Clomid not working

Ratito921 · 08-15-2007, 03:52 PM

Hubby and I have been actively ttc since December. In December I did a round of provera and then clomid. I did O then I had af in January and February which is really not normal for me. I didn't get pregnant obviously. So then at the end of June I did another round of clomid. Then I did a test and it was positive then I tested 3 more times just to make sure all in different days and those were negative. I spotted on CD28. I don't know if that had anything to do with it or not. Then At the end of July I did another round of clomid and I still haven't O'd and I've been testing everyday. I'm keeping track and I will continue to test with the opks just in case I O late I want to know. Does clomid affect opks? I'm on CD17. The other thing is that I know people on clomid and their dr's monitor them with ultrasounds and bloodwork. Mine just gave me the scripts and said come back if they don't work.

This is 3 rounds now on 50mg. What are my options after this? What else can I do? My doctor says I don't have PCOS I have amenorrhea. I'm so irregular I can't plan.

We really do want to start a family, but we're having such a hard time. I'm at the point where I just want to give up. And I'm at the point where I just get upset everytime I see someone with a baby. We lost our baby June 2004. It was an ectopic pregancy.

I don't understand why it would work once and then not work anymore.

I want to make an appointment with my doctor for next month but I want to know what to ask him. He knows I do my research but I was so sure that clomid would work. I have friends that used clomid and it worked like a charm. I was so sure it would work for me I'm so disappointed.

Where do we go from here? What are my alternatives?

floridacracker · 08-15-2007, 09:29 PM

Hi there! I just read your thread and thought WOW that sounds alot like me. Same age, same name, ironically similar situation. First of all, are you seeing your OB/GYN for your infertility? If so, I would highly recommend seeing a Reproductive Endocrinologist. I was in the same situation, I knew I had PCOS and my OB/GYN started me on clomid without doing any bloodwork or ultrasounds. To answer your question, YES clomid will cause a false positive on OPK's. My RE recommended using the Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor, however if your RE or doctor is doing ultrasounds you wouldn't need to use OPK's. If you don't think the clomid is working ask your OB for a referral to a RE. There is also an injectable med called Ovidrel that "forces" your body to release the egg once the folllicle has reached the desired size. This shot is relatively inexpensive compared to other injectables (around $45.00)The only way to check for sure that the clomid is working is to have the US and bloodwork. Also, I have always been told that after approx 6 cycles your body becomes resistant to the clomid.

A little about me: 26 ttc for 4 years. Currently taking Metformin 1500mg, Femara 5mg (CD 5-9), and Ovidrel due to no response on clomid 250mg. I was dx with PCOS 10 years ago.

If you want more info or just to talk feel free to message me.

Good Luck and Baby Dust
Amanda

Ratito921 · 08-16-2007, 12:45 AM

thanks so much for replying. I'll definitely talk to my doctor. I just feel like we're doing this clomid for nothing and wasting time because the clomid isn't working. I'm going to call and schedule an appointment with him. So I have to have a referral to the endocrinologist? I'll ask him about that too. It's just so frustrating.

What a coincidence. Maybe you're my long lost twin!

*~SugarPlums~* · 08-16-2007, 01:22 AM

There may be the possibilaty that you no longer O on 50mg and may need to go up to 100mg. Another things is you may be o'ing late. I o later on clomid, between cycle days 18-21.

Ratito921 · 08-16-2007, 01:27 AM

thanks sugar plum I guess we'll just keep trying every 24-36 hours and see if maybe I O late. I've taken an OPK everyday since the clomid and so far everyone is negative. Could that be wrong too?

Mommy_at_Heart · 08-16-2007, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratito921

What are my alternatives?

Hello! Well, since my Ob/Gyn won't try clomid until Oct, I've just been doing the metformin. But I read, on this site, that an herb called Licorice Root is natures answer to clomid. I tried it this cycle, days 5-9, and O'd. Which I hadn't been doing on met alone...(thought I did once, but no such luck). So yeah, I'd recomend seeing an RE, and maybe trying the herb.

bailey78 · 08-16-2007, 10:42 AM

Hi,
I am so sorry you are having such a hard time.

I agree with Amanda in that you should definitely see an RE who will monitor you better. OPK's and temping never worked for me but I O'd 3 months in a row. Find an RE who will do blood work to confirm O. YOu should do the blood work 7-10 dpo. Since you might not know when you O, I'd get the blood work done between CD21-28.

Also, see about getting bumped up to 100mg. If 50mg hasn't worked after 3 months you likely need a higher dose.

Have you had any ultrasounds done? Have you had an hsg to look at your tubes? If not, have these things done to rule out other issues.

Best of luck.

Ratito921 · 08-16-2007, 01:54 PM

I do need to talk to him about checking my tubes, since I had an ectopic removed from the left one. I'll definitely ask about an RE and I'll give licorice root a try too. Will bumping clomid up to 100mg really work. I was under the impression that if you don't O on the smaller dose there really is no reason to go up. But hey if it will work I'm all for it.

My doc hasn't done blood work or ultrasounds. hmmmm I dunno but I'm definitely going to talk to him.

laylah · 08-16-2007, 05:12 PM

I have had 3 cycles of clomifene 50mg and have o'd but with bfn. Im waiting until next cycle so i can start 100mg. I know it may need time but im finding it so hard to stay positive, just wondering if anyone has success stories of clomifene to cheer us all up?

Ratito921 · 08-16-2007, 07:52 PM

I know how you feel laylah it's hard to stay positive. I'm sure there are plenty of people on this forum who have had success with it. I'm just not one of them right now.

keep your head up. Maybe this round will be the one.

floridacracker · 08-16-2007, 11:25 PM

I was all the way up to 250mg on the clomid for 6 cycles and NOTHING. My RE has switched me to Femara (totally off label use). Femara is marketed for post menopausal women with breast cancer. However, it stops your body from producing estrogen, thus allowing egg production. This past cycle was my first taking the femara and I actually had much better results with this than the clomid. Follicle matured at CD 14 compared to CD 22-23 with the clomid. Also the side effects (Moodiness, hot flashes) were almost none.. The only problem I had this month was the pharmacy was out of stock on the Ovidrel and I wasn't able to get it in time to take the shot. So I'm taking provera to bring AF and going to try again next month.

As for needing a referral to a RE, it depends on your insurance. Check with your ins co and see if infertility treatments are even covered. If a referral is needed it can be easily gotten from your OB or general practicioner. If you want to find a RE in your area you can go to the following link to locate a RE that is Board Certified by the America Society for Reproductive Medicine. This is really important because some docs just take a couple of seminars then hang out a shingle as a RE, and they really don't stay up to date on the latest advances.

Lots of luck!!
Amanda

LadyNaomi · 08-18-2007, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floridacracker

Hi there! I just read your thread and thought WOW that sounds alot like me. Same age, same name, ironically similar situation. First of all, are you seeing your OB/GYN for your infertility? If so, I would highly recommend seeing a Reproductive Endocrinologist. I was in the same situation, I knew I had PCOS and my OB/GYN started me on clomid without doing any bloodwork or ultrasounds. To answer your question, YES clomid will cause a false positive on OPK's. My RE recommended using the Clear Blue Easy Fertility Monitor, however if your RE or doctor is doing ultrasounds you wouldn't need to use OPK's. If you don't think the clomid is working ask your OB for a referral to a RE. There is also an injectable med called Ovidrel that "forces" your body to release the egg once the folllicle has reached the desired size. This shot is relatively inexpensive compared to other injectables (around $45.00)The only way to check for sure that the clomid is working is to have the US and bloodwork. Also, I have always been told that after approx 6 cycles your body becomes resistant to the clomid.

A little about me: 26 ttc for 4 years. Currently taking Metformin 1500mg, Femara 5mg (CD 5-9), and Ovidrel due to no response on clomid 250mg. I was dx with PCOS 10 years ago.

If you want more info or just to talk feel free to message me.

Good Luck and Baby Dust
Amanda

Hi Amanda! Maybe my experience can help you. I was on clomid at 50 mg for 12 months through my ob/gyn with no ovulation, blood tests, etc. A few years later, I went to a fertility specialist and he told me to start on a low carb diet (I wasn't overweight at the time). I took provera to start my cycle, and started taking 500 mg of metformin with each meal to balance my blood sugar. I was prescribed 100 mg of clomid, no response...the next month we did the same protocol but I took 150 mg of clomid and guess what I was pregnant. We did the same to get pregnant with #2. Have they done the histopinosonogram *(sp) on you? You should see about getting that done too so you can be assured there isn't a blockage preventing your ovulation. Best of luck!

CG834 · 08-18-2007, 09:30 PM

I have decided to start CLOMID this month. I am currently on cycle day 3 (after Provera use). My doc prescribed 50mg tabs two per day so that equals 100mg cycle days 5-9 right!

Why would my doc start me on 100mg instead of 50mg like most women I read?

LadyNaomi · 08-18-2007, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claudia13839@aol.com

I have decided to start CLOMID this month. I am currently on cycle day 3 (after Provera use). My doc prescribed 50mg tabs two per day so that equals 100mg cycle days 5-9 right!

Why would my doc start me on 100mg instead of 50mg like most women I read?

First, good luck *crosses my fingers for you* What an exciting time for you!!!! I don't have an answer why he would start you our at a higher dosage, but maybe he has a medical reason or that's his normal rx. Either way, let's see how things play out and if it works for you. Let us know, ok?

Ratito921 · 08-19-2007, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claudia13839@aol.com

I have decided to start CLOMID this month. I am currently on cycle day 3 (after Provera use). My doc prescribed 50mg tabs two per day so that equals 100mg cycle days 5-9 right!

Why would my doc start me on 100mg instead of 50mg like most women I read?

good luck!!! keep us posted!!