Remember I said I'd update with a Clomid post in a few days? Well, this is it.
I have officially hopped on the Clomid train. Clomid is one of the most prescribed fertility drugs in the US because it works well and most women respond to it. It is an ovulation inducing drug.
I already ovulate. I know this from charting. So why would my doctor suggest an ovulation drug? I'll try to give y'all the short version...
Clomid stimulates the pituitary gland to produce more hormones. This extra boost of hormones somehow makes a healthier egg, a healthier follicle, and a better corpus luteum (the empty follicle the egg burst out of) after ovulation. A nice healthy corpus luteum is important because it secretes progesterone, which I am so desperately lacking. And progesterone is SO important in achieving and keeping a pregnancy.
We now know for a fact I'm dealing with low progesterone. Hopefully the Clomid will increase it.
Now, I've done a fair amount of research on this pill and I've heard, well, actually read a lot of the horror stories of the side effects. It seems some women are thrown into a menopausal-like state (hot flashes - yuck!) and others experience mild or no effects at all. I hope I fall in the category of the lucky ones.
Here's a rundown of the possible side effects listed on my patient information sheet when I got my prescription.
Stomach upset
Bloating
Abdominal/pelvic fullness
Flushing ("hot flashes")
Breast tenderness
Headache
Dizziness
Vision changes
Unlikely side effects may include:
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Mental/mood changes
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) may occur.
Sounds like a trip, huh?
And the most important possible side effect: multiple births. Yep, that's right. Twins, triplets, or more could be in our future. More than two babies is rare, but still possible. Twins actually run in my family, so the odds are in my favor there. Given my struggle with infertility, I'll be very blessed to have one baby, so two would be a super blessing.
I took the last pill Saturday night and I haven't experienced any effects except for slight nausea 30 minutes after taking a pill. But I take them right before bed and I fell asleep shortly after that, so no big deal. I feel like I've been given a "Get out of Jail Free" card.
My fingers, toes, arms, legs, and eyes are all crossed that Clomid does what it's supposed to do. I wont complain if I experience the baby kind of side effect.
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