So frustrated with my doctor- opinions please

[tink28]

Hi everyone

I've had problems conceiving in the past, after trying for a long time my doctor ordered day 21 progesterone tests which showed i wasnt ovulating and I was put onto clomid without any other investigations being done. I fell pregnant on my first cycle 50mg and now have a 17 month old son. My pregnancy was fine so as far as in aware my only issues are ovulation ones.

I'm now ttc no.2, I've ntnp with no success since my son was born so guessing im still not ovulating and a day 21 progesterone test confirmed this. But my doctor (a different one to my usual one who prescribed my clomid last time) wants to send me to the fertility clinic at the hospital for other investigations before she will prescribe clomid. I've got to have an HSG to check my tubes are clear and I just feel that this is all a waste of time as if I had tubal issues I wouldnt of successfully conceived my son so easily last time. I pointed all this out to her but she said she wasn't prepared to prescribe clomid that easily as it can cause problems.

Does anyone else thinks this all seems unnecessary when its obvious my problems are with annovulation? I'm tempted to go back to see my usual doctor as I'm sure he would of just prescribed me clomid again

Thanks in advance x

 

[CanadianMaple]

Can you see another doctor about it? That would frustrate me too, you just were pregnant a year and a half ago, so you know at least one of your tubes are clear.

 

[tink28]

Yes think I will rebook and see my usual doctor. Thanks just wanted another opinion on it

 

[CanadianMaple]

If you were TTC #1, I would have probably told you to let them check you out. But since your last pregnancy wasn't long ago, I think you're safe to do the same again.

Just my opinion.

 

[Feisty Fidget]

If you only had one cycle of clomid I don't understand why they want further tests before prescribing? I could understand if you had to have 6+ rounds as the more you have, the higher chance of problems occuring with your health.

As for her trying to find a reason as to why you aren't ovulating, this isn't necesarily a bad thing. Clomid is linked to early losses, although the NHS doesn't usually agree with this. If I were you, then I would ask to be referred but make an appointment to see your usual GP for the clomid. You are then getting the meds but will be having the tests to see if there is anything that is obviously wrong.

BTW I was also anovulatory and given clomid (with only test being CD21 bloods) and we fell straight away. Sadly lost the baby in MMC BUT my body started ovulating on it's own after. Annoyingly though my natural ovulation seems somewhat weak as had to have more clomid to fall pregnant again (another MMC).

Are you charting your BBT? It could be that you just had an anovulatory cycle when your CD21 bloods were taken?

 

[tink28]

Feisty I'm so sorry to hear of your losses.

I'm thinking of doing exactly what u said as I'm hoping my usual GP will just prescribe it for me. I've heard HSG isn't very pleasant and I'm pretty sure everything is fine apart from the fact that I don't ovulate.

Yes I have been charting and I'm not getting any temp rise. My body just doesn't seem to want to ovulate on its own. I've had regular sex ever since my son was born and nothing, even though u are supposed to be fertile after having a baby. I did wonder if my body would kick into action on its own but nothing! At least clomid does work for me though so I'm grateful for that.

Sending u baby dust x

 

[Smiler82]

tink28 are you in the UK? I find that a) I never get to see the same doctor and b) they all tell me different things. It is so frustrating.

At my first appt one doc told another "just take some bloods then throw some clomid at her" but when I went back for the blood test results, I had a different doc who said, if you want clomid you have to have the HSG and husband do an SA before we're allowed to prescibe it. Last doc I saw told me I wasn't in any need of help and I should go and get drunk!!

So as I understand it they have to "tick off" a list of other tests before they'll write the presciption. GPs aren't allowed to write prescriptions for clomid unfortunately so it sounds like you may just need to jump through the hoops Maybe the first doc you saw was a bit of a maverick like the first one I saw! It just seems to be the norm unfortunately to get inconsistencies in approaches etc.

I also did not want the HSG because I had been pregnant twice naturally (though lost them) and couldn't see that there would be an issue with my tubes. I waited for nearly a year, still didn't fall pg myself and gave in and said I would have the test. I saw yet another doctor and she also said it was a shame to have to go through it but there was no way I'd be prescribed it without doing HSG first. It is not a pleasant thing to go through at all, but they do say you are more fertile the 3 months after because it does give you a bit of a clear-out in there Sadly we were on a break when I had mine done, so I didn't get to test that theory!

I don't know what your cycles are like normally but I would be wary of trusting day 21 tests if they're not followed up. They only work if you ovulate around day 14. I've been told god knows how many times that I don't ovulate, but I know I do, just really late. But whatever, clomid helps with late ovulation.

Feisty Fidget - do you know why clomid is linked to miscarriage? How early do you mean, like chemicals or anytime in the first 12 weeks? I've also lost 2 and just about to start clomid, I didn't know this So sorry for your losses

 

[popchick75]

We started trying for #2 about 6 months after having #1. When it didn't happen right away, we started getting tests done.

The HSG showed that my tubes were blocked. IMHO, it's worth it to try a few other tests. I'm glad we did before we wasted a lot of time/money/heartbreak on clomid and all of the blood tests and ultrasounds that go with it and then found out that it was all for nothing.

 

[tink28]

Smiler- yes I am in UK, are GP's really not supposed to write prescriptions for clomid? As mine did. But I guess they are all different and some are going to be formal than others. I'm just dreading this HSG, I've heard it's not pleasant and I hate anything being done "down there" !

 

[popchick75]

Tink- I've had 3 of them done. It only takes about 2 minutes and is no worse than mild period cramps. If you take an ibuprophin beforehand, you may not feel anything. Most places will let you watch the x-ray as the dye goes in....it's actually pretty cool! Also, keep in mind that it's not uncommon to get pg the cycle after the test is done!

 

[Smiler82]

Smiler- yes I am in UK, are GP's really not supposed to write prescriptions for clomid? As mine did. But I guess they are all different and some are going to be formal than others. I'm just dreading this HSG, I've heard it's not pleasant and I hate anything being done "down there" !

Really?? Mine told me they used to be able to but then the rules changed. I was told this about 2years ago! Either mine was fibbing or yours was being naughty

Easier said than done I know but try not to worry. Interesting to hear a PP about having a baby then found her tubes were blocked later. I guess it shows you neverknow. If the clomid didn't work they'd make you have it for sure so prob best to get it over with

 

[Feisty Fidget]

According to my local PCT gps are allowed to prescribe Clomid as long as they believe it will help (cd21 negative test).

I'm not sure why some US sites claim that Clomid increases the risk of first tri losses, but I guess it may be something to do with forcing your body to release sub standard eggs? Ordinarily your body may not have let certain eggs be released but the Clomid over rides this

Hsg for me was also fine just take the ibuprofen an hour before and have a hot water bottle ready for after