I have been using clomid for 8 cycles now, 4 of which (w/Met) have been ovulatory. Recently I found a post written by a cyster that had success after 3 years of TTC after using Vitex, and Don Quai. I AM SO INSPIRED...but also scared! I don't even know where to start. I've been reading posts trying to find out exactly when to take, when to stop, and how much others are using. I don't want to do the wrong thing!
Will someone please help me!! I need it in baby terms I guess! I'm wondering:
a)how much of both do I take?
b)how many times a day?
c)when do I start both the vitex, and don quai?
d)when do I stop taking them during my cycle?
Thankyou so much for any replies!
__________________ Me (24) Dh (25)
Dx PCOS 1/02
TTC#1 since 7/02
Clomid 100mg Starting IUI
Metformin 2000mg
I can so relate to your question because you sound just like me when I first started taking Vitex and Dong Quai! So don't feel like your the first to ask this question!
I can't answer ALL your questions but I can answer some so I thought I'd give my 2 cents.
Take the Dong Quai everyday with the exception of during AF. Because it's a blood thiner it will make you bleed more and longer.
Take Vitex everyday even throughout AF.
Now some cysters stop Vitex and/or Dong Quai until after "O" because some say it supresses "O". But that is something you have to choose for yourself.
Since these are herbals the longer you take them the more they build up in your system and the better they work for you.
Right now I am taking Vitex and Dong Quai everyday, except when on AF. During that week I give my body a rest and for now that is working with me so I'm sticking with it but in the future I may change depending on how my body reacts. I also am on NPC (Natural Progesterone Cream) which I am on 14 days and off 14 days. This may also change as I've been told that the Vitex and Dong Quai can work without the NPC but like I said these have worked for me so far so I will see how my body reacts in the next few months since I've just started the Vitex and Dong Quai in January this year. I had my first AF in 6 months in February so I'm waiting to see if I get AF again this month. If I do it will be the first time EVER that I had AF 2 months in a row!!!
So good luck and I hope my 2 cents didn't confuse you!
I don't take DQ, but I do take Vitex. I take it throughout my cycle. However, when I start ttc (which will be 9 mos after I started taking Vitex...long enough for it to have built up in my system), I'll stop taking it after O (you're not supposed to be taking it while pg...so wishful thinking for m ). Although, if my cycles become irregular or longer again, I may resort to taking it throughout my cycles again.
__________________ Cora Blake 5.24.04
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DX 1992, BCP 10 yrs (ended 3/02)
moderate symptoms, thin cyster
Pg thanks to: Vitex 400 mg x 2, Dong Quai 565 mg x 4, EPO 500/1000mg, multivitamin, B complex, moderate exercise, low sugar/mod carb diet
Good to know about not taking Dong quai while I have AF, that's why I started to bleed again after not even 2 weeks that was gone!!!!.
Anyways I just wanted to say that after 3 weeks taking Vitex and herbs, Af came, it last around 10 days.
Now I started bleeding again, but is not too bad, so I'll keep you posted, herbs are working for me (at least until now)
Thanks Gigi for your advice!!!!!!
MissCreamSoda good luck hope herbs do the work for you as well.
thanks
__________________ I'm 24 DH 37
I was DX when I was 14 years old
Married for 5 years
TTC # 1
Glucophage april 2002 until october (it damaged my liver functions)
Now taking vitex,dong quai,red raspberry,saw palmetto,flax seed
I have been taking Vitex and DQ for 3 months now. So far, I ovulated twice. However, my second month on it gave me a cycle of 29 days (I know I have not ovulated that specific month because I have been checking my Progesterone levels)
My only advice. Do not take DQ after Ovulation. Any herborist will tell you that you should not be taking it during pregnancy. So, if you are TTC, stop it after ovulation.
I continue the vitex the whole cycle and I do not take anything during my period to give my body a rest.
That is my opinion,
I hope this help.
PS. I take the liquid form I it seems to work better for me (I had tried the pills first) and I take 20 drops of Vitex twice a day and 20 Drops of DQ twice a day (until O).
Coniela
__________________ Connie
Age: 28
Dx in 2001
TTC x 2 years
Tried Clomid/Met/Dexamethasone/IUI... unsuccessfully
Going natural...
"Hey, What do I have to lose?"
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Please help me! Re: vitex/don quai 
Boy can I realte.... 
Ditto to Gigi's comments... 
). Although, if my cycles become irregular or longer again, I may resort to taking it throughout my cycles again.
