I'm hoping you ladies can shed some light

...on a few questions that I have.

I have been seeing a reproductive endocrinologist for several months now and have discussed my infertility. We have discussed future treatment. He says that soon we should start with Clomid and if that fails then we can try other things before resorting to IVF.

I would like to skip Clomid because of some studies that I've read. I don't want to take it, I really just want to go straight to IVF.

In your experience with your own doctor, did they require you to try procedure a before b before c or make a recommendation and let you choose from all the options?

I'm wondering if it's just my doctor who insists on a treatment that I am against. I am considering getting a second opinion.

Thank you in advance for sharing your experiences.

Re: I'm hoping you ladies can shed some light

What has your dr diagnosed you as having? Why don't you want to start with clomid? Depending on your diagnosis, clomid may be more than enough for your body to jump start and make the follicle(s) needed. I know plenty of people who clomid has been enough (along w/ timed intercourse) who have gone on to have beautiful children.
I recall that clomid gave me headaches and hot flashes, and I was on it for 3 months- my dr started me at 50, then 100, then 150 before moving me onto injectables and IUI. The side effects were certainly tolerable, even though they were annoying.
Because I have PCOS and my body responded by going nuts on gonal f for my 2nd IUI, my dr wouldn't trigger me b/c he said I had over 25 mature follicles which was perfect for IVF but very dangerous for IUI- so my whole cycle was a waste. At that point he told me it was IVF or nothing, and I had to switch RE's because he wasn't the best candidate for IVF as at the time he was sharing another practice's lab and not doing the procedures himself anyway.
Hope this helps. I will say that I've been to several RE's/drs over the years and they've all been on the same page as far as the ladder of treatment goes. Good luck to you.

Message edited 11/3/2009 12:54:27 AM.

Re: I'm hoping you ladies can shed some light

Posted by MrsMessina

What has your dr diagnosed you as having? Why don't you want to start with clomid? Depending on your diagnosis, clomid may be more than enough for your body to jump start and make the follicle(s) needed. I know plenty of people who clomid has been enough (along w/ timed intercourse) who have gone on to have beautiful children.
I recall that clomid gave me headaches and hot flashes, and I was on it for 3 months- my dr started me at 50, then 100, then 150 before moving me onto injectables and IUI. The side effects were certainly tolerable, even though they were annoying.
Because I have PCOS and my body responded by going nuts on gonal f for my 2nd IUI, my dr wouldn't trigger me b/c he said I had over 25 mature follicles which was perfect for IVF but very dangerous for IUI- so my whole cycle was a waste. At that point he told me it was IVF or nothing, and I had to switch RE's because he wasn't the best candidate for IVF as at the time he was sharing another practice's lab and not doing the procedures himself anyway.
Hope this helps. I will say that I've been to several RE's/drs over the years and they've all been on the same page as far as the ladder of treatment goes. Good luck to you.

Re: I'm hoping you ladies can shed some light

I think clmoid is recommended to start with because its cheap, easy (no injections) and works for a lot of people. Why not try a clomid cycle while preparing for IVF? You will need time to prepare for IVF anyway (injection training, mock transfer, etc).