Fertility drug Clomid (clomifene) and insulin (pump) levels

[Scarysugarmary]

Hi everyone,
Don't know if anyone has encountered this problem or is just super clever and can help me out / offer advice?

I've recently started to take Clomid for fertility -which helps to induce ovulation by stimulating pituitary gland. I only have to take it day 2 of my cycle for 5 days and last month was only on 50mg per day.

Well, whilst it has been noted that it contains sugar that will obviously effect blood glucose levels, I was expecting these to reduce after a few days of stoping the medication. This however has not been the case!

I've upped my basal rates by 40-50% (optimistically temping it as I read a few people's posts generally online that said their requirement then drops once off the tablets),I adjusted my carb ration to 1:10 instead of 1:12 and still having to correct in between and I've not suddenly gained lots of weight or anything. Anyone else had this issue?

I'm also bit nervous as I have to increase my fertility meds to 100mg tomo!!!!!

I'm due to hopefully see my diabetes nurse again soon but because it's a mixture of diabetes and fertility medication I feel a bit "ahhhhhhh"!
Thanks for your help (or epic reading) in advance! Mary

 

[ickihun]

In the past I took Clomid too. However I wasn't on insulin then but on metformin for pcos. Hence I wasn't monitoring my bgs either.
I blame that for why Clomid didn't work but also my blood test to check ovulation was too precise for my body. I ovulated after I stopped taking Clomid.
I hope same happens to you as higher bgs will have settled by then and a good start to a healthy pregnancy.
My only advice is treat as if on a higher carb diet. Carb (sugar) counting?
Remember Clomid isn't a long term drug so you'll return to less carb diet so watch out for hypos when you stop this course of treatment. Goodluck!

 

[Scarysugarmary]

Thanks @ickihun

I have PCOS as well as endo too, so I'm a proper hormonal nightmare lol but only on insulin myself.

Clomid triggers ovulation (for me between 12-20 day of cycle) but am assuming you mean it didn't work at all for you?

They said it works as saw results on last scan with an extra couple of pills after the initial 5, but it's more the crazy long term effects that have me bemused!
I purposely only temp + my basal rates exactly for, as you said, not then getting crazy hypos when you stop the meds but the effects seem to be lasting, now evidently till the next lot I'm taking!
Fortunately I do carb count with the pump (and did that pre pump too) but unless I've suddenly lost my ability to count (anything is possible )....

My bgs are so much better than they were in previous years, and the pump has certainly helped, but only in a time when you know you need extra tight control on these things, crazy meds which obviously help the ovulation department, seemingly don't help my sugars! And then you get told not to stress too....
Looks like I'm just gonna have to remain a pin cushion and keep temping away!

Thanks so much for your reply!

 

[ickihun]

Thanks @ickihun

I have PCOS as well as endo too, so I'm a proper hormonal nightmare lol but only on insulin myself.

Clomid triggers ovulation (for me between 12-20 day of cycle) but am assuming you mean it didn't work at all for you?

They said it works as saw results on last scan with an extra couple of pills after the initial 5, but it's more the crazy long term effects that have me bemused!
I purposely only temp + my basal rates exactly for, as you said, not then getting crazy hypos when you stop the meds but the effects seem to be lasting, now evidently till the next lot I'm taking!
Fortunately I do carb count with the pump (and did that pre pump too) but unless I've suddenly lost my ability to count (anything is possible )....

My bgs are so much better than they were in previous years, and the pump has certainly helped, but only in a time when you know you need extra tight control on these things, crazy meds which obviously help the ovulation department, seemingly don't help my sugars! And then you get told not to stress too....
Looks like I'm just gonna have to remain a pin cushion and keep temping away!

Thanks so much for your reply!

Has there been no offer of metformin for your pcos?

 

[Scarysugarmary]

Nope!

The Drs don't seem to want to give me anything for it! Maybe it's not necessary, who knows?!

I've been a type one since 1997 (when I was 17) and been on a pump since this year in May.

Prob had PCOS at least 10 years and endo diagnosed about 2010.

Is metformin used regularly for PCOS even in type one diabetes? Or not because it's also an insulin?

 

[ickihun]

Nope!

The Drs don't seem to want to give me anything for it! Maybe it's not necessary, who knows?!

I've been a type one since 1997 (when I was 17) and been on a pump since this year in May.

Prob had PCOS at least 10 years and endo diagnosed about 2010.

Is metformin used regularly for PCOS even in type one diabetes? Or not because it's also an insulin?

Metformin isnt an insulin. It works in the liver and gut to metabolise food more effectively but research proved good for pcos. No use for endometriosis thou.
I fell pregnant twice on metformin not Clomid. They said I didnt ovulate on it but I did, just later than the days after they predicted. Very careful on Clomid, risk of cancer on long term use.
Ask about metformin as some type 1s use it but not a big enough difference on their bgs, im led to believe. Insulin for type 1s always.

 

[Scarysugarmary]

Oh thanks @ickihun that's good to know! I thought it was a insulin based drug! Spot the fact I'm no dr, and obviously I neglected to google that one!

I tried Clomid maybe 7 years ago but got sick after cycle 2 with it (honestly if you could react to something, I often do) so stopped it.
Recently revisited fertility specialist but it is first "port of call" as despite being a consistent weight my BMI isn't the desired 19 that the NHS need/want for IVF (around here anyway), so trying to gain weight too, without eating donuts and messing my sugar up completely!
Never a dull moment lol!

If it doesn't work, when I next go back I'll ask about the metformin and see what he says! Certainly worth asking!
Is it just it doesn't help endometriosis or you can't have it (metformin) if you have endo? I really should google it.... Sorry and thanks so much!

 

[-Artemis-]

Hi.... re your blood sugars, I'm not sure what clomid actually does - but generally estrogen makes us more insulin sensitive and progesterone more insulin resistant - which is why, generally, as women we can see big swings in the amount of insulin we need depending on where in our cycle we are.

So I would guess the clomid is interfering with the balance of that... but I've not taken it so it's only a guess.

... I also mentioned 'generally' as a whole bunch of other factors effect women's hormones - from taking the pill, to stress, to things like pcos etc... are they giving you clomid to regulate your hormones do you know?

I'm a little older and had been trying for 2 years and suspect my hormones were starting to go a little 'lala' - and someone recommended something called Maca to me... which I took - and I'm now pregnant.... who can say if the two are linked - and it may not be suitable for whatever your docs are working with you on anyway - but I thought it worth a mention as an option for you to google...: )

 

[Scarysugarmary]

Hi @artemis,
Sorry for delay in response, I e been AWOL from here! Congrats on your pregnancy news
Did you just use maca powder? What doses etc? I actually have some in the cupboard but don't use it too often... maybe I'll revisit that!

On cycle 3 of clomid and mainly seems to have calmed a bit. Think my sugar levels were having a fit or so to speak about it! Now it's just the rest of me that's not liking it lol! And still no baby joy! Back to the Drs soon and I can ask some more questions to the dr in the know!

Clomid stimulates ovulation production etc to try release eggs and all that. But seeing as I have a few issues (medically lol) nothing is ever simple eh?!

Thanks again everyone

 

[azure]

Good luck @Scarysugarmary I hope things work out for you soon.

 

[Scarysugarmary]

Thanks @azure ! Nice if you to say