TTC after Methotrexate shot

[autigers55]

Sorry to hear about your losses and that you are going through this. I have also been actively ttc for over 2 yrs and have suffered a chemcial and a mc(possibly 2), now I am having to wait until mid/late May before it is ok to try again. When I got my first shot my hcg was only 19, but was also almost 2wks after I started mcing. The only reason I got the shot was because my doctor was worried about a tubal pregnancy, since my numbers were going up instead of down. I ended up getting another shot a week after the first shot because it didnt work. The girls on here told me they were told to wait 3 months(3 cycles), so that is why I am going to start trying in mid/late May since my first shot was in Feb and the 2nd was at the beginning of the month. I hope this goes by fast for you, so you can start ttc again. Take time to let yourself heal though.

 

[PreshFest]

I thought you were supposed to wait 3 months per shot to ttc again? So if you got two shots you're supposed to wait 6 months? I only had one shot and I waited the 3 months, but I remember others on this thread saying they had to wait 6 months after having 2 shots...

Not trying to rain on anyones parade! I just want to make sure everyone is safe and waiting the time they are supposed to instead of suffering more losses. MTX is a horrible horrible drug that is not to me messed with....

 

[autigers55]

I understand what you are saying and I didnt know that, but for now I still plan on waiting until 3mo(3 cycles) have passed.

Do you happen to know which page I could possibly read where they said that. I would like to see how far apart their shots were and why they were told that. If not that is ok.

 

[PreshFest]

I understand what you are saying and I didnt know that, but for now I still plan on waiting until 3mo(3 cycles) have passed.

Do you happen to know which page I could possibly read where they said that. I would like to see how far apart their shots were and why they were told that. If not that is ok.

Ugh. I definitely don't remember where in here those posts are! Hopefully they will see this and reply, though.

I think they were told that because of what the mtx does to your folic acid levels. One shot knocks it down so it takes about 3 months to get it back up. So I'd imagine that two shots knock it down so far that it takes much longer to replenish. You might want to ask your doctor to be sure. I know you are really wanting to be pregnant again, but the goal is to be pregnant with a healthy baby... No spina bifida or anything that low folate levels can cause!!

I got pregnant 3 months after my mtx shot and miscarried. Obviously we will never know if the mtx had anything to do with it or not. I just worry that maybe it damaged some of my eggs...??

 

[autigers55]

Yeah, I know about it depleting the folic acid and I think I found one post about 2 shots. It's on page 4 or 5(I havent gotten very far in rereading ) I think.

I am trying to build my folic acid up though, so maybe I will be ok. Right now I am getting 1200mcg of folic acid (800 from prenatal and 400 from a folic acid tablet). I am going to take this from now on just to be safe since what I dont need will just pass through my urine.

 

[chig]

Sometimes i ask myself what I have done that was so wrong in my life to be deserving of the events of the past two years. My OH and I are both 24 and have been actively ttc for 2 years! Last year I got pregnant twice but sadly miscarried before 5 weeks. I was then put on clomid due to irregular cycles (however i do not have PCOS) my third month on clomid I got my bfp on March 4th. However I had severe cramping and brown spotting so went in to see what was going on. After going back and forth due to good doubling hcg and very high progesterone (76) they discovered the baby is in my left tube.

I have opted for the methotrexate shot as i want to keep my tube. However it means we have to refrain from ttc for several months which is hard as my OH will soon be joining the army. So time really isnt on our side. I just wanted to know how high was your hcg before you were given the shot? my hcg was at 2298 on sunday so if doubled by today my levels would be somewhere in the 4000's. Is this too high of a number to have the shot? How long did it take for your levels to fall below 0? and how long did you wait until ttc again? my dr has said 6 months whereas my dr at EPU has said to wait for 3. So sorry for the long story as much info about methotrexate that you could give would be fantastic. Thanks in advance.

First, I am so sorry to hear what you have been through. Your numbers are lower than mine and I only needed one shot. My numbers were at 8100 when I got the shot and they went up to 9000 on day 4 and then they started dropping rapidly and was down to 0 within 5-6 weeks. It sounds long, but it will go by before you know it. Everybody is different, some take longer and some take shorter. I am thinking it will take you about 4 weeks since your numbers are lower. That is just my guess. My doctor recommended for me to stop my prenatal vitamins and to avoid any foods containing high folic acid. You are still young so you still have time. I know that is not what you want hear as this is a very horrible thing for anyone to go through. My doctor recommended that I wait two cycles or 3 months, whichever comes first. She thinks that it will take three months for me to complete 2 full cycles.

I hope that helps! The ladies here are great and very helpful. I don't know how I would have gone through this without this board.

 

[Laubull]

Hi All!

Thank you sooo much all for this thread, I found it a couple of days ago and have now read all 140+ pages, it's so helpful!

Although I'm sad we're all together it's reassuring to know there are others out there who've been through the same experience. Congratulations to all who are coming out the other side and hugs to those who still need some time or luck.

My DH found out we were expecting on 29 feb, we had 2 weeks of happiness and dreaming when I started to bleed. We both assumed it was a mc but an internal scan revealed it was ectopic. I received methotrexate on 16 match, I had my 4 day bloods yesterday but am still waiting for the results....fc no news is good news and it's gone down!

With the 3 month wait before we can ttc we've decided to go away in June, hopefully a relaxing holiday will give us a good start ;-)

FC for everyone on the board and thank you again!

X

 

[libbyloulou]

Sometimes i ask myself what I have done that was so wrong in my life to be deserving of the events of the past two years. My OH and I are both 24 and have been actively ttc for 2 years! Last year I got pregnant twice but sadly miscarried before 5 weeks. I was then put on clomid due to irregular cycles (however i do not have PCOS) my third month on clomid I got my bfp on March 4th. However I had severe cramping and brown spotting so went in to see what was going on. After going back and forth due to good doubling hcg and very high progesterone (76) they discovered the baby is in my left tube.

I have opted for the methotrexate shot as i want to keep my tube. However it means we have to refrain from ttc for several months which is hard as my OH will soon be joining the army. So time really isnt on our side. I just wanted to know how high was your hcg before you were given the shot? my hcg was at 2298 on sunday so if doubled by today my levels would be somewhere in the 4000's. Is this too high of a number to have the shot? How long did it take for your levels to fall below 0? and how long did you wait until ttc again? my dr has said 6 months whereas my dr at EPU has said to wait for 3. So sorry for the long story as much info about methotrexate that you could give would be fantastic. Thanks in advance.

Hi patiently, I'm really sorry about all you have gone through. I too had 2 early miscarriages and an ectopic last year and remember thinking exactly that; what have I done wrong? The advice seems to be quite mixed on how long to wait. I can't remember my exact numbers but I think they were 2000 ish when I had the first shot and went up on day 4 as expected. On day 7 they had dropped slightly but not enough so I had to have a second shot. My consultant said that I only needed to wait 3 months til ttc again.

Hope this helps and remember that it isn't anything you have done that makes things like this happen x

 

[baby_maybe]

Sometimes i ask myself what I have done that was so wrong in my life to be deserving of the events of the past two years. My OH and I are both 24 and have been actively ttc for 2 years! Last year I got pregnant twice but sadly miscarried before 5 weeks. I was then put on clomid due to irregular cycles (however i do not have PCOS) my third month on clomid I got my bfp on March 4th. However I had severe cramping and brown spotting so went in to see what was going on. After going back and forth due to good doubling hcg and very high progesterone (76) they discovered the baby is in my left tube.

I have opted for the methotrexate shot as i want to keep my tube. However it means we have to refrain from ttc for several months which is hard as my OH will soon be joining the army. So time really isnt on our side. I just wanted to know how high was your hcg before you were given the shot? my hcg was at 2298 on sunday so if doubled by today my levels would be somewhere in the 4000's. Is this too high of a number to have the shot? How long did it take for your levels to fall below 0? and how long did you wait until ttc again? my dr has said 6 months whereas my dr at EPU has said to wait for 3. So sorry for the long story as much info about methotrexate that you could give would be fantastic. Thanks in advance.

Hi patiently, i'm so sorry for your losses

I had the mtx shot on the 5th march after bleeding and two internal scans that showed nothing growing in the uterus and a suspicious cystic area on my left ovary. My hcg was in the 12,000's when i had the shot and peaked at over 13,000 on day 4. I had my most recent blood draw today and they are down at 5500, so still high but going in the right direction. It looks like the mtx is working for me with just one shot, but i am still cautious about perhaps needing the second one. I have been tols 3 months before ttc again and also to make sure that i get back on the prenatal vitamins and extra folic acid as soon as the hcg reaches 0. I'm hoping to be at 0 in arounf 4 weeks from now, but i know everyone is different, so i suppose it could take either longer or shorter than that.

Good luck with your next blood draw, i hope your numbers go in right direction. A small rise is expected on day 4, so it's day 7 that you really want to see a good drop. xxx

 

[patiently]

Wow thank you sooo much I am ever so grateful for your replies.

Babymaybe: So sorry for your losses, Your number started off high but they came down quite rapidly so it really gives me hope that my numbers will start to drop too. So you will wait until June to ttc again? Have you had any side effects from the shot? I do wish you the best of luck and hope you have a successful pregnancy next time around.

Libyloulou: Again i am really sorry for your losses. Two mcs are very hard to come to terms with and an ectopic is like salt to the wound! Have you started ttc again? I hope you get your sticky bfp really soon if you are ttc.

Lauball GL with your results hope they come back nice and low! I was also contemplating a holiday to rela and possibly conceive on. FXed that you get your bfp as soon as you start ttc again.

Chig thank you...x I hope my numbers go down within four weeks i kind of had that time frame in my mind too. FXed aye. I know i am still young but as my OH will join the army time isnt on our side so i really do feel the pressure to ttc asap. I think the info on waiting for two cycles was so helpful to me and i also think i will do either 3 months or 2 cycles whichever comes first. How long ago did you have the shot? I wish you all the best on your ttc journey and hope that you get your bfp soon!

autigers55 Thank you for your reply. I hope that you will get your bfp as soon as you start trying again too. FXed for you and hope May will be your lucky month.

Today i had the shot and my hcg was 3695 so hope it goes down by next monday. I have an apointment tomorrow with the councillor to help me with the feelings that im having atm. I dont even know what to say to her. But i thought it might be helpful if i go.

Did anyone have any major symptoms after the shot?

I hope everyone has a lovely evening x

 

[autigers55]

The only symptoms I had after the shot were exhaustion/fatigue and indigestion. I was also extremely bloated and felt gassy but couldnt or didnt need to pass gas(sorry tmi). I also felt like I was sitting on a knife because of the gas but the symptoms went away after 3-5 days on my first shot and 6-8 days after 2nd shot.

I dont know if you were told, but make sure to not take prenatal vitamins or any pill that has folic acid in it because it could interfere with the shot(dont know for certain). I wasnt told that after the first shot and I took my prenatal once or twice and I think that is what caused me to have to have another one. Like I said I dont know for certain, but just thought I would mention it.

 

[Renzalxx]

I understand what you are saying and I didnt know that, but for now I still plan on waiting until 3mo(3 cycles) have passed.

Do you happen to know which page I could possibly read where they said that. I would like to see how far apart their shots were and why they were told that. If not that is ok.

Hey there ladies

This link should provide some info to help, I found it answered most of my questions!!

https://www.ectopic.org.uk/index.php/patients/treatment/medical-treatment-methotrexate/

Be sure to click "please follow this link" for further info on the recovery and waiting times after MTX.

Good luck xxx

Damn witchypoo finally got me (just look at that evil smile on her face ha ha)... oh well, probably good to give my body a few weeks rest as well... fingers crossed for next time and to all of you in the TTC department.

Babydust to all you lovely ladies xxxxx

 

[PreshFest]

I understand what you are saying and I didnt know that, but for now I still plan on waiting until 3mo(3 cycles) have passed.

Do you happen to know which page I could possibly read where they said that. I would like to see how far apart their shots were and why they were told that. If not that is ok.

Hey there ladies

This link should provide some info to help, I found it answered most of my questions!!

https://www.ectopic.org.uk/index.php/patients/treatment/medical-treatment-methotrexate/

Be sure to click "please follow this link" for further info on the recovery and waiting times after MTX.

Good luck xxx

Damn witchypoo finally got me (just look at that evil smile on her face ha ha)... oh well, probably good to give my body a few weeks rest as well... fingers crossed for next time and to all of you in the TTC department.

Babydust to all you lovely ladies xxxxx

Oh no! I'm sorry But like you said...more time for your body to rest. Hopefully next cycle will be it for you...

 

[baby_maybe]

I just felt really tired and quite sick for a few days after my shot. I feel fine now though physically, it's just the emotional side I'm struggling with.

So sorry to hear that the witch got you renzal

I second the link that was put up too, it has a lot of great info on it.

 

[autigers55]

Thanks for the info renzal!! Sorry AF got you, but it does give you some extra time to heal.

I read through that and as far as I can tell the wait is the same for me even after 2 shots. It does say to take folic acid for 12 weeks though. I think I will do that because I have already gotten almost a week done. I will continue it after 12 wks though.

 

[Dee1989]

Hi all, quick catch up, reading up on the side effects after the shot, don't think I had many side effects to be honest, I was just tired and a bit out of it for about a week and also had a skin reaction.

Renzal sorry AF got you, AF got me too, expected Friday/Saturday but came on Sunday, strange thing now though it has gone .

Hope u are all well

 

[libbyloulou]

Boo to af's!

 

[jringen]

So I had my shot on January 20th and was advised to wait the standard 3 months....however I just started my 2nd cycle (the first was a perfect 28 days). I have been taking extra folate ever since numbers went down to 0. I ovulate on the 2nd. Does that 18 days really make a difference or is the doctor just trying to cover his butt? I really want to start trying again..

 

[alleysm]

So I had my shot on January 20th and was advised to wait the standard 3 months....however I just started my 2nd cycle (the first was a perfect 28 days). I have been taking extra folate ever since numbers went down to 0. I ovulate on the 2nd. Does that 18 days really make a difference or is the doctor just trying to cover his butt? I really want to start trying again..

When were your numbers zero? I had my shot jan 31 and started folate feb 29 my number was 21 and started a cycle march 3. Its my understanding that the wait time is more importantly due to folate deficiancy. The irrgularity of cycles following a loss also play a role for the dr as they like to be able to date the pregnancy. I was told after 1 normal cycle and after at least 30 days of increased folate intake.

 

[chig]

After reading all of these posts, I am starting to think that I might have counted my "waiting TTC" time frame incorrectly. Originally, I was under the impression that I need to wait 3 months after my numbers reach 0 so that your body has 3 months to regain the folic acid that had been depleted from your body from the shot. From some of the recent posts, I THINK I read that someone was waiting 3 months from when they got the shot! That would mean that they would be TTC a lot earlier than what I thought was the recommended waiting time frame.

Can someone help me??? I got my shot on Jan 26 and was at 0 by March 6th, which is week 6.
Jan 26: 8100 (got shot)
Jan 30: 9000 (day 4)
Feb 01: 7492 (week 1)
Feb 08: 3256 (Week 2)
Feb 15: 1085 (week 3)
Feb 22: 176* (week 4)
Feb 29: ???* (week 5) - out of town, so missed blood work
Mar 06: 0!!* (week 6) - started taking prenatal vitamins again on Mar 07

I might have reached 0 even earlier because I wasn't available during week 5 to get blood work. But to be safe, I am counting March 6th as my "reaching 0" date. I did not have to have a second shot. According to those dates, my DH and I had decided to wait until June to start TTC. I am hoping that by then, I will have had 3 periods and been on prenatals with 1mg of folic acid for 3 months as well. It will also have been over 100 days since the shot, which I think I read somewhere as to the approximate time it takes to be completely rid of the methotrexate. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Do you ladies think that June makes sense as to when the recommended time would be for me to TTC again? Am I being too paranoid??

Thank you in advance!