Advice please: Clomid Cycle 10

[His Princess]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping that somebody can help shed some light on my current situation, as I'm going stir crazy.

I've been taking 50mg of Clomid for the past 10 months and my cycles have been fairly regular (between 31-33 days). Although my FS put me on a 12 month course, at this point, I had given up hope of it working and was looking forward to starting IVF once the 12 months was up. However, I'm now 4 days late (CD37) and despite taking a test yesterday (which was negative), AF isn't showing any signs of appearing.

Has anyone experienced anything similar, whilst taking Clomid?

 

[Natashaa1]

Have you been testing for ovulation? Could be that you just ovulated late?

 

[Plex]

heya hun I had this in march this year, had a 50day cycle (9th Round) cos I hadnt ov'd. I arranged a meeting with my Consultant and she agreed to let me move on to ivf. I think it wud be best for u to contact ur doc so that they can maybe do a blood test to check progesterone and to see if ur preggers Hope u get some answer hun xx

 

[His Princess]

Thank you for you responses ladies, it is much appreciated.

I can't say with 100% certainty that I ov'd, as the hospital only tested my progesterone levels for the first 3 months and the level was always fine on the same day of each month. I stopped doing the home OPK's as it got to a point where my DH and I were allowing TTC to become the sole focus of everything. However, I did have the usual OV systems around the usual time, so I assumed that I had ov'd as in previous months.

I'm going to give my consultant a call tomorrow. Fingers crossed, she can put my mind at rest x

 

[Ss83]

jeez a 12 month cycle? my clinic won't go past 6 months as it increases your risk of ovarian cancer? are you being monitored?

 

[PinkPeony]

...Plus your lining could get really thin. Are they checking that?

 

[His Princess]

Apparently, a 12 month cycle is normal on the NHS. I'm guessing it's because it's the cheapest option. I had my bloods taken for the first 3 months to measure my Progesterone level, but that was it in terms of monitoring.

I had a pretty rough time of it during my last cycle too. My period lasted 2 weeks and I had severe abdominal pain. I did take myself to A&E whilst down in London at a work event but the doctor I saw wasn't much help.

Anyhow, I called my consultant on Thursday afternoon and he was really helpful. He booked me an urgent appointment for Thursday of this week and has told me not to take anymore Clomid. I'm just crossing my fingers that there's nothing seriously wrong! Thanks for your responses ladies x

Edited to add that AF did eventually arrive on CD40.

 

[popchick75]

12 months is definitely a lot! It's pretty normal to only allow 6 here in the US. They definitely should be monitoring you by ultrasound. Thin lining is only one of the reasons why! What if the clomid is thinning your lining out so much that implantation would be impossible? All 12 months would have been for nothing.....

 

[His Princess]

Like I say; I think a 12 month unmonitored cycle may be fairly standard of NHS treatment in England. I have spoken up others on here that have been in the same position.

I've had 2 ultrasounds since I've been taking them but again, that was in the first 3 months. The second scan was only a follow up to check that the hemorrhagic cyst that they detected the first time around had dispersed on its own. I was aware of the associated cervical cancer risks of taking it, period. As well as potential over stimulation of the ovaries etc. However, they never mentioned anything about thinning of yur lining etc. I'm genuinely quite scared now! This is going to be one hell of a long week!

 

[popchick75]

It doesn't happen in everyone, but it does happen. Here is a copy and paste from another site (not sure if we can't post links or not) about how/why it thins out the lining:

"Since Clomid is an antiestrogen, using it can cause a blockage in the stimulation of estrogen on the endometrium (lining of the uterus). Clomid has two parts or isomers. Upon cessation of taking the drug, one of the isomers leaves the body within a week while the other one remains, acting as an anti-estrogen, for up to six weeks. When Clomid is used for more than three months in a row, the anti-estrogen isomer build-up causes thinning of the uterine lining. In this way, Clomid acts as a type of contraceptive, regardless of ovarian response. In order to eliminate all of the antiestrogen isomer from the system, it is important to discontinue use of Clomid for at least six weeks."

 

[PinkPeony]

Like I say; I think a 12 month unmonitored cycle may be fairly standard of NHS treatment in England. I have spoken up others on here that have been in the same position.

I've had 2 ultrasounds since I've been taking them but again, that was in the first 3 months. The second scan was only a follow up to check that the hemorrhagic cyst that they detected the first time around had dispersed on its own. I was aware of the associated cervical cancer risks of taking it, period. As well as potential over stimulation of the ovaries etc. However, they never mentioned anything about thinning of yur lining etc. I'm genuinely quite scared now! This is going to be one hell of a long week!

Try not to worry too much. Once you stop using it, it gets out of your system pretty quick.