I’m really sorry for your loss and that you are going through this.
I had my shot of Methotrexate 3 weeks ago today and my levels were similar to yours. My levels on my latest tests today are below 10 so I have been discharged as my hospital only monitor up to when it gets below 15.
My hospital gave me a leaflet initially which said 3-5 weeks was the average length they normally see for levels to get back to 0.
Make sure you rest loads over the coming weeks I’m still absolutely exhausted.
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HCG 0 After Methotrexate!
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Hopefull2020
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2020 6:24 pm
Re: HCG 0 After Methotrexate!
Yes this was my first ectopic it was my first ever pregnancy 
To be honest I was in complete shock and found all the information very overwhelming and my partner couldn’t come to any of the hospital appointments with me because of the covid restrictions so the first thing I did was get signed off work. I work in a very stressful environment and I wanted to make sure I was signed off for enough time for me to process everything.
I was given the methotrexate and the only
effect I had in the first week was tiredness. My bloods rose on day 4 (this is expected) and then fell marginally on day 7, they look for A drop of minimum 15% and I just about made it into that bracket. On day 8 I was struck down by a really bad pain on the side of the ectopic in my abdomen, leg and lower back. I monitored it at home for 24 hours taking paracetomal but was getting no relief so called the hospital and they said to come in. They suspected it was rupturing and did a tonne of bloods/scans but couldn’t see a rupture. They admitted me for 3 days because of the level of pain I was in but as they couldn’t see internal bleeding held off on surgery. Eventually 12 days after the methotrexate the pain was under control and my bloods saw a massive drop so they discharged me, by yesterday 3 weeks post methotrexate my levels are nearly at 0. I’m still really tired but other than that I’m feeling good. I never bled I just had brown discharge in the first week but not much and I passed some clots.
The doctor said yesterday i will likely bleed in the next couple of weeks but it will just be like a period and I can count that as my first period.
I asked about follow up tests because I’m worried my tube the ectopic was in is damaged. She said I don’t need to go for any tests that I should just try to conceive when I’m ready after the 3 months have passed and once I get a positive pregnancy test again they will monitor my bloods straight away up to 6 weeks and then scan me. She said if I am unlucky and have another ectopic and it’s on the same side then we would know there is something wrong with the tube and they would just remove it next time. I was a little unnerved by this approach but she said we avoided surgery this time as it was the best way to treat this ectopic and that if I had tests done now and it showed something was wrong with that tube that there would be no treatment for that other than remove the tube which we avoided doing now. She said it’s possible future pregnancy’s will be from the other side so really there is no need for testing.
I see you started another thread on HSG so I’m interested to see what people say on that and others experience!
Hopefully you will have a smooth journey over the next few weeks.
To be honest I was in complete shock and found all the information very overwhelming and my partner couldn’t come to any of the hospital appointments with me because of the covid restrictions so the first thing I did was get signed off work. I work in a very stressful environment and I wanted to make sure I was signed off for enough time for me to process everything.
I was given the methotrexate and the only
effect I had in the first week was tiredness. My bloods rose on day 4 (this is expected) and then fell marginally on day 7, they look for A drop of minimum 15% and I just about made it into that bracket. On day 8 I was struck down by a really bad pain on the side of the ectopic in my abdomen, leg and lower back. I monitored it at home for 24 hours taking paracetomal but was getting no relief so called the hospital and they said to come in. They suspected it was rupturing and did a tonne of bloods/scans but couldn’t see a rupture. They admitted me for 3 days because of the level of pain I was in but as they couldn’t see internal bleeding held off on surgery. Eventually 12 days after the methotrexate the pain was under control and my bloods saw a massive drop so they discharged me, by yesterday 3 weeks post methotrexate my levels are nearly at 0. I’m still really tired but other than that I’m feeling good. I never bled I just had brown discharge in the first week but not much and I passed some clots.
The doctor said yesterday i will likely bleed in the next couple of weeks but it will just be like a period and I can count that as my first period.
I asked about follow up tests because I’m worried my tube the ectopic was in is damaged. She said I don’t need to go for any tests that I should just try to conceive when I’m ready after the 3 months have passed and once I get a positive pregnancy test again they will monitor my bloods straight away up to 6 weeks and then scan me. She said if I am unlucky and have another ectopic and it’s on the same side then we would know there is something wrong with the tube and they would just remove it next time. I was a little unnerved by this approach but she said we avoided surgery this time as it was the best way to treat this ectopic and that if I had tests done now and it showed something was wrong with that tube that there would be no treatment for that other than remove the tube which we avoided doing now. She said it’s possible future pregnancy’s will be from the other side so really there is no need for testing.
I see you started another thread on HSG so I’m interested to see what people say on that and others experience!
Hopefully you will have a smooth journey over the next few weeks.
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EPT Host 20
- Posts: 3175
- Joined: Thu May 31, 2012 10:58 pm
Re: HCG 0 After Methotrexate!
Dear KristaC3620,
I am afraid it is difficult to predict how long it will take for your hormone levels reach non-pregnant levels. As we are all individual, our bodies respond differently to the drug methotrexate and it depends on factors like how high levels reached and our unique physiology. What I can say is that it can take a number of weeks and, while it can take some time, it is not as invasive a procedure as surgery. It is also encouraging that your levels are falling steadily although I appreciate that it can be a drawn out process. Also, in terms of chances of future successful pregnancies, studies do not show a significant difference between treatment routes, whether surgical, medical using methotrexate or expectant management (allowing time for the body to resolve the pregnancy itself).
Women aren't routinely offered testing following ectopic pregnancy as there sadly isn't a test that will guarantee we won't experience ectopic pregnancy again.
The chances of a further ectopic after a first in UK is 10%. So that's 90% chance of the embryo being in right place next time.
While generally it is possible to conceive after an ectopic pregnancy, the amount of time it takes varies from couple to couple. Factors include age, general health, reproductive health and how often you have sex, among other things. It may be comforting to know that 65% of women are successfully pregnant within 18 months of experiencing an ectopic pregnancy and some studies suggest this rises to around 85% after two years.
For the ladies following this thread that may not have seen your other post, we have more information here under the title Testing
https://ectopic.org.uk/patients/trying-to-conceive/
Sending much love,
Karen x
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1071811
Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards
**************************************************************************
During the coronavirus outbreak, The EPT team is still working hard to provide crucial information and support to women and families experiencing ectopic pregnancy as quickly and efficiently as we can.
If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?
Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk
Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk
We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653
Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters
Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team
***************************************************************************
I am afraid it is difficult to predict how long it will take for your hormone levels reach non-pregnant levels. As we are all individual, our bodies respond differently to the drug methotrexate and it depends on factors like how high levels reached and our unique physiology. What I can say is that it can take a number of weeks and, while it can take some time, it is not as invasive a procedure as surgery. It is also encouraging that your levels are falling steadily although I appreciate that it can be a drawn out process. Also, in terms of chances of future successful pregnancies, studies do not show a significant difference between treatment routes, whether surgical, medical using methotrexate or expectant management (allowing time for the body to resolve the pregnancy itself).
Women aren't routinely offered testing following ectopic pregnancy as there sadly isn't a test that will guarantee we won't experience ectopic pregnancy again.
The chances of a further ectopic after a first in UK is 10%. So that's 90% chance of the embryo being in right place next time.
While generally it is possible to conceive after an ectopic pregnancy, the amount of time it takes varies from couple to couple. Factors include age, general health, reproductive health and how often you have sex, among other things. It may be comforting to know that 65% of women are successfully pregnant within 18 months of experiencing an ectopic pregnancy and some studies suggest this rises to around 85% after two years.
For the ladies following this thread that may not have seen your other post, we have more information here under the title Testing
https://ectopic.org.uk/patients/trying-to-conceive/
Sending much love,
Karen x
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1071811
Ectopic pregnancy patient information suite: Highly Commended in the 2019 BMA Patient Information Awards
**************************************************************************
During the coronavirus outbreak, The EPT team is still working hard to provide crucial information and support to women and families experiencing ectopic pregnancy as quickly and efficiently as we can.
If we have been able to help you, are you able to help us with a small donation or by volunteering or fundraising?
Further information is available at ectopic.org.uk
Email us: ept@ectopic.org.uk
We provide a call-back helpline service: 020 7733 2653
Take a look at our newsletters and subscribe to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/986bdd6091ee/ectopic-matters
Detailed medical information can be found on our website. Please remember online medical information is NO SUBSTITUTE for expert medical advice from your own health care team
***************************************************************************
