If you had Methotrexate, please talk to me about TTC

Temp614258375007293

So, I had methotrexate about a week and a half ago, and HCG has dropped dramatically since then, in the low 30s as of 2 days ago.  My doctor said to wait for a full cycle before TTC again, so we are assuming if I get my next period in Feb. we'd start in March.  However, I've read some things online saying that, since Methotrexate inhibited my folic acid absorbtion, I should wait 3 months, which I guess would be April instead of March.  What have you guys heard? DH and I really want to start as soon as we can, but at the same time if I won't have enough folic acid, I certainly wouldn't want to do anything to put a (hopefully) future baby at risk.  I was also on progesterone, but haven't heard anything about that having side effects requiring the 3 month wait.

 TIA!

MDT082010

Personally I have never used it, but my best friend did for Rheumatoidarthritis (her doctor didn?t warn her that drug causes miscarriages.) She gotPG while doing the injections and miscarried. 2 months later she got pregnantagain and suffered another loss (she was NOT using the drug when she gotpregnant the 2^nd time) ? they said this was because the drug wasstill in her system. A few months late she conceived again and had a successfulpregnancy. I would be careful and give you body enough time to clear the drugfrom your system. 

babyonmind

It seems like you should play it safe and wait 3 months. Believe me, I'm so impatient and want to start trying again ASAP...so I get it.

But you don't want to put yourself through another MC !!! From my perspective, not worth the risk!!! 

julesjb

I had two injections a week apart in December. My ob said 2 cycles but I have recently been referred to an RE. She confirmed as long as hcg is zero just to wait for a period. Methotrexate has a 15 hr half life so in theory your body clears it in 52 hrs. I am still waiting the 3 months due to testing...

MegMeg0913

I was told to wait a full cycle after my levels were at zero.  They made it seem like it normally would take 2-3 months.  

Good luck honey! 

UOduckBride2be

I had to have 2 rounds of Methotrexate with MC#2.  It is a Cancer drug and in my opinion needs to be taken seriously.  Another poster mentioned the half-life and that is true that it will leave your system, but it also can deplete your system of many of the good things your body has built-up in order to sustain a pregnancy.  Much like the 3-month waiting period after certin immunizations, (like MMR), I would wait the 3-months.  The last thing you would want would be to get pregnant right away and then have issues because your body was not ready.

jen1721

I had been taking Methotrexate once a week for years due to my rheumatoid arthritis, and on my Dr's advice have always had to take folic acid supplements the following day.  My rheumatologist told me that I had to be off of the medication for 1 full cycle before TTC because if there was any left in my system it could have harmed the baby.  I've also read that it can act as an early abortion method.  I was off of it for 5 months before I conceived, but still miscarried at 9 weeks.  It wasn't likely relating to having been on Methotrexate for so long though.  But yeah, bottom line is that I was told to wait one cycle!  Good luck!

Izabella22

I had the methotrexate shot in october for an ectopic pregnancy, my Ob told us to wait 2 cycles but they do tend to differ, it might be worth a call to your doctor to ask if you should be taking extra folic acid to replace what you lost? I asked mine but she said not to worry, but we had a longer wait. Good luck!

AshleyM1985

I had to have 2 rounds of Methotrexate because of a stubborn ectopic that would not pass.  My doctor even went as far as telling me to use condoms for 3 months because if you concieve before that that baby could have serious side effects.  I'd hold off.  I'd wait and play it safe.  G/L