Clomid monitoring vs The Clomid Challenge..

Llamamama · August 2012

Are those the same thing? Even though I have been following the posts about Clomid over the years I am still very confused by it all.

At my initial RE appt, she mentioned possibly trying it and I am sure the subject will come up at my appt tomorrow. I just want as much info as possible before going.

If one is prescribed Clomid, do you take it as a trial run (in other words do you take a month off from BD'g) or do you just keep TTC while you are being monitored?

And for those of you that have tried it--would you try it again? Did you have any problems taking it?

Thanks in advance! I of course am hoping that the HSG did the trick and I am 9 days away from a BFP but if not I want to make the most of the 3 cycles after the HSG. Wink

Abeille · August 2012

My understanding is that the clomid challenge is a test used to determined ovarian reserve, which is considered unreliable to some. I've never done it.

Clomid monitoring is the u/s and bloodwork that's done at specific points in your cycle to measure your response to the drug when you are using it in a cycle with either timed intercourse or iui.

I did one cycle of clomid + iui. I struggled with some side effects. I also found out my prescription insurance covered injectible meds. We decided our money would be better spent using the injectibles where the success rates are better and less side effects for me.

Llamamama · August 2012

Abeille:
My understanding is that the clomid challenge is a test used to determined ovarian reserve, which is considered unreliable to some. I've never done it.
Clomid monitoring is the u/s and bloodwork that's done at specific points in your cycle to measure your response to the drug when you are using it in a cycle with either timed intercourse or iui.
I did one cycle of clomid + iui. I struggled with some side effects. I also found out my prescription insurance covered injectible meds. We decided our money would be better spent using the injectibles where the success rates are better and less side effects for me.

Thanks for sharing your experience.. may I ask why kind of side effects you had?

jchow009 · August 2012

I am in the midst of the clomid monitoring. I started clomid on day 2 for 5 days and I went back yesterday day 10 for ultra sound. And, they want me to go back on Friday. I luckily don't have any side effect except I am a little tired.

Llamamama · August 2012

jchow009:
I am in the midst of the clomid monitoring. I started clomid on day 2 for 5 days and I went back yesterday day 10 for ultra sound. And, they want me to go back on Friday. I luckily don't have any side effect except I am a little tired.

Good to know about the lack of side effects. How many ultrasounds have you had this cycle? Was there one before you started the clomid and then just one on Day 10 or more in between as well?

jchow009 · August 2012

I took blood test and ultra sound on day 2 before they prescribe me with clomid. I believe they need to make sure I don't have cyst before they can give me the medicine. Then, they did one yesterday (day 10), and they will do another one this Friday (day 15). Hopefully on that day, they will tell me when I should come in to do the IUI. The doctor asked me to use OPK on Wed and if it turns +, I should go in the very next day.

Abeille · August 2012

Llamamama:
Abeille:
My understanding is that the clomid challenge is a test used to determined ovarian reserve, which is considered unreliable to some. I've never done it.
Clomid monitoring is the u/s and bloodwork that's done at specific points in your cycle to measure your response to the drug when you are using it in a cycle with either timed intercourse or iui.
I did one cycle of clomid + iui. I struggled with some side effects. I also found out my prescription insurance covered injectible meds. We decided our money would be better spent using the injectibles where the success rates are better and less side effects for me.
Thanks for sharing your experience.. may I ask why kind of side effects you had?

Hot flashes and night sweats. I lost a LOT of sleep over a course of about 2 1/2 weeks. It made it hard to take care of take care of my daughter and do other day to day things b/c I was so exhausted. With the injectibles I have some bloating and fatigue, but it's very manageable.

danieleandwayne · August 2012

I did neither, but took Clomid for 2 months-- for "unexplained infertility."

It sucked. The first month, I just felt a general sense of icky. The second month, I actually had the blurred vision that is (I discovered) in the list of adverse effects. AND I felt yucky-- bloated, crampy, restless, unable to sleep well, etc.

I, personally, will not do Clomid again. There are alternatives without the 6 month maximum limit and other adverse effects...

Butterflykisses73 · August 2012

I just started my first round of clomid, it was prescribed by my gyno but after my DH's SA came back not so good they referred me to an RE so my first appt is next Wednesday. Since I was already on a 28 day estrogen pack to get AF they told me to go ahead and do the clomid from cycle day 3-7 and I will be on CD 12 when I go for my appt.

You still do OPK's to determine ovulation and if you don't need assistance you would BD on those normal days. I think we will be pushing to IUI due to the SA so I'm hoping going in next week still makes that possible!

The side effects kinda stink but they are very managable. Yesterday was 1st pill and I got a terrible headache all day long, today I have had a few hot flashes and my vision is a little weird which they say is normal. If it helps us make a baby I will deal with it for 5 days.

Llamamama · August 2012

Yikes... I have to say I am a little scared about taking it now.. but I agree that if it gets me pregnant, I can put up with just about anything for 5 days.. I think I can anyway. Thanks all!

owlprof · August 2012

I did two cycles of Clomid on days 5-9. It doesn't interfere with TTC at all, i.e., you don't have to wait a cycle. Starting on day 10, my RE recommended TI every other day until the day before and day of ovulation. The only side effect I had was some ovulation cramps, but it only lasted a day.

If you ovulate normally, my RE said that Clomid should give you more targets (for the sperm to hit).

I hope that you get your BFP and this is all moot anyway!

robbensm · August 2012

This was my first cycle on Clomid but because I met with my new OBGYN after the time they usually have you start it he only had me do 3 days of it and I can't say as I noticed any side effects at all. My doctor said that he didn't expect to see much this cycle because of the smaller & later dosage but that it would probably make it work a little better next cycle - but I ovulate a lot earlier then I have been (on day 21 instead of 27 or 37 like the last two cycles) and my OPK was the darkest positive it's ever been so think it did something this time.

Think it's just one of those things where every woman reacts differently. Good luck and keep us posted.

Julie581 · August 2012

I was an absolute mess while I was taking my clomid. I work from home, but if I had a normal job I would've been fired. The last time my emotions jumped around so much was when my mom put me on BC when I was 18. I also had horrid hot flashes. This was last winter and my husband would come home and I'd be in shorts and a tank top with the furnace set a 50 and still be roasting. I slept on the couch through a lot of it so my hubby didn't have to wake up in a swimming pool. They tested my thyroid when I first saw the doc, but that's all the testing they did. After my 3rd my period came 2 weeks early and hurt like hell. All the doc was increase my dose to 100mg which just made everything worse. After trying to get an hsg schedule for 4 months with the hospital I decided it was a sign that I was the only one that wanted this and no one even wanted to help me so I'm done. We don't qualify to adopt or become foster parents so we'll never have a baby.

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