CLOMID GANG - the new thread

[Roobedoo]

This should be clomid and IUI (for Katierocket) thread. Hoping this one will be luckier than the last - can't be any worse, don't think we had a single BFP did we?

Lots and lots and lots of luck to us all.

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!

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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...

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?

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)

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.

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 :(:(:(

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

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.

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.

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

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

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....

wooops, just re read your post, you said hubby was tickety boo, oops i read that as tricky too !! ooops , sorry, over tired !!!!!! xXXx

Shouldknowbyfriday,

How much is your treatment costing....? roughly?

I have just typed a really long message and lost it.Grr. My treatment is costing roughly £400 per cycle which is Clomid and follicle tracking. Follicle tracking is usually done with IUI (£800 per cycle) but I told the dr that we wanted to do timed intercourse instead. The follicle release injection is not included and I think that costs around £50.

Loubie, Rachee, Jen, are any of you in London?

Thanks for that - there's no way we could afford that sort of amount every month! At least I know now :(

We're in Lincolnshire by the way :)

Good luck, hope it's mega worthwhile for you :)

Loubie xx

Hi Loubie. I know that that it is costly but it is something I am prepared to do as after ttc'ing for almost 2 years and being over 40 I need to do something drastic pretty quick. Thank you for your hope, we'll see in time if it is worth the outlay...

Just read about Proff Ian Craft being taken to the GMC for heavy selling and unnecessary procedures so he could charge more. Scandalous.

Hi,

I'm not far from London, in Colchester but can't afford that sort of money, though I will def bring it up with my next apt with my consultant - she has been terrific so far, have been really lucky. Think it helps that she knows my best friend!!!

Well, now on CD18 so into the 2 week wait. Don't think have ov'd this month as temps not done anything funny, although this morning was up to 36.8 from 36.5 at the start of the week but don't think this is enough? Ho hum. AF due Sat 11th so we will just have to wait and see.

Just seen that Morrissey and Paul Weller & Radiohead are playing the V festival this year - off to get tickets at bang on 9 am!!!

J x

Hello, I'm on CD1 so will be starting my very first round of Clomid (50mg) tomorrow - I havent read through all the thread but do people recommend taking it in the evenings rather than mornings?

Wishing everyone loads of luck!

Jodee it is recommended that you take Clomid before you go to sleep in case you have hot flushes and if so hopefully you will sleep through them. I didn't have them but I have read that they are very common.