR, thanks so much. Did you wait 3 full cycles or try on the third or 4th cycle? I will be getting my second period in about two weeks, I am going to ovulate today or tomorrow and then I have to have my tube tested again.