6 Cycles of Clomid, Then What?

[sammyttc]

Hey ladies,

I am expecting AF any time now, and will be starting my 6th cycle of clomid (100mg). I am seeing my RE at the end of August, but am just trying to prepare myself for what might be coming. What have your experiences been after 6 rounds of clomid? We have been ttc unsuccessfully for 2 years in August, and have had one loss... so I realize completely some of you have been through so much more and likely know what's coming next for me....

 

[Bea1986]

Hi Sammy, are you in the uk? I don't think the NHS offers much else other than clomid and IVF.

Is it unexplained infertility? I have been ttc for 2 years as well.

I have just finished my 6th round of clomid as well and was told we would have IVF after that. However, i did get bfp on last cycle but unfortunately had chemical. We are going to discuss where we go from here, but they are offering me more clomid if we want to carry on.

Was your loss on clomid?

 

[sammyttc]

Hey Bea,

It is unexplained. And my loss was on clomid.. I live in Canada. I feel a little in the dark, I'm a very long term planner and I feel like my RE is very good at what she does but only talks in the short term so I never know what's coming next. I feel like they will likely refer me to the reproductive therapy clinic to look into IUI or IVF.

Very sorry to hear about your chemical. Nice to hear from someone in such similar shoes

 

[Bea1986]

I'm really sorry for your loss

I know what you mean about feeling a bit in the dark, mine is the same generally, they only like to talk about the current course of action, but I pushed her to know when IVF would be coming in to play and she said 3 months of clomid, hsg, then 3 more months of clomid. Then IVF.

i'm going to see her again this week to discuss more clomid. I just feel like if I managed to get pregnant on the clomid, i want to give that a bit more of a chance before IVF.

Do you have Femara in Canada? I've spoken to a few ladies on here with unexplained who have taken it. Its similar to clomid, but sounds better in that it doesn't thin the uterine lining. We don't have it in the UK.

Its nice to chat to someone in a similar position to me as well. I really hope they talk you through your options soon so you know whats going on x

 

[sammyttc]

So have you had an hsg already at all?

I did my hsg and THEN started these 6 months of clomid. So interesting how its different for everyone. I looked up Femara, and it looks like it is mainly prescribed here for ladies with early breast cancer? I'll be interested to hear what she says at my next appointment! I know I need to start figuring out finances for IVF... oy.

 

[Bea1986]

Yes I had HSG after 3 months of clomid and was given the all clear. I do think that it was best in your case how you had the HSG first. Clomid although given quite freely is still an emotional rollercoaster not to be taken lightly.

Yes its the same over here, it is not licensed here for fertility, only as a breast cancer treatment drug.

I don't know if they will give me more clomid because of the risks, but the nurse did mention it on the phone so i am hoping they will. IVF is my last resort if it gets to that, i'm making lots of lifestlyle changes as well. I'm convinced my newly vegan diet was a factor in my BFP.

Would you consider more clomid or are you more for the idea of IVF now?

I hope you get some answers soon.

 

[sammyttc]

Hey Bea,

Yeah I agree ivf is a last resort for myself as well. I just don't know when I've gotten to my last resort.
I'm not sure at all if she'll prescribe more clomid
To me or not...I'll be interested to hear about yours!! Iam a little nervous about what it is doing to my body in the long term as well.

 

[Bea1986]

Hi, Same here, we don't really know what is was doing to us. Also did you find the side effects seemed to get worse the longer you were on it? its my appointment on Friday, i will let you know what they say

 

[sammyttc]

Side effects for me seemed pretty bad throughout !!! I had major hotflashes, and my periods became shorter, but so much heavier and so much more painful.

So I can't wait to hear after Friday!

 

[907]

Hi everyone!
I am new to posting but have been reading on here for years.
I have been pregnant 5 times with only 1 healthy little boy, who is our whole world.
I have been taking clomid 100mg days 5-9, and had my 24 day progesterone test yesterday. The nurse accidentally ordered a blood pregnancy test instead , which came up negative. So, I went back to the hospital to have my progesterone level drawn and got the results this morning....... 260.2!!!!!!!!!! Very concerning to me, but my doctor says there's nothing to worry about. What in the world would cause my progesterone to be so high with a negative pregnancy test? Has anyone experienced something similar?

 

[Bea1986]

Hi 902, I'm not sure about what scale your progesterone was measured on, i only know that they look at over 15 on the scale that my FS uses for a good post ovulation level on a clomid cycle. I wouldn't worry if they aren't concerned about it. Also remember you are not out until AF shows up, it may have been too early for a positive blood result.

 

[Bea1986]

Hi Sammy,
I'm sorry you had such bad side effects, i know what you mean about the hot flashes, they are horrible.

I just got back from my appointment and thought i'd let you know how it went.

They told me that they now recommend me to have IVF. They said that they believe that would be my best chance to succeed. I personally do not feel ready to go down that track just yet. Mainly because I did manage to get pregnant on the clomid and that has given me hope, but also because I have made some really good lifestyle changes recently (teetotal, absolutely no caffeine, vegetarian and dairy free diet and regular fertility yoga) and i believe that is why i managed to get pregnant.
They have given me 3 more months of clomid, but they did warn me that they would not give me any more. They said you are only allowed 9-12 months of clomid in a whole lifetime.
I have an appointment in 3 months time in November to discuss IVF with only a 4-6 week wait before it would begin, so this means we would start it in January.
I am pretty happy with this outcome. I do not think i would cope very well with the IVF procedure as I am quite a stressy person, so i need to know its my last resort before i go ahead.

When is your next FS appointment? What do you want to do? Remember it is your choice in the end and you are entitled to have a say in your treatment. x

 

[Plex]

heya

All i can give is my experience -

I did 12 rounds of clomid. 6 months of 100mg + ovitrelle trigger shot then 6 months of 150mg + trigger shot. My consultant said it would be ok. I think generally speaking the next route on nhs is iui's but in my opinion if medication plus timed intercourse isnt working then iui may not be for you. I jumped straight from clomid to IVF. I do have multiple factors causing problems for us though. Each case is different though and it all depends on what feels right for you and what ur RE says. I wish u the best of luck hun xx

 

[sammyttc]

Hey Bea!

Thanks so much for filling me in !!!

Ok. So I am super glad you are happy with the outcome. That sounds like it went very well. 3 more months must feel promising, and then to know right after you have a plan in place should that not be successful sounds perfect to me.

Your life style changes sound great !! Tell me about fertility yoga!! I LOVE yoga and practice daily, but don't know almost anything about fertility yoga. Is there a yoga studio in your area that does it or do you practice on your own?

As for me, my appointment is on August 27th (wait times are ridic here, in my opinion). I will be interested to hear what she suggests for me at this point. I am not sure what I want with clomid. The 9-12 month lifetime limit is something I had heard before, and as someone who ultimately hopes for more than one child, should I be considering that? It's hard for me to consider that because right now it would just be AMAZING to have one, and who knows what my situation will be in terms of fertility if I were to have a successful pregnancy and then want another child. Plus, I too did get pregnant while on clomid...

Then by that same token I am not sure I am ready for IVF. I laughed when you said you are a stressy person, because I would describe myself that same way. I know IVF would take its toll on me, and I am not sure how it would work logistically with my job. I know it would be sooooooo worth it if it worked, though. It's so much to think about.

 

[sammyttc]

Thanks Plex! Good to hear about your experience as well.

I am definitely anxious to hear what my RE says...

 

[Plex]

I think its the not knowing whats next i find the worst. At least once youve had ur consult then you know whats what and where u will be going form here on in. Do you have a long list of questions to ask them when u go? xx

 

[Bea1986]

Hi Plex, thank you for sharing your experience, it is always interesting to read how other people get to the stage of IVF. I see you have a journal, i will pop over in a min


Hi Sammy, thanks I am happy with the outcome. I was worried and really nervous at the appointment because I didn't think they were going to take my opinion on board, they seemed a lot more for the IVF straight away, but I'm pleased they didn't mind giving me a bit more clomid.
I am also concerned about what will happen if we ever try to conceive baby number 2, if we are ever lucky enough to have baby number 1 I will have exhausted all my clomid options and will only be left with IVF which I will have to pay for as NHS won't fund it if you already have a child. I guess I will have to worry about that if and when the time goes.
Its really nice to talk to you as we seem to have a lot of similarities with the unexplained and getting pregnant on clomid and now we are at a similar point in the process. It will be really interesting to hear what your FS says on the 27th of August.

I am also really worried about how IVF would fit around my job, I'd say that is causing me more stress than the actual physical side of the treatment. I work very long days and they are not very flexible. I have spoken to my husband and we have agreed that I will ask work for a month off work unpaid, i just dont know whether I would have to tell them the full reason or not, i really don't want to.

As for the fertility yoga, I LOVE it. I have done some Ashtanga before in a class at the wellness clinic where I work but this fertility yoga is a DVD. Its a form of flow yoga by Mercedes Ngoh. It is very relaxing and she focuses on positions which are good for increasing flow and vitality to the uterus. There is also a guided mediation on there which I try to do as often as possible to relax and remain positive. I am really enjoying it.

I think the problem with the NHS and with western medicine today is that they are not open to anything alternative other than drugs/ intervention. Never once have I been advised on how my diet or lifestyle can affect my fertility. What sort of yoga do you enjoy? I would certainly recommend Mercedes DVD. x

 

[sammyttc]

Hey Bea!

The more I hear the more similarities between us I see!!

So, there, IVF is funded for your first child? Here it is completely out of pocket, so that is definitely weighing on my decision too. Obviously it's a huge investment (One I am more than willing to make) but still need to figure out finances!!

The whole work thing is SO stressful. Disclosure is something I really struggle with. I HATE taking time off, and rarely do, and always feel the need to justify. I feel like I would probably have to explain just for my own peace of mind, however, it really is not what I want! I'll cross that bridge when I get to it, I guess. I am currently on summer holidays (I'm a teacher) but I know as soon as I get back into it my life will be consumed again.

I agree with you on Western Medicine. Have you tried any alternative treatments like acupuncture? I did it for about 4 months maybe 6 cycles into our attempts, and it really helped regulate my cycles I found.

I'm going to definitely look at those DVDs. I practice usually heated yoga at a local studio.... mostly vinyasa, sometimes power yoga. The fertility practice sounds so good though. I'm excited to try something new.

 

[Bea1986]

Hi Sammy, we definitely do sound quite similar

Yes funding is available in my area for 2 cycles of IVF, as long as neither partner has any children, neither partner smokes, both partner BMI is below 30 and other criteria, luckily we meet all the criteria. Where are you from?

I know what you mean, IVF is so expensive privately, but its like you said it is definitely worth the investment. I can't think of anything better in the whole world to spend your hard earned savings on. We will definitely pay for it if we need any more than what is offered.

I also really hate taking time off. I sympathise with your situation being a teacher, my sister is a teacher and I know how full on and stressful it can be. Also working in a tight team environment its hard to not get talked about. I understand you feeling the need to justify and explain time off as well, i am the same. I have a very friendly relationship with my boss but I still don't want them knowing my most private things. I am quite a private person, I don't talk about my struggles, and it even took me ages to tell my parents about it.

I have certainly considered acupuncture, I have just been put off by the costs of it and would rather save for the IVF instead in case I need to start paying for it. I'm glad it started regulating your cycles. Have you tried anything else? Herbs/supplements? Dietary changes?

I really think you would like the DVD, its all Fertility Flow Yoga by Mercedes Ngoh, it is a form of Vinyasa yoga so i think you would really enjoy it. The guided mediation is on the same dvd, you just select on the menu which one you feel like doing. The mediation is so relaxing and positive, I like to burn lavender oil and lie down listening to it.

 

[sammyttc]

Hi Bea,

We're from Canada. Some provinces have funded fertility support, but unfortunately where we live, we are not so fortunate!

It took us a long time to tell my parents about it as well, and even still, my husbands parents don't know at all. A few close friends, but other than that, we're it !

When I was going to acupuncture they actually gave me some herbs/ supplements to help support fertility, Don Quai being the one I still take to support healthy cycles. Acupuncture is definitely expensive, but I also found it was becoming somewhat of a stress in my life. It was a bit of a distance from my house and I had to go 4 times a week. I found I was constantly rushing to acupuncture, which I really didn't need any added stress!! What supplements if any do you take? I also of course do folic acid, and I usually try to get my omega 3 through diet, but occassionally will take a supplement if I feel like I haven't been cutting it! I also this cycle am trying evening primrose oil until ovulation as my cm was altered from clomid.

I am a very careful eater anyway (mostly fresh, clean foods), and have never had caffeine or anything in my life, so I basically just made more of a commitment to making certain I was exercising daily. On this long road I found out along the way I have hypothyroidism so my metabolism is like the slowest, I really have to be mindful not only about what I am eating but also WHEN I am eating it to maintain an ok metabolic rate!

I found the DVD and ordered it and in the meantime found a sequence on youtube. I am excited