Just back from my RE today and it looks like we are going to try clomid plus a few days of injectibles (after failed cycles on just clomid/progesterone). I have a test next week (SIS?) to look at the uterus again so I have a little time to try and read up on it & think of all the questions/concerns I have before we go forward.

I don't know specifically which med she will give, the handout she gave me talked about follistim AQ,repronex, gonale-f & bravelle.

I am wondering if anyone has experience doing this combo of clomid & only some days of injections? Does doing less injections mean less chance of overstimulation or less chance of multiples? (and less chance of success?)

She said she would be monitoring using bloodwork & u/s. How often do you guys go in to do that?....or do you just go in until the follies are where they want them?

Do they always use a trigger shot w/ injectibles? Would you suggest insemination since we are going thru all of this anyway?

I will ask her all of this, but thought I would get some input from people who have been there in case I am missing something. My head is swimming a bit right now. She asked how we feel about selectively keeping only a reasonable number of fertilized eggs if we are "too successful". I don't want a litter of kids, but when I think about it...it would be really hard if you had to face that.

Sorry for the rambling.....

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*trace* (40)
DH (46)
DS born 8/4/03 after 2 cycs clomid 50 mg
2nd clomid pregnancy..M/C 6/12/05
Expecting again! after clomid/follistim cycle

Trace,

Email me by clicking on my name and you will be given an email option. I have so much to tell you. #1 is that you are too old for Clomid. Email me and I'll fill you in.
(I'm 43)

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Sweet Baby Max, Nov 3, 27 lbs and 31.5 inches at 1 year

I was a BF baby for 5 months

Trace, Hi there hon. I totally understand your feeling overwhelmed and frstrated! I started injectibles last year around this time and felt exactly the same way! Here's my two cents, remember though, I only have my own experiance to go on and certainly do not know more than your obgyn or RE!!!!!!

Clomid does work well for some people, but the se are huge! At least they were for me. I have never done a clomid/inject cycle, but one of the girls on the thirty something board has, you may want to post on there, they are very sweet and supportive.

Follistim and Gonal F are pretty much the same, I think, so you will only do one of them. I take follistim, and think it rocks!!!!!! You may want to invest in a cold pack, or boo boo bunny to ice the spot first. I find that it really helps!

As for scanning, I go in on day 3 to check for cysts, then start meds, you will go in again sometime betweein 4-7 days later. I have very actibve ovaries, so I go in everyday from that point, but most folks I know go every other day after that until it's time to trigger. You get some kind of trigger shot, then no more scans for a week or two depending on your RE. I have b/w done every time I go for a scan.

At your age level, they will probably suggest IUI because of the time factor, I totally don't mind those at all. It is a little uncomfortable, but the more you can relax the better it is.

As for selection, DH and I talked about that for a long time before we found our comfort levels on it. It has to be your personal decision on all of this. The tendancy for me is to get so wrapped up in IF treatments that I just want to go, go , go. I constantly have to remind myself to think again about what is best for me, DH and our future family. Above all, I would suggest, that you take the most active role in your family growing. Research, ask questions and make sure that you are comfortable with all your care. It helps to make you feel more in control, which you should be. I truely hope your stay here is short and ends in the sweetest way possible, with your baby in your arms! Good luck and God Bless,
Michelle

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Michelle
Me: 33 DH 31


Angel in heaven 1/07

DD: Lynsey Nicole born 3/15/08





3/15 7 lb 4 oz
3/19 6 lbs 4 oz
4/1 7 lb 8 oz
4/9 8 lb 0 oz

Trace,
Michelle did a good job of explaining how things work. I know it varies a little from dr to dr, but she gave you a good overview. I did Femara (like Clomid) plus injectibles and IUI for three cycles and then moved on to IVF since I'm paying out of pocket and didn't want to look back and realize that I could have paid for an IVF cycle with all of the IUIs I had done (so our self-imposed limit was 3 tries). Anyway, my dr office never did blood work, but just relied on the u/s to check for growth. They also asked us to think about the possibility of selective reduction. I used the Follistim pen and found it easy to operate. I've always been a fainter and big wimp about needles, but gave my self these injections with just some hesitation/prayer before each time. The IUIs are an easy procedure too. There's just a bit of cramping afterward. As for the Clomid specifically, I think that is a choice that only you and your dr can make. I would ask for success rates and why your dr supports use of Clomid. I have heard stories of it working for women but also stories of s/e. I don't think anyone can say for certain either way on its effectiveness. So I hope you trust your dr to tell you what is best for you!

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Stacy

Oops, also meant to say good luck! Hope your new protocol works the first time!

Thanks you guys for all of the information. It is amazing what we will go through, isn't it?

The reason my RE is sticking w/ clomid is because it has worked for me twice before without side effects & to save me some out-of-pocket expense. Doing part clomid/part injectibles is cheaper than all injectibles. I really hope this works...it feels like the last final effort for us since IVF is out of reach financially.

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*trace* (40)
DH (46)
DS born 8/4/03 after 2 cycs clomid 50 mg
2nd clomid pregnancy..M/C 6/12/05
Expecting again! after clomid/follistim cycle

Welcome!! Like Michelle and Stacy said and you know from experience Clomid does work well for some people and is MUCH more cost effective. I didn't do Clomid/Injectibles but I did have luck with Follistim and Gonal-f both. I, personally, would go with an IUI. It would just give you a bettter chance. And I am not sure if you would use a trigger if you were not to do the iui, Good Question? I didn't do selective reduction. I lost a Twin early in my pregnancy. But I know someone who did because it gave the others a better chance and she was not doing well physically. That is all a personal choice. It is a roll of the dice what will happen. Good Luck with your cycle!!!

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