Why shouldn't I??

[girlie1125]

I posted my story up til now in "Can I post here?", short version, we're a lesbian couple ttc, and after first cycle (on clomid 50) nada in the way of follicles, distraught over having to start all over again.

Doc has me on clomid 100s this cycle. I'm thinking "WTF GOOD IS THAT GONNA DO?!?"

I realize that some people that had nothing on clomid 50 do sometimes have success with clomid 100. Some. And I understand that, like the RE's nurse said, "Well, we'll get you there, you don't want to have 6 or something!"

BUT, we're LESBIANS, and we're doing CD 14 u/s every cycle. If there are too many good follies, doc will cancel any IUI plans. We *CAN'T* get pg on our own without the IUI!!! Maybe its my impatience, but I'm wondering why not start higher and cut back? We're not the typical RE clients, so this baby steps at a time routine is just KILLING me.

/rant

Sorry, I'm just sooo absolutely frustrated right now. I just *know* that the 100s won't work, (or at least feel that way) then I'll be distraught all over again and whoop-de-do, on to Clomid 150s.

I do have refills available on my clomid rx, so I have half a mind to go get a refill, and take 150 this month. If, by some weird miracle, it produced 10 perfect follies, I'll let doc know that ok, strangely 100 may be the way to go cuz I took 150 on my own.

If nothing in the way of follies, I tell doc I took 150 on my own, so no need to try that for the next cycle.

If everything is perfect (less than 4 good sized follies, according to RE) then great! It worked! Maybe 100 would have worked, too, but as long as its just enough and not too many follies, who cares?

Obviously I understand the fertility industry's obligation to prevent as many high-order multiple pgs as possible, and that even if a couple is 99% certain that hubby has fertility issues, starting with high-dose meds and a few 'miracle' swimmers getting in there can equal septuplets. But not for us, not even remotely!!!

Am I just being horribly impatient? We are self-pay, so going the "slow and steady" route is costing us a bunch! Would *you* go for it and take 150 this cycle? Or would you hit me over the head with a firm pillow and tell me to snap out of it?

If you *would* do it, would you ask doc about it first? (I would get the refill first before asking doc lol).

I even considered doing 100 last cycle, but didn't, because I was sooo hopeful that it would work at 50. I have been so completely depressed and heartbroken and just...crushed the last few days, even my kids notice it.

What would you do? Should I? I guess I can't see any harm in it, really...give me your opinion please.

Thanks

[cincynana]

In my most humble opinion, clomid is a horrible, nasty drug. Just my personal experience. Not only b/c it doesn't seem to work well, but the side effects were awful and there is so little monitoring. Again, just my opinion.

Even though injectables are much more expensive, maybe it would be worth trying those instead? With the injects, you are monitored every 2-3 days with ultrasound and bloodwork and the iui is planned at a great time since you trigger before the iui. You could even do 2 iui's back-to-back.

I also didn't respond well to clomid. I am doing injectables and respond really well to the meds. The good thing about the injects, too, is that if you are responding too well, they can back your dosage down without having to totally stop a cycle.

As for taking a higher dosage of clomid, I personally wouldn't without a dr's knowledge. Mainly b/c of OHSS. You wouldn't want to lose your ovaries.

I am so sorry for your frustration and heartache. I hope you become pregnant soon and good luck with whatever decision you make.

[girlie1125]

I am being monitored (with cd 14 u/s) and would have triggered for the IUI if we'd seen any decent sized follies on cd 14 u/s.

As for injectibles, I'm all for trying them, expense or no, but I have a feeling RE will want me to go through the motions of Clomid first, which means at least two more cycles before we even get to injectibles. *sigh* I don't think I could just tell him "Look, cut the crap and let's get to injectibles" could I?

[cincynana]

My RE told ME to "cut the crap and move onto injectables!"

How many cycles of clomid have you done? With dd, I did around 6 cycles of clomid (with my ob/gyn without monitoring except 1 blood test each cycle to see if I o'ed or not). Now we're trying for #2 and my RE was all for letting me try clomid again, but after the 2nd cycle, he encouraged me to move onto the injects.

You may want to bring it up next visit. Its your body, so hopefully he will be open to your needs and wants. Good luck! I'll have you in my thoughts.

[kristenok18]

I think you should express your feelings to your RE. You're paying him, and he should be able to tell you why he's recommending this course of action over others. I didn't o on 50mg clomid, but I did o the first time on 100mg, but not the 2nd. Ask him WHY he doesn't want to increase your dose more? Mine told me that my ovaries are so covered with cysts that there was a potential for more cysts to develop, making it impossible for any eggs to get out. So I don't really have an option except to wait, as much as I hate it, until my body reabsorbs the stupid little cysts. (Can you tell I'm just a *bit* annoyed with the whole process?). I guess my point is that your RE should be able to address the pros and cons of all these questions you're asking, because he has detailed knowledge about your particular situation. If he doesn't want to take the time to answer your questions, maybe it's time to look for an RE who's more responsive to you and dp's needs.

[Dea]

Girlie, while I can't say what to do with Clomid (I hated it) I understand the fustrations. By all accounts I am a typical RE client, and yet I just want them to hit me with their best shot, (pun intended) and get this party started. But alas, they won't do that.
I hope all goes well and you get a positive sooner than later, and me too!

[girlie1125]

Thanks y'all .

This is my first cycle with Clomid, so I don't think I have a convincing argument to present to RE to take more drastic measures just yet.

I did call the office, and the nurse explained that the 50 did NOTHING at ALL for me, didn't look like anything was even trying to develop, follie-wise, so she says they will slowly up it to see when *something* starts happening. That makes sense to me, since this *was* my first cycle and all, they have to see how I respond.

I'm just overly frustrated, but I think I've made my peace with it for now. They did say that my lining was an 8 (trying to find more info on these numbers so I have a better idea of exactly what that means) and that 8 is fine.

So, I will just be sticking to 100 mg this cycle, and hopefully won't be so disappointed when it doesn't work. I just hate that I have to wait at least 28days or so to even get to the next day 14 u/s. *sigh*

Thanks for listening and responding, ladies . It really helps.

[blueridgewoman]

IME, Clomid was a total crap shoot. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Sometimes I got cysts, sometimes I didn't.

The injectibles worked for me, but they worked too well, and I ended up ovulating on the wrong side (I only have one tube). On my last cycle before I moved to IVF, I gave the Clomid one more shot and wound up pregnant.

[Dea]

From what I understand the 8 is in mm (milimeters). I can't remember what it's supposed to be... I think that sometimes clomid can cause your lining to thin, which is bad.

[blueridgewoman]

It usually takes three continuous cycles on Clomid before the lining thins, so doctors generally stop after three cycles and they monitor thickness on each cycle (at least, mine did).