Clomid Isn't Working

yes, I would recommend a RE. They are specialized in this area. I have PCOS and tried the Clomid with no luck. Then I tried Letrozole with no luck. I then had a laporoscopy with ovarian drilling. Got pregnant the next month with Letrozole. Since you have PCOS all this should be covered under as a medical conditiaionl, not a fertility issue. Studies show that Letrozle is more more successful then Clomid and does does not have all the bad side effects as Clomid. Go to an RE...ask about Letrozole and ovarian drilling. Worked for me.

T. - been there done that.

I have PCO - did clomid, no help. They later found other stuff (autoimmune antibodies, blocked tube). I went through 2 assisted reproductive tech. cycles (1 IVF and 1 IVF that turned into an IUI) and have 2 beautiful girls.

Usually after clomid, they'll want to check to see if your tubes are open (Hysterosalpingogram) and a laparoscopy to see if they can aspirate cysts on the ovaries (polycystic ovaries have too many). See if you can do these 2 at the same time to save time, money, and effort. Then they'll want you to wait 2 cycles to see if that helps, and may increase your dosage of glucophage depending on how much you're already on.

After that you'll need to decide about IUI vs. IVF or whatever depending on what all is found after you go to a specialist.

The specialist I went to ran all the tests he knew to run before starting any cycles because we didn't want to get into a cycle and have it fail because something wasn't caught beforehand. That's called "putting the odds in your favor". (and when I went to see him, I was over 200 pounds, and am 5'4".)

If you want my doctor's name, feel free to contact me. I'd be happy to share any info on what we went through and things we did financially that helped.

T.,
I too have PCOS and also not a small woman. I will tell you that many RE docs will recommend you lose weight; however, it is not necessarily the answer. Dr. Williams at Ohio Reproductive Medicine is awesome. His staff is kind and helpful. And not once, did he say I had to lose weight. Unfortunately, I'm one of the few with such a severe case of PCOS, all forms of fertility treatments (Clomid, IVF, IUI) have not worked for me. However, I do know many women with PCOS that have been successful in conception. Don't give up. It's only been a couple of cycles and it could take a few more.

IVF is very expensive. Not only monetarily, but emotionally and physically. I won't lie to you. Some insurance companies will cover some of the costs. If you have insurance that is. Our IVF cost $14,000 in Colorado.

Please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns. My intent is not to scare you or frustrate you, so please ask me anything.

M.

Go to an RE - they are experts in this area. I too have PCOS - and glucophage as well as a low suger, high protein diet helped me to ovulate regularly. We ended up pregnant, but never delivered a baby. We moved on to adoption - and so happy we did. However, based on the fact that you have one child, I'm hopeful you could have another. Go to an RE...things may have changed with you or your spouse (sounds like that might be the case). There are many options before IVF - but working with an OB won't get you there. Even for an IUI - go to an Re - you will be happy you did. Best of luck!

Hi there!
Read your story. I too have PCOS. My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant with our second for 3 months now and nothing yet! I started on metformin(glucofage). Since then I've been having cycles about every 40 days. Went to my ob/gyn and he started me on Provera b/c he thinks im not even ovulating and that will jumpstart things. Then he put me on bc for a month to get my period on track. After that, I'm to go on Clomid. I'm not sure what to expect when I get on the Clomid. He said a higher risk of twins. I'm freakin out! I already have a 2 1/2 year old daughter so I think we are just going to take our time. We're only 25. Whats an RE that your referring to? I too am not tiny when it comes to weight. I am currently 5'4 and 225. It seems like it's climbing at an incredible rate. I want to lose weight so bad but its so freakin hard unless you secure alone time to actually do it. Take care.

You sound pretty scared and frustrated and I wanted to show you some support! I would definitely go to the RE. Don't not go out of fear. Can you get some referrals and find a nice one, and an office that can work with you on the bills? Better to get to one sooner than later because it doesn't seem like your fertility will resolve on its own. Good luck!

I don't have any advice for you. I just wanted to say I hope everything works out for you and you get your second baby soon!

Hi T.,

You really have a lot of choices. My husband and I couldn't get pregnant and everything we did would always come back where our OB/GYN said, "I don't know why you are not getting pregnant" and then a friend mentioned adoption.

For us we were almost at the end of the invasive measures that we were willing to do. I know adoption is not for everyone, but we knew that before we spent any more money, we could adopt and help a sweet child that didn't have a mommy or a daddy. For me, I wanted to be a mommy and love a child and I knew that I didn't need to be pregnant, just for the feeling of being pregnant. It's just another suggestion to think about.

Good Luck on your decision and good luck with your little one that you desire.

C.

Don't lose hope! I had PCOS as well and was put on Prometrium, Estrogen and Clomid for seven months. My doctor upped my dosage of Clomid after 3 months. I never ovulated until the 7th month and that was when I rec'd my shot. My son was conceived that month. The first time the Clomid worked was when I conceived. It may take a while for your body to adjust to the medicine and regulate itself. I was really discouraged but now I am the proud mother of two little ones. My daughter was born 12 months later without the use of fertlity - SURPRISE!

Clomid is a very mild drug. Fertility specialists will use many other options. IVF is expensive, but since you've already conceived and carried one, they probably won't recommend IVF. Most likely they would try super-ovulation, which makes you produce many eggs.
With my first, we just did clomid and local OB/GYN. For my second child, we had failed IVF (close to $15,000--17,000), and then changed specialists, and the new one said they never should've tried the IVF because I already carried one child just fine. We tried super-ovulation about 3 times ($300--500 per try) and that didn't work either, so we had to go with an egg donor and that worked right away.
Egg donor is a little less than IVF but not a lot. It was about $12,000.
I can tell you that if it comes to doing IVF or using an egg donor, if you have a mortgage, your bank will usually let you get the additional money needed on that loan.
We live in a very small town, and know all of the bank employees and the one lady knew we were having difficulty and may need IVF, and said if we needed a loan, that they make loans for that.
Don't be afraid of the fertility specialist. They will give you different options to try. It may very well be as simple as trying a different med.
Most fertility clinics, also have a financing department to help you plan any for any costs that you may not be prepared for.

I have to agree with PP. I used an RE to get my last 2 babies. There are so many options out there. Don't waste time. Get the refferal. There are good about working with your insurance and doing all they can.

I know that you already made a decision, but wanted to share this anyhow:
I'd love to get you information about some people who, after 10 years of trying to conceive were finally able to after trying something natural. One lady actually does a conference call every Thursday evening at 7:30pm and shares her story to give hope to other parents-to-be, because she tried for a long time and hadn't even had a period for 10 years!
Let me know if you're interested in hearing about this, as maybe your appointment wasn't made until December for a reason ;0)

Blessings to you!

Go to chiropractor, I know people who have got pregnant within months of going to get adjusted.

I am in the same boat you are. I am taking Provera and Clomid this month. The first month of Clomid I ovulated but the second and third month I did not. Now this month, I took Provera and the Clomid so we'll see what happens. Are they checking your progesterone level on day 21 of your cycle? This helps to determine if you ovulated. I have been taking Glucophage since I was in college so about 10 years ago and it never regulated my period only helped with acne. I definetely think losing weight will increase your conception chances. Try to be as healthy as possible. I am pretty much living by the saying, what will be, will be. I have a 2 year old too and I keep telling myself how blessed I am to have one child so if we don't have another I will be okay with it.

A good RE will not judge you on your weight. I was 280 pounds+ both times we went to ours, he was awesome and worked on giving me information to the weight down. Both times, it was little things like eat brown rice instead of white rice, whole grain instead of white, only caffeine free diet pop (if you must drink it), pretty much only healthier carbs and higher protein. All the fruit and veggies I wanted, sweet potatoes instead of white and he would have preferred skim milk, but willing to allow 1%(because I cant handle the consistency of skim milk). The first time took me 6 months, (clomid 3 months), shots (3months). The second time, no clomid, shots because he already knew what it took to get to pregnancy. I was pregnanct very quickly.
I absolutely loved the RE we chose, he is very kind and understanding. I was very lucky to have found Dr. Chin in Fairfield.
Good luck

Have you thought about adopting? My husband and I didn't have success with fertility treatments and didn't want to gamble lots of money on procedures that weren't guaranteed to be successful. So we adopted two beautiful babies who are now almost 7 and almost 3, and we couldn't be happier!