Clomid & Gonal-F: The Un-Fun Part of TTC

on April 13, 2009 at 12:55 PM

clomid gonal f Hi! Cafe MicheleZ here for Melisa today.

As bad as this sounds I couldn't make it through Easter without thinking of eggs. My eggs. My fertility.

When you're trying to make a baby and need some help from a doctor, the months go by very slow. Throw in irregular periods and it seems like forever. Now add a day. I'm serious. S-L-O-W going.

We trust our doctors when they tell us to try this medication or that medication. We take it in hopes something will work. It fills us with hope, but inside we are really worried that it won't. We wonder how long it will take and how many drugs must we take and how all these meds must not be good for our bodies. It's stress beyond stress.

And then we are supposed to have sex with our husbands! I don't know about you, but when I am stressed that's the last thing I want to do even though they say sex reduces stress.

The private group Clomid Chicks has a lot of discussion on how women are feeling after taking this ovulation stimulating pill.

An anonymous CafeMom said she didn't have good results on Clomid -- she got really moody. But once she was off it for two months, she got pregnant after two and a half years of trying. Others have had hot flashes or extreme cramping. And many have had success as a result of it.

Another option to help with ovulation is Gonal-F, the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) injection that you have to give yourself (or beg your significant other to help you with). Needles...in your belly. Every day for five days depending on your dose. Not fun.

Then there's the cramping, the ovaries that feel swollen the size of grapefruits, the bloating and pain that comes with all of it.

But ladies who are TTC and are on medication to help them with fertility know this is all part of the process. It's worth it, but can be difficult. And it sure can take the fun out of making babies.

If you are TTC and are having fertility issues, how do you cope with the stress?

If you were TTC and have had success, share your stories so other women can be hopeful.

About the author Michele Zipp

loves vintage and will defend skinny jeans to the death though she is highly superstitious and "death" is probably a bad word choice. She has a touch of the hoarding disease and enjoys sleuthing, the worst reality shows, and wearing high heels, even at the playground. She's an AP mom of twins, slightly crunchy but with a pedicure.

Filed Under: infertility, trying to conceive

eema.gray

on Apr 13, 2009 at 2:03 PM

Clomid worked for me (on the first try!) but it sucked. I felt like I was going through menopause from ovulation through the first trimester. Yes, it works for the right kinds of fertility issues but the side effects aren't fun. Oh, and I've read that the more cycles you take it, the worse the side effects get because it has a cumulative effect. As far as stress, I tried just not to think too hard about what I was having to deal with. When you have to chart everyday and time your sex, it helps to not overthink it all.

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vicki136

on Apr 13, 2009 at 4:53 PM

Clomid worked for me on the fourth try after 27 months of trying without it :). I didn't have any wierd or bad side effects. The hardest part of TTC for me was "planning sex". It's terrible and I hated it! Keep the faith though girls :) and good luck to all :)

Juststarting2

on Apr 13, 2009 at 9:20 PM

I took Clomid for 8 cycles with no success. I had the horrible mood swings and hot flashes. After the Clomid we tried 3 cycles of Follistim and thankfully got pregnant after 2 years of trying. TTC was definitely a hard journey but so worth it. I agree with the PP, planning sex sucks so bad.

autumnsmommy02

on Apr 14, 2009 at 10:09 AM

I have 2 clomid babies (ages 7 & almost 1). Without Clomid they may not be here! The first time I didn't have any side effects but the 2nd time (6 yrs. later) I was miserable in pain, dizziness & emotions. I'd do it again in a heartbeat to try for another girl! :)