Clomid Stories Please!

[millefleur]

Hi!

I have been TTC for over a year. I started Clomid today (CD 3) at 50mg for five days.

I'm wondering if anyone would be willing to share your Clomid stories with me?

How much did you take? How long? Did you have side effects? And...most importantly...did it work?

Thanks for any info you can share!

[InWaiting]

I've been trying to conceive for 14 months. I've taken Clomid for 2 cycles. My doctor started me at 50mg (days 5-9) the first go round and my progesterone levels on the day 21 test were only 5.1. He increased my dosage to 100mg (also days 5-9) for this cycle. I'm currently on CD 16 with no +OPK and no temp increase on my chart I'm hoping that I get a + tomorrow with a temp increase to follow. It sure would nice if it were as easy as that to "fix" my problem.
The good news is that I've had no side effects (I have had headaches but I always have headaches right at the end of my period so I don't believe it's related to the Clomid).
I sure hope it works for us!

[lifeguard]

inwaiting - I'm on cd16 waiting for a +opk as well!

We used clomid to conceive ds. I took 50mg cd5-9 & conceived the first cycle. We also used a trigger shot & progesterone.

This time we started with 50mg again this time on cd2-6 (different doc so different schedule) & didn't o, my cd22 progesterone was 0.5 (doc wanted to see over 30). Second cycle I did 100mg cd2-6 & o'd on cd16 but my luteal phase was only 6 days & cd22 progesterone had improved to 20. This cycle (our third) I took 150mg cd2-6 & am still waiting to O.

I sway back & forth between being hopeful this is the cycle that will work & doubting it will ever work. Fertility treatments can really mess with your emotions.

Side effects for me have been mostly mood swings (which I deal with by reminding myself that it is the drug not the actual situation that is getting me going), insomnia (awful), headaches & hot flashes (oh my these can be terrible).

Good luck!

[Ammaarah]

My beautiful Clomid baby will be 5 in September, and I'm watching her sleep right now.

I have PCOS and was put on Metformin. A few months later, I took one round of Clomid, 50 mg on CD 3-7, and I got pregnant on about the 21st day of my cycle. I had hot flashes and some mood swings, but it wasn't all that bad. I hope you hit the jackpot on the first round!

[Ammaarah]

By the way, I had no positive OPK or eggwhite cervical fluid the day before my temp rose and the day of temp rise. I only knew I'd ovulated based on temps - and then my chart went triphasic and I got a BFP on maybe 11 or 12 DPO. Good luck to you.

[34me]

I honestly can't tell you how much or when I took clomid as my clomid babies are 16 and 14 as of last week. It took 3 cycles with dd and 2 with ds. And then there was a surprise at the end

[Tear78]

millefleur, I can't remember: are you getting monitoring along with your clomid? That's my biggest regret with my clomid experience, is not pressing my OB to monitor, because now I don't know if my big cyst was there before taking it, or if it was caused by it, but either way it should have been checked for. Otherwise, Clomid was pretty easy, and I definitely felt a powerful ovulation that month. I think it makes the tww more intense, symptomwise, which fooled me into thinking I was preggs. I would recommend guaifenesin around ovulation to help with ewcm. Otherwise, good luck and have fun!!! I'm so excited for you!

[InWaiting]

Originally Posted by lifeguard

inwaiting - I'm on cd16 waiting for a +opk as well!

We used clomid to conceive ds. I took 50mg cd5-9 & conceived the first cycle. We also used a trigger shot & progesterone.

This time we started with 50mg again this time on cd2-6 (different doc so different schedule) & didn't o, my cd22 progesterone was 0.5 (doc wanted to see over 30). Second cycle I did 100mg cd2-6 & o'd on cd16 but my luteal phase was only 6 days & cd22 progesterone had improved to 20. This cycle (our third) I took 150mg cd2-6 & am still waiting to O.

I sway back & forth between being hopeful this is the cycle that will work & doubting it will ever work. Fertility treatments can really mess with your emotions.

Side effects for me have been mostly mood swings (which I deal with by reminding myself that it is the drug not the actual situation that is getting me going), insomnia (awful), headaches & hot flashes (oh my these can be terrible).

Good luck!

I've never had a cycle twin before! Very cool. How long are your cycles usually? I'm every 28 days to the dot, so I sometimes worry my LP is a tad short.
Have you asked your doc about taking them on days 5-9 like you did the first time? I doubt that it matters but it might be something to try.
I know exactly what you mean about your emotions swaying back and forth. Sometimes I think I'm afraid to let myself hope again.
I hope that this cycle is your lucky one!!

Originally Posted by Ammaarah

By the way, I had no positive OPK or eggwhite cervical fluid the day before my temp rose and the day of temp rise. I only knew I'd ovulated based on temps - and then my chart went triphasic and I got a BFP on maybe 11 or 12 DPO. Good luck to you.

I'm so glad that you added this! I haven't had any of my usual CM this month and normally my OPK would be positive by day 16 so I've been REALLY depressed thinking this month won't work either. I sure hope my story ends like yours

Originally Posted by Tear78

millefleur, I can't remember: are you getting monitoring along with your clomid? That's my biggest regret with my clomid experience, is not pressing my OB to monitor, because now I don't know if my big cyst was there before taking it, or if it was caused by it, but either way it should have been checked for. Otherwise, Clomid was pretty easy, and I definitely felt a powerful ovulation that month. I think it makes the tww more intense, symptomwise, which fooled me into thinking I was preggs. I would recommend guaifenesin around ovulation to help with ewcm. Otherwise, good luck and have fun!!! I'm so excited for you!

My OB does an ultrasound on CD 1, 2, or 3, but I've also read that some women get them mid-cycle as well. Should I be pushing for that mid-cycle scan? My doc won't even let me take Clomid without the beginning ultrasound. We are going out of town for 2 weeks in July and I won't be in town IF my period starts (I sure hope it doesn't and I get a BFP on our vacation. That would be awesome!) I won't be around to get the scan. I cried in his office when he told me I'd have to take a month off I do understand that he is just being cautious, but the irrational part of me doesn't care

[SimplyRochelle]

nI took 50mg from cd5-9 in March, took two months off and then took 50mg cd2-6 this previous cycle. Both times I had awful headaches while taking the Clomid and felt a little less in control of my emotions, but it totally would have been worth it for a BFP. Unfortunately, it didn't work that way for me. Although I must say, I like that it has shortened and regulated my cycles a bit...at least those two in the middle. I went from 32-35 day cycles, O'ing on cd18-22, to O'ing on like cd14 or 15 with a 13 or 14 day lp. Last cycle on the Clomid was textbook O on cd14, 14 day lp, 28 day cycle. I'd love to try the clomid some more but I'm switching insurance this next month.

Good luck! I hope you get your BFP first try!

[InWaiting]

Finally got my +OPK today on CD 17. Here's hoping a temp rise is soon to follow and that my progesterone levels are good. Oh, and a BFP on a HPT would be excellent too

[millefleur]

Thanks everyone! It helps to hear your experiences.

So far so good except...SWEATING BUCKETS both yesterday and today. It's so bizarre. I don't think I can go out in public. I'm raining!

Originally Posted by Tear78

millefleur, I can't remember: are you getting monitoring along with your clomid? That's my biggest regret with my clomid experience, is not pressing my OB to monitor, because now I don't know if my big cyst was there before taking it, or if it was caused by it, but either way it should have been checked for. Otherwise, Clomid was pretty easy, and I definitely felt a powerful ovulation that month. I think it makes the tww more intense, symptomwise, which fooled me into thinking I was preggs. I would recommend guaifenesin around ovulation to help with ewcm. Otherwise, good luck and have fun!!! I'm so excited for you!

Tear! Thanks! I'm so excited for YOU! I'm not being monitored but based on your advice I think I will ask to be.

Originally Posted by SimplyRochelle

nI took 50mg from cd5-9 in March, took two months off and then took 50mg cd2-6 this previous cycle. Both times I had awful headaches while taking the Clomid and felt a little less in control of my emotions, but it totally would have been worth it for a BFP. Unfortunately, it didn't work that way for me. Although I must say, I like that it has shortened and regulated my cycles a bit...at least those two in the middle. I went from 32-35 day cycles, O'ing on cd18-22, to O'ing on like cd14 or 15 with a 13 or 14 day lp. Last cycle on the Clomid was textbook O on cd14, 14 day lp, 28 day cycle. I'd love to try the clomid some more but I'm switching insurance this next month.

Good luck! I hope you get your BFP first try!

Rochelle! Thanks!

[goldfinches]

I did 12+ cycles of clomid, maxing out at 250mg for a few months. I did not get pregnant from it. I do believe I got cancer from it. Please don't allow your doctor to give it to you without monitoring you.

[lifeguard]

Inwaiting - my cycles are not regular - boy that would make things more predictable! Congrats on the +opk, I'm still waiting for mine & starting to think this cycle is a bust. Bought more opk's today though.

goldfinches - can I ask why so many cycles? I've been told 6 is the max.

[Kinza]

I have done 2 cycles of 50 mg. First cycle I took the pills days 3-7, the second I took them 4-8. I didn't get pregnant either time and will not take it again.

In terms of side effects, I was extremely moody the whole cycle, both times. Nothing unbearable, just as if I had PMS emotions all month. Also, the hormone levels can negatively affect the flora in your mouth, and if you have any underlying gum problems this can be a bad thing. Evidently I had the beginnings of periodontal disease, and taking Clomid exacerbated the issue, and my gums receded and I got an infection. This is info that I found online (after the fact, since it's not listed as a side effect), and also that the dentist and perio explained to me when I was having my super-fun visit two days ago. So, this is not something that will happen to everyone or even most people, and if you have gone to the dentist recently you should be good to go. Just pay attention to your mouth, and good luck!

[Ammaarah]

Originally Posted by millefleur

Thanks everyone! It helps to hear your experiences.

So far so good except...SWEATING BUCKETS both yesterday and today. It's so bizarre. I don't think I can go out in public. I'm raining!

This happened to me. It was insane. I've never sweat like that in my life before or after.

[goldfinches]

Originally Posted by lifeguard

goldfinches - can I ask why so many cycles? I've been told 6 is the max.

6 should absolutely be the max. But, I was on clomid 10 years ago, back when the internet was new. I couldn't research it like I can now, I had to rely on what I hoped was the expertise of my doctor. Turns out, he wasn't the expert I had hoped

[corrieoseal]

I would definitely insist on monitoring for Clomid cycles, u/s and bloodwork. My DD was conceived on 200mg of Clomid. It was cycle number 5 for us. I took it in conjunction with 2000mg of metformin and we did times IUI's. I was successful in conceiving, but I can never use it again due to visual disturbances that occurred while taking it (weird flashes and strobes in my peripheral vision.) Make sure you stop taking Clomid if you have any visual disturbances. My doctor did not and I know now that I am working with my current RE that it could have had serious consequences.

I would also look into Femara (Letrazole). This is the drug I am starting with my next cycle after DD weans....though hopefully you won't need it because you've already conceived!

[millefleur]

Thanks again everyone!

Kinza - good to know about the gums issue! I am due to go to the dentist anyway! Thanks!

Originally Posted by Ammaarah

This happened to me. It was insane. I've never sweat like that in my life before or after.

OMG it IS insane! I am, quite literally, a hot mess!

goldfinches - I'm so sorry you went through that. Thank you for sharing.

corrieoseal - Thanks for the info on visual disturbances! Nothing like that so far. I take my last dose of Clomid tomorrow and then I plan on calling the OB's office to discuss monitoring, next steps, etc. I will ask about Femara. I pay out of pocket for anything related to fertility so I assume Clomid is my cheapest option for now.

Thanks again!