Clomid round 2 anyone? :)

[MollyNorwood]

What's new me ladies?

I tested today( neg( gutted.

Seeing my Doc tomorrow, see what he says the steps are.

Im so sorry Crosby
Do you think you will do another Clomid/ Trigger shot cycle? Let us know what your doc says tomorrow.
With me i am STILL spotting on and off but preg tests all neg. So I am still waiting for AF to show up properly so I can begin round two of clomid. I just want to start again I wish it would hurry up!
I've just started getting rid of processed sugar from my diet and excersising more so that can only help pur chances. The past month I have also cut almost all alcohol from my diet too, as I used to drink a bit every weekend with friends so now I will just have water. Its annoying how we have to make these sorts of changes in an attempt to get pg, where the world is full of alcohol and drug abusers who fall pg with unwanted children and we are the ones who deserve them.
Frustration breeds anger for me on this subject!
Elphabaa have you got the blood results from your doc yet? I still have to see my doc but appointment isnt until April 16th...how dare he go on holidays! lol. I had my blood test a few days later than the 21 reccommended days because i wasnt convinced I actually O'd. Im still not but my FF chart picked up that i did so we will see. Fx !!!!

 

[Wubbles81]

Hey girls, well I am on CD 16 my opk's aren't picking up anything now they were around cd 12 ..... So maybe I O'd early? I have had some very severe hot flashes and mood swings this round. Also the acne is back ..... Literally all over my back neck face and even scalp! I had a temp spike on day 12, not sure if its because I O'd or because I had the flu. Either way flu or not my DH wasn't really into it because I was sick but I made him bd with me! Not sure about my opk's they are the cheapy dollar store ones, my first time using this kind(but the regular ones are sooooo expensive) but my second line went from faint to a little darker but never got as dark as the control line. God I hope it worked ..... Not sure how many more rounds I have in me.

 

[J_Lynn]

I start clomid round #3 tomorrow - days 3, 4, and 5. I will be getting another trigger shot this month also. Here's hoping that 3rd times a charm??

 

[Elphabaa77]

Hey girls, well I am on CD 16 my opk's aren't picking up anything now they were around cd 12 ..... So maybe I O'd early? I have had some very severe hot flashes and mood swings this round. Also the acne is back ..... Literally all over my back neck face and even scalp! I had a temp spike on day 12, not sure if its because I O'd or because I had the flu. Either way flu or not my DH wasn't really into it because I was sick but I made him bd with me! Not sure about my opk's they are the cheapy dollar store ones, my first time using this kind(but the regular ones are sooooo expensive) but my second line went from faint to a little darker but never got as dark as the control line. God I hope it worked ..... Not sure how many more rounds I have in me.

Wubbles, visit Amazon's website and search for Wondfo Ovulation strips. You can get a ton of them for super cheap! I got 50 OPKs and 20 pregnancy strips for around $20. That lasted me from last August up until this cycle, time to order some more!

 

[Elphabaa77]

Molly - I actually went in for the blood work first thing this morning. I was a little confused on if I needed to go in 7 days after my positive ovulation strip or 7 days after my temp spike. They call it a 7 dpo test a lot of the time, so I opted that first thing this morning was my best bet. Yesterday was 6 dpo. The lab girl said my doctor should have my results this afternoon. So they may call me today or early Monday.


I have been skeptical that Clomid 50mg did anything for me at all, since I still ovulated when I normally do. However, I am not beginning to wonder if it did not help my follicle to grow bigger and better. I was not monitored, so I have no real way of knowing. All I know is that my temps on average have ran about 1-2 degrees higher than my prior cycles and my boobs are not sore in the slightest! My boobs are ALWAYS sore by 7 dpo, and the only thing I notice this time around is a bit of itchiness. So I am thinking maybe the 50mg was not quite enough, but that to say it did 'nothing' would be inaccurate.

I am wondering if my OBGYN will up the does to 100mg for my next cycle. I think it's pretty safe to say I ovulated, but I typically always do. (at least since late 2009 when my cycles actually started to show up on a regular basis after losing 80 lbs. I gained the weight back, but the cycles still show up every 36-40 days) So I wonder if she will say 50mg is enough because I obviously ovulated... but I thought the goal was to ovulate sooner than day 26 of your cycle. Everything I read says Clomid should make you ovulate withing 5-10 days of your last dose. It did not do that for me. I guess we'll see! I am also anxious to see if Clomid extends my luteal phase! Normally it is only 11-12 days, but my OBGYN (and me) has suspected that I have a luteal phase defect.

Not very optimistic that I will get a BFP, but I think after months and months of getting your hopes up, the optimism just goes away. Of course I want to be, but not getting my hopes up makes things easier I guess. So I am already thinking about Clomid and my next cycle.

to all of you ladies!

 

[J_Lynn]

Molly - I actually went in for the blood work first thing this morning. I was a little confused on if I needed to go in 7 days after my positive ovulation strip or 7 days after my temp spike. They call it a 7 dpo test a lot of the time, so I opted that first thing this morning was my best bet. Yesterday was 6 dpo. The lab girl said my doctor should have my results this afternoon. So they may call me today or early Monday.


I have been skeptical that Clomid 50mg did anything for me at all, since I still ovulated when I normally do. However, I am not beginning to wonder if it did not help my follicle to grow bigger and better. I was not monitored, so I have no real way of knowing. All I know is that my temps on average have ran about 1-2 degrees higher than my prior cycles and my boobs are not sore in the slightest! My boobs are ALWAYS sore by 7 dpo, and the only thing I notice this time around is a bit of itchiness. So I am thinking maybe the 50mg was not quite enough, but that to say it did 'nothing' would be inaccurate.

I am wondering if my OBGYN will up the does to 100mg for my next cycle. I think it's pretty safe to say I ovulated, but I typically always do. (at least since late 2009 when my cycles actually started to show up on a regular basis after losing 80 lbs. I gained the weight back, but the cycles still show up every 36-40 days) So I wonder if she will say 50mg is enough because I obviously ovulated... but I thought the goal was to ovulate sooner than day 26 of your cycle. Everything I read says Clomid should make you ovulate withing 5-10 days of your last dose. It did not do that for me. I guess we'll see! I am also anxious to see if Clomid extends my luteal phase! Normally it is only 11-12 days, but my OBGYN (and me) has suspected that I have a luteal phase defect.

Not very optimistic that I will get a BFP, but I think after months and months of getting your hopes up, the optimism just goes away. Of course I want to be, but not getting my hopes up makes things easier I guess. So I am already thinking about Clomid and my next cycle.

to all of you ladies!

I think the clomid making you o 5-10 days after taking it sounds about right .... why is your dr not wanting to do ultrasounds to check your follies around day 10 of your cycle? I get ultrasounds on day 10 and 12 to see if they're big enough - then I get a trigger shot if I have one over 2cm.

I don't think the 50mg is doing anything for me, either. Next month if I don't have strong progesterone levels during the week after the trigger shot - he will be raising it. He said he doesn't want to go overboard becuase if I have too many good follies that I will end up as Octomom LMAO

 

[Elphabaa77]

JLynn- Are you seeing a Reproductive Endocrinologist? I am still just with my OBGYN, mainly because I need a little time for my health savings account to recover from my $1,000 HSG test in February. She works pretty closely with the Fertility Specialist/RE that I will end up seeing. He is actually the one who did my HSG test. I am 'guessing' she doesn't do the ultrasound monitoring mainly because she is not an RE. I know some OBGYN's will, but since I already know she will not prescribe Femara in place of Clomid (said I would need to be referred to RE for that) then I am guessing if I want ultrasound monitoring and trigger shots, she will also want me to go to the RE. She did tell me we can keep this as laid back or go as aggressive as I want to. She also said she would refer me to the RE whenever I feel it is time. She mentioned Clomid and IUI when I mentioned sometimes my hubby has trouble 'finishing' when we have sex back-to-back days. So I am really not sure I guess? If she could do IUI, then certainly she would be monitoring my follicles and doing a trigger shot?

She did mention that the first cycle of Clomid is a lot about getting to know how my body works and such. Maybe she will change what she wants me to have done next cycle. I should know relatively soon. When they call with my blood work results, if it isn't the ignorant, misinforming nurse who calls me, I may ask then. Or I will ask on cycle day 1 when I call for my Clomid prescription for next cycle.

My personal goal is to give Clomid 3 cycles, then ask for the referral to the RE. That gives me some time to replenish my Health Savings Account so I can pay the RE. 'His' fee for my HSG test was $260, so I kind of hate to see how much he charges for regular appointments. I have high deductible insurance, so my insurance will not pay anything (let alone infertility related stuff) until I hit a $3,000 deductible. Sad part is, my $1,000 HSG did not even apply to my $3,000 deductible.

 

[J_Lynn]

Ugh! That's horrible! Insurance is a giant pain sometimes

My OB/GYN is also a fertility specialist - so maybe I lucked out. I go to a woman-specific specialty clinic, and he is my general doctor - I go to him for everything since so much can have an effect on fertility, if I even had a sinus infection I go to him to make sure he knows what medications I take lol

Yeah, clomid is just all about finding the right "code" for your body - that's why some people take it on days 4,5,6,7 or 6,7,8,9 or 3,4,5, etc - it's just all about what days/dosage works for you. My doctor will have me do clomid for at least 6 months - I have an appointment again next Thursday and we are going to come up with a long-term plan and I will know exactly what his ideas for the future are if the clomid does not work. He is REALLY positive about it though, with all the issues I've had and all the surgeries I've had he didn't actually think that I would be so responsive to the clomid. So that makes me happy - when hes positive, I'm positive.

I wouldn't trade him for the worldddd.

What is the difference between the femera and the clomid? I would think they're all the same thing pretty much? I'll have to ask my doctor about that.

 

[Elphabaa77]

Femara and Clomid work very similarly toward the same purpose. The difference is, Fermara does not appear to thin the uterine lining like Clomid can nor does it dry up cervical mucus like Clomid can. Femara also leaves your body quickly after taking it and it typically gone from your body completely by the time conception occurs. Clomid is 'mostly' gone, but has parts that can linger up to 90 days. Femara is not FDA approved for fertility at this point, mostly it is for suppressing estrogen in women with breast cancer since the estrogen causes breast cancer to progress. However, it is widely known in the medical world for helping women conceive that were previously considered Clomid-resistant. Since a high percentage of PCOS women are Clomid resistant, a lot of doctors will just prescribe Femara instead. Femara has been proven to induce ovulation in PCOS women who did no ovulate on the maximum dose of Clomid. Overall, just a better track record for PCOS women. Some OBGYN's will prescribe it, but mine won't. She said I have to go to the FS for it. I do not think it is because she is against it, I think it is because she does not know enough about it and does not feel comfortable. I have a friend with PCOS and her OBGYN said the first thing they will try is Femara. Of course, I have also read there are a lot of OBGYNs AND Fertility Specialists who will not prescribe Femara to a patient since it is not FDA approved for fertility. Hard telling where your doctor lies on the matter until you ask them.

If you do not have annovulatory or irregular cycles, chances are you will probably see the same results with Femara as you do Clomid. But in annovulatory women (women who do not get a period and do not ovulate without medical intervention) the statistics are good. I am no longer annovulatory (since 2009) but I am in the class of 'irregular' since my cycles are greater than 35 days. They come every 36-38 days with a very late ovulation. So Femara could very well be what I need and Clomid could be a waste.

But just like with Clomid, you can only be on Femara for a limited amount of time (some say 6 cycles, some say 12 cycles) before the risk of ovarian cancer increases. It also has the risk of ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome, so symptoms need to be monitored. The risk of multiples is less with Femara. I think I read you have approximately a 1% chance of twins whereas with Clomid the risk is 10% for twins. Other high order multiples carry about the same risk as a natural conception would. Femara is often used with a trigger shot as well. The generic name for Femara is letrazole.

So there is a little more background on Femara. Mostly what I have researched about it in the past year.

I wish I only had 1 doctor! I have my general practitioner who is the one who started me on Metformin for my PCOS. Then I started seeing my OBGYN last summer, and she recommended Pregnitude (supplement) for my PCOS. It works similar to Metformin, but she pretty much just went with what my general practitioner said on the Metformin. It would probably make more sense for my OBGYN to give me the Metformin. So I have to see both doctors to maintain my fertility meds. Then add to it that I had the FS do my HSG test, and he had to confer with my OBGYN. There are just a LOT of doctors here! It gets confusing and often makes me wonder if there are not further tests that should be run, but my OBGYN just assumes my GP did them or vice versa? I think when I do go to the FS, I am probably going to talk to him about having him monitor all PCOS and fertility related prescriptions and tests! Then there is no question!

 

[Crosby]

Wishing you all the best girls!
I'm gonna take a break next month. Meanwhile I will stalk you here

 

[Elphabaa77]

I just got completely blown away when my OBGYN's office called with my progesterone test results. I was seriously waiting for her to say 'all is good, you ovulated!' Instead she said it came back at 7.5 and my gut sunk. She did not have to tell me that it needs to be 10 or higher, I already knew. So the Clomid for sure did not work at 50mg. The dumb nurse even used the term 'you did not ovulate.' Of course, this nurse I have had ongoing issue with. She has misinformed me before and has contradicted what my OBGYN told me as well. So I am thinking she did not say that right! I mean, look at my chart? Look at all my charts! I have a definitely temp shift and AF always comes 11-12 days after my positive OPK. Even my OBGYN told me it looked like I ovulate when she saw my charts in January. I am just probably ovulating immature little eggs from immature little follicles which would be to blame for the low progesterone. I have seen annovulatory charts and they never look like mine! No where close!

My OBGYN mentioned concern at my 11-12 day luteal phases back in January. She said that could indicate a progesterone issue, but she never said it indicated that I never actually ovulated.

Anyhow, I will be moving on to 100mg next month. I asked if I needed progesterone supplementation but she said that is the worst thing we could do right now. If I were to supplement next cycle, then my progesterone level could come back as normal when it really is not. Then they would not know to increase the Clomid. She did follow that with telling me that I should take a pregnancy test Friday (if AF doesn't show) just to be certain, because if I AM pregnant they will want to get me on progesterone ASAP. She said I would only be 4 weeks, so it is still early and if I would 'miscarry' this early it would have more to do with the egg than the progesterone.

She was a bit confusing, but I think she meant that if an eggy does snuggle in and I am pregnant, then we definitely want to help it with progesterone ASAP. However, with how low my progesterone is right now the chances of one snuggling in is almost non-existent so I should just expect AF and the progesterone will not make a difference. Who knows though... she has misinformed me before.

Needless to say... hearing that my progesterone level was 7.5 hit me like a ton of bricks. Thinking that may have been my problem for the entire past year. Thinking we could have very much caught the egg, but my body closed up shop before it could settle in. I should be happy that we know, and I think a part of me is. I know this is easily remedied and if it is my only problem, the outlook is good. Of course... I think the initial shock needs to wear off first.

 

[MollyNorwood]

Ohh Elphabaa
Im sorry to hear that. One would think that if you're OBYGN thought you were not O'ing she would have told you. Maybe it was just 'pot luck' that this was an annov. cycle? Good luck on your 100mg cycle, we will all have our fingers crossed for you, please keep your chin up - it can take a few of cycles for Clomid to work. Perhaps this next cycle will be your magic one
Crosby- Thanks for stalking I just started day one of my new cycle today (finally) so I will be doing another 50mg clomid cycle as i havent been able to get in to see my OBYGN so I don't know if I should also be going on to 100mgs. On my own though I have decided I will do the same CD2-6 also for that reason. We will see
J-Lynn- Good luck on round # 3!!! Baby dust to you!

 

[3mamabear]

I want to jump on this Clomid train. I was going to start this month, but it did not arrive until CD 9, so I will wait until next cycle, which could be awhile. My last cycle was 48 days. I do not have PCOS, I am just old and cycles are irregular. Sometimes I ovulate, others I do not. I had a TR in October of 2011. So, we are just starting to get more aggressive as my window is closing.

 

[MollyNorwood]

I want to jump on this Clomid train. I was going to start this month, but it did not arrive until CD 9, so I will wait until next cycle, which could be awhile. My last cycle was 48 days. I do not have PCOS, I am just old and cycles are irregular. Sometimes I ovulate, others I do not. I had a TR in October of 2011. So, we are just starting to get more aggressive as my window is closing.

Good luck for your clomid cycle! Keep us updated as to when you are starting, you may have yourself a buddy in here
I started my second cycle of clomid today, because I had a light- medium first day yesterday and now i am back to spotting. I still have some cramping and feel bloated so decided I will start anyway. Im ready to pull my hair out. Ah well, here we go again.

 

[Elphabaa77]

Good luck and to everybody as you continue on your Clomid journeys. (or take a little break from them )

I am wondering if I am messed up somehow from last month's dosage. Today is 10dpo and I would normally have sore boobs by now and I don't. As a matter of fact NOTHING feels like AF will show tomorrow or Wednesday. My temps 'look' like they are declining, but they are still above my norm for 10dpo. I am pretty sure I am not pregnant... the nurse killed all of my hope for that this cycle! However, I still am wondering if Clomid helped a little (not enough obviously) and maybe my luteal phase is going to be longer than 11 days this cycle. I guess we will see. It would be nice if it even got to 13 days, then I would have a little more hope that the 100mg will do better!

 

[Crosby]

Well I'm officially on clomid break this cycle.

Elphaba, clomid changed me completely, in the 2 cycles I didn't get any period pains, sore bbs and increased appetite like I usually have but it gave me bad mood swings and headaches. I'm talking PMS related. So don't be surprised if u notice some changes, it's all hormonal after all

 

[Wubbles81]

So I ha some bad new and some good news today.... The bad news I had an hcg and it was neg. The good news is that my progesterone level shot up to a 33! So the clomid is working(kind of lol). I have had two rounds of clomid and have had some crazy side effect, like achne vicious mood swings and hot hot hot flashes. I want to quit it so bad but before I started it my progesterone levels we 3, 4, and 1. I won't get pregnant without it, so my DH and I have decided to try it for 2 more months.(poor guy takes the brunt of my mood swings).

Good luck girls baby dust to all!

Crosby maybe you will get a natural BFP!

 

[Crosby]

Hot flashes are the worst of all side effects(((

 

[Pandawife]

AF came for me today. I was really excited last Tuesday because my progesterone came back at a 30(!) But am bummed out majorly when AF came today. Has anyone tried Preseed? My sister said that it helped her best friend when she was on clomid to help the swimmers get to their destination. I ordered some online tonight and *fingers crossed* it will be the final push to make cycle 3 my lucky one. I start my third cycle on Thursday. Good luck everyone!

 

[MummyWant2be]

hi ladies, Hope its not too late for me to join the clomid train...

i will be starting with clomid (100mg)next cycle which should be between end of April. i will try for the next three cycles and pray it works cause after that i'm scheduled to do the HSG test...so come on clomid baby!