[MamaAnna]

I'm going to be ready the next time we TTC! I'm going to get a new thermometer and once AF shows up I'm going to start temping again so I know what BF'ing is doing to my already not so great cycles. Then once we're ready to TTC I'm going straight to my new OB with my charts and requesting Clomid and maybe Metformin as well. I won't be caught off guard after a year of TTC again!

[Mommy2Dakota]

Hey! Just curious what your story is? Did you have cycle/ttc/breastfeeding issues when ttc your son? Not sure if you have read any of my posts but I was breastfeeding up until June this year (2009) and charting since Feb 2008 and my cycle has been variable in length and with a luteal phase defect. I held off thinking it was a result from nursing but as my cycle hasn't changed at all since stopping I think it must be something wrong with me all this time....?

Goodluck with the temping too. I've just had a terrible week with using OPKs which totally confused me (because I go two +'s but no ovulation until three days later) and I definitely think now that temping is much better and reliable.

I am back to the docs for my second bloods next week so am hoping I will get some form of treatment very soon - at least, in time for next cycle!

Do they give clomid for low progesterone/cycle defects even when you DO definitely ovulate each cycle?

[MamaAnna]

I didn't breastfeed my son and didn't start TTC until he was 1 so I'm not sure if there would've been trouble from that or not. I do have PCOS which is why I want to get a head start. My cycles varied in length and my O date jumped around a lot. I also had the problem that my O date varied within my positive OPKs which was so frustrating. I have polyfollicular ovaries and low estrogen though so even though I O'd each cycle the eggs just weren't developed properly, if I actually O'd at all. Hormonally it appeared that I did, but my OB doubted that anything was really happening. She put me on Clomid and we had our BFP after two cycles.

From what I've heard some doctors will use Clomid for progesterone/LP defects in hopes of bumping up O and getting the body to do what it needs to. Then the woman goes on a progesterone supplement during early pregnancy. You'll have to wait and see what your doctor wants to do for your particular case.

[~InHisHands~]

Anna, woo-hoo! GL!

Jo, yes some dr's will & do prescribe Clomid with a progesterone defect even when you are def Oing... that's me! I O fine but I have a progesterone defect & was put on Clomid which worked!!!

[Mommy2Dakota]

Hey MamaAnna, thanks for the reply! Sometimes I wonder if I have PCOS but I guess I am on the right road to know for sure now.

Originally Posted by MamaAnna

My cycles varied in length and my O date jumped around a lot. I also had the problem that my O date varied within my positive OPKs which was so frustrating. .

Sorry for my curiousity, but is a jumping around ov a sign of PCOS? And what do you mean about your O date and + OPKs? I started using OPKs in the hope of dropping temping but this last cycle just confused the hell out of me. The last two cycles I ovulated the day after a + OPK but this cycle got a + for two days in a row (sat and sun) but didn't ovulate until Tuesday! Is that what you mean't? About the gap between OPK and ovulation varying?

I'm going to just temp from now!

Hey Amanda: Thanks. I can't wait to be given Clomid or something! At least with ovulating later than a thought (grr OPK) I am recieving my 7dpo bloodtest on the right day (tuesday).
How long have you got to wait now? Another month? Do you take it just for a few days of your cycle? I think I read something like from CD5 to 10 or something?

[~InHisHands~]

I have once cycle after this one (& I'm almost at the end of this one) then we can try again with Clomid (so in Oct)! Most drs either have you take it CD 3-7 or 5-10 depending on what result they want... I've always heard that if you take it on days 3-7 usually it is to create MORE eggs & days 5-10 is to create a better quality SINGLE egg. I take mine days 2-6.

[MamaAnna]

Originally Posted by Mommy2Dakota

Hey MamaAnna, thanks for the reply! Sometimes I wonder if I have PCOS but I guess I am on the right road to know for sure now.



Sorry for my curiousity, but is a jumping around ov a sign of PCOS? And what do you mean about your O date and + OPKs? I started using OPKs in the hope of dropping temping but this last cycle just confused the hell out of me. The last two cycles I ovulated the day after a + OPK but this cycle got a + for two days in a row (sat and sun) but didn't ovulate until Tuesday! Is that what you mean't? About the gap between OPK and ovulation varying?

I'm going to just temp from now!

You're definitely on the right track if you have PCOS. For me it just took a scan and CD 3 blood work to confirm it. Nothing bad and nothing that took a long time for the results to come in.

A varying O date can be a sign of PCOS because it means your hormones aren't doing what they should be doing. That said, it can also be a sign of other causes for hormonal imbalance. Blood work will tell you a LOT.

I had a different OPK pattern each cycle it seemed like. Some cycles I would have 1 positive OPK and O that day. Then another I would have 4 days of positives, but O on the day of the 3rd positive. The OPKs were helpful in knowing when to BD though. Charting will confirm O for you, but it won't tell you that it's coming. My OB told me to temp and use OPKs while on Clomid to help increase our chances of hitting my fertile window and to confirm that I O'd and when. She even kept copies of all of my charts in my file for reference while she was running tests and eventually when she had me on Clomid. If they work for you I recommend buy a bunch of cheap OPKs online. That way they're individually wrapped so they don't expire in 30 days and depending on how your timing is using them one order can last months if not longer.

[Mommy2Dakota]

Originally Posted by ~InHisHands~

I have once cycle after this one (& I'm almost at the end of this one) then we can try again with Clomid (so in Oct)! Most drs either have you take it CD 3-7 or 5-10 depending on what result they want... I've always heard that if you take it on days 3-7 usually it is to create MORE eggs & days 5-10 is to create a better quality SINGLE egg. I take mine days 2-6.

Ah, I see, thanks! Its very helpful to know as it will help me take it all in when I get to discuss my blood results with the doc. Thats good you start your treatment Oct. We are going on holiday abroad then so I am hoping it may be our month too. Although saying that both times I got pregs (with my DD and with the miscarriage) were November so (before I miscarried) I joked tht that seems to be my fertile time of year! be funny if I catch again that month?

MamaAnna: Thanks your info too. Very helpful! I can understand about using OPK's and temps (which I have been doing) and that OPK's should give more pre-warning. Though with he stress of this cycle I think its better hubby and I bed every two days until temping confirms ovulation. Getting the + OPK and thinking it was all over before knowing it was really screwed with this month and added to stress.
Maybe I will use them again, but I think I'll give the next cycle a two a break from using them!

[MamaAnna]

That's certainly understandable. I took an OPK break at one point as well. As long as you BD every other day you'll have your window covered.