PCOS- next step after clomid??

[Jagzorx]

Hi all,

Some of you might have seen me from a different PCOS related thread. Current info: 28 years old, TTC #1 with husband since november 2016 (so 2yrs 5mo approx), I've never been pregnant once, not so much as a sniff of a second line on a test. I have PCOS, normal tubes (seen on laparoscopy as an HSG attempt ended in tears!), am overweight (BMI about 29 at present, was 32 when started so I'm counting that as a win, but still trying to lose weight). Had 7 cycles of clomid, first couple were 50mg with limited results, increased up to 100mg but got loads of cysts so had to decrease down again. Mixed results, some months good follicles, some months nothing, did regulate cycles a bit but alas no pregnancy.

Have been NHS up to now, but have decided to bite the bullet and go privately. First appt 3rd may. Not sure what to expect next. Wondering what people's next steps were after clomid? Injections? IVF? Joining a convent? (joking- mostly- although at this point I've had more sex than I ever wanted to in my whole life!!!)

Also, can I just vent and say how completely rubbish this whole situation is. Infertility is never something I thought I'd be faced with in life- both my mum and MIL got pregnant just from winking at their husbands, if all accounts to be believed. Some friends are now pregnant with their second in the time I've been trying for one. I know a lot of you ladies have been trying a lot longer than me, and I just want to say, kudos to you.

Anyone who has any info re: next steps for clomid, or just fancies a whinge, I'd be delighted to hear from you! :)

[SRK16]

The whole process is shit isn’t it? Everyone I know seemed to get pregnant at the drop of a hat, though as I went through the process I heard more and more similar tales of others struggling. Similar situation to you - PCOS, tubes look fine, slightly overweight, similar age. Went privately from the start due to long waiting times in my area.

I never managed to actually ovulate on Clomid, though follicles often looked promising. Tried 5 cycles increasing the dose up to 100 (or 150, I forget) and I then tried clomid with a trigger shot (ovitrelle) which still didn’t work. Then switched to gonal f (injectable) with a trigger shot. Ovulated with this and conceived on my second cycle! However then sadly lost the pregnancy. When I started treatment again I conceived on the second cycle again- now 15 weeks pregnant.

Good luck and I hope it works out for you xx

[Jagzorx]

Hi SRK16! Thank you for your reply. Congratulations on your current pregnancy and my condolences for the one you lost :( I'm sure that was devestating.

I have a couple of questions if you don't mind- if you had good follicles on clomid, how do you know you didn't ovulate? Were you using urine sticks or were they checking bloods or something?

Any idea what the difference between the clomid and gonal f is? Never heard of the latter...

I'm trying to build a list of sensible questions to ask the consultant.

Also- have you or anyone you've heard of tried inofolic?

xx

[Essexgirlupnorth]

I have been taking inofolic has regulated my cycles was having 60-90 day cycles now 30-34 days and getting peak on my fertility monitor. Did get pregnant in October unfortunately was a missed miscarriage when I went for my 12 week scan in January so back to TTC

[Jagzorx]

I'm so sorry to hear that Essexgirl. But that is encouraging about the inofolic. I'm currently taking metformin as well so I wonder if they're ok to take together. Did a doctor recommend you take it or was it from your own research?

[northerngirl2012]

I’ve got PCOS & tried on NHS and as then saw private consultant, metformin & clomid combined then I got pg on 3 rd month. Later went on to have another successful pg after 6 more months on clomid & metformin was on quite a high dose.

We also looked into adoption & nearly went down that route, it kept us sane. We TTc for 3 years before bfp. It is hard,keep going.

[SRK16]

@jagzorx
I can’t remember exactly how we knew I wasn’t ovulating. I think pee sticks never showed a surge and I think blood tests as well?

Gonal f is an injectable, I have to say I don’t know how it differs from clomid, it operates in the same way to stimulate ovulation, but I think is different hormones? I think clomid resistance is not uncommon.
I’ve not heard of the other thing you mentioned x

[Essexgirlupnorth]

No much own research my GP has been useless this time.
Have a 5 year old she was conceived after 16 months while waiting to see the doctor at the fertility treatment I did loose a stone and a half with slimming world that got me ovulating.
This time was trying for 2 years before I got pregnant but miscarried in January. GP had send me for tests and husband for sperm analysis and was waiting for a referral when got pregnant. When I miscarried basically told me to go away and try again so back on the inofolic.