clomid question

[Anonymous]

for those of you who have used clomid and had success..were you simultaneously charting, or did you just use the clomid? just curious as it looks like we may be headed down this route if we don't conceive in another month or so. also, how long were you TTC before using the clomid? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I used clomid to conceive baby #1. We didn't try without the clomid. I had always had irregular periods and I had found out it was because I had polycystic ovarian syndrome. We were told that we'd need help, so when we were ready to start trying we went immediately to clomid. I got pregnant during the 3rd cycle, and had a healthy baby. I just started using clomid again this month as we're trying for #2.

By charting, I assume you mean basal temperature and all that? I didn't do that the first time around with clomid. The doctor will give you a little chart telling you the optimal days to have sex based on when you are most likely to ovulate. Because I had known I'd need help before we started to try to conceive, I never really looked into charting or anything like that. I didn't even use OPK-- I just relied on the clomid chart. Now however I feel like I know a lot more than I did when I was TTC #1. I'm not charting this month, but may do it next cycle. It can't hurt.

[Anonymous]

I used clomid for 10 months before moving on to injectables (sounds MUCH worse than it really is). I also had PCOS and the clomid helped regulate my period. I still used the fertility strips to detect ovulation, but I was over 35 and didn't have much time to waste! Although clomid regulated me, I did not get pregnant with it.

If you are over 35/36-I would try without clomid for 6 months before taking the next step. If you are under 35-the norm is to wait about 1 year. If you do use clomid, I recommend not using it for more than 6 months. I wish I stopped sooner but was afraid to try the injectables. I hear that excessive use causes later problems.

[Anonymous]

I'm under 35. Clomid didn't work for me and I was told that you should never use it for more than 3 cycles, since if it doesn't work by then, it won't work for you and you should move on to something else. I was also told if a dr ever had me on Clomid for more than 3 cycles, I needed to switch doctors.

FWIW, I didn't chart on Clomid. If you're seeing a fertility specialist as opposed to an ob/gyn, your doctor will perform blood tests and sonograms to see if/when you're ovulating. I wasted 6 months with a regular ob/gyn who specialised if fertility rather than a fertility doctor who is a reproductive endocronologist. For #2, I'm heading straight to the specialist.

Good luck OP!

[Anonymous]

Agree w/ PP - I would not use Clomid with a general OB or at least not for very long, despite age. I would use regular OB. I was on for a short period of time waiting to get into my choice of fertility specialists and as son as I was evaluated they told me it was a waste of time in my situation. Good luck

[bernie]

Hi

Can I ask a general question about clomid and injectables? It's actually for my sister who lives out of town. She's 40 and three weeks ago she had her second miscarriage. She was told by her obgyn that she wasn't a candidate for clomid until after she has her third miscarriage and is labelled something like a chronic miscarrier. That sounds like a load of hogwash to both of us. And needless to say my sister was outraged to think that she had to go through another miscarriage before being able to take any action to move things along.

She also does not have regular periods and hasn't for some time.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

I would tell my sister to find a new doctor. If she's not having regular periods at 40, and has already had two miscarriages, she probably has bigger issues than Clomid alone can handle.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP. She should find a new doctor ASAP. Having a miscarriage is not a prerequesite for Clomid. Most (if not all) women who take Clomid take it b/c they can't get pregnant at all, let alone have a miscarriage.

[Anonymous]

PP - perhaps the issues are not completely related????? There is a general opinion from OBs not to investigae problems with miscarriages until a women has had three..I have been told this and so have other friends / family. Clomid as stated earlier is used in most case to assist in pregnancy - though there may be some secondary uses re: maintaining pregnancy, I am not aware of ....

Agree with PP - at 40 there is little time to waste. She should have some baseline bloodwork done to see what her hormone levels are and that will give some indication of would could be wrong. If OB not willing to do that - swicth ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Re OP's question. I charted and charted until I practically went crazy. Then put myself in the hands of a great RI (Preston Sacks) and threw the thermometer away. Immeditately felt human again. Then got pregnant first round of clomid--yay!! Included IUI and that shot they give you to make you ovulate. I highly recommend this route.

[Anonymous]

TTC for about maybe two years when OB/Gyn started me on charting. About six months later, started about four months of clomid. Then six months of testing and on to injectible IUIs at Shady Grove.

I was 35 by the time my son was born - it took me about four years. I would NEVER go so slow if I could do it all again. I also think that my OB/gyn should have referred me WAY more quickly to an RE.

FWIW, I would do three months of clomid, tops, and get any necessary testing done during this period (dye tests, sonohysterograms, etc.) Make sure your husband is tested BEFORE you start clomid. And then I would move on to injectible IUIs. My third one worked - but many of my friends had to move on to IVF. So please be mindful of time - each stage takes so much time.

GOOD LUCK!

[jsteele]

It looks like spammers have found this thread. Since they generally hit the same thread repeatedly, I am going to lock this thread. I'm sorry if there was continued interest. If there is, please start another thread and carry on.

Editing to add: it might not be clear, but I've removed three messages posted by spammers from this thread. None of the remaining messages are spam.