Hellobee Boards

@BrentLee88: @Mrs. Jump Rope: ok, this isn't your blog. This is a forum where users interact with each other. Mrs. Jump Rope is no way trying to be negative. We both have seen REs and are trying to explain to you our (similar) experiences. If you were truly seeing an RE he/she would be monitoring you while on Clomid every step of the way. There is supposed to be a limit on the number of times you can take Clomid in your entire LIFE so why would you want to waste one of those times without proper monitoring?

@BrentLee88: you're contradicting yourself a lot. Someone else suggested you could be doing the clomid challenge test. Before deciding that's what you're doing, why don't you check with your doctor?

And you said that you didn't know what your insurance would cover, but now you're saying the coverage is limited.

So what is it?

Well, I just lost an entire message. I just wanted to say that hypothyroidism and PCOS (and the infertility associated with them) are frequently treatable with medications...it just may take a little longer than "average" to get pregnant. But please make sure you EDUCATE yourself through this process. The HB boards are great...but make sure to ask your doctor(s) about their expectations for your treatment course, risks/how likely those risks are to occur, and next steps, in case you don't respond to a certain treatment...then keep asking questions, until you're sure that you understand the plan. A lot of us have been in the IF trenches for years...but hopefully, because of your age, the fact that both hypothyroidism and PCOS are treatable with medicine, and the fact that you're already in contact with a good RE, that won't be you. But it pays to read up on this stuff (Taking Charge of Your Fertility is a great book) and at least treat these as if they are long-haul issues, even though, if you are lucky enough to ovulate with Clomid, you may be able (preferably with monitoring) to become pregnant within a few months. Hang in there...and try not to stress too much!!! BTW: forgive the tone, almost all of the folks on the IF boards have been dealing with this for a VERY long time and have seen/experienced some things they would've rather not. Do you mind if I ask how long you and DH were trying before your diagnosis? Was your first appt with Dr. Friedman last month?

@BrentLee88: I have pcos and finished my first round of Clomid recently. I had scans every 2 weeks (for 2ish months) till i got to a cyst-free day that we could plan a period and then move onto Clomid at the right time.

While on Clomid, I had a scan at cd9 (a monday) which showed loads of little follicles (typical pcos), miniscule womb lining (which clomid notoriously doesnt help with) and endo starting on the right ovary. I had to go back on the friday for a follow up scan. It showed that nothing had happened follicle wise, i had less lining and the endo had grown.

I can totally understand a test cycle of sorts, but without the scans I feel you're missing out on learning from it We could eliminate Clomid as an option there and then as I had been on a high dose for an extended period and was nowhere closer to ovulating then if we left my ovaries to their own devices.

A scan would show you that yes, you ovulated, but you didn't conceive so its HSG time. Or no ovulation so we need to relook at meds and dosages.

I'm notoriously impatient so have seriously struggled with all the waiting periods etc. Having all the tests done - hsg, semen analysis, hormone panels on different days -before beginning to intervene to conceive cuts out a lot of wasted cycles. You also know upfront what sort of long distance hurdle race you're in for till the baby at the finish line.

Not sure how much I can add that wasn't already said...

I second @FliegepilzHut: recommendation about reading "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." There's also a free, similar book through FertilityFriend.com A lot of people know very little about their body and their cycle before TTC so it's a learning experience for all of us. Myself included as I'm seeing a RE too. Before TTC, I never knew there was a limit to Clomid or a need to be monitored. Those are things I've learned along the way. But, like everyone else said, you need to be your biggest advocate. Read and research things - PCOS, thyroid issues, Clomid, everything. Write down questions for the doctor and take notes when he talks, if that will help you remember things. Also, I would recommend calling your insurance company to ask about your coverage so you know how much everything may be costing you.

@BrentLee88: Thank you!