Starting clomid - PCOS diagnosis

[LethargicButAwesome]

Hello all, am 30, DH and I have been ttc for DC2 for over 2.5 years years now. (After the longest referral ever) I was diagnosed with PCOS so have been given metformin 1500 to regulate my cycle, been taking this for a month now. The progesterone blood test shows I am not ovulating so they are sending out a clomid perscription in the post and I'm due to start on my next cycle. (Guessing some time in the nExt two weeks).

Any advice / experiences to share? Anything that I should do along side to increase my chances? Or someone going through the journey - a little nervous but equally excited too!

Welcome Wacka to the TTC with PCOS club! Best of luck as you start your new cycle, how long were you on clomid before you conceived the twins? Interested to know whether the twins were a cause of the clomid or something you have in the family?

I think I'm at ovulation point during my cycle @cosmo30 @Leodot lik you opks never worked and were too stressful, although might give them a try now metformin has helped regulate my cycles.

Hoping this month is the month, I know it's silly to pin hopes on first month of clomid but just can't help myself!

@Leodot I brought a basal thermometer and have never used it! I might start trying to temp, see if I can get the hang of it, I just know how forgetful I am!
Same here with the weight, I just get bloated more than anything which isn't a good look 😂 but if I cut down on carbs it does get better. Well af has arrived today, day 29 so looks like the metformin might be working.
On to the next month it is.
@LethargicButAwesome fingers crossed for you!! I actually released two eggs on my first round of clomid, excited for you !

Sad that it arrived but atleast it's a shorter cycle...and you are out of the looo of pregnant or just another forever cycle.

@cosmo30 I bought a bbt too when I was trying with my first....but never remembered to take my temp! Now I have a more narrow window of about 6 days I think I might try again with ovulation, I found it very stressful when I just had no idea when to test and if I was ovulating at all.

I think I have developed a UTI which is making DTD quite painful...never had one before but there seems to be a stabbing pain in my kidneys during the deed....suppose I will have to crack on and remain gentle! A few days until I am out of my fertile window so hopefully it will be worth it :(

Hi everyone how are we today?

@cosmo30 How are you getting on with bbt? Glad to hear the metformin is working!

@LethargicButAwesome How are you feeling? Hopefully it wasn’t a UTI?

@Wackadoodle84 Welcome 😊 How are you getting on so far this month?

I’m on day 8 so just finished my clomifene and getting ready for peak fertile time! 😊

Hi @Leodot I haven't started doing it lol actually forgot bloody terrible I am! Do have a huge pack of opks though so will start using them middle of next week when fertile window begins. Had a slightly longer bleed this cycle aswell, normally only 3 days but I had 5 days this month so maybe the metformin is having an effect? How're you getting on? Have you had many side effects from the clomid? I used to get such bad hot flushes on it!

I was really tired and headachey and sort of felt like I had a cold for a few hours every morning when I got up but that’s stopped since I’ve finished the clomifene. I was getting quite hot as well but thought it was just the weather 😂.

Opk’s sound good! Hopefully it will be accurate for you! My consultant said any day from day 10 onwards until about day 16for me. However I ovulated on day 18 the first month and then day 21 the month after. She said it’s normally days 10-16 but oh well! I figure if I do days 10-21 I can’t miss it!

That's a very long fertile window @leodot I have no idea when my fertile window is so we were dtd every day from day 9 to to 16, I hope I did indeed ovulate and it wasn't so late! With metformin my cycles are around 29 days...think I'll start opks given I have an actual window now. Plan on testing next Saturday if AF doesn't arrive!

@cosmo30
Can totally relate! I'm so forgetful with testing and temping, actually one of the reasons I stopped using mumsnet when I was trying for my first as everyone else seemed boy base their life around it and I couldn't blimmin remember !!!

Best of luck @Leodot enjoy the DTD time! Hopefully this cycle will be promising for you :)

@LethargicButAwesome

Haha I know it’s not really that long. I don’t really know exactly when it is but I tend to just dtd from day 10 onwards until I get a rise in temp and it confirms ovulation. My cycles on metformin have been 32 and 34 days so have fitted perfectly with my temperature rise for ovulation on day 18 and day 21.

I’m sure you were bang on time as your cycle is shorter than mine 😊.

Good luck!! ❤️

Will have to discipline myself bbt but no idea where it has disappeared to! Doesn't work with a normal themometre does it....?

Just the waitin game now, going For my 'day 21' blood test, even though it's day 24....little nervous given hospitals are a hotspot for CV19 but making sure I clean thoroughly post blood test. Also slightly annoying but haven't received an update on my second round of clomid, I'm guessing they are going to wait for my results to check I did indeed ovulate, just concerned it may mean I have to miss a month as AF is due around the weekend and the chances of me getting test results, speaking to a consultant, getting perscription mailed to me AND collecting from a pharmacy with the 1 day wait time all in a week are slim. Just hoping I'm preggers and don't need to go through it - although truth be told, I don't feel very pregnant :(

@Leodot hope this cycle is a success....intimate question, but have you notice any changes in CF whilst on clomid, the reason why I mentioned may have been dtd at the wrong time is a practically had NONE during the time...and now I seem FLUSH with it :/ suppose time will tell!

Good luck for the blood test. Could you ask for a supply of clomifene? Mine gave me six months worth straight away.

I think a regular thermometer does work. I think mine is just a standard digital one. Haha I don’t mind! I’ve noticed that my cervical fluid has been around the days when my temperatures indicate ovulation. On my last cycle I had loads of CF on days 13-15 then I had a temp drop on day 16 and I thought I’d ovulated. My temp then rose but not enough to confirm ovulation so I think it was a failed attempt. I then had loads of CF on days 18-20 and then had ovulation confirmed on day 21 so it seems pretty consistent.

The cycle before that I had CF on days 15-18 and ovulated on day 18 which was confirmed at my day 21 blood test.

I know I’ve only had two cycles but my ovulation day seems to vary and seems to be quite late so that’s why I’m just dtd from day 10 to day 21 so I don’t miss anything!

Hi @Leodot am good thank you, I haven’t started clomid yet, was on day 14 when I got my prescription so too late for this month. Awaiting the arrival of AF so I can start. 12dpo and bfn today, feeling very AF like so I’d imagine will start in the next few days.

I think treating day 10-21 as your fertile period is the right way to go. From what I can remember from my previous clomid days ov was later than usual, I think around day 18

@LethargicButAwesome best of luck with the day 21 bloods. Have you started doing bbt yet?

@wackadoodle84

That’s good to know that you had a later ovulation as well! Sorry you got a bfn ❤️ Hopefully AF starts soon and you can start taking clomifene.

@Wackadoodle84 haven't stated bbt yet...think I will at the start of my next cycle, mainly because the batteries on the thermometer have run out and we are limiting our outings still.

So AF / pregnancy test is due pretty much any day now...really hope it's a positive, kinda proud of myself that I haven't tested yet, I usually go crazy and begin testing when I 'think my period should be -5days'..I don't feel very pregnacy though but equally doesn't feel as though AF is due to start either. I've reduced my metformin intake because I'm fasting...so the two things combined has probably thrown my cycle out of synch...the sensible thing to do would have been to wait a month, but when ttc a month seems like a Lifetime!

Had my day 21 bloods, not heard anything from the hospital and still no clomifine prescription, so either it will randomly one day appear in the post like my blood test letter or I'll miss this month...just annoying that the secretary to my consultant doesn't get back to me so I know what's going on....my AF indicator is a headache so that hasn't arrived yet and my 1st pregnancy indicator was very sore boobs - atm I have neither. Rambling I know but a bit sad as I feel I may have missed my fertility window by becoming relaxed about dTD around cycle day 17.

@Leodot are you out of the fertility window yet? Ovulated?

@wackadoodle hopefully AF will be along soon and you can get this process started!

@Lethargic

That secretary sounds a bit of a nightmare! I appreciate people are busy but you can still reply to people. Well done for not testing! Hopefully this will be your month. When I had all my issues with metformin in the beginning, I still had a 34 day cycle even though I didn’t take it for a whole week in the middle. Hopefully your reduced dosage won’t be too much of an issue.

I’m on day 14 today so right in the middle of it! Had a dip in temp yesterday and a rise today so could have been ovulation. I need a few more days of sustained higher temp to confirm ovulation though.

Hi all. i hope you dont mind me joining the group. I was diagnosed with pcos 4 years ago. Been ttc for over a year. My periods are very irregular (there was a time i didnt come on for over a year) Been taking provera and metformin to try to regulate my cycles. Due to start clomid next tuesday (50mg) was wondering what side effects any of yous may have experienced on that dose? A bit nervous but trying to stay positive..

Hi @sc1995 and welcome 😊

How has the metformin been working for you? Have you managed to regulate? I had bad side effects with metformin, throwing up, upset stomach, nausea etc but it stopped after a couple of months and I’m absolutely fine now.

With clomifene, I can feel a bit generally rough for a few days, almost like a hangover or a cold but after the dose is finished I’m fine. I haven’t found any side effects to really go past the 5 days I take it and the side effects aren’t massive. I take the 50 mg dose as I had confirmed ovulation so there was no need to up it. Hopefully you will be fine 😊.

@Leodot Thanks
To be honest, i was given metformin in december. The side effects have been a nightmare. I took it on and off. but Consistently for the last 2 months. I recently got the Dr to change it to the sustained release preparation which i have found to have fewer side effects. At the moment im taking 2000 mg (it ocassionally gives me the runs lol) but im just sucking it up for a while till ive taken the clomid. Theres so many mixed reviews whether or not clomid works better with metformin or on its own. I just plan on giving it my all and hoping for the best. Fingers, toes and everything crossed. Good luck to you all too.

Welcome to the ttc club @sc1995 metformin was a nightmare the first 6 weeks, in gladness we were in lockdown as I practically lived in the toilet! It did eventually get better though...excellent your gp agreed to give you the timed release version :) my clomid side effects were a constant headache for 5 days...which is my pms symptom too, all disappeared after I stopped taking it, and I took the tablet at night to help with symptoms.

@Leodot enjoy the process of trying, home this is it for you!

As an update, I caved and took a pg test on day 28....and BFN, I don't FEEL pregnant tbh just gutted. I know it's a lot to be riding on the first try, but can't help but hope....

Day 30 and PMS is still a no show...I think I ovulated late...as I recall getting some EWCF on day 19 and 20....at the time I assumed this was too late to ovulate, only if I had asked you ladies before! Unfortunately I don't think we dtd for a couple of days during these days...defo know we had a break around day 18....just the waiting game now, if AF is a no show I will test again on Thursday me thinks.

In other news, I am feeling a little constipated, odd to be sharing my bowel movements I know - but post-metformin I feel this is totes okay! It's odd because I am hardly ever constipated and ESPECIALLY SINCE TAKING metformin, praying hard it's a sign - but after my BFN on Saturday not holding my breathe either.

@LethargicButAwesome Being constipated especially after taking metformin could be something. Only people that take it know how bad it gives you the runs. I work for the nhs so ive been at work for the last 7 weeks. But luckily i work a few minutes down the road from where i live.

I know this whole process is mentally draining. Don't be too gutted on the outcome. I believe everything happens at the right time. Keeping you in my prayers.
Keep us updated xx

@LethargicButAwesome I’m sorry you got a BFN ❤️. Like SC says, keep us updated. Thinking of you xxx

Day 32 and have spotting so think AF has reared its head, I wouldn't actually say spotting it's literally only when I wiped a couple of times. Anyhoo....I received a call from secretary today (woop woop) and she said apparently the perscriptiOn was meant to be for 5 cycles NOT 5 tablets and the pharmacy incorrectly gave it to me...I'm pretty sure however that it only said five tablets! Long story short they can't give me a new perscription so she's trying her best to get in touch with the pharmacy to resolve the matter...I also found out I should have taken the tablet on day 2 and not day 3...oops.

Positive news is I DID ovulate (progesterone in its 40s) - if we manage to resolve the 5cycles vs. 5tablets today we are on for this month, otherwise will have to wait another month :(

@lethargic

That’s great news that you ovulated!! 😊.

Hopefully they can resolve the tablet issue for you and you can start again next month. I’ve read that some people take it days 2-6, 3-7, 5-9. I don’t know why there is a difference but I can’t imagine doing it days 3-7 would cause that much of a problem. Just make sure you do 2-6 next time as this is obviously what your consultant thinks will be best for you.

I understand your frustration at the idea of missing a month. We missed last month as my husband had corona virus. Weirdly it actually turned out to be a good thing for me, as it gave my head a bit of space as I knew there was no chance and almost relaxed as I didn’t have the dreaded two week wait. I was actually excited to see AF which has never happened in my life!

Hi ladies, sorry I've been away had a lot going on! @LethargicButAwesome great news to hear you ovulated. I am currently in the tww, 4dpo I think? Tried to do the SMEP plan this cycle, but missed dtd on actual ovulation day 🙄 I've had ovary pain and back cramps since ovulation but had this other cycles so think it might just be the pcos tbh! How is everyone else getting on?

@cosmo30 here's to hoping these are early pregnancy signs and June brings good news for both you and @Leodot

Secretary pulled it out the bag yesterday....managed to leave a persription for me at the hospital-managed to pick it up and unlike last month where I rang 15 pharmacies to try and se fire 5 clomid tablets this time the first pharmacy I rang had all 25...stars aligning for me this month? Hope so!

Starting my clomid cycle tomorrow ....then a months wait to find out if it all worked