starting clomid

[jessica]

I am new to this site and just have a few questions. I really can't make out all of the abbreviations you use, can someone shed some light?

I am continually have anovulatory cycles, and my dr is starting my on Clomid 50 mg on my next cycle. I start on day 3 and take it 5 consecutive days. On cd 8, start Estradiol 2 mg 3xs day til day 12. Days 10,12,14,16, intercourse. Then on day 17 start progesterone supp. till day 30. On day 21, I do a progesterone test, and day 28 pregnancy test. Does anyone know why the progesterone and Estradiol? I am new to this, like I said, and do not feel like I know what is happening! What are the chances of this working the first month?

I'm crossing my fingers.

[BC-DKNY]

hi jessica...welcome aboard!!

i'd first like to tell you that if you look at the top of the page there's a link in the second row titled "acronyms," that will give you most of the abbreviations that we use. additionally, there are many other abbreviations that we've kind of mawde up a long the way. if there's anything specific that you see that's not on the list, feel free to ask.

as for the clomid, i'd like to say good luck. i know many women who have been successful with clomid, and some on their first round. as for the progest and est, has your docf run preliminary b/w? i know there are a few girls here taking both, but i'm not sure if it was just given to them arbitrarily, or after a problem was dx (diagnosed). i personally was taking progest, but it was after i had an ando biopsy and it was concluded that i needed it.

also, it's very important to not start the progest until AFTER you're sure you've O. some docs tell their patients to start taking it on cd 17 (assuming they've O on cd 14, and not explaining the either/or's to them). the object is to start the progesterone 3-4 days after O has taken place. if you happen to O on exactly cd 14 then what your doc told you is perfect. if you don't O until cd 17 (which is possible with clomid, as many women tend to O a little later while taking it) then you would start the prog on cd 20. taking the progest too soon (before you O) can interfere with O occuring. it can interupt it or prevent it all together.

i hope that helped a little.

P.S. are you doing anything to detect O? are you going back into your doc for an u/s? i would say in your case it would be important to know whether or not the meds the doc has given you is indeed helping you to O. you can also temp and OPK to help detect O.

[jessica]

Dina,

Thanks so much for the info. My dr did not schedule me back for an ultrasound, do you think I should call him to see why? He did take bw when I was in on Friday. Progesterone and something else, but he prescribed the progesterone before getting results. I will probably use an opk and temp to detest O. Do you suggest charting starting the first day of my cycle? thanks for helping with the confussion!

[BC-DKNY]

jessica...many docs prescribe progest to be proactive. there's no harm in taking progest even if you don't need it. i'm not as familiar with the est.

i've also known other women who don't go for follow ups with u/s's. i guess it depends on the doc. i know that many docs like to follow up after prescribing clomid to check the follie size and make sure O is occuring, however that can also be done via b/w. also, your doc may be a little less agressive about it b/c your BMS'ing instead of IUI.

you don't have to start temping on cd 1. you can start after AF, as long as you don't have an unusually long AF. you want to have at least 6 days worth of temping leading up to O. some women temp right thru AF just to keep in routine with things.

if you look at the pinned thread (just above this one, "info and links") there's a section titled "BBT, getting started" you'll find all of the info you need. read thru it and then fire away if you have any questions.

good luck!

[aimee02]

I am currently doing clomid and estradiol also. I am on cd11. I did 100mg of clomid cd 4-8 and estradiol (3X a day) cd 9-12. Tomorrow I go for a follicle scan and HCG injection. About OPK's, I have read that they don't work for some women when taking clomid. so, I don't know if it would be helpful or not but can't hurt. I don't think I will use any this month since I will be getting the shot. Good luck and feel free to ask anything!
Aimee

[stacy-ann]

Hi Jessica and welcome to this BB. Dina has done a great job(as usual) with responses.

Just wanted to wish you ++++++++thoughts this cycle.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

[jessica]

Thanks ladies! I do have one more question. I have used the opk's in the past, and no matter what time of the month I tested, I got 2 lines, almost the same, with the response line being just a hair lighter. Do you think this could possible indicate a problem with my Lh being to high all the time? Each time I have used the Kit, I have had anovulatory cycles. I was reading about pcos, I'm I am probably just jumping to conclusions, but it would be good to put my mind to rest.

Every single day of trying to concieve is so long and tortorous! Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks and God Bless.

[BC-DKNY]

hi jessica...what brand OPK's are you using? i found clear plan to be the easiest. i eventually switched to the clear plan monitor taking all guess work out of it .

PCOS often keeps elevated LH levels, making OPK's unreliable with women who have it. however, i don't think you should assume that's the case. it may be as simple as trying a different brand OPK. i found some to be more confusing than others.

temping might also help you zero in on O. if you're not doing that now, you might want to give it a whirl. i know you mentioned it, but don't know if you've started it yet. it's very easy and very informative.

as far as the stress of TTC...i have to agree with you there. my last baby was years in the making my best advice would be to try not and make it too much of a "job." try and keep things fun and romantic during the process. i know that's not always easy with the mechanics that we (women) have to go thru with all of the testing and temping, IUI's and OPK's, etc. but putting too much stress on yourself (and your dh/so) usually leads to more frustrations and you start to lose the enjoyment in the process...KWIM?

good luck!!

[BC-Maura]

HI Jessica. Dina has answered your questions, so I just wanted to welcome you to the bb. Hope to see you around!

+++++++++++++
Maura

[jessica]

Dina,
I DO know what you mean, you are 100% correct...

I remind myself daily to sit back and just enjoy the process...
This will be our last baby, so I need to remember this is our last go, and try to remember to enjoy every minute, because I won't be doing it again!

Thanks for the reminder, I do need it every now and again...

Jessica