Clomid??

[Joy35]

Hi ladies.

So it’s looking like it will now be the end of the year before I am able to actually start my first IVF cycle with the NHS. I’m currently over in Ireland and apparently you can get Clomid from the GP here. I’m thinking I could try this while I’m waiting. I’m unexplained and I do seem to ovulate every month (according to my clear blue monitor). Is it worth trying the Clomid? I’ve always found it weird the the NHS never tried anything else. Just put is on a waiting list for IVF. Could it do any harm? Or just allow me to feel like at least I’m trying something!! The waiting is so hard xx

[Nlm27]

Hi. I'm interested in the replies to this. I'm in the exact same situation as you but wont get IVF on nhs until June 2021! Thinking of going private but it's just so expensive. Surprised there is nothing else the NHS can offer apart from IVF x

[JuicyLu in reply to Nlm27]

I think it depends on your situation. I was offered Clomid by our NHS clinic as I wasn’t ovulating to try first (despite the fact my OH has low sperm count so it was unlikely to work!). We had it for a few months but it has a low success rate generally so maybe that’s why some might not offer it ? Obviously it also takes time but it you’re waiting anyway I can see the temptation. You could always ask if it’s something they’d consider in your case? There may be a reason they wouldn’t advise it for you but worth asking if you’d like to consider it? x

[Nlm27 in reply to JuicyLu]

Thanks for your reply. I have a telephone appointment with my NHS consultant next week so hope we can put a plan in place for the next year 🤞 x

[JuicyLu]

My understanding is that ovulation kits can be misleading. I don’t ovulate regularly if at all, but you wouldn’t know this from the kits! I think you should get this and the other basic checks done before starting any treatment - hopefully your GP will do this before prescribing Clomid.

They should also monitor you during a cycle with Clomid to see if you are ovulating on the dose they give you (with progesterone tests). You might end up not ovulating on a low dose or alternatively producing several eggs if you are ovulating already or on too high a dose and this carries a risk of multiple births which sounds good but isn’t according to fertility doctors. I’m not trying to put you off, just to point out Clomid does have side effects (it sent me *very* hormonal). I sympathise with the waiting - it’s really really tough. Can you ask the NHS clinic about this potential plan whilst you wait? x

[Millbanks]

I was put on clomid by my NHS doctor before starting ivf to see if it helped. But I knew that I was ovulating so think they just wanted to cover all bases... I didn’t get pregnant and as @juicylu said the side affects for me were awful. Very hormonal- I did a lot of crying for no reason! Fingers crossed for a quick wait list. The main thing I’ve found difficult during all my TTC and IVF is the waiting xxx

[Peanutchips]

Hey Joy, I did 6 x rounds of clomid whilst waiting for IVF. However I have PCOS and don’t ovulate very regularly. It might not be possible, but I think it’s fairly common (depending on reasons for treatment) for people to try IUI / clomid together for up to 3 cycles ahead of IVF. Unless this is covered in your area (wasn’t in mine) it can be a little pricey. I think for us it was £600 per cycle. We added one IUI cycle (along with the clomid) before trying IVF as wanted to feel we’d given other things a go and we were waiting to start. We didn’t have success but others do. For me the side effects of clomid were pretty tough - I was teary and hormonal on a daily basis. It can be helpful to know - I didn’t quite realise how much the clomid affected me until coming off. Best of luck xxx

[Hidden]

Hey

I did clomid before ivf as im unexplained and on nhs that was the first step before referring to ivf clinic. I would say do it. It wasn’t successful for me BUT i have read alot of girls falling pregnant on it. It also allows you to have a blood test on day 21 to check your ovulation. The doctor then can decide if 50 mg (which is starting dose) makes you ovulate. If you dont ovulate at least that might be an area you can focus on.

It also regulated my period for those 6 months which was sooo good. Unfortunately you cant stay on it forever so i went back to irregular after i stopped it.

Side effect ppl report is dryness and thin lining i think. So i believe there are some suggestion online which supplements to take e.g. primrose oil.

All the very best in your journey xx

[Joy35 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you mimisami. I’m just so scared of messing up my body. I seem to be ovulating and my periods are regular. Although not as heavy as I’d like them to be. However obvs something is wrong or after three years of trying I’d be pregnant. I’ve made an app for the GP on wed morning. I’m on day 5 now so I’ll hopefully be able to start on the Clomid next month. I’ll read up on the dryness and thin lining. Hope your dealing with all this waiting and not pulling your hair out like I am xxx

[Hidden in reply to Joy35]

No worries lovely and yes i think 99% here is very very anxious waiting for a miracle. Peace of mind is also once u are doing at least something and i think you might get that from clomid. All the best xxxx

[Hidden]

My day 21 progesterone tests were on the low side but I did ovulate every month, I was given Clomid I think to try as it's cheaper than IVF for NHS. I actually did get pregnant first cycle but miscarried early. It may have been coincidence of course. Also we had male factor and I had 0.8 AMH and later the consultant told me Clomid was the wrong drug for me.

I struggled with Clomid, Honestly IVF with all the injections and drugs was easier ! I can appreciate the waiting list makes IVF a long way off so I totally understand why you are keen to take it. If you can afford some complimentary therapy like acupuncture it can help balance hormones, help your cycles etc. Good luck with the Clomid if you decide to take it.