[bd711]

Hi. I had a dose of methotrexate on Thursday afternoon for an ectopic pregnancy, and I'm wondering about others' symptoms from the shot. Starting Friday evening, my entire abdomen has felt like the grounds for bio-chemical warfare. Every step I take I feel my entire abdomen - kind of stingy-achy. I've had horrible gas, and I'm thoroughly exhausted - walking a few blocks makes me want to take a nap. I'm sure it's not a rupture, as it's not the extreme pain I understand I'd feel with that.

I'm assuming this is all normal, but I'd love to hear from others that this is just what the methotrexate does and that it goes away after a few days. I'm hoping to go back to work and start to get the rest of my life back to normal (or at least as normal as possible) sometime soon.

Thanks. B

[benzmomm]

Hi B.
I had an ectopic pregnancy in 1999 and they gave me a methotrexate shot. They told me there were no side effects to be worried about. The second day after the shot I started having some fullness in the abdomen. The next night I started having some pretty painful crampy feelings, no spotting or anything, but some pain. Nothing really sharp at first, I ended up in the ER they didn't say anything was wrong.... throughout the night the pain got worse, by the next morning I was having severe shoulder pain and I felt like I had been beaten up on the insides. Come to find out I had ruptured the night before and had been bleeding. I would call your doctor and ask them. I lost my tube and ended up in emergency surgery to stop the bleeding. It was scary and much more than I expected. I'm not saying you are having the same thing, but I always say it's better to be safe than sorry.
I hope this helps and doesn't scare you.. There are other women that have been treated with methotrexate and had no problems. Just thought I would share my story..
I'll be praying for you
-K

[rhart]

I was already spotting when I got my first of two sets of shots. I was already nauseated and sick to my stomach too, so I wasn't really sure what was from the ectopic and what was from the shots. I started having cramping and fatigue. I couldn't get out of bed and didn't want to. I started getting shoulder pains and the day after that started I went to the ER. I didn't rupture, but either way my old RE didn't seem to care. The shots affect everybody differently, but make sure you watch out for extreme pains anywhere. Good luck, and I'm sorry you are going through this.

[Shellyhume]

Well, I don't know how common it is, but I had quite a bit of hair loss (though I'm by no means bald.)... I had to clean out my hair brush every day. I had cramps, for sure... and nausea. Oh, goodness... whatever you do, don't drink alcohol for 3-4 weeks after the shot. Two weeks after I had the shot, I went to Puerto Rico on vacation and said what the hay, why not... I got the worst migraine and vomiting (after a shot of tequila and a pina colada...). Anyways, just adhere to all the warnings they give you... they're there for good reason!

I'm so so sorry that this is how this ended for you. Don't lose hope, though, B. Heartache makes us stronger people... though, not at first. We're here for you to help you when you don't feel like getting up... for now, just rest, take it easy, and regroup. Then get back on the horse. Big hugs and lots of prayers!

[jenedens6102]

I didn't have a lot of symptoms. I got my shot around 10 a.m. and was cramping within a few hours. I started bleeding that evening but I'd already been spotting for a week. I wasn't sick, didn't end up with a headache or anything like that. But I did experience a good deal of hair loss. Thankfully I have thick hair so it wasn't so noticeable unless you really know me. If you are in the slightest bit concerned about a rupture you need to go to the ER, the symptoms can be different for everyone but it's better to be safe then sorry. I went back to work the same day I got my injection and didn't miss a day. It wasn't fun at first between the extreme cramps, hot flashes and bleeding but we managed.

[cgduncan]

I was already bleeding and feeling sick to my stomach when I got the metho. I did start having some intense pain and ended up in the ER. They did another transvaginal ultrasound and the sac had actually grown a little (but not ruptured). My dr said it was not uncommon for it to swell a little after the injection. She also said they often see a rise in hcg levels for up to 48 hours after. I stayed in the hospital overnight, but was released the next day since my hcg levels did go down. I also kept bleeding for about three weeks. I didn't think it was ever going to stop.

[bd711]

I wanted to add to what cgduncan mentioned above about hcg levels post-methotrexate - my doctor was very clear that she usually sees the HCG levels rise in the first follow-up blood test (3 days after the shot). She speculated that when the methotrexate starts to work, the pregnancy gives a last hurrah burst of HCG.

Then for the test 1 week after the shot, she wants to see the number go down at least 15% from the 3 day draw.

I'm sure everyone's different, but I wanted to throw this in for those whose hcg numbers don't go down in that first test.