My Introduction...WARNING*(child mentioned)

Belou52579 · June 2014

Hi Girls,

I recognize some of you from TTGP and hopefully you guys recognize me, too...My husband have been married for a little over a year and I have one 10 YO step son who keeps us thoroughly amused. Wonderful little guy and we are very happy to have him.

I'm newly 35 and my husband is almost 41-we've been trying to conceive for 13 months but have irregular cycles due to PCOS and IR as well as hypothyroidism. We started seeing an RE in February who set us off on a pretty quick course of testing-he had the SA and blood work. I had blood work, internals, HSG, 2 SonohystagramS and then more blood work all to prove the IR part. I also had a uterine polyp but luckily it disappeared on its own before intervention.

Once the IR was established, I started on Metformin stepped from 500 mg to 2000 mg which I'm currently on. This is my 3rd month taking it-

The thyroid issue seems to be under control now and my RE is starting me on a cycle of Clomid which I will take starting this Friday which happens to be my CD3. I'm taking it CD3-7 which seems to be pretty standard according to the internets.

Anyway, I go in on Friday morning for my baseline ultrasound and bloodwork and then go back again at CD10 for another blood draw and ultrasound. I'm being told that I will start using my ovulation tests that day and will go back in for monitoring every 3 days before I actually O because I often get LH surges with no ovulation for days/weeks later based on temps(multiple positives per cycle).

I'm also doing an IUI this cycle-which I know really very little about. I've been told that its a very quick procedure that has little to no discomfort associated with it. Obviously everyone's different-my HSG was nothing compared to the discomfort I had with the sonohystagrams I've had but even the worst of those was no big deal in my opinion. I've read that other people respond completely different than I did so who knows.

I debated over and over again with proceeding with the IUI for this first cycle on Clomid and Met. I'd like to set myself up to be the most successful with what limited intervened cycles that we will be able to afford, so ultimately using the IUI along with the medications is probably best.

Is there anyone out there that has been in my shoes with Met and Clomid along with IUI? Is there anything you wish you had done that first cycle or anything you were glad you did do that you could impart on me? Any advise?

Thanks guys, I wish nothing but the best for all of you!

jaytee16 · June 2014

Hi, I certainly recognize you from TTGP, sorry you find yourself here but it really is a great group! Hope you don't have to stick around too long

This seems to range on the board, but personally, I never once had to use OPKs throughout my medicated cycles, they usually brought me in after I finished my Femara to see how things were going and do an u/s and b/w, then based on that, they'd tell me when to come back for the next check.

I will be totally honest, since you've already had yours, my SHG was really painful for me. The IUI was nothing compared to that! It was more like a pap - the speculum is never fun, but honestly, it was so quick, I felt silly after for being so worried! I did usually take Tylenol beforehand, sometimes you can have some cramping and that can help.

Wishing you lots of luck this cycle!

Belou52579 · June 2014

Thanks everyone!

@jaytee16

I wonder about the OPKs too, since they are claiming I will go in every 3 days for the BW...not sure what the point of the OPK is considering the history shows they can't be that reliable with my body.

Does Clomid affect BBT? The nurse never mentioned to continue temping and I thought I read before while lurking that BBT can be unreliable while medicated...

jaytee16 · June 2014

Clomid and other meds definitely can effect your BBT, however I also know a few ladies who temped during their med cycles and still were able to see a shift, although I think they said their rise to confirm O was a day or so behind.

I also would be worried if you have a history with unreliable OPKs. I would think that once they see your LH levels starting to rise they would have a clue you're gearing up and know when to have you back or tell you to trigger. And I would think this is more important than a TI cycle, then they could just say go home and have sex on certain days, but timing for IUI is a bit more precise. I'm hoping some other knowledgeable ladies can chime in on this....

Belou52579 · June 2014

packerfan4life said:

I recognize you! I'm sorry you find yourself here. Wishing you the best of luck going forward with treatment!

I've never done metformin but we've done 2 cycles of clomid/IUI. We're unexplained IF so our chances with clomid and TI alone were only like 6% per month, so it made no sense to waste the money on monitoring for those chances. With IUI they quoted like a 15-20% chance I think. The IUI themselves aren't so bad, although I definitely had a little cramping with the second one. And the first one was the WORST speculum exam I've ever had. The nurse, instead of lowering the stool to get a better view, was literally kneeling on the floor looking up into my vajayjay. It was mildly mortifying to say the least.

OMG @Packerfan4life!!! I can only imagining something like that happening to me! Horrifically mortifying...I'm so sorry!

Pintobean39 · June 2014

Hi!!! I know you. I hate that you find yourself over here but welcome. I have no advise but good luck!

masterofallcheese · June 2014

Hi welcome to the board. I also have PCOS. This is my first cycle of Clomid and besides the hot flashes and mild headaches I have felt pretty good. I am taking my temp but I have noticed everything seems to be high compared to my "normal" - a term I use somewhat loosely- but mostly I am doing it to actually see post O temps!! My RE did mention I may use OPKs after my day 12 ultrasound depending on results.

Good luck!!

BunnyBerry · June 2014

Welcome, sorry you have to be here. It's great that your polyp went away, and that the meds have controlled the thyroid & insulin issues! I think it sounds smart of you to combine Clomid and IUI to take advantage of the best chances.

This cycle is our first medicated and our first IUI. I also feel a little uncomfortable about relying on OPKs to time the IUI, but my RE is sure between those and monitoring every 3 days or so, we are sure to catch the short IUI window (since sperm live only a few hours after washing, I guess it's more important to be very accurate than with TI).

I was thinking of seeing how it goes the first month, and if it's too stressful or we miss the timing that way, I will try to insist on a trigger next time. We don't plan to pay for injects cycles (financially, we'd go to IVF instead with the high costs of injects and the relatively higher success rates of IVF), so I really want to make sure our IUI with Femara cycles count!

Good luck - I've read over and over that the highest success rates with Clomid + IUI are in women who have PCOS and just need ovulation straightened out.

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