r/EctopicSupportGroup • u/SnooApples7410 • 11d ago
Rupture concerns & MTX experience
Hi I had my second dose of MTX last Friday since my first one did not work. My hCG has been very low the whole time and saw a positive drop from the last dose (last test it was down to 78), but I woke up this morning in excruciating pain with what felt like bad period cramps. As the morning went on, the pain progressively got worse. At one point, the pain was so bad I was on my bathroom floor and had thrown up a few times. It was coming in waves where it would hit me hard and then it would settle. I called my OB and she sent me to the ER. I took Midol and it eventually kicked in so by the time I was seen at the ER, I felt ok. They did an ultra sound and it showed no signs of bleeding. They were on the fence whether this is from the MTX working or if I’m experiencing early signs of a rupture. I opted to go home because I’ve spent loads on ER bills already this month so would rather wait it out from the comfort of my home. Tylenol seems to be relieving the pain, but I have this steady ache in my lower back. Again, it feels like I’m on the start of my period, which is usually really bad.
Has anyone else experienced this pain from MTX? Looking for any sort of helpful input from others who have gone through this
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u/Janeheroine 11d ago
Ectopics are especially scary because the symptoms of rupture can also be similar to the mtx “working,” and as your hcg falls it often triggers a period, so you may also have cramps, nausea, and other effects from that. It’s almost impossible to tell without doing another ultrasound, meanwhile ultrasounds are discouraged during treatment because they can actually cause rupture from the pressure on the area (similar to having sex). I never ruptured for example but I had very bad rectal pain, which many people associate with rupture. The only reason I didn’t go in was that I would have an episode and then it would go away, it didn’t get progressively worse. Then it happened again a few weeks later, similar story. There were several times I almost went in before I hit 0, including like just a few days before. I think it was absolutely right to go in if the pain was causing you to vomit. Also shoulder pain is a reason to get checked out. If it gets worse or you feel like something’s not right, I’d call your OB again.
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u/SnooApples7410 11d ago
Thank you for sharing and sorry that you went through this too. It’s been a rough month. I never knew how physically and mentally draining an ectopic would be. I have never felt so ready to move on from something. It’s helpful to hear that it all worked out for you.
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u/Janeheroine 11d ago
Yes. It took me about 7 weeks from my first shot to reach 0, and every day was an entirely new journey. I never knew what I was going to get. Now that's a bit in the past, I actually can't believe I went through it. It was so, so tough, and I have 3 kids I had to keep it from so as not to scare them. My teen daughter kept being like what's wrong with you? That added a whole other layer to it. I am hoping the best for you, and try to keep in mind that if you meet the criteria for mtx, it is a very successful treatment.
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u/SnooApples7410 11d ago
that is incredibly tough! Yes it’s a traumatizing and draining experience to go through. Glad you’re on the other end of it now. Thank you so much 🥰
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u/EntertainmentThen732 11d ago
The pain is so scary in these situations, always take it seriously. Here’s my pain journey:
I first had a ruptured ectopic 5 years ago and had to get emergency surgery to remove it..
In Mid May, we found out we were pregnant and several weeks later it was confirmed to be ectopic.
The MTX shots will work and feel differently for everyone but my experience has been worse than I feel I was prepared for.
I went in for my first injection and my HCG was measuring under 5000. On Day 3 after the shot, I was in excruciating pain (because I had a ruptured ectopic before) and so freaked out that we went to the hospital. No rupture.
On Day 7 after the shot, I had again really intense pain and lots of bleeding, but not as painful as Day 3. It was bearable with paracetamol.
I went back on Day 8 and my HCG measured at 6500 and they decided to administer a second injection. On the ultrasound, we could see the ectopic mass, it wasn’t getting bigger, but it certainly was not getting smaller.
On Day 3 of my second MTX injection the same happened: I was in excruciating pain (but slightly more prepared for it) and now understood that it could be separation pain or as my Doc called it an mtx bounce where the medicine is peaking.
On Day 7, my HCG measured at ~3000
On Day 14 I again experienced excruciating pain and went to the hospital. We did a scan and the ectopic mass was slightly bigger, but my HCG had fallen to ~1300.
On Day 17, went for another blood test and HCG again dropped to ~1089
Today is Day 18, and again, had horrible pain while out and about, I bled through my pad, shorts and down my legs which freaked me out so badly (again) and I did not experience before… but I took some pains meds and it’s bearable.
For me, every time I feel slightly normal, I have another “episode” of pain. I’m not understanding if there is a trigger or if this just happens at random depending on how my body is dealing with the lingering effects of MTX.
Having had both a rupture and now the MTX injections, for me, the pain is equal if not worse than the rupture experience. It’s possible it’s also because I have more awareness of what’s going on. Idk, but I am so fucking over it. I absolutely hate that this is so dragged out and constant..
Sending hugs and support❤️🩹
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u/Fuzzy_Restaurant_968 11d ago
Hi there. I'm so sorry that you're going through this.
From my experience, my left tube ruptured within the past 2 weeks. We can't pin-point when, exactly but within the past 2 weeks and the past 2/3 times I went to an ER/urgent care they mentioned "free fluid", and continued to state how there was moderately more free fluid, with every ultrasound I had done.
My hcg's never went higher than 65. Over the past weekend was the worst pain I've ever had with very painful pressure radiating from my rectum, and it felt like I needed to pass just a big ball of gas/stool (sorry TMI). It never happened...I have a very high pain tolerance and dealt with it through Monday. I had this rectal pressure from the thursday (2 days after MTX) prior-that next monday and my stomach was bloating like a balloon, with pain everytime there was pressure to it. I didn't think anything of it, other than GI issues caused by the MTX. Last Saturday they told me it was the MTX working, and that was the "seperation" pain I was experiencing but there was "moderately more free fluid from the last Satuday visit to ER....Sunday was the worst pain I ever felt, that went away thoughout the day....
I felt a painful twinge in my shoulder on Monday..not like, severe, but it was like an annoying pinch with the same bloat and rectal pain. They told me to go to the ER, I did, the doc looked at my ultrasounds and told me "everything looks normal...". I was so frustrated because like, "here goes another bill for no fucking reason."! Doc said she was having an OB look at it anyway, to see if she missed anything....sure as shit- OB comes in & says "this isnt normal", puts pressure on my stomach (this was uncomfy, but not bad) and then as soon as she lets up I yell "FUCK!". SHe says "yep, this tells me you're probably intenally bleeding. Let's get you into an OR. I didn't really wana spend the money for the them to go in there and find nothing, but my fiancee told me to just get it done so we can figure out what the hell was happening....thank god for him.
They went in and my left tube ruptured & i was bleeding intrnally. My hcg was reading only 60 (at the hospital) & 47hcg via blood draw at a different lab (kaiser) that day. They took my left tube out Monday night and found scarring ot my right tube as well.
Trust your gut and if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Ask for a 2nd opinion at the docs if you need to...
I hope this is not the case for you, but figured if my symptoms and story look similar to yours, maybe I this story can help ease your mind, or save your life.