Need help making next step decision

Hi ladies,

For those who don't know me, I'm 31 and have been TTC for going on 14 months. So far, all I've tried is 3 rounds of 50 mg Clomid and had an HSG (all clear). Never achieved a pregnancy. I'm trying to figure out my next step.

I had one doc say I should do a laprascopy. But I was feeling scared by that, so I got a second opinion and my current doc is setting me up to do IUI with Clomid and Ovidrel for a few rounds. I was on that boat and packed and ready to go, but now am having second thoughts...

Well, when my period came last night, it was SO PAINFUL it woke me out of a deep sleep. I'm realizing that, although that doesn't happen every cycle, it has happened about 5 times this year. And the first thing that brought me to the doc's office was spotting between periods, which happens constantly. Which makes me think, maybe endometriosis?

Any thoughts on what you'd do in my situation? Would you do the lap? I would do it, I just don't like to have surgeries when they're not absolutely necessary. Or would you try a few IUIs first? I'm going to get my doc's advice next month, but would like to hear your thoughts first.

Thanks.

[nina2249]

Don't be afraid to do a lap.. It is a great tool to use when trying to conceive especially when you have had a few irregular cycles. I now want this done as well. I've been trying for a year miscarried in DEC and I have been trying since then. I would be careful when doing to many cycles with clomid as it thins the uterus lining down and it can have adverse affects on the egg sticking to the wall .. My RE recommends between 3 and 4 cycles of the clomid before moving on to injectables.. I did one round of clomid ( as i chart and know i ovulate). I told the RE I didn't like the clomid I wanted something  to work faster lol. So I started Gonal-f  with IUI but two cycles of that and it didn't work either. But good luck and put your mind at ease do the lap

[Nia528]

If it was me (and I have) I would have the LAP done to rule out anything major before moving to IUI. If there is something there then the IUI might not work anyway. I have had a LAP and found nothing and also had 3 IUIs with Femara and they did not work. But knowing that there is nothing inside preventing a pregnancy is a relief to me. I am still unexplained infertile and my Doc is leaning towards it being something worng with my eggs or my mans sperm can't penetrate the egg. After 1 year of trying with no sucess my gyn done a Lap to look around and rule stuff out then we did clomid for 3mos then moved to IUIs with femara and still nothing. So just try to be patient and have the Lap it will ease your mind and maybe explain your sudden pain.

[hmaine]

Thanks, both of you. I am on the verge of starting another round of Clomid and now am thinking perhaps this will be my last try of that drug for a while. Think I will call my doc and shift my plans again, try a lap before IUI.

Nina, did your doc actually keep track of your uterine lining on Clomid? I've never had that looked at, so am curious. What do you plan to try next? I wish you much luck! This may sound silly or insensitive (I hope not), but sometimes I actually feel jealous of those who've miscarried, as at least they know their bodies can achieve step one.

Nia, are you leaning toward IVF next? I'm sorry to hear they think it's something to do with egg or sperm- are their tests they can do to assess that?

[usuk]

like nina, i had 3 tries with clomid. 2 ended in MC. one was no luck. so after that i went on to injectables. when you get u/s for the size of follicles, they can measure your lining at the same time. maybe they are doing it but not telling you. good luck.

[nina2249]

Yea they kept track on the clomid the one time. it was a 14  all three times which they say was good. But again i read up on clomid and its affects and I didn't want to go that route. So i said lets go to the injectables he said fine.. So two rounds of that  + IUI and no success . Im not sure what I want to do next he says I should go IVF  as I have great great eggs and I do well when stimulated  but its expensive with no guarantees.(scares me.)

[GiGiGiGi]

Hi there.  Even though I thought I was completely fine, and even though the thought of having surgery made me ill, I decided to proceed with the laparoscopy.  My Re had be bugging me to do it for a while but I thought he was just "procedure happy" and wanted my money.  

I finally caved and had the Lap and it turns out that I did have something wrong with me.  One of my ovaries had adhesions which were easily removed.  As much as I hated the idea of having a general anaesthetic, I'm really glad I had the operation.

BTW - I tried Clomid for one cycle and it thinned my lining making implantation impossible.  This month I am on Femara.  My lining is fine this time around so I am keeping my fingers crossed.  It's nice to know that there is nothing really wrong with me.  Knowing the effect that Clomid can have on the uterine lining, I am very surprised at the number of doctors who prescribe it to patients and then dont monitor the uterine lining and number of mature follicles produced!

My advice is to do the Lap.  It is a Win-Win situation.  On one hand you may find out that there is nothing wrong with you (which is good) and on the other hand if there is something wrong, they can diagnose it and fix it (which is also good)

Good luck!