Polycyctic Ovary Syndrome & Clomid

Finallyat40 · Jan 30, 2005

because I also have PCOS. Out of the three pregnancies, only one made it to term, but we are thrilled to have him....he's now almost 14. This therapy is not new at all for ovulation induction. The way it worked when I took it, we started with a low dose, I would have to see the OB within 5 days of starting a period for a pelvic to make sure I didn't have any cysts (the clomid stimulates the ovaries, therefore if you already have a cyst, it can cause really bad pain, etc), then take the Clomid from day 5 to day 10 of my cycle. I was temp charting at that point, so I usually knew when I ovulated, therefore knew the best time to "make use of the meds". Each time I got pregnant, it took at between 4 and 9 cycles, but that might just be me. One thing we found out eventually is that my body (and this is apparently not uncommon) works the opposite way it's supposed to related to the hormones, so when pregnancy occured, instead of my Progesterone increasing, it plummeted, and eventually I'd miscarry. Once we started supplementing that, I was able to carry to 35 weeks. Good Luck to you!

Jamie

LauraF, RN, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jan 30, 2005

I have PCOS too. I had 8 miscarriages and then went 2 years trying to get pregnant. I went to a high risk ob and he told me, "well you know you have PCOS, right?" And I looked at him and said, "NO". So here is what worked for me. I did do Clomid. I took it on the days I was suppose to religiously. After doing it for 4 cycles (it really was difficult for me, I got really hormonal), then I was put on Glucaphage. I worked the 2nd month. You should also talk to your doctor about progesterone suppositories. PCOS women do not make enough progesterone and that is what continually caused the miscarriages. I now have 2 lovely kids. Unfortunately the second was born way to early, I did not know I was pregnant and didn't do the progesterone right away. They are both 4 years old. It was well worth all I went through. They are the light of my life. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions. :icon_hug:

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Jan 30, 2005

I've heard alot about Glucophage being very successful in treating women with PCOS. I'm 49 and going through menopause. I don't have PCOS, or at least I don't think so, but after no period for 8 months I started taking Glucophage for insulin resistance and now having my period every 28 days again. I don't know whats worse: having a period again or being overweight. I've been losing really well on Glucophage and the doctor perfers I stick with the Glucopage even though it's causing me to have my period again. I'm torn.

Debbie_LPN · Jan 30, 2005

Thank you so much for the replies, as you can guess, it is stressful. And funny thing is, I've had a son before(adoption) but gained 25 pounds since then, and she told me that is why. Is clomid given in injections or pills? and are multiple births common???

LauraF, RN, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jan 30, 2005

Multiple births are common. While on clomid I lost 2 sets of twins. It is in table form. The progesterone that I talked about and someone else did does come in injectible. I hope you are seeing a specialist and not just a regular OB. Because this requires really close monitoring. My daughter was a 24 weeker, and weighed 1lb when she was born. You really need to be watched closely.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Jan 30, 2005

I took clomid. That's been 26 years ago and I don't know if the dosage is still the same as it used to be but I still have the info that came with the med (baby book stuff!) It states 6% chance of twins compared to a 20% chance of multiples with stronger infertilty drugs. I was concerned because my husband is a twin. I got pregnant 3 times thereafter without clomid. No twins.

Finallyat40 · Jan 30, 2005

Clomid is available in pill form in various strengths. Yes, the possibility of twins is higher than without, if I remember correctly the percentage was something like a 20% greater incidence of twins than with natural fertilization.

The progesterone can either be provided by injection, pill form or lady partsl suppository form, depending on your physicians preference. I, like some of the others who've responded, didn't have easy pregnancies and delivered at 35 weeks with my first and 28 weeks with my second (who was amazingly conceived on the pill 3 years after the birth of the first). The problems I had with both pregnancies were not directly attributed to the PCOS though.

Jamie

curleysue · Jan 30, 2005

I am 25 and also have PCOS, my sister has it too and ended up with a hysterectomy at age 22. I am thinking about having at least my ovaries taken out and frozen so that my other sister who has no medical problems can carry a child for me in the future if that is what I want.

I am in severe pain with this. Each month I grow cysts ranging from 3-9cm and they usually look like a cluster of grapes. I know exactly with I have a cyst cause I feel some weird pressure/pain down there.

Anyways, I too have tried Glucaphage for my PCOS and it didn't work so I was put on 15mg of Actos. Cause we knew I was insulin resistant right up front. The actos worked awsome. It brought my periods back and the endometrium lining in my uterus thined out which caused my endometriosis to thin out or even in some spots disappear. Cool, huh? Well unfortunetly my insurance didn't cover Actos. They said Glucaphage should work exactly the same way and its cheaper for them. Well my doc wrote them a letter saying we tried it and it didn't work. However they still denied the coverage. That is until I was just diagnosed with diabetes. Now they will cover it for diabetes and PCOS. So, it kinda sucks that I had to wait to get diabetes before they would start paying for it.

As for the ovaries taking out, I am waiting on that. I don't know if I want to live in pain for the next 25 years until menapause. Plus the fact that with my medical history of blood clots, PE's, low magnesium, potassium, calcium, heart disease, pulmonary disease that is just to name a few, carrying a baby to term would be rather risky and difficult for me. So, if I cannot carry a baby safely, why keep my ovaries when they cause me so much pain?

Anyways, sorry for the novel I wrote. Its just in the situation I am in now. I suggest Actos or Glucaphage for treatment of PCOS. It can really help. Curleysue

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Jan 30, 2005

Anyways, sorry for the novel I wrote. Its just in the situation I am in now. I suggest Actos or Glucaphage for treatment of PCOS. It can really help. Curleysue

Curlysue, I hope all goes well with you and that all your dreams will come true. You have alot to deal with at such a young age. I hope your sister will be open to carrying a baby for you? I think my sister or my daughter would be the only people I could ever carry a baby for. At 49 I'm past making that decison but it would be a beautiful thing to be able to do. Thanks for the info on Actos.

Debbie_LPN · Jan 30, 2005

Yes, I am being monitored by an infertility specialist right now. It gets costly with no insurance tho!!! But thanks for the info, and I will ask about Actos. I never had any pain, except for my periods, i had EXCRUTIATING cramps!!!! That is one of the signx im told. I'm glad to have success stories.....it feels like when i gave up my son, that was the only chance to have a baby. Now there's hope!!! :)

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · Jan 30, 2005

I have PCOS too. I'm glad you are working with an infertility specialist.

I took Clomid 4-5 years ago: I wasn't really monitored-no labs or u/s. I think I used OPKs to determine when to...well, you know :coollook: My PCOS wasn't diagnosed until later-I had a lot of the symptoms, but my blood work wasn't diagnostic at that time.

Clomid did NOT work for me. I also have endometriosis with adhesions, so after going on Lupron for 6 months then taking injections (Pergonal), I was finally able to get pregnant after trying for 2 years. Sadly, this pregnancy didn't have a happy ending-I became pregnant with twins: lost one baby at 8 weeks to vanishing twin syndrome and my son was born at 32 wks due to PIH/placenta failure and he died from complications of congenital heart disease at 12 days of age.

When we decided to try again, after a year or so again, my blood work was repeated and I definately have PCOS with insulin resistance (sp). I was put on Glucophage XL and after a total of 6 injectible cycles (3 w/ Pergonal and 3 w/ Gonal F) and 3 IUIs, I'm 25 weeks pregnant.

If you haven't been checked for insulin resistance, I strongly urge you too. I know of a lot of women who have success with PCOS and Glucophage with or without Clomid (Actos works well too). There is a great website that has wonderful info about PCOS and Clomid, along with other things: INCIID

I'm not trying to be Miss Gloom and Doom about Clomid-it works for some, and others it doesn't. I sincerely hope Clomid works for you!

Good luck! :)