Clomid

[jennylou]

I researched clomid over a year ago before I started taking it last August (I conceived on that cycle). I remember in my research that most said to only take it for six months.

Is that a lifetime cap? Is it six cycles in a row? Thoughts?

[cgmom313]

It is six cycles in a row, and then you can stop for specfic time (from what I remember some Dr's it is 3 months and some wont prescribe until 6 months) and then usually they up the mg the next time. From what I remember after that you go a different infertily treatment.

I don't remember the specfics, but a friend of mine took it for 6 cycles and then a break for 3 months and they up her mg the next time and on cycle 2 she got PG.

I took clomid for 3 cycles (100mg) and got PG and then I lost the baby at 14 weeks, and then waited 3 months and started clomid again (100mg) and got pg again on the 1st cycle and went full term.

That's all I remember. Geez a year or so ago I was the Clomid library and now I cant remember anything.

[Heather719]

Hey Jenny-

I was told something a little different then cgmom. My ob/gyn told me that I could take it for as long as it took to get me to O- but once I've O'd 6 times on it, it was time to stop. My Clomid schedule went like this:

- Jan '04 (didn't O, long cycle)
- March '04 (got preg, miscarried)
- Sept '04 (didn't O)
- Oct thru Dec (O'd all 3 times, got preg in Dec, had a m/c)
- May '05 (O'd didn't get pregnant)
- June '05 moved on to injectables.

So I took Clomid for a total of 7 cycles. If my CM wasn't totally depleated by May, we could have tried Clomid for another cycle.

Hope that helps!
-Heather

[Pookie]

My OB said 3 cycles. Then take a break and do Clomid and an IUI together. I think she said about 2-3 cycles for a break.

[angelgirl8]

my RE was only going to let me take it for 3 months for a couple of reasons: because if it didn't work (it wasn't clear that it would, since i was already ovulating) it didn't make sense to keep trying, and because of the side effects of decreasing CM.

otherwise, if i wasn't ovulating and it was making me ovulate, i think he would have let me try longer.

[jennylou]

Thanks ladies!

The only reason I've been able to find on the web so far is that if it doesn't work within 6 cycles, it's not likely to work. However, it doesn't elaborate on whether "working" means ovulating or getting pregnant. Even if I assume they mean to achieve pregnancy, if you've already used clomid succesfully in the past, would there be a reason to limit it to six at that point? I don't know, just thinking out loud here.

[cgmom313]

Jennylou - I would have to agree with you that, if you take clomid and are being monitored by you OB and you are ovulating you should be able to continue. The only thing I remember is that there are some side effects to taken clomid long term. I cant remember if you have a greater risk to Cancer or something else, I am sorry I just dont remember.

Isn't it funny, 5 ladies posted in this post about Clomid and they all were different. Just goes to show you that everyone OB does different things. It pays to get all your information and not 100% rely on one person.

[jennylou]

cgmom- lol, it is funny that everyone hears something different. My sil was on clomid for a year and a half.

I did find some research in my reading last night that said they used to think clomid was linked to higher cancer rates but that they now believe it isn't the clomid so much as the IF which makes people more prone. For instance, if you don't shed your lining at least every 90 days, you are at higher risk. It's so hard to know which data to use! One day they say no, then they say, never mind, go ahead????!!!!

[paisleydays]

I'm starting my first round of clomid this next cycle, so I haven't got all the info from my RE yet.

I do know a friend who took clomid three times--one for each of pregnancies. She said her doc said not to take for more than 6 cycles in a row, but could start up again after a year or two.