4 replies to this topic

[smc1982]

This is gonna be long,nut I would appreciate and advice please. I did a round of IVF in July, and had a huge period like bleed 5 days before my positive beta result. That beta came back at 33 and the following came back at 53.6. My clinic was satisfied and did not feel I needed a follow up beta at all. Fast forward to 4 days later and ended up in emerge with right aided cramps and spotting...beta was 78... Automatically they start talking ectopic so they requested an ultrasound...I was 5 weeks pregnant at this point so they were only able to see a 1.5 cm mass in my right tube but no sac in the uterus...they had me go back 4 days later for another beta and it was down to 5. So the doc is confident that it was an ectopic pregnancy bit because my betas were so low and the mass so small, I would either pass it naturally or the body would absorb it. I had 2 different OBs say this in confidence in emerge. But my fertility clinic called me yesterday and said that it never passes on its own and that I needed to get the shot of chemotherapy drug...I am so confused as to what to do...I am getting mixed answers to alot of questions...I was told by the OB that I need to wait 3 months at least before doing a FET and the clinic is telling me I can start on my next cycle... My clinic has been in th news a lot lately...so just not sure if they have my best interest in mind. Help!

[sharlene]

Hi.  I'm really not liking your situation and worse, the responses you're getting.  Do you have a gynecologist of your own that you trust that you can go see?  Ectopics should be monitored to make sure it goes the way it is supposed to - I don't get the impression you even have another appt to see anyone.  I also think you should give your body a month or two to recuperate - you haven't even finished with the cells in your body now - I'd like a second (third?) opinion - and sooner than later.

 

Good luck - it often takes more than one IVF to find success - so don't be too discouraged by this experience - just get it sorted, behind you, and look forward to the next one! (that looking forward part helped me get through a miscarraige)

[Maralee]

smc-it's a methotrexate shot, very confusing.  Hard to know what/who to believe, but may want to ask your family doctor on this (if you trust them).  Your beta is lowering, which is a good sign, but ectopics (from what I know) can rise and fall betas, because they're not viable.  But my impression of methotrexate is that it's used for molar pregnancies, not ectopics.  And yes you MUST wait a period of time after a methotrexate shot to conceive.  Methotrexate is used for other things (mainly arthritis), and although it's in my scope of practice (as a nurse), I refuse to give it because it can cause problems in fetus when TTC.  I thought the waiting period was actually longer, like 6 months.  Oh you are getting such confusing advice!  I hope it gets resolved for your sake!

[amandaTTC#2]

Methotrexate is used for ectopics, but even with the shot it is still important to have proper follow up care. After my ectopic I ended up falling through the cracks. My RE and the OB who treated me in the ER both assumed the other was following up. I went for weekly blood HCG tests and the results were forwarded to both plus the lab would tell me. It took 2+ months to get down to 7 at which point I stopped testing. A month later I had a diagnostic laparoscopy and my RE found products of conception still in the fallopian tube. I ended up losing the tube, but was still able to conceive with a functional tube on the other side.

The issue with cycling after the methotrexate shot is that it depletes the natural folate in your body which if course is needed for a healthy pregnancy. You can not resume taking folic acid supplements until your HCG is down because it interferes with the methotrexate.

It's definitely something that requires follow up and close monitoring. I do hope you're able to get more support. Even try your GP if necessary!

[gracegirl]

I took methotrexate for my ectopic a year ago (and yes, you have to stop taking folic acid). I had a beta every 2 days for 2 weeks to make sure the levels were dropping...I was off work and I couldn't be left alone (in case of rupture). I ended up being off work for the full two weeks...and then once my beta was 1, I could return to work.

 

I also had to wait 3 months to try again. I was told this is because methotrexate stops or prevents cell growth.