TTC after Methotrexate shot

[Renzalxx]

Hellllllooooooo Aunt Flo... how I have missed theeee..... (never said that before hahaha!)

 

[Renzalxx]

Ugh. I just came up with some more random questions.

I was given my methotrexate shot in the wee hours of the morning on July 26th. I started bleeding on the 31st, and it was just like a normal period. Started off kind of heavy and then was light by the fifth day and it only lasted 5 days. But I'm assuming that wasn't really my period, right? I have had NO bleeding since then.

I would also assume that you cannot ovulate until your hcg levels reach 0? Mine was at 1 yesterday, so I should be at zero soon. I just want to know what I'm up against. That last bleed I had has me tricked into thinking it was my period, when in fact I think that's impossible... So AF may not be due in 10 days afterall...

Hi Presh
Im so sorry to hear of your loss.
I had my first mtx shot on 29th June and had a really heavy bleed about 2 weeks later lasting around a week. My levels finally reached 0 (they were 6000) on the 8th of August and I actually started ovulating that day. I finally got my first normal period yesterday (22 Aug).... yaaaaay! I would also suggest waiting 3 months after you return to 0 before TTC again due to low folate levels as this is a definate no-no in terms of neural tube defects...[/I]
Hopefully my situation may give you an idea what to expect, although everyone is different... sending you big hugs and a speedy recovery

 

[TrAyBaby]

Hellllllooooooo Aunt Flo... how I have missed theeee..... (never said that before hahaha!)

congrats Renzal. I know that feeling! I remember my first period after the Methotrexate injection I was soooooo happy I literally told everyone (everyone who knew about what was happening that is) that i had my 'code red'. I think that was the only day i have ever been happy to have my period. It finally felt like my body was moving forward and beginning to recover x

 

[Renzalxx]

Hellllllooooooo Aunt Flo... how I have missed theeee..... (never said that before hahaha!)

congrats Renzal. I know that feeling! I remember my first period after the Methotrexate injection I was soooooo happy I literally told everyone (everyone who knew about what was happening that is) that i had my 'code red'. I think that was the only day i have ever been happy to have my period. It finally felt like my body was moving forward and beginning to recover x

HAHAHAHA Code Red... I might just have to borrow that! Love it!
Thanks Tray x

 

[JPARR01]

Yay for your period! It was a great feeling when AF showed her face for the first time after the shot! Woop woop

 

[Michelle78]

Hey ladies, just wanted to give an update on this cycle. I just got my blood test results which confirmed that I had a chemical pregnancy. I got a faint positive on an HPT on Saturday, and I took another test on Sunday thinking it would be darker, but it was lighter. I figured at that point that it was a chemical, but since I had a blood test scheduled this morning I knew that would confirm it. My hcg today is only 9.5, so definitely a chemical pregnancy. I have to go for another test on Friday to make sure I am back down to zero (and that brings back horrible flashbacks from my mtx experience). I am waiting on a call back from the doctor to see if they will run some additional tests since I am now at 2 miscarriages. Since I already need (expensive) help in getting pregnant, I don't want to keep paying $ if there is something going on that is preventing me from being able to sustain a pregnancy.

 

[epump]

Oh Michelle, I am so so sorry. Thinking of you and hoping for good resolution on Friday. Let us know what your Dr. recommends re: additional tests. I know how frightening 2 miscarriages feels but it's likely that they are unrelated. My Dr. told me that my early (but probably chemical) miscarriage and ectopic were two different things. Which doesn't go a long way in comforting you now, I know, but it did help me get a little reassurance as I moved forward with testing, etc.

Any way you slice it, this sucks and I'm sorry you have to deal with this. Take good care of yourself this week. Thinking of you!!

 

[runningmom]

I am so sorry Michelle! I am thinking of you and praying.

How are you feeling epump and japrr? I hope all is going smoothly.

I'm still in the waiting stage. Maybe next month will be my month. I try to stay busy and not dwell on TTC and what's going on with my body.

 

[PreshFest]

How long did you all wait to try again after methotrexate? I've been told by every doc in the ER, 2 OB's and all my midwives that I only need to have one period and then we are good to go. They said that once I have a period then that means everything is on the right track so t here's no reason to wait any longer than that.

Is this what you all were told also?

Renzalxx - - Your post kinda freaked me out! I had been feeling really good about trying after my first period, but now I'm questioning it. I might wait until I have two periods to hop back on it...

I have still been taking my prescription prenatal vitamins, so hopefully that helps with the folate levels.

 

[JPARR01]

Oh Michelle! I am so sorry to hear about this? Do you think they will send you to a specialist now? I hope you get some answers asap! Xoxoxo. Love ya girl!

 

[JPARR01]

I am feeling like total sh!t! Ugh. Terrible nausea and puking 24/7. I have my first ultrasound on Wednesday. Super nervous!

 

[Michelle78]

Thanks epump and runningmom. I got a call back from the nurse saying that the doctor was going to call me since the questions I have are medical ones that only he can answer. I am still waiting for him to call.

epump, I totally thought of you when I got the call this morning since I know that your experience (prior to your current nice healthy bean) was the same. I've known since I was diagnosed with PCOS last summer that the hormonal imbalances that are part of PCOS would put me at a greater risk for miscarriage, but I wasn't really prepared for that reality until it happened to me. I honestly don't expect that the doctor will be able to tell me anything too terribly helpful. But at least I know someone that has had 2 miscarriages and now has a pregnancy that is going exactly according to plan!

PreshFest, so sorry for your loss. I know that a number of us on here were told to wait for 2 cycles and/or 3 months before TTC again. I will say though that my doctor told me 2 cycles, but the waiver form I signed when I got the shot said to wait for one cycle. So for me, I got my 1st period about 5 weeks after the shot at the end of April, my second cycle started right on schedule at the end of May, and I started TTCing again with the cycle that started at the end of June. The reason that they want you to wait to TTC is because the mtx depletes your folic acid and they want there to be time to build the folic acid back up.

 

[JPARR01]

How long did you all wait to try again after methotrexate? I've been told by every doc in the ER, 2 OB's and all my midwives that I only need to have one period and then we are good to go. They said that once I have a period then that means everything is on the right track so t here's no reason to wait any longer than that.

Is this what you all were told also?

Renzalxx - - Your post kinda freaked me out! I had been feeling really good about trying after my first period, but now I'm questioning it. I might wait until I have two periods to hop back on it...

I have still been taking my prescription prenatal vitamins, so hopefully that helps with the folate levels.

I was told to wait 3 months.

 

[Michelle78]

Thanks JPARR. I'm already with a specialist because of my PCOS, so at least I am already in the right place. I don't know that he will be able to do much, but I'm such a Type A personality that I have a hard time comprehending that there might not be anything he can do for me. I feel like if there is a problem there should be some type of solution for it. Unfortunately, while that mindset is a good thing to have professionally, it doesn't translate so well when dealing with my fertility issues!

 

[epump]

I honestly don't expect that the doctor will be able to tell me anything too terribly helpful. But at least I know someone that has had 2 miscarriages and now has a pregnancy that is going exactly according to plan!

My Dr. told me that like 99% of all very early miscarriages were chromosomal abnormalities. And that they are very common - more so now that women can test very early. So perhaps that will bring you a touch of comfort - that it's likely not that there is anything "wrong" with you, it was just another bad roll of the die. But even that can be tough to swallow sometimes. Part of me still wants a clear and definitive reasons for a my losses, so I completely understand you wanting to seek answers. It still sucks nonetheless.

Hope you have a good chat with your Dr. Keep us posted.

JPARR, sorry you are feeling so yucky! I completely relate to the 24/7 nausea. So far no puking yet for me but I feel like I could all day every day.

Presh, my Dr. told me I could try again after a full cycle. Not just the bleeding that occurs after the mtx shot, but waiting 1 full cycle. However, I ended up waiting 4 b/c I had some other tests to get done and, honestly, I needed the time to heal and build up some emotional strength. xoxo to you.

 

[PreshFest]

Thanks ladies. I don't even know you and you all have been such a help these last few weeks!

I'll talk to my husband tonight, and I think I will go ahead and wait two cycles. I was having sharp pains on my right side a few days ago (ectopic was on left side) so I think that may have been ovulation. So hopefully AF comes soon so I can get the first cycle out of the way!!

Waiting is so hard. But if that helps me have a successful pregnancy, then I can manage.

 

[Hpyns4life]

Michelle: I'm totally there with you. Type A personality and I want everything just this way or that. I'm very ambitious and run my own company and love where I'm at in life. But to not be able to take charge of my fertility in a "for sure" way is very frustrating to me. I'm just starting my IVF experience and so many things are out of my control that it scares me. But at least I can take a proactive stance on the whole processes. I was pretty determined to find as many answers as I could and finally got somewhere with the last FS I talked with. He said my ectopic was most likely caused my a ruptured appendix when I was 10 y/o and the scar tissue was the culprit. At least I as able to make peace with it even if I can't change anything. I hope you can find some more answers soon

 

[PreshFest]

Ok, So I just went through and read all 46 pages of this thread! WOW. What a journey you all have been on!! It kind of felt like a soap opera that you just can't stop watching. I was so excited when I got to epump's BFP post (page 31 )!! So great! ANd JPARR!! I'm so happy for you guys and I hope I'm successful when we start TTC again, whenever that may be.

Have been taking prescription prenatals (1000mg of folic acid) and will probably start taking more folic acid just to be safe!

 

[Hpyns4life]

Presh: I hope you're waiting goes quickly! Isn't it a pain to have to wait for something you want so badly! I hated it, but looking back I'm glad that I had to wait because it allowed me to heal physically, but mentally was more important. Congrats on being able to start prenatals again It's important to build up your folic acid again, but don't overdose! They say 1000mg is the most you should be taking.

 

[JPARR01]

My doc said women can take up to 4mg of folic acid. If it doesn't get absorbed it will just come out in your pee.