Sorry, I'm a post whore today. I haven't been on in a few days, so maybe I'm making up for lost time.
Anyway, we are TTC. If we don't get pregnant this cycle, then I'm going to my OB, who said she would likely put me on clomid. I'm nervous about the side effects and the possibility of multiples. We didn't end up having to try anything last time, b/c we got pregnant on our own after our first visit to our RE. Lucky I guess. Anyway, the RE said she would have skipped clomid and femara and went "straight to injectibles" with me. Not sure what that would have entailed.
So those who were on clomid - what side effects should I be aware of? Was it successful? Would you do it again? Did you try anything else? Would you recommend anything else?
For anyone (not just those who were on clomid or even nothing at all) - would you go back to the RE instead of the OB if you were me?
Re: TTC
I have PCOS so clomid was step one for us after not using protection for a year and nothing happening. It worked great for me...by some miracle I got pregnant my first cycle on it. I didn't have any side effects from it...I may have been a little moody/hormonal but nothing that was different from typical PMS-like symptoms. I remember being a little crampy too, but nothing major. We bought a trigger shot and the plan was that at the ultrasound if he saw follicles he would trigger me, but there were enough of them at a good size that he thought that I would probably ovulate on my own without the trigger and by triggering he would increase our chance for multiples, so we decided not to trigger, and apparently I ovulated just fine.
If I were you, I would do a monitored clomid cycle or two with your OB first and then head to the RE if nothing happens.
So we did clomid and I didn't experience any side effects. Your concern with multiples, my doc said with the low dosage, the % for multiples is lower BUT, she also did an ultrasound on day 13 of my cycle to see how many follicles were there. She said this was her practice because if there were too many follicles/eggs where we could have multiple births she would encourage us not to try sex but it would it would be our final decision whether or not we wanted to do the act or not prior to possibly getting pregnant.
Our first time of clomid, we only had 1 egg so we went for it and got pregnant.
I would start with clomid because you may just need a little push and it is cheaper to go that route first.
This would be my recommendation also.
We tried for a year, nothing. Then we didn't prevent for 2 more while I was in school before we decided to pursue treatment. I switched OBs, he did an HSG, then a monitored Clomid cycle with HCG trigger IUI & Prometrium (yuk). We were lucky that the first medicated cycle worked for us. I didn't notice any crazy SE from the Clomid, just crampy.
At my 6 week followup I asked my OB what our first step should be when we decide to TTC. He suggested 3 months without the "goalie" before another Clomid cycle. Good luck!
Twins aren't that bad!
Don't make me break out cutsie pictures!
No help on your questions, but I did want to tell you good luck!!!!!!!!!
Clomid didnt work for us - just made me a total hosebeast. Plus, if it the "implantation" that you have a problem with as well, clomid wont help with that - it actually thins out the lining of the uterus. Made mine too thin in fact.
We did femara, worked on both kids (not the first times though)
I would jump to the RE - I wouldnt dickk with the ob anymore - its kinda above and beyond them - plus, it takes for EVER to get on the RE appt list - so maybe you could call and get on the books, and in the meantime, go see the ob and try the clomid? Also, ditto pp - make sure its monitored. We dont need a Jon and Kate + 8 on this board.
We did monitored clomid for 3 cycles with the OB. Nothing....nadda....zip, but I did have the pleasure of being BSC for 3+ months. I think that I had every side effect that you could have. I was a raging b!tch.
Personally, if I was in your shoes I would go with monitored clomid at the OB for a few months first. You have the ability to get PG since you did it with Sam without outside assistance. You might just need a little kick start!
Good Luck!
You would have to come visit me in my straight jacket in a mental institution. Seriously.
Good advice everyone. I think I'll call now to get on the RE appt book for February. If we don't get preggers this month, I'll go to my OB for a couple monitored clomid cycles. Maybe I'll be able to cancel the RE appointment, then some lucky chick will get a call saying they can get her in earlier. I remember that making my day when it happened to me.
I'm worried I'll be BSC on clomid. My co-workers will likely get the wrath of that. Oh well, most of them think I'm a b already.
J - your twinkies are adorable. I'm not so worried about 2 (well, maybe a little), but more than 2 freaks me the eff out. I know you haven't met me, but if you did, you would realize I'm an overly paranoid, OCD control freak. At least I know I am.
We did some Clomid w/ IUIs, and I hated the side effects. I actually sat out a cycle because I knew I'd probably kill someone if I had to deal with side effects that month. I actually had an easier time with the injectibles & trigger than I did with the Clomid, but they are way more expensive and come with more monitoring to insure no J&K+8!
Since you know you can get PG on your own, I would probably try with the OB for a couple months if you don't get your BFP before then -- BUT get on the list at the RE so that you don't get to the point where the OB isn't doing the job, but you have to wait because you couldn't get into the RE.
Picture courtesy of Heidi Keene Photography