Roll up, roll up!....Clomid cycle buddy needed please, dont want to do this on my own!

[pussycatmomma]

Hi thats it really. If there is anyone who is about to start a new cycle with clomid, can you please be my friend?
This will be my first try on clomid, I have pcos, and started af today after a horrible 48 day cycle.
But af is here, hurray! which means i can start on the magic beans tomorrow.
So if you would like chat and hand holding too, please sign in here.
Im thinking good sense of humour, sympathy, and patience will be a must
xxx

hi all....thanks for all advice. Am feeling really stupid that I just took what the secretary said at face value and thought she must be right in what she was telling me . She even told me to bloody "relax" and "these things sometimes take time!" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I spoke to my sis-in-law about it the day I phoned up. She had fertility issues and had IUI to get her twins (now 9!). If anyone might be supportive you'd think it would be her, but no, Its all "I didnt bother with clomid, complete crap, but thats cause I went to XXX (hosp in city, with links to private fertility unit)" and "Well, you are only on the first stage arent you, just chill and be patient!" No! actually Im not! Ive been through all the initial stuff, found a prob, been diagnosed, had an op and now on my last treatment before iui or ivf will be be an option. In the Lords name!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So sorry to offload on you lot
Just dont know what to do for the best.
Am sure the bloody secretary thinks im a screaming loon . I did particularly ask if it could be arranged for the cons to call me, she declined, and then if something could be put in writing. Again she declined.
Is it worth writing directly to cons do you think? Maybe he would have to respond to a letter?
Why is it so difficult just to get something which the hosp is there to provide and help you with in the first place ?
Attilla, if I were to request another fertility unit, would i be able to continue the clomid that i have already? Im not sure what they would do? Also if there is a long wait, say , over 6mths, and i have used all my "clomid-allowance" as it were, would they simply put me towards iui/ivf and not look at any other options? Hell, i dont even know what the other options are any more.
xxx

aww PCM ((hugs)) completely feel for you and what a crappy secretary that woman is. I do suggest that you call again tho and not ask if she would but directly say, "Please take this message for the consultant" If she starts to refute keep pushing, she has no clinical training.

Sorry about SIL too. Clomid isnt the first attempt at ttc. What part of the country you in? I hads a choice over which clinic I went to. Also there should be more than one fertility consultant. If all else fails, speak to GP.

xx

I have decided to wait until Tuesday before I take provera as that way I hope CD will fall on a monday or tuesday (then cd21 should fall on same day.. unless the weeks change length!)

Am sat in the garden at the moment, enjoying the sunshine. Ds due back from his dad's today. I have really missed him. Doesnt help that I just finish a Jodi Picoult which always makes you want to hug dc closer.

Don't feel stupid PCM......I would have done the same a year ago I'm sure.
I think we all assume that even the secretary knows more than us don't we?

Personally I would go back to your GP (if they are reasonably sympathetic) and get them to phone the clinic direct.....that's what I did.

Not sure about writing directly to the cons.
I did that and waited THREE months for a reply that wasn't even about me!!!!!
See what the GP can do for you first.......
(((((hugs)))))

Hi PCM,

Would certainly agree with Coggy's suggestion to visit your GP to discuss all this. Your GP should be able to take some action with regards to the clinic.

I would hope that another fertility unit would go over your case notes and outcome of previous treatment. They may or may not decide to continue with the clomid as it is, both scenarios are equally possible.

As a PCOSer it is important that you are monitored whilst on this drug. Clomid encourages the ovaries to work harder, it can also produce more LH. This is why it is not always suitable for all PCOS patients to take. Some PCOSers can become clomid resistant (my high LH levels were the reason I was not given this drug in the first place).

I am not sure whether IUI would be mooted as a possibility simply because this does not fully address the problem of the cystic ovaries associated with PCOS. However, I am no expert and it may be possible that this treatment option may be feasible in your case. I would have thought injectible drugs would be another way forward with regards to PCOS.

Let us know how you get on.

hi thank you all again for your advice and replies. I am going to try and make an advance booking appt with my gp, which means it may well be in a few weeks time, but I am going to take up the points that you have mentioned. I am going to request gp to find out test results and explain them to me and also voice my concerns over the lack of monitoring and general support. Thank you all for helping me to make a little sense of all this.
Meanwhile, cd 30, no sign of af, gggggrrr, where is the old bat!!! Have had a terrible cold from friday, with mega mega sore throat, earache and hot sweats..........and on such a gorgeous weekend too!! Throat is now so bad, i only managed an hour at work and they have sent me home, voice is just not holding out! Hence a little sneaky post on mn
Just one last quick question....is clomid making anyone else more hungry than usual?? and i mean alot, we are talking ravenous here!!!! I am not normally fussed about food and meal times etc, often miss meals without thinking about it , but this last week have been starving! dh thinks this is enormously funny of course.... please tell me you lot are all getting it too otherwise i must be turning into a right heffer
hope everyone is ok and enjoying the sunshine.
xxx

PCM, is there any chance you may be pregnant now, (cannot use question mark as my keyboard is playing up). Sorry if this is a silly question.

errrrmmmmm, no i dont think so. I did a test on day 24, bfn. But no af yet. Why do you ask? Of course i would love to be, but my path never seems to be that straight forward im afraid.

pussycat, have just caught up with this again and I have to echo what everyone else has said - the treatment you've had is appauling. I would actually go so far as to write to the clinic involved and complain - one blood test with results in 6 months time? totally unacceptable IMO.

increased appetite could be due to a couple of things. firstly could be down to impending af, if you're ovulating correctly etc now the hormone levels will be correct now and you may be hungry as your period is approaching, or it's possible you could be pg? you did test quite early before - do you have another test?

have to go now as ds is ill, can't even keep water down bless him but will be back on later x

pussycat you tested on cd24 that was 6 days ago. cd24 is far too early to test anyway - I would do another test just to be sure?

Just like wannabe said really, you did test quite early, and your af hasnät arrived. I have taken clomid many times and never become more hungry, however have been pregnant twice and THAT has increased my appetite. Thatäs all!

farking keyboard!

hhhmmmmmmmmm..... i just do not think i am that lucky. And yes it was early, but to be honest i am deffo not going to get my hopes up to think i may be prg, because there is a 99.9999% chance that i am not. Have jsut spoke to trace on msn she said she got hungry with the clomid so it is probably just that. Or what you said wannabe, about af. I am putting it down to the clomid definately, because i have tender painful boobs as well, which i think clomid makes you get before your af.
Roll on af , and let me get started with my next go.
Wannabe, lovely to hear from you again, let us know how you get on with pill etc.

wouldn't necessarily get my hopes up, but would test to rule out pg/get the test out of the house iyswim. you're on chlomid, it's possible you're ovulating now, and it you're ovulating then you might have fallen pg. trace wasn't ovulating either and got pg on her second cycle of chlomid so it can work that quickly. but your decision of course, there's no pressure you understand

lol wannabe, thats why i did the test on day24 as it was doing my head in having a test lurking in the bathroom! But i have used it up now, and deffo not buying any more!! Hope your ds feels better soon xxx

oh and its only my first cycle anyway.

How is Trace PCM?
Are you still enjoying Archie?

i hope that was a smiley , not sure what you meant????
Trace is suffering a bit to be honest, she has severe spd (pubis dysfunction thingy) and has been struggling. During one of her test they found the baby has a congenital problem, something to do with the valves in the umbilical cord (i think...) They are not sure what this means for the baby, could be congenital heart or lung defect and i think from what she has said there is an increased risk of down syndrome. This is only what i have gleaned from msn, she doesnt come on comp much any more as she can not sit for any time without being really uncomfortable. Baby is due end of June.
Archie is fine we love him to bits-(((for anyone reading this not only did i meet supportive ladies on mn i also got to adopt one of their dogs!!))) He has settled in really, really well.
coggy im curious, what do you mean by the hmmmmmmm, i need your input!!!!

CD50 here (I think ) the old cow hasnt shown so if BFN tomorrow start 5 days of provera and cycle 2 of clomid. Hope everyone all ok. Where is everyone at with clomid?

Should we do a quick roll call?

A|wen - CD50

hiya awen...
am cd31 here. Just waiting for af. Hope she arrives as I dont think I would even be offered the provera as in your case! Glad you are going to get cracking on your 2nd cycle, I wish you all the luck in the world sweetie.
Where is lulu???? She has not posted for ages, hope she is doing fine, she is already on her 2nd cycle i think, as her af came relatively early.
Am still suffering with cough and sore throat.
Discussed with dh about getting referred to a different unit, maybe different hospital, and about finding out about results etc. We have decided that i am going to change my gp to his practice. His family has lived in the area alot longer than me, and he and his sisters, parents etc all use the same practice, I seem to be stuck with a rubbish one! So I am going to change practice and then see new gp and discuss further. Will hopefully get a bit further.
Meanwhile, just all this waiting for af!!
love to all xxx

Hi pussycat! We're doing fine thank you - Jack is 7 months now can you believe that?!! Yes, it does seem like a long time ago we all spoke. I really loved our thread.... Am always thinking of you & wishing & hoping that this year you'll finally get your bfp

xxx

PS: I haven't seen Trace on her thread for a long while, do you know if she's OK?

Sorry all- have been tied up with moving, guests etc etc. but have been thinking of all of you and sending good wishes. I am on my second cycle of clomid (no thanks to useless GP!) and am on CD 12 (CD 8 on clomid). I've been having a bit of a touch time as Thursday was my due date for the baby I lost in October at 13 weeks. Not helped by someone I know having a baby this week. Made my heart ache when I saw the new little baby on Sunday.

I do, however, have a new obsession in the form of bed bugs!!! I guess we collected them on the move and I am getting eaten alive. Never experienced anythign like it. Roll on diversions!

PCM- I agree you need to find a different GP and it would help so much if you had one who was sympathetic and made you feel cared for. It is such an emotional battle and you really must feel you are in good hands.

for you Lulu...it's really hard getting through anniversaries sometimes....especially when other people have so obviously got what you are grieving for.
I hope that your time comes again very soon.
X

PCM......LOL at you worrying about the old hmmm-thing!!
I half don't want to say why I put it as I want you to tell me what you think it was for!!!!!
Wicked aren't I??!!!

I'm sorry to hear that Trace is still suffering with her SPD......I didn't know if it was something that she would have again or not....she seems to have had a few worrying things again with this pgnancy.
I do hope she is managing to get some peace about the umbilical cord worry as well.
I haven't seen her on MSN for a l-o-n-g time so if you do chat again please tell her that I often think of her and say a prayer that all is going to go well.

Awen.....how frustrating for you.

Oh Lulu....so sorry you have this sad reminder When anyone loses something so very precious it is hard for others to find words to express sympathy and understanding. I hope you and your dh are able to support each other.
On a lighter note........bedbugs!!! Thought they went out with the ark! tell us all the gory details. Must say sounds horrendous!!
Coggy, (((wags finger))) you are a very naughty Coggy, you must divulge what you meant by your and long pause!!!!!! If you are thinking I am duffered already, you are mistaken, I am just not that lucky! You will see when af duly arrives.
I have been doing a bit of tinternet research on my consultant, just googled him basically, and found that he also is a consultant with the hosp in the city, the one where i may get referred if i move gp's. So what would I be gaining? I am in a real quandry. Trying to psych myself up to ring the hosp again and ask for cons to ring me. Maybe its worth a try. You can all probably tell i am not the most confident person.
Meanwhile all this umming and aaahing and af still not here. {{{confused emoticon}}}
Coriander, glad all is well, get some photos of your beautiful children on your profile!

PCM- I would say call. It will at least push them and also make you more known to them. I definitely feel that being proactive makes you feel better as at least something is happening! I understand why you are feeling pessimistic, but do you have any little symptoms? How are you feeling.

Bedbugs- I know. How wierd. It has, however, given me something else to obsess over. I had never really heard of them and have spent ages trying to diagnose the problem. Since we just moved into a new house I thought fleas, or spiders, but now pretty sure it is bed bugs. I had a hilarious moment yesterday when I had a colleague who is a medic diagnose me in a restaurant by poking at the bites on my ankle (poor other diners). So basically I am covered in itchy largish red bites and many are in lines ie 5 bites all in a row. DH has them too, but our guests don't. I "mapped" all my bites the other evening right before going to bed and when I awoke there were a few more, so I am sure the problem is in our room. So gross!

oh.my.God!!!!! bedbugs poor you!!! is it an old house you have moved into? have you any pets that may be the culprits? or did the previous owners have pets i wonder? I thought bedbugs would have something to do with your actual bed or mattress. I wonder why it is the room which is affected? Is there a carpet in the room? if so can you take it up and have a good clean of the floorboards? Im not really going all "monica" on you, but really, i would have to get stuck in and get the little buggers gone!!!!! i remember when i was about 7 my sister found a stray cat in one of the barns (we lived on a farm) and insisted on adopting the thing - the whole household got infected with ringworm, much to my mothers horror!! Even the cow and our dogs got it as well as my sister, me, mum and dad - so i am not preaching to you, please understand, i am with you in your mortification!!!!!!
As for your other question, i really dont have any symptoms, only those which can be put down to the clomid - tender, full boobs and unusual hunger. The cold and sore throat must be down to the odd weather and air con at work. It is scary though, cause i have (of course!) googled cold/sore throat and yes , you guessed it , some people actually say that they got this at the start of their early pregnancies. Funny i have had lots of colds and sore throats in my life and not once been preg! just shows its all out there if you look for it . So no, i really do not think i am prg at all, esp after neg test, so just waiting for af now.
Bet you are busy with the bd even with the bedbugs, what with you being on cd12. I wish you the best of luck this month lulu,
xxx