Monitoring Advice?

RunningGirl28

I visited the doctor this week to discuss Infertility options because we've been TTC for 14 cycles. She was super supportive and laid out a game plan for me. Here's the plan she came up with. I've been reading up on here about Clomid and monitoring, so I'm unsure if I'm happy with this plan or if I should hold off on the Clomid. Any thoughts would be appreciated. 

I had a blood draw on the day of the office visit (10dpo) to test progesterone, TSH, and rubella. She also gave me an order for a semen analysis. We'll get those results on Monday.

Go in for another blood draw on CD 3 to test FSH. It that looks ok, start 50mg of Clomid days 3-7.

Go in CD 11 or 12 for a HSG- check to see if tubes are blocked, check the lining to see if Clomid is causing a thinning, check follicles.

If this doesn't work, she wants to send me to a specialist in another town. 

 Is this enough monitoring? How are you monitored on this medication? I know this has been asked before and I've read though many of the responses, but I was unsure if this sounded like enough. It's a lot to know about!  

RunningGirl28

Thank you. This is what I was thinking. Maybe I heard her wrong. I need to record my next appointment, because I was on information overload. I thought she was doing the HSG and the monitoring at the same time. She said the HSG had to be done before day 12 to be sure I wasn't pregnant. 

 

I'll call the office and see if I can clarify. 

DebateThis

You need to do the entire testing phase prior to treatment. That means SA for your H, CD3 labs/ultrasound, CD12ish labs/ultrasound, and 7dpo labs AND an HSG prior to any clomid. Testing progesterone at 10dpo is going to give you a very inaccurate reading, either, FWIW.

Also I think it's pretty irresponsible of her to do the HSG in the middle of a medicated cycle and w/o knowing your spouse's SA results or if you have blocked tubes, PCOS, fibroids or polyps. If your ovaries are polycystic and it's not discovered til after you've been on Clomid it could actually damage your tubes/ovaries since those cysts, when hyperstimulated on clomid, can rupture.

xladybassx

I agree with other posters, wait on the clomid until after you have had cd3 blood work, HSG, 7dpo blood work, and SA results are in. I know it's hard because after trying so long you are probably impatient, but it is definitely worth waiting. You only get to take clomid 6 cycles total in your lifetime, and you don't want to waste them. Good luck, and welcome to the board.

Aurora1181

DebateThis:

You need to do the entire testing phase prior to treatment. That means SA for your H, CD3 labs/ultrasound, CD12ish labs/ultrasound, and 7dpo labs AND an HSG prior to any clomid. Testing progesterone at 10dpo is going to give you a very inaccurate reading, either, FWIW.

Also I think it's pretty irresponsible of her to do the HSG in the middle of a medicated cycle and w/o knowing your spouse's SA results or if you have blocked tubes, PCOS, fibroids or polyps. If your ovaries are polycystic and it's not discovered til after you've been on Clomid it could actually damage your tubes/ovaries since those cysts, when hyperstimulated on clomid, can rupture.

Not really anything new to add here..  I agree with all of the above! I think you must have misunderstood her- I can't imagine her doing the HSG in the middle of your clomid cycle (or at least that's something I haven't heard of before. Maybe she just meant an ultrasound? 

katekat8721

xladybassx:

I agree with other posters, wait on the clomid until after you have had cd3 blood work, HSG, 7dpo blood work, and SA results are in. I know it's hard because after trying so long you are probably impatient, but it is definitely worth waiting. You only get to take clomid 6 cycles total in your lifetime, and you don't want to waste them. Good luck, and welcome to the board.

Agree with all the above. I'm glad that you're an advocate for your own health and questioned what didn't seem "right"! Sounds crazy, but we don't see that too much Best of luck to you sweets! 

katib77

Sounds like your doctor will be doing the right amount of monitoring for clomid, but that they don't understand testing should be done first.  Take this cycle to get that HSG done and get the results of S/A.  And might as well do cd3 b/w to get all the info from that.  If any of the following show concerning results then I'd move straight to RE.  But if you're still unexplained, then she sounds like she'll monitor properly.  

dimples128

DebateThis:

You need to do the entire testing phase prior to treatment. That means SA for your H, CD3 labs/ultrasound, CD12ish labs/ultrasound, and 7dpo labs AND an HSG prior to any clomid. Testing progesterone at 10dpo is going to give you a very inaccurate reading, either, FWIW.

Also I think it's pretty irresponsible of her to do the HSG in the middle of a medicated cycle and w/o knowing your spouse's SA results or if you have blocked tubes, PCOS, fibroids or polyps. If your ovaries are polycystic and it's not discovered til after you've been on Clomid it could actually damage your tubes/ovaries since those cysts, when hyperstimulated on clomid, can rupture.

All of this. Have all testing done before starting any medication.  Don't waste a cycle with out knowing what you're up,against.