Has anyone taken methotrexate?

[AllyandJack]

Has anyone taken this medication? I'm reading online and, of course, I'm horrified, so I figured some real opinions would be better. I'll be getting the injections - two a week apart, I think.

After 2 years of trying and 2 rounds of IVF, I got pregnant. It's not viable and my doctor doesn't know if it's in the uterus or tube and doesn't want to take any chances, so I'm facing methotrexate injections. I honestly don't have time to be sad because I'm too scared.

I was hoping someone here could let me know what to expect - even if it's bad, I'd like to be prepared.

Thank you.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Has anyone taken this medication? I'm reading online and, of course, I'm horrified, so I figured some real opinions would be better. I'll be getting the injections - two a week apart, I think.

After 2 years of trying and 2 rounds of IVF, I got pregnant. It's not viable and my doctor doesn't know if it's in the uterus or tube and doesn't want to take any chances, so I'm facing methotrexate injections. I honestly don't have time to be sad because I'm too scared.

I was hoping someone here could let me know what to expect - even if it's bad, I'd like to be prepared.

Thank you.

No advice. I just want to tell you I'm so sorry

 

[poohbear1029]

I dont have any experience with this, but wanted to let you know that they are a lot of great message boards over at www.ivillage.com that have great resources.

Here is a link to one for pregnancy loss after infertility: http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-pppglossafif

Hope you find the answers you need and I wish you the best in this difficult time.

 

[mickeyboat]

Has anyone taken this medication? I'm reading online and, of course, I'm horrified, so I figured some real opinions would be better. I'll be getting the injections - two a week apart, I think.

After 2 years of trying and 2 rounds of IVF, I got pregnant. It's not viable and my doctor doesn't know if it's in the uterus or tube and doesn't want to take any chances, so I'm facing methotrexate injections. I honestly don't have time to be sad because I'm too scared.

I was hoping someone here could let me know what to expect - even if it's bad, I'd like to be prepared.

Thank you.

Hugs, Carla, I am so sorry.

The same thing happened to me. They called it an ectopic PG, even though they could not locate it in either the uterus or the fallopian tubes. First I had a D & C, they examined the contents (sorry!) and was not able to find any fetal tissue, so they gave me a shot of methotrexate. It was only one shot in my rear, and it hurt like the dickens (long needle, into a muscle). Then they did more blood tests to make sure that the HcG levels were back to normal (less than 5). I would guess if the levels were not back to where they were supposed to be, they would have given me another shot.

I don't remember any side effects, other than being terribly sad for my loss. I am sorry for yours. PM me if you want to talk.

Denae

 

[AllyandJack]

Thank you all for the nice words.

I've had the intra-muscular shots - every day for the last 4 weeks (progesterone), so the shot part doesn't bother me too much. I'm reading some terrible things - hair loss, liver failure, etc. I'm happy to hear it's only 1 shot, so the dose is probably not high enough to cause big problems (I hope).

I asked for a D&C, but she said she didn't want to put me through surgery again (I've had 2 egg retrievals since December). I'm all for surgery - drug me up and take it away.

I'll check out the websites, too. Personal experiences are always better than medical websites where they tell you every possible thing that can go wrong.

 

[mickeyboat]

I googled "methotrexate use in terminating pregnancy" and there was an article from the New England Journal of Medicine which described a study where they did the one injection and then followed up with another medication (they did not do that for me). I only read the abstract, but it was very effective with few side effects. There were other articles, too, but I didn't read them.

This drug is used to treat cancer, so I wonder if the dosages and frequencies will cause the bad side effects with that, but not with the dosage you might be getting.

Denae

 

[luvwinnie]

I'm very sorry. I am on mtx, but not for that reason. I use it for autoimmune disease and I haven't had any trouble with it except for headaches on a higher dose.

 

[LBAK]

I am so sorry. I am on methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis and have been on it for 6 years. My hair thinned a little, not much. I also feel neauseous and tired. I would expect that any side effects you have probably wouldn't last that long and mine only last for about 24 hrs.

 

[Otto's Doll]

I can't help you, Carla, just wanted to say how sorry I am.

 

[Minnesota!]

I am so sorry. I have no personal use of it, but I know of people who have. I know it's a nasty drug.

My friend had an ectopic last year, had metho, and then just a few months later, found herself pregnant again. She is 40, BTW, and had been TTC for 3 years. Her son is now due in 3 weeks.

((((((hugs))))) infertility and all the crap that goes along with it just breaks my heart.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Having gone through infertility myself I just want to say how sorry I am, you must be devastated. While I was going through the process, a friend at work had been going through all kinds of rough things with her infertility course. She had two miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy, and received methotrexate at least twice I believe, both times without incident. FWIW, I was terrified to receive chemotherapy, too, but I did, and it was fine.

Maybe it's less painful to worry about the medication than it is to grieve the loss of the pregnancy right now. If so, we'll be here when and if you want to talk about it.

 

[lovetheparks]

I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I was in your shoes in August of 2002 and had the methotrexate shots (had 2 in the hip). The after effects were really nothing at all, it was more the emotional scarring of the loss after dealing with IF so long (7 years at that point)

I would recommend the methotrexate over the D&C if given the choice. Just be sure that your HCG levels are monitored VERY closely to ensure that they get back down to 0.

 

[roseprincess]

Has anyone taken this medication? I'm reading online and, of course, I'm horrified, so I figured some real opinions would be better. I'll be getting the injections - two a week apart, I think.

After 2 years of trying and 2 rounds of IVF, I got pregnant. It's not viable and my doctor doesn't know if it's in the uterus or tube and doesn't want to take any chances, so I'm facing methotrexate injections. I honestly don't have time to be sad because I'm too scared.

I was hoping someone here could let me know what to expect - even if it's bad, I'd like to be prepared.

Thank you.

I'm so sorry about your situation
Did you have the transuterine ultrasound( I think it's called that)? Is the doc sure you have an ectopic? At least if it was me, I would make sure the doc knew where the fetus is located( in the fallopian tubes,uterus, or somewhere else) before going through the methotrexate injections.
I have been through infertility tx about 10 yrs. ago, but I didn't need to do IVF.
As of the methotrexate side effects, I don't believe you would have the side effects that much for a 1 shot tx.

Rosemarie

 

[DVC Sadie]

Has anyone taken this medication? I'm reading online and, of course, I'm horrified, so I figured some real opinions would be better. I'll be getting the injections - two a week apart, I think.

After 2 years of trying and 2 rounds of IVF, I got pregnant. It's not viable and my doctor doesn't know if it's in the uterus or tube and doesn't want to take any chances, so I'm facing methotrexate injections. I honestly don't have time to be sad because I'm too scared.

I was hoping someone here could let me know what to expect - even if it's bad, I'd like to be prepared.

Thank you.

I am sorry for your loss. The side effects you are horrified about is regards to treating cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. I haven't ever heard of anyone having these types of side effects for your type of use. Again, so sorry for your loss.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I'm sorry you are going through this. My son takes 5 Methotrexate pills once a week. It's part of his treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The pills decrease his immunity to fight off infection, and sometimes he gets a headache, but aside from that he experiences no other side effects. He's in remission and doing wonderfully.

 

[disfanRN]

I have taken Methotrexate for arthritis as well, and have given Methotrexate for the prupose you describe many times to patients. The one time IM dose you will be getting does not have the same side effects as the oral route, given usually much more than once.
The patients I have seen do fine- with little or no side effects, perhaps slight nausea. My thoughts are with you and sorry for your situation.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I'm so sorry

DW Lauri was on Metho for close to three years. Its an old Chemo drug that they used for leukemia and some other cancers and now use for autoimmune diseases.

She did lose probably a third of her hair in patches - luckily she has long hair and it was coming out from underneath. She also would get somewhat queasy and sick after taking it. She was taking high doses though.

The biggest thing to remember is that you should NOT lay down for at least 3-4 hours after taking the medicine and drink a lot of water. The doctor failed to tell Lauri this and she would lay down and try to sleep off the immediate yuckiness she got from the medicine. Unfortunately the stuff literally ate holes in her esophagus and to this day she still battles with Acid Reflux. ETA I just realized you said you were doing injections so this won't be an issue for you. I'll leave it here in case anyone else out there is doing oral Metho and didn't know. Lauri always says she wished someone had told her.

Take care of yourself. I know the drug sounds scary and it's a nasty thing to take. If you need anyone to talk to, feel free to PM me or I can ask Lauri any questions you have about the Metho.

 

[AllyandJack]

I wanted to give a quick update and thank everyone again for all of their help and support.

My beta has gone down on its own. So, the bad news is that I did miscarry, but the good news is that I appear to have done it on my own and I won't need the methotrexate. It's strange to be happy that a pregnancy I've wanted for 2 years has ended.

I'm slowly getting back to myself and I'm almost ready to get into IVF #3. I have to wait a month or so, but I should be ready by then - physically and emotionally. My doctor says it's good news from a medical standpoint. I guess she's right. It is a small victory, but part of me wishes the test was negative from the beginning so I never knew what I was missing. Not being pregnant was bad, but being pregnant after 2 years and 2 rounds of IVF just to go back to not being pregnant seems to be much worse for me.

Thank you again for all of your help and support. I hope to have better news this summer so I can join the Mom To Be Thread I keep seeing.

 

[mickeyboat]

and more , Carla.

Don't feel bad about grieving for your loss, whatever you may be feeling. You are entitled.

When this happened to me I was devastated. My SIL announced a few weeks later that she was due two weeks before I would have been due. She announced it by handing me her leftover pregnancy tests, telling me she won't be needing them anymore.

But, at least I knew that I could get pregnant. And I did.

Denae

 

[CathrynRose]

Try this:

http://www.askapatient.com/searchresults2.asp