Clomid question

emilynicole81

Hey ya'll, I'm pretty new here and have a question about Clomid. I just got the results today of my day 21 progesterone (1.2) which obviously confirmed that I did not ovulate this month and also confirms my suspicion that I have not been ovulating. My OB/GYN is starting me on Clomid 50mg CD 3-7. I've been reading a lot of posts on here about the importance of being monitored while on Clomid.

I'm trying to make sure I understand all of this, but is the concern being over stimulation of the ovaries? I asked the nurse about the need for a mid cycle sono and she didn't seem to think it was necessary. I asked about the possibility of over stimulation and she said that she hadn't seen it happen to any one and that it wasn't super common. I do believe what she was saying as she happens to be a really good friend. With 50mg being on the lower end of the dosage, does it seem safe for me to take this unmonitored? Also, does "monitoring" only entail a mid cycle sono? 

jennycam

I'd say it's very important to be monitored while on Clomid because hyperstimulation IS a possible effect even with a low dose. Having said that I didn't experience it this cycle which was my first cycle on 50mg of Clomid, my day 12 u/so showed only 1 follicle but everyone is different. It's better to be safe than sorry. Having twins myself I joined a Moms of Multiples group and have lots of friends with multiples who refer to them as "Clomid babies".

WishUponAChild

I know it is very overwhelming but I would suggest listening to these ladies.

emilynicole81

Yeah, that was kind of dumb of me to mention that the nurse was a friend, because that doesn't mean anything in the grand scope of risks/benefits... just because they've never had it happen to a patient doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I got it.

I had a cd4 fsh that was normal and my husband had a normal SA. I asked the nurse about the need for the hsg prior to starting Clomid, but again, got the impression that it wasn't necessary. Grr. Ok well I'll be calling the office back to request this stuff... Thanks!

DenaMaree

If it would me I would call the office back and request a referral to a RE! Best decision H and I made in our TTC journey!!

BethKate2

emilynicole81 said:

Yeah, that was kind of dumb of me to mention that the nurse was a friend, because that doesn't mean anything in the grand scope of risks/benefits... just because they've never had it happen to a patient doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I got it.

I had a cd4 fsh that was normal and my husband had a normal SA. I asked the nurse about the need for the hsg prior to starting Clomid, but again, got the impression that it wasn't necessary. Grr. Ok well I'll be calling the office back to request this stuff... Thanks!

I would definitely recommend the testing/monitoring that the other ladies have described, but I wouldn't call back the obgyn's office to ask about it. You really should work with an RE. OBs are not specifically trained in ways to help you get pregnant. REs are. Also, from what I've read on the boards, it seems like a lot of people who do have testing done with their obgyns need to repeat a lot of the same testing once they start to see an RE.

aves0708

Ditto what everyone else said.  I also want to add, like Naria said, that getting a progesterone draw on day 21 is sometimes useless.  You really should be getting this test at 7DPO (days past ovulation).  I know you said you think you don't normally ovulate, how do you know this?  Have you tried taking you BBT and charting on your own? I normally have longer cycles like 37-40 days and the OB's office didn't think I was ovulating either but I knew I was based on my charts.  Because of my longer cycles I don't ovulate until day 24-28ish, so a day 21 progesterone check would have been completely useless for me.  I recommend seeking  the care of an RE.  Good luck moving forward!

BunnyBerry

I second PPs, especially what @aves0708 explained...unless you were temping, you would not know if you had just O'ed or were about to O based on CD21 progesterone levels. That is based on an average cycle, where CD21 is 7 days past CD14 ovulation, and they compare to those expected numbers. Anyone who simply assumes an average cycle for every woman surely is not going to have the best rates of success treating infertility.

If you have not yet had an HSG, you could be medicating your body (and thinning your lining, and using up the 6 or so possible safe cycles of Clomid anyone gets) for no reason, if sperm can't meet egg (or even if there is one blocked tube - and your mature follicle/s are on the other side).

Clomid commonly causes the uterine lining to thin, even on a first cycle, and without ultrasound monitoring, you wouldn't know if your lining even gave a healthy chance for an embryo to implant.

No matter what the dose, there is absolutely no guarantee about how many follicles will develop. The second cycle can randomly be more than the first on the same dose, even. Especially if you're not dealing with male factor infertility, there is a very large risk for multiples. Triplets might sound cute (my mom certainly was excited about that possibility until I set her straight on the risks, lol!), but something like 1 in 3 triplet births results in children with physical and/or mental handicaps.

It's so strange to think it's really a big deal when OBGYNs all over the country just prescribe unmonitored Clomid, before completing testing, as a first line of action. But the reality is that all of these things and more happen to women all the time, and it's irresponsible for those doctors not to take it seriously.

daytonflyer

This just reconfirms what I told my ob/gyn's office last month. I called wanting to set up an appointment with her and they could not for a couple of months out. I then asked if I could at least talk to her and see if I should get a referral elsewhere.  Three different times a different nurse called me and said she wanted me to start clomid and just call during my next cycle. I told them I was not comfortable with this and that I wanted to talk to her.  They said they would have her call me.  I heard the same spiel about clomid from three different nurses, but never from her.  It worried me they were so nonchalant about it.  Now I am looking for another office to use. I loved the NP I saw at the old place, but not keen on just popping pills.  All  labwork came back well, but that was the only testing done.

Hollowvic

About a week ago when I joined I had the exact same question, got the same answers. I called my RE and demanded the monitoring, even if I do have to Pay OOP. I now have peace of mind. Thanks to the advice from the ladies on this board. Also, I wouldn't take anything before going through all the proper testing. You need to see an RE!