methotrexate -- experiences?

[lawphil]

I am probably spelling this wrong, but I was wondering if anyone had to take this to get HCG numbers down after a miscarriage. My numbers are growing (about 20 every other day) rather than decreasing and it looks like this is going to have to be the option to get them down.

I was just wondering if anyone has experience with this...side effects, effects on future attempts at TTC, etc.

Thanks so much!!

[amychris03]

I had to get the shot, and really didn't have any major side effects from it.
It was A LOT of cramping when I finally did miscarry, but Im not sure if that
was related to the shots or not. As far as TTC again, my dr told me to
wait at least three months because the shot wipes out your folic acid
stores. She also told me to not take my vitamins with folic acid in them
when they gave me the shot and the immediate days after, and also said
not to drink any alcohol because it is hard enough on your liver. Other than
the having to wait, I dont think it would affect your TTC. I had further
testing done and found out that I didnt have the muscles on my tubes to
propel the egg along, so I was at a big risk for ectopics all the time. Your
dr may want to do a HSG to check things out and see why you may have
had an ectopic. I did find this website useful:

http://www.questdiagnostics.com/kbase/topic/detail/drug/aa84234/detail.htm

Let me know if you have any other questions!

[lawphil]

Wow. That site was so helpful. Thank you!

Thanks also for sharing your experiences.

If anyone else has used this medicine please feel free to chime in.

Thank you!!

[tinagirl26]

They gave me a methotrexate shot after my m/c for the same reason - the levels just weren't going down. The only side effect I had was one day of cramping about 2 days after I was given the shot. Like amychris said, we were told to wait to TTC again for 3 months due to the depletion of folic acid levels. All in all, it wasn't as bad as I feared.

I am sorry anyone else has to go through this. And I wish you the best of luck in your future TTC efforts!

[jlo2be]

I had the shot last November. I had just found out I was pg a couple of days before but the US showed an empty sack. Two days later I started to bleed. When my HCG levels weren't dropping as expected the doctor suspected that it was an ectopic pregnancy. I only had one shot and I can't say I had any side effects (unfortunately I was also dealing with a bad stomach virus at the time so I had other things going on) other than very heavy bleeding for a few days.
I got the same advice as everyone else regarding waiting a few months before possible TTC.

I'm sorry you have to go through this. Best of luck.

[DaniML]

jlo2be, I also got two shots last November when I found out it was an ectopic pregancy (cervical ectopic, so the chances of it happening again are very small).

I really didn't have any side effects either. My doc gave me Phengren (sp?) in case I got nautious since it's really a chemo therapy drug. I think I had to take one, but other than that nothing. No cramping either.

As far as TTC again my doc told me the same thing as amychris'.
- wait for 3 months
- don't take prenatals

Sorry you're having to deal with this! I know it's painful.

[lawphil]

Thanks for all of the great info ladies.

I did the shot on Wednesday. Friday and Saturday were pretty rough. Lots of cramping and bleeding. I am feeling pretty good today and hoping that I am through the worst. I have been bleeding for three weeks...it has to stop soon!

I hope this worked...I really need to see an end to all this. Please keep your fingers crossed that I don't have to get a second shot!!

THanks again for the info. I really appreciate it.

[jlo2be]

I am so sorry you have to deal with this. I hope you are through the worst as well. {{{HUGS}}}

[amychris03]

((hugs)). Sounds like you are through the worst of it. What you said about
the bleeding did make me remember one other "side effect." I did get slightly
anemic afterwards, which they figured out from blood work, so I had to
take an iron supplement for a while. Take care!

[seapod]

I was on methotrexate for my arthritis. I've been off of it for over 3 months to TTC. I too was told to take folic acid suppliments. I had some slight hair loss too. Let me know if your looking for more info.

[pride&prejudice]

I was on methotrexate for my arthritis. I've been off of it for over 3 months to TTC. I too was told to take folic acid suppliments. I had some slight hair loss too. Let me know if your looking for more info.

My DH is on it for his arthritis and told the same things. As soon as we figure everything else out he's getting off of it for 3 months so that we can TTC.

[lawphil]

Looks like a second shot for me. Has anyone ever done a second shot? Ever heard of it not working? Will this ever end? I ended up sobbing after getting my blood drawn this morning...I think I scared a couple of people in the waiting room. The blood drawer really had to convince the next person that it wouldn't be painful!!

Thanks gain for all the info everyone!!

[DaniML]

So sorry your levels are still not dropping! I actually had 2 shots, but I got both shots at the same time. Not sure why my doc chose to do it that way, but it worked. The worst part after that was having to come in twice a week to check the levels. I just wanted it to be over!

Hope the second shots works so you can move on! Best of luck to you.

[lawphil]

I agree. I just want this to be over. It has just sucked the life out of me...thankfully I have a very supportive husband and friends and I am really enjoying my job right now...helps me to handle this never-ending process.

I am also thankful that I have people out there on the internet who can share their experiences with me!

I really don't want surgery...so please keep everything crossed that this second shot works.

Thanks!!