Drugs
What are everyone's thoughts on "fertility" drugs? Have you taken them? Did you have success? Side effects? OR if you haven't tried them yet, will you consider using drugs? How long will you wait before it becomes an option?
I'm half tempted to call up my doctor tomorrow and say "Give me the drugs!" I've always been an anti drug person. I'll definitely take them if I have to, but if I can avoid it, then I will (including pain killers). So I'm a bit surprised I'm to this point. I know clomid can have a lot of side effects, and increases the risk of multiples, but I'm getting sick of sitting on my hands. I think my plan is to try one more month of acupuncture and then try some drugs.
Today I went to a ward picnic, and a friend of mine came over, and we were chatting and she mentioned that she is 3 1/2 months pregnant. She has a 3 year old and a 6 month old and is already pregnant again. She was going on how this pregnancy was a surprise and wasn't planned, etc. etc. etc., and oh, how I just wanted to let her know how lucky and blessed she is!!!
I'm half tempted to call up my doctor tomorrow and say "Give me the drugs!" I've always been an anti drug person. I'll definitely take them if I have to, but if I can avoid it, then I will (including pain killers). So I'm a bit surprised I'm to this point. I know clomid can have a lot of side effects, and increases the risk of multiples, but I'm getting sick of sitting on my hands. I think my plan is to try one more month of acupuncture and then try some drugs.
Today I went to a ward picnic, and a friend of mine came over, and we were chatting and she mentioned that she is 3 1/2 months pregnant. She has a 3 year old and a 6 month old and is already pregnant again. She was going on how this pregnancy was a surprise and wasn't planned, etc. etc. etc., and oh, how I just wanted to let her know how lucky and blessed she is!!!
Comments
As far as how long to wait, with my first round of infertility (I'm on my third round right now) I didn't start any drugs or treatments until 12 months. That's pretty much the standard. Now, because I have "proven infertility", they (the RE..fertility specialist) jumps me in right away.
Clomid, at least according to my fertility specialist, isn't classified as a fertility drug. They call it an "agent." Not sure if knowing the exact classification will make you feel better about it, LOL. But honestly, I've taken Clomid so many times, and it is NOT a big deal. Just a pill you take for 5 days. There's no real danger of overstimming like with injectable drugs, so monitoring is minimal. It's an anti-estrogen, so it works by tricking your body into thinking there's no estrogen..your body will overcompensate by creating a lot of FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and therefore growing a stronger, healthier egg for ovulation. Sometimes you can get 2 eggs with Clomid, but the chances of multiples on Clomid is not much higher than a natural ovulation. The bad thing about Clomid is that it thins your uterine lining terribly, especially if you take it over consecutive cycles..so even if you grow a nice juicy follicle to ovulate; if your lining is too thin then it will be a bust.
Also, they call Clomid "Clo-Mood." they don't call it that for nothing. I turn into a complete psycho on Clomid. It makes me irritable, cranky, emotional, and just generally WEIRD.
Real fertility drugs are going to be the injectable drugs like Gonal-F, Follistim, Bravelle. I've used these too. I like these. Yes it's a pain to have to inject yourself in the stomach every day and they are very expensive (most insurances won't cover them, but most do cover Clomid) but they don't have the hideous side effects that Clomid does. These are, however, the drugs that give you multiples. You have to monitored very carefully while on injectables with daily bloodwork and ultrasounds to make sure you are not overstimming (I had a cycle once where I grew 10 eggs..yeah it had to be cancelled. LOL) They don't thin out your lining.
I've only ever gotten miscarriages on Clomid. I got my beautiful second son on injectables (Bravelle.)
I hope this helps - let me know if you need any more information!
Trish, if you only did Clomid, then I really wouldn't worry about multiples. Especially not high older multiples (triplets and above.) Clomid is not the drug that does that..that would be injectables. And even then, they are so much better at controlling the cycle than they used to be. With monitoring and lower doses and improved drugs, they have dramatically decreased higher order multiples.
Personally, I would do testing first. Depending on what your problem is, Clomid may or may not help you. For instance, if you have endometriosis or your hubby has a low sperm count, Clomid isn't going to do a lick of good for you. So then, what's the point?? But if you discover that you have some minor egg quality problems, PCOS, or some other type of ovulatory dysfunction, then Clomid is worth a try.
I hope this help!! =) I hope I don't come across as a know it all or anything. I always tell people that believe me, I wish I didn't know about this stuff..because not knowing about it would mean that I was fertile. My knowlege about it is just proof positive that I have lousy fertility. =(
For what it's worth, I wish you didn't know so much either, since it would mean you were more fertile! I think that's why I've been dragging my feet about starting the testing. I'm scared to find out "what's wrong with me" and to face reality!