So two questions were asked in yesterday’s post that I would be more than happy to answer. JetGirl asked how much methotrexate they would be giving me. Dosage is dependent on the ratio of height vs. body weight, so the dosage varies based on your body. For me, the total dosage was 4.42 mL, divided by two, delivered via 2 injections. FourInchHeels asked why on earth would they desperately need 3 contacts. Well, first and foremost it’s a liability issue. Second, these people really fucking care about whether or not you’re okay. Think of it this way, they are pumping your body full of drugs that drastically change your chemistry and what’s happening within. Especially with the misoprostol, there is always the chance that you can bleed out. If they can’t reach you at home (where you are supposed to be, essentially having your abortion) it can raise an alarm that something went horribly wrong. You could be bleeding like crazy in a hospital bed and they might not know about it if you came into the ER without the proper info. This is some serious shit, and they want to make sure you’re following up the way you’re supposed to. It could be the difference between a successful medical abortion and getting an infection because your uterus never evacuated properly. I hope that answers your questions.
Onto the day at hand!
Well, getting two injections just above either ass check was THRILLING, let me tell you. There’s something about pulling your pants down and bending over a table that’s just so awesome, I can’t even put it into words! Beforehand, I was asked one more time if I had any questions or if I had any unresolved feelings to sort out. Obviously a good idea to ask since once the methotrexate is injected, the fetus will stop growing and that’s that. Funny, with all the anti-choice propaganda I hear, I half expected not to know that and just to get poked in the behind…and not in the fun-for-some way. Anyway, possible side effects include dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, headache, and general discomfort. So far, I’m doing okay. I also needed a blood test to track the hormone levels in my blood stream. The hormone they are tracking basically doubles in a 24 hour period, so they needed a fresh test as a marker. Next test will be done in the 15th, and they will be looking for that number to drop considerably. Now is when I would like to mention how much I hate needles.
I sat down with the Reproductive Health Nurse and went over the next steps with her. On Tuesday, I am to take 4 misoprostol tablets, pick them up with a soaked finger, and push them up my vagina as close to my cervix as possible. One at a time of course. I was also told that should I not start to cramp and bleed within 24 hours, I am to take the other 4 and repeat the steps. In no uncertain terms are you to take all 8 at once and think to yourself that it will make you abort like a boss. You know what it’s going to do? Send your ass to the hospital because the cramps are owning YOU like a boss. So 4 tablets every 24 hours. Along with cramping and bleeding, I can expect to be nauseous. We’ve opted to think positively and conclude that it will only take me the two days. During this time, should I feel any pain I cannot handle, I get to take 400 MG of advil up to 3 times a day. I will need to take them with food, since they will be rough on the stomach and will most likely make me nauseous. If that is not enough, I can upgrade to the T3s….which may make me constipated….and nauseous. Now, if put together all of these drugs and Sesame Street the shit out of them, you’ll realize that the running theme is nausea. That being the case, the lovely folks at the clinic have also packed some gravol in this kit. I am going to feel awesome. The advantage of living where I live is that none of this was out of pocket. I get to have an abortion, be comfortable AND not have to worry about how much it will set me back.
So now I wait until Tuesday for the pill insertion. I’ll probably post sometime over the weekend and let you know how the methotrexate has worked out, along with some probably delirious hunger posting. After all, that list of foods to avoid is epic. Also? Contains all the things I like to eat. Feh…..
That does answer my question, thank you!
Also, you’ll be in my thoughts and prayers this week. I know it’s the right choice for you, but it doesn’t sound like a pleasant experience and I’m sorry that you have to do it. I’m rooting for a quick and tolerable process, and kids who let you get the down time you need to get through it.
I was very curious about the methotrexate as well (JetGirl, I also have RA).
I take some meds that have nausea as a side effect, and it blows. There are things they can give you for that, though not sure they can with your med combo. Ask if it gets too bad. Seriously. I’m getting queasy in solidarity just thinking about it. And fistbump on the injections. Sounds like they were IM (intramuscular) which is never fun times. No needles are fun times I guess, but IM is much less fun than subQ (subcutaneous).
Why do you have to avoid certain foods? I am not clear on that, or have missed you explaining it, sorry.
I had no idea the misoprostol tablets were taken vaginally. Amazing the things I don’t know.
Again, thanks for posting all this, all the info you gives out helps others know what it is really like. Then those others can help others, and on outward in a ripple effect.
Thanks for answering my question! I hope it all goes well for you.
Ms. M, I believe the methotrexate is less effective when you eat foods with a lot of folic acid in them. Ironically, I take extra folic acid when I’m on it, because it tempers the side-effects, like nausea and hair loss. It’s a weird balance.
Ah, I see. I know about taking folic acid to help side effects of mtx but I guess in this case they WANT the side effects.
I’m amazed that they use methotrexate in medical abortions, since it is a low (such a low) dose of chemo. I mean, it makes sense, since it is fetotoxic, but, dang. I also have RA, and it is not a drug that I would chose to be on otherwise.
As a side note, misoprostol, when taken orally, aids in decreasing nausea and ulcers. …Clearly not applicable, but I just wanted to share.
Personally, I’m glad you are sharing this. It’s a destigmatizer, if you will.
Echoing other commenters sentiments for sharing your experience.
I realise that women will experience a medical abortion differently. I’m interested in the next couple of days when the cramping and other bodily symptoms become more pronounced.
@MA – thank you! I’m glad that you are able to access the medical care and follow up that all women should be able to access. I hope that the next weeks go smoothly..
I’m with you all the way, MA. Hugs and love to you and your family.
The thing that’s really striking to me about this is how difficult (in terms of time, effort, and, depending on your health care, money) the supposedly easy-peasy medical/chemical abortion is. Any jerk-burger who ever says “oh, abortions are the easy way out” or only for “irresponsible” slatterns needs to read this, several times. And then STFU.
While medical abortion may be easier than carrying a pregnancy (wanted or un-) to term, it’s no lark. And it doesn’t seem a whole lot easier than a surgical abortion, either.
Thinking of you, MA.
PhDork, I’ve been thinking the same thing. This is a lot of effort to obtain, certainly not obtainable on a whim.
I had a medical abortion in June, in the US. I was given a pill at the clinic of a progesterone blocker instead of the methotrexate. It was explained to me that the progesterone stopped the pregnancy from growing and inhibited it from attaching to the uterus. I was then given a whole kit of meds to bring home and start 24 hours later. The misoprostol (4 tablets), an anti-nausea med, an antibiotic and a script for Tylenol-3 (if needed).
The misoprostol was taken orally, all four pills, in the lower, back gums of the mouth. I had to allow them to dissolve for an hour and then drink and swish the rest down with water. The cramps started at that time. I didn’t think the medical abortion was nearly as traumatic as my surgical abortion 11 years ago, however I was 17 then, and 10 weeks, with this one I was 5wks 3days.
I agree that abortion is always a monumental decision, but now always a difficult decision. I have a loving partner of 15 years,two lovely children, one with special needs, and we are barely scraping by as a family, I couldn’t have another child, nor did I want one at the time.