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First cycle of clomid- very scared- any advice?

52K views 406 replies 22 participants last post by  magicalbabydust 
#1 ·
Hi,
I am new to the site, and it feels rather strange, but very liberating to have the opportunity to talk to people going through the same thing as me.  My husband and I have been TTC for 2 years, and have just been out on chlomid due to "unexplained infertility". My period was very late this month, 36 days, which was torture, and am on day 1 of clomid.  I am very nervous about the side affects, and wondered how others have coped on it?  Are those of you being scanned to check egg production on Nhs, as I was denied this by my consultant.

Any words of wisdom gratefully received x
 
#2 ·
hey
i have also just joined the site, so am very new to all this, I'm sure there will be loads of really great advice from everyone.
My advice would be to try and take the clomid at night to minimise any side effects, although prob too late if you're already on day one.
I did get scanned but only on the first cycle.
i had bloating and night sweats but stick with it. lots of people manage to fall on clomid. loads of luck to you both
x
 
#3 ·
Thank you very much for the advice. Was sweating all night, had to take pjs off! X
 
#4 ·
hi  :)


Side effect for me-
                              crazy mood swing and nervous tension  ^scared^ ^tantrum^  ( terrible to deal with at times)
                              Spaced out feeling
                              Aniexty
                              Ovarian cysts ( developed 2)
                              Painful periods
                              Hot flushes, acne, trouble sleeping, headaches and bloated tummy, feeling sick.
                              very tearful :'( cry at anything

Some girls don't get any and few sysptoms but I'm not one of them....
You got to keep your mind busy and not think about it to much, sounds easy but its not! You will get to know the length of your cycle and your cm through time, this will help with you bms. I purchased the clear blue ovulating monitor and it is fantastic. Give's you high fertility days and two peak days for bms.

im not receiving any scans or bloods. i am left on my own as my clinic is 1hour half away...

clomid is a hard drug to cope with.. i have been on it 13months and still not pregnant. im on the waiting list or io injections... this is my last month on clomid... still waiting to ovulate, expect your periods to be late with cloimd,a lot of girls experience that.

take your vitamins b12,b6 and folic acid... im now receiving acupuncture and im on a tablet called nuan gong yun zi wan... you can google it to read the reviews. just keep positive if you can...  ^hugme^
 
#5 ·
hey....
I started my first round of clomid 12 days ago... taking 50 mg day 2-6.  I had some really bad night sweats and hot flushes from about day 5-8.  They wore off slightly but since ovulating i am once again melting at night! My poor DH doesnt know what to do to help! last night i got the summer duvet out to help me sleep! I have also felt quite sick at times and for the last 3 days had really pain cramping and ovulation pains, presumably because i havent ovulated in such a long time.
In terms of scanning i think it depends on the clinic.  I am meant to be scanned for the first month but because it fell over xmas they didnt do it, so will just go next one instead.  After ebing scanned the once i wont have it again.  Some other girls are scanned and have blood tests every month though.  If your not getting scanned id advise getting yourself some Ovulation tests, which will at least give you some idea of what is going on
There are lots of people on here who can help and will offer support so dont be affraid to ask! :)
xxx
 
#6 ·
Hi. I felt very odd for the first few days but then it eased off. Hot flushes were the worst symptom for me.
Stay positive, I ov and conceived first round (then mc at 9 weeks). About to start 2nd round.
It's funny but I felt totally different on Clomid, I really belive it boosted my fertility. I wasnt ovulating before it, I'm convinced.
Good luck  ^hugme^
 
#7 ·
Thank you all so much for the advice.  :-*I felt like I was going through the menopause today at work, was baking!  I have been seeing a fantastic acupuncturist for over a year now, she is my guardian angel I am convinced.  I will ask her about those tablets.  We have used the clear blue fertility monitoring machine, which you put the sticks in to, which gave us high/med/low fertility readings, is this different to an ovulation test kit? 

Thanks girlies,
really do feel like there are others that understand how difficult all of this is.x
 
#8 ·
Was just about to start a thread exactly like this one!!!

I am in the same boat hun.    ^hugme^

I will be starting tomorrow, 50mg Clomid.    My FS only wants me to try with it for 3 months though, after that, we have to decide whether we go ahead with ICSI with egg donation.  So it's a big year ahead whatever happens!!

The reason I am worried about side effects is that I am on anti depressants and when I first went on them, I had terrible side effects, anxiety, no appetite, night sweats etc.... But if it has to be, it has to be!!    The side effects did pass and if it works, won't it be worth it!!    ^hugme^

I am going to be scanned between day 10 & day 14.  Having to go private because of my age.

Shall we keep each other company?  And stop each other going nuts?    ^idiot^ ;D

 
#9 ·
Ah, such a great feeling to know that I am not alone!  I keep saying this on these posts, but it really is like a weight has been lifted somehow, and we can most certainly try to keep each other sane!  I totally understand about your worries about the tablets, I don't know about you, but am such a control freak, and hate the thought of not knowing what they are going to do to me, but like you say, it'll all be worth it in the end I hope.  My GP only given me 3 months too, as he seemed a bit unsure as to why my consultant has prescribed them, as I appear to be ovulating, but I guess she must know what she is doing.  My hot flushes have subsided a lot, which is good, but just feel so tired.  How are you feeling?  x :)
 
#10 ·
Hi, it's a while ago now, but I had 11 cycles of Clomid (prescribed as 6+6). Throughout I didn't have any scans, however I did have day 21 progesterone bloods taken to check I'd ovulated (and then day 28 if I hadn't) by the nurse at my gp's surgery. For the 1st 3 cycles I had bloods done each cycle and then as and when (they got used to me phoning up and asking if I could have them  ::)). I'd also recommend asking if you can have a printout of any bloodwork results (you're entitled to this, I normally ask at reception), as it can explain the results (gives normal levels) and it helps to take it with you if you have to go back to the consultant. I also charted my bbt so I knew when I O'd and took the charts with me to the consultant too! (I love bits of paper  ;)) Hope this helps  :) and good luck with your cycles  ^pray^
 
#11 ·
Vadergarth said:
Ah, such a great feeling to know that I am not alone! I keep saying this on these posts, but it really is like a weight has been lifted somehow, and we can most certainly try to keep each other sane! I totally understand about your worries about the tablets, I don't know about you, but am such a control freak, and hate the thought of not knowing what they are going to do to me, but like you say, it'll all be worth it in the end I hope. My GP only given me 3 months too, as he seemed a bit unsure as to why my consultant has prescribed them, as I appear to be ovulating, but I guess she must know what she is doing. My hot flushes have subsided a lot, which is good, but just feel so tired. How are you feeling? x :)
Starting my first one today, decided to take it in the evening! Hope you are feeling ok. ^hugme^ I am trying not to worry about side effects, as worrying will bring on side effects probably!! ::)
 
#12 ·
Hey I'm new to this although have been reading various sites for a while. Thought I'd join this one as just on my first cycle of Clomid after TTC for 18 months following a hyp, lap and ovarian drilling in Sept 11.  Started taking Clomid on day 2 to 6 and now on day 26 and been having normal pmt type symptons which are now easing off so guessing that I'll be on in a few days and on to the next cycle.  Already (stupidly) taken a preg test (is there a short form for this?) which, unsurprisingly at on day 24 was negative...can't seem to stop myself though.

No obvious Clomid symptons this time for me but started taking it whilst in Asia so my body clock was completely screwed and was all over the place anyhow.  I am only a low dosage but I understand that it changes from month to month person to person. No scan as day 12-15 fell over Christmas, so will have one next time to see whether the follicles are growing and whether to up the dosage.

Are you guys also have a shot to induce ovulation once the follicles have matured? My gynae (is there a short word for this) hasn't mentioned this yet, but I might ask him when I see him as it seems to have some success when there are a couple of good follicles (I don't think they do it if there are lots due to the risk of multiples).

Anyhow, I keep the whole thing pretty quiet from my friends who are all knee deep in nappies and I  don't want them to start feeling awkward in front of me and being anything but normal, so it will be good to be a bit more open on this!
 
 
#13 ·
I know what you mean about not wanting to burden your friends, and it's so hard to try and keep everything in perspective on this roller coaster.  I presume you guys are going private?  I am on NHS, so no scanning for me, our consultant has referred us back to my GP, so feel bit like we are back to square one.  Does anyone know who has to refer you for a scan on NHS?  GP or Consultant?  As our GP is fab and very supportive, but don't know if he can actually organise a scan for me.  I have felt like myself for first day today since taking it, still only on day 4 of taking, so feel lots brighter. 

I am exactly the same with preg tests, I use them all the time, why do we put ourselves through it?

Good luck 'heavenly' with your first tablet, best thing not to think about it all, I have driven myself mad over past few days, am exhausted. xx
 
#14 ·
Cas11 said:
Hey I'm new to this although have been reading various sites for a while. Thought I'd join this one as just on my first cycle of Clomid after TTC for 18 months following a hyp, lap and ovarian drilling in Sept 11. Started taking Clomid on day 2 to 6 and now on day 26 and been having normal pmt type symptons which are now easing off so guessing that I'll be on in a few days and on to the next cycle. Already (stupidly) taken a preg test (is there a short form for this?) which, unsurprisingly at on day 24 was negative...can't seem to stop myself though.

No obvious Clomid symptons this time for me but started taking it whilst in Asia so my body clock was completely screwed and was all over the place anyhow. I am only a low dosage but I understand that it changes from month to month person to person. No scan as day 12-15 fell over Christmas, so will have one next time to see whether the follicles are growing and whether to up the dosage.

Are you guys also have a shot to induce ovulation once the follicles have matured? My gynae (is there a short word for this) hasn't mentioned this yet, but I might ask him when I see him as it seems to have some success when there are a couple of good follicles (I don't think they do it if there are lots due to the risk of multiples).

Anyhow, I keep the whole thing pretty quiet from my friends who are all knee deep in nappies and I don't want them to start feeling awkward in front of me and being anything but normal, so it will be good to be a bit more open on this!
Hey Cas, good to have you on board! x

No idea about shots, but I am very new to this, actually taking my first Clomid tomorrow night, not tonight. My best friend knows but she lives abroad at the mo, haven't told my 2 sisters yet. My sisters know I have been trying for ages so they don't ask me how it's going for fear of upsetting me, but if the clomid doesn't work and I go with ICSI, will obviously have to tell them, as could do with the support!

On the plus side, my best friend had her son at 42 and my younger sis had her son at 40, both fell naturally, without taking anything, so there is always hope!!

Keep in touch! x
 
#15 ·
Vadergarth said:
I know what you mean about not wanting to burden your friends, and it's so hard to try and keep everything in perspective on this roller coaster. I presume you guys are going private? I am on NHS, so no scanning for me, our consultant has referred us back to my GP, so feel bit like we are back to square one. Does anyone know who has to refer you for a scan on NHS? GP or Consultant? As our GP is fab and very supportive, but don't know if he can actually organise a scan for me. I have felt like myself for first day today since taking it, still only on day 4 of taking, so feel lots brighter.

I am exactly the same with preg tests, I use them all the time, why do we put ourselves through it?

Good luck 'heavenly' with your first tablet, best thing not to think about it all, I have driven myself mad over past few days, am exhausted. xx
Actually taking first one tomorrow, thought I was to take it CD1 but it's CD2. I have to ring up the hospital to arrange for a scan for CD1-14. I am not sure about being referred for a scan, best to talk to your GP first and take it from there.

Take care. ^hugme^
 
#16 ·
Hi

Thanks for writing back.

Vadergarth, yes we are private at the moment, but it's complicated. I had unexplained pelvic pain and GP would not send me to fertility clinic until it had been investigated first. This I didn't understand as the whole thing is surely related. Still, the idea was to send me to a consultant and they would investigate and refer me direct to a Fertility Clinic. However, after a few months my appointment came through and I saw a junior doc (not a Consultant, which was frustrating). She didn't examine me just suggested a laparoscopy and hysterocopy for which the waiting list was 9 months. They also said that they couldn't refer me direct to a Fertility Clinic and would have to send me back to the GP to do this after the op.  Luckily I have Bupa through work and I gave them a call and got an appointment with a private Gynae for "pelvic pain" - they don't cover fertility issues unfortunately.  He immediately booked me in for a Lap and Dye, Hyst to investigate the pain which would also cover the fertility and also due to the PCOS (already diagnosed) suggested Ovarian Drilling at the same time. 

All went well and post op the Gynae suggested testing DH (this came back normal) and then going on Clomid if DH was fine. So, rather than going back to GP and then getting a referral (GP would not prescribe Clomid) we decided to go private for this stage and then go back to the GP for a referral in 6 months if this doesn't work.  I was a bit concerned about this consultant not being a fertility expert, but at least he deals with the right area and I guess at this stage it doesn't need a specialist.  They do do scans on the NHS though, but I guess it depends on the consultant you have, but perhaps ring the hospital now and ask them for one or as your GP si helpful ghe might be able to contact them to arrange it - I think they should be between CD12 and 15 to check the follicle size. But, I know from experience how diffficult it is to contact the NHS consultants and how little information they seem to give.  I just felt like crying after every appointment as I didn't really know what was going on.

Sorry, very long and boring for you....

Anyway, I am now on CD1 after  ^witch^ arrived in full force this am  - so a 26 day cycle which is unknown for me - I guess it's the drugs. Meant to be taking Clomid days 2-6 but heard that you get better eggs taking it later, so I might try days 3 to 7 this time. Do you know anything about this.

Heavenly, thanks for the positive story - always helps to hear good news. 

xx
 
#17 ·
Morning all! Cas11, you sound like you have been passed from pillar to post like me with your consultant. I just find it so hard to believe how insensitive consultants can be. I was actually booked in to an antenatal clinic by accident a few months ago (this was supposed to be my post lap follow up appt, and my hubby had taken the day off).  I was asked for my "green notes", then outright if I was pregnant in front of all other expectant mums, so burst in to tears. Was horrendous, and my consultant didn't even come out to speak to me/apologise! I have a GP appt on Monday so will ask about blood tests to check for ovulation, and also ask again about a scan.

Heavenly- how are you feeling? I have finished taking them for this month, so fingers crossed!

Xx
 
#18 ·
Vadergarth said:
Morning all! Cas11, you sound like you have been passed from pillar to post like me with your consultant. I just find it so hard to believe how insensitive consultants can be. I was actually booked in to an antenatal clinic by accident a few months ago (this was supposed to be my post lap follow up appt, and my hubby had taken the day off). I was asked for my "green notes", then outright if I was pregnant in front of all other expectant mums, so burst in to tears. Was horrendous, and my consultant didn't even come out to speak to me/apologise! I have a GP appt on Monday so will ask about blood tests to check for ovulation, and also ask again about a scan.

Heavenly- how are you feeling? I have finished taking them for this month, so fingers crossed!

Xx
Hey you! Well took first one last night, I was really nervous, sounds so silly! But I feel fine today. I will ring up to book a scan for CD10-14 this month. Wishing you so much luck this month!! xx
 
#19 ·
Vadergarth said:
Morning all! Cas11, you sound like you have been passed from pillar to post like me with your consultant. I just find it so hard to believe how insensitive consultants can be. I was actually booked in to an antenatal clinic by accident a few months ago (this was supposed to be my post lap follow up appt, and my hubby had taken the day off). I was asked for my "green notes", then outright if I was pregnant in front of all other expectant mums, so burst in to tears. Was horrendous, and my consultant didn't even come out to speak to me/apologise! I have a GP appt on Monday so will ask about blood tests to check for ovulation, and also ask again about a scan.

Heavenly- how are you feeling? I have finished taking them for this month, so fingers crossed!

Xx
Yes, it does feel like that sometimes. No-one has been as insensitive as they have to you though - that's shocking!

I took No. 1 last night and all ok so far no symptoms. Heavenly - hope you are feeling ok on yours so far.

Best of luck with your appointment tomorrow Vadergarth.

x
 
#20 ·
Took 2nd one last night, still feel fine today.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.  xx
 
#21 ·
Hi ladies,

Thought I would join this thread as I am also in a very similar situation to some of you. Having IUI and just started the clomid on Wednesday 4th Jan in the evening. They told me to take 100mg a day which is double the dose I took when I did it a few years back so bit nervous on in case I get too many follicles and they abandon the treatment. Couldn't sleep last night and keep having to have naps during the day because I feel tired. Luckily have very understanding DH  :) Very anxious to see what my body is doing (have scan next Wed cycle day 8) and wishing the days away until then.

Milliemoos
 
#22 ·
Hi Milliemoos.

I have no idea what day to book my scan.  My FS said book it between CD10-14.  How do I know which day?  My cycle ranges from 24-27 each month.  I am going to have to pay for these scans so want to make sure I have them done on the right day!
 
#23 ·
Hi Heavenly,

I would give the clinic a call tomorrow and see what they suggest. Personally (but not professionally) speaking I would be booking one in at the earlier date - CD10 and probably doing home ovulation predictor tests from day 7/8. Your cycle length range is exactly the same as mine and on the Clear Blue Ovulation predictor test instructions it gives a guide on what day to start testing according to cycle length. It says "Count the first day of your period as day 1, start testing on the day shown under your cycle length" - 22 = day 5, 23 = 6, 24 = 7, 25 = 8, 26 = 9 and so on..

fyi  - I had IUI a few years back and ovulated on CD12. I think I had two or three scans with a day in between each one.

Hope that helps!

Milliemoos  :)
 
#24 ·
Heavenly, that's good advice from Milliemoos ^afro^ With my ovulation induction they started scanning 9 days after the start of my cycle, then I had scans every couple of days until I ovulated. http://www.babymed.com/tools/clomid-ovulation-calculator is quite useful because it gives you a predicted ovulation date based on when you took the Clomid. :)

This post contains an unconfirmed link/information and readers are reminded that FertilityFriends.co.uk or its owners are not responsible for the content of external internet sites
 
#25 ·
Thank you both very much, lots of useful info there.

I do have to pay for these scans though - I don't know how much they are yet but if they are quite dear, we won't be able to run to having a few a month.
 
#26 ·
Milliemoos said:
Hi Heavenly,

I would give the clinic a call tomorrow and see what they suggest. Personally (but not professionally) speaking I would be booking one in at the earlier date - CD10 and probably doing home ovulation predictor tests from day 7/8. Your cycle length range is exactly the same as mine and on the Clear Blue Ovulation predictor test instructions it gives a guide on what day to start testing according to cycle length. It says "Count the first day of your period as day 1, start testing on the day shown under your cycle length" - 22 = day 5, 23 = 6, 24 = 7, 25 = 8, 26 = 9 and so on..

fyi - I had IUI a few years back and ovulated on CD12. I think I had two or three scans with a day in between each one.

Hope that helps!

Milliemoos :)
Milliemoos, Just reading your advice to heavenly re scans every other day from day 10 which certainly sounds very sensible. My doc suggested days 12-15 for a scan, but that was probably as my non-clomid cycles were 32 days plus, so I've booked a day 12 scan on that basis. However, my first clomid cycle one was 26 days and I got a faint ovulation test line on day 12 so I'm thinking that if it was ovulation on day 12 and its the same this month, day 12 will probably be too late for me for a scan. Hmmmmmm I guess it's all trial and error at the end of the day and I will just have to see what happens and then try and rectify on cycle 3 if I have got it wrong.

I've no idea how much a scan might cost - I guess it is different from place to place and I can't find any information on my hospital's website about such things and its never something the doctor tells you which is frustrating as you end up getting a shock when you go to pay. It cost over £300 to update my hormone profile recently.... I was more than a little shocked.

Took my 2nd tablet last night and had minor hot flushes and sweats all night - not that unpleasant though, so all good. Hope everyone else is doing ok.

Vadergarth, hope your docs appointment went ok today.
x
 
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