Re: clomid (ttc, m/c , child ment)

[Guest guest]

Hi Leah-Welcome to the clomid club...I'm sure that there are lots of

ladies here who will share their stories. I've taken clomid several

times under different circumstances. Originally, I was only seeing

my OB. Her approach was to check me for cysts (by doing a pelvic

exam) at the beginning of each cycle. If everything seemed to be

okay, I'd take my clomid on days 3-7. She did not monitor me

throughout the cycle in any way. This worked fairly quickly for me

twice (once resulted in my DS and another in one of my m/cs.)

After my 2nd m/c in Feb. I decided to start seeing an RE. His

approach is VERY different. With him, I go in on day 3 of my cycle

for bloodwork and ultrasound. He checks to be sure that my hormone

levels are where they should be and also for cysts. If everything

checks out okay, I take the clomid on days 5-9. I start the

monitoring on day 12. Again, they do bloodwork and u/s. They check

the size and location of my follicles (since I'm a UU I can only get

pregnant from my left ovary.) They'll keep checking my every other

day until we see a good follie. If I have one on my good side, I

give myself an injection of HCG to trigger ovulation. After

ovulation, I take a progesterone called Crinone. As far as other

meds, I have heard of people taking estrogen midcycle to help with

CM and uterine lining. I have not done this myself.

As far as side effects, it seems to vary. Some people don't seem to

have too many problems. I felt very little when taking the initial

does (50 mgs) just some mild hot flashes and headaches-all very

bearable. For the past 2 months, I have taken 100 mgs and I have

experienced some definite side effects! (Hot flashes, headaches,

and BAD mood swings.) I've survived, though and keep reminding

myself that I'm choosing to do this! I'm jumping to 150 this month

and am not sure what to expect! (DH is scared!) The side effects

were the worst while actually taking the medicine, and I notice the

hot flashes seem to continue until after I ovulate. Post-ov

everything seems to level off again.

It seems like different docs have different ideas about clomid. My

RE explained that there wasn't one " right way " just " old school and

new school " ideas! He prefers to be more aggressive, which has

worked well for me. I drive about an hour to his office which does

get to be a pain. It is nice that your OB will do your monitoring

for you, but that you'll still get to follow-through with the RE.

Hope that this answers some of your questions. Best wishes with

everything and keep us posted!

Take care,

UU, 30

DS 8-31-03

2 m/cs

ttc #2