How many of you are TTC and are only on Clomid (no other drugs)?

Amanda8 · 07-16-2002, 02:13 PM

My doctor has told me I have irregular periods that are consistent with "PCOS". I am assuming she means I have it. I do not have any of the other symptoms though. DH and I are TTC and I am about to start 100mg of Clomid. Was wondering... how many of you are trying to concieve and are on only Clomid? Or, have already conceived using only clomid? My doctor said I didn't need any other meds b/c I was most likely not insulin resistant due to my normal weight. Thanks ladies!

pcc10012 · 07-16-2002, 09:52 PM

Hi Amanda,

Right now I'm doing my second cycle of clomid at 100mg. I'm not taking anything else except prenatals and a daily baby aspirin. I did not ovulate with 50mg clomid.

Because I'm thin and my bloodwork showed normal insulin levels, my RE was very skeptical about me being IR because I initially approached her about trying metformin.

After my last visit, she said that she'd recently been to a conference, and learned that regardless of their IR situation, metformin has proven beneficial in helping PCOSers ovulate. She seemed more open to the idea of me trying it.

I hope the clomid works, but if not, I definitely want to give Met a try.

pc

crazygirl · 07-18-2002, 08:27 PM

Hi Amanda,

I have been TTC 1 for over a year now.

I'm on my 4th round of Clomid at the moment and to date I did not ovulate on 50mg or 100mg.

Even though my insulin levels are O.K. I demanded my OB/Gyn at least let my try Met. This is my 2nd cycle on Met (last cycle I did not O) I'm hoping this round works because if it doesn't then it's on to injections or me!

Good Luck and Babaydust your way

Crazygirl

jmp · 07-18-2002, 10:52 PM

My RE didn't want to put me on met b/c I did not test positive for IR. After my 3 failed cycles with a general practitioner, I was successful in my first cycle with him (the RE). We added a trigger shot and IUI to the cycle and YIPPEE!! I am now 11weeks along.

Godspeed!

babythompson · 07-30-2002, 11:44 AM

I went to the Dr last week after my first round of Provera and Clomid 50 mg and she said that it appeared from my U/S that my ovaries were characteristic of PCOS, but I don't have any of the other symptoms. I didn't O this month either. When AF comes back (hopefully Sat on its own!) I start 100 mg and go in for another U/S and get bw done to check sugar. I'm hoping that my sugar is ok and Clomid will work for me. I'd like to know how you are doing and if Clomid works for you. It sounds like we are in the same boat!

Michelle

christyRN · 08-27-2002, 04:48 PM

Amanda8,
I am so glad that I found this particular thread! I am 23 and have just been told that I also have ovaries that resemble PCOS. I Guess that means I have it though I don't feel like it. I am 5 feet, 6 and a half inches tall, small to meduim boned, and I weight in at 129 lbs. I have a few hairs on my chin and around my nipples that I pluck, as well as a small amount of upper lip hair that is fairly unnoticable. I do have to shave my legs fairly often though.

I started my period when i was 12. I had a regular cycle until about age 15. My periods just stopped, then I bled for about 2 months straight, then no period for 9 months. I went to the doctor and they put me on BC pills. I took them on and off for 6 years (mostly on) until this past january when i got off of them. I did not start a period in February, so I went to the OBGYN. I was also havign a little pain in my left side with a palpable mass. He said it was probably a little cyst and nothing to worry about. He didn't do any bloodwork or other tests, just put me on provera. I did not get a period that month after the withdrawl bleed so he increased the dose and put me on provera and premarin. Again no period and he did it one more time - no period. So I went in to see him where he did a vag ultrasound and said my ovaries were polycystic. He wanted to know if I was ready to be pregnant or if i just wanted a period. Of course I told him, who wants a period without ovulation?! So he gave me provera to start me bleeding and prescribed 50mg of Clomid. (However, the provera is dropping my blood pressure everytime i take it. I called him and he told me to only take one 200mg pill a day and call him back if it still happens. I mean, I can't even walk in a straight line I am so weak on that pill.!! It has never happened before...)

SO, I start Clomid next week. I feel so weird having a diagnosis like this when I don't really exhibit any other symptoms - no skin tags, no obesity, no IR, no hirsutism! Nothing else, just weird periods. Are you like this too? Anyone else out there like me?! Just wondering.

I am a nurse and I know a whole lot about this kind of stuff, but when it happens to you, you suddenly become dumb!

I would love to know what happens with you too so feel free to email me sometime! I am new to this board so i don't really know how it works exactly.

thanks! -Christy

Megan · 08-28-2002, 12:02 AM

Thanks for this excellent thread. I'm a bit underweight according to my Doc. I have about 3 nip hairs which I pluck and that's it. I have been on BC for about 10 years, so always had regular AFs. When we decided to start a family, we worried after 6 months of trying. Then I did an O test and it showed nothing happening. I got referred to my Gyn who immediately did a scan and found PCOS. Not a bad case by any stretch of the imagination, but he said bad enough to stop conception. I think I will take my first Clomid today or tomorrow (waiting for the full flow thing). I have no symptoms and even the san showed a bit of disfigurement on the right ovary but almost nothing on the left. I have read some really positive stories on other boards, so I am hoping that my minor effect combined with the Clomid will get me a home run first time. Fingers crossed. I don't feel any different and even after going off the BC, my AF remains regular, but sometimes a few days later than usual. I'm also taking folate and iron, but that's because I am a bit on the skinny side. No other meds or problems. Makes you feel kinda normal, don't it?!?

Hang in there gals

Chrissy · 08-28-2002, 03:55 PM

Megan and ChristyRN, your situations sound so similar to miine. I was wondering how old you both are because I was most similar to you in my twenties and early thirties. Now at 37 I have more symptoms and am questioning the IR thing all over again. I have never had difficulty with my weight 5'8" and 135. During my two pregnancies (Both using Clomid) I ballooned and was able to lose it fairly easily. Now it is tougher for some reason and the hair and skin are worsening.

I took Provera and CLomid with both my pregnancies. I also charted my temps. religiously so I could tell what was going on. This helped since I ovulated on day 11 with baby one and day 19 with baby 2. I wasn't even shooting for those days so ovulation prediction kits, taking temps. is definately worth it. The Provera makes me absolutely wicked. Provera made my blood pressure all over the place too. The good thing is once you take it and get your period you don't have to take it again if you're using Clomid, you should get your period if not pregnant. On months when I did not ovulate I thought my ovaries were going to burst! Huge pain and then it subsided when AF arrived.

Best luck to you. Keep up the reasearch and hard work. It is definately worth every stress headache you get! If you have any questions you can always e-mail.

Chrissy

Megan · 08-28-2002, 09:18 PM

Hi Chrissy

I'm about to turn 33. It's interesting that it gets worse as you get older. My Gyn, who is a truly fine person who I trust a lot, also thinks a recent serious illness contributed to my present situation. I had a total breakdown earlier this year which left me in bed for 9 weeks and basically incapable of rational thought. I was slim to begin with, but during that period I lost another 14 kg (whatever that converts to in lb). He says the stress my body experienced during that time had to add to my reproductive problems and suspects that the PCOS was made worse by this difficult time. I haven't done any temps or anything like that. I guess I should though, so I know what's happening each day. Although my Gyn is pretty good. He will be doing scans every 2nd day after the Clomid in order to schedule the BD days, so it will hopefully be easier to get the guys in there first time. Fortunately, my DH has this meteoric sperm count, so we just need my ovaries to present some tempting follicles and we shoudl be right!

It's nice to know there are others in a similar situation.

christyRN · 08-29-2002, 11:07 PM

You guys sound like you might be in similar situations as me. I am not going to the doctor during my Clomid or anything. he just told me to take it on day 5-9 and to chart my temps. But do I start it on the very first day of any sight of blood or do I wait until it is flowing? (I know, a little graphic! Sorry!) SInce you have done this before I thought you would know. And my temp should go up AFTER I ovulate, right? So how do I know when to have sex?

I am really worried about the whole "as I get older" thing. I am scared to death of gaining a lot of weight and getting hairy. Do you think Metformin now would prevent that later on? Does pregnancy help the PCOS to the point that it would be good to be pregnant and breastfeeding or else on the pill to control the cysts from forming? When I am on the pill I get my periods. Off of it I get nothing!

I really would like to talk to you guys more and get advice from you. Please email me or send a private message.

Thanks! - Christy

wannabamom · 09-19-2002, 10:09 AM

I, too, am only taking clomid and progesterone. I do not show outward symtoms of PCOS. I have some facial hair that I pluck or wax, but that's about it. I have been on clomid 50mg for 5 months and I've ovulated every time but am not pregnant yet! Good luck to you!

claire75 · 09-19-2002, 11:22 AM

hi amanda

My RE gave me clomid 50mg on its own........with only prenantals

I concieved 1st cycle & am now 8 weeks after ttc for 3 years

so it can be done..........good luck

sparrow · 10-07-2002, 06:22 PM

ChristyRN, I am also a skinny cyster (app. 128 lb.) with only a few mild symptoms (hair growth about like you described, also acne). In fact my RE, when he saw me for the 1st time, looked at me and said, "You don't fit the description!" However, my blood work did.

I have been on Met since '98. I conceived the first time after 1 yr. of trying and the 2nd time after 3 mos. I lost both of them and am getting ready to start Clomid and hCG next cycle for a better hormonal balance (my losses were probably due to poor quality eggs b/c of the PCOS hormonal imbalance). So we will see how that goes.

I've been fortunate and I get AF on my own, although it was very sporadic before I started taking Met. But it hasn't done enough by itself when it comes to carrying a child full-term.