CLOMID GANG - the new thread

Loubie, I feel like a outcast too... And small compensation, at least you have children, you said you DH was also complicated so don't blame yourself !! it takes 2 to tango !!!

I have been trying for 18 months ( so not far behind you), DH has a 90% good result for him, so he's strutting around like a peacock... cycle 3 of clomid for me ... and still on an 18 or 19 day cycle, so i can't even test to see if i am ov. The pain i go through each month, ov then af, then of course the emptiness inside knowing that once again another month has gone by. I have started getting very emotional around pregnant women, especially young girls, It's so unfair.....

But we are all here to help each other and let you know you are not alone with your thoughts, pain and pressure....

Oh Loubie, sorry to hear you are feeling a bit down - I am under my local NHS hosp too and haven't been offered follicle tracking or anything either - just the day 21 bloods. I have an apt at the end of March and am going to demand the tracking...

We will all get our time. Is there any way you can ring & speak to your consultant / secretary and request further treatment early - I told my consultant how stressed / depressed I was after my m/c and she pushed through all the tests that you usually have to wait until 3 m/c's for and gave me the Clomid (although i would have pushed for the further treatment with this had I known about it) - I actually found that threatening to go private helped my cause - she copped on to the fact that I did know what I was talking about and was willing to help myself!

Hope you feel a bit more positive soon,

J

Hi there and thanks everyone...

I'm not sure now what my blood levels were, as I've had so many blood tests done in the past, but the 3 day ones have all been fine (whatever fine is). The 21 day ones usually show that I don't ovulate, occasionally I've had higher levels.

PCOS has been ruled out following a HSG and internal scan, also the day 3 tests I've had.

The diagnosis - ovulatory dysfunction??

We're under our local hospital - I'm back again in April, so I'll discuss then what my options (if I have any) are.

I've had 2 children previously, I conceived them no problem, but it was some time ago - they are 14 and 12 now. DH has been checked out twice and he his tickety boo.

I'm on my 5th round of Clomid now, all have been at 100mgs. I've only 2 rounds left and then that's it - no IVF for us on the NHS because I've already got 2 kids (even though DH has none of his own) :(

We're seriously looking at adopting now - we've been TTCing for nearly 2 years now. I'm 37, almost 38 and really feel like i'm running out of time. I find it harder and harder to cope with as time goes on and feel emotionally drained by the whole experience. We've had an initial assessment by Social Services and they've provisionally put our names down for a Preparation Course in June presuming the Clomid is unsuccessful.....

Soory to whinge but I really do feel like I'm not going to ever have a baby of my own again. And that makes me feel like such a failure - if my DH had married someone else he'd have been able to have 2 kids now in the time we've been TTCing :(

Loubie xx

Loubie, so that I get the appropriate treatment and so that I am not fobbed off for whatever reason, I went to a private clinic. That way I get the treatment I want and ask all the questions I have. Also, I have been ttc'ing for some time and wanted the follicle tracking and am prepared to pay for it. Are you under a private clinic or going through your GP? I do sympathise because trying to get pregnant is a long and hard road for some of us and it doesn't get any easier unless we have the support of a good doctor who is giving as much help and assistance as s/he can.

Loubie, what is the dosage you were prescribed? Have you had a scan to see your egg reserve? How old are you, etc. I'm sorry if you have added this along the way and I haven't read it.

You need the correct treatment, we all do.

Loubie

If you feel like you are not being listened to by the clinic in question it may be an option to now consider getting a second opinion from another subfertility unit.

Hi Loubie,

(((((((loubie)))))))))))

Re your comment:-
"What worries me is that maybe everything else is happening apart from the egg/s actually releasing. The reason I'm saying this is that on some of the months where I've had -ve blood test results proving I didn't OV, I actually had a +ve on OPKs. So I was obviously producing enough LH, so why didn't I go on to OV?? The blood test results were done on the right day give or take a day, so who knows??".

The ovulation predictor kit was wrong. These actually work on two misleading principles; namely that a rise in LH is immediately followed by ovulation and that only one rise in LH occurs each month. Both of these are not true.

What the OPK measured was LH - it may well have measured the excess LH hormone levels hence a positive result (even though the blood test showed a subsequent negative ovulation result). If the balance between LH and FSH is wrong you will not ovulate. In cases where polycystic ovaries or its related syndrome are diagnosed, it is often the case that there is too much LH and too little FSH being produced.

What are your hormone levels like?. Are you levels of LH and FSH the same because if they are not this can be highly indicative of there being a hormonal imbalance.

Do you have a diagnosis?. It is not ideal to be given something like clomid if you have not been diagnosed and I would not be happy either that you are not being monitored whilst on it. If you are not monitored (ultrasound scans can and should be used to see what the ovaries look like) then there's no way of telling whether the clomid is actually working as it should.

Hope the above helps a bit

Hi there, I'm really envoiusthat you all seem to be being monitored whilst on Clomid....other than 21 day blood tests in months 2 and 3 I've had no monitoring whatsoever, even though one of those (month 2) showed that I didn't OV :(

What worries me is that maybe everything else is happening apart from the egg/s actually releasing. The reason I'm saying this is that on some of the months where I've had -ve blood test results proving I didn't OV, I actually had a +ve on OPKs. So I was obviously producing enough LH, so why didn't I go on to OV?? The blood test results were done on the right day give or take a day, so who knows??

It annoys me that if I was offered follicle tracking I would perhaps benefit from one of those injections to release the egg, but they won't listen to me :(

Good luck everyone - I'm a bit down in the dumps because on another Baby Forum I go on there's been 5 BFPs in 2 days! Just wish I could make it happen too :(:(:(

Went for scan yesterday and was told my 2 follicles were a very good size and measured 23.6 and 21.3 and was asked if I got pregnant with twins would I mind?!! It felt quite surreal.

The lining was measured at 8mm so they were happy to give me the follicle releasing injection and we'll see what happens this month.

I wonder what per centage of women who take Clomid don't see an increase in follicle size? Just wondering as I spoke to a friend yesterday who had IVF with somebody elses egg (GIFT?) and now has twins and she said even when she took Clomid the doctor found it very difficult to find the follicles.

I can't have the day 21 blood test, as my cycle never makes it that far.... I only ever get 17 or 18 days.... since i have been on clomid i have gone up to a, wait for it ... 19 day cycle once !!!

Away in oz at the mo, so that has put all the stops on tests and scans till i get back, but consultant is opening me up as soon as i get back to have a really good look...

Just finished month 3 of clomid... the ratty-ness has been worse than ever this month, and hot flushes !! ( maybe that's good news )

Going to go for gold this month, starting tonight, see if we can get an ozzy conception...

Great to read everyone else's threads....

Good luck all ( i am on day 7 now)

Its Day 11 for me and had an internal scan today. My follicles or eggs (?) of which there were two on my right side measured 15mm and 17mm and I was told that they are released when they are 18mm. Going back for a scan on Monday, explained that DP going away on Day 16 and usually ovulate on day 17/18 so they said depending on the scan on Monday they may give me a jab to stimulate release!! I am pleased so far, I feel I have responded well to the Clomid so far. I don't know how many women have a good or not so good result at this stage but feeling good about it all. Would like to hear others' stories about egg/follicle size. Is it worth having the Day 21 blood test or just wait to see if I am late?

Hey Artoo! Impressed that you have got a CD12 scan - mine has just sent me for CD21 bloods again to make sure all's ok! I have a consultant apt on 28th March so think I will ask for a scan the following month anyway as that will be month 3 on Clomid...

Morning ladies.

I hope it's OK if I join you all. AF arrived this morning, signalling the start of my first clomid cycle.

Here's my history - I am 34, DH is 35. We've been TTC since July last year when I came off BCP. I starting temping right away, and my initial charts showed a very short LP (7 days), so after three cycles we went to the GP. I was impressed with how supportive the GP was, and he sent me for CD21 blood tests right away. The results came back low (20.5), but then the test was done 2 days before AF arrived (due to me OV-ing late and having a short LP), so I'm not sure that's an accurate measure at all. But it was enough to get us referred to the fertilty unit at our local hospital, and since December DH and I have had a string of tests - he's had 2 SAs (first result was low, but he'd been ill so they did a second one 3 months later), and I've had CD3 bloods and an HSG. We were back at the hospital on Tuesday this week, and all the tests have come back normal, so the diagnosis is that I'm probably not OV-ing regularly (the gynae did take a look at my temp charts but he reckoned a lot of the cycles were anovulatory). So I've got three month's supply of clomid, and I'll be going for a CD12 u/s scan to check on my follies.

I'm going to take the advice here and take my tablets in the evening to try to avoid any side effects.

Hugs,
Artoo.

Meerkats, I wasn't given any detail at all about hormone levels, just that they were 'normal', I guess she should have gone into more detail.

DH has been tested again, and 'most' sperm were fine, more were healthy and motile than not.

Jodee

Can you recall what your hormone levels said?.

I only ask this as some hormone levels, when looked at individually, do appear to be normal but such levels should be compared. Was this done?.

Also has your man been tested?. If not he should be tested for possible male factor problems.

"Unexplained infertility" is actually no diagnosis at all. All this means is that haven't yet established a cause/s. It is also sometimes uttered when not enough tests to date have been carried out (some tests can and do get missed). Ensure they have investigated you both thoroughly.

Hi all, I'm officially joining the Club - saw specialist and bloods confirmed I'm not ov'ng (no surprise there, persona told me that), but the hormone levels are normal, so not ov'ing doesn't appear to be age-related (I'm just 39), another round of "unexplained infertility", which I had when I was trying for ds.

On CD16 now.

I wasn't told to temp, but I think I will. Specialist just said my fertile days are from CD7-17 !, don't think I can keep that up, even every other day!

curious... how long after taking clomid do you ovulate???

Iona - they do the book on Amazon.co.uk - think it is about £20.

I know what you mean about risking the other half's sanity. DP's patience was tried on Sunday when I was a mess. Thankfully I made him read the leaflet that came with the pills so he was forewarned!

Thanks for the book suggestions.... will see if I can get hold of a copy. Currently on CD 19/26, but no idea when I ov'd or anything (usually around cd18, but I'm guessing clomid might change this?). Noticed worse clomid side effects mid-cycle - really tired & very, very irritable Affected us quite badly at home, though luckily DH was forewarned. But my heart went out to poor DD - she's only 4.5 yrs & couldn't comprehend why her mummy was being such a cow for most of last week

Just hoping it's a means to an end. But when I was at my lowest point, was beginning to wonder whether it's worth going through all this every month at the expense of my DH/DD's sanity.

Will stop rambling now...... sorry everyone
Iona x

Thanks for your response - its easy to panic about everything when you're at the start of this, as there seems to be so many routes and tests to take.

Hi,

Would also recommend the book "taking charge of your fertility" I found it really useful! It answered all my q's - think everyone should read it, whether they are ttc or not.

Bloomsbury - day 2 or 3 doesn't matter (I had a similar panic as my day 2 fell on a Sunday which round here is impossible to get a blood test done)but not after this apparently...

Have taken my 1st month of tablets now and apart from turning me into some sort of weeping harpy, things seem ok. On Day 9 now so grabbing DP a lot!!!

Hi! crashing as well - I will probably be joining you after seeing specialist for second time tomorrow to analyse bloods, etc. Looks like I'm not ovulating (or very sporadic), been using Persona for 5 months and only got 'egg' symbol once.

Hi all - sorry to crash but am wondering if I'll be joing the Clomid gang soon. I self diagnosed short luteal phase from mumsnet and the internet and my gp is going to send me for a FSH/LH blood test (also says SHBG on the test slip - any ideas on what this is?) Anyhow - query is, the slip says Day 2, but she talked about Day 3 in our consultation and things I've seen on here say both Day 2 and Day 3 - which is it?! (The GP was very helpful but wasn't in any way an expert, so wasn't really certain of this). Your advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

Greetings form OZ !!! just got a min to read and catch up.....

Hello to all the newbies ( i am new to, joined this thread two months ago, )

Catch up soon XxX

Good luck all

Morning all,

Been reading everyone's messages, but have not posted since taking my 1st clomid tablet, so thought I'd do a bit of an update!

AF arrived on Fri 3rd, so started taking my 5 days worth of 50mg clomid on CD2 (Sat 4th). Took the clomid last thing at night (as advised to help minimise side-effects!). Most noticeable side-effect has been me more irritable than usual, but could also be down to triedness & the stress of TTC! DH has been very obliging, bless him. He feels that if I have to take clomid, than the least he can do is be obliging with the BD'ing . So, have BD at least every other night (but mostly EVERY night!!) since CD8! (sorry, probably far TMI ). Currently on CD16 but have no idea when ov will be. Before clomid I usually ov'd around day 18 of 26/27 day cycle (so had short luteal phase), but I've heard that clomid can make you ov sooner (?). Anyway, I guess we will carry on with the BD marathon for a few more days

Really not expecting the clomid to work as I was already ovulating anyway. And I've also not heard of that many success stories on first cycle of clomid. Wish I could feel more positive, but I'm scared that we're coming to the end of the line with our secondary infertility & that we might have to accept that DD will be an only child. I doubt if we would be able to afford to take our treatment any further (all been NHS so far), so IUI / IVF will be out of the question. The emotional ttc rollercoaster is all becoming a bit much for us too, and I'm beginning to think it might be better to just accept our "secondary infertility" and get on with our lives

Anyway, I'm due to have another day 20/21 progesterone test during my 2nd cycle of clomid, but no other monitoring. Have another appointment with infertility consultant scheduled for end of 3rd clomid cycle.

Wondered if anyone has been through similar experience/fertility tests & could help with a couple of things I found out from my various blood tests? I remember hearing that the day 2 LH/FSH levels should be at similar levels. And I've read that an LH level that is higher than an FSH level could be an indication of PCOS? However, my levels are round the other way...... i.e. my FSH was higher than my LH level! Is this an indication of anything, or is this fairly normal? FYI, LH = 4, FSH = 8 ("good" apparently) & day 22 prog = 48 ("ovulatory" apparently). DH's results were ok-ish according to the consultant, although motility was a little low. His results were: count - 70 million, motility 40% (they like to see 50% apparently) & morphology of 20% normal forms.

Any interpretation of the above from anyone would be most appreciated

Wishing the rest of the clomid gang good luck - fingers crossed for you all. And sorry this was such a marathon post.....

Iona x
Cycle 18, TTC no. 2