Topic: ended up have an ectopic pregnancy!! Had a chemo drug injection!
Nal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6801
posted
Things went worse this week. I ended up having an ectopic (pregnancy outside of the uterus). They gave me an injection of methyltrexate (sp?) which is a chemo type of med to stop the pregnancy. LMD said this was ok.. Wel tonight I am flared up. I wonder if this chemo type drug could also help kill Lyme?
ive had enough bad crap happen for one lifetime lately. Losing this pregnancy was hard. Finding out it could have nearly killed me is quite another. Im tired, and flaring big time tonight. Geez.
Nancy
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
I am sorry Nancy. I do not know enough about the methotrexate to say - but I know that they use it for RA patients.
I hope you start to feel better soon - between the hormonal fluctuations, the meds, the stress, and everything - it is surely a time that you will feel like crap. But it will pass.
My best to you and I am sorry about losing the baby. I am sure that everybody will be glad to hear from you, and wishes you the best.
Hang in there and get lots of rest. Duh - I know you know that, but it sounds like that will be the best thing for you right now.
Sara
Posts: 589 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Jun 2006
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
Nancy,
I'm so sorry to hear the latest news.
Personally, 2006 has been the worst year of my life - and I thought it couldn't get much worse than the previous three years of Lyme. Well, it did because it seems my whole family is sick.
Anyway, I am ready to kiss off 2006 and look forward to 2007. Somehow, it just has to get better for all of us, and I am keeping that thought that the New Year will be much better for you.
Get some rest and take care, Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
nancy, i'm so sorry to hear how life-threatening your pregenancy was! i'm sorry for your loss.
my former college roommate had one of these and went the complete term. she lost her only baby girl within hours of being delivered! she'd have 4-5 miscarriages prior to her birth.
Nancy, i feel your pain, anger, and frustration.
I have a suggestion where you could use your anger, frustration, and pain and send a letter to ALL YOUR STATE/FEDERAL LEGISLATORS about what happened to you.
ann-ohio has written a letter and has detailed instructions in activism is easiest to find. use her letter, but start it off by telling about what happened to you losing your baby and how life-threatening it was.
another newbie, erin, wrote her story and intertwined ann's letter in it too.
MAKE 2 CHANGES IN ANN'S LETTER: all 50 states have lyme reported now; and use erin's figure about how many people have signed lynne's CONGRESSIONAL bill petition....thanks!
i asked erin to also put in about the jan. 10, 2007, 10 pm EST, ABC tv show, PRIMETIME, having a program on chronic lyme that night, and encouraging each of them to watch this and pass lyme legislation in their state to help us chronic lyme patients. I hope you'll do the same.
thank you for your consideration of my suggestion of writing while all this is fresh in your heart, soul, and mind.
nancy, again, my sympathies on the loss of your baby.
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I am so very sorry. The death of a child is devastating. You will need time to mourn and grieve for this precious little one.
Nancy, when I heard that you could have died, my heart sank. I'm thankful you're still here with us.
I know this has been a tough road with heavy losses.
When I my son died, I clinged to the Lord and He gave me all the strength I needed to get through it. His love comforted those deep parts in my heart that no one else could fathom. He gave me life & hope in the midst of great sorrow. I know He will do the same for you. He will uphold you and give you strength.
Kayda
Posts: 582 | From midwest | Registered: Nov 2006
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Truthfinder
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8512
posted
Thanks very much for posting, Nancy. I WAS beginning to wonder what had happened.
So sorry about all of this happening to you, but so glad you are okay!
You have every right to feel like crap and be exhausted. Hopefully, as the injection wears off, the flaring will subside.
I hope your docs have suggested that you not try to work until all of this is cleared up for you. You don't have the reserves that normal people do, so please don't try to push yourself, okay?
Hugs and best regards,
Tracy
-------------------- Tracy .... Prayers for the Lyme Community - every day at 6 p.m. Pacific Time and 9 p.m. Eastern Time � just take a few moments to say a prayer wherever you are�. Posts: 2966 | From Colorado | Registered: Dec 2005
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
You do know that Bb needs choline, right? You do know that all spirochetes ferment sugar to ethanol (alcohol), right?
That in its genetic code is C-acetyltransferase and enzyme needed to make ACETYLCHOLINE. See "choline"?
Now, IF the drug you are talking about is Methotrexate:
Methotrexate, a medication used in the treatment of cancer, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis, limits the availability of methyl groups donated from folate derivatives by inhibiting the enzyme, dihydrofolate reductase.
Rats given methotrexate have shown evidence of diminished choline nutritional status including fatty liver, which can be reversed by choline supplementation (2). Thus, individuals taking methotrexate may have an increased choline requirement.
We NEED this "B vitamin" (not technically a B), but so does Bb.
"Methotrexate stops the growth of rapidly dividing cells, such as embryonic, fetal, and early placenta cells.
Methotrexate series. Although it is an uncommon practice, methotrexate can be given every other day until pregnancy hormone (hCG) blood tests confirm that the pregnancy has ended. On alternate days, a medicine called leucovorin (folinic acid) is given by injection to decrease methotrexate side effects. Treatment time for a methotrexate series varies from case to case but can take a month or longer.
Side Effects
Severe side effects from methotrexate treatment are usually related to longer-term use, such as for cancer treatment.
The possibility of experiencing severe side effects increases if you combine methotrexate
with alcohol
or certain medicines.
You will be advised to completely avoid the following until your treatment has finished:
Vitamins containing folic acid, including prenatal vitamins
Alcohol
Penicillin
During treatment with methotrexate, only use a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for pain with your doctor's approval. NSAIDs can affect the level of methotrexate in the body. 3
Common side effects of methotrexate treatment for ectopic pregnancy include: 4
Abdominal pain. Cramping abdominal pain is the most common side effect, and it usually occurs during the first 2 to 3 days of treatment. Because abdominal pain is also a sign of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, report any abdominal pain to your health professional.
Vaginal bleeding or spotting.
Nausea, vomiting, and indigestion.
Fatigue, lightheadedness, or dizziness.
Rare side effects from methotrexate treatment for ectopic pregnancy include: 5
Skin sensitivity to sunlight.
Inflammation of the membrane covering the eye.
Sore mouth and throat.
Temporary hair loss.
Severe low blood counts (bone marrow suppression).
Inflammation of the lung (pneumonitis).
Because of the risk of side effects, methotrexate treatment requires close medical supervision by a health professional who is experienced with this medicine.
During methotrexate treatment, keep your health professional informed of any symptoms that you develop.
Methotrexate versus surgery
If your ectopic pregnancy is not too far advanced and has not ruptured, methotrexate may be a treatment option for you. Methotrexate treatment avoids the risks of surgery, may be less likely to damage the fallopian tube than surgery, and may offer a better chance of maintaining your fertility after treatment.
If you are not concerned with preserving fertility, surgery for an ectopic pregnancy is faster than methotrexate treatment and causes less bleeding.
Some women who receive a methotrexate series for ectopic pregnancy report more side effects and less overall comfort than women who have laparoscopy. On the other hand, women who have laparoscopy may experience side effects related to general anesthesia and surgery, such as fatigue, abdominal bloating, and shoulder pain.
Successful methotrexate treatment is less expensive than laparoscopic surgery for ectopic pregnancy. 6
Methotrexate instead of surgery
Methotrexate can be used instead of surgery in the following cases:
The ectopic pregnancy is smaller than 4 cm.
There is no bleeding into the abdomen.
The fallopian tube has not ruptured.
No fetal heart movement is noted on ultrasound (methotrexate treatment is not as likely to be successful when the embryo is more developed and growing and has heart activity).
The use of anesthesia during surgery would pose a significant risk (such as if you have a respiratory infection).
You want to maximize your chances of becoming pregnant in the future.
Pregnancy hormone (hCG) levels are low.
Methotrexate treatment is not likely to be successful when hCG levels are high.
When methotrexate cannot be used
Methotrexate cannot be used if you:
Are breast-feeding.
Have liver or kidney disease.
Have a low red blood cell count (anemia).
Have an impaired immune system.
Have a ruptured fallopian tube.
If you are treated with methotrexate
You may be advised to avoid:
Gas-producing foods, such as beans and cabbage, since abdominal discomfort is common with methotrexate.
Exposure to the sun, since methotrexate can cause skin sensitivity to sunlight.
Use of alcohol and other medicines.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication."
posted
Stanford Hospital gave this drug to one of our lymies on our support group. They gave it to him for arthritis I think.
Posts: 293 | From healdsburg, ca , sonoma | Registered: Feb 2005
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posted
Yikes, Nal! My stepmother had two of those and they were scary! I'm so glad (but sad for you and the baby) they found out fairly quickly what was happening - that's a really nasty emergency. Thoughts are with you love dharma
Posts: 731 | From NH | Registered: Jan 2002
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Tincup
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