Intro- Ectopic Pregnancy {Ticker Warning}

jazzyexpo

Hi everyone, my name is Jessica. Yesterday, we found out this was an ectopic pregnancy. Spent all day at the hospital to get that shot. I had an ultrasound Monday, that showed an empty sac in the uterus and a small mass in my left tube. Since, the mass was unidentifiable, my dr decided to just treat it as an ectopic because she couldn't for sure say it wasn't and also my HCG levels were rising slowly still and I've had spotting with no cramping for over a week now.  

 At first, I was just told it was an empty sac with no baby and not ectopic. I was ok with that, it was easier for me to deal with thinking there was never a baby there for me to lose. But since the turn of events yesterday, it was really emotional for me and DH all day yesterday. Today, we're ok, but I expect feelings to come and go. 

 Has anyone else had this shot? I'm kinda scared as to what's going to happen.if you had it what was your experience? Thanks for the input  and I'm sorry anyone has to be here.  

Laurakat81

I don't have any advice on the methotrexate shot as I didn't have one with my ectopic but I just wanted to say I'm sorry you're going through this. (((Hugs)))

killian09

So sorry for what you are going through!  I had MTX 3 weeks ago.  I had a worse experience with it than others, so don't assume this is what will happen to you.  But here is what happened to me:

-first day after the shot: felt ok.  Some stomach pain but not too bad. 

-day 2 of the shot: fever (102), extreme dizziness.  took tylenol to keep the fever down.  stayed in bed all day

-day 3: much better than day 2.  some burning sensation in my abdomen, but manageable overall.

-day 4: total horror show. started out with mild abdominal cramping and escalated up to the worse pain of my life. Also had some heavy bleeding (though nothing near as heavy as my natural m/c). I took 2 prescription painkillers (percocet) and felt no effect of them whatsoever.  Ended up in the ER, and the ob/gyn service was quite concerned and admitted me to the hospital for observation for 24 hours. In the end, they didn't think I needed surgery.

-day 5-7: continuing pain, but it's getting better.  Couldn't move around too much, but feel mostly ok.  

 ...and from there I was ok.  Week 2 was fine and I went back to work, though I was a little sleepier/more tired than usual.  My hCG dropped from ~10,000 to ~1000 over the course of that first week.

Just remember to avoid the gym/strenuous exercise and BD until your HCG drops down (unless you have other instructions from your doctor).  Also remember not to take advil/aspirin/aleve (NSAIDs) for pain control because of the bleeding risk.  Tylenol is okay, and if you are in more pain than that, then your doctor can prescribe you stronger stuff.

  Hang in there! You will get through this.

jazzyexpo

Thank you to both of you! Wow what an experience. II'm sorry you has to go through that. My hcg at its highest was 2990 yesterday. And the empty sac they saw only measured 4 weeks. Your experience is exactly what I'm afraid of, but I like knowing what may happen, so I'm prepared.  

killian09

Many people get through the treatment without crazy pain or side effects, so FX for you!

My docs said the pain was caused by the internal bleeding in my abdomen.  Apparently pain is very irritating when not contained in its proper vessels/arteries.  It's counterintuitive.  Once I went into the ER though, they quickly administered morphine and the pain disappeared.  So if you do have a lot of pain, don't despair.  There are options to help.

Biggest downside to hanging out in the hospital for 1 day is that they didn't let me eat, in case I needed surgery.    Frankly my DH was totally relieved that there was someone watching out for me in the hospital, bc I think he felt kind of responsible when we were at home.

Lastly, this website is helpful, if you haven't seen it already:

https://www.ectopic.org.uk/index.php/patients/treatment/medical-treatment-methotrexate/

good luck & best wishes for a speedy recovery! 

PSU Export

I am sorry you are going through this. I had the shot two years ago and made the mistake of going to work the next day. I was nauseous and just plain ill for a few days after. It did get better everyday. I think I would have felt ok if I had just stayed home and rested. I didn't want anyone to think anything was wrong. Don't be stupid like me. 

Wishing you the best! 

iumegan716

My ectopic was treated with MTX in January.  I was/should have been 6 weeks along at that point and my hcg was 1800.  I did not have any side effects whatsoever.  I didn't take any time off work except when I had to leave work early to go to the hospital for the shot.

I was treated on Jan. 7th, hcg was zero (12 actually, but I guess that was low enough for my Dr.) on Feb. 20th.  I got my period on 3/13.  

Best of luck to you and sorry for your loss.   

brockerln

It hurt the first day but the second and third days were dreadful.  I couldn't eat--extremely nauseous and my back was KILLING me.     No one told me I was going to feel so ill afterwards. Make sure you prepare for it. 

jcohen721

I had pretty much your same exact story happen. They treated it as ectopic, but weren't really sure it was. I had the shot and had no awful side effects at all. I was tired a few days after, but nothing painful at all. I think getting all the blood drawn was the worst part. Good luck!!!