LTTTC & Taking Clomid/Metformin 2009 #3

[Mez Moz]

Hi RiChiChi - welcome!
AF arriving is never fun..always makes me go why why why???? In answer to your question, my GP gave me a referral to a FS, who has been great. FS said I could try 2-3 rounds of clomid and if that didn't work it would be time for a lap (which I had on Thursday). The first round of clomid was monitored with an internal U/S and bloods on day 21 to check ovulation. Because all worked well with Oing on round 1, I didn't need any tests on round 2. FS said there was no point wasting more time on clomid if there was something wrong with my plumbing, so that's why I had the lap.

Before going to my FS I had tried sooo many natural therapies (herbs, acupuncture, kinesiology, reiki etc etc etc) and no luck. Even though I had no luck, these therapies, especially yoga, did help improve my health and wellbeing. I believe these therapies do work for some people, so have you tried seeing a naturopath / Chinese Doctor?

Anyway, after 16 months of trying, you are certianly within your rights to ask for a referral to a FS. If you want to bypass your OB, just get a referral from your GP. Not sure where you live, but if you're in Melbourne, David Wilkinson frm City Fertility is lovely.

Good luck!

[RhiChiChi]

Thanks for your reply Mez Moz. Sounds like we have taken similar paths down the ttc route.... I had the prog test on CD21 after the first round of Clomid, which shows I 'O'd' and OBS kept the dose the same, but no internal u/s. I have also tried natural therapies, starting with a Naturopath - whom I saw whilst ttc # 1, I went back but no luck, so I switched to a Chinese Herbalist / Accupuncturist (known to 'support' women during IVF) but I stopped going as ttc was becoming a 'chore' - (I did the herbs & accupuncture) I also do yoga once a week & have started seeing a personal trainer twice a week as well as a food diary to lose weight etc....

I will call my OBS Monday & see how far an appointment is away - he is really busy & go from there. I am in Melbourne SE suburbs. I assume David Wilkinson is in the CBD? Does anyone know of anyone at Monash Clayton worth seeing?

I am thinking I may need a lap - perhaps for blocked tubes as previous u/s showed that all was clear after my last mc. I would also like DH to get checked out - he is 39 this year.

Will be back to catch up with everyone properly once my head space is clear...!

[~*Kat*~]

RhiChiChi the only thing I can say for Monash Clayton is if ur overweight (like I am) dont bother they were really rude to me even after I dropped 11kgs in 2 weeks and I had to fight like anything to get put on clomid. I dont thinks theres a harm in trying if u want to but I will be finding a different FS, if I need it next month, cos I really dont want to go back

[becnxavi]

Rhichichi,
I was referred to dr Gronow at Melbourne IVF and he's been good. My GP said anyone from melbourne IVF is good. I know it's annoying to have to travel to the CBD, but for a nice doctor, I'm happy to do it. Have you had a saline u/s? I've also had a number of miscarriages in the past year, and I just had a scan last week that showed a polyp in my uterus which can cause miscarriage apparently. It was expensive, but if it means I can get pregnant and stay pregnant, it's worth it I suppose.

got1want1more, I can't believe you were treated so poorly! Clomid is often prescribed for women with Polycystic Ovaries (which I have) and we are often on the heavy side (which I am too!). I hope you find someone who can help.

Hopefully everyone else is going well (and recovering from your surgeries).

Bec

[~*Kat*~]

Bec I have PCOS too and I eventually got my prescription for the clomid
I am in the outer south east suburbs of Melb and I will be looking for a FS if next month is not successful
I know of 1 called Hayden Najaa or something like that and he is next to Monash Clayton and is supposed to be good. Haven't seen him but I might give him a shot

[Mez Moz]

RiChiChi, glad to hear you practice yoga. Yoga has helped me manage the emotional roller coaster of TTC so much that I decided to do my teacher training and now teach in South Yarra studio. If you have the chance to do yoga in a studio (rather than a gym) and take on it's body / mind / spirit teachings, you may find it offers more than just exercise and stretching. Maybe i should start teaching TTC yoga classes!

Deffers get DH checked out - hasn't he had a test yet?

I had a mini meltdown yesterday - not sure if laps induce crazy hormones? I felt like I had PMT x 100! I'm looking forward to Thursday when I get my full results and the green light to TTC again.

[becnxavi]

Good luck Mezmoz, hope all goes well at your appointment!

AFM, currently on day 28, of my ridiculously long 35 day cycle. Very sore BB's and horrifically tired and grumpy. Maybe a good sign, but not counting my chickens yet. I have been sure I was UTD before only to be let down when AF arrived. though!

Hope everyone's well,
Bec

[Porsche]

Hey Porsche...a word of warning about your lap recovery....don't do what I just did!

Warning ladies - poo about to be mentioned:

Because the pain meds they give you after your lap can make you constipated, I took some Nulax laxatives, but 12 hours later I was still feeling constipated which doesn't feel great when your insides are a bit tender anyway. So I took some more. BIG MISTAKE! Within an hour of taking the second lot, the first lot kicked in. ARGH!!! Anyway, to cut a horrible story short, I had the worst runs I have ever experienced in my life and spent the early hours of the morning attached to the loo! So my advice is to avoid laxatives, or only take one dose every 24 hours instead of two like I did.

So now I've had a thorough spring cleaning of all my plumbing down there! lol

Two days after my lap I'm still feeling a bit tender, but don't need pain killers anymore. I bet I'd be feeling a lot better too if I hadn't given myself the runs!

M x

Oh my gosh what pain you must have been in. I will def not take any laxettes then. At least you know you have clear pipes now lol.

To the ladies with PCOS I also have PCOS. I'm currently CD33/10DPO on my 6th round of clomid. For the last 2 cycles I've had no monitoring as it is just to keep me regular untill my lap.

All the other 4 cycles I've just had the 21 day BT to see if I had actually O'd.


Becnxavi - I have 35 day cycles as well. I also get soore BB's as well in the 2WW.

[RhiChiChi]

Got1want1more - Well, best not bother with Monash Clayton then cos I am classified obese. My gf is obese and she went to Monash - go figure.... Why do they have to be so rude? Goodness knows that we are under enough 'stress' ttc not to be burdened with other thoughts that aren't positive.

Bec - No, I haven't had a saline u/s - I will ask for one of those. I actually just re-booked with my GYNO/OBS to ask for a referral to a FS, I can get in on the 8th Feb, which suits as I am away next week. On a seperate note, I hope those signs are positive!

Mez - I do yoga in a studio. Mary, the yoga teacher is really good and she also runs a half day (?) session in conjunction with a Goddess Playshop (mind/spirit stuff) that I am hoping she runs soon again as I missed the last one as I was away.
I am not sure what effect laps have on hormone levels as I haven't had one. Best of luck for Thursday

Porsche - I hope you are doing ok

Hello to anyone I have missed or who is just lurking.

Julia
x

[~*Kat*~]

I am stuggling atm ladies
I am getting very depressed I still haven't O'd, guess its going to be a referal to a FS next month (1 thats not in monash)
We've also been having troubles with someone trying to cause problems between me and DH (hasn't worked but still stressful)
I hope everyone else is well and goodluck to everyone for this month

[Mez Moz]

Got1want1more...if it feels good, have a big cry and let all your emotions out. Find some way of releasing. Something I find that really helps is just focusing on my breath, deepening and lengthening my breath. And sometimes in privacy I shout out "Blahhhhhhhhhh" at anyone/thing I'm annoyed with to get rid of my yuck feelings. (Ok I'll stop with all my yoga teachings now!)

It's not such a bad thing to be going to a FS - at least you'll know you are in the hands of an expert in this area. I struggled for ages with the fact I was taking the western medicine path and seeing a FS (being the big hippy I am) but now I am so glad that I did because I feel as though I'm actively doing something to bring us closer to having a bubba. Dr Wilkinson from City Fertility (St Kilda Road) is so lovely, so if you can make the trek into the city I would recommend him.

M

[~*Kat*~]

Thanks Mez it helps to have people that understand
Thanks for the advice with dr wilkinson I have a GP appt tomorrow so I might see if I can get a referal and try to get an appt with him as the travel doesn't worry me

[RhiChiChi]

Got1want1more - Mez has given some great advice..... Keep a united front with your DH - sounds like this person is nasty & might continue to try to cause problems.

Does anybody use OPK's whilst on Clomid? I haven't bothered since we DTD every second day between CD 10 - 21 but now I am thinking I am not 'Oing' or maybe not until really late and maybe we need to DTD prior & after these dates too? Gosh it can be a chore though....

[Mez Moz]

Hi RiChiChi
I used OPKs when on clomid (pee test & maybe baby) as well as taking my temps (all systems go!) but found that I had full on O pains which let me know it was time to get on with DTD. I couldn't rely on mucous at all because I had hardly any. If you take your temps every day then you'll definitely know when you've O'd.

I know what you mean about it being a chore! DH and I DTD every second day from day 15 until my temps indicated I'd O'd, which on clomid was usually around day 18 - 19. And if we could find the time, we'd DTD every day from around day 17. I can't wait until I'm UTD so DTD can just be about having a good time instead of procreation!!!!

[~*Kat*~]

I am on clomid and using OPK's (but no luck as yet)

Thanks for the support ladies it does help
I am still feeling very down but I know DH and I r fine and 1 way or another baby will make 4

[Jess85]

hey lovelyz,

to the new comers, WELCOME! i hope this site is helpful to you as it has been to me!
atleast through these difficult times, we have others that we can chat to knowing they understand exactly how you feel..
To the ladies trying for their second, all the best! im sure your little ones give you courage to keep on going..

im on my 4th cycle of Clomid, im hoping its working.. i have more hope this time around, no real reason why. As i have read about the ladies with PCOS who are alittle over weight, i feel your pain ive tried so hard & it discourages me as i feel i never go anywhere.. we haveto keep trying

Mez Moz, how are you feeling now hun? i have them meltdowns all the time, i actually went off my brain at my husband yesterday, last night i was like "what the hell.. where did that come from" .. luckily for me he is real patient & understanding..
lately ive been getting real high, or really low.. i can cry so easily!

hey keli! im well, how've you been? whats your next step, in this whirl wind of emotions?

Byexx

[~*Kat*~]

Goodluck with ur 4th cycle Jess
I still haven't O'd but I got my referal and rung and made an appt for mid March (which is better than I thought I would get) its not too badly priced too better than my gyno I had when I was pregnant with DD so I wont need it if this month and next dont work for us

[becnxavi]

Hi ladies,
got1want1more- it's awful when you feel you can't do anything that helps. Seeing an FS might help you feel as though you are taking affirmative action, and that can be invigorating and give you the strength to go on. I found making the appointment was an enormous relief!

jess85- I get shocking pains for days when I ovulate! As bad as period pain sometimes. I'm always a little scared to take Nurofen incase I'm UTD. All in the name of the prize though, hey? At least we know when we ovulate!

Mezmoz- very sound advice. I've found that acupuncture has help me heaps, not so much physically, but emotionally. It helps me relax for that half hour or so to feel like I'm preparing the old womb for what may be!

RhiChiChi- I used OPK's after I stopped having scans to check for follies. I actually found I was ovulating much later than normal (day 21 or 22) and we'd been aiming for day 14! Since I've been doing that acupuncture the EWCM (TMI!) has improved and now I can tell when I ovulate using that and the o pains. OPK's where my hero for awhile though!

Everyone else, I hope you're going well! to you all.
I'm anxiously awaiting Monday when AF is due, and still haven't heard when I'm getting the polyp removed. Nervous wait!

Bye,
Bec