on infertility overload

Ok, so i know about clomid and i've realized that's about it (oh yeah prometrium also) and since i've been coming on here for the past few days i see so many women also taking clomid but being tracked through lab work, getting injections, monitoring certain LH levels, etc. and all my doctor told me was basically here's these five pills take the first one on your 5th day of menses and go at for two weeks after you take the last pill-then give me a call. Didn't say i had to take ovulation kits, or comeback for labwork. He is a good doctor and is willing to help me which is a blessing cause alot of doctors won't take on patients that are overweight trying to get pregnant. I feel almost like maybe he's not doing enough or he's just taking it slow to see what works without pumping me full of all the strong stuff and ending up like octo-mom! lol!Does any one have any thoughts? Or is it maybe some of the women are going through actual fertility clinics whereas i'm just going to my gynocologist? I also see so many abbreviations for some many different things i don't know what's going on with half the people on here! Guess i'm feelin kinda left out and in the dark. I know when i go back to see him i'm going to have a million and one questions! Thanks for listening or I should say reading!

[dnikki0928]

Most women on here are going to Reproductive Endocrinologists (RE's) which are fertlilty doctors. As for the ovulation kits, it helps better to predict when you are ovulating or about to so you don't need to be doing the deed for 2wks straight lol. It will further help determine if you are ovulating or ovulating late. As for further monitoring, they want to make sure our ovaries aren't getting over stimuated and such and with extra meds such as trigger shot and all are to help that follie(s) grow a little bit more and release soon. But one thing you can do on your own is the ovulation kits. If you want more of a high tech one (I bought it and LOVED IT!) is the Clear Blue Easy Fertility monitor. Yes, it's a little pricey, but the best priced one I found was on earlypregnancytests.com I believe. Hope this helps a little and if you have any questions feel free to ask me or message me!! Good Luck!!!!

[Kricket212]

I like you started out with the clomid.  As dnikki0928 stated most of us are going to reproductive doctors who monitor us almost daily.  It is rather inconvenient to be  late all the time to work but hoping for a positive outcome.  Good Luck to you & hang in there....this could work for you.

[hmaine]

Hi, I live in a place where I'd have to drive over an hour to see an RE so I am being treated by my gyn. He was doing exactly the same thing yours is- just gave me the pills and said to call if it didn't work. I was using ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) anyway and had gotten bloodwork done prior to show that I was ovulating.. but I never got follicles monitored or any of that good stuff.

I think that when you're first starting, that's just how gyns roll. Because I didn't get preggo on 50 mg Clomid, my doc now wants me to try injectibles & higher dose Clomid with IUI. Hopefully, you won't need that. The only thing that worried me about not being monitored was it having a bad effect on the ovaries, but dangerous adverse reactions are very rare from what I hear. Still, makes sense to look out for if you have bad pain, fever, etc. Good luck!

[mzwannabeprego]

Thanks to everyone who responded it actually helps to shed a little light on the subject and i'm glad to find that i'm not the only whose doctor was just kinda like here ya go and do your own thing. I'm hoping i won't have to do a lot of monitoring later on it just kinda felt like if everyone else is i wonder how come not me but it makes since if you're going to a fertility doctor and not just a gyno. To dnikki0928....on that Clear Blue Easy fertility monitor, do you still have to use urine samples? I just remember awhile ago  when i had tried OPK's that they just didn't seem reliable especially when they would give me a postitive for almost like a week straight (considering my doctor says i don't ovulate on my own), and i always had a hard time tryin to see if lines were the same color or if one was lighter, it made me stress more than anything. Once again thanks to everyone!

[dnikki0928]

Yes you still use the urine samples. You basically pee on the stick like you would a p/g test. There are no lines to read on these and they are much more sensitive to your hormone levels than a regular OPK. You pee on the stick when the monitor tells you to, then you stick the stick in the monitor and wait for your result. It will give you a low, med or peak indicator sign. Low and med are measured in bars and when you get your peak (it will be for about 2days) there is an egg symbol lol. Much easier. If you do get it, you should get a 30day supply of sticks with your purchase (usually you use about 10sticks per cycle).  If you run out of sticks, check e-bay to see if they are cheaper than what you find anywhere else (still sealed in the box never opened lol.). Good Luck!