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Methotrexate side effects

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Drewj
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2021 5:57 pm

Methotrexate side effects

Post by Drewj »

Hi,

I have just been discharged from hospital following a week of an Ectopic diagnosis, monitoring and a decision for medical management.

I just wanted to know some experiences with the side effects. At the moment I feel very crampy and extremely tender in my abdomen. It feels like painful trapped gas. This morning I laid on the bathroom floor after taking paracetamol as I felt so nauseous and was experiencing contraction like pains. Is this normal am? I am so terrified of a rupture :(

Drewj
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2021 5:57 pm

Re: Methotrexate side effects

Post by Drewj »

Drewj wrote:
Sat Jul 10, 2021 6:03 pm
Hi,

I have just been discharged from hospital following a week of an Ectopic diagnosis, monitoring and a decision for medical management.

I just wanted to know some experiences with the side effects. At the moment I feel very crampy and extremely tender in my abdomen. It feels like painful trapped gas. This morning I laid on the bathroom floor after taking paracetamol as I felt so nauseous and was experiencing contraction like pains. Is this normal? I am so terrified of a rupture :(

EPT Host 20
Posts: 3155
Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 10:58 pm

Re: Methotrexate side effects

Post by EPT Host 20 »

Dear Drew,
I am so sorry to hear of your ectopic pregnancy and loss,
It is normal to feel pain, exhaustion and tiredness following Methotrexate injection for ectopic pregnancy
I have added more information on side effects here-
https://ectopic.org.uk/treating-an-ecto ... hotrexate/

I would advise taking pain relief as prescribed (it is advised to avoid anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen with methotrexate injection).
If the pain doesn't settle with the medication or worsens, especially if you feel unwell, I would strongly urge you to seek urgent medical advice as there is sadly a risk of rupture even with low or declining levels. You can do this by contacting your EPU, calling NHS111 or attending A&E if you are very concerned.

Sending much love,
Karen x

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SarahHa
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2021 7:54 pm

Re: Methotrexate side effects

Post by SarahHa »

Hi drew!

So sorry you're going through this, and hope you have a good support system during these times. I've had two doses of methotrexate, one last Sunday and another yesterday. I was only dizzy, with painful headache, eyes sensitive to lights, and sometimes period like cramps. I was informed though that extremely painful cramps (like someone cutting your arm, as one doctor described) should be reported directly to yoir doctor for urgent follow up.

I hope my experience helps, and wishing you a speedy recovery. Xxx

Drewj
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2021 5:57 pm

Re: Methotrexate side effects

Post by Drewj »

Hi,

Thanks for your reply, I'm sorry that you are going through this too!

What were/are your HCG levels? When the decision for medical management was made my levels were 3,500.. day four bloods have risen to 5,400. I'm so scared! I hope they will fall by day 7 to show that the treatment is working.

Xxx

sjcoco84
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2021 6:29 pm

Re: Methotrexate side effects

Post by sjcoco84 »

Hi!

It’s totally normal to see a rise on day 4, u did. My levels rise to 940 from 640 then dropped to 777 day 7, then down to 114 a week later. The shot takes time to work, so please don’t worry! A 15% decrease is what you want to see on day 7. They may drop quite quickly then. Take it easy, don’t put to much pressure on yourself to do anything! It’s your time to relax. I really hope everything goes ok, which I’m sure it will x

SarahHa
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2021 7:54 pm

Re: Methotrexate side effects

Post by SarahHa »

Heyya sorry just saw your reply. My levels were at 400. I was informed its ectopic since it was 40 hcg though so I "catched" it pretty quickly. I really hope you're well now, please do send us an update?

I'm currently very worried as my hcg is still 280(although declining) but I'm having my period already, lots of cramps (my cramps are pretty awful ,like crying awful), in normal periods so it's hard to tell if this is a red flag). Anddd I have swollen eyelids. What is this from, no clue. I'm travelling out of country tomorrow and I'm honestly so scared. I really hope we all get past this, and this is just a memory. I'm sending everyone whos reading positive energy , unicorn hugs, and rainbows. :)

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