TTC & Taking Clomid &/Or Metformin ~ Jan/Feb 2008

**DrGirl72** · March 25th, 2008, 08:27 PM

whoop sorry Miss K forgot to say welcome to this thread, but sorry can't help re. AF being heavy as i'm just on my first cycle of clomid. however, it is my understanding that if you don't ovulate your AF is meant to be lighter than if you do. So if you then taek clomid and start to ovulate then AF can be much heavier.. its not so much related to the dose of clomid but rather at what particular dose you ovulate (thats if you are taking it to induce ovulation!) Hope this makes some sense!

**Mel A** · March 26th, 2008, 08:00 AM

Hi all,
As a seasoned clomid taker. This is what i've found out about how it works the side effects the reasons why etc.

So, as we all know clomid is there to help us O.
O is caused by a progressive amount of different hormones peaking.. or in a way I understood it;
O starts with a low level of estrogen in our bodies. this low level causes GnRH (gonadotropinreleasing hormone) to rise this triggers the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) This causes the folical to grow. This growing causes a rise in estrogen. At its peak, estrogen activates the luteinizing hormone (LH) the LH is what causes the folical to release the egg. Once done this leaves behind corpus luteum (the empty follicle) the corpus luteum causes the body to produce estrogen and progesterone this is to prepare the uterus for baby carrying.

So Clomid. It kind of tricks the body into thinking that the estrogen level is really low, right at the beginning. (hense the reason we take it during AF) This really low level forces our bodies to start doing the right thing and it produces GnRH. (the first hormone) On the right level this is enough to kick everey thing into gear and presto our bodies start doing what they are meant to. It does effect each of the hormones needed for O but this is the general gist of how it works.

Clomid can cause side effects (and does

) but a lot of what we are feeling is our bodies natural reaction to a new does of hormones. (Kind of like puberty is our bodies reacting the lots of new hormones. )

Must, must, got to work

Cheers Mel

**AJC** · March 26th, 2008, 08:28 AM

Welcome Miss K - I'm in my first round of clomid too so unfortunately don't have any advice but just wanted to say welcome.

I ended up vomiting last night, was really hot all night. Feel ok this morning but hope these side effects don't last my whole cycle. Man - why do we have to go through this?!?!?! I sat in the bath telling myself that 'it will be worth it in the end'. Thinking positive.

Thanks for the description Mel A, hoping the side effects means it's working too.

**TwoMums** · March 26th, 2008, 07:06 PM

Kim got her periods... 2 days early... Back to the drawing board... Kim started 100mg Clomid today... Not taking any notice of any sort of pregnancy symptoms next time... Must only pee on stick at 14 dpo and blood test when and only when the pee stick is positive... I've been sewing nappies like a mad woman... stupid, stupid, stupid...

Rang our doc and after this attempt, if it doesn't work, Kim is going to have a Lap and dye done in May... see if maybe she has some endo, perhaps, she has god awful period pains...

Anyhow, just thought i'd better update.

Welcome AJC and Miss K, Good Luck

**MrsB26** · March 26th, 2008, 07:54 PM

TwoMums oh no, i am so sorry, if only it got easier but it only gets harder

I had a lap and dye last july, i fell pg the first cycle after but unfortunately ended in m/c. You're not stupid for being hopeful and excited, just think of all the beautiful things you will have made for your baby when it does arrive. I wish i could make you guys feel better, but i do understand the dissappointment - we all do, take care.

Me on cd12 atm, not having monitored cycles anymore for a while because i know that i do O. Just going with the flow, not sure when o day will be, was usually cd15 when i was taking clomid later - now i'm taking it earlier i dont know what to expect. I got out the bbt thermomter and am using it for this cycle only but we have stated to dtd. That's the only thing I hate about ttc - dtd because you "have to" not because you want to - i mean want to but i dont like having to iykwim??
Getting really bad hot flushes this cycle but no other symptoms which i am happy about, normally i am bloated like a week old dead cow by now but not this cycle - woohoo, can wear my skinny jeans lol!

to everyone

**AJC** · March 26th, 2008, 08:06 PM

Twomums - sorry af arrived for Kim. It's so cruel when your body is telling you that you are pg when you're not. Good luck this cycle.

Mrs B26 - it is sooo hard to keep the romance alive isn't it. It's our wedding anniversary on the 9th so hopefully that will bring the romance back. If only we could go on our honeymoon again - wishful thinking. he he he, you made me lol with the 'week old dead cow' comment. Haven't heard that one before and it made me giggle.

No nausea today - hooray. I did get quite hot and flushed at my dance class tonight though which doesn't normally happen. I can handle the hot flushes but the nausea - ick, that's bad. Have no idea when to start bd this month, am thinking cd 12?!? We'll see.

**MrsB26** · March 26th, 2008, 08:20 PM

AJC Oh yes, i agree, i can handle the hot flushes but the nausea and headaches are the worst. I am thankful to have skipped them this time around although probably knowing my luck i will get them 10 fold next cycle jus to make up for it. Glad i made you chuckle, i was going to say "a week old dead cow in the sun" but i thought that was too gross lol.

As for starting to dtd, i always think that cd10 is a good starting point as the sperm can supposedly live for up to 4 days and if you end up Oing early (which clomid can make you do) atleast you have hopefully a small army ready to attack the elusive egg. Otherwise go for it when your cm starts to go watery. Or jst when you feel like it lol.

Oh, can i ask what part of Newie are you from???? Who's your FS? I see Dr Woolcott

**AJC** · March 27th, 2008, 08:37 AM

Mrs B26 - I'm actually a Maitland girl but no-one usually knows where it is so I just stick to Newcastle. I've been seeing Dr McGrath, he's great.

Hmmm - think cd10 might be a good idea. Told DH I wasn't going to tell him when O day is as I don't want him under too much pressure. As I said - determined to keep romance alive this month.