Ectopic help!!!

klbowie · November 2014

I'm not new to this board but it's been a while so I'm not sure if this is the correct place to post. So I'm sorry if this isn't ok. I just left my doctors office and have officially been diagnosed withan ectopic. Heartbeat and everything in my left tube. So heartbreaking. I currently have an 8 month old that is EBF. The doctor recommends trying the methotrexate shot first. However, I can't breastfeeding with that and she doesn't know for how long I can't. I'm her first case still BF. Also, since there is a heartbeat the methotrexate is less,effective. If I get surgery then I think I could be breastfeeding again the next day if I'm not on pain medicine. Also, it would be done with. But there is risk to damage or loss the tube.. I'm just looking for some insight to help with making the decision. Any thoughts are appreciated? Update: Sorry I kinda of went MIA the last few days. I decided to try the methotrexate shot. Figured it would be worth a shot and maybe save me a surgery. It was been pretty rough because my dd depends on the nipple to sleep but I have an awesome mom and sister that came over and helped. The first night dd and I only got two hours if sleep. But the next night my mom stayed with the baby and let me sleep and the following night my sister did the same. It seemed to work better because I wasn't the one feeding her so the urge for nipple was less. It was heartbreaking having her try to nurse and having to refuse her. She doesn't understand why momma is so mean. As far as the medicine, I've been nauseated, achy, and sleepy. No bleeds yet so I'm a little nervous it's not going to work then I'll have to do surgery and not nurse my dd again. That would plain suck. I go in tomorrow to do my first blood draw and not really sure what they are looking for there. I guess time will tell. Ready for this to be over and able to relax a little. Not be paranoid over every little ache and pain. Thank you ladies so much for all the advice and comforting words. It has meant so much to me.

BookishMomma · November 2014

I don't have any advice but just wanted to say I am so very sorry you are going through this.

Mel&John2013 · November 2014

I don't have any advice or experience with a situation like yours, but just wanted to send my condolences. I'm so sorry for your loss.

pblge · November 2014

I know nothing about breastfeeding, but I wanted to say how sorry I am that you're going through this. ((hugs))

TheFutureMrsD · November 2014

I'm so sorry. I don't really have any advice other than to say my first pregnancy was ectopic, I got the shot, and I still needed the surgery. I did wound up losing my right tube, but like one of the PP said, my doctor explained that it doesn't impact fertility as much as you would think. I can't remember the numbers they told me now, but I would discuss it with your doctor if that is one of your concerns.

Good luck, and again, very sorry for your loss.

Flowerstar1023 · November 2014

I'm sorry you're going through this. It's my understanding that once the baby develops a heartbeat, methotrexate is actually contraindicated. I don't know if you'll have access to it, but you can ask your doctor for up-to-date's discussion of methotrexate and ectopic pregnancy which is below.

"Fetal cardiac activity — The presence of fetal cardiac activity is another relative contraindication to medical treatment [3,14]. In a metaanalysis, sonographic evidence of cardiac activity was significantly associated with treatment failure (OR 9.1, 95% CI 3.8-22.0) [3]."

After having a ruptured ectopic myself after two rounds of methotrexate (the baby developed a heartbeat in the interim), I say go with the surgery. The methotrexate made me feel lousy. I was constantly worried about the possibility of tube rupture. And, two weeks later my tube ended up rupturing anyways and I lost a lot of blood and had to recover from a larger surgery than I would have needed if I hadn't opted for the methotrexate.

I was sure I would never get pregnant again after the ectopic and losing a tube. But, it actually ended up not taking a ton of time once we were cleared by my doctor. And for that, I feel really blessed. Had we needed to make another decision regarding methotrexate this time, I would have insisted on the surgery. The uncertainty of methotrexate was too much for me.

So sad you're going through this. Be kind to yourself!

Mom2anAngel2 · November 2014

I don't have any advise, but wanted to say that I'm very sorry that you are going through this. Sending lots of ((HUGS)) and healing vibes your way.

danielle1290 · November 2014

I also don't really have any advice, but just wanted to say I m so sorry about the ectopic pregnancy. I know what it is like, I went through that about a year ago, heartbeat and everything, but unfortunately we didn't know about it until the tube had already ruptured, so mine had to be surgically removed, so I know how hard it is to know that your baby is perfectly fine, but has to go anyways.

T&P to you!

chicagojackie · November 2014

T&P to you. Ask an IBCLC about your breastfeeding options...but at this point managing your ectopic properly is most important. Ectopics can be so dangerous. Your health is the most important.

Junebug060609 · November 2014

One of my PAL buddies is a lactation consultant. Let me direct her to this post. @NeenyW‌ (I hope that's you).

I agree with the pp. You have to do what is necessary for your health with this one. I'd probably do the surgery in your shoes...with a hb you're at higher risk plus you can get back to nursing pretty quickly.

I'm so very sorry you got this news.

Junebug060609 · November 2014

Lurking from PAL (forgot that last time...was excited I knew some on who could help you. Not only is sshe an LC, but she's had an ectopic)

Anyhow, she consulted her book and asked me to post these pics for you. Included in there is the recommended wait time before nursing (I believe it said 4 days)

angielayne926 · November 2014

I am so sorry! My ectopic ruptured after trying MTX. I also saw the hb in the ER. I honestly, would never try MTX again after reading afterwards that it really only works early on, before the hb is seen. Ectopics are so scary, I hate to hear of people going through them. I hope that you get answers soon. And, in the meantime, if you start not feeling right, go immediately to the ER!

Denise91980 · November 2014

I am so sorry you are going through this. I don't have experience with breast feeding or surgery but did have an early detected ectopic. No heartbeat was detected and in fact they couldn't find it so at that point I opted for the Methotrexate. It did work for me, but the side effects were pretty awful and I wasn't breast feeding. I probably would do the surgery since it doesn't necessarily mean you will lose the tube. Big ((hugs)) and best of luck to you.

beckynsean11 · November 2014

I don't have any experience with this, but I think in your shoes I would go for the surgery. I'm so, so sorry you're going through this. (((hugs)))

klbowie · November 2014

@Junebug060609‌ thank you so very much. The doctor said three days but I'm going to wait four now. Better safe than sorry.

EricaD777 · November 2014

I have no advice, but I wanted to say that I am so very sorry.

Junebug060609 · November 2014

klbowie said:
@Junebug060609‌ thank you so very much. The doctor said three days but I'm going to wait four now. Better safe than sorry.

No problem. She's been a wealth of information for so many on PAL. She's not on there anymore, but we are in FB groups together. I actually had picked her brain earlier in the day regarding meds for something going on with me. She was very happy to help you, having walked in your shoes.

Wishing you all the best, whichever you decide. Such a heartbreaking position to be in. Hugs.

cassy0407 · November 2014

I have no advice, but I am truly sorry for everything you are experiencing. Please take care of yourself..

mandi195 · November 2014

I also had an ectopic and did the MTX, but I was not breastfeeding. My case was not the "norm" but I ended up needing a second round of the injections, and then a third, and then had to use a different drug at the end to finally get my HCG back to zero. My ordeal lasted for 6 months.

Based on my experience, if I was in your shoes I would do the surgery, simply because the MTX can seriously disrupt your breastfeeding, and depending on the duration of your recovery, you could be 6 months without being able to BF.

So sorry you are going through this, and I wish you the best in your recovery.

tigerlynx31413 · November 2014

I am sorry I have no advice, but I wanted to send huge hugs your way!

uneek1323 · November 2014

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Many ((((hugs)))) to you.

luciddreamer106 · November 2014

I'm so sorry. ((Hugs)) If I were in your shoes, I would opt for surgery. Since there is a HB, I would worry about methotrexate not working, there being more growth, and more damage being caused.

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