TTCers Unite! ~a place to chat~

[nursejess]

Hi everyone!


Well, DH and I are thinking about TTC. It was confirmed yesterday that I am perimenopausal, so we don't have a lot of time. To make things worse, I also have PCOS (get to start taking metformin soon if that blood work comes back okay). Our GYN mentioned Clomid yesterday, but I'm still not sure if I want to take it since it has so many complications. And I've read on other boards that some health insurance companies can deny you coverage after taking it. Has anyone else heard of this?

Anyway, I have been charting CM and CP (but not BBT because of my job) since the beginning of the year. I use MyMonthlyCycles.com like TigerCub. I think it's easier and more "user-friendly" that FF.

What complications have you heard Clomid has? And why would a health insurance company deny you coverage? Doesn't make sense

 

[tigercub]

Pegasus- I find it easier than FF, and more accurate. Fertile today eh? Off you go then

PerkyCurlz- Fingers crossed!

 

[Catholic Wife]

What complications have you heard Clomid has? And why would a health insurance company deny you coverage? Doesn't make sense

The more I've read about Clomid, the more certain I am that it isn't for me.

The side effects that worry me most are:
~ mood swings (my DH says I'm bad enough as it is)
~ hot flashes (already have those!)
~ 5-10% increase in chance of multiple birth (already have an increased chance of this due to my age)
~ potential for cervical and ovarian cancer (I have a family history of this)
~ fertile mucous that is "hostile" to sperm (the swimmers can't get to where they need to be)
~ thinning of the uterine lining (can prevent implantation)
~ blurred vision (my job involves a lot of driving)

Insurance coverage and insurability are things people should look into and be aware of before taking Clomid. Because it's classified as a "fertility treatment", some companies won't cover the cost of Clomid. Also, because Clomid can cause cancer and multiple births, those who don't have group health insurance coverage (i.e. those who are self-employed or don't have coverage through work) or who are getting new health insurance can be denied coverage if they have ever taken Clomid (the "pre-existing condition" clause).

 

[Beth1231]

Well....I went to an interview last night to be a pre-school teacher. If I get hired, that means I could be a working home and be home with baby by 1PM. A dream job, really. The irony of this is, Hubby and I just pushed off TTC one more month. I just don't think I can handle the stress and intense hoping for two things at the same time and he's willing to wait another month. So...I'll be back soon

 

[tigercub]

Well....I went to an interview last night to be a pre-school teacher. If I get hired, that means I could be a working home and be home with baby by 1PM. A dream job, really. The irony of this is, Hubby and I just pushed off TTC one more month. I just don't think I can handle the stress and intense hoping for two things at the same time and he's willing to wait another month. So...I'll be back soon

You could stick around anyway

 

[SweetBella]

*Update*

I haven't had a period since April... no surprise... because I never get a period... also, a couple of weeks ago I got disagnosed with PCOS.... well, the doctor put me on some meds and I started my period yesterday........... that is great news for me!!!

 

[tigercub]

*Update*

I haven't had a period since April... no surprise... because I never get a period... also, a couple of weeks ago I got disagnosed with PCOS.... well, the doctor put me on some meds and I started my period yesterday........... that is great news for me!!!

 

[DivineFiliation]

Hi everyone!


Well, DH and I are thinking about TTC. It was confirmed yesterday that I am perimenopausal, so we don't have a lot of time. To make things worse, I also have PCOS (get to start taking metformin soon if that blood work comes back okay). Our GYN mentioned Clomid yesterday, but I'm still not sure if I want to take it since it has so many complications. And I've read on other boards that some health insurance companies can deny you coverage after taking it. Has anyone else heard of this?

Anyway, I have been charting CM and CP (but not BBT because of my job) since the beginning of the year. I use MyMonthlyCycles.com like TigerCub. I think it's easier and more "user-friendly" that FF.

Hello. I'm on Clomid as well. My insurance doesn't deny my coverage and actually assists in paying for the prescription. I also have PCOS, so fwiw, welcome aboard

Good luck. Should you have any questions don't be afraid to post here or pm me. Also, I am a regular on http://www.pcosupport.org/forums/index.php. you will find much insight there.

 

[DivineFiliation]

*Update*

I haven't had a period since April... no surprise... because I never get a period... also, a couple of weeks ago I got disagnosed with PCOS.... well, the doctor put me on some meds and I started my period yesterday........... that is great news for me!!!

It is great to celebrate small victories... especially when you have PCOS. So glad AF came for you!

 

[Flipper]

The more I've read about Clomid, the more certain I am that it isn't for me.

The side effects that worry me most are:
~ mood swings (my DH says I'm bad enough as it is)
~ hot flashes (already have those!)
~ 5-10% increase in chance of multiple birth (already have an increased chance of this due to my age)
~ potential for cervical and ovarian cancer (I have a family history of this)
~ fertile mucous that is "hostile" to sperm (the swimmers can't get to where they need to be)
~ thinning of the uterine lining (can prevent implantation)
~ blurred vision (my job involves a lot of driving)

Insurance coverage and insurability are things people should look into and be aware of before taking Clomid. Because it's classified as a "fertility treatment", some companies won't cover the cost of Clomid. Also, because Clomid can cause cancer and multiple births, those who don't have group health insurance coverage (i.e. those who are self-employed or don't have coverage through work) or who are getting new health insurance can be denied coverage if they have ever taken Clomid (the "pre-existing condition" clause).

My insurance will also cover Clomid - and I've never heard of taking it being considered a pre-existing condition - that doesn't make any sense. I checked my insurance and that's not the case - while I am on a group plan, it's not a typical plan - the employer is self-insured on certain aspects of it. Now, it is covering the drug at the name brand not-on-the-list price, but it will cover at least some of it.

My doctor told me that you shouldn't take it more than 6 months at a time - after 6 months are when the side effects show up and when there is a cancer risk. If the doctor is smart, he/she has the husband tested first (this is how we found out about my husband BTW - My periods straightened out since then and I'm not taking Clomid at this time, but am open to it in the future). He told me the chances of having twins are 15% and tripletts 3%. Like I said in the other thread, twins can't be easier than one in the beginning especially - but I try to look at it as a 2-for-1 blessing and I can be finished with this conceiving stuff.

As far as the risk of twins in older births - I do have one friend who had twins at 36. However, I can think of 10 other mothers without thinking too hard, who had babies after age 36, my mom included, and including women in their 40s, some with Clomid, some without, and they were all single births. If I think about it a while longer, I can think of even more. Do they run in your family?

 

[Flipper]

*Update*

I haven't had a period since April... no surprise... because I never get a period... also, a couple of weeks ago I got disagnosed with PCOS.... well, the doctor put me on some meds and I started my period yesterday........... that is great news for me!!!

 

[DivineFiliation]

My doctor told me that you shouldn't take it more than 6 months at a time - after 6 months are when the side effects show up and when there is a cancer risk. If the doctor is smart, he/she has the husband tested first (this is how we found out about my husband BTW - My periods straightened out since then and I'm not taking Clomid at this time, but am open to it in the future). He told me the chances of having twins are 15% and tripletts 3%. Like I said in the other thread, twins can't be easier than one in the beginning especially - but I try to look at it as a 2-for-1 blessing and I can be finished with this conceiving stuff.

This concerns me as well. I've asked both my doctor and one of his cohorts about this... I've been on Clomid since last October. My only confirmed ovulation was last cycle. I've been on 50mg. Anyway, they both dismiss the cancer discussions saying that there is a lot of additional studies disagreeing with the cancer studies. However, all the talk about it is making me want to consider injections (Follistum). I will not be doing IVF or IUI so I know docs like to only do injections if you are doing the heavy fertility approaches but I am not.

 

[tigercub]

This concerns me as well. I've asked both my doctor and one of his cohorts about this... I've been on Clomid since last October. My only confirmed ovulation was last cycle. I've been on 50mg. Anyway, they both dismiss the cancer discussions saying that there is a lot of additional studies disagreeing with the cancer studies. However, all the talk about it is making me want to consider injections (Follistum). I will not be doing IVF or IUI so I know docs like to only do injections if you are doing the heavy fertility approaches but I am not.

These days it seems everything causes cancer....

on the flip side- actually bearing child/ren decreases your chances of developing (cervical?) cancer...

 

[Flipper]

This concerns me as well. I've asked both my doctor and one of his cohorts about this... I've been on Clomid since last October. My only confirmed ovulation was last cycle. I've been on 50mg. Anyway, they both dismiss the cancer discussions saying that there is a lot of additional studies disagreeing with the cancer studies. However, all the talk about it is making me want to consider injections (Follistum). I will not be doing IVF or IUI so I know docs like to only do injections if you are doing the heavy fertility approaches but I am not.

You might want to get a second opinion from a different doctor in a different practice. It's been about 2 years since he talked to me about Clomid, maybe the studies have changed since then.

I just now decided to look it up. Here's a link to the Medline info: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202151.html

BTW, I use Medline at work all the time - it's great to get laymen's information on all drugs. It also has an excellent medical dictionary and encyclopedia. It's also unbiased - unlike the PDF.

According to it, you are on a low dose. If it was a known carcinogen, there would be a big box at the top showing the warning. It looks like if you work closely with your doctor while on it, you should be ok.

I have access to the part of Medline where I can get journal articles showing what testing has been done - but that's a pay site. Sorry.

 

[Beth1231]

I got the job; I'm officially a pre-school teacher!
Hubby is starting a new business (in addition to his job) and I'm starting school in two weeks soooo....we both want to be a tad less stressed before we TTC. It's weird that it doesn't bug me to wait another month. I guess I am content as long as I have a date in mind.

 

[Katakalupto]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PegasusOnFire]

way to go, congrates, I pray that you have great students.

 

[Flipper]

Tomorrow is the end of my TWW, so I'm going to do the test.

I feel like I'm going to start any time now, though. Everyone keeps telling me that can also be a sign of pregnancy. I am at day 35 - but I started at day 34 last month.

I just pray that I either start before tomorrow, or I'm pregnant. I can deal with either of those - I don't like the being in limbo.

 

[PegasusOnFire]

I know the feeling. That is what happened to me last month, my period started on day 31 and I always start on 28.

 

[SweetBella]

Hello. I'm on Clomid as well. My insurance doesn't deny my coverage and actually assists in paying for the prescription. I also have PCOS, so fwiw, welcome aboard

Good luck. Should you have any questions don't be afraid to post here or pm me. Also, I am a regular on http://www.pcosupport.org/forums/index.php. you will find much insight there.

i just got disagnosed with it and don't know much.. just the basics, thanks for the link!