Clomid ?.....Anyone taking it here??

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Registered: 12-31-1969
Clomid ?.....Anyone taking it here??
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Mon, 09-15-2003 - 3:25pm
Hello all.

Since no one of the Clomid board has answred my post from yesterday, I thought I'd try here since all the ladies seem to answer most posts and I know some of you are on this board and taking Clomid:


As of Monday, Sept. 22nd I am asking my doc for Clomid (my doc already suggested it last visit in Aug.) I do not think I'm O'ing even though all blood work confirm my horomones and thryoid are a ok but still that does not confirm you are O'ing with good horomone levels, as other posters have said, you can get the LH surge (as I do each month with my fertility monitor) and not O. I do not temp (am starting this next cycle) so I do not know for sure if I have tempature shift after O.

Question, if I do get on Clomid, my cycle are usually 34 days each month and I wouldn't O until about cd 21-22 (my fert. monitor picks up my two peak days of fert.) but again, just b/c I get that LH surge that dosen't mean I am O'ling (like Nutti Nancy).

With those of you who are on Clomid or have taken it, number one, did it make your O day shorter if you had a long cycle like mine and did you get monitored each month while on it? Some doc's put their patients on it in hopes to make O day happen earlier in their cycle and not check for follicle development, have any of you taken it, not been monitored or examined and got pg first month? I really want to take it even though dh and I have not been trying that long (first "real cycle" of ttc, no protection for 3 mo.) especially if I can get peak fert. day sooner than cd 20 for god's sake, it's so long before I O it seems, if I am.

Can anyone share some experiences or some comments on this for me, I am really excited that my doc will give it to me with such a short time of ttc but I've been told great, great sucess stories with it and getting pg within one or two cycles of it.

Thanks so much!

Julie

ttc #1

c 1

cd 23

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2003
Mon, 09-15-2003 - 4:22pm
Julie,

I have just completed my first cycle on Clomid, and am very sad to say that I am not one of the lucky ones who got pg on the first cycle.

Here's some history that might answer your questions:

I was on bcp for 6+ years, went off last August '02. DH and I started TTC in January, I started charting and temping in March '03. I always O'ed around day 14. With the Clomid, I O'ed one day later than usual on day 15. My total cycle length stayed about the same. I've varied from 24 days (shortest) to 29 days (longest.) The Clomid didn't seem to interfere with my O date.

My dr. prescribed it 'early' according to her. I'm 29, and they usually don't do any sort of treatment until at least one full year of ttc. I think she went ahead and started because I'd kept such diligent charts.

I'm wondering if your cycles are so long because your body is still trying to regulate itself after being on the pill. I gave myself 6 months off bcp but still using protection before we started TTC to get it 'all out of my system.' I've heard of lots of women who had wierd cycles for long times after being on the pill.

It might behoove you to temp and chart your cycle for a month or so to figure out the rhythm of your cycle. I know it's not fast enough... nothing is... when all you want is to have a child. Believe me, after 9 months, I know. I thought I would be preparing for a birth right now, not figuring out doses of Clomid.

Other things to think about are the side effects of the drug, aside from raging PMS type stuff, extreme thirst, bloating... it tricks you into thinking you're pg, so things like very sore breasts, nausea, and fatigue occur. Which is why I was sooooo disappointed when AF came yesterday.

My best advice would be to talk to your dr. about the pros AND cons of Clomid, and to keep in mind that it isn't necessarily the ticket to the promised land of pregnancy.

The very best of luck to you and your DH and tons of baby dust!!!

Kristen

TTC1 C10 CD2

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Mon, 09-15-2003 - 5:13pm
Julie,

I have taken Clomid several times now. I took it this past winter 50mg, and I Oed later than I did naturally. I always would O on cycle day 14 on clomid it was more like cd 17. But I found if I take it starting cd3 not cd5 I owe closer to normal. The first 2 times I took it the doc did not monitor me at all(not good). This time I'm seeing an RE, and I'm on 100 mg also on progesterone and estrogen. They did a vaginal ultrasound on cd 12 this month (last Wednesday) and then gave me the hcg trigger to realease my well developed eggs (3 of them!). I have had the usual side affects, hot flashes, night sweats, bloating and my nipples are a little sore. I am hoping this is our month, but one of the side affects of Clomid is drying up the quality cervical fluid, this tends to be a problem while on clomid. I hope this info helped you a little, sorry noone answered your post on the clomid board. Good Luck whatever you decide.

Kate
Avatar for anprdp
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
Mon, 09-15-2003 - 6:10pm
Julie,

I took clomid to conceive our first born son...I had unexplained infertility for near two years before we conceived...I took two months of 50mg..then one month of 100mg..to get pg...here are just my thoughts...

First of all..clomid to me was a wonderous drug...it got me my baby..and that made me happy...but there are side effects...besides the pms symptoms..it can cause ovarian cysts from hyperstimulation of the ovaries...it can cause and incident of multiple births..I took it from the pure fact I had exhausted all efforts with other means of ttc...if you have only been really "ttc" for one month...I would give yourself at least 6 months of charting and use of the monitor before I resorted to clomid...I do love this drug...don't get me wrong...and I have known other women who got pg off of different amounts...50mg, 100mg, even 150mg....but unless you know for sure all other efforts have failed..then I would wait...I believe that clomid users should be monitored...(of which I wasn't but at the time was to obsessed with baby brain to care..lol) with u/s and testing...because this will maximize the chance of the clomid working well and finally getting your baby...but you don't want to skip this stage and go right to the next...I didn't like the temping..but if you get the hang of it..use it...but I loved my monitor and I did a strict regime of things like the robutussin, baby asprin, green tea...etc..to get a baby...I will tell you this...just because you have problems getting pg once...doesn't mean you will the next time either...lol...to my surprise (after I did not get on bcp after my first was born) after only a 3 cycle try of really goofing off with my husband..and just thinking..well it will be 6 months at the end of this and I can get clomid back again...since I am infertile...I was pg again with my second son...so there is some truth in the fact I think that once you have a child...your system is jump started and you can get pg again easier...this isn't always true I am sure...but I doubted natural again after the first...and it happened....so just try to remain calm..and don't do anything you don't have to..if 6 months pass..and no child..then I would look up a doctor for some clomid..I just wanted you to know that things from this can go to severe...and just don't outweigh your own body just yet...I wish a baby for you soon..and everyone else on here...I wish I could just snap my fingers and you would all be developing a baby inside...I hope this helps Julie...again just my thoughts..I don't think you need to do anything but what you want to do...so just follow your instinct...

xxoo

Angelia




Avatar for sams_i_is
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Mon, 09-15-2003 - 8:06pm
I am on my 4th month of clomid. I will probably get an IUI this cycle. The main reason my doc put me on it was because I would have spotting anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks before my period. So she put me on it to help that out. Which it has. Now I spot maybe 2-3 days before my period. I work for this doctor so it makes means of getting ultrasounds to check follicles a lot easier. I was also temping and I had some crazy looking charts. So that was kind of a clue that something was wrong. Even though all my bloodwork came back fine too. Clomid makes my cycles somewhat the same. I O between days 14 to 17. I didn't have too many side effects. I mainly had the hot flashes. Those suck but it isn't too bad. So I guess you do what you need to do. I would just talk to your dr and see what he/she says. Good Luck!

Sams

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2003
Mon, 09-15-2003 - 8:46pm
I'm on my 2nd cycle of Clomid, after TTC since August of last year. I was irregular before I went on BCP, regular for the first six months off BCP, then got way irregular again... hence, the Clomid. I did not get lucky my first cycle.

I noticed you are on C1... my 2cents: it might be a little early for you to even be thinking about medical intervention right now. You're at the fun part of the game - lots of BDing, no stress, just trying to do things the "old-fashioned" way. If you're up for the "work," go ahead and chart and observe your symptoms - if you find you're not ovulating these first few cycles then talk to the doc about Clomid.

If you ARE O'ing, and it's on CD21... there's nothing wrong with that. Just embrace it, own it, and time your BD accordingly. I've seen some posts from women who were ovulating normally on their own before going on Clomid (over on the Clomid board), and the consensus with them seems to be that Clomid really messed up their cycles.

Everyone tells us these miracle stories about Clomid, which makes us think it's a wonderdrug...and then some doctors out there want to hand it out like it's candy. But there are ramifications to the drug - no one knows yet what the true long-term health impact to the woman is, it can cause some serious PMS symptoms at any time of your cycle (the reason some people call it CloMAD), can cause hyperstimulation of the ovaries, and can cause ovarian cysts.

My main words of wisdom... just start charting to try to confirm if you're ovulating, which will let you know if you should turn to medical intervention early. Otherwise... let nature take its course. I wish to God that nature had worked for me and my DH - I found it incredibly disappointing to have to turn to meds. Things WILL happen for you, just try to be patient.

Good luck to you!

Tami

TTC#1 since 8/02

CC2 CD13

ps - Sorry I didn't see your message over on the Clomid board... I normally frequent that one and try to make sure people get replied to. That board isn't as well-trafficked as this board, so sometimes it might take a little extra time to get a reply, but it's usually worth it!

Tami
Mommy to Anna 7.7.04 & Ben 11.19.06

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Tue, 09-16-2003 - 11:57am
Thanks for answering Kate! Ok, I should get monitored then? I will ask my doc about this. She wanted me to start the Clomid on cd 5-9 but maybe I can ask her to start it sooner. What do you pay for the pills, if you don't mind me asking, I know most insur. do not cover it. I have heard anywhere from $5.00 per generic pill and up to $60 for 5 if not generic. I ordered Pre-Seed the other day for the dryness I might get from the pill but I have no cm or ewcm each month anyways, don't know if thats normal that is why I want a transvaginal US too! Also, do you have to get HCG shot to release the eggs? I thought Clomid alone released the eggs without anything else? I am confused about that. Let me know if you can.

Thanks again for responding to my post!

Julie

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Tue, 09-16-2003 - 12:09pm
Thanks Angelia,

Well, the thing is I have some insurance restrictions and need to "try" and be pg by March next year so in stead of wasting any time, I rather get checked now, with US and see that there is no blockage (I had some stage 3 cervical cancer removed 10 yrs. ago) and want to make sure my ovaries are ok go etc. I quite my job (long story, very unprofessional boss and worked 60 hrs. per week in advertising for Chevy) and took the Cobra extension of my benefits at a very, very high rate and basically any given person who elects these benefits only has 18 mo. to stay on them with an individual conversion plan so I have until March to get pg and then another 9 mo. to deliver before this insur. expires. If not, I will end up paying a $10-12 k hospital bill to deliver. Sure I can jump on another insur. plan but there will be a 12 mo. waiting period for maternity and I don't have twelve months to wait. So, my doc said in effort to help this along quickely given my situation, she would jump start me with Clomid and see if that works first and I will get monitored on it since my insur. covers all infertility stuff at 90% why not take advantage of it while I have it, this insur. is really, really good, that is why I elected to take it while ttc since every thing would be covered at 100% if I got pg within 6 and then 9 mo. for delivery.

I do understand what you're saying and I appreciate it a lot. I know this is no "wonder drug" for everyone but if it helps more it along more quickely and I can stay on this insur. I will try it. I hear the cysts are greater on the higher dosage and the longer you're on it, is that true? Maybe it depends on the person. I want confirmation that I am Oing on my own and have and US done to see that everything inside is ok first then I may skip but first the US for piece of mind that there not any cysts developed now.

Thanks again, I'll keep you posted if you'd like, I see my OB next Monday, the 22nd.

Julie

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Tue, 09-16-2003 - 12:15pm
Thanks Tami, for your response. I know it's early but I post to another poster that it's kind of an insur. issue too. I have until March of '04 to get pg on this insur. and then have a 9 mo. delivery (I took Cobra insur. from work when I left..long story and have only a total of 18 mo. to be on it) if not, I am looking at paying for an entire prenatual and birth, very expensive. So my doc knows that I am kinda in a hurry and thought if I was not O'ing we could jump start things by trying Clomid and see what happens. I do want an US for sure though to check things out, my insur. covers it at 90% which is great and while I'm on this insur. I might as well take advantage right?

I'll keep everyone posted since I got some good responses back from you all.

Thanks again Tami.

Julie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 09-16-2003 - 1:17pm
Hi. I'm on Clomid. My cycles are usually about 30 days, with o day between days 17 and 19. I take Cloimd (50 mgs) from days 5-9 and have blood tests done 7 days past O to make sure that the Cloimd did the trick.

I have a beautiful little boy (18 months today!!!) as a result of my 4th Clomid Cycle. I just finished up my 1st round of it again, in the hopes of TTC #2!

I really haven't had any side effects from it, either, which is good, becuase I've heard others who get really moody, headaches and decreased CM. I hope that's not the case for you.

OH! I almost forgot to tell you! When you are taking the Clomid (the actual days in your cycle that you take it) your temp may be higher. I've noticed that Clomid does that. A day or two after you finish for that cycle, your temps go back to normal. One time, my charting software even recorded ovulation becuase they temps increased so much.

Good luck to you!

Amy

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Tue, 09-16-2003 - 2:57pm
Thanks for the info Amy. Also, did you get monitored on this by US not just the progestrone test 7 dpo? Some get monitored to check follicle growth and some do not, just wondering if you do or not and if it's necessary?

Thanks so much for replying.

Julie