Clomid support thread 2018

[AliceScarlett]

Welcome clomiphene citrate people!

Come and chat about all things Clomid.

I'm Alice
33 years old
TTC#1
Cycle 31

Had all the tests and finally got the go-ahead today (a prescription and letter in the post!) So bit of a surprise. Will be starting on CD2 in about 4 days time hopefully.

Scared, excited, nervous.

Join in.

My treatment plan says if I start after 4pm (full red flow, so spotting doesn't count) to count the next day as CD1.

How's everyone doing? Any news of note?
I took last clomid tablet of 2nd cycle yesterday and am going for monitoring again this month. I was pretty taken aback by how down I got last week....from just before my period for about 5 days I was in such a bad / sad mood and really couldn't shake it off. Never had anything like that before....has anyone else experienced this with clomid?!
I was ready to jack the whole TTC thing in!

@gettingimpatientnow

Funny you should say about your low mood I was exactly like that last week. Really snappy and felt like I could cry for no reason. It happened until yesterday (I took my clomid tablets from day 2 - 6 and finished them on Sunday) I couldn't shake the feeling off. I had a sick sinking feeling in my stomach aswell. I think it just messed up my hormones and I couldn't handle it. I am only on my first round of clomid

Xx

Good to know it's not just me. I'd been told clomid could exaggerate PMT symptoms but I've never really struggled with those so wasn't expecting much. Hopefully I'll be more prepared next month (as will my husband - think he struggled to cope with me too!). The monthly ups and downs are so draining though....I've been thinking of taking up the offer of free counselling that my private clinic offers. That might help me through the dark phases a bit, but seems a bit melodramatic (I need counselling to help me through my PMT!)

I completely know what you mean my partner struggled with dealing with me too. The things we have to go through to get the baby we all dream of is unreal lol xx

Ladies I'm still on my first round of
Clomid. CD17 had my ultrasound and was told I have one follicle which is collapsing meaning the other two have been released. Though apparently this doesn't mean you've ovulated? So now have to wait for the bloody test on Monday to see if I've ovulated and then the dreaded two week wait for a test.

Hope everyone is progressing :) xx

Was wondering how everyone was doing! Couldn't find the thread. Hope you have ovulated snowrose :)

I finally ovulated on CD 40 or 41 of my first Clomid cycle. I'd given up all hope & was just waiting to be told what to do next. So I'm now 3 or 4 dpo. All very exciting...feeling relieved to know my body can actually ovulate & do its bloody job.

@tinyradish - this is my first cycle of clomid and so I'm a little bit new to it all but I thought the idea of clomid was it made u ovulate which in turn sorted out ,cycle lengths? Last month my cycle was 95 days long I was thinking that I wouldn't have such a long cycle now I've taken the clomid but after you saying you ovulated on CD 40/41 should I expect a long cycle if I don't conceive this month? Sorry to sound so thick

Hi all - popping on here to say that I am a clomid success story. Tried for 18 months for #2 and conceived on 2nd cycle of clomid. I didn’t ovulate till day 22 each time so don’t go on day 21 as the rule. I also temped as I don’t get on with OPKs and found this was a more fool proof approach. We dtd every day for ten days from cycle day 11 last time. I also gave up coffee and alcohol for 3 months. I’m now 14 weeks and fingers crossed all is well now.

It’s absolutely hideous and the side effects aren’t great but hoping you all have similar successes x

@since2016
Congratulations..there is hope for us all then. I actually go on holiday on Saturday for a week which I think is my fertile window although I can't be sure and as I'm away I can't have all the tests that the hospital want to do but I'm back for day 21 so hopefully they will offer the 21 day blood tests to me for when I'm back to see if it happened when I was away. Fingers crossed to us all. Is there proof that given up caffine and alochol helps (I don't drink alochol but I'm partial to a fizzy drink or several during the day) xx

I found hearing positive stories helpful which is why I posted. Of course there’s hope. I’d really recommend charting as the 21 day tests were useless for me as I needed them on day 29! Which I did. Charting helps pinpoint exactly when ov has occurred too. SMEG plan is also helpful. Good luck!

Ps. Yes there is proof that caffeine and alcohol can have a negative impact on fertility. I was ready to try anything and the clomid was my final option as we wouldn’t have been eligible for any further nhs help x

Hi @mummylaura don't worry it's definitely not normal to ovulate so late with Clomid! My body just makes its own rules. I am just happy to have ovulated at all because I wasn't before & barely having periods so it's still good news for me. I'm sure it won't be as long for you! What CD are you now?

Congratulations @since2016 it's always great to hear positive stories.:)

Hi Ladies!!!
I'm starting Clomid next month... just a question, do you use Ovulation sticks? Which are the best ones, and do you use one everyday? Thanks!!

I have used ovulation sticks in the past - supermarket own brand ones usually but have also used cheaper online ones. I think they all do the same job but of money was no object I may use the clear blue ones just so it's crystal clear. Can't afford those every month though! It tells you on the pack when to use them from and I'd just carry on til I got a positive.

Thanks for sharing positive story @since2016, although I'm not convinced about the alcohol and caffeine thing - everything in moderation I say. If anyone wants to read a good book all about the facts / data behind conception & pregnancy advice then read 'expecting better' by Emily Oster. I learnt a lot from that book!

Congratulations @Since2016 wonderful news xxx

@GettingImpatientNow hey hun. Sounds like it's a tough ride at the moment. Bloody emotions are all over the place this end and I'm yet to start treatment

I'm going off piste from this group in terms of treatment. I won't be taking Clomid, instead I've been recommended gonal f injections.
I have a scan next Monday and we have our 'consenting apt' 3rd sept. The medications are ordered and due for delivery.

Looking forward to daily injections

From then I'm hoping I'll be ovulating but who knows

Hope you are all doing ok.

I love this group. I don't even know you but I'm in awe of your strength and resilience. Keep going ladies!!! Xx

Reading with interest as starting Clomid next cycle (expected around 9th September). Hello everyone

Hi all, I’ve hust joined although I’ve come to the end of my clomid journey I think. I had 6 cycles and was up to 150mg by the end. I’ve had blood tests every month and progesterone has always been very low. Although even on clomid my cycle hasn’t been totally regular. Averaging 34 days with a few days either side so I’ve never been able to get the blood test quite at the right time. Anyway, I’ve been more hopefully than ever this month after some spotting and cramping but that turned to red blood this morning so I’ve lost hope for this month. What I wondered is whether any of you have been prescribed progesterone alongside clomid? I feel like that might have helped me and I’m surprised they haven’t suggested it with my low results every month. Maybe that’s normal though.

Hi everyone,

Can't believe we haven't had a BFP yet, it's been 3months!

I'm back in the game from tomorrow, I had a month off Clomid and AF arrived bang on time.

Spent the last week at a very family friendly festival, weirdly boozy as well, so not exactly fun. Everyone had a beer and a baby ( literally 95% of people) and I could have neither. Sigh

Hope everyone is doing ok.

Best of luck to you all. Hope you get your bfps v soon xx

@Rmw12 I also wonder re prescribing progesterone. I understand that low progesterone levels can be a sign of no/weak ovulation, and this is what Clomid tries to rectify - but what about genuine luteal phase defect? I see a lot of US bloggers being prescribed progesterone supplements - is it just not a done thing in the UK?

@AliceScarlett

How are you doing now after the festival woes?
I've mentioned it before but they have recommended I try gonal f injections which I start on Wednesday. Not sure if it's something for others to consider at some stage as perhaps it's better for some people than clomid.

What's the difference between gonal f injections and clomid?

I've asked doctors in the past about progesterone levels / luteal phase defect and they always dismiss it.. one even said that they don't believe LP defect it's a real thing. I've always suspected my problems stemmed from one of these as I generally have a short luteal phase (from 10 days) and unusually heavy bleeding, but they've always said it's not a problem. I'm now just hoping clomid helps somehow.

Nice to have you back @Alicescarlett! I'm also wanting a success story from this group to give us some more hope.

I'm now around ovulation time (awaiting this morning's bloods) and might be having trigger injection today, then into dreaded 2 week wait, urgh.