Well, cycle #1 on Clomid was not the one… I am now on day 1 of cycle #8. To give my body due credit, I think everything was great except the egg did not implant. They say only 40% of eggs that make it that far get implanted. I’ll just have to try again. Even my luteal phase increased to 11 days- much better than 10 days.
My next doctor appointment is on Wednesday. Here are the notes I have ready for her along with the temp charts of my last 2 cycles:
Notes:
I have ovulated both times in the past 2 cycles. The first one was without the Clomid, on CD#33. I had a 10 day luteal phase. The second cycle, on 50mg Clomid, I ovulated on CD#23 with an 11 day luteal phase.
The progesterone test I took was actually on the day I ovulated on the second cycle. So my guess is that the low results are normal for then?
Side effects: the Clomid dried me up considerably, gave me a few minor hot flashes and I had two emotional days, but I think it was well worth it!
Questions:
1. Isn’t the purpose of the progesterone test to see what your level is at one week or more after ovulation? If so, why was I required to take this test on the day I suspected ovulation? I asked if I needed to come back in a week or so and was told no. I am confused about this. Next time, if I have not ovulated before test time or I am currently ovulating, should I again take the test anyway?
2. I recently talked with a cousin who I found out has PCOS also. As far as I know, she isn’t trying to conceive, but she was put on Metformin and said her cycles apparently normalized. Would Metformin help me, either with or without the Clomid?
3. Is there a limit to how many Clomid cycles you allow? When Clomid works correctly, by what day should ovulation occur?
4. If I don’t get pregnant this cycle, it looks like my next cycle’s days 1-5 will very likely occur while I am away from home for the Christmas holidays. If this turns out to be the case, what should I do for the following cycle to be seen for the next round of Clomid?
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I am thinking:
Try Clomid one (maybe two) more cycles but increase to 100mg. If it doesn’t work, take Metformin for 3 months and try to lose 30 pounds in that time. Then bring on the Clomid again. In those 3 months, I’d do the Atkins diet- NO sugar and very few carbs. My father-in-law has lost 17 pounds in 5 weeks on a similar diet. It is very motivating to see him! During diet time, have DH get a Semen Analysis just to be sure he is okay.
