clomid/metformin/provera

TamaraE30

Why do OBGYNs hand it out like it is candy? I had been trying to get pregnant for 4 months and my 1st doctor gave me 50mg of clomid. I took it for 2 cycles before I really really paid attention to the advice of you lovely ladies on here. I'm in my second cycle right now and even though I took clomid, I'm on CD 76. I switched doctors for 2 reasons...to be closer to home and because my old doc gave clomid too quickly. My new doctor, at a women's clinic, prescribed metformin, provera, and clomid (100mg). I asked if they monitor with u/s and the doc advised that they don't really do that (same thing the 1st doc said). I've decided that I'm not going to take the clomid until I'm referred to a fertility clinic (if needed at the 1 yr mark-April). How many of you experienced your doctor handing clomid out too quickly????

Any helpful info about metformin or provera? I was told to take metformin once a day for 7 days and then twice a day. I was told to take provera after my doctor calls me with my blood test results. I also had an u/s last week to see if I have any cysts (I have a history). My doc wanted my DH to have a sperm analysis but I think I'm going to hold off on that until the year mark also.

I showed my new doctor my chart and she couldn't believe how much it zig zagged up and down from day to day....maybe I need a new bbt?

I also just want to thank each and every one of you ladies for always posting so much great info and support! I wish everyone luck on this crazy baby making journey!

jeffsjayme

Nope, haven't had a doc just give me Clomid.  But I kind of suspect that my OB would.  Not sure how much monitoring she would do, but I think she'd write a prescription for it.  I base that on a comment that she made before we were TTC during an annual exam where I told her that we were going to be TTC soon, but I was worried about it with my history of PCOS. She said "we may need to go down the clomid path, but you never know until you try."

I've been on Metformin before - it's really to try to treat PCOS and insulin resistance.  Have you been diagnosed with that?

I've taken Provera too, but not while I was TTC - it was years ago where I'd take it every 3-4 months to start a period because without it, I would never get one.  From what I read on these boards, most women who take it do so because they have a really long cycle and want to end it (past 60+ days). 

racheldcarrell

My ob gave me provera and clomid in sept. Because I had not had a period since my m/c in may. I took both, and neither worked. After that, I learned more about clomid and couldn't believe she gave it to me. I am glad I chose to do provera again because the second round did induce AF and the cycle after that AF came without provera. I think it helped me. It seems they are just giving clomid out like candy on halloween.

TamaraE30

jeffsjayme:

Nope, haven't had a doc just give me Clomid.  But I kind of suspect that my OB would.  Not sure how much monitoring she would do, but I think she'd write a prescription for it.  I base that on a comment that she made before we were TTC during an annual exam where I told her that we were going to be TTC soon, but I was worried about it with my history of PCOS. She said "we may need to go down the clomid path, but you never know until you try."

I've been on Metformin before - it's really to try to treat PCOS and insulin resistance.  Have you been diagnosed with that?

I've taken Provera too, but not while I was TTC - it was years ago where I'd take it every 3-4 months to start a period because without it, I would never get one.  From what I read on these boards, most women who take it do so because they have a really long cycle and want to end it (past 60+ days). 

I've never been diagnosed with PCOS or insulin resistance, only endometriosis. She said she was putting me on it to jump start AF. :::sigh::: so much to learn. I feel like I can't trust any doctors! I wish I could have the OBGYN that is on the show The Doctors!

amberlocke

My OBGYN gave me clomid after 8 months of anovulatory cycles. She did no real monitoring. I had b/w at CD 21 which was pointless!

I decided to wait until the year mark, then went to an RE. He put me on Metformin immediatly. He wrote an Rx for 3 times a day, but he said to start with one until my stomach could handle it. Oh, it caused major tummy problems for the first week or two.

You are right for not taking the Clomid with no monitoring. If you know you don't ovulate and have a history of PCOS, I honestly wouldn't wait the entire year to ask for a referral to the RE.

musicnmoon123

I'm in a similar position. My cycles are super irregular, so after 2 mos of trying I made an appt with the obgyn to see what could be done to regulate them. He immediately put me on 200 mg of Clomid. At least they did the bloodwork and all of the ultrasounds.

I've made an appointment for a consult with an RE to figure out where to go from here.

musicnmoon123

Yeah 200 was the starting dose. When I questioned the nurse practitioner writing the script she asked ME what I wanted to do. As if I have the necessary knowledge to make such a decision!

During each of my ultrasounds, the techs all assumed I was doing an iui, right from the get go. We didn't just timed intercourse. However, since insurance will only pay for 6 doses of Clomid, I'm contemplating an iui this cycle to make the most of the meds until I can get in to see the RE.

Shayliz

MrsHoffman2b:

Yeah 200 was the starting dose. When I questioned the nurse practitioner writing the script she asked ME what I wanted to do. As if I have the necessary knowledge to make such a decision! During each of my ultrasounds, the techs all assumed I was doing an iui, right from the get go. We didn't just timed intercourse. However, since insurance will only pay for 6 doses of Clomid, I'm contemplating an iui this cycle to make the most of the meds until I can get in to see the RE.

 

If your insurance will only pay for 6 doses of Clomid, why on earth would you waste any more with an OB/NP? 

spacepotatoes

Shayliz:

MrsHoffman2b:

Yeah 200 was the starting dose. When I questioned the nurse practitioner writing the script she asked ME what I wanted to do. As if I have the necessary knowledge to make such a decision! During each of my ultrasounds, the techs all assumed I was doing an iui, right from the get go. We didn't just timed intercourse. However, since insurance will only pay for 6 doses of Clomid, I'm contemplating an iui this cycle to make the most of the meds until I can get in to see the RE.

 

If your insurance will only pay for 6 doses of Clomid, why on earth would you waste any more with an OB/NP? 

It's not just the insurance. Doesn't Clomid only have a lifetime max of 6 cycles?

spacepotatoes

Shayliz:

MrsHoffman2b:

Yeah 200 was the starting dose. When I questioned the nurse practitioner writing the script she asked ME what I wanted to do. As if I have the necessary knowledge to make such a decision! During each of my ultrasounds, the techs all assumed I was doing an iui, right from the get go. We didn't just timed intercourse. However, since insurance will only pay for 6 doses of Clomid, I'm contemplating an iui this cycle to make the most of the meds until I can get in to see the RE.

 

If your insurance will only pay for 6 doses of Clomid, why on earth would you waste any more with an OB/NP? 

It's not just the insurance. Doesn't Clomid only have a lifetime max of 6 cycles?

musicnmoon123

Unfortunately I'd already started the second cycle before I knew better. Currently waiting to O and plan to wrap up this cycle with them since I can't see the RE until the end of the month soonest they could get me in

MsCrispy

When TTC #1, I was put on clomid. I had symptoms of PCOS, was TTC, and came in on day 90 or something of my first cycle TTC.

My doctor did bloodwork, SA, and and u/s. After provera kick-started my cycle, I was put on 50mg of clomid. I was not monitored.

My OB's plan was to do 3 cycles, then do an HSG and send me to an RE. I got pregnant on the 3rd cycle, so I didn't have to do this.

I know this forum jumps all over people that take clomid unmonitored. I have mixed feelings on this. Clomid has some nasty side effects, but they are also pretty uncommon at low doses. There is also the 6 cycle lifetime max. So there is a risk that you are just wasting the cycles.

I'm kind of middle of the road. I do think that some OB's hand it out like candy, but I also think doing every infertility test and hard-core monitoring for every person that has trouble TTC is costly and unnecessary. Just make sure to be educated so you know what risks you are actually taking.

And 200mg is way high for a starting dose! Make sure to be monitored for that.

MsCrispy

GhostMonkey:

Really. So you don't think checking for blcoked tubes is a good plan? Or finding out why or if there is an underlying issue is a good idea- let's just throw pills at it and hope it works?

And yes, monitoring is 1000% necessary. You are entitled to your opinion, but oyu are an idiot even thinking that is a good idea.

1 cycle at 100 mg. Unexplained infertility. Lining was at 3.8 (bare minimum 6, prefer to see 8 or higher). Yeah, I totally should have kept taking Clomid. Thank God my doctor is smarter than you. And this is EXTREMELY common, even in low doses.

I know my opinion is not going to be popular on the board. It was just an opinion and not advice. I think you should be educated and decide what risks to take for your body.

I'm also not sure how I feel about taking clomid for unexplained infertility. Clomid helps you ovulate, if you already ovulate, I don't really understand why people take it. And in this case, if they just want to give it a shot, then yes, I think you should be monitored.

deelopi9

GhostMonkey:

spacepotatoes:

Shayliz:

MrsHoffman2b:

Yeah 200 was the starting dose. When I questioned the nurse practitioner writing the script she asked ME what I wanted to do. As if I have the necessary knowledge to make such a decision! During each of my ultrasounds, the techs all assumed I was doing an iui, right from the get go. We didn't just timed intercourse. However, since insurance will only pay for 6 doses of Clomid, I'm contemplating an iui this cycle to make the most of the meds until I can get in to see the RE.

 

If your insurance will only pay for 6 doses of Clomid, why on earth would you waste any more with an OB/NP? 

It's not just the insurance. Doesn't Clomid only have a lifetime max of 6 cycles?

After 6 cycles, you reach the point of diminishing returns and you are better off moving on to something else because clearly that isn't working for you. There is some research that has supposedly found a link with extended Clomid use and other health conditions later in life, but it is a weak link at best.

 

Every RE is different some say 6, another mentioned 8, mine would do 10 cycles max as long as the lining is still good.  Obviously depending on my diagnosis and her recommendation along with extensive research would I agree.

I completely agree with Ghost - do not waste your clomid cycles with someone who is not an EXPERT in fertility. I blame the pharmaceuticals companies for giving them to OB's and OB's for accepting these damm drugs; OB should be educated about the types of issues/treatments women face about fertility, HOWEVER, should not be handing them out like candy without monitoring.

deelopi9

MsCrispy:

GhostMonkey:

Really. So you don't think checking for blcoked tubes is a good plan? Or finding out why or if there is an underlying issue is a good idea- let's just throw pills at it and hope it works?

And yes, monitoring is 1000% necessary. You are entitled to your opinion, but oyu are an idiot even thinking that is a good idea.

1 cycle at 100 mg. Unexplained infertility. Lining was at 3.8 (bare minimum 6, prefer to see 8 or higher). Yeah, I totally should have kept taking Clomid. Thank God my doctor is smarter than you. And this is EXTREMELY common, even in low doses.

I know my opinion is not going to be popular on the board. It was just an opinion and not advice. I think you should be educated and decide what risks to take for your body.

I'm also not sure how I feel about taking clomid for unexplained infertility. Clomid helps you ovulate, if you already ovulate, I don't really understand why people take it. And in this case, if they just want to give it a shot, then yes, I think you should be monitored.

You are entitled to your opinion as long as it's an educated one. I ovulate on my own, however, don't have a strong ovulation. Which means the follicles are not mature enough for fertilization. Clomid was RX for me so that when I do ovulate it gives the optimal chance to mature my follicles.