Chlomid

Hi L.,

Just to share my experience with chlomid. I took it for about a year and honestly, fortunately had no measurable side effects. It absolutely increases your chances of multiples. While taking Chlomid, we were also doing IUI so they counted my eggs each month & there were typically 2 or 3 but a couple times 7 or 8.

In my case, I ended up needing laparoscopic surgery to help with my endometriosis. I was pg 2 months after that surgery. This was between the ages of 27 & 30 that we were trying to conceive. My second child was conceived w/o any problems.

So I guess my point it that Chlomid does do its job of creating consistency and you have a couple examples here if no side effects as well as bad side effects. It's going to come down to how your body responds to it and if that really is the issue preventing you from conceiving.

Good luck - I know you must be so frustrated and I hope it will all work out for you.

Sorry you're having a hard time. My ovaries are holding my eggs hostage & I feel your frustration :(
Are you charting? That'd be the first step I'd take before taking any medications. It'll help you to have a clear picture of what's going on with your cycle. Could be anything from poor timing w/ intercourse to polycystic ovaries.
I really like the charting software on www.ovusoft.com (www.fertilityfriend.com has some for free, but I feel Ovusoft's is more comprehensive) and don't have to do much more than taking my temperature ea. morning before I wake up, keeping track of cervical fluid (and now I've started using ovulation predictors to be sure I'm not ovulating.) You just plunk in the info. ea. day and the computer will tell you where you are in your cycle, when to 'try', etc.
This would be helpful info for your OB to see.
Try visiting the forums on Ovusoft--it's filled with people trying to conceive and has oodles of information. Do a search for 'clomid' and you'll get lots of info. from those who've tried it.
I believe Clomid gives you a higher chance of multiples (8ish%, if I recall correctly) and needs to be taken on specific cycle days depending on your purpose for using it--annovulatory cycles, etc. Depending on when it's taken, it can cause aggitation/moodiness in one part of your cycle & hot flashes/dizziness in another.
Many doctors require progesterone tracking, etc. to determine dosage.
Your chances for success can increase dramatically with just a few minutes' charting ea. day & maybe you can avoid the side effects of meds altogether.
Good luck!

I wouldn't take Chlomid unless you that is the medication that will help you (it makes you ovulate). Have you and your partner had a complete diagnostic work up? We had to do this with both my pregnancies. I felt like a guinea pig with all the blood work, vaginal exam, ect. These tests told the doctors exactly what to do for us though and target our specific problem (different with each pregnancy). I wouldn't trust a doctor who wants to medicate me if I wasn't certain that was my issue. I highly recommend the Fertility Physicians of Northern CA.
http://www.fpnc.com/

-A.

Hi L.,

Conceiving can be challenging with so many things involved. Have you considered giving acupuncture a try before taking Chlomid? It may take about 2-3 months to get your body back in balance but i think it's a lot more natural and holistic than meds and hormones which may really throw your body for a loop.

let me know if you are interested....i know a good acupuncturist in redwood city who specializes in fertility and also one in mt. view.

best of luck to you,

G.

Hi L.,
As far as I know, Clomid will make you more regular, but I couldn't tell you whether or not the side effects are worth it. I agree about the charting though. I didn't chart while trying to conceive my first because I had read that it'd only tell you after you had ovulated. Then I found the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility (tcoyf.com). It helps you to figure out when you are fertile - even if you are not regular - as well as other things that relate to your fertility. Taking evening primrose oil (epo) can also help to increase the quality and quantity of your cervical fluid that appears just before you ovulate. That should be especially helpful if your cycle is not regular. It might take a few months to notice the epo working and to get a good picture of your cycle through charting, but I think they are both worth trying.
Good luck whatever you decide to try!
C.

Hi L..

I also had strange periods and problems getting pregnant. I'd go 9 months without a period at times. Anyway, the first time I tried chlomid I got pregnant (at 36). There were no complications during the pregnancy either. I think it is worth a try.

I've heard of mom's conceiving with accupuncture. You may want to look in to it. good luck