Should I take Clomid?

[ijack]

Have you taken the progesterone supplements and still had a m/c? It doesn't sound like you need clomid and I think it's a pretty scary drug to take "just because," but obviously that's up to you. I would make sure that the supplements are increasing your levels enough.

[anonnani]

Progesterone can lengthen your LP and create a healthy uterine environment for implantation so that alone might be all you need for a healthy pregnancy. Maybe try a cycle or two on just that and go from there.

[lovetx]

It doesn't sound like you really need it. However if you do decide to take it I would definitely prepare myself for twins, etc. I would continue to try on my own for a least a couple more cycles with the prog supps.

I understand the frustration though, it sucks trying to get pregnant. My 4 year old twins (from clomid) are eating grapes at the table. A twin pregnancy is no joke though, ugh.

[ijack]

I would have them test your progesterone levels this month after O to make sure they are a good level and if they aren't then I would possibly try clomid.

[dcrunnergirl]

I wouldn't take it at this point.

You haven't been trying that long (although I understand your frustration and I'm sorry for your loss) unless you are over 35, and it doesn't sound like you need it. Also, the clomid can thin your lining making it harder to get pregnant. And, I just don't trust 99% of OBs to properly monitor clomid.

I'd give the supps a try for a few months, and then visit an RE if you're not getting any results.

Also, before I would try any meds, I'd have your DH tested. All the meds in the world won't work if your DH is the one with the problem. It doesn't sound like it is b/c you've been able to get pregnant, but it's worth testing.

[ijack]

And I say this as someone who has taken both. The clomid didn't fix my LPD, but the progesterone did and it's MUCH easier on your body.
Good luck!

[dcrunnergirl]

Aug 14, 2012 13:01:44 GMT -5 @fivedogs said:

PS I know this is not what you want to hear, but you did get pregnant relatively quickly (within 4-5 months) and have identified a possible cause for your m/c (low-ish progesterone), so at this point, I would say that you are as normal as you can get and that I would try for at least several more months (if not 6) as long as your cycles stay normal, your LP is fairly normal, and you are either charting or using OPKs and know you are having sex at the right times. I don't think there is a reason to pay for the extra monitoring or endure the clomid side effects at this point, but I know it is hard to wait.

Even with all the stars aligned, you still only have about a 20% chance of getting pregnant each month. I don't think additional interventions increase those odds significantly if everything is normal (and you are addressing potentially low progesterone). Even with the medicated cycles I did that all looked perfect (i.e., femara, 1-3 mature follicles, trigger shot for 3 cycles and then femara/menopur, 1-3 follicles, trigger, IUI, progesterone for 3 cycles), it still took 6 medicated cycles - the meds don't really boost you over the odds for fertile people until you do IVF.

This is all really good advice/input too. Your odds of getting pregnant don't go up a lot if everything is normal, although your odds of having twins or high order multiples might, which is no walk in the park and can be risky.

[dcrunnergirl]

My RE said the thinning could last for several cycles. I had it happen when we were TTC the first time and did two rounds of clomid over a few months span. However, when we went back to the RE this year to TTC#3, she said my previous cycles that led my twin pregnancy didn't impact my current cycles in terms of my lining.

[drloretta]

How old are you? It hasn't even been a year of TTC, though the m/c can add to the frustration. I've been there.

You don't need an LP of 12 days. Anything in the double digits should work. If you had an LP of 8 days, I'd be more concerned.

If you have concerns about egg quality or testosterone issues, i'd push for testing/treatment in that arena before I jumped to Clomid.

The progesterone numbers can be more or less informative based on when you actually ovulate the cycle you're tested. I don't think 12 is that awful.

So in a nutshell, I'd get some other stuff sorted out before jumping on the Clomid train. Twins carry their own risks, and there are also some visual side effects I wouldn't want to mess with.

[barefootcontessa]

I agree with ijack. It does not sound like you need clomid but would probably benefit from progesterone.

[badtzmaru22]

You could also take B6 to help with a luteal phase defect, though double digits is fine. I would keep trying with just the progesterone in your case. Clomid can have a ton of side effects- aka the clomid crazies. I know it's frustrating, and I'm sorry for your loss. Hang in there!!

[Brie]

I know nothing about Clomid, but I will say that progesterone supps were the magic ingredient for me. I had two m/cs, neither of which made it very far out of the gate developmentally. I started progesterone supps at 3DPO my BFP cycle and here I am.

[drloretta]

Aug 14, 2012 15:12:25 GMT -5 jillbot5000 said:

Visual side effects? Are you saying clomid = ugly babies??

I'm 31.

Yep, I saw your age once I scrolled down.

There are visual side effects (blurred/double vision, etc) that can occur with Clomid, and can potentially become permanent in some cases. clomid is not something to be trifled with. And I hate that drs prescribe it like candy instead of looking for other issues, which may be explained by your LP, progesterone levels, testosterone levels, or a combination of the above.

I've been there. TTC'd 13 months, conceived on Clomid, m/c'd shortly thereafter with a suspected ectopic. Had methotrexate, got pg on my own 3 months later, m/c'd. Had another m/c about 6 months after that. All my labs were as normal as could be. DH's labs were as normal as could be. Had i had off numbers on anything, I'd be pushing to find out why to start with.

[GailGoldie]

UGH - one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to doctors - doling out clomid "just because". WTF.

Clmoid has many possible side effects. It's NOT something you "just take" because you had a rough time.... you haven't been trying a year, you had one m/c. That does not = IF. That = what many people go through and then have a healthy pregnancy.

If you are having regular cycles, got pregnant (even though you m/c), and haven't even been TTC that long = no reason for clomid and all the risks that come with it.

Unless you have had an HSG and your husband has had a SA done - taking clomid might do NOTHING to help you b/c you have no idea what is going on in your/his body.... all the clomid in the world won't get you pregnant if other things are going on (blocked tube, bad sperm, etc).

SO yeah- don't do it... or if you really think something is wrong- see an RE. OB's SUCK at IF - yes, they do... that is NOT their job and training area -- do yourself a favor and keep trying a few more months- or make an appt with an RE.

FWIW - i got pg with clomid both times - i have PCOS - a real reason to need a stronger ovulation (i had cycles 60+ days long... not a strong egg/O). I was very lucky to only get pg with twins... and even then- twin pregnancies have insane risks you rarely hear about- b/c all the moms who had bad pregnancies are either not twin moms anymore... or their kids have such serious health issues they don't have time to hang out on message boards... or when they do- it's ones special for moms of kids with special needs - trust me- some of the twin mom boards I am a member of have a LOT of moms with kids that have special needs b/c they were twins, premature, etc.

[CloudBee]

Isn't there a lifetime dosing max? I would avoid unless you see an RE. I know trying for months without success is so incredibly frustrating, and makes for a heavy heart. But - it hasn't been a year.

I'm so sorry about your m/c's.

[drloretta]

Typically they don't want you to do more than 6 rounds of Clomid. At that point the risks outweigh the potential benefits

[drloretta]

You may still have a blocked tube, or the m/c may have resulted in damage to the tubes. You may not need one, and it would be lower on my priority list than the other issues you mentioned.

An SA is probably not needed anyway since you got pg, but it's cheap and easy, so it could rule out any morphology issues, etc that may be contributing to things.

[chia]

Honestly, I'd just cut out on your OB, and go straight to an RE.
I wasted a few months on Clomid with my OB.
In the end, I don't think it was necessarily harmful... just a waste of time.

The RE has done a battery of tests (and, knows how to read them and has explained them better) - including SA and an HSG.

If I would have made an appt with the RE sooner, maybe I'd be pregnant by now!

[chia]

Aug 15, 2012 20:50:10 GMT -5 jillbot5000 said:

Thanks, everyone. I know to some, it sounds like I'm a crazy person. To clarify, its not just that I had a m/c that makes me fear subfertility (and I'm not jumpying to the conclusion of infertility either). It's the 25 day cycles, the lowish progesterone...and possibly the low testosterone? Though I certainly can't find any information that low testosterone is a problem.

Anyways, I really do appreciate all the perspectives.

Chia -- I hope your time comes soon!

Thanks, you too!
I actually just had my HSG this morning. I already have a 3yo DD, but the RE just wanted to check it out. Everything checked out fine... so, hopefully this is my month!

[jena]

As someone who wasted 8mo on clomid (unmonitored because I was a complete idiot who trusted my gyno) - DON'T DO IT.

I didn't see anyone mention the other lovely side effect - that it can turn you into a raging bitch. With interludes of intense depression. And hot flashes. It was lovely. I'm surprised my marriage survived clomid. DH deserves a medal.

Try the progesterone (with side effects of fake morning sickness and sore boobs), give it a couple cycles. Then move to an RE if you need to.