New here, and some questions

I've been lurking and posting on TTC for about 18 months now. Here is my story: DH and I had a baby 2 years ago in April with no trouble or complications of any kind. We began TTC again in about November of 2006. I'm 38, so when we didn't get the BFP by April I went to my OB and started on Clomid. I took it almost every month until Sept when I finally went to see an RE. He had me do Clomid+IUI in Oct and I finally got the BFP, but then had a m/c in Dec. We've been trying again since Feb with no luck. I've been doing the Clomid+IUI since March and just got AF again for the 3rd time. So I went to the RE yesterday for my CD3 blood & sono and they told me that we need to come up with a new plan for me. She said that I should forget this month and schedule another consult to devise this new strategy. She said that I have to consider injectable meds or IVF. My problem is that my insurance doesn't cover ANYTHING and we can not afford either of those options. She told me that they have a grant, and some studies they are working on that I may qualify for to help with the costs. I have to call the business office on Mon to ask about the grant, and my consult is with the Dr. who handles all of the studies so we'll see about that.

So, here are my questions:

1) Should I do as the Dr. said and forget this month? Or do you think I should just take the Clomid as usual (I have a refill at the pharmacy) and BD every day around O time and hope for the best?

2) Is 3 failed IUIs sufficient to say that it isn't going to work and I need to go on to more invasive measures, even though the first time I did the IUI it worked, but ended in m/c?

3) Anybody who has any experience with the grants, do you know if it is income based, and if so what the income level is?

4) I think I've taken a total of 8 cycles of Clomid. Is it worth it to continue trying with it? Or is it time to move on to something else? I usually get 2-3 mature follicles with my current dose.

Any help/advice you can offer is greatly appreciated.

TIA

Re: New here, and some questions

First off...probably one of the main reasons you are being taken off Clomid is because it thins your lining the longer you take it. This means that after eight cycles your lining which is preferably at around 10 for implantation ends up being around 4. It can result in a higher rate of miscarriage or complications. Even though there was a break when you got PG, it causes long term problems. Supposedly, extended use of Clomid can raise the risk of birth defects also, although I don't know if this is proven.
Moving onto injectables will help you to have a thicker lining and make better quality eggs.

I wouldn't take Clomid without a Drs. supervision.

Almost every RE will change up the protocol a bit if they don't see results in three cycles...they are trying to get you pregnant. Also, because you did Clomid and miscarried raises your risk of miscarrying again. Although the RE wants to get you PG, he/she wants you to have a healthy baby...getting pregnant is only part of the battle.

As far as the grant, do a search on this board...there is a lot of info on the grants. I'm not sure of the details as I have never applied for one.

Good luck!

Re: New here, and some questions

I think Gerty answered your questions without much more that I can really add. Like you, we also conceived our first child naturally only to discover that happening was such a small percentage. Clomid did not help me, our DD was a product of almost a year and a half of INF treatments, a very successful IUI with injectibles. I did not produce more follices with the injectibles than I did with clomid but it still worked.

Lots of luck!

Re: New here, and some questions

I would say it's time to move on to a new plan of either injections with IUI or IVF. 8 cycles of Clomid is enough IMO.

Re: New here, and some questions

Thanks for your answers. I guess I'll just wait this month out and see what the doc says on the 15th. I just hate to wait at all, since I'm going to be 39 in July. Hopefully we can get going right away with the next step.

Re: New here, and some questions

I agree with everything that's been said. I think it's time for a new plan of action. If your goal is to get pregnant, changing doctors is not going to help you all that much. I agree that maybe the clomid just isn't right for you and it's time to move on to something else.