I’m still here, y’all. I had the idea to wait until I was closing out my first Clomid cycle to come make an update so I could provide some sort of feedback as to how it went or what outcome we received. Spoiler Alert & Disclaimer all in one: This is going to be a very negative post, and a little bit of me venting. Sorry!
This cycle was forced via Provera which I discussed previously. I was filled with so much hope adding clomid to the cycle since it was something new which I felt would really give my body the nudge it needed. So, here’s the timeline of events as they stand now:
April 9: CD1 – Finally! 10 days of Provera seemed like forever, and when AF finally came I was excited.
April 11: CD3 – Start of Clomid. Honestly excited, and cautiously optimistic.
April 15: CD7 – Last dose of Clomid; feeling headachy and ready to be done taking the pills.
April 18: CD10 – Started OPKs
April 29: CD21 – Still temping, still taking OPKs… STILL NO OVULATION.
If that doesn’t completely sum up my cycle I don’t know what will. The worst part for me is that CD15-17 my temps actually spike and stayed pretty steadily above 98 degrees! I had really thought that this medication worked. Since then, though, my temps have been taking a slow and painful dive lower and lower. No ovulation has been confirmed by temps, and I’ve not gotten even close to a positive OPK. The last few days have honestly been the hardest for me in the 15 months that we’ve been TTC.
In doing a little bit of research I found that 50mg dosing of Clomid for women who are anovulatory is only about 50% effective in triggering ovulation. I am really frustrated with myself for not doing this research earlier. Now, I feel like I wasted my time, put myself through the side effects of the medication (although mild, thank goodness), wasted my money, and threw this cycle away on such a conservative dosing. Understandably my OB/GYN would start conservatively by nature as to not accidentally explode my ovaries, but seriously – I haven’t ovulated since November 2014… I don’t think we need to be conservative!!
I left a message with the clinic today to see if I can schedule a blood test and ultrasound with them to determine if this dose of clomid had any effect on my body whatsoever. If not, I want to move on. I’ve also been in contact with a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) in our area to see what a consult would cost since my insurance, although stellar, doesn’t cover infertility at all. Their consult fee isn’t that expensive, but they are currently scheduling appointments in MID-MAY! I had been foolishly hoping that this cycle would work and I wouldn’t need to see the RE so I didn’t get on the waitlist, but I’m kicking myself in the rear for that now. Depending on what my OB/GYN says about testing to see if this cycle did anything I will then call them to make the appointment ASAP.
Seriously, though, I am far too Type-A to handle another unmonitored medicated cycle. Especially since I have no idea what’s going on in my body and the waiting and wishing really kills me.
I am really trying to hold myself up out of that deep dark hole of depression that seems to set in the further I get into these damn anovulatory cycles, but it’s so tough. Hoping for better news, and a happier disposition in my next update!
This cycle was forced via Provera which I discussed previously. I was filled with so much hope adding clomid to the cycle since it was something new which I felt would really give my body the nudge it needed. So, here’s the timeline of events as they stand now:
April 9: CD1 – Finally! 10 days of Provera seemed like forever, and when AF finally came I was excited.
April 11: CD3 – Start of Clomid. Honestly excited, and cautiously optimistic.
April 15: CD7 – Last dose of Clomid; feeling headachy and ready to be done taking the pills.
April 18: CD10 – Started OPKs
April 29: CD21 – Still temping, still taking OPKs… STILL NO OVULATION.
If that doesn’t completely sum up my cycle I don’t know what will. The worst part for me is that CD15-17 my temps actually spike and stayed pretty steadily above 98 degrees! I had really thought that this medication worked. Since then, though, my temps have been taking a slow and painful dive lower and lower. No ovulation has been confirmed by temps, and I’ve not gotten even close to a positive OPK. The last few days have honestly been the hardest for me in the 15 months that we’ve been TTC.
In doing a little bit of research I found that 50mg dosing of Clomid for women who are anovulatory is only about 50% effective in triggering ovulation. I am really frustrated with myself for not doing this research earlier. Now, I feel like I wasted my time, put myself through the side effects of the medication (although mild, thank goodness), wasted my money, and threw this cycle away on such a conservative dosing. Understandably my OB/GYN would start conservatively by nature as to not accidentally explode my ovaries, but seriously – I haven’t ovulated since November 2014… I don’t think we need to be conservative!!
I left a message with the clinic today to see if I can schedule a blood test and ultrasound with them to determine if this dose of clomid had any effect on my body whatsoever. If not, I want to move on. I’ve also been in contact with a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) in our area to see what a consult would cost since my insurance, although stellar, doesn’t cover infertility at all. Their consult fee isn’t that expensive, but they are currently scheduling appointments in MID-MAY! I had been foolishly hoping that this cycle would work and I wouldn’t need to see the RE so I didn’t get on the waitlist, but I’m kicking myself in the rear for that now. Depending on what my OB/GYN says about testing to see if this cycle did anything I will then call them to make the appointment ASAP.
Seriously, though, I am far too Type-A to handle another unmonitored medicated cycle. Especially since I have no idea what’s going on in my body and the waiting and wishing really kills me.
I am really trying to hold myself up out of that deep dark hole of depression that seems to set in the further I get into these damn anovulatory cycles, but it’s so tough. Hoping for better news, and a happier disposition in my next update!