Starting CLOMID...Why on different Cycle Days?

[mamamia40]

Ok, so I just got my Rx for CLOMID yesterday, and I am supposed to start it on CD5 (Sunday). I have noticed some of you ladies who have taken Clomid have started them on different days, like some take it CD2-CD7, some take it CD5-CD9 and a few other different cycle days. I was just wondering if anyone knows the reasons why some start on different days?? Does it matter what day you start? Just curious, thanks for any answers!

[mamamia40]

Thank you for all your tips! It really does help to have women going through the same things, and can share their experiences so we can all learn things. I am going to try the guaifenesin and hope for the best! My temps are all wacky (probably from the clomid) so I am going to take adgals advice and not rely on it too much and wait til a few days after I'm finished with the pills to see if they stabilize. I have one more pill to take tonight, and I'm just starting to have some side effects, like headache, a few hot flashes.. Hope thats a good sign! Good luck to you this time around with clomid! SSBD!

[adgal]

I agree with everything you said as I too notice a big difference in CM with the Robitussin.  It helps even if you are not on clomid.

I do want to point out one small thing in your comments though, and that is the use of lubricants like pre seed.  It does not actually aid in conception, but rather is one of the only lubricants that can be used to not interfere with conception. Even lubricants containing no spermicide can interfere.  Sorry, I just felt this an important distinction to make as it is often confused.

I had many side effects on clomid, but unfortunately it didn't work for me.  In about 30% of women, clomid will actually have the opposite effect and work against you.  I was in that 30%, and wound up conceiving without it.  

[bevfly]

Forgot to mention if you have side effects on clomid then it means its working and doing what its supposed to do.The more side effects you have then the more good clomid will be.Bev xx

[bevfly]

Hi guys just wanted to share this with you all.Clomid does dry up CM so if you take robitussin chesty cough syrup(only ingredient should be GUAIFENESIN) take i spoonful morning and night along with a daily glass of regular grapefruit juice.You only start to take them as soon as your last clomid pill was taken then stop as soon as you ovulate.I have done all this the past 3 months and it has made a huge difference,i didnt notice my CM ever before but now its showing in abundance.I also take CONCIEVE PLUS its a lubricant the same as preseed and is on sale in the uk.It helps the sperm to travel and provides a better conditions apparently.I am currently on 3rd round of clomid.Another usefull tip ladies is after BD try and stay with legs up for at least 30-45 mins as this is how long it takes for sperm to get to your fallopian tube.If we can all help each other and share tips then thats a good thing for us all.Thanks ladies SSBD bev xx

[mamamia40]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your wisdom and insight. I usually use OPK's, but I didn't think I would need to start this early. I took one today just to see where it is, and it looks medium darkness, not real light, not real dark. I know the clomid must be wreaking havoc like you said, but I also tried vitex my last cycle and it really changed my cycle a lot. I went from an average 25-26 day cycle with ovulation being between CD9 - CD11, then after taking vitex I ovulated on CD15 which lengthened my cycle to 29 days. I wonder if the vitex from last cycle is still wreaking havoc too? Now clomid on top of it just made things worse? I dunno, I'm really confused but I am going to finish taking the last 2 clomid pills and see what happens. I'm hoping the temp spike was a fluke and things normalize soon. If by some strange chance I actually ovulated yesterday then I guess I will expect AF in 14 days and try with Round 2 of Clomid! Thank you again for your help!
~Christine

[adgal]

I wouldn't put to much stock in the temp rise right now.  Keep in mind that the clomid is wreaking havoc with those hormones, and although I didn't temp, I have heard many women say clomid altered things a bit.  Typcially it will make you O later, not sooner, and will lengthen your whole cycle. When I was on it I went from a positive OPK on cd 11 or 12 to cd 15 or 16, and my cycles went from 28 to 32 days.  This is pretty typical.  Are you using an OPK?  You might find that a bit more reliable at least until you get a new baseline.  

[mamamia40]

Adgal, thank you very much for your reply. I did find the walgreens version called "wall-tussin" that has just the guaifenesen, so I ended up buying that one. HOWEVER, I woke up this morning to a temp rise that could mean I ovulated yesterday, so I guess I may not need it this cycle! I don't know if it was a fluke temp (although I am very diligent with taking my temps, same time, same amount of sleep etc) but the last few days have been in the 100's here, so maybe that could be it. We'll see what my temps do the next couple days. I only had one other cycle where my temps did crazy jumps, and that cycle I ovulated on CD8. I still think CD6 is waaaaay too early for ovulation...I haven't even finished taking all my clomid pills yet!

[adgal]

Hmm, not sure about the children's robitussin.  I am sure another brand is fine though, as long as it only has the one active ingredient.  Check out this link, maybe it will be helpful?

http://www.babyhopes.com/articles/robitussin.html

Good luck, hope it works for you.  I am going to use it next cycle as well even though I am not on clomid.  When I used it before I was amazed at the increase in CM.  It really helped a great deal.

[mamamia40]

Oh, sorry one more thing, is the childrens robitussin grape flavor ok to use or does it have to be adult robitussin? Thanks.

[mamamia40]

I need help... I see all kinds of robitussin with DM, CF etc, but no regular robitussin with only the one active ingredient guiff... U know what I mean. I did see mucinex in caplet form thats has just that one active ingredient, are these ok or does it have to be robitussin liquid? Ill keep looking but so far no luck and I dont want to buy the wrong stuff. Any help would be gteatly appreciated! Thanks!

[mamamia40]

adgal, thanks, that helps alot, and I will go get some robitussin and use both! Thank you so much.

Futuremama, Lol! Darn, I eat raspberries all the time, but I will try the tea!! Thanks so much, and I will take a look at the website. I sooo appreciate all of your helpful tips and insight!

~Christine

[Futuremama2010]

No, I am afraid eating raspberries doesn't give the same effect.  It's a good antioxidant tho! LOL!

I drink 1-2 cups a day.  As I have given up caffeine, except maybe a cup of tea during the weekend (its tougher to give up during the 2 ww), I just drink raspberry leaf tea and berries tea, green tea etc, the latter being rich in antioxidants.

Found these good links for you:

http://www.pregnancy-health-center.com/red-raspberry-leaf-tea.html

http://*****************/question/index?qid=20070925140123AAkmBYk

I would stop when you get pregnant tho but it's good for last trimester, when you are ready to have the baby.

It's also very good for circulation.  My acupuncturist also taught me a good trick, which is to soak your feet in warm water at least 1 hr before you sleep.

Also keep your back, stomach and feet warm during the 2ww.

[adgal]

If I were to take clomid again, I would use the robitussin again.  Pre seed is great (I use it too), but there are many misconceptions about it.  It does not actually help increase fertility.  It's simply a lubricant that mimics EWCM so that it does not interfer with conception like other lubricants do.  So it won't actually aid in conception, it just won't assist in preventing it.  Hope that made sense...it's early here..lol

[mamamia40]

Futuremama, thank you. As for the Raspberry leaf tea, how much and when do you take it? and do you take it everyday or just until ovulation? Does eating fresh raspberries do the same thing? Thanks for the tip!

Adgal, Thank you for that info, that was one of the things I was worried about. I will definitley increase water intake and eliminate caffeine. I have been using PreSeed to help with lack of EWCM, do you think that is enough? I haven't tried the robitussin yet, should I add that as well?

Thank you ladies so much for all your help and advice. It really helps knowing you all are here to help.

I read somewhere that taking the Clomid the night of, instead of during the day may help alleviate any side effects, so I started it on the night of CD4, so I have taken 2 pills so far, and I'm happy to say that after the first one I only had very mild hot flashes for about 10 minutes, then went away. So far I have not had any other side effects whatsoever. I really hope this works, and thank you again for all the good luck wishes!
~Christine

[adgal]

I do have a little tip for you that I learned when I was on clomid.  One of the possible side effects is a decrease of fertile cervical mucus.  In order to help that, as you get close to O time, dramatically increase your water intake and eliminate or decrease anything dehydrating (caffeine, alcohol, etc.)  And try taking robitussin (make sure you research this as there is a very specific type to take, I can find you a link if you like).  It really increased fertile mucus.  Lack of it can be a problem to begin with in us "over 40ers', and when you add clomid it can become more of a problem.  Just thought of that...extra good luck again!!

[Futuremama2010]

I think bevfly is right. When I was on Clomid, I think I was put on day 5 as my cycle varies between 29-32 days.

When you ovulate doesn't affect the quality of the eggs.  What matters is the environment for the eggs, at least thats what my acupuncturist told me, and for the lining to be healthy. Raspberry left tea is meant to strengthen and tone the uterus lining.

I am so excited for you!  Please keep us posted...

Sending SSBD to you!
Sofia

[mamamia40]

Thanks bevfly, I too seem to ovulate on my own, cycles range from 22-26 days (except for last cycle while taking vitex it was 29), and my luteal phase is 14-16 days, so my issues are with early ovulation. I think I ovulated on CD8 once, and the average was CD9-CD11, but my last cycle was CD15, I think because I tried Vitex. I got mixed advice with the vitex, some gals said it was good to regulate hormones, another told me I didn't need it and it messed up my cycle. I don't really know, but I can't imagine ovulating as early as CD8 or CD9 can be healthy eggs. Don't think thats enough time to mature properly, so hopefully the Clomid will help lengthen the maturation time so I can get a healthy egg out! Thank you for your help! I really appreciate it!
~Christine

[bevfly]

Hi hun,yes i think its upto your own doctor,as we all have different issues for being on it in the first place.Think your cycle length might be taken into considering especially like ADGAL mentioned because it helps the luteal phase.I take it days 2-6 and ovulate on my own with a regular 28 day cycle.Hope i was helpful SSBD xx

[mamamia40]

Thank you! Makes a lot of sense.. I appreciate your reply.

[adgal]

In all honesty it seems to be Dr. preference.  The other issue can be that some women develop a shortened lutal phase which makes implantation difficult.  When that is the case, some Dr.s will prescribe CD 5-9 to help increase the time and also to give those follies more time to mature.