Hi, there

I've been reading these boards for a couple of weeks and have found them very helpful. My husband and I (both 42 years old) have been married for about a year and are trying to conceive. Last month, I tried Clomid and Estrace with IUI for the first time. That attempt resulted in positive pregnancy, which unfortunately ended early (miscarriage at 2 and a half weeks). I was told the failure was probably embryonic.

My doctor has advised an immediate move to injectables because of my age. But I'm wondering if we shouldn't try Clomid one more time because it did work the first time. I'm a little nervous moving to injectables but I will definitely do so if I need to. I'm just not sure that now is the time.

Hi there!

I am sorry to hear about your m/c. I know that had to have been very difficult. I think it is great that you are still trying. This whole process is very time consuming and emotionally draining. I did two rounds of femara (similar to clomid) with IUI which were both unsuccessful. I then moved onto injections (follistim) with IUI. We were successful the first time with that and I am now 8 weeks pregnant. My opinion is to go to the injections. I moved on to injections after 2 months and my dr. usually does 3. The great thing about injections is that they make more "targets" for the sperm. I also liked being on the injections much better than the femara...I didn't have as many side effects witht the injections. I am the type that wanted to move ahead to IVF immediately though. I am very impatient and didn't want to waste precious time with other treatments. Luckily we didn't have to do IVF due to the cost of the treatment. I would do what you feel most comfortable doing. Starting the injections is very scary and we will all be here for you when you decide to do it. Talk to you dh and make the decision that is best for you. I was very hesitant when i started the injections but I am soo happy that I did it.

Good luck whatever you decide on! Baby dust

Koukla

Koukla, thanks for the response. I guess injectables is probably the best bet at this point. That means I will start in 2 days so we'll see what happens. I understand the impatience you mentioned and, in my case, the feeling that each month could be one of the last opportunities to become pregnant. So I suppose moving forward sooner rather than later makes sense.

Good luck with your pregnancy! It must be very exciting.

Hi there
Im new to this however Im starting Clomid for the first time and it all seemsquite scary! - Im sure trying new things gives us more of a chance - I hope you sort it out soon x

macca5, last month I was on 100mg of Clomid on cd 4-8, then Estrace cd 9-14. I know some women have side effects but I had none whatsoever. That's why I'd prefer to try it again but I know I'd have a better chance for success with the injectables.

Good luck with your Clomid cycle! I wish I could join you.

Hi, donniejo. Although you certainly need to go with what you and dh are comfortable with, I have been told that the injectibles are derived from natural hormones and can help develop better quality eggs. That is what you need now. I had a m/c early on as well about 2 yrs ago (conceived naturally and quite unexpectedly after 8 yrs of IF). I am 14 wks preg. now and we jumped straight to injectibles and IUI when we saw our RE. But, I did try clomid many many years ago with no success (other than unused eggs)... anyway, I wouldn't want to tell anyone what to do, but at 42, I would go for the gusto (in other words, more aggressive treatment with the injectibles). I'm 37 and dh is 40. "Time's a wastin'!!" if you don't mind me saying.

good luck!
~A~

Hi Donniejo

I also was on Clomid for 3 months and was unsuccessful my RE suggested the shots I was terrified, but then I found this board and all my worries went out the window b/c I know these ladies are always here to speak with and going thru the same. I started my injectibles and they were so easy for me. It didn't even hurt. I would go to the ijections you chances are higher of conceiving. Good luck keep us posted.

I'm not sure I can tell you to choose Clomid again or injecables, because I've only tried the Clomid. But this is my 3rd time on the Clomid, and this month my side effects were much worse. I didn't have any side effects the first 2 months (which I actually did this spring then took a break from clomid for 2 months before this cycle). I have read that side effects can worsen because your body builds up a tolerance to it and your body becomes less responsive to estrogen...so your uterine lining tends to thin and you produce little cervical mucus (or like me, none this month lol). These are supposed to reverse within a few months once your off the Clomid. Not that I'm saying Clomid is bad, I think it's great, it works for many, many women, and I'm hopeful I'll get a BFP this month too...but just something to think about. :)

I had the same experience as Hayknack with the clomid many yrs ago. Hot flashes and less CM. I think I had a problem with that anyway, so after 6 mo of it, I gave up. I finally saw a doc who did an HSG (duh!! NO ONE thought to do this b4?), and then suggested IUI, which I wasn't ready for at the time (big regret).

anyway, I'm glad Clomid works for some people, but I think most don't go beyond 3-6 months with it.

~A~

Thanks for all your very knowledgable advice. I will be starting the injectables tonight!

My husband and I were planning to go to europe for 3 weeks in early/mid Sept. Since I'm starting the injectables tonight, I wonder if it's ok to travel right after the IUI. I'd have to wait 3 weeks instead of 2 to find out if I'm pregnant but I guess I could bring along a HPT.