I don't know what to do...Need some advice

I really need some advice...

I met with Dr. Brenner today and he discussed my options for next cycle. I am going to give it one more cycle of meds, and then we're moving onto IVF. For next cycle, I can move up to 150mg of clomid or onto injectibles. I have already tried 50mg and 100mg of clomid, with no success. Dr. Brenner said that I can try the 150mg of clomid and see if I produce follicles of decent size. I am weary about this because the s/e of 100mg of clomid have been really uncomfortable, and personally, I don't think clomid is the "drug for me". However, with injectibles, I run the risk of producing too many follicles, and ultimately, developing OHSS. He said that the decision is up to me, but he'd probably advise on trying the 150mg of clomid. I just don't think I want to do that. I wish I knew what was best for me.

Has anyone else been in this position? And does anyone know of the statistics of developing OHSS with injectibles (very low dose) or the likelihood of responding from 100mg to 150mg?

Re: I don't know what to do...Need some advice

I have done Clomid and Injectibles. I responded fine to Clomid but the side effects were unbearable for me. I also responded fine to injectibles and had much less side effects but developed OHSS on the second round. I have come to realize that these are very powerful drugs and I think that the side effects are unavoidable. You are much less likely to devleop OHSS on Clomid so that might be why Dr. B is recommending 1 last try for you. I know it's a hard decision but I would say go with your gut feeling.

Re: I don't know what to do...Need some advice

Re: I don't know what to do...Need some advice

I did 6 IUI's, 3 with clomid and 3 with Injectibles. I had no problems with the injectibles. I produces roughtly the same amount of follies on both (about 3 each time). i did get some cysts on gonal-f but it wasn't big enough to stop the cycle I was on. I drink a lot of water to begin with. I did not get OHSS. Most people don't. Though lately it seems a lot people on this board have. You need to stay inactive for the most part. Light walking etc...
BA

Re: I don't know what to do...Need some advice

Re: I don't know what to do...Need some advice

Re: I don't know what to do...Need some advice

Didn't mean to diminish what you have gone through. OHSS is very serious. I hope i didn't come off rude or anything.

I'm probably one of those weirdos. I swear I lost weight last cycle on all those meds. It was my 4th time on injectibles.

But I also was really careful. Drank tons, rested and didn't really work out. I'm always working out since i was 12.

Re: I don't know what to do...Need some advice

Re: I don't know what to do...Need some advice

I didn't respond well to clomid at 50 or 100mg. Then 150 did the trick - my first cycle I had 5 follies and got pregnant. Since I lost the pregnancy, they put me on clomid 150 again this cycle and I had 4 follies. I have s/e too, and although they are annoying, they are tolerable. If this cycle doesn't work, I am going to ask about injectibles since this was my 6th round of clomid. But I am wary to go on them because I am afraid of hyperstimming.

Re: I don't know what to do...Need some advice

I really think that its a crap shoot.

I can tell you that I produced follies on 100 mg of Clomid and then a LOT of them on one 100mg cycle, almost cancelled.

THEN...On 150..NOTHING?

Next we moved onto injectables...total low dose( at a new clinic b.c the 1st one wouldnt do injects for IUI with me b/c they said I would Hyperstim...

Well I didnt....I didnt produce at all? So a few more injectable cycles..and it was always so so.

Then my actual IVF I was on a HUGE high dose of meds to produce and I hyperstimmed.

So...they had NO CLUE wjat to do with me.

And in your shoes I would take it one cycle at a time and try not to "guess"w what will happen KWIM?

Re: I don't know what to do...Need some advice - UPDATED

I think I've made the decision to move onto injectables.
I was up again last night with hot flashes from the 100mg of clomid I finished OVER two weeks ago! I just don't think I can handle another round of clomid, and honestly don't think it's going to work for me (just my gut instinct telling me that). I just called to make an appointment to learn how to give myself the shots. I am still so nervous about this whole process (and of course OHSS) but if I am being very closely monitored and on a VERY low dose of injectables, I'm hoping that won't be an issue.

I go to LI-IVF. Any idea how they teach you? Is it a class? Meeting with a nurse?

Re: I don't know what to do...Need some advice

Always go with your gut! Good luck!! Please let us know if you have any questions- a bunch of people here take/have taken injectables.

Re: I don't know what to do...Need some advice

Go with your gut instinct. I have a strong instinct as well that Clomid just isn't for me either. I'm giving it one more shot, next month, and then no more

Re: I don't know what to do...Need some advice

I did 3 rounds of clomid (50, 100. 100), and I felt that clomid was a waste for me..I knew my body was not responding well to the clomid and I just "felt" like it wasn't right, but since that is what the RE recommended and they were the professionals, I followed what they said. When it came time for round 4, I insisted on injectables. I did not produce that many follicles (can't remember the numbers), and I was on the injectables longer than the 7-10 days they said (I think it was closer to 14 days).

On my 5th round (2nd round with injectables), DH and I were more informed, and I also knew that the dosage I was on for round 4, would not be enough and I didn't want to do another 14 days of meds. I told them I wanted to start with the dosage that I left off with from the last round (instead of them increasing it slightly after each round of bloodwork to get the right combo). The 5th IUI is what worked for me...I got preggo and I believe it was because DH and I were so "in the doctors faces" that they wanted to get rid of us

Good luck

Re: I don't know what to do...Need some advice

Don't have advice, but I am sure you will come up with the best decision for you. Hang in there...

Re: I don't know what to do...Need some advice

I know you will make the best decision for you. I never did injects and only one round of clomid but I hated it. Many people have told me that the s/e of clomid are way worse than injects.

Re: I don't know what to do...Need some advice

Our injection teaching class at LIIVF was just us with a nurse. I am also extremely nervous about starting the stim part of the cycle and I am verrrry nervous about the OHSS, so I am right there with you...

Re: I don't know what to do...Need some advice

Posted by Lee

Our injection teaching class at LIIVF was just us with a nurse. I am also extremely nervous about starting the stim part of the cycle and I am verrrry nervous about the OHSS, so I am right there with you...