Clomid
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)
Forum Name: Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)
Forum Description: Trying to get pregnant? Going through fertility treatment? Just planning your first or second child? There are many people out there in the same boat to help and listen and share with
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36401
Printed Date: 25 August 2025 at 7:20am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Clomid
Posted By: MissMel
Subject: Clomid
Date Posted: 25 October 2010 at 7:15pm
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Hi all
I'm new to all this. Came off the pill in Jan 2010 after being on the pill for about 7 years. Am 29. Have irregular periods. At the moment my last cycle was over 70 days ago. Am doing the temperature charting and it's up and down and really no pattern. Dr doesn't seem to be helpful, says you have to wait 2 years for help. Is this true? Have been tested for PCOS but have not got it. My mum had difficulty conceiving back in her day and way on clomid. She had the same problem with irregular cycles I am wondering if you can get Clomid through your dr or if you have to go through a gyne. ? How long do you have to have been trying before the dr will prescribe. Any help would be appreciated, thanks |
Replies:
Posted By: _H_
Date Posted: 25 October 2010 at 8:05pm
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Dont know about clomid but you dont have to wait 2 years its only 1 year.
Good luck  ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: MissMel
Date Posted: 25 October 2010 at 8:28pm
| Thank you, that's good to know. Maybe I need a new doc .. |
Posted By: jem
Date Posted: 25 October 2010 at 8:28pm
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To be refered on to Fertility Associates like i was you need to have been trying 6 months. Some Doc's are mean and make you wait and wait but if you have a prob its best to just get there quick. Try to find a GP who takes fertility seriously coz they will refer you at 6 months (which is FA's minimum)
I have been with FA now for almost a year and a half so these things does take time. I have tried clomid but was found to be clomid resistant. So my advice is go find yourself a GP that is focused on women,babies, fertility and families. My old GP was going to make me wait 18months so I am sooo glad that i changed GP's!!! |
Posted By: jem
Date Posted: 25 October 2010 at 8:29pm
| YES you do need a new doc!!! lol |
Posted By: _H_
Date Posted: 25 October 2010 at 8:48pm
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Jem- most docs will make you wait longer if you are younger.
Missmel- you did need a new doc! i wish i got one sooner its been over a year of waiting (both DP and i new there was a problem!) but the doc didnt want to listen as we are 'young' Dont waste time, if you arent comfortable with your doc you should change ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: jem
Date Posted: 25 October 2010 at 8:50pm
| I must be lucky with my doc then, I was only 24 when she refered me and Im only 26 now. |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 25 October 2010 at 9:35pm
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Don't wait for a referral, self-refer! It was people on OB who told me to do that, and it ws great advice. You don't save any money by waiting for your Dr to refer you, and why not get the basic tests run now if you're worried that there's something wrong? -------------   
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Posted By: GuestGuest
Date Posted: 26 October 2010 at 11:38am
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GPs can prescribe clomid now, we were talking about it in the Clomid Pill Poppers thread a few months ago. I'm not sure what the criteria would be though and would still recommend seeing a specialist. Self refer as Hopes says.
And what tests were done in order to rule out PCOS? Did you have a scan? Irregular long cycles are often a good indicator of PCOS. |
Posted By: Ceres
Date Posted: 26 October 2010 at 1:56pm
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I definitely agree with Hopes and Little Red about self-referring, there is no advantage to waiting for a GP referral as you still pay the same.
If you go to FA, they'll do monitored clomid cycles (blood tests to check for impending ovulation, scans to check follicle development, and further BTs to check for ovulation) so you know you're on the right dose and no other interventions are needed. I would think if you go straight through a GP that they would probably only be able to offer a blood test to check to see if you actually ovulated that month (could be wrong). And even if isn't PCOS (although it sounds suspicious), clomid is good at regulating cycles so could be worth a shot. Good luck! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  <
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Posted By: MissMel
Date Posted: 27 October 2010 at 2:43pm
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Wow, thanks for all the replies girls!
I didn't know you could just self refer. Thought you had to be referred on for help by your doctor. That is good to know. Just so we can be prepared, bout how much does it cost for an appointment at Fertility Associates? PCOS check by doctor was just bloods to find out hormone levels. Rung the nurse and she said my results were normal. Finally got my period yesterday! Will try plotted temperatures again but have been using fertility friend site and I can't see any trends at the moment. Thanks for the advice girls. Will try the doctor once more and also look into visiting fertility associates. Sooner we start looking at what might be causing this the better! |
Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 27 October 2010 at 3:26pm
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I've just been referred to FA (my appt is next week) and it is going to be $230 for the first consultation.
Everything I've read on PCOS says that it is not easy to diagnose as there are so many different symptoms - the best way is through blood tests AND ultrasound. I don't think your doctor has done enough. I've got super long cycles as well and even though I know a lot of people happily conceive with long cycles, there is also an increased risk of miscarriage etc. If you can afford to go to FA, then I say do it! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: MissMel
Date Posted: 27 October 2010 at 3:41pm
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Astral Monkey - let me know how you get on with your consultation.
So you still pay same amount for your consultation even though you've been referred to by the doctor? Have you been diagnosed with PCOS? Will talk to husband and we might just bite the bullet and book in with FA. Will read up more on PCOS. They did the testosterone test and that was all. I haven't been back again though as she just said they'd contact me if there was something abnormal with results (went because I was having pain lower ab, right side as well as lack of periods). When I rung nurse said 'all normal'.... frustrating! |
Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 27 October 2010 at 4:33pm
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Mel, they actually have a section regarding costs on their website and they don't seem to differentiate between doc referrals and self-referrals (I contacted them and made the appt before my doc had sent any paperwork through too).
Oh, also, it is $230 in Auckland, other areas are different. And, yup, I was diagnosed with PCOS a couple of years ago and while I had blood tests I think they primarily used the ultrasound to diagnose. I will definitely let you know how my appt goes! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: Ceres
Date Posted: 27 October 2010 at 4:39pm
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MissMel I have completely normal looking blood hormone levels (testosterone etc) but definitely have PCOS: Annovulatory 'cycles' (I don't cycle on my own), very polycystic ovaries that can be seen on ultrasound, & minor insulin issues. So, totally agree with astral_monkey, a blood test for testosterone is not enough!
As far as I know, the cost for the initial appointment is the same (at FA) whether you self-refer or not (we paid about the same as astral_monkey has been quoted and were refered by our GP). I hope you get to the bottom of things quickly, I agree, hearing 'all normal' when things are clearly not is very frustrating. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> <
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Posted By: lilymay
Date Posted: 27 October 2010 at 5:04pm
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hi missmel, you have come to the right place for some great advice.
i went to FA without referral and they are fantastic. as mentioned earlier, the prices are all listed on their website. in the last four months i have had loads of tests and a couple of surgeries to figure out why we can not conceive (after 3 years and i am now 30). i feel so much better having some expert advice - these guys know what they are doing and can take control, at a time when things often feel out of control. information is power after all. stay positive, make the call and let them take care of you and your partner. best of luck 
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Posted By: MissMel
Date Posted: 27 October 2010 at 6:45pm
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Great advice thanks ladies, yes - glad I stumbled over this website for sure!! Thank you!
It is comforting to know I'm not the only one with long cycles and there is help out there. Good luck to all of you TTC. I have talked to my husband and we're definitely keen to get help and are willing to pay for it ourselves. Yes, staying positive and still making the most out of life! |
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 27 October 2010 at 7:34pm
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Ditto to what has been said re hormone levels - I definitely have PCOS, but it was a scan that showed it up. They'll do one at your first FA appointment (so go prepared for an internal scan!).
I think my first appointment was $260, in Hamilton. I'd absolutely reccommend spending the money. -------------
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Posted By: MissMel
Date Posted: 27 October 2010 at 7:56pm
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Hopes - good to know they do a scan (although a little scary), it will good to know what's finally going on after my whole life with irregular periods (when off the pill).
Ladies, anyone tell me how long you have to wait for an appointment in Auckland, just so I can prepare.. |
Posted By: Ceres
Date Posted: 27 October 2010 at 8:07pm
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MissMel, my first appointment, in about June 2009, took about 6 weeks to get from first phoning to book. I think it depends quite a lot on which particular doctor you book with, if you're happy to go with who ever is available first it may be faster. For subsequent appointments I was able to get in much more quickly as well. Hopefully the wait time has reduced somewhat, but if not, you could perhaps ask them about their cancellation list? ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> <
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Posted By: TwinnyBump
Date Posted: 27 October 2010 at 8:29pm
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Im the same as the other girls, all blood tests came back fine but the scan showed the cysts = I have PCOS!
Im in Welly and our first FA appointment last month cost $240 and took about 6weeks. Come joing us in The Charting Girls thread, where we check each others charts out and give advice where we can  ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  
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Posted By: MissMel
Date Posted: 28 October 2010 at 3:07pm
| Wantabub: how do you post your chart onto the thread. Found the forum but can't work out how. Thanks for the invite! It's interesting to know you can still have PCOS with normal bloods.. |
Posted By: TwinnyBump
Date Posted: 29 October 2010 at 7:11am
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If you just add your Fertility Friend link someone will add you to the list. To find your FF link in FF go to Sharing - Home Page Setup - and at the top under Your Charting Home Page Web Address is what you need to copy and paste. See you over there soon
Yeah its crazy that you can have PCOS with normal bloods aye? ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: MissMel
Date Posted: 30 October 2010 at 1:54pm
| Thanks Wantabub. Have added to the Charting page. Need to get onto an appointment soon so I can get some answers. |
Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 04 November 2010 at 4:54pm
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Hi MissMel! Just back from my appt at FA and, as promised, an update on how it went.
Took less than 20mins. Basically went over our medical history, and my cycles. Doc agreed with previous diagnosis, that I probably have PCOS. DH & I have both been sent for more tests and a follow up appt in a few weeks. So no game plan yet, though it looks as though he will increase my dosage of clomiphene and monitor my cycles. I suggest when you make an appt you find out if you can do any tests beforehand. I would have much preferred to get more answers at this appt rather than more tests and having to wait another 3 weeks for answers. I'm not sure if they will, but it doesn't hurt to ask! Good luck hun, and let me know how you get on! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: MissMel
Date Posted: 06 November 2010 at 9:34am
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Hey Astral Monkey
Sounds like you will get there but annoying that you have to wait for test results and that slows things down a bit. I decided that I am going to my Dr and making some demands. I am going to tell her you only need to wait a year for help, ask her to get a scan done and any other tests to find out what is happening. I had decided that I probably needed some more tests done before going so FA has more info, you've confirmed what I was thinking. I have a Dr appointment this week. Going to take my temp charts and a list of symptoms and talk about my mum's history. Will see if I get anywhere. Thanks for your update! Let me know how things progress. So annoying you have to wait for tests but hang in there, I'm sure it will be worth the wait in the end |
Posted By: MissMel
Date Posted: 10 November 2010 at 6:11pm
| Went to GP. Told her about Mum going on clomid and having the same irregular cycles. Am due to have ultra sound this week and then will see what happens from there. It feels good to start action! |
Posted By: astral_monkey
Date Posted: 11 November 2010 at 10:11am
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Yay! Fantastic news, MissMel. Glad things are finally moving for you. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> |
Posted By: MissMel
Date Posted: 17 November 2010 at 5:55pm
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Finally have an answer, I have PCOS.
Next step is to book into the gynae. Glad to have an answer as I always knew my cycles were not normal. |
Posted By: lilymay
Date Posted: 20 November 2010 at 8:55am
hey missmel. i have pcos too. would be interested to know if your gynae gives any advice on how to manage it. to date all i have been given is dietary advice. 
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Posted By: MissMel
Date Posted: 01 December 2010 at 7:42pm
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Hi Lilymay
I don't have too many probs with PCOS, just the irregular periods that is the issue. I am going to be starting Clomid to help me to ovulate as he said he wouldn't be surprised if I wasn't ovalating. Once I have finished trying to have babies he said I may want to go back on the pill to help with skin/slightly increased facial hair. Hope this helps |
Posted By: LadyBee
Date Posted: 01 December 2010 at 9:40pm
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Hi MissMel, GL with your clomid I hope it does the trick for you Come chat with us girls in the Infertility thread - clomid pill poppers, all the girls are really helpful with loads of advice of you need it ------------- TTC for 4 1/2 years IVF #1 - April 2012 short BFP, no frosties IVF #2 - August 2012, BFP!! 3 frosties! http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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