https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 22:14:55 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1821290 Mon, 18 Aug 2014 10:58:01 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1821290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: honestly? I kind of regret it because it gave me false hope. Yes, I started ovulating, but my thyroid levels were still so insanely out of whack, that I would've (and didn't) have gotten pregnant anyway. So, I do wish she would have done it all at once, but oh well. Life goes on. I'm with a RE now and he does things very thoroughly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1821059 Mon, 18 Aug 2014 09:26:45 +0000 MrsBrewer 1821059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CupQuakeWalk: This is me exactly, I know for a fact I'm not ovulating, so that's exactly what my OB is trying to fix right now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1820637 Sun, 17 Aug 2014 21:40:06 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1820637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok so, my doctor gave me Clomid before testing a whole lot, but her point was: we KNOW you're not ovulating, so let's fix that first.<br /> The only thing she gave me was a HSG. I wanna say she checked my egg count too but I can't be 100%.<br /> I was already on metformin.<br /> We later found out about my semi-misshapened uterus and my thyroid levels. DH has since has his SA as well (all clear). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1820407 Sun, 17 Aug 2014 18:02:03 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1820407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: my RE recommended a lifetime of six clomid cycles. A clomid cycle counts even if you do not ovulate or get pregnant. </p> <p>I've expired my limits, so if we were to ever TTC again she recommended letrozle or injectables. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1820371 Sun, 17 Aug 2014 16:26:21 +0000 ShootingStar 1820371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would just tell your doctor you're concerned about taking Clomid without monitoring. Educating yourself on how Clomid is typically administered is nothing to be ashamed of.</p> <p>But I would strongly encourage you to seek out an RE and not bother with an OB. Most OBs are not equipped to do the type of monitoring that is needed, nor are the educated in the way an RE is. I have PCOS and it turns out I am also Clomid resistant. Due to that my first BFP was a chemical pregnancy (took so long to respond the egg quality was bad), and then I stopped responding all together the 2nd cycle. Without monitoring I probably would've wasted months of my time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1819772 Sat, 16 Aug 2014 20:43:52 +0000 lazypanda 1819772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: Good luck! I had a friend who took a prescription from her OB for clomid, did not have monitoring and got pregnant on the first try. She just had her baby earlier this month. For myself, I wish I had seen an RE earlier as it has taken me longer to get pregnant. I also believe that monitoring is helpful because it takes the guesswork out of when you'd be ovulating, much better than OPKs. :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1819749 Sat, 16 Aug 2014 20:31:44 +0000 MrsBrewer 1819749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well I spoke with my Dr and I went ahead with Clomid for this cycle! Eek! I'm excited! I'm really hoping this is it. I'm not going in for monitoring at all when I'm taking it right now (on dYs 5-9) but if I'm not pregnant, and if my period doesn't come on it's own and I need Provera, I will be going in for bloodwork aand and ultrasound. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1815661 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 09:59:00 +0000 mrswin 1815661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: You could say something along the lines of "... a friend of mine also took Clomid but she mentioned that her Dr was doing blood work and ultrasounds to make sure it was working, is that how you do it too?"</p> <p>Or just say you were reading up on Clomid and it seems that monitoring is suggested </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1815602 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 09:37:46 +0000 MrsBrewer 1815602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All of this feedback is so great! Thank you everyone! :-)</p> <p>Now another spin off question, how do you go about raising concerns to your doctor? for example doing the Clomid without monitoring....I really don't want to say "Well I read on the internet......" I feel like that would be incredibly demeaning to the doctor!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1815573 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 09:29:08 +0000 Happygal 1815573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: I'm for seeing a RE, but you if you ask, perhaps your OB can do further monitoring and testing, although that's not normally their domain. I would start first with the testing to make sure that it's indeed PCOS you're dealing with and try to get a handle on that before jumping to Clomid. Good luck! And yes, stand up for yourself and your health and your family. You can do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1815568 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 09:28:04 +0000 FliegepilzHut 1815568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: Wow! You've gotten lots of feedback already! I don't have anything to add, except that I did (and would recommend to) have an HSG before starting any meds. You don't want to waste your time, money, energy, etc if your tubes are blocked. As an added bonus, you may increase your chances of conception for the first few cycles after HSG! :grin: And I second monitoring with the Clomid...some people tolerate it poorly...and it is possible to develop cysts, thinning of the uterine lining, etc. Good luck! :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1815507 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 09:05:39 +0000 mrswin 1815507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: Its hard to accept that you may need to see an RE, but honestly it was the best thing for us. I think given your history of long cycles it wouldn't be unreasonable for you to see the RE at this point rather than waiting for the 1 year mark. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1815494 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 09:00:56 +0000 swedishfish 1815494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: I was in your boat. Knew before meeting my DH that I had ovulation issues. Started TTC in January 2012, spoke to my OB in April because I hadn't ovulated, she wanted to do Clomid with no monitoring and no IUIs on the weekends. Met with my RE in May 2012 and he diagnosed me as "on the cusp" of PCOS. Clomid cycle in July with two IUIs but got a :bfn: . RE recommended IVF due to husband's low washed numbers. IVF in September 2012. LO born in June 2013. I'm so glad I didn't wait to see my RE.</p> <p>ETA - I was 28 when we first saw the RE. 29 during IVF. Turned 30 less a month after giving birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1815480 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 08:56:28 +0000 Sunshine1810 1815480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: You're welcome! That's not bad at all! Honestly, I am the exact same way, and this process has been even harder for me because of that. I am under 35 (I was 29 when I started this process). The RE saw me before I had been trying for a year because of my PCOS diagnosis, but didn't move forward too much with treatments until I had been trying for a year. She was also hesitant too because Metformin was helping me to ovulate. I don't think it's too early to see an RE because they have already diagnosed you with PCOS. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1815445 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 08:49:34 +0000 MrsBrewer 1815445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sunshine1810: @mrswin: Ladies thank you so much! Seriously! I never stand up for myself, I definitely feel like being my own advocate is something that I need to work on. Is it bad that one of the reasons I don't want to see an RE is because I don't want to admit that I have to go that route? I've always just imagined that it would just happen! I also feel like I'm so early (only my 3rd cycle) that I may be jumping the gun so to speak, you know? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1815419 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 08:43:45 +0000 mrswin 1815419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: The other thing to keep in mind is that if you do all these tests with your OB a lot of RE's will want to re-do them in their lab, etc so you will end up doing things twice which may be $$. May be worth asking about getting the referral now. :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1815413 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 08:42:28 +0000 Sunshine1810 1815413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: I definitely don't think it hurts to at least mention it, and get your OB's opinion. It's a hard decision, especially when you have a doctor that you know and trust. One thing I have learned through this 3 year process is that I have really had to step up and be my own advocate. That scares me a lot, but I've learned the hard way that it needs to happen. FX that Clomid works well for you!!! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1815387 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 08:37:33 +0000 Happygal 1815387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had all of the standard tests done and I had no known issues. I wouldn't take any fertility drug without monitoring. Along with the thinning 0mentioned (which happened to me), there's a risk of cysts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1815380 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 08:36:07 +0000 MrsBrewer 1815380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sunshine1810: Don't worry! I'm not taking it as criticism at all! I welcome opinions from people who have more experience in this than I do. I have to call my Dr. back tomorrow, so maybe I will mention being recommended to an RE? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1815366 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 08:32:50 +0000 Sunshine1810 1815366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: The only thing I will say about an OB vs. an RE is that it's the OB's job to monitor your pregnancy and RE's job to get you pregnant. One of my friends chose to stay with her OB and then regretted it because she only had luck getting pregnant when she went to the RE. The RE knows better how to mess around with your dosages, and what else you may need for treatment. Just something to think about, I am not meaning it to criticize your decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1815353 Thu, 14 Aug 2014 08:26:25 +0000 MrsBrewer 1815353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hoots: I've been on Metformin for almost 2 cycles. I started in the middle of my first cycle. I haven't lost any weight with it though. I know it's not some sort of miracle drug or anything, but I do need to lose weight.</p> <p>@lilyofthewest: Thank you for such an informative answer! This is my first cycle now of actually charting/temping to see if I'm ovulating. I figure that I wanted to give it one more cycle w/o Clomid to see if I'm ovulating on my own at all. Next cycle I will probably go to OPK's. </p> <p>@Sunshine1810: Thanks!!! I'm hoping so. Although I probably wouldn't start the Clomid for another 2 months (my next cycle)</p> <p>@mrswin: I will most definitely ask about an HSG. See I've always wondered now with the 6 max times.....what if you want multiple children, and you use Clomid let's say 3 times each time to get pregnant? Does that mean it's recommended that you only have 2 children? Also about an RE, I would most definitely be open to seeing one, but I guess I wanted to just talk to my regular OB and see what he suggests for now. I trust and value his opinions. If he would suggest it, or if I'm not seeing any results in a few months, I will probably reassess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1814925 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 20:13:00 +0000 mrswin 1814925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: I took Femera (pretty similar) but before we did that we had CD3 bloodwork, an ultrasound and an HSG.</p> <p>I would also talk to your doctor about doing the HSG to confirm that your tubes are open. It would be sad to do Clomid cycles and then find out later that your tubes were obstructed. </p> <p>As @lilyofthewest: mentioned there are a number of reasons for monitoring but the other important reasons too. Clomid is known to thin the uterine lining (making implantation difficult/impossible) and they can see the thickness in the ultrasound. Also research suggests that you should only use Clomid a max of 6 times in you lifetime, without monitoring you could be wasting cycles if it is not producing follicles. </p> <p>Is there a chance you could see an RE instead? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1814862 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 19:40:41 +0000 Sunshine1810 1814862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have PCOS too. I had CD3 blood work, DH had SA and I had an HSG. FX this works for you!!! :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1814860 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 19:39:45 +0000 lilyofthewest 1814860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hoots: @Mrs. Lion: :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1814817 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 19:01:45 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1814817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lilyofthewest: this makes so much sense! I had been worried about going on clomid again since my ob doesnt do ultrasound monitoring (only day 21 bloodwork to confirm ovulation). We ended up not needing it for baby 2, but i feel better about it now anyway! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1814802 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 18:55:16 +0000 Hoots 1814802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lilyofthewest: That makes a lot of sense and is probably the best explanation I've seen so far of why monitoring happens or doesn't. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1814791 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 18:50:34 +0000 lilyofthewest 1814791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: Monitoring is really important for women who already ovulate regularly and who are using drugs to induce "superovulation" to make sure that clomiphene (or letrazole) doesn't result in hyperstimulation or in too many mature follicles (and unacceptable risk for a triplet or more multiple pregnancy). </p> <p>For women who don't ovulate at all or only do so rarely on their own, some OBs and REs still really like to do monitoring, many don't. Basically, you'll find out that it worked to induce ovulation because either you'll get pregnant (woot!), or, you'll menstruate on your own (no provera needed!) within 35 days of the start of your last period. If neither of those things happens, you still didn't ovulate, and they may bump you up to a higher dose of clomid. </p> <p>For women who don't ovulate on their own there's minimal risk of clomid resulting in more than a couple mature follicles unless your provider does something really whacky like starting you at the highest dose rather than the lowest dose. So, minimal gains from monitoring from the standpoint of preventing higher order multiples. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1814785 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 18:48:22 +0000 pui 1814785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: It might be worthwhile to see an RE. My RE definitively diagnosed me with PCOS after the results of my CD3 blood work, ultrasounds, a glucose test and the AMH test. Cross-examining the results from those tests showed I definitely have PCOS. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1814768 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 18:41:02 +0000 Hoots 1814768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: I'm in the same boat. Diagnosed in July. How long have you been on Metformin?</p> <p>My OB wants CD3 bloodwork (done and normal), an ultrasound (also done), and SA before Clomid. She said she'd start as soon as we're ready (if we want to go that route). I was more like you and was skeptical as Clomid is not really the answer. But apparently after Metformin and diet/exercise, Clomid is the first line treatment as there's no other "cure" to get the hormones working right/together. DH and I decided to give the Metformin 6 months, go low glycemic, and add structured exercise in before moving to Clomid just so we felt like we had done our part. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-tests-did-you-have-done-before-starting-clomid#post-1814764 Wed, 13 Aug 2014 18:38:57 +0000 Mrs. Polish 1814764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All I had was blood tests and ultrasounds. I do have PCOS. DH had SA, but that was all that was recommended for us. I think it's pretty standard if you've been diagnosed with PCOS to assume Clomid is what will work. </p>