Looking for a bit of support and, perhaps, some experience. After 28 cycles of ttc (and trying EVERYTHING except fertility medications... read as: scans, massage, acupuncture, acupressure, reflexology, vitamin therapy, Vitex, Myo-Inositol, and hormone tests ...), I have finally given in to the idea that I should try Clomid. 
I have secondary infertility without a defined cause - No PCOS, endometriosis, tubal issues, etc. The scar tissue from 2 c-sections had been surgically minimized. My OBGYN told me if I don't receive a BFP by 1 May, he would like me to try a cycle or two of Clomid. I have been hesitant to try medication due to the fact that, while I am VERY active (*note - I am a MIL spouse, have 2 children and am a former Spc Ed teacher and professor who decided to go for a degree in Exercise Science and Physiology with a NASM cert ... I've been busy for YEARS. *laughs* 
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I have taken clomid three times, once each to conceive my first two children and currently on a clomid cycle to try to cenceive my fourth.
I never felt as if it made me have a lot of side effects. Actually, this time I have felt some action going on in my ovaries (after a scan they saw two good follocles) and Iāve been bloated, but I think that was from the trigger shot more than the clomid.
For me, it makes me ovulate āstrongerā and earlier (usually cd22-24 without medication and cd 16ish with it), but thatās different for everyone.
I imagine youād take it early (3-7) since your cycles are pretty short. I actually took it cd6-10 this time. -
@LAZB: Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
I'm truly hoping it is as successful for me as it has been for you. I REALLY thought I was pregnant this cycle but (so far) every 10 miu test I take comes up negative, so it appears I may be headed towards utilizing Clomid after all. 
Anyway, your response did put my mind at ease a bit. Do you mind me asking how many cycles you had to endure each time?
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I am on round 3 of Clomid. I usually have a 26 day cycle ovulating on CD 12. The first 2 cycles I took it CD 5-9, and this cycle CD 3-7 all three times I ovulate on CD 14.
As to side effects... Holy hot flashes batman! That has been the worst thing, but I do get weepy and once got ragey. Thankfully anyone that has been taken down in the path of destruction knew I was on Clomid, understood the side effects, and didn't hold it against me when I apologized.
I did have insomnia pretty bad, but then started Zoloft again a few weeks ago due to insurmountable anxiety associated with TTC and the insomnia has gone away, so it could have been the Clomid, could have been the anxiety, could have been both...
Like LAZB said, I can feel it in my ovaries every month. They feel like puffer fish have replaced my ovaries for a few days minimum every month.
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@Kaohinani: I actually got pregnant the first time using it with both of my first two kids! We will see if Iām lucky again this time
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@Sams Mom: Thank you for all of the honest info! I'm a pretty even-tempered person until right before AF when I'm nearly "manic" over things like my husband wearing his boots on our carpets or my almost 10-yr old rolling her eyes at me (so disrespectful)
... hoping I don't get too ragey over every little thing. My family may make me live in my gym in solitude and my husband will only visit for the conjugal visits! 
Anyway, I "feel" my ovaries every month already (Mittelschmerz) and sometimes towards AF (* which makes knowing when/if implantation occurred or not difficult ) so I can ONLY imagine how intense a cycle (or few) of Clomid will be! Lol. I'm REALLY hoping it only takes a single cycle and Clomid will be the answer to 28 mos worth of prayers! 
Thanks again! -
@LAZB: First time!!! Wow! I hope it works THAT WELL for you this time around! Best of Luck .... I'll keep my fingers x'ed for you!
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My first child I got pregnant 2nd cycle on clomid. I'm currently pregnant with #2 from my first cycle of clomid. Both times I had hot flashed and some mild bouts of overly emotional. At times your ovaries feel like they're punching bags, but it's so worth it in the end. Definitely use OPKs.
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@Kaohinani: Have you considered femara? Most people report that the side effects are very mild/non-existent compared to Clomid. I have only taken femara, so I can't compare but there were literally no side effects. I ended up getting pregnant on my third round.
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@MrsMom: Thank you, Mrs. Mom! Also, CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy!
It is so reassuring hearing that Clomid worked so well for you even with the side effects ... some things I have read in the past made it seem absolutely intolerable! *chuckles* I have religiously used OPKs for the last 18 mos but now I use BOTH the cheapie OPKs which can track my cycle throughout the day AND the Clearblue fertility monitor to catch OV in the morning! (* After 28 mos, I've become a BIT obsessive in my tracking! 
*laughs*) I can't wait for my #3 ... It seems like it has been an eternity so far!
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@crazydoglady: Thank you for the suggestion.
I will mention it to my OBGYN. He only mentioned Clomid when speaking with me on the 17th. I'm not certain if it had to do with my periods and short cycles or because, perhaps, he is more familiar with prescribing Clomid for patients. In any case, it gives me an option. Thank you! -
Any other experiences on Clomid? ... Or even Femara? From the wonderful women who have shared, chances to conceive look promising, and even with side effects, it would be worth it ...
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@Kaohinani: itās definitely worth a try! It does make me feel kind of crazy and ragey and the hot flashes, yikes. I think it was easier when I started (trying for #1) - maybe I was less tired and emotional then in general
- I would definitely ask about femara too but not all drs will prescribe since itās still off label for fertility, I think. Anyway my first was conceived on my 4th round of clomid, I actually got a bfp 3/4 times but had two early losses. My second we did clomid plus iui with trigger, I had one more early loss but no sticky bfps and ended up getting my sticky bfp on a break from meds, so you never know. My issue though is that we make a lot of bad embryos for whatever reason (never gotten any answers) so itās not the norm. The first time when clomid worked I was also not ovulating much or well so it probably worked the best then. Now that Iām 36 this last one just took a while, age has definitely slowed down the process for me.
I hope it does the trick for you! Sometimes all you need is an extra push!
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@bhbee: Thank you for responding! I'm 38-years old so I'm always afraid age is a factor as well with my unexplained secondary infertility as the ob-gyn, specialists, and genetic counselor can not find a single thing that would cause it. We haven't even struck gold with a single BFP in the last 28 mos even though I have been ovulating and (supposedly) have decent egg quality.
It's an enigma at this point! Anyway, what is the difference between using it with a trigger versus without? I know what medical websites and scholarly texts cite; however, I am more interested in the side effects and efficacy on actual people (such as myself). Honestly, at this point, while I am VERY hopeful; I am absolutely exhausted of the ttc process. *exasperated chuckle* Thank you again! -
@Kaohinani: yes itās so exhausting especially with all else you have going on! I only used trigger when doing iui. I think they want to be really sure about the timing then and the trigger forces you to ovulate at a given time (once they see on scan the follicles are ready). I didnāt have any negative effects from trigger, but had to give myself the shots and then thereās hcg in your body so it drives people crazy getting false positives when testing early (can take 11-14 days to leave your system). I know some people trigger even when doing timed intercourse but I think itās less common ... usually opks can tell you what you need to know. Also canāt remember if anyone mentioned but clomid can make you ovulate a bit later than normal (or not) so more things to drive you crazy!
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@bhbee: Thank you so much for your honest response. I had heard of the possibility of NOT OV while on Clomid but had heard that the incidence was relatively low. I'm hoping I'm not in the unlucky demographic. * fingers crossed * I'm hoping it delays my OV a bit as my cycles (from a REALLY short AF to OV) are short.
I'll be certain to track like crazy!
Anyway, your response did put my mind at ease a bit. Do you mind me asking how many cycles you had to endure each time?
... hoping I don't get too ragey over every little thing. My family may make me live in my gym in solitude and my husband will only visit for the conjugal visits! 
Anyway, I "feel" my ovaries every month already (Mittelschmerz) and sometimes towards AF (* which makes knowing when/if implantation occurred or not difficult 
Thanks again! 
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