Failed Clomid Challenge Test - bummed

solarflare · March 2011

I really despise how these numbers affect my moods. I failed the Clomid Challenge test. Both FSH scores are supposed to be under 10, and day 3 was 7 and day 10 was 13. This means my ovary didn't suppress the FSH back down from the clomid quickly enough after I took it for 4 days. I don't know what to do. I am just going to try and work to get my mind off of it, but this kind of news is just really horrible. I hated doing the test anyway.

Sorry for the vent - I am just incredibly stressed by this whole process right now.

Thanks for being a community I can come to, when I am way down in the depths of being scared about this.

mtlaurel · March 2011

I'm so sorry, Solar.

I literally just came on to ask about Clomid Challenge tests - I'm sure I'm headed for failure, too...

solarflare · March 2011

Thank you, Mt.. I sincerely hope you do better on it than I did.

I really find this is a scary process sometimes.

Ugh. It's hard to work right now and I have so much to do.

mtlaurel · March 2011

I know. It's overwhelming.

Did you get to talk to your dr. about the results, or just get the numbers?

I just got my FSH and AMH levels, and I'm sitting in my office trying not to cry. All of this sucks.

Mrs.McIrish · March 2011

oh ladies! Crying is actually ok and can help. I know how overwhelming this is. Mtlaurel-- can I ask what your numbers were?

mtlaurel · March 2011

Mrs.McIrish:
oh ladies! Crying is actually ok and can help. I know how overwhelming this is. Mtlaurel-- can I ask what your numbers were?

FSH - 13.4, AMH - 0.26

Mrs.McIrish · March 2011

mtlaurel:

Mrs.McIrish:
oh ladies! Crying is actually ok and can help. I know how overwhelming this is. Mtlaurel-- can I ask what your numbers were?

FSH - 13.4, AMH - 0.26

Argh! Did you talk to the RE yet about a plan?

solarflare · March 2011

I didn't talk to the RE yet about the results - I just saw the numbers. But I did send her an e-mail with questions. I told her I was stressed about the results, knowing they are awful, and am wondering what to do next. I might e-mail my acupuncturist as well. She doesn't care as much about numbers, just uses them as a guideline. She might be able to give me a treatment plan that works with this problem.

What's worse is that I am supposed to ovulate soon so this was supposed to be a fun, relaxing, and playful week-end of sexy time. I will make it happen but I feel so sad right now.

Part of me wishes I didn't have this knowledge. But I know that's really not true.

I am sorry, Mt. - tears keep welling up with me too. I work from home and am alone. At least my cat's being sweet.

mtlaurel · March 2011

Mrs.McIrish:
mtlaurel:

Mrs.McIrish:
oh ladies! Crying is actually ok and can help. I know how overwhelming this is. Mtlaurel-- can I ask what your numbers were?

FSH - 13.4, AMH - 0.26

Argh! Did you talk to the RE yet about a plan?

Clomid challenge test next cycle is the only plan for now. All I keep thinking is that we've got MFI on top of all this, so what's the use?

Solar, I'm sorry for the post hijack.

solarflare · March 2011

I am glad my post was hijacked! I feel so not alone. We can vent together!

The RE just called me and made me feel a little better. She said if I want an IVF consult she could set that up, but mostly she just said that the results she was seeing with my FSH levels fluctuating so much are really indicative of my age (35 - old fart). She isn't surprised by them, it just means we need to be more agressive with treatment, which I already know. She said the IVF people would go into a much thorough work-up if I want that. I don't know if I should spend more time trying naturally or go straight for the hard-core IVF treatments. That scares me, and the finances scare me. I don't understand how much I'd have to pay but I know my coverage is 50%. Ugh - this is just no fun right now.

mtlaurel · March 2011

Solar,

Good to know that you still have options to consider.

I understand being scared of IVF. I'm terrified of the physical, emotional and financial implications. But, today, I'm terrified that IVF might not really even be an option. I might not like it yet, but I still want it to be a possibility.

How did you do otherwise with the Clomid - any s/e?

solarflare · March 2011

Hi Mt.,

The side effects were minimal for me with clomid, but I did get this feeling like my ovaries were aching and activated for the first couple of days on it. On the second day I had a horrible mood for about 5 hours, but I realized it was just after the clomid. Other than that, nothing. The acupuncturist was worried because she said it can thin the uterine lining so she gave me extra herbs to accommodate for that. I hope it goes well for you, with minimal side effects.

I just decided that I'm not going right away to IVF. I am traveling next month anyway. Maybe I will get a consult and see where I lie in June. I'm not going to wait around too long, though.

When do you start clomid?

mtlaurel · March 2011

I don't know how I'd get through days like this without this board.

Solar, I'm glad your RE put things into better perspective for you. An IVF consult might help do the same, or at least make you feel like you can make informed decisions. I completely understand not jumping into it right away, but also feeling like not wanting to wait around too long.

I'm to call the RE on CD1 to get the challenge test started. I'm realizing now that it might not work out for me next cycle as I have to be out of state for work. Ugh. I really don't want to drag this out.

Hope you're going somewhere fun and relaxing next month!

Mrs.McIrish · March 2011

mtlaurel:

Solar,

Good to know that you still have options to consider.

I understand being scared of IVF. I'm terrified of the physical, emotional and financial implications. But, today, I'm terrified that IVF might not really even be an option. I might not like it yet, but I still want it to be a possibility.

How did you do otherwise with the Clomid - any s/e?

I just wanted to chime in here that my new RE said clomid on a over 35 yr old with elevated FSH (mine is 12.1) was not a good choice for treatment. High FSH/low AMH ladies are going to need more drugs to get our ovaries to do stuff. Just throwing it out there as we all hate to waste time. For me, clomid gave me awful hot flashes and left me with these 2 nasty cysts I have now.

Obviously only you and your DH can decide about the the financial aspects of IVF but please don't think you can't do it emotionally or physically. You are stronger than you realize. We have no choice but to be. I'm not going to lie- I hate the idea of it as I lay in pain right now from stupid cysts and wonder how I can keep putting my body through this crap (when I am just beginning). But we do what we need to. Hugs:-)

Mrs.McIrish · March 2011

mtlaurel:

I don't know how I'd get through days like this without this board.

Solar, I'm glad your RE put things into better perspective for you. An IVF consult might help do the same, or at least make you feel like you can make informed decisions. I completely understand not jumping into it right away, but also feeling like not wanting to wait around too long.

I'm to call the RE on CD1 to get the challenge test started. I'm realizing now that it might not work out for me next cycle as I have to be out of state for work. Ugh. I really don't want to drag this out.

Hope you're going somewhere fun and relaxing next month!

Sorry, not trying to be a know-it-all or anything but ask the doc what she expects to learn by having you do the clomid challenge. You already have your FSH and AMH. From what I have read/learned, the clomid challenge is an older test that isn't done as much now that they have AMH. So, that would be my question: what knowledge does the doc gain by doing the challenge?

solarflare · March 2011

Thanks for the info., McIrish. I don't think you sound like a know-it-all. I am a resource hog and this helps me with my decisions overall. Keep it comin'!

My RE is more like an Ob-GYN/RE. She is not the stage 2 level - she'd refer me to someone else. I definitely don't want to waste any time. After thinking a little further, I am considering one more cycle of Clomid before I travel, because I wouldn't be able to be monitored while I am gone for 2 weeks anyway. Also, meeting with the Stage 2 IVF or IUI people during this time, and then getting a plan of action in place to start in June. Of course, it would be super awesome to just get KU before this plan would have to take effect. I truly wish this for us all.

I am SO sorry that you are laying there in pain. On a side note, I love vicodin, and I am sure you will, too! You will feel great. Vicodin + glass of wine is what I would have now in a non-ttc world. Alas, back to green tea and work.

You ladies have really helped me this morning - thank you. My stress level was at about 10, and now it is about 5-7. Better, at least.

lhcooper · March 2011

Everybody: I can't speak re: high FSH, but this has been my thought about my own hideous AMH number (.42) which has kept me sane, especially when trying to go for it naturally before IVF. Remember that the AMH number gives them an idea--and only an idea--of how well (or not) your ovaries may respond to stimulation with the drugs used for IVF. It DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU CANNOT GET PREGNANT! Now, it may also say something about egg quality, but egg quality is an issue for anyone over 35, period.

I am living proof that you can get pregnant with a low AMH, since I just was. Admittedly, it was ectopic so that's not a great example, but my point is that there was an egg, and DH's sperm encountered it the right way.

When I first got my AMH news, I cried and was in a stupor for about a day and a half. Then my RE said that ok, now she knows the number, now she knows to put me on the highest dose of stims for IVF, and now she puts the number away in a folder and stops thinking about it. And I think we should all do the same, other than doing the stuff we would do anyway -- DHEA (supposed to have an effect on egg quantity and quality), acupuncture, and whatever else you might want to try. Oh, and yes, I hate to say this: cutting out all alcohol and caffeine.

Hang in there, folks. We will get to start a low AMH BFP club yet.

mtlaurel · March 2011

Mrs.McIrish:
mtlaurel:

I don't know how I'd get through days like this without this board.

Solar, I'm glad your RE put things into better perspective for you. An IVF consult might help do the same, or at least make you feel like you can make informed decisions. I completely understand not jumping into it right away, but also feeling like not wanting to wait around too long.

I'm to call the RE on CD1 to get the challenge test started. I'm realizing now that it might not work out for me next cycle as I have to be out of state for work. Ugh. I really don't want to drag this out.

Hope you're going somewhere fun and relaxing next month!

Sorry, not trying to be a know-it-all or anything but ask the doc what she expects to learn by having you do the clomid challenge. You already have your FSH and AMH. From what I have read/learned, the clomid challenge is an older test that isn't done as much now that they have AMH. So, that would be my question: what knowledge does the doc gain by doing the challenge?

I welcome all thoughts - I know you've got a head start on me in learning about all of this. I have the same question as to why bother doing the CCT since they've got my numbers and they are what they are. I think that he's trying to get more info. to help decide the protocol he'd use in an IVF cycle. I'll call again next week after I get whatever information they said they'd send.

Solar, did your dr. give you any good reasoning for doing the CCT?

solarflare · March 2011

"Solar, did your dr. give you any good reasoning for doing the CCT? "

I welcome all thoughts as well. The more information the better.

The doc did not give me any reasoning for the CCT other than to better assess my ovarian reserve since my FSH was fluctuating. I honestly just think it is standard protocol for this office. I question it too. I don't know that the stress is worth it.

Mrs.McIrish · March 2011

Don't forget that JB2RN is also recently naturally PG with high FSH/low AMH!

danish16 · March 2011

Sorry I'm late to this one; silly job today... lhcooper - I like how you think (the low AMH BFP club). I'm hoping it is one we can all join soon! (My AMH was 0.37.)

Failed Clomid Challenge Test - bummed

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