Clomid Buddies (moved to LTTTC board)

[sarah2211]

Congrats 2much.

Joy, we are having the same conversation here too. Is IUI going to be worth it? You can get 5-6 IUIs for the price of 1 round of IVF here. I guess it comes down to looking at the statistics of it all.

Belle, I'm not too worried about twins but no more than that. But part of me thinks there's nothing to worry about. I had a high progesterone level last cycle and read from other women that with levels that high they had released 2-3 eggs. If I released 2-3 eggs and still none of them got fertilised then I'm thinking it's probably not going to be an issue for us. IVF has a lower chance of multiples because they can choose how many to put back in. My (kind of ) friend, who I knew had been dealing with infertility shared something on Facebook last night about infertility so I messaged her. She has unexplained and their doctor said it's either IUI and wait for public IVF or pay to get IVF privately. They're skipping IUI completely and going straight to IVF.

I said to DH last night that there's no way I'll be here this time next year and not already beginning the process for IVF (at the very least).

Rawan, I think that's definitely a good plan in the mean time. You can look at giving that plan a try while you prepare for IVF. I'm thinking of you and hope you're doing ok.


AFM, I'm on my 4th day of Clomid today. It's funny because my DH has been SO grumpy and he's trying to say that it's me and the Clomid.... I'm not even grumpy in the slightest. Nice try hubby!

 

[Nita2806]

2Much - So much happiness for you. Gratz

Norelisa - YAY, so happy to hear DH is taking the things you gave him, hope it stays that way

Sarah - It sounds like you are going through the same as I was a few weeks ago with DH saying just leave all the pills They don't understand that the pills are supposed to fix us I am glad you got him convinced to continue with it - luckily I did too. And my hubby also likes to blame me and the drugs when he is grumpy. I think it's just easier for them to do that than to admit they are the grumpy ones.

Rawan - thinking of you

AFM - I have a spa day with my mom and grandma today and tomorrow my 21 day blood test, and then the dreaded wait for the results.

Here's to hoping we get our BFP's for Christmas.

 

[sarah2211]

Nita, I think DH is just sick of me being so sad and frustrated by it all. He said he's worried about my headspace but honestly I'm fine. I'm just as annoyed and sad as anyone would be by all of this but as long as we are heading in the right direction. He just wants things to go back to how they were and he thinks giving up on everything will do that. He knows if I give up on Clomid then we have no chance. I think you're right about them blaming the drugs and us. It's easier. Have a lovely time with your mum and grandma. Good luck for your CD 21 test. Do you think you've ovulated?

Today is the first day of summer here and it's been a beautiful day here.

Also, just wondering if we do our three ovulating cycles of Clomid and we still aren't pregnant, is there any benefit to switching to Femara? Obviously if you have a thin lining and that's what's preventing the BFP then it might be a better option... but otherwise?

 

[Nita2806]

Nita, I think DH is just sick of me being so sad and frustrated by it all. He said he's worried about my headspace but honestly I'm fine. I'm just as annoyed and sad as anyone would be by all of this but as long as we are heading in the right direction. He just wants things to go back to how they were and he thinks giving up on everything will do that. He knows if I give up on Clomid then we have no chance. I think you're right about them blaming the drugs and us. It's easier. Have a lovely time with your mum and grandma. Good luck for your CD 21 test. Do you think you've ovulated?

Today is the first day of summer here and it's been a beautiful day here.

Also, just wondering if we do our three ovulating cycles of Clomid and we still aren't pregnant, is there any benefit to switching to Femara? Obviously if you have a thin lining and that's what's preventing the BFP then it might be a better option... but otherwise?

I really have no idea if I have Ovulated. I had some EWCM for 2 days which I didnt have my previous cycle on CD15/CD16 but it can also be that my body geared up for O and didnt. So I need to wait and not get my hopes up by too much.

I think it depends on each persons reasons for using Clomid. My Gyn said if I use Clomid for 3 ovulatory cycles and i dont get my BFP then she will start looking at DH if the issue is not with him, because other than not Ovulating my Gyn could not find anything else wrong with me.

 

[sarah2211]

Yeah I've had patchy CM on previous cycles. I'd get watery cm and then back to creamy and then back to watery. Did you feel anything that could be ovulation pain? I really hope you had ovulated. When you saw your doctor did they test you for PCOS or have any idea why you're not ovulating on your own? My DH had his SA before our first appointment. I'd really recommend they just do that for peace of mind. Maybe if you're still trying in a few months you might have some more luck at a fertility specialist/reproductive endocrinologist.

 

[Nita2806]

With the stomach bug and constant cramps I don't know if I had Ovulation pain but my bbs felt a bit uncomfortable on CD15 - CD17 - it felt the same way as when I took Provera.

I don't have PCOS - I stopped BCP and just didn't start to Ovulate again. I did Ovulate before BCP and had regular 30 - 32 day cycles before.

My doctor said its not necessary for DH to do any tests now, we just need to get me to start Ovualting again.

 

[Norelisa]

Ok.

So hubby will get the following tonight:

-multi vitamin that covers zinc, copper and folic acid ++
- Brazil nuts to cover selenium
- Vit D from the sun.. I guess
- a few squares of dark chocolate for magnesium
- Vit C 500 or 1000 mg

Not sure which other supplements to add, as there seems to be a looong list.. These f.ex are not in the multivit / or not nearly close to recommended daily dose..

- Vitamin E
- Co-enzyme Q10
- L-Carnitine
-EFA (essential fatty acids)
-*L-Arginine

Which to choose?!




Otherwise, I have requested an appointment for next week for my HSG. That way I'll know wether or not it's worth focusing on his problems or my problems
I'll also check if they think I might have PCOS, but after reading a lot about the hospital I am going to, they seem to be pretty familiar with PCOS and should have alerted me if they thought I had it.

I was a little worried about my heavy period pain, so I'll ask about that. However, after 2 weeks on progesterone, it still hurst, but not at all like it is usually! And AF is heavier than last time, phew!

 

[2much]

Congrats, 2much! So happy for you! Did you do trigger shot each cycle of clomid?

Yes, I did. We conceived on our second assisted cycle. We went straight to monitored cycles due to the length of time NTNP and then TTC.

In case this helps anyone:

How this cycle went:
-CD2 scan (to check for cysts)
-CD3-7 Clomid
-Prenate Ultra vitamins
-Vitamin E & extra Vitamin C, red raspberry tea - until O
-CD12 scan (two mature follicles: 22 and 24mm), lining 7.3 (improved from last month's 6.1)
-Ovidrel trigger on CD12 at RE's office
-Relevant BD timing: CD 10, 12, 13, 14

After trigger(t) and O:
-Tested 8dpt, BFN (to see if trigger was gone)
-Tested 10dpt, faint positive
-Tested 12dpt, positive
-14dpt HCG blood draw, 279
-16dpt is tomorrow, another HCG blood draw

First symptoms:
-Really sore chest tipped me off on 10dpt
-Extreme hunger/appetite 12dpt and continuing
-Fatigue hit around 10dpt, but Thanksgiving could be to blame

 

[Nita2806]

Norelisa - have you checked if there is not a multi vitamin that contains all those there? We have one here called staminogro and covers all those vitamins. DH takes one of those in the evenings and he gets all his vitamins in. I will try and attach a photo for you.

 

[Norelisa]

Norelisa - have you checked if there is not a multi vitamin that contains all those there? We have one here called staminogro and covers all those vitamins. DH takes one of those in the evenings and he gets all his vitamins in. I will try and attach a photo for you.

No, they don't have that I have been to five different pharmacies today with my list to check (no use in asking, as they don't speak English that well here..).. I might try to find something online, but being very patient (and rich) I wanted to get him something ASAP and not too expensive,haha I'll have a look if I can find it online for a reasonable price (I have had a look at a few others, but the shipping is really really expensive!! Often three times the price of the product!)

 

[Aphy]

Nita,we were using staminogro on advise from a friend who saw a fertility specialist. They recommended that DH and wife both take 4 capsules each every night. Apparently it helps with both sperm and egg quality somehow

 

[Nita2806]

Norelisa - it sucks that the pharmacies there cant help you. But I have to say the Staminogro that DH drinks is a bit more expensive than your everyday multi vitamins but it contains all the vitamins that they need.

Aphy - thanks for the advice, no idea it also helped for egg quality

 

[Norelisa]

Can't seem to find staminogro online, hmm.. Do you know if they ship or sell online at all? Can't get it on eBay here either.. I had to travel really far just to get conceive easy (like preseed).. So not much hope, just have to try to see if I can mix together enough vitamins..

Oh, poor hubby last night. So he dutifully eats his Brazil nuts and multi vitamin. He tells me that "the last Brazil nut tasted really bad". He had eaten his multivitamin without swallowing it, haha.. Poor guy was a little distracted..

 

[BelleNuit]

Well CD 4, AF is pretty well finished. Will be in my fertile week in a couple more days. Blows my mind how fast it all goes. Started the Chinese herbs for a second cycle. Here's to hoping we'll get lucky soon. Im so tired of all this and it's only been a year I don't know how I'll find the energy to do this for another year if it takes that long

 

[sarah2211]

I'm CD 7. Last Clomid tablet tonight and AF finished today. DH is away until CD 11 so hopefully I'll ovulate around the same time as last cycle. I haven't been taking vitamin C like I did last cycle so it might be interesting to see if that has any impact. Belle, it does go quick, especially for me in comparison to my other cycles! DH couldn't believe I had a 29 day cycle. I completely understand what you mean about doing this longer than a year. I can't even picture me pregnant or us with a baby anymore. The focus isn't on having a baby, it's about infertility.

Belle, also, I was going to tell you about a friend of a friend who I've been chatting too. She has unexplained infertility and they've been trying for 2 years and they're doing IVF in the next year. They haven't tried any treatment, just expectant management. Their doctor offered them IUI or IVF and they chose IVF.

 

[Rawan]

Sarah-I read in one post you mentioned that that the money spent for IUI might be better used for IVF since IUI doesn't increase the chance that much?

 

[sarah2211]

Thanks Rawan. That's what I'm wondering. I've also read that the first cycle of IUI gives you the best chance and then after that the odds diminish. I'm not sure if my doctor will jump to IVF this quick though.

 

[Nita2806]

Can't seem to find staminogro online, hmm.. Do you know if they ship or sell online at all? Can't get it on eBay here either.. I had to travel really far just to get conceive easy (like preseed).. So not much hope, just have to try to see if I can mix together enough vitamins..

Oh, poor hubby last night. So he dutifully eats his Brazil nuts and multi vitamin. He tells me that "the last Brazil nut tasted really bad". He had eaten his multivitamin without swallowing it, haha.. Poor guy was a little distracted..

It seems like Staminogro is a South African product So I doubt you will be able to ship it or get it.

 

[BelleNuit]

Thanks Sarah, I think everyone's journey with unexplained is different. We won't consider IVF until after 2 years, but we will try 1-2 IUIs around June

 

[Nita2806]

Hi ladies, i would like to share an experience with you. I went for my 21 day blood test today and it was absolutely horrible. I told the nurse about my fear for needles and she just didnt care. She had drawn the blood from my hand and not my arm as I asked and she left the needle inside me and told me to look at it, she basicly made fun of me. So yeah, my fear for needles just got bigger today.