CLOMID

[malinki]

Hi, I'm fairly new to this site and wondered if anyone out there is taking clomid to help them concieve. My GP has told me that he is going to prescribe this for me due to having PCOS and currently being on a massive waiting list to see the same gynie that helped me concieve my daughter 4 years ago. He doesn't think I'm ovulating much, but is willing to help me out. I concieved my daughter on Metformin.
So any advice about what I should start doing, charts, temp etc would be very useful.

Must admit some surprise that your GP has prescribed Clomid. It can be very effective, but it is usual to have some form of monitoring offered, so that you know that you are taking an appropriate amount - how much will you be on?

There are a number of websites which outline the best charting approaches. PCOS can be a pain to mintor though. One word of warning is that the ovulation predictor kits may not be that reliable as PCOS women can have a naturally high level of LH which is the hormone that the kits test for: in other words the tests will always make it appear as if you are ovulating even if you're not.

Try Fertile Thoughts for online resources. And good luck - I hope that Clomid does the trick!

Hi, GP is definately offering Clomid, as that is the 1st port of call from Gynie, 6 months of clomid from Gynie followed by Metformin, I may have to have lap & dyes like last time, but GP is offering 3 months so it starts whilst still on waiting list, my periods range from 29 days to 67 days and my GP said basically no wonder I can't get pregnant. I have kept a diary since coming off the pill last year, every time I have sex, have a period etc etc, and now its paying off. The ovulation kits didn't work 8 years ago, but I didn't know if the kits had improved due to the amount of women taking fertility/sub-fertility drugs.

message withdrawn

Yes Clomid is the usual wonder-drug that you start on - but I'd be worried that you're not being monitored at all. Usually you can only be on Clomid for max of 6 cycles, so if you're on it for 3 without being monitored then you won't know for certain whether it has been doing anything and you may have "wasted" 3 goes? What dose are you on?

Some gynies are now combining Clomid and Metformin for PCOS women (which again would be a concern if you're already taking Clomid - you may be losing this as an option).

Anyway hopefully the above won't be concerns as you'll be pg before seeing the gynie

GP will monitor me, he said I would have to have blood tests and check ups, but I'm up for that, if it means that I may concieve, and the GP is an ex Gynie, he says that there are only a few of them in West Yorkshire that can actually prescribe this drug. I wasn't expecting to meet this GP last night, he is not my GP, he is the senior partner in the surgery that I go to. So now they are thinking of prescribing Met and Clomid to run side by side. I had clomid in 1996 for 6 months, then Synarel nasal spray for 6 months, then Metformin for 2 years, didn't even know I was pregnant until week 9, (still had small, mild periods) that seem to dry up, then I was told I was pregnant after a blood test. I ran out and bought about 6 kits and all of them were positive. I had a hard time convincing my DH, he was so excited, he didn't believe me, so at least there is light at the end of the tunnel, and you know what, I think I can see it already

I had a few courses of Clomid at the low dose which did sod all for me! Good luck though as I now it is the answer to so many peoples problems

Hi Malinki, I replied on the other thread. Clomid has worked twice for me. The main thing is to get a day 21 blood test, this will tell you whether you ov'ed. If you dont a higher dose might be needed. Charting and OPKs help too. You do become much more aware of your cycle, for instance I noticed I get a pre-ov temp dip which gave me a warning that ov was imminent so I could time all my shagging perfectly. The OPKs should work with clomid as your ov will take place at around day 14 or 15. Good luck with it.

I'm ovulating OK and we're one of those "unexplained infertility" couples, so it may happen at any time. Our consultant has put me on the waiting list for a Lap&Dye to see of my c-section damaged my tubes. After this he said he might put me on Clomid anyway. The reasoning behind this is to pop more eggs out at a time to increase the chance of fertilization. But I'm worried about this - it seems a bit clomid-happy of the consultant, as it's a strong drug and not be to taken lightly, IMO. And there's always the chance of a multiple pg as well. My friend had a clomid-induced pg and it led to an ectopic which is also a side-effect of taking clomid.
I spose I should wait and see as it may not come to this, but I do want to look at the options in advance. Everyone seems quite positive here about clomid... Am I worrying unnecessarily?

No Moomin, you're not worrying unnecessarily at all. Clomid has some very unpleasant side effects, I was happy to accept that as I didnt ovulate at all and clomid seemed the ideal solution. If you do ovulate, I dont know if clomid is the best drug for you, have you done any research to find alternatives? There are lots of natural solutions to poor fertility. I have a few books on the subject, let me know if you want any info and I'll have a look.

THanks bunny. The lady who I see for reflexology is a nutritionist as well and has been a star so far with advice. She thought my thyroid was a bit low and so I'm taking some homeopathic tablets to boost this and my adrenal glands which should help my fertility. I'd be interested in what you've read as well and I think I'd feel more confident if I was armed with more information about alternatives to clomid, etc. next time I see the consultant.

Moomin, the main alternative to clomid is agnus castus. IT is herbal and used to treat all sorts of menstrual problems. I'll have a look in my books for other treatments but agnus castus is definately the best alternative from what I have read.

message withdrawn

Hi Malinki,

Clomid should not be prescribed by your GP as you should be monitored whilst on it (with blood tests and ultrasounds) and certainly not left.

It is not always suitable for some PCOS patients to take as it can raise their LH levels (something that some PCOSers have an excess of anyway).

Resist also the tempatation to either temp chart of use OPK's as with PCOS these methods are of no benefit. With OPK's the kit will only read the LH hormone level and if you have PCOS this is only what the kit will read!.

You should NEVER self medicate with Agnus castus if you have PCOS because this can make things worse!!!.

Have to disagree with the not taking Agnus Castus 808State. I have PCOS and last year when I had some hormone profiles, I had been taking it between test (about 3 months). My levels had settled back toward normality, and when I told my gynae doc I had been taking it, she said she couldn't say that it wasn't to do with the Agnius, and that she knew plenty ladies that took it. She said carry on taking it, but to stop should I get pregnant (chance would be a fine thing!!)

Hi BeckiF,

Have you had any more hormone profiles done since last year and if so have they checked out your LH and FSH levels again?. What about ultrasound scans?.

You can certainly disagree with me re the AC but I would still have to differ. My understanding is not to self medicate at all with this particular herb as it can increase LH levels in some women with PCOS (which is the last thign such patients need!).

Are you having any treatment currently?.

808state
(diagnosed with PCOS and endo 1997)

Hi 808 - no more hormone profiles for me now because they have decided that the only way we will conceive is through IVF (ICSI). I did have an Ultrasound which the operator at the time said seemed to be OK but my gynae doc said that as I have every other symptom then maybe the scanner wasn't have a good day! Also had a .... a .... can't spell it, so it's the thing where they inject dye to check your tubes, and that was OK too.

The world would be boring if we all agreed! I guess it's personal opinion and different docs. I have to say that I have stopped taking it now because I'm on the Metformin and hoping to start a course of IVF in the next month or too, despite my extreme weight. None the less, having taken advice we have decided to try a course anyway, and I've lost 1/2 stone since taking the decision so that's good.

Hi Beckif

Good luck with the IVF. I have had PCOS for 8 years (well more actually, just diagnosed 8 years ago), been referred for everything, Clomid, Synarel, Lap & Dyes x 2, Ovarian drilling, Metformin, and finally told no hope, finish my last pack of Met and go for IVF. So I started feeling sick, result was pregnant (but that was over 4 years ago). still TTC, but had no period since 09/02/04, so either very irregular or PCOS has come back to haunt me. Been off pill since June last year, noticed weight creeping on and a few dark facial hairs trying to grow, but mainly my periods have been between 29-67 days, so if I don't start in a couple of days.......

I've got my Clomid, went to see GP today and he has given me a blood pressure test, a blood test and handed over a prescription for 2 cycles worth. I have to go back on day 21 for a blood test. Anyone on the list had any problems with Clomid, I don't remember as the last time I took it was 1996.

What's the significance of the 21 days? Have decided I really need to go to the doctor's and at least start investigating possibilities after no luck with ttc for 18 months. However cycle at the moment doesn't always get to 21 days - last 3 have been 21, 23 and 18. Totally inconsistent though - will sometimes get a run of several around 25-27 days, but sometimes the odd longer one (anything up to 49 days).

I haven't a clue what's going on, but as work only allow an hour for appointments (and it takes longer than that to travel) I'd need to book a day off for an appointment. Days off have to be booked a month ahead, but cycle isn't predictable enough to be sure of choosing an "off" day for an appointment that far ahead of time (or doesn't that matter?).

Would be glad to hear what happens if you do see your doctor with this type of thing. What do they ask? What happens next? etc

message withdrawn

Hi Gill. It takes the enjoyment out of love making, every month goes by and still no sign. My periods have been everything from 29 days to 70. Clomid will regulate (hopefully) my periods whilst on it, but also hormones and ovulation. The 21 day blood test is taken by a nurse on the 21st day after the 1st day of my last period, so in 19 days time, I have my blood tested to see if I ovulated or not. Then hopefully day 28 should see a new period. I think you are best seeing your doctor and make a back to back appointment to see your nurse. Tell your GP you have been ttc and for how long, start keeping a diary and advise him of when your periods have been, and when you have had sex, then ask him if it is possible to have your blood taken to see if their is anything wrong with your hormone levels and wait for the results. I send a big hug and hope that everything is ok. They may ask your husband/partner for a sperm sample, but I think that unless he has a low sperm count etc. I think if you go over the 2 years of ttc, your GP will have no alternative but to refer you to the hospital for investigation.

Hi Ladies

Clomid hasn't worked for me this month, so my Gynie has increased my dosage for 50mg to 100mg days 2-6, she has given me 3 months supply and after this she is sending me for IVF if I haven't ovulated, the problem is for the last 3 days I have had pains in my lower this is on days 18,19,20 and this morning I am full of cold. I just don't get it, ?I have also had a sticky discharge, is this a good sign of ovulation, if so then we had a shag on day 19 . I had ultrasounds on days 10 & 13, not 8 & 12 like most normal women, so was this just too early.

Good luck with thi increase in your Clomid. The pian could be ovulation attempts, so the increase may help! I always say to be sure you should BD every other day! OR have a weekend away from dp then coe back. Studies show that if you have had a few days away from your established partner then hi ssperm count is dramatically higher on your return. Not more than a few days though because after that the sperm production shuts down until required!! My gf did this a few years ago. Came to visit me for the weekend whilst she was ttc, we worked out she was bding on the wrong day and the right day was the Sunday, so she left my house a whole day early to drive 250 miles south! Result was her son! As I keep saying, I can't get pregnant but I'm getting good at helping others conceive!!!!

Hi,some ppl have spoken of folicle measuring? can any one tell me what that is?

also I have just started taking my 1st tablet of Clomid 50mg - I was wondering do a lot of people get side effects, if so what are they?

I am really new to this and don't really have anyone to talk to - my husband is not that attentive to things like this

i was ovulating regularly ( i could feel it each month bang on the 14th day!!) but my partner and i failed to conceive. After 3 years of trying and tests tests and unexplained secondary infertility ( i had a daughter already from a previous marriage) i started on Clomid. First cylce I missed a period, but i knew i wasnt pregnant as i didnt feel myself ovulate? anyway i left it a couple of weeks and did a test. Not pregnant. Still no period. I rand the helpline and was told that i had a rare but not unheard of reaction to the Clomid and that it had stopped me ovulating and menstruating!! yes it doesnt add up does it. Any way it stopped taking it. To cut a long story short we had no further intervention and a couple of years later conceived my son naturally by ourselves. Followed a few years later by another daughter who was conceived the first try!!
we are lucky, but Clomid is not always the answer and all its crached up to be.Good luck to everyone trying xx
We were lucky