I've only been ttc-ing for six months (no kids yet) since my miscarriage last Fall, and seem to ovulate fine on my own, so the FSH is the main reason for Clomid at this point, though it's nice to know that it can at least improve chances of conception at the same time.

I'm 31 and, the cycle before last, got a high-ish FSH reading that put a red flag on my case that I may be suffering from POF or Premature Ovarian Failure. Though I pray this is not the case, I've been a nervous wreck since I seem to have some classic "asymptomatic" signs of possible POF: 1) Short follicular phase and early ovulation, 2) FSH just over the normal limit, but yet not in the "confirmed infertile" zone, 3) increased moodiness in general (not much different than most women who are having challenging ttc-ing, though). In other words, could be normal, might not be- they don't know yet. My problem with being put on Clomid- though I know it's necessary for the testing- is that some experts don't recommend it for women over 35. If I have an FSH reading that makes my ovaries more *like* that of a woman over 35, then I worry that I fall in the category of women who shouldn't be put on it. I've read that Clomid can actually EXPEDITE early ovarian failure in some women
("Take Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Wechler).
I hope not. I'm sort of in a bind and there are risks involved with either taking it or not taking it. If my FSH is high in response to the Clomid, it's better to know it sooner rather than later and it at least means I'll be getting faster treatment and sooner IVF than I would otherwise. Though I pray the FSH is normal.

So far, some of my symptoms on Clomid were "weird", some appear to be average. About 1/2 hour after taking the first dose of 100mg, I became high as a kite, spaced out, euphoric and, um, libidinous. I'd heard of women feeling *worse* on Clomid, but not actually *better*. That was strange, it felt like I'd downed two Valium, actually, and it's felt the same for all three days I've taken it so far. Then, during the day, I'm back to feeling normal-nervous again, so that's relative: I already feel crummy about the upcoming tests and couldn't feel much more moody than I do. I got no headaches, I had some cramps that didn't seem much worse than my normal period or ovulation cramps, but the big side effect was waking up a little sweaty at night. I had beads of perspiration on my upper lip and neck and the backs of my knees and felt "hot", though the room was cold.

At first I freaked out about that, since night sweats are a possible symptom of POF. But then I did some research and polled a bunch of ttc-ers on several sites about whether they ever sweat at night and learned a lot about night sweating in general. I learned that 1) normal women in every age group sometimes sweat a lot at night for no reason or from nerves (GOD, I wish the doctors would tell women that it CAN be normal when they ask ominous questions like "do you have night sweats?" instead of letting it be implied that perspiring at night ONLY means menopause). I learned that 2) doctors don't even ask women if they sweat at night *unless* they have a high FSH range or are in a menopausal age group, so that doctors may be under the impression that we women are so dainty that we never sweat unless something's "out of kilter". I learned that 3) hot flashes and night sweats are a side effect of post-traumatic stress or anxiety disorder- which is something I suffered from because of an assault (another thing I wished the doctors had mentioned when I told them I'd been attacked and treated for PTSD) And I learned that that 4) hot flashes on Clomid are pretty common- something my doctors didn't warn me about.

That's my Clomid side-effect adventure so far. I seem to be learning more about everything through the experience and I'm now awaiting IUI and an FSH test. One I'm looking forward to, the other I am NOT. +++ thoughts to all.
Ana S.

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Hello. Here is my Clomid experience.
I used to have normal periods when I was younger.
As I grew older, my periods became more irregular.
Therefore, because I wanted to have a baby, my doc put me on Clomid 50 mg.
This was over 5 years ago.

The only real side effect I had was a migraine on day 5,
which I don't normally get. The headache was incredible.
My daughter was conceived on this first cycle of Clomid.
She is now 5. I am now trying again for another baby
and having the same period problems.
I recently got done with the 1st cycle of Clomid (50 mg),
and I did not ovulate apparently. Again, on day 5, I had a migraine.
The doctor would like for me to start taking 100 mg of Clomid next cycle.
Needless to say, I'm scared and nervous.
If I had such a bad migraine on 50 mg of Clomid, then
I can only imagine what's going to happen on 100 mg.
Let's hope it works this time.

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EVIL CLOMID

My experience with Clomid was awful.

1st cycle @ 50mg, absolutely NOTHING happened--
I may as well have been eating TicTacs.
On the next round my doc tried 100mg
& all I got was hot flashes & nasty, migraine-like headaches.
After that she referred me to my RE, who tried the 100mg again
(same effects) & then she boosted me up to 150mg.
Not only did I have no positive reaction,
I was horribly depressed, angry and weepy.
Poor DH didn't know what to do with me...

I'm so glad that I'm on to injectibles now &
I hope I never see that awful Clomid again!
I know it works wonders for some,
but keep it away from me.

KathyMc

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This is my first month on Chlomid. I took 50mg of Chlomid from days 3-7.
During that time I experienced some hot flashes.
Once I finished the cycle of medication,
I experienced terrible mood swings.
I would either cry hysterically or scream because
something stupid made me angry. I felt like a raving maniac.
I also experienced dizziness spells, as almost I was going to faint.
Another symptom was I had some abdominal cramping on both the left
and the right side. Throughout this process,
my doctor kept a close eye on everything.
Right before I started my Chlomid, on day 2, I had an ultrasound
to measure the size of my ovaries. I went back on day 12 for a second
ultrasound. This again was to measure my ovaries and also to measure any
developing follicles. I had 2 follicles on one side and 1 on the other side.
I gave myself the HCG injection on day 12 (in the evening) to begin
ovulation. I went for an IUI on days 13 and 14. I just went for bloodwork
to test my progesterone level and it was 30.4. This means that ovulation
took place (they look for level of at least 10). It is now Sunday and I have
a few more days to go. On Wednesday, if I don't get my period, I go for a
pregnancy test. Both my husband and I are both nervous and excited.
Wish us luck!
MP

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Hi,

I have been on clomid about 8 months.
I noticed that I got more and more depressed,
but I thought it was just me being prone to
depression.
Recently it got so bad that
I cried for the most silly reasons,
like an ad on tv.
I also have bad nightmares
and feel just terribly depressed.

I dont know if the clomid is to blame,
I hope so,
because then
at least
I can understand why I feel this way...

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Clomid Comments Album #1

Share your experiences with Clomid.
Send me your Clomid Side Effects!
I'll post it right here!
Love
Momma Kath