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Infertility

Clomid treatment on NHS

16 replies

j200 · 07/09/2013 16:51

Hi, I have PCOS and have been told that I will need Clomid treatment following a scan. I am going to see my GP on Tuesday and wondered how long it took people to actually get norhisterone and clomid on the NHS and if they were monitored when they took it?

I have already had blood tests, a transvaginal scan and my husband has a sperm test booked in x

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sharond101 · 07/09/2013 21:45

It's a postcode lottery with this and every area is widely different.

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Iwaswatchingthat · 07/09/2013 21:55

Was told to take metformin in the October, then got 3 tablets of chlomid in the March.

Got my BFP in the April!!! Then conceived dd2 all on our own.

Total time from visiting GP to holding my first baby was just over 3 years.

Good luck OP!

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Iwaswatchingthat · 07/09/2013 21:55

No monitoring

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woodwaj · 08/09/2013 09:55

I went to gp was referred to hospital and they gave it to me first appointment no monitoring though. Norethisterone has brought Af for me this morning I should start my clomid tomorrow!!

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j200 · 08/09/2013 11:06

Thanks ladies,

woodwaj good luck! Let me know how it goes :) Hoping I will get referred quickly too, although really strange how some people are being monitored whilst others not x

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hedgehog1975 · 08/09/2013 18:45

Once we had our tests the Clomid was prescribed straight away. I had 3 months at 50 and the doctor did blood tests after 2 of these. I'm about to start 5 months at 100 and there will be no monitoring....the consultant said there was no point as it would either work or it wouldn't Hmm and if it doesn't we will be referred for IVF in Jan anyway.

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AttilaTheMeerkat · 08/09/2013 19:37

You should be monitored whilst on clomid because you otherwise have no way of knowing whether its doing the job its supposed to (clomid's main job is to make the ovaries work harder).

Its quite powerful stuff and thus clomid should be given with a degree of caution to PCOS patients - clomid resistance is not unknown and it can affect LH hormone levels markedly. As many PCOSers have an excess of LH to start with this drug treatment is not actually suitable for all PCOS patients by any means.

Hedgehog - five months without monitoring is unacceptable end of. I would complain. Also why IVF afterwards; its too big a jump from clomid to IVF. Why was IVF suggested in any case - are there also male factor issues?.

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AttilaTheMeerkat · 08/09/2013 19:37

Clomid as well is usually only given for a maximum of 6 months after which time other treatments are usually tried.

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hedgehog1975 · 08/09/2013 20:01

We will be referred for IVF early next year as we will have been ttc for 3 years by then. I asked about monitoring and she said that it depends on the Trust and ours won't offer scans. Agree that it's not right I don't even get day 21 for this cycle, who would I complain to? I'd prefer to complain about the policy than our consultant, who is lovely. I was told to stop the tablets if I get side effects, but anyone in my position is going to be reluctant to do that. No male factor, just lowish Progesterone levels on my part. Thanks for your reply.

Sorry for slight hijack OP ;)

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woodwaj · 09/09/2013 07:24

Af stopped yesterday and arrived in full swing this morning. Ill start clomid tomorrow now!

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NooMyx · 10/09/2013 10:20

Recommendations are one thing - reality another. :( I'm on Clomid at the moment. I did make a fuss about not getting any monitoring, but have only been told it's just not how things are done around here. No scans or even blood tests, even though we're with a proper consultant in a large hospital. Angry

We've had other tx years before, but this time around I saw my GP in March, consultant (and tests) in May, and then had newest test results and a Clomid prescription at the start of August.

I'm seeing the consultant again in Dec if no BFP before that. I think if things haven't worked by then, I'll just have to make a bigger fuss over the lack of monitoring, or look into sneaking to have a private scan, if that's possible.

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marzipanned · 13/09/2013 21:20

Postcode lottery but for me... from DH's SA (since that's where you guys are) I believe it was one month before I started clomid.

Monitored with monthly scans and bloods, though I believe most people only get a scan the first month.

From first visiting GP to BFP was about a year, though obviously when I first visited I hadn't had the scan etc, so you are further along now than I was at that point. I also took a break between clomid cycles because I was getting a bit fed up with it.

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j200 · 13/09/2013 21:35

Thanks Marzipanned-how many cycles of clomid did it take you before BFP? Did you stay on 50mg? DH SA Tuesday and then gynae 7th oct so hoping I will get clomid then

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marzipanned · 13/09/2013 22:10

It took me 6 cycles. I was on 50mg for the first one and 100mg thereafter. My body was very awkward... at first I grew mature follicles but didn't ovulate, then I was given a jab to ovulate but still didn't, then I ovulated but had very short luteal phase... the first cycle I ovulated and took progesterone to lengthen my luteal phase, BFP! Now almost 20 weeks pregnant.
Fingers crossed you'll get it on the 7th, do push for good monitoring as well, if I hadn't been so closely monitored I never would have got the very specific treatment that I needed.

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petalsandstars · 21/09/2013 12:50

I had day 21 bloods and a scan on 1st 50mg dose, was told that follicles matured but no ovulation so was waiting for AF. which never arrived as I got my bfp that cycle. Turns out I had a 35 day cycle rather than 28 on clomid.

DD1 is 2 now.

Was a year from gp referral to her being born.

Also have DD2 3mo from taking leftover tablets myself with no monitoring.

Good luck

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maggiethemagpie · 30/09/2013 21:02

I had day 21 test on first cycle of trying, as ovulation sticks had not been positive. I had low progesterone and was given clomid there and then to take from my next cycle. I got pg on cycle 3 of clomid. I've no idea whether I had a single anovulatory month or a long term prob as it was only my first month of trying, and I realise it's unusual to be given clomid straight away like this but that's what happened to me.

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