Question:
I, personally, do not have experience with Clomid, but a dear friend just became pregnant after only being on it for one month! They had been trying to get pregnant for four years, so they were very pleased with the quick results. From what she has told me, there is a very minute chance of multiple births with Clomid. Anyway, that’s all I know about it… Good luck, *~shay~* – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >We are trying to get pregnant for the fourth time. We already have >three healthy kids. My doctor is not the least bit reluctant to put me >on clomid because we have been trying for over a year (I went off Depo >in July of ‘97). The last three came very quickly and without much >thought! We are frustrated but before I dive in to this clomid stuff I >thought maybe some of you out there may have used it and have some >positive or negative feedback. We are worried about the twin factor and >we are struggling morally if it is right to push the pregnancy issue >when we already have three beautiful kids. Any help would be greatly >appreciated. >Thanks! >Teresa C.
Response:
Thank you for your info. Actually my problem is that I did just see my OB and she didn’t seem to really pay much attention to what was going on with me. She wasn’t reading my chart carefully and she just gave me the prescription and I left. No information or anything. I think I need a second opinion or at least someone who pays a little more attention??? My cycles are VERY irregular, too. They are 2 days to 7 days long which makes it hard to know if I am really having a period or just some spotting. Geesh! What a pain! Teresa C. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi Teresa: > We used Clomid to help conceive our second daughter. My cycles were very long > and irregular (I had an underactive thyroid for years and didn’t know it). > Since I was nearing 40, I wanted a little help having at least two children. > While on Clomid, my doctor monitored my ovaries monthly to make sure that they > were not being too stimulated (this is important — insist on it). This also > makes sure that the Clomid is working; some doctors will up the dosage even > though ovulation is taking place. Although I had a few side effects > (migraines, increased PMS, tender breasts), I was able to conceive within 4 > months and gave birth to a healthy girl nine months later 
. > The actual incidence of multiple births with Clomid is very low, similar to > unassisted conceptions. By the way, Clomid acts as an estrogen inhibitor > allowing the other hormones (FSH and LH) to fire when appropriate, so one > doesn’t usually release more than one egg, as happens with other stronger > fertility drugs such as Pergonal. > If I had to do it over again, I would chose Clomid with no hesitation; however, > I advise that you use a board certified OB/GYN rather than your family > physician. OBs have the equipment and expertise to monitor your condition; > this will help your chances of conceiving as quickly as possible. Also, they > will most likely give you a complete workup and find any obstacles you may have > to conceiving unassisted. > I apologize for the long post, but I studied this thoroughly before I consented > to Clomid. If you’re interested in reading more on infertility, I suggest that > you read "Getting Pregnant: What Couples Need to Know Right Now," by Niels H. > Lauiersen, MD, PhD and Colette Bouchez (Ballantine Books, New York, 1991). > There may be more up-to-date books, but my local bookstore didn’t have them. > God bless.
Response:
> Thank you for your info. Actually my problem is that I did just see my > OB and she didn’t seem to really pay much attention to what was going on > with me. She wasn’t reading my chart carefully and she just gave me the > prescription and I left. No information or anything. I think I need a > second opinion or at least someone who pays a little more attention??? > My cycles are VERY irregular, too. They are 2 days to 7 days long which > makes it hard to know if I am really having a period or just some > spotting. Geesh! What a pain! > Teresa C.
I definitely think you should see another doctor, or at least get a referral to a specialist (reproductive endocrinologist), if all she did was hand you a RX and send you on your way. If your tubes are blocked, no amount of clomid is going to get the egg past it. And if your husband’s sperm count has gone way down (there’s lots of reason, stress or testicular infections among them), clomid’s probably not going to help much. It sounds like you need a full infertility workup to find out if clomid is the right hammer to hit that nail with. My workup started with blood work to rule out thyroid or progesteron problems, endometrial biopsy, hysterosalpingogram (xray of dye injected into uterus to check for blockages in the fallopian tubes), and finally laparoscopy and hysteroscopy to check for endometriosis (mild case, never suspected, no overt symptoms). My insurance coverage stopped once they finished all the diagnostic stuff. Treatment was not covered. I took clomid for three cycles and had terrible pain around the time of ovulation, even at 50mg. Luckily I needed IUI, because actually having sex during that time would have been excruciating. Even so, the clomid never did help me to get pregnant. I did get pregnant during my first cycle of injectibles (follistim + HCG) and am now 5 1/2 weeks pg with #2 (I didn’t have any trouble conceiving my first child four years ago, got pg the first month!). Leigh in raLeigh
Response:
Hi Teresa: I would definitely find another OB. There is a slight chance of problems associated with over-stimulated ovaries; hence the need for monthly monitoring. You also need a doctor whom you can freely talk to for reassurance and questions. My sister’s doctor increased her dosage when she didn’t get pregnant even though she was ovulating (her husband had difficulties as well). There are many factors associated with failure to conceive and your doctor should check into all of them. The book I mentioned goes into great detail of these procedures, and I found it helpful to make up my own mind as to how far I’d go with the process. There are some really good doctors who are willing and even eager for you to be a partner in your health care. Insist on no less! Best wishes, Ivy Shafer, mom to Martha (6) and Molly (20 months) >Thank you for your info. Actually my problem is that I did just see my >OB and she didn’t seem to really pay much attention to what was going on >with me. She wasn’t reading my chart carefully and she just gave me the >prescription and I left. No information or anything. I think I need a >second opinion or at least someone who pays a little more attention???
<snip>
Response:
Thanks, Leigh. I have definately decided to get a second opinion. Teresa C. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thank you for your info. Actually my problem is that I did just see my > OB and she didn’t seem to really pay much attention to what was going on > with me. She wasn’t reading my chart carefully and she just gave me the > prescription and I left. No information or anything. I think I need a > second opinion or at least someone who pays a little more attention??? > My cycles are VERY irregular, too. They are 2 days to 7 days long which > makes it hard to know if I am really having a period or just some > spotting. Geesh! What a pain! > Teresa C. > I definitely think you should see another doctor, or at least get a > referral to a specialist (reproductive endocrinologist), if all she did > was hand you a RX and send you on your way. If your tubes are blocked, > no amount of clomid is going to get the egg past it. And if your > husband’s sperm count has gone way down (there’s lots of reason, stress > or testicular infections among them), clomid’s probably not going to > help much. It sounds like you need a full infertility workup to find > out if clomid is the right hammer to hit that nail with. My workup > started with blood work to rule out thyroid or progesteron problems, > endometrial biopsy, hysterosalpingogram (xray of dye injected into > uterus to check for blockages in the fallopian tubes), and finally > laparoscopy and hysteroscopy to check for endometriosis (mild case, > never suspected, no overt symptoms). My insurance coverage stopped once > they finished all the diagnostic stuff. Treatment was not covered. > I took clomid for three cycles and had terrible pain around the time of > ovulation, even at 50mg. Luckily I needed IUI, because actually having > sex during that time would have been excruciating. Even so, the clomid > never did help me to get pregnant. I did get pregnant during my first > cycle of injectibles (follistim + HCG) and am now 5 1/2 weeks pg with #2 > (I didn’t have any trouble conceiving my first child four years ago, got > pg the first month!). > Leigh in raLeigh
Response:
I heartily agree that you should find a reproductive endocrinologist, or a fertility specialist. I had to go to GREAT lengths to get pregnant, but had no NEED for Clomid! Whoever said you need those many tests to SEE what you need ("what hammer to use to hammer that nail") is exactly right. You doc sounds like a quack, IMHO. The only other thing I might add is that Clomid increases the odds for a girl. Jen
Response:
Here I am, proof positive of the "twin factor". We also have twins in the family. We had all those tests someone else mentioned. In our case, I perhaps should not have been on Clomid, since I was ovulating. What we really needed (what worked for us) was IUI (IntraUterine Insemination). All our tests were okay, so the assumption was that the particular chemistry of my cervix wasn’t letting anything through. You should change doctors and have the tests. All the Clomid in the world won’t help if you need something like IUI (which is really simple, no big deal). To avoid the twin factor, if you need IUI, don’t take any fertility drugs. Of course, I am thrilled we have the twins. It is wonderful to see two babies share experiencing the world. If you already have 3 kids, twins might be a bit more wonder than you need… Good luck, whatever you decide. >We are trying to get pregnant for the fourth time. We already have >three healthy kids. My doctor is not the least bit reluctant to put me >on clomid because we have been trying for over a year (I went off Depo >in July of ‘97). The last three came very quickly and without much >thought! We are frustrated but before I dive in to this clomid stuff I >thought maybe some of you out there may have used it and have some >positive or negative feedback. We are worried about the twin factor and >we are struggling morally if it is right to push the pregnancy issue >when we already have three beautiful kids. Any help would be greatly >appreciated. >Thanks! >Teresa C.
- Melanie, mother of Kathryn and Thomas, born 3/11/98, and growing like weeds. Melaniev(at)iname(dot)com – the "v" is for verbose.
Response:
I took clomid and the side effects – for me – were very bad. Common side effects include hot flashes, weight gain, water detention, etc. I also had heart pounding and palpitations. I also did not like the way I felt while taking it. Also, to this day (one year later) my hormones still aren’t right – ovluation was painful on the clomid and I now have extreme pain during my periods, to the point where I wind up in bed and the MD has me on pain killers for the first few days of my period. I don’t know why I have these problems since taking it since I never had any painful periods before taking the clomid. Now, I think my reactions are quite unsual, but you asked for postive or negative feedback. I think this is negative. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->We are trying to get pregnant for the fourth time. We already have >three healthy kids. My doctor is not the least bit reluctant to put me >on clomid because we have been trying for over a year (I went off Depo >in July of ‘97). The last three came very quickly and without much >thought! We are frustrated but before I dive in to this clomid stuff I >thought maybe some of you out there may have used it and have some >positive or negative feedback. We are worried about the twin factor and >we are struggling morally if it is right to push the pregnancy issue >when we already have three beautiful kids. Any help would be greatly >appreciated. >Thanks! >Teresa C. > – Melanie, mother of Kathryn and Thomas, born 3/11/98, and growing like weeds. > Melaniev(at)iname(dot)com – the "v" is for verbose.
Response:
: The actual incidence of multiple births with Clomid is very low, similar to : unassisted conceptions. I’m pretty sure this is *not* true. The chances of having twins, at least, is increased with Clomid. There are certainly lots of "Clomid twins" in my local twins club! Cathy – Mom to 4.5 yo twin boys
Response:
> : The actual incidence of multiple births with Clomid is very low, similar to > : unassisted conceptions. > I’m pretty sure this is *not* true. The chances of having twins, at > least, is increased with Clomid. There are certainly lots of "Clomid > twins" in my local twins club! > Cathy – Mom to 4.5 yo twin boys
My doctor told me that the chances of a singleton birth with clomid is somewhere around 91%; for twins, 7%; for triplets or more 2%. The chances for multiple births are much higher for injectible infertility medicines like pergonal, follistim, metrodin, gonal-F, etc. Leigh in raLeigh #2 (and maybe #3, too) due 7/99
Response:
Hi Teresa: We used Clomid to help conceive our second daughter. My cycles were very long and irregular (I had an underactive thyroid for years and didn’t know it). Since I was nearing 40, I wanted a little help having at least two children. While on Clomid, my doctor monitored my ovaries monthly to make sure that they were not being too stimulated (this is important — insist on it). This also makes sure that the Clomid is working; some doctors will up the dosage even though ovulation is taking place. Although I had a few side effects (migraines, increased PMS, tender breasts), I was able to conceive within 4 months and gave birth to a healthy girl nine months later . The actual incidence of multiple births with Clomid is very low, similar to unassisted conceptions. By the way, Clomid acts as an estrogen inhibitor allowing the other hormones (FSH and LH) to fire when appropriate, so one doesn’t usually release more than one egg, as happens with other stronger fertility drugs such as Pergonal. If I had to do it over again, I would chose Clomid with no hesitation; however, I advise that you use a board certified OB/GYN rather than your family physician. OBs have the equipment and expertise to monitor your condition; this will help your chances of conceiving as quickly as possible. Also, they will most likely give you a complete workup and find any obstacles you may have to conceiving unassisted. I apologize for the long post, but I studied this thoroughly before I consented to Clomid. If you’re interested in reading more on infertility, I suggest that you read "Getting Pregnant: What Couples Need to Know Right Now," by Niels H. Lauiersen, MD, PhD and Colette Bouchez (Ballantine Books, New York, 1991). There may be more up-to-date books, but my local bookstore didn’t have them. God bless.
Response:
Teresa, My wife took Clomid (unsuccessfully) for a couple cycles and from what I remember, the info in Lpshafer’s post sounds right on. However, let me point out the newsgroup alt.infertility as a resource that you might find helpful. Like this newsgroup, flamewars occasionally pop up. But for the most part, people who post to alt.infertility are very supportive and surprisingly informative on things like Clomid and other fertility drugs. Good luck, TJ
Response:
We are trying to get pregnant for the fourth time. We already have three healthy kids. My doctor is not the least bit reluctant to put me on clomid because we have been trying for over a year (I went off Depo in July of ‘97). The last three came very quickly and without much thought! We are frustrated but before I dive in to this clomid stuff I thought maybe some of you out there may have used it and have some positive or negative feedback. We are worried about the twin factor and we are struggling morally if it is right to push the pregnancy issue when we already have three beautiful kids. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Teresa C.
Response:
: We are trying to get pregnant for the fourth time. We already have : three healthy kids. My doctor is not the least bit reluctant to put me : on clomid because we have been trying for over a year (I went off Depo : in July of ‘97). The last three came very quickly and without much : thought! We are frustrated but before I dive in to this clomid stuff I : thought maybe some of you out there may have used it and have some : positive or negative feedback. We are worried about the twin factor and : we are struggling morally if it is right to push the pregnancy issue : when we already have three beautiful kids. Any help would be greatly : appreciated. Yep, I’ve tried Clomid. It didn’t work for me, but it does help most women ovulate more regularly. The ‘twin factor’ isn’t really a big deal with Clomid–using it doesn’t increase your chances of multiples very much. (Your doctor can give you the exact stats.) Most of the multiple birth stories you hear about are for women who took the injectible fertility drugs like Pergonal or Metrodin. A couple of other things; though it was never a problem for me, some women report PMS-like mood swings when they’re on Clomid. Also, fertility specialists now recommend that Clomid should only be used for a few months at a time–it can actually negatively affect your fertility if used continuously for more than 6 months or so. Have you been charting your cycles at all? Charting alone, or in conjunction with Clomid can really help you understand your cycles and could help pinpoint potential problems. I strongly recommend the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler for a comprehensive explanation of how to identify when you are most fertile. As for the moral issues, whether to seek help in getting pregnant and what treatments you are comfortable with is a very personal choice. If you want another child, *I* see absolutely nothing wrong in getting some help with that, whether you have no children or 10. But then, I needed to use the injectible drugs to get pregnant with both of mine, so I’m a little biased! Please feel free to email me if have more questions. Laura Uerling