Clomid Challenge Anyone?

[ktsb]

Sorry if this has been discussed before but I did a search and didn't find it.

I'm taking the Clomid Challenge in the next week or so and was wondering if anyone else has done it?

BACKGROUND My OB wants to check my egg function since I've had 2 blighted ovums in a row. I am over 35. It looks like I'm to get a blood test on CD 3, take Clomid for 5 days and then get another blood test on CD 10.

Are there any side effects or will I be noticing anything different?

Can you still TTC during the month you do this?

What if CD 3 or CD 10 falls on a day when I can't get a blood test?

Thanks for any and all advice. Wish me luck!

[UTChick]

The only question I may have an answer to is about CD 3 and 10 falling on an inconvenient day. My doctor (don't know how others do it) told me that for my CD3 and CD21 bloodwork (for diagnostic purposes), he would meet me at the office on a Saturday or Sunday morning to get it done so that I wouldn't have to wait until the next cycle. Like I said, I don't know if other doctors are this accomodating, but he said he would meet me or make sure a nurse would if for some reason he couldn't.

[Scooter]

Usually the 1st month you use clomid the Dr does the Challenge Test. It really doesn't mean anything different than any other clomid cycle, except your Dr will order more bloodtests. They really want to check out your hormone levels and how your body responds. Based on the hormone levels on day 3 and 10, they can get information on how your ovaries are functioning and can estimate your egg quality. (Of course, they can't know about your egg quality unless you do IVF and they can see it all under the microscope.) So if you're having trouble with the searches, just check the clomid threads I've linked at the bottom and also look at Still At It, over in the group threads. ;)

As for your questions:
1) Like I said, there's no difference between taking clomid and having a CCT, so the side effects are all going to be the normal clomid ones. Some people notice nothing different, some have a few minorly annoying ones, and some of us had major ones. The Clomid Experiences thread below will go into detail.

2) TTC!!! Your chances are going to better this month than the previous month, there's no reason to waste that. Hopefully you'll get pg and won't need further treatment! All they want to see is how your hormone levels change, and that's just a simple bloodtest, so there's no reason at all to sit it out. Even if they do a day 21 (7dpo) blood test, that isn't going to stop you from TTC.

3) That's a great quesiton for your Dr, it's going to depend on your own clinic's policies.


Here are some clomid threads to read:

CLOMID--tell me about your experience (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=4749)
Question about Clomid (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=8415)
Clomid--Day v. Night? Generic v. Brand? (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=6097)
High temps with Clomid? HELP! (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=6755)
Clomid (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=3902)

Those might address some of your questions and concerns. HTH & good luck!

[ktsb]

Thanks so much Scooter I really appreciate it.

I did call the Drs. office on the blood test days because wouldn't you know it yesterday was CD 1 which leaves you got it, Thanksgiving, as CD 3. :rolleyes: The advice nurse said doing the blood test on CD 4 is not a problem.

Unfortunately my Dr. wasn't around to answer the TTC question. I guess my concern is what if the test says my ovaries aren't functing all that well then I'll be in the same boat as before (blighted ovum).

Had a long chat with DH on the subject last night and he does seem to recall the Dr. saying to hold off on TTC this month. His philosophy is it's only a month and if the Clomid helps we can always take it again next month.

Thanks for the links. I don't know why I didn't find them when I searched.

[Brink]

Just chiming in - I did the Clomid Challenge and got pregnant that same month! For some reason, my NP said I couldnt get pg that month (obviously she didn't know what she was talking about, scary). Now I have a beautiful 8 wk old girl.

Good Luck!

[Scooter]

ktsb, you're welcome. :) Have you already had your FSH tested before? That would give you some idea of your egg reserve, at least. I had a cd3 test on cd2 before, and it was fine, so I'm glad that timing worked out for you. It's unusual to TTA while you're on clomid, but I can understand why you wouldn't want to risk another miscarriage. :(

[ktsb]

Nope I haven't had any tests yet.

[Hangin'in]

FSH is one of the tests they check on CD's 3 and 10... for me it was the main concern. On CD3 the FSH level should not be above a certain level, then after you take the clomid, they test again, and the combined levels should not exceed a certain number. The numbers are different based on the lab that does the results. If they are high, it indicates low egg reserves... which for me it was high.