1st cycle with clomid

[tryn2Bamommy]

My husband and i have been actively trying for about 2 years now with no success. I have pcos and its been a rocky road with tests, hsg's and even laproscopic surgery but finally we have been given clomid to try. This is our first cycle with clomid, im on cd 13. Im getting a little nervous, no positive opk yet im just scared im not gonna ovulate on time, my doctor said i should ovulate on cd 14 with the clomid. I dont know anyone who has ever taken clomid...any advice or any success stories? Im hoping this will finally be our bfp cycle.

 

[SPJD]

I am only on my second month of Clomid - the 50mg dosage worked for me. (also diagnosed with PCOS and have been TTC for the past 13months - this month marks our 14th month) I am not sure what day I ovulated but the doc thought between day 14 and 17. I was told to BD every other day from CD 10 to CD 20 so that I wouldn't miss our window of opportunity.

I had two mature follicles and a healthy uterus lining on my first round (sometimes Clomid can thin the wall lining which makes it more difficult for implantation), but unfortunately no BFP. The good news is that the medication was effective in helping me to ovulate so perhaps now it is only a matter of time

Depending in your average cycle length, you could ovulate into Day 16 or sometimes later. Also, it is quite possible that you won't track your ovulation by opk's. I tried it last month and found it stressful and not really helpful (some of the tests are difficult to decipher). I had my day 21 bloodwork done and that confirmed ovulation had happened. What 'schedule' for lack of a better word does your doc have you on? Are you being monitored on days 14 and 21?

I wish you all the best - hang in there - I think the first cycle is especially challenging because you don't know what to expect or if it will work. Also, I know my hopes were super high for the first cycle - I psyched myself up into believing that I would be one of the lucky ones who would get pregnant on the first cycle! Chances of that are 1 in 5 (assuming ovulation has happened!) and unfortunately I wasn't one of those lucky ones.

Give yourself 3 months on Clomid. And by that I mean mentally prepare yourself for 3 months of TTC on Clomid. From what I have read, a decent percentage get pregnant within 3 months of the correct dosage to trigger ovulation. And that number goes significantly up at the 6 months mark.

I empathize with how you must be feeling - it wasn't long ago that I was on my first cycle and really not knowing what to expect. I would be happy to be your
"cycle buddy" if you have any questions or while you wait to test. As mentioned above I am no expert in Clomid, as I am currently on CD6 of my second round, but I know the agony of TTC for such a long time and how it can drive you a little wonky!

Please keep me updated on the progress!

 

[tryn2Bamommy]

Thank you i would be happy to be "cycle buddies"i dont know anything about clomid other than what i have read. Im actually new on this forum, just thought it would be nice to connect with others in similar situations.

My doctor had me take clomid on days 5-9 and told me to bd on days 12, 14, and 16. I also have bloodwork on day 21 to see if i actually ovulated. This is my first cycle after 3 months of no ovulation and having to take provera to kick start my cycle. I agree about opk's they are so nerve wreaking but my doctor wants me to use them to help monitor. Im trying not to get my hopes up that we will be one of the lucky ones to get pregnant on the first cycle but lets be honest its hard not too. Thank you for all the great information i was starting to get scared i wont ovulate on time, im just going to keep bd every other day until my 21st appt.

Ill keep my fingers crossed that this is your bfp cycle. Did your doctor have you on clomid cd 5-9? Ive heard some people have taken it cd 3-7 instead?

Please keep me updated on your progress as well

 

[SPJD]

I am fairly new as well. I didn't join the forum until last month for the same reasons as you - I was just starting Clomid and wanted to learn more about it from those who had had some experience with it already.

Was it your GP that prescribed Clomid for you or are you seeing a fertility specialist aka reproductive endocrinologist? I had to go through a number of tests at a fertility clinic before they were able to diagnose my PCOS and prescribe medication. My cycles ranged from 28-45 days - any cycle that was over 35 days long I was told by the RE that it was highly unlikely I had ovulated that month. Which of course explains our difficulties conceiving!

My schedule is to take Clomid on days 3-7 and BD days 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. On day 14 I go in for an internal ultrasound where they are able to see any developing follicles and measure their size, as well as check to see how thick the uterus wall is at that point. Day 21 is the blood work to confirm the big O happened. The waiting is the worst part!

Have you had any side effects from the Clomid or felt anything different? I could definitely feel tenderness on my lower left side and some mild pain prior to ovulation - but that pain definitely subsided after I ovulated. Had some hormonal changes - like amped up PMS, but nothing horrible! I also have a sensitive stomach in general so I noticed some queasiness too which happened on and off in the earlier days of my cycle and prior to ovulation.

And yes I agree, it is so difficult not to get your hopes up each time! I will keep my fingers crossed that you are the lucky 1 in 5 ladies who gets pregnant on her first round!

 

[tryn2Bamommy]

My gyno is who prescribed clomid. She told me that she wanted to have me on clomid for three successful months before we move to seeing a specialist. Im really hoping that I dont have to see a specialist. My cycles have always ranged from 35-45 days which is why my doctor feels we arent getting conceiving.

She only has me coming in for bloodwork on day 21 which for me will be on april 3. Crossing my fingers that I will actually ovulate . I never really thought my cycles were not normal since my old gyno told me that some women just have longer cycles then others. After many tests that got me nowhere closer to being pregnant or even being put on clomid, I finally switched my doctor and now I feel like we are finally on the right path.

As for side effects from the clomid , I really havent experienced any. My doctor told me to take it at night to sleep through any of the common side effects like blurred vision. Today is cd 14 and I don't feel any different, no pain nothing, also my opk still has not turned positive so I don't think I have even ovulated yet. I have made a promise to my Dh that I will try not to read into my symptoms to much. Yes, I have a horrible habit of googling every symptom I feel which for me has only led to disappointment.

Do you temp? I have never tried it but I see a lot of people on this website do. I asked my doctor how she felt about temping and she told me she did not think it was needed. Have you been given a timeline of how long your doctor wants you trying to conceive on clomid?

 

[SPJD]

If you do have to see a specialist and you are worried about cost, I can tell you that everything I had to undergo was covered under OHIP. I am in Ottawa, ON.

Most of the testing was done in the course of about a month. But didn't really get my clear diagnosis until about 6 weeks after I had started all my testing. It was a bit of a process! Sounds like your gyno is on the right track - good decision to change doctors!

It could just be that you aren't ovulating and in that case the Clomid should definitely help. You may find that your cycles will average out to around 28 days now. Has your significant other been tested for sperm counts? That's another factor that can come in to play.

That's good to hear you haven't had any side effects! I know there are many women who have minimal or no side effects at all! Last month I took the pill during the day and this month (after reading some forums) I started taking them at night instead which has helped with minimizing the side effects. Will keep up with that in future cycles (if necessary!).

I haven't temped while on Clomid. My RE says it is sometimes more stressful and if I am already being monitored its not really necessary. I know some women swear by it, so I am not knocking it at all and I think if you are diligent about it, it is effective in pinpointing ovulation, but I found it tedious and most times my temps were all over the place and I could never find a pattern. (Temps can be affected by many things not related to your cycle - so if you oversleep or don't sleep enough, this can effect your temp!)

I find that my CM is usually a pretty good indicator of approaching ovulation. Gross to think about I know, but that's one change I notice like clock work in my cycle.

 

[plsBpositive]

Hi ladies,

Can I join you two? I just recently joined the forum, wondering if there are others who are on the same boat as me.

I'm on my 1st round of clomid, 25mg on CD5-9. I'm currently on CD 12 now. I just started tempting last month and my temps are all over the place so I didn't see any pattern yet.

I've been having 1-2 weeks spotting before AF since July last year, when I stopped taking my BC pills. We weren't actively trying last year so i just disregard that symptom. I just thought everything will go back to normal. Months have passed and I'm still spotting so last month, I went back to my OB GYN to have it checked. Internal examination was done, and everything looks good. Cd21 progesterone was 0.20, that result was kinda expected since I was already spotting when blood work was done.

OB then ordered clomid 25mg for March cycle and sperm analysis for hubby. I informed them that we did the home kit sperm analysis we bought from Amazon and his swimmers were doing okay and told them if it's possible to skip that for this cycle. They said if low dose won't work for me, they will up the dosage next cycle and we have to do the sperm analysis on the lab, not with the home kit. I'll do another CD21 progesterone for this cycle.

I was on 25mg and took clomid and didn't experience any side effects. What I noticed though that my temps were up while I was taking clomid. And on CD 10-11, I got false positive OPK. Now I understand, why they say that when you are on clomid, you start testing on day 3 after your last clomid dose.

I did a women's health check last July and forwarded my result to my OB. I just realized today that my TSH was at 2.5. Now I'm not sure if that is the acceptable level. I've heard that if you are ttc, you should have less than 1. My OB didn't say anything about it.

Honestly, I'm getting stressed about this whole thing. If first round of clomid won't work, I'll probably take a break. I've been praying really hard, though know maybe it's just not the time for us. I'm doing some yoga, meditation every now and then. I'm planning to gain a few lbs, trying to do non pharmacological ways to enhance fertility. I've also been drinking prenatal vitamins since last year!

(Sorry for this novel!) hope clomid will work for us all!

 

[SPJD]

Welcome!

Thanks for sharing where you are at with TTC. Its nice to know that I am not the only one who is having such a tough time - comfort in numbers I guess? Not sure about you but I am the only one in my family with problems TTC, everyone else has got pregnant with no issues at all - quite the opposite actually - alot of surprise pregnancies in my family which makes it harder for them to understand what it feels like to not be able to conceive when you want to/plan for it!

I think its normal for temps to be slightly elevated on Clomid - its jump starting your hormones!

My RE told me that TSH levels while TTC should be no higher than 2.5. Mine was at 3.0 and she prescribed me thyroid medication to bring it down. The normal range can be up to 5.0 if you aren't trying to conceive or pregnant.

If it helps at all I was super stressed about my first cycle and sad when I got yet another BFN but my RE reminded me that when all goes well with Clomid there is only a 20% chance of conceiving in any given cycle and that I should treat this as the start of a new TTC chapter. Though my husband and I have been TTC for the past 14 months - our chances were slim each time cause there are some months that I am sure I didn't even ovulate and some months that I skipped a cycle entirely. Now we are going in with the chances that everyone who has no fertility issues has, and have to almost forget about the past year as to not get discouraged or impatient. All of that to say its up to you how many cycles you want to do, just know the second round shouldn't feel as stressful!

I am mentally prepared to do another round after the current one that I am in - CD7 - and then I will reassess how I would like to proceed. As a side note my RE is willing to go up to 9 cycles before considering other treatment options.

I wish you lots of luck this month Keep up with the yoga and meditation - it will help the entire process! I try to keep active - moderate cardio and strength training help me to destress!

Keep us updated on your progress!

 

[tryn2Bamommy]

Welcome!

Thank you for joining our thread. I also don't know anyone who has had difficulties trying to conceive which is why i joined this forum. It will be nice to share my experiences and my questions with others in the same boat. I understand the wanting to give up, its been over two years for me of endless bfn. Im on my first round of clomid as well and im on cd 14. If you have any questions or neex support thats what i created this thread for and i hope we all get pur bfp this round.

SPJP:
My husband was checked however they said the test was inconclusive (not enough sample). My new doctor said we don't need to retest at the present time, she just wants to see how the clomid works first. As for cost, I live in the michigan and any infertility testing is not coverered by my*insurance. Im really hoping that clomid is our golden ticket because ivf is pretty much of the table because of cost. Is fertility treatments covered in ON?

 

[SPJD]

So far insurance has covered all diagnostic tests (blood work, ultrasounds, appointments with a fertility specialist), and my work insurance covers 80% of my medication.

I too hope that I do not need to resort to IVF due to the cost. That is a procedure that is not covered by OHIP (Ontario wide insurance) and I know that my work insurance doesn't cover it either. The only way IVF is covered in Ontario is if both fallopian tubes are damaged and it is impossible for someone to conceive naturally.

 

[plsBpositive]

Thank you. It feels good knowing that I've got someone here who knows how it feels ttc. My siblings didn't have any issue conceiving, just me.i don't know if it's because pimunderweight but my sisters got pregnant and they were just like me. I'm 98 lbs, been like this since high school. I have a small frame probably because of my heritage and I definitely look normal. My BMI is a point below normal. When I went to see my GP for an annual exam, she said that I should eat more protein. I eat right, but I'm just not gaining enough.

This year, my OB didn't mention about me getting any protein. I don't know if I should see a RE. What made you see a RE SPJD? I feel like my issues are not fully addressed by my OB. I've got a lot of concern but my OB tells me that he needs to do some test, and I should expect it to be expensive. I've told him upfront that we are very much particular with the cost since my insurance does not fully cover fertility treatments.

Will be including you two on my prayers!

 

[SPJD]

I have to say I have the opposite weight issue! I am considered 'obese' by BMI terms (though I don't feel that way!) and my doctor was thinking this is playing a role in my infertility/PCOS. In terms of BMI, its not good to be too low or too high but I really do not believe this is the deciding factor. My sister who is much larger than me (forgive me for saying!) has had 2 children and never had any issues conceiving.

If weight is too low, or too high, the cycle will be affected. Some women who do not have enough body fat do not ovulate, and those who have too much can impede ovulation. In any case, while it may be a factor for you, I doubt its the sole cause of your difficulties trying to conceive.

On a side note, how I wish I had difficulties trying to gain weight! LOL

I decided to see an RE cause I knew instinctively there must be something wrong. Though my husband and I have only been actively TTC for 14 months, we had had a couple of years preceding that where we weren't trying but weren't preventing either. My GP isn't a specialist in the way of fertility and I so I asked for a referral to the fertility clinic here in Ottawa.

If you are worried about cost, call the fertility clinic that you would get a referral to and ask. Don't be shy! They are used to questions in regards to insurance. So far everything I have had to undergo in terms of testing has been covered but I am in Canada - so it could very well be different in the US.

If you can see an RE I would highly recommend it! They should be able to give you a complete picture of why you're having difficulties trying to conceive and then set up a plan. I felt much more 'in control' of things / less stressed when I had answers and a plan in motion.

 

[tryn2Bamommy]

Im starting to get discouraged, im on cd 17 and my opk has still not turned positive. Does that mean the clomid didnt work ? Am i not ovulating?

 

[SPJD]

Do not get discouraged! It could mean a few things. Not everyone is able to test accurately with opk's. I know for my last cycle I tested a few times and couldn't get a positive result but then my day 21 blood work had confirmed I ovulated.

It could also mean that you haven't ovulated yet. Clomid has been known to shorten cycles, but also to lengthen them by causing a later ovulation.

The third option is that maybe you didn't ovulate this month, which means the doctor should have you on a higher dosage. My RE started me on 50mg and told me that if that didn't work they would bump me up to 100mg. So although it would be a bummer for this cycle if you did not ovulate, there is still a solution for next month. But it is too soon to know for sure yet. You could very well have ovulated and you just don't know it yet!

You must have blood work scheduled? Have you been doing the BD? Don't wait for the opk + . My RE has me BD on every other day for the entire window of time I could be ovulating so that I don't miss the window of opportunity but also to keep my DH's sperm levels at a good level. (every day is too much for his levels)

Don't fret about the neg. opk's - it doesn't mean that you haven't O'd or that you won't. Your progesterone levels are really the most accurate way of knowing whether or not you ovulated. In the meanwhile, have fun with the BD'ing!

 

[plsBpositive]

With mine, I got positive opk on CD 10,11 and now another positive on CD16. I'm just assuming that CD 10 and 11 were false positive.. Did you guys experience false positive on prior cycles with clomid?

@ Tryn2bamommy maybe clomid lengthen your cycle? That's why you haven't ovulated yet. Just keep testing.

Baby dust to all of us!

 

[tryn2Bamommy]

Thanks guys. My test finally turned positve later that night when i randomly took one at 10pm. I have my bloodwork in two days so i guess we will see. My doctor said bd cd 12 14 and 16 good thing ive been bd every other day since cd 10 and im not stopping til my appointment or else i would have missed it. How is everyone else doing so far?

 

[plsBpositive]

i wasnt feeling well last night and just out of curiousity, i used the cheapie pregnancy test. I saw a barely visible line that i think are evap lines. I know it's too early to test yet so it should have been an Evap Line.

I need to hide those test packs so i wouldn't be tempted to test! how do you guys tell yourselves to not test before missed period?

 

[SPJD]

waiting to test is the worst! I limit myself to 2 tests only (to test for pregnancy that is) and wait until i've reached CD28. last month - my first cycle with clomid and actually ovulating - AF showed up early but it started very light so I tested anyway. I am not sure what advice I can give you to not test so frequently - I think it just boils down to patience and setting a limit for yourself.

Plsbpositive - keep us posted on your testing! What CD are you?

Tryn2 - glad to see you had your confirmed o test! I have only used opk's once before, so I can't tell you if false positives are common. did you do any more research on this?

Update on me - currently CD 13 and have my b/w and u/s appt tomorrow to see how things are progressing. I am fairly confident that I haven't ovulated yet cause I am feeling the same pains/cramps on the left side as I did last cycle (caused by the growing follicles). Once they release the pain is gone - or at least that's how it felt last month.

Still have 2 weeks to go...

 

[MaybeBaby1013]

Can I join too? I'm starting my first cycle of provera and clomid after they come in the mail. My medical insurance does not cover ANY fertility treatments or tests but my gyno did say she wanted me to try provera and clomid so I ordered it on my own. No lectures please. I'm taking the lowest doses they sold in order to be as careful as possible. And if I have ANY funny symptoms I will go straight to the gyno.

I'm trying via at home insemimation, my future baby daddy is gay so no baby dancing for us (what a shame, he's a hottie! Lol).

I too have my fingers crossed for a first cycle BFP but I'm not going to stress about it.

Edit: I forgot to add that when I had better medical I was diagnosed with PCOS and the RE recommended clomid too.

 

[plsBpositive]

hi maybebaby! the more the merrier

SDJD, I'm currently on CD 18. I've been experiencing intermittent cramps, back pains and stuffy nose since CD 16. I might contact the nurse to advise them about this for I'm not being thoroughly monitored by them, just the regular progesterone bloodwork on CD21. I was not expecting these side effects on low dose clomid.

tryn2b, update us on how your blood work goes.

Are you ladies experiencing any side effects with clomid?

Baby dust to us all!