Got my Clomid but feeling a bit confused about it all..........................

[pootleflump]

I've been given a 50mg dose to take for 3 months (days 2-6). The doctor at the assisted conception clinic said to go to my GP for a day 21 blood test then phone a week later to get my results.

Is this the normal procedure? The prescribing doctor didn't speak very clear english and I was in and out in less about 5 minutes.

I've been ttc no.3 for 17 months and a day 21 blood test last month showed I hadn't ovulated (8.5).

I thought there was more monitoring- scans etc whilst taking clomid from what I remember reading on here- or is that just particular cases?

Have you actually been given a diagnosis of the underlying problem?. Clomid is often given when there are ovulatory problems - in this regard a condition called polycystic ovaries or polycystic ovarian syndrome are common culprits.

Were you seen at an NHS clinic, TBH you ought to be seen by a specialist gynaecologist at a subfertility unit bearing in mind you have been ttc for over a year now. No monitoring on clomid is a no-no; you have no way of determining whether clomid is doing its job or not if there is no monitoring. Also with PCOS not all women with this are actually suitable to take it and clomid resistance can happen.

Your treatment to date all sounds a bit slapdash; I would have the blood test done and also ask to be referred to another NHS subfertility unit. Also your man should be tested at the same time to ensure there are no male factor problems. It is fair to say that some units are far better than others.

Thanks Attila, I don't think there is anything wrong with me- I had a lap n dye in dec which was fine, just told me I had a tilted womb or uterus or something.

DH has also just been checked and his results were normal.

The assisted conception clinic is the specialist at my local hospital, it is nhs but I'm seen a private patient.

I'm pretty sure I stopped ovulating about a year ago (prob due to stress) as I've always been very aware of when I am (ewcm, ov pains etc) but all these have stopped.

What kind of monitoring is usually done when taking clomid?

If you have been ttc for 17 months without success then there may well be a problem.
Many women have a tilted uterus, that in itself would not prevent conception.

Why was the lap and dye carried out, was endometriosis suspected?. This is usually done when endo is suspected.

Clomid should not be given out unless there is definitive proof that ovulation is not happening. Monitoring on clomid should ideally be done with blood tests (it can affect hormone levels) and internal ultrasound scans to check that an egg has actually left the ovary. Stress can certainly play a part in delaying periods but may not be a direct factor now.

When were your DH's analyses done: I only ask as any test results more than six months old should be discounted. If these were done more than six months ago then a retest now should be done.

I don't think endometriosis was ever suspected- pretty sure I don't have any of the signs of it and it was never mentioned. The gyne said they'd just do a lap & dye to check everything was ok and because it can sometimes help to conceive afterwards.

My last day 21 blood test [progesterone] level was 8.5 (25 is considered low) and the doctor said this proved I hadn't ovulated. My cycle was only 22 days so it didn't happen after the blood test.

DH's test was only carried out last month so we're up to date on that.

An extra bit of info; this is my 3rd pg, dd is 3 and I had a ds 18 mths ago who died shortly after birth (severe ntd). I'm also a bit worried that on reading the clomid info it states it is associated with birth defects and the risks may be greater for those with a history of birth defects. This wasn't discussed with me.