Paging ladies on Clomid, please!

[icequeen]

Hi everyone. Hope your weekend is off to a good start! I was hoping some of the women on here who have taken or are taking Clomid could share their experiences with me. If y'all think this is more suited for TTTC, then please let me know. I didn't want to intrude on there just yet.

This is my 4th cycle taking Clomid since we started TTC and getting an RE's help with our second baby. I am getting worried because my lining is very thin, only 3.5 mm. Although it is only CD 11 and my RE said there is still time for it to build up before ovulation, I can't help but feel exasperated and helpless. I know thinning of lining is a side effect of Clomid, but I responded poorly to the alternative Tamoxifen, which is supposed to help build up lining. I am supposed to start taking vaginal estrogen supplements once I ovulate to increase the lining.

Has anyone else had this problem on Clomid and what were your RE's recommendations? I know everyone's case is different and I suppose I should just be patient and wait to see my RE again on Monday. I'm just so frustrated right now. It just seems like when one "problem" is fixed, another one surfaces. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[housecarder]

I am on Clomid but my lining hasn't had any issues. I took 3 rounds and conceived my son the cycle after my third round (he will be three next week). I can understand how frustrating this all is and would definitely bring it up to your RE on Monday. They may be able to give you an idea of treatment options. Also a lot of doctors will increase the dose every month that you don't conceive, which might not be the best idea because a higher dose can equal thinner linings. If you responded to lower doses maybe going back down would help.

[icequeen]

Feb 13, 2015 15:51:31 GMT -5 housecarder said:

I am on Clomid but my lining hasn't had any issues. I took 3 rounds and conceived my son the cycle after my third round (he will be three next week). I can understand how frustrating this all is and would definitely bring it up to your RE on Monday. They may be able to give you an idea of treatment options. Also a lot of doctors will increase the dose every month that you don't conceive, which might not be the best idea because a higher dose can equal thinner linings. If you responded to lower doses maybe going back down would help.

It seems like 150mg Clomid has been working excellently for me the last two cycles. I think I had only one good follicle when I was on 100mg. I agree, I will definitely voice my concerns on Monday. Thank you for replying!!

[housecarder]

No problem. I had good follicles on 100 so we stayed there. Let me know what they say. It would be good to know what options I might have if my lining starts to thin.

[alpies]

Your doctor is right, there is still time for your lining to thicken. Mine went from 5mm on CD 10 to 11mm on CD 13 this cycle without any intervention. However, if yours is still less than 8mm at ovulation you might want to discuss something different for you next cycle, such as Femera or injects. I think that's why the lifetime limit on Clomid cycles is 6 - because repeated use can permanently thin the lining. Good luck!

[beckynsean11]

I did not experience a thinned lining with Clomid, but it's not an unusual side effect. Has your doctor offered Femara/Letrozole? From what I've seen it has worked better for women that have issues with Clomid. I'm not sure how Tamoxifen compares to Femara, but it may be worth asking about before you make the jump to injectibles. I have seen some women have success in increasing their lining with Estrace(vaginal estrogen), I've also seen Viagra given to help. Sorry you're dealing with this.

[peanutmuse]

I did not have a thinned lining, so I cannot offer advice. I hope things turn around for you, good luck!

[ghostmonkey]

My lining on my Clomid cycle was 3.6. My RE moved me immediately to Femara with lining that thin and I was told to never take Clomid again ever. Femara might be another option to try, otherwise if this cycle doesn't pan out, then with 4 failed Clomid cycles, it's likely time to move on to injects.


It's a bit late to be starting Estrace (I'm assuming that's what you were given) for this cycle, but not horribly late. Was your lining ok on your other cycles?

[peanutmuse]

Also, I responded well to 50 mg, had 4 good follies and ended up pregnant with twins originally, although sadly one did not make it. So maybe that's why I didn't have lining problems? I don't know.

[icequeen]

Thanks so much, everyone. I really appreciate the insight. My RE did not suggest Femara, but I will bring it up if the lining continues to be a problem. I know about the lifetime limit on Clomid and know I'm getting up there. It is scaring me.

We tried injectibles one cycle, but I overresponded, so we decided not to do them this time. I was prescribed the Estrace last cycle and my RE said we will most likely be using it again this time.

[peanutmuse]

Feb 13, 2015 16:07:29 GMT -5 icequeen said:

Thanks so much, everyone. I really appreciate the insight. My RE did not suggest Femara, but I will bring it up if the lining continues to be a problem. I know about the lifetime limit on Clomid and know I'm getting up there. It is scaring me.

We tried injectibles one cycle, but I overresponded, so we decided not to do them this time. I was prescribed the Estrace last cycle and my RE said we will most likely be using it again this time.

I could be wrong, but I think ghostmonkey wasn't referring to the number of Clomid cycles, but the fact that your lining got down so low? Correct me if I am wrong.

[icequeen]

Feb 13, 2015 16:05:43 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

My lining on my Clomid cycle was 3.6. My RE moved me immediately to Femara with lining that thin and I was told to never take Clomid again ever. Femara might be another option to try, otherwise if this cycle doesn't pan out, then with 4 failed Clomid cycles, it's likely time to move on to injects.


It's a bit late to be starting Estrace (I'm assuming that's what you were given) for this cycle, but not horribly late. Was your lining ok on your other cycles?

The lining was pretty good post-O last cycle, around 8.5 mm. It was also pretty thin at the beginning of the last cycle but seemed to get better. We did the Estrace last cycle. Maybe I am just reading too much into the 3.5 this early. I think I can still catch up. I just don't want to continue taking Clomid if there are better options for my specific case.

[ghostmonkey]

The lifetime limit on Clomid is because you reach the point of diminishing returns. Many RE's will move on well before the 6 cycles (many will move on after 3 failed cycles of the same protocol).

Overstimming on injects is a lot easier to control because you can adjust your meds daily. It's a lot harder to control that with oral meds.

Keep in mind that Clomid also has a 6 week half life, so it's not entirely out of your system when you start a new cycle. That may be why you didn't have issues before but are now as you have had more consecutive cycles of use.

[icequeen]

Feb 13, 2015 16:15:06 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

The lifetime limit on Clomid is because you reach the point of diminishing returns. Many RE's will move on well before the 6 cycles (many will move on after 3 failed cycles of the same protocol).

Overstimming on injects is a lot easier to control because you can adjust your meds daily. It's a lot harder to control that with oral meds.

Keep in mind that Clomid also has a 6 week half life, so it's not entirely out of your system when you start a new cycle. That may be why you didn't have issues before but are now as you have had more consecutive cycles of use.

Yes, I remembering reading that too. I agree, this may be indeed be what's going on. Thanks for sharing, GM!

[beckynsean11]

Feb 13, 2015 16:10:36 GMT -5 icequeen said:

Feb 13, 2015 16:05:43 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

My lining on my Clomid cycle was 3.6. My RE moved me immediately to Femara with lining that thin and I was told to never take Clomid again ever. Femara might be another option to try, otherwise if this cycle doesn't pan out, then with 4 failed Clomid cycles, it's likely time to move on to injects.


It's a bit late to be starting Estrace (I'm assuming that's what you were given) for this cycle, but not horribly late. Was your lining ok on your other cycles?

The lining was pretty good post-O last cycle, around 8.5 mm. It was also pretty thin at the beginning of the last cycle but seemed to get better. We did the Estrace last cycle. Maybe I am just reading too much into the 3.5 this early. I think I can still catch up. I just don't want to continue taking Clomid if there are better options for my specific case.

I think 8.5 is considered on the low side for post-O thickness, ghostmonkey? My RE looks for closer to 9 minimum before trigger. From what I've read, once you experience this kind of s/e, it's not advised to continue taking Clomid so I would advocate moving to something else personally.

[icequeen]

Feb 13, 2015 16:21:18 GMT -5 beckynsean11 said:

Feb 13, 2015 16:10:36 GMT -5 icequeen said:

The lining was pretty good post-O last cycle, around 8.5 mm. It was also pretty thin at the beginning of the last cycle but seemed to get better. We did the Estrace last cycle. Maybe I am just reading too much into the 3.5 this early. I think I can still catch up. I just don't want to continue taking Clomid if there are better options for my specific case.

I think 8.5 is considered on the low side for post-O thickness, ghostmonkey? My RE looks for closer to 9 minimum before trigger. From what I've read, once you experience this kind of s/e, it's not advised to continue taking Clomid so I would advocate moving to something else personally.

Thanks Becky!! My RE said that 8 to 9 mm is acceptable, given that we would supplement with Estrace. I agree, it's definitely not ideal. If this cycle is another bust then I am not doing Clomid again. It is making me nervous, and from what it seems like, there are other options. I guess we have to cross that bridge when we get there, though.

[ghostmonkey]

Feb 13, 2015 16:21:18 GMT -5 beckynsean11 said:

Feb 13, 2015 16:10:36 GMT -5 icequeen said:

The lining was pretty good post-O last cycle, around 8.5 mm. It was also pretty thin at the beginning of the last cycle but seemed to get better. We did the Estrace last cycle. Maybe I am just reading too much into the 3.5 this early. I think I can still catch up. I just don't want to continue taking Clomid if there are better options for my specific case.

I think 8.5 is considered on the low side for post-O thickness, ghostmonkey? My RE looks for closer to 9 minimum before trigger. From what I've read, once you experience this kind of s/e, it's not advised to continue taking Clomid so I would advocate moving to something else personally.

6 is minimum, 7+ is optimal, 8+ is preferred.

I would have never got the green light for trigger if I needed 9!

[anonymouseliza]

I have a friend who did daily baby aspirin while on Clomid in a similar situation, but it's third hand info and probably not at all helpful. Is it normal to start Estrace after ovulation rather than before? Regardless, I hope it picks up for you this cycle and it's successful so that you don't need to start a new protocol.

[beckynsean11]

Feb 13, 2015 16:30:53 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Feb 13, 2015 16:21:18 GMT -5 beckynsean11 said:

I think 8.5 is considered on the low side for post-O thickness, ghostmonkey? My RE looks for closer to 9 minimum before trigger. From what I've read, once you experience this kind of s/e, it's not advised to continue taking Clomid so I would advocate moving to something else personally.

6 is minimum, 7+ is optimal, 8+ is preferred.

I would have never got the green light for trigger if I needed 9!

Good to know, thanks! 

[ghostmonkey]

Feb 13, 2015 16:32:12 GMT -5 anonymouseliza said:

I have a friend who did daily baby aspirin while on Clomid in a similar situation, but it's third hand info and probably not at all helpful. Is it normal to start Estrace after ovulation rather than before? Regardless, I hope it picks up for you this cycle and it's successful so that you don't need to start a new protocol.

I've seen protocols that do it both ways. To me it makes more sense to start it before, but that's me.

[URMySunshine77]

I don't have any experience with Clomid, but I hope that your lining thickens satisfactorily this cycle.

[icequeen]

Feb 13, 2015 16:32:12 GMT -5 anonymouseliza said:

I have a friend who did daily baby aspirin while on Clomid in a similar situation, but it's third hand info and probably not at all helpful. Is it normal to start Estrace after ovulation rather than before? Regardless, I hope it picks up for you this cycle and it's successful so that you don't need to start a new protocol.

My estrogen levels were good today via BW, so there isn't an immediate need for the Estrace right away. I think if it doesn't improve by Monday and I still haven't O'd, then I will have to start it then. But to answer your question, I was never instructed to take the Estrace before O.

[cateyes]

Feb 13, 2015 17:09:09 GMT -5 @bloodyjack87 said:

My RE recommended Femara for me. She said there were less side effects and in my situation (PCOS) it generally worked better. Also correct me if I'm wrong, but she didn't mention anything about a max number of cycles with the Femara.

Because femera does not have the side effects such as thinned lining, at this time there is no lifetime max. It is why many REs try femera first.