TTC - Clomid Thread

[MamaMaiasaura]

Hi just wondered if people ttc on Clomid wanted to join this thread unless i have been stupid and missed one.

We are due to fertility clinic on 22nd and expect to go on clomid again.

We have 2 dc. Ds1 is nearly 9 and was concieved without fertility help. THis was a big surprise as have PCOS and was told would never conceive naturally.

Ds2 was conceived after 1 course of clomid 50mg. My day 21 test was awful and still no period after 45ish day. Was put on progesterone to induce bleed. Didnt happen as was pregnant.

Was also on metformin but not currently, waiting for all clear next week. I have dodgy lft generally on medication and also bfing.

Ds2 is 1 now and still breastfeeding. Hoping this will not hinder any treatment as really want to continue this too. I am now 33 so fertility decreasing too.

I dont have a cd currently as all up the shoot so waiting to see what happens really.

Hey all, by tomorrow I will officially be on my 2ww, this is the first month so no doubt it will be the longest wait ever lol. Hows everyone else feeling at the moment? xxx

Phew - what a busy time on here

Pinkmook - sorry about dp's sperm but positive that you actually have answers and direction

Attila - Thanks for that, i remember you gave me some good advice on my last course. that one is now 13 months old!

Almeida - Yes you can, I am still breastfeeding (and my goodness is it often at the moment as he's poorly)

Alfie - aww a puppy (goes all gooey ) I'll be starting clomid on cd1.. whenever that happens Dont you worry about your spelling on here, mine is always shite. Dont waste money on the opk though. I did last time and complete waste of time. We just erm 'shagged' like rampant bunnies and did so every day. Ended up a bit of a chore lol but it did the trick. Also i think the whole sticking legs in the air and watcbhing eastenders upsidedown helped.

Brandybaby - hello My cycle lengths have alway been buggered up and never can be sure when will have one. Joys of PCO.

Stac14 - Hello to you as well HOw exciting to be on 2ww. Fingers crossed for you. I didnt do the 2 week wait with my first time round which was a good thing as i ov'd very late!

Been hectic here and NO sleep. On top of croup ds2 has bronchiollitis he been very poorly and not sleeping well at all. Poor boy. He is also nursing loads and not eating much. Wonder what that will do to the whole ttc.

I* havent got a cd yet but shall we do a roll call? My ocd again

Awen - Prov Day 4 (waiting to start clomid 100mg)

Hey Awen
I think I have ov, had blood test last friday and am going again tomorrow, but we have just kpt at it just in case, I also have pco but didnt know as was on the pill for 3 years, my ds was concieved naturally nearly 10 years ago. I haven't uesd ok kits seems to be mixed opinion as to how good they are Hope your ds is better soon

I'll add to the roll call

stac - thinks its her 2ww

Baby dust to us all **

Hiya Ladies,

For the list I am CD14, and hopefully popping my blasted eggs today because I'm in frigging agony here it really is bad ladies. Don't think I can take another day of this to be honest. I have been offered some overtime at work tomorrow so hopefully it'll be better by the morning. I nearly to today off as it was that bad. And this is quite emabarrassing but whenever I need to pass wind or have a number 2, I get really bad stomach pains, which has been magnified by a thousand times lastnight and today

CM seems to have dried up as well so I deffo think egg poppy today (fingers crossed). Oh and I keep feeling sick as well, whenever I eat or think about eating. Does anyone know if this is normal? Mind you there has been a stomach bug going around.

Stac14 Woohoo to the 2WW although I bet it's going to drag, looks like we'll be pretty much in it together.

Awen I hope you get your af soon (that sounds bad doesn't it) but you know what I mean. And so sorry to hear about your poor DS, I really hope he is better soon.

Brandybaby how are you hun? Good I hope.

Well I will update after work tomorrow to let you all know how much pain I'm not in lol. Come on egg's get going AAARRRGH!!!!

XX

hello to you all. Been avidly reading this thread. I took clomid due to hormone imbalance - very low progesterone and got pregnant first time round. DD now 4.
Am awaiting consultant apt next month hoping to get clomid again as have been TTC. My cycle and periods have gone haywire, periods anything from 2-3 months apart and can't work out if ovulating. This was initially why referred to gynae but also now wanting to conceive again. i'm 41 time not exactly on my side.
Don't recall any side effect first time round with clomid - think I had 50mg

Hi alfiemax
Everything seems to be dragging in at the moment lol think I will try to keep occupied so I dont think about it. Whats everyone up to this weekend? Its my DP birthday this weekend so we are seeing some friends for dinner. xxx

Thanks awen

Hi Ladies,

I'm feeling better today but still have a stomach ache although it's not ov pains, so I think I'm officailly 1DPO and have ov'd 2-3 days later than I have done for at least 3 tears so I know the clomid has worked on that part. I must admit there is a small part of me that's having second thoughts about taking it next cycle though. Firstly I'm hoping I wont have to anyway but I really dont want to feel how I did yesterday. It was awful. I thought the side effects part was just while you're taking the tablets at the begining of your cycle but I must have been very wrong. I didn't know what to do with myself. I felt sick, achy and tired I just wanted to curl up and die to be honest. I got DH to get the leaflet out again and see what side effects are and when you get them and he pretty much read out what I was experiencing.
Sorry if this sounds negative girls, I think I was naive to have thought I'd got away lightly lol.

Now on the plus side - I didn't dry up when ov'ing, I didn't suffer with migraines, I only had one headache that needed pain killers. I only had one night of hot flushes. I haven't been moody at all. I ov'd later than normal and have ov'd based on a normal 28 day cycle. I didn't get sore boobs before I ov'd which normally happens

So if it hadn't have been for yesterday I'd be really chuffed. As for my theories.... Well over the last few years I've done lots and lots of research on hormones and know loads about it. If you look up estrogen dominance it does say that this can affect TTC. The symptoms of estrogen dominance mimic the symptoms of taking clomid?? Confusing because clomid is an estrogen suppressor. So I'm thinking as I have done for a while that A) I have estrogen dominance or B) I have low progesterone. This leads me to believe that I wouldn't suffer certain side effects of clomid, like the booby pains and moods. And I haven't. I know that sounds totally loony, and I'm probably wrong, but I just have this feeling about it.

Anyway I have chatted far too long now. How is everyone?? All good I hope. Awen I hope your DS is feeling better and you are getting some sleep now hun. Stac14 and Brandybaby hope you are both OK.

Clure Are you hoping to join us soon hun? Good luck with your appointment, I hope they give you clomid again. That's really shitty to have cycles like that. As much as I hate having short ones, I have been lucky to not have to wait long on between to ov and things, not that it has given me any success mind lol. Good Luck matey.

XX

Hi All,
Never managed to get out for dinner tonight DP has the bug I had through the week so night in front of the tv .
Alfiemax, I definately have low progesterone, most of my blood test including last Fridays were below 1, if thats the case then will clomid not help me? Not to worry I suppose cos I have the docs in 9 days woohoo lol
Awen hows your DS?

Hope everyones well!! xxxx

Hi Satc14

Sorry hun didn't mean to confuse you or anything. Yeah clomid works for low progesterone as it increases it by loads. That's how it lengthens the second half of your cycle. This is why I'm confident that it'll work for me, as it's only the 2nd half of my cycle that I seem to have a problem with. What I meant by my theory was that by me not having mood swings and that, that I really think it's working because it's making the progesterone higher which is stopping me getting moody. Not sure if I'm making any sense lol. I often go off on a tangent.

XXX

Actually clomid's main job is to make the ovaries work harder.

It encourages the production of LH (luteinising hormone). This, together with FSH kickstart the ovulation process. If the level of both LH and FSH are out of sync then the level of progesterone would be affected.

Hey
Thanks for explaining that, I went online to read some stuff but it wasn't making any sense lol
Due to the fact that I am not ovulating naturally due to pcos there never seems to be any rises in my progesterone levels, so I was wondering if that meant I have low progesterone or does it go hand in hand with pcos? Soz for so may questions, I am new to all of this and totally confused XXX

Thanks AttilaTheMeerkat,

Yeah you're right there. For me the progesterone side of it is the most important part if that makes sense.

I often get confused reading things on tinerweb as there can be alot of conflicting info, but there's so much more information and answers than the doctor can give you in 10 minutes.

As far as PCOS and progesterone, I think, think that as AttilaTheMeerkat said because of the ov hormones not working properly due to PCOS that means that the level of progesterone is not being produced that should be. After you ov your ovaries produce progesterone and that keeps going until it starts dropping a few days before af. When the progesterone drops this causes the shedding of the lining of the uterus and that's the period.

Did they explain the ins and outs of PCOS to you? I know the symptoms of it but as to what causes it I don't know to be honest. Is it just a simple matter of lots of cysts on the ovaries or is the hormones that cause the cysts? I have had problems with cysts a couple of times, but they haven't said I have PCOS not even a mild form.

Well I dont think we'll ever understand our bodies, I just want a BFP thats it lol.

XX

To be honest they havent really told me much anything I know I have read on the net. They started off taking blood test for my LH levels and progesterone and because of what they were they said it was highly likely I had pcos then I had the internal scan that confirmed I have unripened folicles in my ovaries. tTheres was mention of some cysts but nothing very large, but other than the fact I dont have periods thats the only symptoms I have. Most of the stuff I have read about it seems to focus on symptoms rather than treatments and the only thing the doc has given me was the progesterone to induce a period and the clomid, but from what your saying my progesterone levels will rise if I ovulate with the clomid.

Does everyone ovulate late on clomid or does it just depend on the person? I think I was on time but not sure so still going to keep bding just in case lol
I'm with you though I just want BFP too xxx

Hi Stac,

I think as far as ov times it all depends on the person, if you dont normally have regular periods, then it shortens them into a more stable and 'normal' as they like to call it. Or if you have short cycles it will lengthen them. This is what I'm hoping for and so far so good as I have ov'd later than normal.

It's very nerve wracking with all this clomid because I feel like I'm being led into it blind. I can only go by others experiences but obviously everyone is different. It's quite scary really. I dont think that we are told enough.

I have a feeling though that this is a lucky thread.

XX

Hi stac14

For a start the docs should be telling you more, far more!.

I note your LH has been tested but they should have also tested your FSH levels around day 3; this is also important. Progesterone only comes into it later on it the cycle. If your LH and FSH levels are out of sync to begin with then progesterone production will be affected. Normally with PCOS (but not always) the level of LH noted is consistenly higher than that of FSH (ideally these two hormone levels should be the same). An LH/FSH imbalance is commonly seen with PCOS patients. Some of the cystic follicles (this is what they really are; they are not cysts in the usual sense) release hormones, others are dormant and another contains an egg. They are very small and often disappear only to be replaced by further cystic follicles.

Would also point out that polycystic ovaries can appear larger than normal (walnut) size.

It sounds to me like they've given you provera to bring on your period. This though may not actually stimulate ovulation to occur.

Clomid as well should be prescribed with a degree of caution to any PCOS patient as it can cause an exagerated rise in LH levels. As many PCOSers have an excess of this to start with it is not a treatment that is always successful. At the very least you should be monitored whilst on it with either/or blood tests and internal ultrasounds to check that clomid is doing its job. Its main purpose as said before is to make the ovaries work harder. It may shorten the cycle but whether it will bring on ovulation or not is another thing entirely.

Any other questions just ask. Was diagnosed with PCOS myself some years ago.

Attila

www.verity-pcos.org.uk is a useful website for PCOS.

Alfiemax,

I see you;ve had the "diagnosis" of unexplained infertility. That basically means that they have failed to find out what is wrong.

Do you feel that you have both been adequately investigated - I ask this because some docs can miss tests that if done could perhaps pinpoint the cause of the problem. I can put up a list of tests that are often missed out.

I note that you previously had a ruptured cyst - has anyone ever suggested the possibilities adhesions or endometriosis being possible causes for the subfertility now. I ask that as well as any abdominal surgery can increase the risk of adhesions being formed. Also endo does cause pain to arise.

You also mention estrogen dominance - endo is very much estrogen dependent.

waves to Awen too.

Your child is 13 months old!!. Ahhhhh

Hi Attila,

Thanks for being so informative. The tests I have had are: Bloods (day21), scan (all clear), HSG (all clear) and because I had to have an emergency Lap in between all this they didn't do another. It was during the lap that they saw the ruptured cyst. Well evidence due to the amount of fluid? Also after my last baby I had the coil fitted. Previous to this I had perfect 28 day cycles but was on the pill. I started bleeding randomly and after a few days of heavy bleeding (running down my legs kind) they removed tha coil and gave me the pill again to stop the bleeding. I had 3 cycles and bled all through, then they gave me the depo jab. I bled all through that and they gave me a scan, this was in begining Oct 2003. She said then that she couldn't carry on because there was a feotal sac present. I have explained earlier in this thread I think. Turned out the sac was empty but my periods dissapeared for 6 months at the same time. The they came back and didn't stop again. I had a lap in April 2004 and this is where they founfd a huge cyst that had to be drained and also what they said to be stage 1 endo. They explained that this was what had caused the bleeding and pain (the endo). They asked if I intended to have any more children and I explained that yes we did and had infact already started trying when I found out that I had that empty sac. Once I told them this, they basically said there was nothing they could do for the endo if I wanted to TTC and sent me on my way. I later found out that they could have helped TTC at the time but they never told me that. It took another 3 yrs or so before they would finally refer me for tests. Strangely when I had the lap last year they said there was no evedince of endo and 'maybe it cleared up by itself' HAHA!! They really do take the piss out of us sometimes. So this leaves me wondering if there was any endo at all and if there was then it couldn't have hindered TTC if it's gone. Have I got a mild form of PCO? Based on the cysts that they have found and the pain I'm in when I do ov. Mind you I have never missed periods apart from that 6 month slot nor had long cycles. I haven't had any weight issues normally associated with PCO.

I am bemused by what could be wrong. DH has had SA and that was all fine. Maybe I'm just defunct now. Oh yeah I have even been told that maybe because I had my children young that I have used up my hormones. That just sounds daft to me. I haven't had an early cycle blood test and have been told they are irrelavent. I think each area and doctor is different. It should be like the national curriculum where they all have to follow the same guidelines. It would be so much better.

Thanks again Attila. What's your TTC story?

Awen, Brandybaby, Stac14, Pinkmook and Clure, I hope you are all ok. When do you think the earliest I should test is? I'm itching to already lol. I have over 20 cheapies upstairs ready for me to obsess over. Woohoo!

XXXX

Alfimax I would test a couple of days after period due (if you can wait that long!) Loads of luck x

Hi Atilla

Thanks for the info, they haven't told me much about pcos at all. The GP did blood tests and I have had an internal scan which I have the notes for and they say "U-S pelvic scan, transvaginal. Normal size uterus, 7.3cm, with normal endometrial thickness for patient age. Both ovaries contain multiple peripheral immature follicles, but ovarian volume is not significantly increased, right 10.8ccs left 11.2ccs. Moderately echogenic ovarian capsule is noted. In combination with biochemistry, despite lack of significant increase in ovarian volume, appearances probably reflect changes of PCOS" This is the info I have been given but as I say I dont understand what it means so if you can shed any light that would be great.

It was norethesterone I was prescribed to induce my period so I could start the clomid. The doc has gave me a copy of all test results from 24/10/08 so I can show the gynecologist. Does this make any sense to anyone? XXX soz for to much info jst confused XXX

Hi to everyone else, how are you all??

Alfiemax, when you due on? XX

Alfiemax

Am no expert by any means but I don't think you should be classed as unexplained at all given the gynae history that you've presented. I would think that your problems now are to do with the ruptured cyst (did they ever explain what type of cyst it was?. I ask this as endometriosis can give rise to what are known as "chocolate" cysts which are blood filled cysts) and the lap surgeries following it.

Any abdominal surgery can give rise to adhesions - these are sticky strands that tether organs together.

Endo deposits are tiny and are not always seen. It can take a skilled surgeon to spot them.

I think you need a second opinion from a gynae at another subfertility unit and run all what you've explained here by him.

Think its also crap frankly that you've been told that as you had your child young you've used up all your hormones.

In a nutshell I've had period problems for years. Have always had both irregularity of periods and pain to boot. I was diagnosed with PCOS and endometriosis (only discovered during laparoscopic surgery. I did not have a basic lap done, I had an op called laparoscopic ovarian diathmery to cauterise the cystic follicles on the ovaries. This was successful and we are now parents to our DS who is now 10).

Alfiemax

Am no expert by any means but I don't think you should be classed as unexplained at all given the gynae history that you've presented. I would think that your problems now are to do with the ruptured cyst (did they ever explain what type of cyst it was?. I ask this as endometriosis can give rise to what are known as "chocolate" cysts which are blood filled cysts) and the lap surgeries following it.

Any abdominal surgery can give rise to adhesions - these are sticky strands that tether organs together.

Endo deposits are tiny and are not always seen. It can take a skilled surgeon to spot them.

I think you need a second opinion from a gynae at another subfertility unit and run all what you've explained here by him.

Think its also crap frankly that you've been told that as you had your child young you've used up all your hormones.

In a nutshell I've had period problems for years. Have always had both irregularity of periods and pain to boot. I was diagnosed with PCOS and endometriosis (only discovered during laparoscopic surgery. I did not have a basic lap done, I had an op called laparoscopic ovarian diathmery to cauterise the cystic follicles on the ovaries. This was successful and we are now parents to our DS who is now 10).

Stac14

Sounds like PCOS to me; the ovaries are slightly larger than normal size and there are multiple follicles on both.

You need proper information from the gyane though, it should be explained to you properly. Do not be afraid to ask questions no matter how trivial they may seem to you.
Also write down anything you want to ask them well ahead of time. Another suggestion - try not to go on your own to the initial appointment as these can be nerve wracking in their own right.

HTH

Attila