A question for the ladies...
#296497 - 01/14/07 09:55 AM
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Mary_V
Reged: 05/09/06
Posts: 544
Loc: Grandville, MI
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Hi all,
I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with clomid (for infertility)? And if so, what it was? I did do a search and found a little info. I am on my first round right now (cd 14). I was just curious if others had success with it and what kind of side effects you had. DH and I really want to have a baby. I'm hoping this helps. I see the Dr. on the 17th to find out if the first round of treatment was successful.
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
 
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Michele
#296498 - 01/14/07 09:57 AM
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Michele is our resident expert on all things fertility, as she experienced many different treatments, including (I'm pretty sure) Clomid.
I don't think she's usually online on the weekends, but she'll reply to your post when she's back at work.
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Christine
Those who can do; those who want it done better teach.
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I used clomid when I was having trouble getting pregnant. Basicly my overies took a vacation. I was getting one or two periods a year. It took a few dose adjustments but I did develope a six week cycle and after about three cycles I did get pregnat  and I have an adorable son as a result. Just a heads up. I found my clomid periods to be a bit heavier than my normal ones and I did experience some heavy cramps when I ovulated (which was actualy a blessing in disquise because I knew EXACLTY when I was ovulating. I hope this information helps. Good luck!
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Thanks!! It's always good to hear positive stuff. Did you have any major side effects? So far mine have been pretty minimal, but I'm nervous about starting ovulation...hopefully in a couple days!! I hope the pills work.
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
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Hello! I went thought a couple years of fertility issues. I was a relatively healthy gal who had been on the pill for 18 years. At the age of 33, we decided to get pregnant. I went off the pill, got a period right away. The next cycle I was pregnant. I lost that one at 5.5 weeks. I got pregnant again right away but lost that baby at 7 weeks. D & C results showed chromosomally healthy girl.
At that point, I went thought a crap load of tests and everything was fine. I got pregnant about 6 months later only to start hemorrhaging at 8 weeks and had an emergency d&c. Again, chromosomally normal female.
Started seeing a reproductive endocrinologist after that. More testing, again everything ok. Thought maybe my hormones were a quart low so we started clomid and did an ultrasound on cd 13 and everyday after until my estrogen reached a certain point and my eggs were ready, than we did an hcg injection and timed intercourse. Than, I would use progesterone suppositories until pregnancy or period.
The clomid made me cranky, gave me hot flashes and headaches. I could deal with it but it wasn't fun. After three cycles of this we changed to femera with the same protocol. I didn't seem to respond as well to that so we went to the injections. I would give myself a shot of gonatropins in the stomach everyday, have my blood drawn everyday to check estrogen levels and vaginal ultrasounds to check egg production. Than the hcg injection and timed intercourse. We did that for two cycles and I finally got pregnant.
I had identical twins girls. Just a note that identical twins are not from the fertility drugs as they came from the same egg that split. I made it to 13 weeks before I lost them.
They believe I may have some sort of autoimmune disease, most likely rheumatoid arthritis. However, now they are saying I have neuropathy issues as well. No one can explain the miscarriages.
Anyways, sorry to make you read all that, I hope I didn't scare you. Clomid is relatively easy to tolerate but you may want to warn your hubby you might be moody and don't be surprised if you get some hot flashes! As a side note, I found that the clomid made me very dry down there. You have to be super careful if you use a lubricate as most of them will impede or even kill the sperm. If you find this to be an issue, check this out http://www.early-pregnancy-tests.com/pre-seed.html it works very well. I ordered all sorts of stuff from them. Their pregnancy's tests are cheap and work well! If you want to talk but don't feel comfortable talking about this in public, my email is in my profile!
My best advice is try not to obsesse about getting pregnant. I got sucked into it and it consumed me for years. I was peeing on sticks everyday and if you asked me what day it was, I would tell you what cd I was on!   My life revoled around blood tests and ultrasounds and the size of my egg follicles, etc, etc, etc. Try to relax and enjoy yourself!  Good luck baby making!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Thanks Michele! I kee up to date on most of the stuff going on with you. I wish the doctors could help you more. At least you hopefully have a correct diagnosis this time.
Today is cd 15 of my first round of clomid. Until today the side effects hadn't been very bad. I have had headaches and some metallic taste in my mouth. But I haven't had hot flashes or major mood swings. This morning I had awful pain in my whole abdomen. I hope that means that things are working! It has subsided now. I go in for my ultrasound on the 17th. I'm trying not to worry too much about it. I don't expect to get pregnant right away...although it would be nice Right now I'm just hoping that the clomid is effective so we can at least start trying! It's frustrating not even being able to try...well we could, but I know nothing would happen...no ovulation. So, I'm hoping the clomid will at least get that going. I never need high doses of medication, so hopefully 50 mg will do the trick. Now I just have to wait through two more days :P That's the hardest part...waiting.
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
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The abdominal pain you felt today was most likely ovulation!! Why are they waiting until the 17th to do the ultrasound, there shouldn't be much to see than, your eggs should have hatched already! Are they trying to measure your lining? Are you actually trying to get pregnant this month or are they just testing things?
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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If there is an egg then we will be trying!! If there are multiple eggs, then we will not...not ready to go for twins or triplets If there is nothing, then we won't either. If there is not one egg, then I'm sure the Dr. will adjust the dosage/treatment. If there is, we'll see if things work this time. If not we'll try again next month.
I don't know why the Dr. said the 17th. That's just the timeline he is going by I guess. I took clomid cd 5-9. And then ultrasound on cd 17, to see if we have the green light I go in at 9 am on Wed. Less then 48 hours!!!
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
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My advice, grab hubby and pounce on him tonight!!! If you are having abdominal pains and you are at cd 15, I would bet money you are ovulating. By the 17th, the egg(s) should have hatched! You may see the collapsed follicle. I am not a doctor but my life revolved around ovulation for three years. The sperm can live for a couple of days under the right circumstances but the egg's life is very short lived! I say go for it tonight, it certainly won't hurt anything!
The chance of twins on 50mg clomid is slight. I wouldn't worry about it too much! I routinely had multiple eggs, one month I had 17 follicles!!!!!  Obviously, that cycle was cancelled and that was on a high dose of the gonatropins!! As I mentioned the twins I did carry for almost 3.5 months were identical and not a result of the hormones! I'm excited for you!! Please keep me posted!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Hmmm. I think I'll call the Dr. today to ask if I should come in before tomorrow. We don't want to try if there are multiple eggs, but I certainly don't want to miss our chances!! Thanks for the advice. I'm quite small, and it doesn't take much medication to affect me. So, since this is my first round I'm not counting anything out, even if it is only 50 mg. About the only pill I can take w/o noticing major side effects is Tylenol. Now I have to wait another hour until the Dr. office opens. I'm already sick of waiting. I'll keep you posted. I also see my colon surgeon for my 3rd post-op check up today. Hopefully it will be my last one! I was a slow healer, but I think I'm doing pretty good now. As long as I can keep taking miralax I'm great! I hope that's ok for pregnancy. I seem to remember you posting that you took it while pregnant? I know it's a class c drug, but it stays in your intestines. And they give it to young children. So, it seems harmless. This is going to be a long day at work :P
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
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Yes, I took the miralax while pregnant. My gi guy said he gave it to his wife when she was pregnant so I felt just fine using it!!
Anytime you take fertility drugs there is an increase chance of multiples but honestly at 50mg your chances are very slim. I would ask your dr why he is waiting until cd 17 for the ultrasound. Are they doing blood tests to check your estrogen?
Get used to the waiting, from her on out its ALL about waiting!! Waiting to take the clomid, waiting to ovulate, waiting for test results, wait, wait and wait some more!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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So, I called the Dr. this morning. He said I could come in today instead of waiting until tomorrow. So, after waiting over an hour there I got an ultrasound...nothing! Sooooo disappointing. All of these stupid side effects for nothing. I'll try again next month at 100 mg of clomid. Hopefully the side effects won't get too bad with the new dose. My next us will be Feb. 19. That seems like an eternity right now. I guess for now I just wait. What a bummer. I wanted to start trying this week:( Thanks for listening.
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
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You mean you had no egg follicles at all?  Did you ask if it was possible that you already ovulated and that's why it wasn't showing up on the ultrasound?
I was under the care of a reproductive endocrinologist and I guess they follow things a little closer. I would do the clomid cd 3-7-there's a huge amout of controversy if its better to take it cd 3-7 or 5-9 and from my time on the fertility boards and talking with others, it seems people did better taking it on cd 3-7-so maybe ask your doc about that as well.
I would start with blood checks on cd 12 to check my estrogen. Your estrogen should go up just before ovulation. Its been a while but I think the rule of thumb was that you wanted it to be at least 400 for every egg. I usually produce two eggs on clomid and my estrogen would run around 850 just before ovulation. I would have daily blood tests to check the estrogen and started with the ultrasound on cd 13 and would do them everyday if needed until my eggs were mature and my estrogen was a good level. Then, we would do an hcg injection to be sure the eggs released.
Have they run any sort of tests as to why you are not ovulating?
I am sorry this month is a bust, I know it is frustrating. Just an FYI, the month I did get pregnant, my estrogen dropped and I ovulated early and they said I had no chance and ended up pregnant with twins! Just shows they don't always know!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Thanks again for all of your good info and quick responses, Michele. It's so nice to hear from someone with experience.
Yes, there were follicles. They were too small, though. Around 12mm.
I do see a fertility specialist. I believe he is a reproductive endocrinologist. I know he's been doing this for a long time. I wonder why a couple days makes so much difference. He is having me do cd 5-9 again. I start Provera on the 21st to start AF again.
He did do some blood work before starting treatment. It all looked pretty normal. My thyroid levels were on the high end, so I am taking synthroid for hypothyroidism. That was the only thing that wasn't in the very normal range. He mentioned possibly trying a diabetes drug (metformin) since it is very prevalent in my family, but we're not trying that yet. Maybe if this stuff doesn't work.
That's funny that you got pregnant when they said it was a bust. I think DH and I will give things a go this week anyway. You never know It just seems like something must be happening considering how I'm feeling. Hopefully the 100 mg dose will do the trick. I just hate having to wait an entire month again. This is the one time I wish I could have a much shorter cycle
Should I buy any kind of prediction kits or anything to check stuff on my own? Should I monitor my temp?
I'll let you know how things go next time. And I appreciate any advice you have to give.
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
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I would definitely give it a go this weekend. If they were 12 mm, the could grow a bit yet. Really anything over 14 is viable. They prefer 18mm but as I said, they don't always get it right! I think its postive that you at least responded to the 50mg and I bet the 100mg will do the trick. Not to scare you but I did notive the side effects to get worse as the dose went up! Mostly the hot flashes and the bitchniess! 
I was going to mention the metformin, it seemed to do the trick when the clomid wasn't working for other girls. I didn't do the temperature. Although I did buy the ovulation tests. I think doing all the tests yourself makes you more obsessive about it.
Honestly, my best advice is to get busy with hubby every other day starting at cd 12. This may be a little gross to talk about but do you ever notice a change in your cervical discharge? I could always tell when i was about to ovulate because things got very slippery down there. This increase in fluid helps the sperm to swim and live longer. This is where I said the clomid dried me out a bit so i started using the preseed that I mentioned earlier.
I wouldn't worry to much about which cd's you take the clomid. If you are taking it 5-9, you just may ovulate a little later is all!
I KNOW the waiting is just awful. Try to distract yourself with your favorite hobby or go buy some trashy, chick books to read to keep your mind off it. Have you noticed since you have started trying that you see pregnant woman EVERYWHERE!!!!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Thanks!
#296947 - 01/17/07 07:44 AM
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Mary_V
Reged: 05/09/06
Posts: 544
Loc: Grandville, MI
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YES, YES, YES! There are pregnant women and babies EVERYWHERE!! My cousin's wife is even due on my bday (in March). I swear everyone but me is pregnant right now. At least it feels that way. I guess you just notice it more.
I'm not too thrilled about increased side effects, but if that's what it takes, I'll do it. I haven't had any hot flashes yet. My Dr. said if I get them we don't need to go any higher with the dose. That's an inidaction that they're doing as much as they're going to do. Did you notice that the pills made you more C? I haven't been too bad, but I think they have affected things a little. At least I'm already taking miralax.
If things don't work this time around I'll ask the Dr. about the metformin again.
So, I have to start taking provera on Sunday to start AF. You're not supposed to take that if you get pregnant. So, what happens if I do get pregnant but I take that? Will it be harmful? I start the clomid on Feb. 6. But if I don't get AF the Dr. said to call him and not take it. I'm assuming that would be an indication that I might be pregnant.
Yes I have noticed a change in CM. I'm just starting to become aware of it. But I have also noticed the dryness. Maybe I'll look into the preseed.
Thanks again for all of your good info. It's very encouraging. I know I'm just starting out, but it's hard not to be impatient. I don't konw how you managed to go through everything you did. You are a strong woman!
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
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Re: Thanks!
#296980 - 01/17/07 10:24 AM
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michele
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 6886
Loc: southeastern michigan
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The side effects were doable. I was mostly just super cranky and I did have a lot of hot flashes! I used to take an extra shirt with me to work because I would get them several times a day!  Its not like they hurt or anything but they did make me a bit dizzy and were rather annoying!
I don't remember being any more c. Its probably the stress. Be sure you are drinking lots of water. You can always do a double dose of miralax for a day or two if you get too backed up!
Taking provera can cause a drop in progesterone which can cause a miscarriage. I would do a pregnancy test before you start it. I never heard of anyone taking it than finding out they were pregnant. The tests at the web site I posted are very sensitive, they test positive at just 20hcg.
If you have already noticed some dryness, I would definitely order the pre-seed for next month. The higher dose will dry you out more and you don't want to use regular lubricants. We used to use astroglide but than I found out even though it doesn't say there is a spermicide in it, it can kill the sperm. As soon as I stopped and switched to the preseed, I got pregnant. That was the second or third time around.
It is very hard to be patient, especially when you notice every pregnant woman within a 100 mile radius! Hang in there, I'd like to say the waiting gets easier but honestly, it didn't for me.
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Re: Thanks!
#296989 - 01/17/07 10:48 AM
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Mary_V
Reged: 05/09/06
Posts: 544
Loc: Grandville, MI
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I'm no stranger to hot flashes. It's very common for me to wake up sweating...this started way before clomid. I think it's related to my blood sugar. As soon as I eat breakfast it feels like my body temp drops about 20 deg. My Dr. never seems concerned about it. But at least I know what it's like. And I'm generally VERY cold. So I won't mind it too much.
I already take 2 doses of miralax daily. So hopefully things don't get any worse. I drink TONS of water. I pee all the time.
Yeah, I'm already very impatient. It's on my mind constantly. I'm going to see my psychologist on the 31st. Hopefully she'll have some good distraction techniques for me. And by then I'll be close to starting my next round of clomid. Hopefully the next few weeks will fly by!
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
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I took it several years ago. I only took it 2 cycles. It made me ovulate one month, but not the second. I quit taking it because of the headaches. I don't remember any other side effects.
My sister used Clomid to get pregnant with all 3 of her kids. It worked great for her, and she didn't have the bad headaches either.
When I finally got pregnant, it happened several years later with no drugs. I was completely surprised when it happened. I had not been obsessed with getting pregnant, but we had not used any protection for 5 years and had no luck. I had completely resigned myself to the fact that I would not be able to have children. That's when I got pregnant. There really is something to be said about relaxing and just letting nature take its course. You can't force it, no matter how hard you try!
Best of luck!!
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Thanks. I have had pretty bad headaches, but I get headaches all the time anyway. So, I'm used to it. They have been a little worse than usual, but manageable.
I agree that being relaxed is helpful. I hope I can stay relaxed. I have anxiety, so it's not easy. I'm also a planner. So not being able to plan this is difficult. But now that I've made it through the first round of clomid I am more relaxed...I know how the pills affect me, and I don't have my expectations too high. Hopefully that will help.
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
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Yeah, I forgot, I also got headaches while taking it but they weren't terrible, not like the migraines I get now.
Mary, you sound SO much like me! I am also a big planner and had it ALL planned out! I wold go off the pill one month, get knocked up the next and already had the baby's first year birthday party planned!
As you know, it didn't work out that way and if there is anything at all good to come from what I have gone through the last few years is a bit of patience to understanding that we really have control over very little and that its best to strap ourselves in and go with the flow!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Good advice. I'm trying to focus on other aspects of my life right now. Since I know there is nothing I can do for at least a few weeks, no sense obsessing over it. It will be tough, but I'm trying to distract myself as much as possible.
That's funny about the planning. I've already done the "if I get pregnant this month, this will be the due date, if next month..." And I think about when/how we'll tell our families. Nobody knows we're even trying. We just finished painting one of our bedrooms...bright blue It will hopefully be a nursery someday. The hard part is trying to plan other stuff. When I do get pregnant I will probably have horrible morning sickness. All of the women in my family do. Basically all day sickness for 3 months. So it's hard to plan other stuff in my life knowing that I might be super sick in a couple months. I guess I just have to go on with my life and deal with things as they come.
I've still been having funky feelings/pain on my right side...the side that had the larger follicles. I'm guessing it's not actual ovulation. We're not "trying" but we're not "not trying" either. So, if something happens great, if not, no upset. I don't expect anything. Maybe next month. For now I'll focus on my relationhsip with DH, being healthy, and fully recovering from surgery:) Maybe my body wasn't quite ready for a baby. And I ordered the preseed this morning. Hopefully that will help!
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
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Great attitude!! I did have "ovary" pain on the fertility drugs but nothing really serious until I went to the injectables. Than, it hurt so much I can hardly move a few days just before I ovulated. I am sure you won't need to go that far though!!
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That sounds awful. I hope I don't have to do injections. I HATE needles. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for clomid round 2!!
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
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I wouldn't worry about the injections, they are a last option. Honestly, the shots didn't hurt, the needles are super small and it was no big deal but the other side effects were a bit tougher to deal with. Don't worry though, I am sure they will have you do at least 6 months of clomid before discussing the injections. Check into femara as well. Its actually a cancer drug but they use it like clomid when the clomid fails. I did 2 cycles of it and the side effects weren't any worse than the clomid however I didn't respond as well but many woman do! Check out the message boards at ivillage, they have several great boards for ttc(trying to conceive!) 
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Thanks! I will check out ivillage. I love message boards. First hand experience is always best.
My Dr. said 3 months is about the max he'll do clomid...if I'm not responding to it. Once I start having hot flashes he won't increase the dose any more. He said there is no point. I guess that means it's doing all it can. But hopefully the 100 mg will work. Otherwise I'll ask about metformin and femara. Thanks again for the encouragement. It really helps.
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
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Good luck and keep me posted!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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I started Provera again last night. This is my 3rd time taking it. The first two times I had no side effects. This morning I feel awful! My stomach is doing somersaults, and my face is just burning. It kind of feels like the flu. I highly doubt it could be pregnancy. Today would only be cd 22. I'm assuming it's from the Provera, but it sure feels awful. Just curious if this is what a hot flash feels like. How long did they usually last for you? I've been feeling like this for over an hour.
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
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A lot of the hormones I took just made me feel generally crappy and grumpy. But, when I got a hot flash, I and everyone around me knew it! My face and skin would turn beat red, I would break out in a full body sweat, my pulse would race and I would have to sit down. It usually only lasted a few minutes but some days it happened like 20 times a day. 
I bet its probably just from all the stress of worrying about all this stuff this cycle. TRy to drink some tea and maybe a warm bath. If it doesn't pass in a few hours, than maybe call the doc. Could it be the stomach flu, its really going around? I hope you feel better!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Thanks. It feels more like a fever than a hot flash. At least it has gone down a little. For a few minutes I felt totally chilled. Now I'm back to a little warmer than usual. When I started birth control a few years ago I used to get sick every month after taking the first hormone pill (after the week of fakes). I would usually get chilled and nauseous around lunch time. And then throw up after lunch. It usually went from Sun. evening to Mon. afternoon. Maybe my body just has a hard time adjusting to the hormones.
I haven't really been thinking about things too much lately. I know I have a few weeks to go, so I've been keeping busy with other stuff. So I don't think it's stress. I felt great yesterday. Maybe it is the flu. DH and I had nursery duty at church last night. It seems unlikely that I would catch something that quickly, but you never know.
Whatever it is hopefully it doesn't last long. This will be an unpleasant 10 days if it's just side effects from the pill. Especially knowing that a few days after that I have to take a stronger drug! I guess we'll see.
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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.
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