To take clomid without going through clinic?

[Lasthurrah]

I have some clomid left over from my last pregnancy. Enough for two rounds at 25mcg each or one at 50.

I could go back to my fertility clinic but i know they will push me towards ivf, which i dont want. I am over 40, and getting back on the fertility clinic treadmill will take time also as i will need a referral and they will want to do lots of tests, interviews, test my partner etc.

Or i could take the clomid tomorrow and hope for the best. I very much want another baby but will also be happy with what i already have.

So really am wondering if anyone else has done this and does it sound reasonable?

[CitySnicker]

Will they do ivf on the NHS when you're 40 years +? I know it depends on where you live.

[Lasthurrah]

I am not in the uk. Public ivf here is very hard to access - one year wait to even get an appt! Private is available but the doc i had last time pushed me heavily towards ivf 'because you are 38!' - god know what they would say now!

[KP86]

I'm doing the same thing as you (although I'm a fair bit younger). First cycle didn't work, despite working first time for my last one, and the whole thing makes me feel a nervous, not being monitored. I'm worried I'll be told off if/when I do get pregnant!

I have enough left for two more cycles, with the last one only being four rather than five days. Hopefully that won't matter too much

What happens after that though? Do I go back to dr and say I've been doing off-plan treatment and to please give me more tablets? Or not admit it and ask for more anyway based on last pregnancy?

[eggyface]

It's a bit tricky. Personally I'd do it but I'd also be worried about checking first in case I had cysts or something that might be made worse by oomphing up my ovaries. But I agree the clinics will get pound signs in their eyes and also are so worried about getting sued they don't do anything without a hundred expensive tests.

[GreyBird84]

I would take it given that you've been prescribed it before & it resulted in pregnancy.

Some GP's prescribe it so yes it could be worthwhile asking Doctor for a script based on your history.

[Pommes]

Hi OP

Slightly different situation to you. I've been on clomid for five months now.

My follicle tracking and blood results indicate that I am ovulating with clomid, but no pregnancy yet. My consultant did say they may extend my prescription but my next appointment isn't until January, when my prescription runs out in November.

I'm aware there's a slight increased risk of ovarian cancer which is why the NHS/NICE guidelines recommend no more than 6 months on clomid.

I did some research and found the Oxford Online Pharmacy - a pharmacy based in Oxford. I had to pay £25 for an online doctor's consultation; basically you fill in a form about your history and a doctor reviews it, approves it, and issues a prescription to their pharmacy. The pharmacy (UK based) dispatches the medication by post. With the consultation, a two month supply cost £40.

I haven't taken the new prescription yet but it has relieved my gloom about ending this prescription with no result. Good luck!

[Lasthurrah]

Thanks greybird your first line is what i was looking for.

pommes i have heard of the increased cancer risk too. Also higher chance of twins which is why i think i will take a lower dose twice if necessary. Very interesting about the online prescription.... thanks for sharing that tip. How have you found taking clomid? I felt very odd on it. Good luck to you too

[CaveMum]

Honestly? No I wouldn't. Clomid is s strong drug that should only be taken under monitoring such as blood tests and scans.

I know how tempting it is, I had 5 failed rounds of Clomid before Ovulation Induction injections worked for me, but you could seriously mess with your health by taking the tablets.

Are they even still in date if they're left over from a previous treatment cycle?

[Oysterbabe]

I would. It wouldn't be advised but you've had it before and it'll probably be fine.

[Lasthurrah]

cavemum they expire in february next year. I am thinking of halving them so a very low dose.

[Lasthurrah]

Thanks oysterbabe i am going to do it. All at my own risk of course...

[Musicinthe00ssucks]

I did it. I took prescribed Clomid with my first DD and took it 3 months on 3 months off; I got pregnant on the last month of 3 months off (so 6 months of trying in all). The same month I went back to work after my maternity leave with DD1 (who was 13 months at the time) I started taking the left over Clomid to try to conceive again. I was very cautious and used exactly the same dose as I had the first time. I got pregnant with DD2 the very first month.

I still have some left over but I won't be doing it again DD2 is almost 3 and that's enough for me!

[MyPeriodFeatures]

I've still got a pack. I wonder how quickly it'll go out of date?

[KP86]

MyPeriodFeatures, the box and packaging should have an expiry on it. Mine was from mid-2013 and doesn't expire until next year.

[Dia12]

Hi @Lasthurrah, I know this is an old post but I was wondering how you got along with clomid?
I'm in a similar position as you and have some clomid lying around and thinking of taking it.

[Cancangirlie]

I took my left over Clomid and conceived again very quickly.

[Dia12]

Thanks for replying. How many cycles did it take? Also, did you suffer from any side effects?

[Cancangirlie]

I can't remember exactly but there are 15 months between my middle 2 so it wasn't many.