Have clomid/clearplan fertility monitor question (warn: pg and child ment)

[BC-momla]

I took Clomid this month--50mg. I have regular periods and have NO idea why I can't get pg. RE just suggested it to use every other month while ttc on our own since we don't want to do IVF again right now. Well, when I was ttc Jake and I was addicted to temping and OPKs I know I ovulated usually on day 19 and when I took Clomid for 3 months way back when I ovulated on day 14-15 on it. Well, I haven't done temp taking or OPK's or Clomid since then (about 4 years ago). I did a FET in Dec which ended in a chemical pg and then my next cycle was long--like 34 days. (I normally have 30-31 day cycles). So, here's my dilemma: I took the Clomid this cycle (2nd cycle past Chemical pg) and it is day 16 today and that clear plan fertility monitor hasn't indicated that I've had my LH surge. It is stuck on the 2nd block for days (high fertility out of low, high and peak). So, I guess I haven't ovulated yet and I certainly don't feel like I have. Not that I can usually tell, but I remember getting "big ovary feeling" when I neared ovulation on Clomid before and then getting quite a bit of discomfort at the time I probably ovulated. Well, nothing this time. I've never used the clearplan fertility monitor before this cycle either. So, should I worry much about this? Should I call my RE after this cycle and see if I need 100mg next time? I've never taken 100mg b/c 50mg made me ovulate earlier and have a longer luteal phase. Or am I okay? Just ride it out and not worry about it? Thanks.

[BC-DKNY]

hi carla....i'm sorry for all of your confusion.

clomid frequently pushes O off a few days later. it's possible (although it didn't happen previously for you) that this is the case. you're also fortunate enought to get bodily signs, so atay attentive to that as well.

as for the CPFM...i had the same problem the first month i used it (as did a few other people i know). i have never not O (that was never my problem) and the monitor was "stuck" on high the first month. i KNOW i O b/c i had all the bodily signs and i also had that nasty O pain to go by. the monitor never did hit the peak reading, but i k now i O b/c that was the month i conceived my son.

after doing some research on the monitor, i found that the monitor often doesn't give you accurate readings immediately b/c it's acclimating and configuring itself to your cycle. so that in subsequent cycles it recognizes the ups and downs of your hormones. this is especially true if the monitor's been used previously. either by yourself or someone else. so you may or may not get a "peak" reading this month, but that doesn't mean you didn't O.

keeping this in mind, i would watch your other signs closely, and if you're concerned about missing O, you can always do a disposable OPK just for this month while the monitor is learning to read your cycle.

good luck! let us know how it goes.

[BC-Maura]

Hi Carla: I can't add anything to Dina's excellent response, but to say that the first thing that came to mind is that Clomid is delaying your O this month (most women I know who have taken Clomid seem to O later, like around cd 20). I hope that's the case and that you see your surge soon.

Good luck and keep us posted++++++++
Maura

[BC-momla]

Oh good!! Thank you so much, both of you! I appreciate your help!

One more question: Will it mess things up to have my first cycle on my monitor be a clomid cycle? Will it recognize me the next cycle or will it do this weird stuck on high business to me again? My cycle will probably be close to my usual cycle since I normally have a 30-31 day cycle.

Ok, one MORE question--lol!! What good is the clomid if I ovulate anyway? Just more eggies therefore more possibilities or does it help the eggs mature better or something??

[BC-DKNY]

carla, i know many women who take clomid although they O on their own. i believe many docs prescribe it to help improve the whole O process.

here's what i found on clomid.

What does Clomid do?
Clomid works by suppressing the amount of naturally circulating estrogen and "tricks" the pituitary into producing more follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH). These natural gonadotropic hormones (FSH and LH) then stimulate the ovaries to ripen a follicle and to extrude an ovum (egg).

i have a friend who uses clomid and the CPFM. i know when she takes clomid she has no problem with the monitor. i understand your question...you're concerned about going back and forth between using the clomid and then not. i will ask her what has happened when she was not taking the clomid. maybe she can shed some light.

[BC-momla]

Thanks!!

[BC-DKNY]

carla...i spoke with my friend, but unforuntately she has no experience with the monitor after clomid. she said she'd on;y used the monitor when she was taking clomid. i'll see if i can find any other info for you.

[BC-DKNY]

carla

after searching, i found numerous sites that gave pretty much the same info. i wasn't able to find any info on the CPFM after stopping clomid. i'm sorry i don't have any add; info for you. you might want to just run this by your doc. maybe he/she has some experience with the monitor.

Can I still use the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor if I am taking Clomid®?

You may still use the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor if you are taking Clomid, but please be aware that the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor may not reliably detect High Fertility. However, it may still be possible to detect Peak Fertility. Therefore, if you are taking Clomid and trying to conceive, you may still benefit from using the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor, but consult with your physician first. In a recent study on patients using the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor while taking Clomid, some patients did experience more High Fertility days when taking Clomid but their Peak Fertility days were still accurately identified.

good luck!! let us know how things go.

[BC-momla]

I got peak fertility today which I would guess is accurate since I had that big follie and good lining on us yesterday. I'll let you know what happens when I'm not taking it next month. Thanks for all your help!

[BC-Maura]

Good luck with O! Keep us posted!

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Maura