Intro and questions about clomid!!

littleangel05

Hi everyone!! I'm new here and just wanted to say hi!! So here is my question! Me and my wonderful DH of 7 years decided to have a baby a little over a year ago so we tried naturally of course and it didn't work! So I was diagnosed with unexplained infertility and DH and losw sperm count, so he is taking fertilaid for men. I started going to an OB and she started me on clomid after taking provera to induce period because my period is pretty inconsistent! We are saving to go to an RE if need be but unfortunately right now and OB is all we can afford but I am just wondering it is my first month on clomid, and I am so tired of waiting but did you combine anything with clomid to help and did you have bad side effects!? I am really prone to side effects which is super annoying. Thanks guys!

pinkdoggie

Hello and welcome. I will not be the only one on the board to tell you that you shouldn't be getting clomid from and OB. If they can't monitor you, then you don't know what the meds are doing to you and that isn't safe. Go and see an RE I can tell you from experience I didn't save any money going to the OB because the insurance doesn't care if youre getting fertility treatment from and OB or an RE. They are more hands on too, so they will really figure out what is right for you for getting pregnant. 

Edit add-on: Also an RE will answer these questions for you and make sure that the side effects aren't crippling. GL. 

littleangel05

Hi, no it is not only DH that is having infertility issues, it is me as well. I have never had regular cycles Its very annoying! Unfortunately pink doggie we really think that this is for the best but thanks for the advice anyway!! but I will be sure to look up costs

pinkdoggie

I feel like I have said this several times to other people on here who insist an OB is better than an RE - you should not risk your reproductive health in the hopes of saving a few bucks because it will not end well. If you choose not to listen, that's your decision, but please understand I was in your shoes a while back and know what will happen. 

edit: for missing words...

SND1231

I agree with all PP. You should not take Clomid or any other fertility meds from a OB if they do not monitor. In the scheme of things the RE should not cost much more if you are paying OOP anyhow. To be honest I would think your reproductive health is more important than saving a little money.

littleangel05

Well no need to be hostile about it! It really is my choice that we do this, thanks! LDubHawksFan I haven not done an HSG but dr mentioned doing one if clomid doesn't work to make sure thats no the reason, anyways I wasn't really asking what you think of me having an OB, so thanks! 

cbnola71

I also agree. Maybe save up some money and do natural cycles in the meantime until you can afford RE treatment. The money will all be worth it in the long run. That's what I keep telling myself! Plus I feel like the RE is definitely more involved than my OB. She has less patients than my OB so its way easier to get in touch with and make appointments. They have always been able to get my in same-day. 

SND1231

No one was being hostile to you. You can not pick and choose what advice you want and what is off limits. You posted here and asked for advice, you can not be mad if it is not what you want to hear. We are not trying to be rude we are trying to save you from hurting yourself. Many women here have been in your shoes and are paying for it dearly. Some ladies has had lining issues that haven't returned to normal, cysts develop, cyst rupture that require emergency surgery, the list goes on and on. No one was being hostile to you. You just simply do not like our advice.

pinkdoggie

littleangel05 said:

Well no need to be hostile about it! It really is my choice that we do this, thanks! LDubHawksFan I haven not done an HSG but dr mentioned doing one if clomid doesn't work to make sure thats no the reason, anyways I wasn't really asking what you think of me having an OB, so thanks! 

Who is being hostile? We're telling you (in your own best interest) why you shouldn't go to an OB. OB's hand out clomid and don't give a second thought to how it is hurting you...let that sink in for a minute. And right now I am struggling to get my lining (thinned from unmonitered clomid) back up. As @SND1231 says, I would think that your reproductive health is more important than money. 

littleangel05

pinkdoggie said:

littleangel05 said:

Well no need to be hostile about it! It really is my choice that we do this, thanks! LDubHawksFan I haven not done an HSG but dr mentioned doing one if clomid doesn't work to make sure thats no the reason, anyways I wasn't really asking what you think of me having an OB, so thanks! 

Who is being hostile? We're telling you (in your own best interest) why you shouldn't go to an OB. OB's hand out clomid and don't give a second thought to how it is hurting you...let that sink in for a minute. And right now I am struggling to get my lining (thinned from unmonitered clomid) back up. As @SND1231 says, I would think that your reproductive health is more important than money. 

Haha no offense, but I kind of feel like your being a hypocrite! You cant tell me what to do when you did the exact same thing! Ok everyone thanks for your replies, but I'm not going to change just because people on a forum said so!! Haha! Anyway if anyone wants to answer my question about clomid thatd be awesome.

SND1231

As I have said before you can not chose what advice you get. The ladies here will not hand out advice about taking clomid unmonitored! We are telling you it is dangerous! Why are you not taking us seriously! The reason pinkdoggie is telling you she made the mistake is to let you know we are not trying to be hostile. A lot of the ladies here didn't have this board when they started their IF journey and made mistakes, mistakes we are trying to help you avoid. That is not being a hypocrite that is trying to help you avoid mistake that PP made. We are not telling you to "change because people on a forum said to", we are trying to save your reproductive organs and the ability to have a child at some point.

BunnyBerry

Little Angel (such an appropriate moniker), I would be happy to answer your question about Clomid.

Please allow me to elucidate the most distressing Clomid symptoms experienced by women, and what can be combined with the Clomid to avoid those symptoms.

Distressing Clomid Symptom #1: Thinned uterine lining, making it impossible or close to impossible for a fertilized embryo to implant, and possibly lasting for months after treatment ends.

Combo treatment to prevent Symptom #1: Ultrasound monitoring

Distressing Clomid Symptom #2: Leftover ovarian cysts which grow unchecked due to subsequent Clomid doses and produce estrogen, acting as birth control, or rupture, possibly leading to acute pain, hospitalization, and loss of partial or whole ovary reducing future ovarian reserve and response. [Edited to add: And scarring/adhesions/inflammation that further reduce fertility]

Combo treatment to prevent Symptom #2: Ultrasound monitoring

Distressing Clomid Symptom #3: Development of too many mature follicles causing pregnancy with higher-order multiples (three, four, or more developing embryos) requiring selective reduction (which leads to higher rates of miscarriage for the other embryo or embryos) or increasing risks of medical complications, low birth weight, maternal injury possibly leading to long-term inability to carry pregnancies to term, still birth, children born with physical and mental disabilities, long-term bedrest, etc.

Combo treatment to prevent Symptom #3: Ultrasound monitoring

Distressing Clomid Symptom #4: Not actually ovulating on the dose of Clomid or on any dose o Clomid, leading to wasted investment of time, stress, money, effort, and emotions.

Combo treatment to prevent Symptom #4: Ultrasound monitoring

Distressing Clomid Symptom #5: Not getting pregnant.

Combo treatment to prevent Symptom #5: An HSG to ensure that tubes are clear and it is possible for those Clomid-stimulated follicles to contact sperm and find their way safely to the uterus to implant.

P.S. The definition of hypocrite: Saying one thing while doing another; the definition of not being a hypocrite: Learning a lesson the hard way and trying to warn others out of compassion.

pinkdoggie

Well OP since you're going to act dense, I'm done giving you advice. I wasn't being a hypocrite, I was relaying to you what I did so you know what not to do...ya know, so you won'e make the same mistake I did. Oh well. Have fun thinning your lining to nothing or having multiples or EXTREMELY painful cysts because of unmonitored clomid use. 

littleangel05

BunnyBerry said:

Little Angel (such an appropriate moniker), I would be happy to answer your question about Clomid.

Please allow me to elucidate the most distressing Clomid symptoms experienced by women, and what can be combined with the Clomid to avoid those symptoms.

Distressing Clomid Symptom #1: Thinned uterine lining, making it impossible or close to impossible for a fertilized embryo to implant, and possibly lasting for months after treatment ends.

Combo treatment to prevent Symptom #1: Ultrasound monitoring

Distressing Clomid Symptom #2: Leftover ovarian cysts which grow unchecked due to subsequent Clomid doses and produce estrogen, acting as birth control, or rupture, possibly leading to acute pain, hospitalization, and loss of partial or whole ovary reducing future ovarian reserve and response. [Edited to add: And scarring/adhesions/inflammation that further reduce fertility]

Combo treatment to prevent Symptom #2: Ultrasound monitoring

Distressing Clomid Symptom #3: Development of too many mature follicles causing pregnancy with higher-order multiples (three, four, or more developing embryos) requiring selective reduction (which leads to higher rates of miscarriage for the other embryo or embryos) or increasing risks of medical complications, low birth weight, maternal injury possibly leading to long-term inability to carry pregnancies to term, still birth, children born with physical and mental disabilities, long-term bedrest, etc.

Combo treatment to prevent Symptom #3: Ultrasound monitoring

Distressing Clomid Symptom #4: Not actually ovulating on the dose of Clomid or on any dose o Clomid, leading to wasted investment of time, stress, money, effort, and emotions.

Combo treatment to prevent Symptom #4: Ultrasound monitoring

Distressing Clomid Symptom #5: Not getting pregnant.

Combo treatment to prevent Symptom #5: An HSG to ensure that tubes are clear and it is possible for those Clomid-stimulated follicles to contact sperm and find their way safely to the uterus to implant.

P.S. The definition of hypocrite: Saying one thing while doing another; the definition of not being a hypocrite: Learning a lesson the hard way and trying to warn others out of compassion.

Lol thanks for this!! Umm and that is my name, thanks! MMkay, I consider myself warned! 

littleangel05

Blue Joan , thank you! 

pinkdoggie

@NariaDreaming, mine doesn't cover any either. The moment they see "infertility" they're demanding full payments. It really ticks me off too and I hope that in the future that will change because infertility is extremely depressing and horrible for anyone to experience even before the worries of cost.

deelopi9

We wasted precious months and $$ by not going to see a RE at the beginning. Take this from someone who's been at this for 4 years.....The best way to look at it is that a OB/GYN is an expert in keeping you pregnant and RE is a expert in getting you pregnant. I wish I had someone offer the advice the ladies here have given you, it would have saved my husband and I so much heartache, $$, time and maybe just maybe a beautiful blessing. Mocking our feedback to your requested question is no laughing matter. We truly look out for one another. If you want to be another Kate +8 then go right along with your OB who is very quick to offer clomid when you haven't even checked to see if your tubes are opened.

Maybe while you wait for a RE have your OB order you a Hysterosalpingogram so you have ready when you see the RE.

Edited after looking at thread:

megrae12

OP, PPs have given you amazing advice. Advice you need to heed. I am amazed at your ability to only "hear" what you want. Really, that must be a hidden talent. As far as the Clomid goes, I say take it, go for it. You are going to anyway. Please, DO NOT, come back here and tell us how it royally screwed you over. You will be politely pointed in the direction of this post where you blatantly said you were ignoring our advice. At the very least, get your H to a urologist for testing and care. 

I wish you all the luck with your ridiculous decision and I hope you do not become another statistic. 

kushie77

Put down the clomid and slowly back away.  Without proper testing as to why your cycles are so irregular and without confirming open tubes the precious few sperm your husband has (btw he should be seeing a urologist) are being wasted, along with your lifetime max of 6 clomid cycles.  OBs like to hand out clomid like I give sweet tarts to trick or treaters.  If you chose not to heed the advice given, good luck.  

Most of us are OOP, I know that we had to set up a payment plan with the RE to be able to do treatment but it was a lot less then having to pay for medical problems associated with unmonitored clomid.  The ladies here are wise and knowledgeable, heed their advice. 

kushie77

@iputketchuponketchup   You are the bomb.

You deserve this:

littleangel05

The End.

Commentary:

No worries, that was a cut/paste from an earlier story time with Ketchup. I did not waste time on carefully crafting a personalized response - if you haven't picked up on this yet,  you're not the first, and certainly won't be the last, poster to come waltzing in here with an OB Clomid story. The difference in whether or not we "descend like wolves" (see what I did there, 3T? ) on you is how you react to our advice. If you take it, awesome. If you decide you don't like what you are reading and get all defensive, which you did, expect a not so nice response. I'll echo Meg on the advice to NOT come back here when Clomid fucks you over, but I will say that while some may "politely point you in the direction of this post", I'm not exactly known to be "polite" to people who have virtually spit in the faces of members of this community and trust me, TB never forgets. 

Haha ok thanks for taking time to reply but like I said earlier I'm not just going to change because you "said" so, idk correct me if Im wrong but you guys are not doctors! Did you go to med school, did you get a medical license?? I trust my OB more then you! Sorry if you guys don't like hearing that but it's the blunt truth and that seems to be a trend around here! Anyway I wasn't getting defensive, just stating facts! But thanks anyway!

megrae12

Seriously OP?! Common sense is not your super power is it? Oh well, I am done with you and your ignorance despite everyone's attempts at the contrary. GL with your reproductive future, it doesn't look to bright. Also, please, to save us all the headache, don't come back.  You have proven how much you care for our advice and personal experiences, therefore, I have nothing for you anymore. I don't have time or patience to deal with purposeful idiotic behavior. I hope you and your OB are really happy together. 

BunnyBerry

Oh dear, I must have neglected to post that...we here on 3T are all highly acclaimed, board-certified reproductive endocrinologists, which is why you came here to ask us questions right? In fact, we're so amazing at what we do that we spend our days doling out free medical advice to helpless women like you and the karma just brings cash floating down into our roofs every night. So no need to open up a practice. Or charge people $350 OOP for a consult. In fact, I'm pretty sure our little group is almost ready to unveil our newest incredible piece of leading edge technology, the internet ultrasound monitor, AKA ute goggles. Make sure to come back when your period is "late" and your HPTs are negative...we'll be sure to know you're pregnant. With quads.

pinkdoggie

(Ok I know I said I was done but I just can't help myself)

OP - like PP's said, we KNOW what it's like to take clomid, where your OB (most likely) does NOT! We understand your holy OB is MUCH more educated (and therefore must know more than us) but nearly all of us that took clomid under their supervision wound up paying for it later...that's not just coincidence. Like other ladies said an OB is for KEEPING you pregnant, the RE is for GETTING your pregnant...safely! You wouldn't go to an eye doctor for back problems, would you? Same idea applies here. I really do feel sorry for you because you refuse to acknowledge what can (and probably will) happen.

Ok I'm done now. Good luck. 

littleangel05

Ok thanks everyone! Nice meeting you all!!

MustangChic

To the OP- Would you see a dentist to have braces put on? No. You'd see an orthodontist who specializes in braces. Sure your dentist probably knows what braces are and has an idea about how braces work, but they are not the expert like an orthodontist. Same concept with an OB vs. an RE. I'm assuming my comparison is probably falling on deaf ears, but I honestly urge you to at least see a Reproductive Endocrinologist and hear first hand what they have to say. You may be surprised. You may also find the you aren't actually "unexplained infertility" by seeing a specialist. I'm sorry you are unwilling to heed the advice (which you solicited) of women who have "been there done that" and are willing to share the issues/troubles they've had because of it. These women are AMAZING for sharing their stories with you and YOU SHOULD BE THANKFUL!

To all of the AWESOME 3T ladies who've responded and shared , YOU ROCK and you are all the reason I love coming to this community.

littleangel05

Mustangchic I am thankful, I never said otherwise!! Still its my personal choice

littleangel05

iPutKetchupOnKetchup said:

littleangel05 said:

Mustangchic I am thankful, I never said otherwise!! Still its my personal choice

No you're not. Your responses to the advice you claim to be thankful for have been defensive and "neener neener" in nature. Not to mention juvenile. Clomid is not a fucking joke.

And no one said it wasn't your personal choice. It absolutely is, albeit a stupid fucking choice. Blows my mind that you're aware of these risks and are essentially bragging that you're going to blatantly ignore it. We told you that if you put your hand on the hot stove, you could get burnt. We gave you first hand experiences of what can happen. Rather then at the VERY least thanking us for giving you what you asked for (advice) and considering looking into it, you basically implied that we don't know what the hell we're talking about and your uneducated and irrational super logic is superior to our advice/experiences. We're mighty full of ourselves all of the sudden, aren't we?

Bottom line: if you want to be a sheep and blindly follow the white coat without educating and advocating for yourself, go for it. Your OBGYN has medical malpractice insurance to cover his ass if he fucks up your reproductive health. Unfortunately for you, money can't buy you a new one. 

Edited for words. 

WOW I love how your putting words in my mouth! I never said I thought clomid was a joke, but I am doing what MY DOCTOR said, thanks. AND if you want to take it as "neener neener" go right ahead! THANK YOU. 

littleangel05

MMkay.

Brightyellowdaffodil

Hope it's ok if I post - have been lurking for a few weeks before I can start TTC again. I just want to say thank you for all the helpful info, both in this thread and in everything I've read so far. This thread makes me so thankful my dr. made the appropriate referral to a RE and that I didn't get unknowingly stuck with trying to treat IF with an OB. I wouldn't have known any better and would have probably just gone along with it- wow, what a waste of time and how scary! I'm sorry that some of you had to go through that, but thank you for sharing your experiences, even if the OP seems totally uninterested. All this is definitely giving me plenty to think about as far as planning for my next cycles and having good informed questions to ask at my next appointment. Thank you!

BunnyBerry

NariaDreaming said:

littleangel05 said:

WOW I love how your putting words in my mouth! I never said I thought clomid was a joke, but I am doing what MY DOCTOR said, thanks. AND if you want to take it as "neener neener" go right ahead! THANK YOU. 

Your doctor is wrong. Just because they have an MD doesn't mean they know anything. 

Trust me. I was in your shoes two years ago. I thought these women were crazy and that I would be fine with an OB. 

Guess what, I was wrong. My OB was wrong. And when I saw her for my annual this year, I called her on the fact that she was 100% wrong about my diagnosis and that I would ahve been wasting my time and risking my health if I took the clomid from her. 

@nariadreaming That is so cool! What was her reaction when you told her?