Start clomid tomorrow. Just read leaflet and I'm scared

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Hello

This is my first post on Mumsnet although I've been reading the conception threads avidly.

I'm due to start Clomid tomorrow and I've just been reading the lengthy side effects and now I've gone from excited to really scared.

Are they really that bad? I'm having visions of myself in a darkened room with pencils up my nose!

Any reasurances would be greatly appreciated. Headaches and hot flushes I can cope with. Insanity I can't.

Hope things are better with your dh now Pinkie. Fingers crossed for you that you get your BFP this month.

How's everyone else doing?

I have my appointment at the IVF clinic tomorrow. Hopefully will be better informed about what's coming up and when after that. Really hope I don't have to wait too long to start treatment.

Slightly disappointed by my appointment yesterday. Have to wait for next AF (mid-Feb) to have the antral follicle count scan before can start drugs. Clinic is full for that cycle, so have to wait until day 20 of following cycle to start the drugs for treatment the next cycle. So, can't start until April - seems such a long way away.

So have asked my ex if he'll help me out in the meantime and he's thinking about it. Coming round tomorrow to talk it through (which is day 12).

How's everyone else?

oooh that sounds exciting Issy. I know quite a few people who've done that and despite a few hiccups along the way, overall I'd say it works really well for them.

I know April must feel like ages away now but we started this thread three months ago and look how quickly that time has gone.

DP and I are going to an information evening about IUI tomorrow night. I'm a bit sceptical about it because a) As far as I can see it only gives you the same success rates as a normal cycle and b) the clinic in Leeds which my sister in law goes to don't even offer it because they think there's not much point to it. Surely if you're having sex regularly and are ovulating then it's the same thing isn't it? What do you all think? Doc says they use a different medication to clomid that doesn't have as many side effects as well but I'm not sure how true that is.

Let us know how it cous with the ex Issy.

Thanks summer. Unfortunately he didn't go for it . Had positive OPK today too - seems like such a waste, esp since he's been quite happy to not use protection in the 'safer' parts of my cycle in the past. I really thought he was going to do it.

I'm sceptical about IUI after 8 failed attempts - though at least one resulted in mc so I guess it is possible to get pg and it does work for a lot of people. Success rates are only 10-15% though, compared to 20-25% naturally and apparently 40% with SME plan. Mine was with Clomid but when I spoke to my new consultant he said it's usually done with FSH injections. I think it's mainly useful for selecting the best sperm if there's an issue there. From my recent experience, I would say try and go to a clinic that also does IVF so you don't end up on a new waiting list if you have to transfer. Good luck!

Hi guys,

Summer i have had the IUI and obvoiusly it didnt work for me i had more success with the SME although it ended in the Mc, personally i would go for the IVF, we had 1 cycle of IUI and wouldnt do it again it doesnt seem worth it for the money and the percentage.

It my birthday tomoz and have been feeling quite down about it, its another year we have been trying with no luck, i just cant help thinking i should be 16 weeks now and i know it is realy unhealthy but i realy cant stop it, im 28 tomoz and i know thats still quite young but when i think my limit is 35 and how quick the last 5 years have gone with no baby the next 7 will probably go just as quickly, is it going to be the same verdict? i dont think i could take another 7 years of this i realy dont.
I also have my Appointment on Thurs and i'm not sure how to feel about that, in some ways im looking forward to it and hoping they can find the problem so that it can be fixed and we can get started again but then theres this dread becoz deep down i know that they wont find anything and we will be back to square one all over again. I am going to go for it this month though with the SME plan and hope that it works, i'm not on the clomid again yet as i didnt think that would be a good idea with the appointment and everything coz if they need to take bloods then they wouldnt get a true reading, its killing me not being able to take it though i realy want to get on with it so i feel like i am doing soemthing. i am wondering if i have an infection as have been getting some pretty weird aching down there suppose i should see the doc again.

God dont i go on.

Issy i am so sorry the ex didnt go for it i realy am. I bet you are so tempted some times just to go out get pissed and have a one night stand right? i know i would be if i was you. Sorry if you dont feel like that i dont want to offend you in anyway and i'm not suggesting you are like that but it must be so tempting. I hope i havent put my foot in it or anything. It must be so frustrating for you having to wait on the clinic and everything, when we had our IUI it was pretty quick but i suppose IVF is different, much more involved, i keep hoping we wont have to get that point but its looking less likely and i dont know if i can go trough that, you are so brave and must be a strong person to go through this on your own. I realy wich you so much luck and hope this works for you.

Summer how did the IUI thing go have you made a a decision on whether you are going to go for it or not ?

Hello ladies. How annoying is this. Last Sunday (day 10) I started getting pains in my right side and was a bit worried that I was getting another cyst so rang the clinic and got an appointment for a scan on the Wednesday (day 13). Scan showed plenty of little follicles but no big ones which was quite dissapointing. Only thing scanner could see on the right side was some fluid which she said could possibly be a blockage in the tube. But then she asked where I was in my cycle and when I told her day 13 she said that she was almost certain that I had ovulated a few days before and that the fluid was what your body naturally produces to push the egg in to the fallopian tube (which would explain the pain) Thing is we only started bding the night before so we've missed the bloody boat for this month! I have NEVER ovulated before day 14 before!

Anyway, I'm going back for another scan when my period starts to make sure the fluid isn't there anymore otherwise I'll have to have my tubes tested again.

Information evening was ok though quite daunting. DP thinks we should definately just go for IVF if nothing happens in the next few months. I didn't agree at first but must admit that I am coming around to his way of thinking now. They don't even offer IUI at sister in law's clinic and apparently Leeds is a centre of excellence in the UK so I'm guessing they should know. Ony question is where the hell are we going to get four grand from?

Ray - any news on the counselling? I really think you should give it a go. I think it could really help you to talk everything through with someone. Understand if it's just too much to think about at the minute though. How do you feel about IVF? Are you worried about the physical process or is it just the money that's stopping you? Personally I don't care about the physical issues or even the money (we'll just have to get ourselves more in debt). I just worry about how the stress of it all.

I think it's really good that you're going for more investigation. It's so much better to know what's going on than be in the dark. My friend's friends were given a one percent chance of concieving but they bloody did and now they're going for IVf again for a second.

How's everyone else doing? Bloody hell we need a BFP on here soon.

xx

Maybe we should all go for it together. Issy can be our guinea pig .

S xx

Hi summer, Bloody Fucking Bodies ah, you must be so pissed off with Ov earlier, why cant our bodies just do what we want them to. Oh no that would be to easy right !!!!

I think your DH is right about the IVF, if you went for the IUI and it didnt work you would kick yourself afterwards for doing it.

I havent seen the doc about the councelling as yet and i know there would be a waiting list and id probably feel better by the time i got an appointment, typical NHS ah. I am trying very hard just to deal with this myself i have 2 friends i can talk to about how i feel although i hate to bore them and of course i can rant on here if it gets realy bad. The only thing is that i start to feel better and then one of my other friends that is Pg puts me back a few steps and its not her fault but she does. She has stressed with me as its my Birthday tomoz and i didnt invite her for afternoon tea with me and my other friend but honestly i dont want to spend my birthday with a pg friend i know its awful but i want to be happy and relaxed not sitting there wanting to cry becoz i wish it were me and quite frankly she'll just have to deal with that if shes a true friend then she will. And also my sis is due this fri and thats getting to me a bit as i know that there will be a baby about soon that i just wont be able to get away from and my sis is the most selfish person in the world and i cant help wondering why her and not me.
The IVF thing is about the money and the stress, we realy cant afford it and the IUI itself was very upsetting when it failed so i'm not sure how i would cope if the IVF failed too, i think you have to be a very strong person to deal with that and be able to keep it together and i'm not sure i'm that person. I realy hope they find something when we have the investigations that they can fix and we will get pg and everything will be happy ever after, and even if they find something they cant fix well t least i would know and be able to deal with it and get on with my life, its the living in limbo that i hate so much, its very frustrating when they tell you nothing is wrong and you just want to scream ' but there is you morons because if there wasnt i would have 10 babies by now and just becoz you cant find it doesnt mean that there isnt something wrong, you dont know everything' i might just try that if they do say nothing is wrong, how shocked would they be. Ha ha. I realy wish i was one of those people that has a small chance and did againt the odds, actually thinking about it i am as someone who has been trying for 2 years or more is unlikely to fall naturaly and will need help so i hope i can be one of those that does fall and then that will prove them wrong wont it?

So when are you thinking of going for the IVF then if you do?

I agree that we need some good news on this thread and you and issy having IVF and getting PG would be great.

Hi Ray Happy birthday for yesterday, i hope you managed to go through the day without being too upset. I hear you about the IVF not working but apparently one IVF cycle rates is comparable to 3 IUI

Summer

we all seem to be heading down the IVF route. I had my appt with the consultant all test results have come back ok so our only option is IVF.

YOu are right summer leeds has some amazing fertility docs. I lived there upto July last year and have previously seen Adam Balen at Jimmys and i know the lady at LGI is meant to be amazing(friend had great results with her)

Issy what happened with your 'talk' with ex. am patiently (not) waiting til day 21ish to start drugs for 1st cycle of IVF at least i will be able to tell you about it, if yo havent convinced ex to help he he

My deregging starts 2 weeks time and then the whole process apparently takes 5-7 weeks. Have been getting some great advice and support from assisted conception thread come and say hi.

Hi girls. Happy Birthday for yesterday Ray . I hope they find something they can fix tomorrow. Was it you who thought it may be a Rh- thing? Your doctor's surgery should be able to offer you some counselling without having to wait too long or try your local women's centre as there may be groups which offer counselling based there.

Summer - how frustrating for you. I missed my first IUI cycle when I ov'd 4 days earlier than usual and another cycle later on. Hope next scan doesn't show tube problems but if no large follicles probably was missed ov. If you can afford it you could always go for IVF and have IUI whilst you're waiting for IVF to start. I won't be the guinea pig as Pinkie is ahead of me. Any yes the AC thread is lovely and I'm sure they would answer all your IVF questions very well.

I wasn't offended by your post Ray and yes it is tempting but I don't think I could go through with it - not really a one-night stand person and we all know too well that it's not that simple. Knowing my luck just end up with HIV or Hepatitis and be left with poor health and no chance of IVF. The ex did say no but, being a man, wanted the sex anyway [cheeky]. I couldn't face using a condom (done that with him before, it's heartbreaking when ttc) so we used withdrawal method, so you never know, one may have escaped early . I'm most definitely not pinning my hopes on that one.

how did the appointment go ray? Forgot to say happy birthday for the other day.

Pinkie - not long now. Crossed fingers for twins in your first cycle.

I'm waiting for af. Still getting aches in right side so now convinced that I've got an infection in my tube.

S x

Summer - really hope the aches are not infection. If it helps, I get them every month, convinced myself a few months ago it was implantation pains but have noticed them every month since. Sometimes I think we are so on the lookout for signs that we are noticing lots of things that have always happened that we've never noticed before. Really hope it's just that for you (or implantation pains of course, that would be better).

Hi guys,

Sorry havent been on for a while have been manic but am in today as i think i have the Flu i feel so so shite.

Summer the apointment went well they have done lots of blood tests to check my howmones etc out and chromosone checks on us both which should take about 6 weeks to come back so its watch this space realy.

My sister had her baby on Sunday, little boy 7ib 4 i went to see him last night and he is so so lovely, i am around Ov at the moment so i sat and held him for an hour and half as holding new borns get your hormones going and increases fertility, at least thats what they say!!! so i held him for ages came away with an ache in my heart but bding when i got home so watch this space ay i suppose we will try anything ay.

Issy i am so glad you werent offended and i see your reasoning, you are much more sensible then i would be in your position. We all know the withdrawal method is not a good form of contaception as a man does let some go before the main event so i realy hope that one finds its way and you wont have to worry about the IVF route.

Pinkie good luck with the IVF i realy hope it works for you. Its not on the cards for me at the moment as was made redundant in Nov and only have one income coming in, if i can find a job soon then hopefully we will be able to use some of the redundancy money for the IVF but as it stands we have to keep as much by just incase i dont get a job which is proving very difficult at the moment. I still have 4 months of Clomid left i asked them when i had my appointment if i could start taking it again but they realy would like us to wait for all the tests to come back but i'm not overly sure i can wait another 2 months. so when Af arrives at the end of this month i'll start taking it again and use the SME plan as well as that worked for us last time, hopefully they will find out what is causing the Mc the meantime and be able to fix it so when i do finaly fall they can make sure i dont lose again.

Well i'm going to go and hoover and then have a sleep god i feel so crap have the worst earache, am hoping this wont stop my body Ov or falling Pg this month as we have Bding loads!!!

Hi ladies

So glad your appointment went well Ray. It sounds like they're being very thorough so fingers crossed that they find something that they can sort out easily so that next time you get pregnant yiu get a lovely baby of your own at the end of it.

I'm fed up. Two weeks today since I had my scan which showed up no dominant follicles but some fluid which made the sonographer think that I had perhaps just ovulated. Got a BFN this morning so must just be that she was wrong and that the fluid is something dodgy. I'm still getting the aches in my side as well and I have absolutely no idea where I am in my cycle at all now which is really frustrating as I can't even count down to my af so I can start over again. I think I might do another clomid round as well this month.

Hope the rest of you are well.

xx

Hi both. Glad the appointment went well and they're looking into everything for you Ray. Surprised at the 6 week wait for results though, but I'm sure it will pass quickly. Hope your bd'ing works for you in the meantime. Sorry wasn't on yesterday - was out watching the Strictly tour.

I got my dip today, so should be getting AF tomorrow. At least can book in the antral follicle count scan then. Not sure whether I want them to say that everything is fine or that they have found something they can fix as at least that would explain my 8 failed IUIs. As long as they don't say they've found something they can't fix.

Summer hope you get some answers soon. If she got it wrong then maybe you still have a chance.

Hi guys,

Well i have glandular fever bloody great that is so i can rule out any chance of being pg this month although did bding when Ov but think my body will be concentrating so much on trying to get better it wont be able to make me pg too.

Summer so sorry that you dont know where you are in your cycle that must be so so frustrating, perhaps when af arrives you should see them again so you can be sure it isnt anything sinister.

Issy, bummer on the temp drop but you have the right attitude in concentrating on how you can move forward rather than wallowing. I hope everything is ok for you when they do the scan.

well i'm off to bed now try and sleep this off as i have been up in the middle of the night for 2 nights in a row in alot of pain and not being able to sleep then.

baby dust to all.

Hi Ray - ((hug)) - sorry you have glandular fever, how horrid for you on top of everything else, but don't think you won't get pg. I read on another thread that people are more likely to get pg when sick as normally the body sees the embryo as a foreign object and attacks it, but the immune system is too busy fighting the illness when sick and leaves it alone. Fingers crossed for you.

It's easy for me to move forward this month as I had virtually no chance of being pg. I started a new exercise routine, continued my morning crunches, ate things you're not meant to and used some scales with the body fat thing in that you're not meant to if pg during the 2ww, because I knew I didn't have a chance, so had moved on already I think. (Although part of me was hoping that sod's law would dictate that since I'd done everything wrong, it would be the time I was pg ). Still no sign of AF and temp still around coverline - normally dips to well below on day AF arriving so think she's waiting until tomorrow. Maybe FF was right when it said I ov'd on the Friday but I was sure it was Wednesday.

Issy - do you mean crunches as in sit ups? I go to circuits twice a week. I love it but have been worried that it might effect my chances of something sticking. Do you think that's possible?

Still no AF for me either so still in the dark. No symptoms but pain seems to have subsided now so at least that's a good thing.

Ray - what a pain in the arse that you're ill. Issy's theory sounds good though.

How are you Pinkie?

My friend had a baby boy yesterday. I'm so pleased for her but it made my heart ache.

xx

Hi summer - yes I do mean sit-ups (but mine are rather half-hearted). I have read that it's fine to do them though - I think in one of the pregnancy books I got when I was pg, but some people say you shouldn't in the early weeks so I had been stopping in the 2ww just in case.

Can imagine your heart is aching today, ((hug)). Try to see it as a positive thing though - I have a new theory that being positive and excited for others will make it more likely to work for me whereas being envious and upset will make it less likely to happen - a combination of karma and reducing stress levels - easier said than done though!

Your AF is really late now isn't it summer? No sign of a BFP? [hopeful emoticon] Glad the pain has subsided for you. Hope you get an answer soon - and hopefully the right one!

My AF finally arrived Saturday, so had my AFC scan today. Have to wait 7 working days for the results though. Signed up to a research project so will be scanned again next Wednesday, the following Wednesday, then when I have my hcg trigger in April, at egg collection and 7 days after embryo transfer. Then if I get pg at 7 weeks, 12 weeks then every 4 weeks until birth. The research is to see whether blood flow to the womb when not pg is linked to poor blood flow to baby in womb. My mum had that with me which is why I was only 5lb5oz even though I was a few days late, so wanted to participate for that reason, as well as liking the thought of seeing my baby every 4 weeks if I get pg.

Pinkie's on the AC thread - if I remember correctly she's starting her drugs soon. I haven't caught up with the thread properly though. Must do soon. Hard with the big threads though.

How's everyone else?

Hey issy, so sorry that the witch got you i was so hoping that you would be pg. The research project is sounding realy good i may sign up for something like that when i get pg. i have considered Egg sharing as you get IVF treatment for so much cheaper, for the amount of IUI i think but i dont know if i could handle the thought of another woman being pg if my attempt were to fail. May be my only chance so will have to think about it seriously.
I like you theory but i dont think i am pg got all the usual af symptoms so there we go. have about another week until af due but also have a scan on the 25th and cant help but hope that i will have the scan and they will find out i am pg. wishful thinking ah, that happened to my friend so i know it happens but it just doesnt happen to me. thats just not my luck at all.

i must say i am feeling better though. ive been to see my sisters baby a few times and its amazing holding a baby that small i cant believe my dd was once smaller than him, and shes 7 tomorrow i cant believe it. All i keep thinking is that this time 7 yrs ago i was in labour and that does make me feel sad alittle bit but then at least i have dd tahts all i keep thinking.

Im going to join you issy in feeling positive and exicted about other people being pg i often wonder if its Karma and stress and and all that i realy am going to try. Thats our new challenge lets see how we get on!!!

Summer where are you ???? are you ok? has your af arrived or are you Pg i realy hope you are. im excited please get in contact.

Hi Ray. Really glad you're feeling so much more positive. Was very worried about you for a while there. Great that you can enjoy being an aunt. AF symptoms are similar to pg symptoms so don't give up hope yet. Fingers crossed you get some good news this month. Good luck for the scan on the 25th - I have my next one that day too. Frustrating if they tell me I'm about to ovulate though - will want to pounce on the first man I see outside the scanning room, lol .

I'm actually OK about not being pg this month as I know it was really unlikely and I'm feeling much more positive about the waiting now. It's still frustrating but I have the research project scans and I'm sticking to my running programme, so I'm trying to think about how much fitter I'll be by the time treatment comes. Finding week 2 much harder than week 1 though and I'm still only running 90secs at a time .

Unfortunately I can't egg share because I'm too old - though very flatteringly the administrator at my clinic was shocked when I said that. I think egg sharers don't pay for IVF at all where I go but they do have to pay for the extra pre-screening tests. Can't remember where you are Ray, was it down south somewhere?

Enjoy dd's birthday tomorrow.

Any news summer?

Hello.

Happy birthday to your DD Ray. Hope you're having a wonderful day together.

Still no AF and no symptoms so might ring doc to see if I can get a blood test to see what's going on. Did another PG test yesterday but it was a single glowing white line so it's definately not that. I think my ovaries just got lazy this month and have decided not to bother without the help of the clomid. Will definatley do another cycle of it when AF does finally arrive though. Not knowing where I am this month has been really hard.

Having accupuncture at a clinic specialising in fertility on Saturday so maybe that will get my body working again.

Sister in law started her third round of IFV this week so have got everything crossed for her.

xxx

Hi Summer. Sorry you don't have an answer yet. Hope the accupuncture worked for you today. Did you get a blood test?

Ray - how did dd's birthday go?

Hey guys,

DDs birthday was a disaster, all was going well until about 11.30am when all of a sudden she came over with stomach pains and i had to cancel party and sit on the sofa all afternoon with her in tears coz it hurt so much, eased off around 7ish but still ruined the whole day which realy upset me, of course she was fine about it but i was just so hoping it would all be perfect. Bummer.

God luck with your scan on weds too issy, i do hope they say you are not Ov, it would be realy frustrating if they did and also quite embarrassing for you when you jump on the first man you see ha ha.

Summer, Whats happening has af arrived as yet? i'm getting impatient for you, did you get the blood test? Oh i so hope that you are pg i realy do it would be such a good time to have some good news.

I am on CD30 and have been having all sorts of aches and pains since fri, keep getting convinced that af is about to arrive but she hasnt shown up yet, i almost hope she arrives before scan as if she doesnt that will realy get my hopes up. Dying to test but determined to hold off until after scan if af hasnt arrived because the scan will tell me more. I keep swinging from feeling that i am pg to knowing that i am not its realy weird, the only other times ive had the feeling of being pg i have been, and then lost of course but still i have been, cant help but think i'm getting myself at it though.
If i do end up pg then i am not telling anyone other than DH and you guys i am NOT going to ginx anything this time just going to enjoy it whilst i can and tell everyone after the 12 week scan and i know everything will be ok.

Oh i do so hope i am pg although now would not be a good time as i dont have a job and we would realy struggle, only have 4 months worth of money that we use i ealy need to get a job.

sorry for rambling guys. How are we all doing today ?

Roll on the 25th for you both then I say. Ray - you do seem to have a sixth sense about these things.

Still no AF for me but boobs are sore now so expecting it any day. Definately not pg because haven't been bding enough and got a second negative test.

Feeling much more positive about things after accupuncture appointment though. the place was plastered with thank you cards and pictures of smiley babies from happy clients who attributed their success to the place so fingers crosed it'll work for me too.

It really helped with my mood as well. I was feeling really really down last week and got quite obsessive about Jade Goody to the point that I couldn't sleep but I came out of that clinic a different woman.

Sorry to hear about your DD's birthday Ray. These things always happen when you want things to be perfect don't they? She'll soon forget about it though so don't worry too much.

xxxxx

Hey guys,

well seems my sixth sense is well off the mark i tested and was a BFN so now want to ball my eyes out, try o convince myself i realy dont care either way and then when its a BFN realise that actually i do care alot.

I want to scream and shout and throw things and cry and i want to know why me. I want to know why if only i could just know if and when it is going to happen perhaps i could deal with it. I dont think its ever going to happen and i need to accept that, perhaps that councelling would be in order after all.

Sorry for you to summer you seem to be handling it very well indeed i wish i had your strength.

Oh crap have my neice and nephew this afternoon i realy dont want to do that now.
Roll on Pancakes i am going to gorge and not feel quilty as i need something to cheer me up.