CLOMID GANG - the new thread

Oh wow, ShouldKnowBF!!! Handstands all the way then, in this house.

How many months of clomid did you take?

Shouldknowbyfriday - Big congrats! There will prob be a lot of us doing shoulder stands, head stands and probably hand stands this month!!

I've taken all 5 pills and am on day 8 now. Haven't felt any of the side effects, which is good! Bought a thermometer today as I must be the only one that doesn't keep a chart.

Anyway, feeling positive after hearing a success tonight.

Thank you all! Still in a state of disbelief but feeling happy/relieved to even get preg at 41.5.
Loubie, this unbelievably is my first month.
Iamrelaxed, did your cons measure your follicles on day 12 and indeed did he see them? Mine were measured on day 11 and then 14 and I was given the follicle releasing hormone to shed them. You are much younger than me so you stand a better chance of getting pregnant. It's worth persevering.

Hi have just started my first Clomid cycle (50mg) and so would like to join your gang please! It's so nice to find somewhere where people understand what you're going through....
I have been TTC for 18 months (I am 34) after falling for my DD naturally and quickly. Apparently DD sperm is fine as are my hormones and although I don't get any OV symptoms I think I am OV (wee on sticks have always changed colour, regular 28 day cycle etc). My consultant did a scan on day 12 and 15 and was pretty certain I'd just OV on day 15 (the egg was gone, cm present and lots of free fluid sorry TMI). Nonetheless he has prescribed me Clomid for 3 cycles. Does anyone know if there is any point me taking this, am finding myself even more tired and irritable (+ light headed) than usual!

Congratulations SKBF . Fingers crossed all goes well for you :) Iona x

Fantastic news :o:O:O:O:O:O

You know what they say - a line is a line!!!!

Really pleased for you - it always gives me a bit more hope readng about other clomid chicks getting a BFP :)

How many cycles did you have on clomid?

An update from me: it's now day 28 of what will be a 32-34 day cycle. I have an out of breath feeling and metallic taste in mouth and didn't enjoy my coffee this morning AND can smell cat's breath from further away so decided to test. Ummm...very tentatively its a BFP!! The left hand line is lighter but I am testing early so am feeling positive although it is very early days. Can't quite believe it and will test towards the end of the week. For all you ttc'ing, I did a shoulder stand for 10 minutes after BD'ing, I wonder if that helped, along with the Clomid?

Update....

I rang my specialist's secretary and explained my concerns to her about not being monitored while on Clomid. She seemed to think that having two day 21 blood tests done was sufficient to prove Clomid is working (even though one was negative) and said there wasn't any other monitoring on offer!

I asked her about follicle tracking and after umming and aahing for a while she said that they're possibly having an extra fertility clinic next week (they only have them once a month at our hospital) and if they do, she'll put my name down for it and get back to me :)

So all in all I'm quite pleased with myself. I'm not sure what I'll do if she gets back to say I can't be seen next week....I'll cross that bridge when I come to it :):)

Loubie xx
CD2

Hi, I am not being offered anything other than day 21 blood in the first monrh of Clomid and that was last Monday. AF due today / tomorrow and know it is going to happen as have got pain and spotting too.

Rachee - fingers crossed for you and congrats on getting to day 21! Maybe the hols and relaxing has done the trick. We have also being trying for 18 months with 1 m/c so really hope it all works out for you.

I am going to push for Follicle tracking and scans - I have an apt on March 28 so will be having words then - I am also going to purchase one of those Isis scope thingies so I can track at home if I OV or not...

Hope everyone else ok

J

i am not being monitored, and cannot have the cd21 blood test, because i never get to day 21 of cycle !! That's what the clomid is for for me, to try and eak out my cycle to more than 18 days.... and it has .... i now have had a 19 day cycle !!

But, i am holding my breath, i am on day 21 today , but as i am on hols at the mo (typical) i'm away for a blood test, so still have no proof the tablets are working. Just know that i have had more pre period pains and really bad mood swings...

Just to ask everyone - the tablets start on day 2, what do you count as day 2 ? i come on in the afternoons, so i count that as day 1 ... what do others do ? This month i counted the next day as day1 so started the tablets a day later.... and with me being 3 days later this time, that seems to have worked better....

I am already building my hopes up, and i am only 3 dys late and only on day 21 , i know i shouldn't , but i have been trying for 18months, and DH & I really worked at it this month ( every night !! except 1) so fingers crossed...

It will be a hard fall if i come on !!!

Hi meerkats, thanks for the reply. All they could confirm was I not ov'ing any more, or if I am, it's now very erratic. No further investigations done to see if there's PCOS - I had HSG and lap and dye when trying for over 2 years for ds (born March 2000), no sign of abnormalities then. I will try and get an appt for 3/4 months rather than wait til August.

Same as you Loobie, no monitoring offered other than CD21 bloods, so I might push for follicle tracking if no joy after 3 cycles.

hi, can I ask if everyone on clomid (clomiphene) is on it because they don't ovulate at all or only sometimes.

The reason I ask is because I have been reading up on it and it seems the above is the main reason it is given. A consultant I have never seen before has prescribed them for me and I'm worried that maybe he didn't look at my file properly and see that I do ovulate on a monthly basis. What would be the effect of clomid on women that do ovulate...multiple ovulation?

any advice would be appreciated

Well it looks like my 5th month of being on Clomid has not been successful....AF due tomorrow and the tell tale signs of spotting and pains have been with me for the last couple of days. Stupidly did a first response test yesterday, and of course it was a BFN.

I'm not due to see my specialist until I've finished my last month (I've got 2 left - I was supposed to be on 6 months worth but I don't think he can add up because I got 4 months worth on the first prescription and then another 3 on the second)

As I'm not being monitored whilst on Clomid (other than 21 day blood tests on months 2 and 3 which showed I didn't OV in month 2 but I did in month 3) I'm seriously considering contacting the clinic on Monday to ask if I can have follicle tracking during my last 2 months. How can they be sure the Clomid is working on the strength of one positive blood test? My biggest worry is that I'll go back in April and they'll say there's nothing more can be done for me....I already know I don't qualify for IVF on the NHS because I've got 2 children to a previous relationship, even though DH has none of his own.

What do you all think I should do? Do you think asking for follicle tracking is reasonable given my circumstances?

TIA

Loubie xx

Hi Naditude

Re your original posting:-
"Am 32 with DS, aged 13. Been with new partner for 7 years. Been ttc for about 3 years. Started using strips for ov about 2 years ago - spent a fortune! My cycles vary from 29 to 45 days! Referred to the hosp, had Hysterosalpinogram - tubes good; DH sperm tested - 5 star!; 21 days blood tested - good.

Well at least they did a HSG - useful test to have done. Did the day 21 show ovulation had occured?. Was the result fully explained to you?. With PCOS suspected it is unlikely to have happened. What are your LH and FSH levels like - these should have been tested earlier in the cycle.

"He suspects PCOS though. Hosp have labelled us as 'Unexplained infertility' and urged us to 'keep trying'!"

Both a useless and unhelpful attitude from hospital!!. Unexplained is no diagnosis at all - all this means is that to date they have failed to find out what is wrong. I would enquire further about their stance. I also cannot understand why "unexplained fertility" has been mentioned to you if PCOS is suspected. I can understand the cons saying to you clomid may not help - it does not always work for PCOS patients as some of them do become clomid resistant over time.

You should be monitored each month you are on it with blood tests (clomid can increase levels of LH) and internal ultrasounds (to check state of ovaries) - you should not be left without monitoring. I would put it to them that you should have been given details of side effects along with how to take the pills!.

Would also strongly suggest you see them again before August - cancellation appointments do crop up and I would try for one of those.

Do not buy clomid on line, this is not a good idea at all. There are a lot of counterfeits out there and it may actually do you more harm than good.

Rachee - I'm not being monitored and was reluctantly given 3 months of chlomid and my next appt not until August!

I'm already stressing about getting my hands on more pills in May/June, never mind waiting until August! I've been looking to buy on the net, anyone done this?

Anyway, hopefully I won't need any more. Lets look on the bright side!

P.S - No side effects yet!

Hi Jodee,

First and foremost have you got a diagnosis?. Clomid is usually given where there are ovulation problems.

Clomid is usually given for a six month period after which time other treatments should be tried. Some women (particularly if PCO or PCOS are diagnosed) can become clomid resistant over time ao its not always effective. It also should not really be given for any longer than six months.

You should be monitored every month whilst on it, if you are not being monitored then there is no way of telling whether its doing what its supposed to be doing or not.

I would personally seek an earlier appointment than August. Generally speaking if you end up seeing different people each time this does nothing for continuity of care.

Unfortunately it is fair to say as well that some subfertility units (be it private or NHS) are far better than others. I would advise that you keep asking questions of them particularly if you are paying for your own treatment.

i was told that i am only allowed 6 months worth of clomid in my lifetime due to the risk of ovarian cancer ???
rachee - why are they doing a laperoscopy after giving you clomid??? i had mine before to make sure my tubes were ok. are they doing any blood tests to see if you ovulate on that dose?

Thanks relax and SKBF, that's helped me.

Rachee, I'm not being monitered either, other than this being my first month of taking the tablets and I will go for CD21 blood tests to see if 50mg has worked, if not I am to take 100mg (which i am nervous about doing, so i hope 50mg makes me ov).

I was given 6 months supply and my next appt with consultant (well, his crony) is August! Most here seem to go for 3 months then see their consultant again, is a 6 month cycle of clomid without a break normal?

EldestGirl WELCOME !!

i seem to be the only one that isn't being monitored....

Consultant just gave me the tablets, 3 months worth in december...

I will see him next in may for a laperoscopy !!!

when i say just finished , i mean that i have now finished the course of three months .... but like everyone , i only had the 5 tablets to take per month....

just finished my 3rd cycle of clomid ( 50 mgs), and i am now on day 20 ..... and for those that don't know me... that's a first.!!!

I normally have a 18 - 19 days cycle, so clomid has started working..... one day late !!!

Fingers crossed i can go another week xXx

Really bad ov pains though

Can I join too? On my second month of clomid 50mgs days 2-6. I ovulated successfully last month but no pg. Have since discovered DH's sperm is a bit stressed, but not until I had finished the strip for this month. Going to see OBGYN on Monday for CD11 scan and will ask her if it's worth continuing for the moment, or leaving it for 3 months whilst DH attempts to destress.
Have loads of hot flushes on the night following day 7 so far, it makes me very restless. I live in SE Asia so I can do without being even hotter!

Welcome relax and naditude. I'm currently on my first clomid cycle, and like everyone else it was 50mg on days 2-6. I'm now on day 15, and getting good OV signs (+ves on OPK and CBFM) so hopefully the little follicle we saw on my CD11 scan is about to produce the goods!

Hugs,
Artoo.

Hi to everyone
Dizzy36 - i havent got the info for success rates from my clinic with me at the mo but i shall let you know next week ( dont think its any great percentage though) tbh they didn't explain in great detail why exactly i am on the clomid think it is to give me a helping hand think my progesterone levels were a bit low. i always forget to ask these questions when i am at the clinic going to have to write things down in future! I, like you was feeling really down when i went to the clinic last. i asked that if it didn't work this 3rd time is it likely to work. The nurse said the effect increases each month.that cheared me up a bit . keep smiling

Natitude- the side effects are feeling dizzy, hot flashes, moods (doesn't my dh know about that one) visual disturbances and abdominal pain are important to report to the clinic and ovarian hyperstimulation (too many folicles).
You will have to let me know how that new book of yours is....i bought fertility and conception - zita west (quite good tips about diet etc and what to expect during iui ivf etc)
Jodee - i always seem to have an increase in headaches (not bad ones though) around or just after taking the clomid. The pains i tend to get are usually twinges really but dont last for a great deal of time just off and on all the time. mostly on the side of my greatest sized follicle

SKBF - hi hope you are well .On my previous cycles of clomid i was having scans (day13) and the follicles were there but not as big as they wanted (19mm) so they changed the scan day to 15 for
the last cycles the folicles have been bigger this last cycle and there was more of them. the nurse specialsist says as each month goes the effects get better usually (hope that makes sense). :)