Is Clomid an option for me?

[TrixieLox]

Hey girlies! I've had the usual tests (bloods, HCG etc etc) and all perfect, wonderful, blah de blah but hey, what-do-ya-know, no baby despite a year and half of trying.

One friend suggested I push for Clomid as it makes you ovulate more than one egg and also, I may have a shortish luteal phase (about 10 days between when I OV and get AF, maybe be shorter) so it might make me OV earlier?

I'm due to go back to fertility expert next month to discuss IUI / IVF etc (seems a bit quick, huh?) but I'm thinking, why don't they try me on some drugs first, ya know? Might send me a bit but surely it's worth a try and less invasive / extreme than IVF etc. Cos right now, they've done nothing but test me - surely it's time for some treatment?! And surely jumping straight into IUI / IVf is a bit crazy? x

 

[Sambatiki]

Did youre bloods indicate that you have Ovulated?? Have they done a HSG or lap??

I agree that it seems abit hasty going with IUI/IVF first.... unless its male factor, then clomid would be pointless.

 

[TrixieLox]

Yes, the bloods showed I OVd and my hormone level was 46 so reasonably high. HSG showed no blocked tubes or cysts etc. And hubby's swimmers are, in the dr's own words, 'brilliant'. We're 'perfect specimans' for this malarky with no health issues (and they don't even see my 10-day luteal phase as an issue)( so *should* have conceived by now and all we can do it 'pray' (this is seriously what our fertility expert said). We basically have that horrid horrid thing called 'unexplained infertility'.

*sigh*

 

[peekaboo]

Hi TrixieLox, sorry I can't help as not got that far yet at the doctors. We've been TTC for about the same amount of time as you though and are due to get hubby's SA results back at the end of the week, so might know a bit more then.

Just wanted to wish you luck. Might be worth doing some research on Clomid and if you think it sounds like it might help maybe suggest it to your doc? I'm not sure doctors always suggest things without a push in the right direction!! x

 

[Sambatiki]

Ive just had a quick look into it on google etc and it is defo worth asking about a low doseage as it helps to improve the quality of eggs being released. However you do have to be careful of hyper ovarian stimulation syndrome, maybe thats why the FS is playing is 'safe' so to speak!

Good Luck! xxx

 

[sparkle83]

and also the risk of twins/triplets when you already O well. With iui and ivf they can monitor and tweak the dose to reduce the risks of this happeneing, whereas with clomid, this wont be an option. have you tried evening primrose oil? I always found this was good for lengthening LP

 

[jeanettekaren]

Yes, the bloods showed I OVd and my hormone level was 46 so reasonably high. HSG showed no blocked tubes or cysts etc. And hubby's swimmers are, in the dr's own words, 'brilliant'. We're 'perfect specimans' for this malarky with no health issues (and they don't even see my 10-day luteal phase as an issue)( so *should* have conceived by now and all we can do it 'pray' (this is seriously what our fertility expert said). We basically have that horrid horrid thing called 'unexplained infertility'.

*sigh*

Snap! Everything you have said there applies to me. I have been told I will probably start Clomid in September after I expressed misgivings about being hurried into ivf. It's definately worth an ask imo.

 

[TrixieLox]

Thanks guys. I have tried vit B6, primrose oil etc and it increased my lutheal phase by a day but still nothing. I'm gonna push for something to help me OV earlier next time I go to seeing FS. I have absolutely NO PROBLEM with having twins, triplets etc, god knows I deserve it after a year and half of trying ;-) No, seriously, am aware of all the risks but am willing to take them after all this time. x

 

[Crypto1976]

I spoke to my gp yesterday and she was very understanding. I had ectopic preg in march and she has agreed to prescribe clomid in sept if not preg by then. We had a very long chat, and to cut a long story short she is happy to explore every avenue at the primary care level before referring to hospital and this includes clomid.

I think its worth having a chat with your gp. Not all are as open to fertility options ( I have a male gp who thinks yoga is the answer to everything!). Maybe check if any of the drs have an interest in fertility and it would take the wait out of a referral. Good luck hun. XXXXX

 

[cazhd]

HI TrixieLox i have been ttc for over 2 years now and put into the unexplained category after bloods, lap and dh sa. My next fs appointment is in september where i will be placed on ivf waiting list and commence iui. In the interm i'm taking a couple of months of clomid to see if it makes any difference, i couldn't see it doing any harm seen as i've never had a sniff of a I'm coming to the end of my first clomid cycle it's sent me a bit but thought worth a try. Unfortunately think the is on her dreaded way

 

[CurlySue]

You mention a short luteal phase. If you ovulate, Clomid might make you ovulate more than one egg but it doesn't always, won't make you 'ovulate better' so to speak and your luteal phase will mostly always remain the same no matter when you ovulate. If it IS a LP defect then progesterone would be a better bet.

 

[BigFoot1980]

Hi,
I am also in un explained category and I haven't been prescribed Clomid either. Its seems weird to jump straight to IVF to me too. I will not be offered free IVF on the NHS and at the moment I cant afford it

 

[miel]

Trixie !!! nice to hear from you...!!

i will so push for clomid....you know it's what worked for me ...i was like you all my tests were fine ....if i was you i will so ask for it !!!

 

[hopin23]

Hi Trixie! I'm in the same silly boat as you...excpt its been a little under a year we've been trying and I had a chemical m/c about a year ago......I tested way too early otherwise I would have had no idearrrr!
But, I just took my first round of clomid this month, not sure if it worked yet...waiting to get blood results....any friggen minute.....I hope it worked, if not...i shall try again next cycle. It wasn't that bad (at least from all the nasty things I read about it) but I think it made me ovulate a few days later...hmmm so confusing!
Good luck to you...and I hope it happens REALLY soon!! x

 

[AutumnSky]

I agree with Miel - we had unexplained infertility - all tests fine etc. We were given Clomid 50mg to try whilst on the waiting list for IUI. 3rd cycle (combined with Instead Cups), worked for us. I can feel when I ovulate (cramps in my side etc), and I definitely ovulated from both sides the month we conceived. One of the eggs obviously stuck, and I think the Clomid helped in producing that extra egg.

Its worth a try - nothing to lose

xx

 

[Farie]

For me clomid as it brought O forward (from CD20 to CD15) and lengthened my LP - also helped with very early spotting.
Possibly worth pushing for, worth a try before more invasive assistance?

 

[miel]

I agree with Miel - we had unexplained infertility - all tests fine etc. We were given Clomid 50mg to try whilst on the waiting list for IUI. 3rd cycle (combined with Instead Cups), worked for us. I can feel when I ovulate (cramps in my side etc), and I definitely ovulated from both sides the month we conceived. One of the eggs obviously stuck, and I think the Clomid helped in producing that extra egg.

Its worth a try - nothing to lose

xx

exactly ...same scenario except got the BFP on the second month and without the cup...but for sure i felt ovulation big time !!! i could barely walk that day it was so intense!!!

 

[Jan34]

It worked for me! I had unexplained infertility. I'd had a couple of good day 21 results and a couple of bad ones, so the FS put me on it as he said even if I was ovulating normally it might help. In hindsight the bad tests were taken at the wrong time hence the bad results. I had a 25/26 day cycle and a 10/11 day LP. I was deeply sceptical that clomid would work as I believed I was ovulating anyway. My cycle length increased by a couple of days, and my LP went to 13 days. COnceived on the 3rd round, in fact, I got my bfp the evening of our last FS appt at which he sent us away to research IVF clinics.

So it can help if you are ovulating and can increase your LP.

I say push for it!!!