considering clomid - help!

arcane · 11-20-2009, 11:11 PM

My husband and I have been ttc#1 since June and no luck so far. I have had a few regular cycles where I think I've O'd but can't be sure. I got my hormones checked and my FSH is 6, LH is 19, testosterone 80 (high end of normal), and prolactin, DHEA were normal.

Do you know what those numbers mean? She said based on that I have PCOS, and I was mildly disappointed that she called it p-c-o-s because I always said Pee-coss. Minor tangent there.

Should I give clomid a go? what is the success rate? I'm scared!

Oh BTW I'm 29

CiltiusAltiusFortius · 11-20-2009, 11:28 PM

Hi Arcane - I believe some of these hormones, for example, LH (Luteinizing Hormone), depends on what phase of your cycle you are in. My LH at the beginning of a cycle was 6, my FSH (Follicle-Stimulating-Hormone) was 7.

I went on clomid twice. I'd talk to your OB or RE about it. If you're sort of regular they may suggest temping or getting an ovulation predictor kit. I'm super irregular so timing was impossible (21 days, 80 days, etc.) and temping was useless for me. From what I've read here and elsewhere, it's sort of "step 1" for medical intervention in TTC. You're not supposed to take it for more than a few months in a row, though, because one of the side effects is that it can thin your uterine lining and that's bad for a pregnancy.

It worked for me twice to at least trigger ovulation and we did conceive twice. However, others on this thread have had success with other medications.

CiltiusAltiusFortius · 11-20-2009, 11:29 PM

Sorry, by "thread" I meant "message board."
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arcane · 11-21-2009, 02:24 AM

hmm so it's step 1, fertility treatment light. I can handle that. My doc was so optimistic about it and said that most people don't have to go further than the clomid step. I hope she is correct but I see cases where it hasn't worked.

*wheats* · 11-21-2009, 07:27 AM

I have just ended my first set of Clomid. My GYN put me on it days 5-9, I have PCOS which enables me to have a period without tricking it first I take Provera for that then Clomid on top of that. I am also on MET. The only thing i really don't like about the Clomid is i feel like i am urinating every 5 minutes which is one of the side effects but other then that i have not had anything else. I would talk to your doctor. I don't know what # my levels were at but she said they pretty much flat lined across the board which is why she put me on clomid. i am only supposed to take it for 6 months before they try something new. GL and LOTS OF BABY DUST!!!!!

AngieB901 · 11-21-2009, 01:39 PM

Clomid is pretty highly effective to help most women ovulate. My sister and I are clomid babies.

elizabeth0531 · 11-21-2009, 02:55 PM

i'm not sure about all the hormone levels, but so far i'm loving clomid! i'm on my 2nd round and have ovulated both times. i've read that if it works for you (makes you ovulate) you have about an 80& chance of coceiving within 6 months - i like those odds! and the side effects aren't too bad. not on 50mg atleast for me, nothing i wouldn't voluntarily put myself through for a baby. just some headaches, some constipation (lol sorry but it's true), some hot flashes and some mood swings - mood swings are probably the worst and they've been much better this time around.

i'm in northern NY and i have always heard it called p.c.o.s. lol. it's probably a regional thing. good luck with whatever you decide to do, hope you get your bfp really soon!!

oh i wanted to add - yeah clomid is pretty much step 1 for anyone who isn't ovulating. it works for MANY women, and although it may not work for some, what do you really have to lose by giving it a try? don't be scared *hug*. i was a little scared too at first but it's all working out okay.

mandyloo · 11-21-2009, 03:12 PM

I've also been ttc since June..my doc wants me to be on the top dose of met until February before I try clomid, but I'm really optimistic about it.
...
I've never heard PCOS pronounced as a word rather than letters.
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Robin G · 11-21-2009, 03:21 PM

I always ovulated on Clomid, though never got pregnant. The trick is that it can make your cervical mucus a bit unfavorable.

Temping on Clomid is good, in that it'll confirm ovulation after the fact. I used OPKs one month, but the expense got to me, especially since it's hard to tell when the ovulation can occur. My personal recommendation is to just have sex every other day from CD10 on (and orgasm each time to help with the mucus) until you ovulate. Trust me, even if you don't temp, you'll know; sex will suddenly get sore and your boobs will hurt if touched by a light breeze.

The side effects were different for me each month, but the consistency was in the sex drive. Keep your husband close at hand CD12-16, or your libido will take you to a local bar, and all the sudden you'll need to pay for a paternity test, too
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AngieB901 · 11-22-2009, 03:06 AM

I'm starting clomid on my next cycle and already bought pre-seed (sperm friendly lube--regular lube is not sperm friendly and I hear clomid tends to dry the cervical mucus out, like someone else mentioned.) There are other things you can take to increase/help with cervical mucus but I figured pre-seed was a good start.

(Also, I get OPK's online, they are much, much cheaper and work just as well. I really like early-pregnancy-tests.com . My order arrived the next business day and I had regular shipping! If you google online there are coupon codes which are good for 10% off. I stocked up on pregnancy tests, OPK's, and pre-seed, so I can indulge in my TTC obsession without feeling quite as guilty for spending a small fortune.)

shoegirl3777 · 11-22-2009, 03:48 AM

I took Clomid and O'd and got pregnant on the first try. Sadly I miscarried that baby at 5 weeks, but am hopeful for Clomid round 2 soon...I didn't have any side effects on the Clomid. It was pretty ok to take. Give it a try.

Elizabeth82 · 11-22-2009, 08:48 PM

LOL Pee-coss sounds way better than the dreaded P-C-O-S!!

FlowerWife · 11-23-2009, 12:37 AM

i am on clomid now too, this is my first cycle. im really hoping to ovulate soon. i go to the dr. on tuesday to see if its working. went last week but follies werent ready yet.
the side effects are def tolerable, some hot flashes, moodiness and headaches.

not sure when you had your blood draw but your LH def seems high. mine was 21 and doc said normal is under 5. i would ask about that if i were you, since high LH leads to both ovulatory issues and poor egg quality. do you have any other symptoms?