Clomid?
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Clomid?
| Thu, 07-31-2003 - 8:53am |
Hey all!
Went to see my dr. Tues. to discuss the situation (TTC 8 months.) She recommended that I start Clomid with my next cycle. She wanted to try this before she started any of the really invasive testing. I've read such differing opinions about clomid... some dr.s say to wait until all other options have been exhausted, others say to go ahead and try.
Does anyone have any experience with it? And what is the success rate? I'm a bit confused and scared to try....
Any inputs are greatly appreciated!
Kristen

For women who make that "next step" into the infertility world (I saw a specialist after 11 months of ttc), Clomid is often the "introductory drug." Most doctors start you off on Clomid 50mg, and then go from there. In anovulatory women, Clomid "levels the playing field," so to speak. A couple will have the same 20-25% chance of conceiving each month they are on Clomid, just like the "general population." In general, Clomid is considered a drug with good success rates and a low risk of multiples.
My advice: Start charting your temps and/or using OPKs, just to find out if you're ovulating. You might hold off on any medical intervention for a few months - the average time to conceive in the U.S. is 6-8 months. You didn't mention your age... if you're under 30, taking under 12 months to conceive is considered okay. (At 12 mos - go to an IF specialist... not your regular OB/GYN, but an IF specialist.) IF Clomid is the answer for you, insist on a workup beforehand, and insist on "monitoring." (This can be some combination of bloodwork, ultrasounds and pelvic exams.)
Here are some links to some good Clomid boards on ivillage:
Fertility Therapies & Clomid: http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/listsf.asp?webtag=iv-bhfertility&nav=start
Clomid/Ovulation Induction: http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/listsf.asp?webtag=iv-ppclomid&nav=start
Tami
Mommy to Anna 7.7.04 & Ben 11.19.06
I'm very scared that I will never be able to get pregnant. I'm turning 29 in a couple of weeks, and I want a baby so much before I'm 30. So I was wondering what advice your RE had for you.
Thanks for your help. I appreciate it, and good luck to you!
Gwen
TTC#1 CD12
Given what you said about yourself, your RE might consider Clomid or some other ovulation induction drugs for you, too. Hopefully you can keep it that simple and not have to move on to the more invasive (and much less romantic) stuff.
I'm 29 right now (I turn 30 in five months), and have the same fears as you. I always wanted my first baby before I turned 30, but that obviously won't happen. Now I'm just clinging to hope that I can be pregnant with my first baby before then. I think I've already dealt with the disappointment that "the good-old fashioned way" just doesn't seem to work for me and my DH, and I'm trying VERY hard to stay positive and not get stressed out.
Good luck to you! I hope to see you back on these boards soon!
Tami TTC#1 08/02
Tami
Mommy to Anna 7.7.04 & Ben 11.19.06
To answer a few questions, I'm 29, and have been charting, OPK-ing for the past 6 months (although the first two don't count because I was an idiot and used the wrong kind of therm.) It appears from my temp. charts that I am o-ing, and I've been able to get a + on the OPK test. I'm not sure if I really am though.... because we've been BD-ing like she suggested when we had our initial talk about TTC last Dec., every other day during the peak time.
She did do some bloodwork yesterday to check thyroid and a few other things (I don't remember what; I think the usual workup?) I had a vaginal US about a year ago when I had some wierd-o bleeding mid-cycle when I was on the pill. I stopped the pill the next month when we made the decision to start a family. That was last Aug., we started TTC in Jan. US appeared normal at the time.
She is starting me out on the 50mg dose, and prescribed it to take days 3-7, returning for a blood test on CD 21 to check levels.
I did think it was kinda wierd that she prescribed it without doing the big rounds of tests....
She did go over the side effects (moodiness, hot flashes, cramping, heavy AF) but it seems more than worth it to go through that if the end result is the child we already love even though we haven't concieved it yet.
She also discussed the possibilty of multiples.
I think she was thorough???
Thanks for your input!!!
Kristen
Good luck with everything. I've heard many users recommend taking your Clomid dose at night before you go to bed. This way you'll sleep through the related hot flashes and any possible dizziness you may get.
On a personal note, I should be starting Clomid soon - I'm just waiting for AF to show up. (I think I've got a lot of residual progesterone in my system - I was on Prometrium 200mg for 14 days - so AF is a little delayed.)
Baby dust!
Tami TTC#1 08/02
Tami
Mommy to Anna 7.7.04 & Ben 11.19.06
I feel a bit better now... when I go back for my 21 day bw I'll ask about the US. She wants to keep monitoring at each 21 day point; if levels aren't high enough after 50 mg, she'll up it to 100, and if that doesn't work, to 150. The longest she'll do it is for three cycles (at whatever dosage we see results.) If that still doesn't work, she'll refer us on to an RE.
Sorry I wasn't more clear with the info at first... my mind is all over the place. Unfortunately we didn't get in until I was on CD 6, so now I have to wait a whole month before we start. DH still keeps his hopes up that this will be the month without any intervention!
I've never been one to mess around with a lot of meds., so taking something just feels wierd. Totally worth it for the end result, but still wierd. I keep asking myself if I'm messing with something I shouldn't (mother nature) and wondering if it is God's plan for us to have a family.
DH says if it isn't God's plan, then none of this will work.... I guess he's right. I just wish I could calm these fears!
Anyway, maybe we'll end up taking clomid at the same time... then we can be cycle buddies!
I'll be thinking of you and wishing you good luck!!!
Kristen
I look forward to chatting with you in the future. Good luck with everything, and I hope to see you on the boards! (I usually hang out on the Clomid and the IF boards, but I visit TTC too.)
Tami TTC#1 08/02
Tami
Mommy to Anna 7.7.04 & Ben 11.19.06
My dr. just prescribed Clomid again, based on my previous history (and having gone thru all the workups then) and the fact that I'm 35. She was pretty darn disheartening about my chances now that I'm 35 and just stopped BF 5 months ago. I think it's the easy way out for her, but that's my issue with her. I have decided to hold off another month before using.
I recommend Clomid, as long as it is properly used and supervised.
Good luck
Christy
TTC2 C4
BFd big sis for 14 mths. Hope to nurse Kyle even longer!

Thank you so much for your response! I hope your AF gets here soon (don't hear that a lot on the boards!), so you can get started on Clomid. I hope that the next cycle is the one for you, and I get to see your post in the BFP section!
I completely understand what you are going through. It's so hard to see so many people around me get pregnant so easily, and for it to take so long with me. I'm trying very hard to stay positive also, and my DH has been a great support in the past year. I'm excited for my RE appt. on Monday, so I can also move on to fertility treatment, if need be. It's all worth it if we can hold our baby on our arms!
I wish you the best of luck! Please keep me updated on your progress.
Gwen
TTC#1 C12 CD12