Methotrexate

[wannabebump]

I had to have methotrexate recently after an ectopic/pregnancy of unknown location as I didn't lose all the tissue naturally during miscarriage.

So anyway, part of the info before the injection is:

1. stop taking folic acid as methotrexate interferes with it
2. no pregnancy for min. 3 months

So, come 3 months we're gonna be trying again, but when can I start taking folic acid again?

I will obvs phone EPU to check, just unnecessary to ask them at 11.20pm 🙈

I started taking folic acid five months after taking methotrexate for a cervical ectopic. We didn't start trying again until six months after the injection though as we didn't want to risk any of it still being in my system. It's so frustrating having to wait when all you want to do is try again!

The reason for the no folic acid rule is because methotrexate basically strips your body of folic acid. I waited 3 months before starting to take folic acid again.

We had an ectopic in June last year which ruptured and we waited 4 months. I know it's incredibly frustrating but it is best to wait as otherwise you'd be risking birth defects.

Thanks for the replies.

@testingtesting111 - we are absolutely waiting as we aren't wanting to risk any defects.

My thinking was the same as pre TTC where taking folic acid before trying was a good thing - I was thinking as it's 3 months before trying TTC, I could/should take folic before that in prep and just wasn't sure when.

You can take folic again as soon as your hcg reaches zero - before that it can stop the methotrexate working and prolong the ectopic

For anyone who's in the same (horrible) boat, the advice I was given from EPU was to start folic acid approx 2 months after jag/1 month before TTC again. My jag was early July, so August, Sept, Oct... Oct we can start trying again (which actually means Nov before a potential positive test, which is 4 months post jag) so I'll start my folic acid & vitamin d in early September.

X

Hope you're as well as can be OP. Good luck for the future.

@testingtesting111 all good ready for TTC ❤️ x

@wannabebump I was prescribed folic acid in a high dose (5mg) straight after Methotrexate, as it delpetes it, so you need more, or that is what I was told? I hope you're doing OK X

I was on it long term though for several years and had to take the MTX one day and then the folic acid all the other days. I wasn't ttc at the time, and went off it to do so.

Had no idea folic acid can maintain an ectopic. Isn't it awful what our bodies can do?

@theotherfossilsister EPU just said a combined folic acid & vitamin D. I had to come off it when getting methotrexate obviously, but they didn't say it should be a higher dose when restarting. I will triple check just to be sure.

Our bodies can be so cruel xx

@wannabebump they can be cruel, can't they, but miraculous when they work.

I would check, because they might need to give you higher dose if you're depleted.

I had MTX with my first ectopic although it didn't work 😢 - you don't need a higher dose - standard 400mg should be enough in most pre natal as you naturally consume folic acid in certain foods anyway

@theotherfossilsister very true, when they work they are amazing.

I've left a message with EPU. X

Doctor @ EPU this afternoon said to take folic acid again from when wanting to try TTC, and not any special strength. He didn't say a month before though, which is what another dr at the same ward said, so I'm going to go from a month before just to be on the safe side x