Crinone 8% gel

[indecisive]

I feel like I have been on a roller coaster since my BFP on Monday evening.

Short story- Last night was my first dose of Crinone gel for low progesterone (7.7) at my first beta draw. I know that a few ladies have been/are on it now so I just wanted feedback. How often do you deal with the "build up", deal with side effects, etc? Is it best to use a tampon to clean out before every dose or what? Is there any extra monitoring for the potential birth defects? Thank for any help you can give!

Long story- I started spotting at about 8dpo (not 100% sure on O date this cycle though) and thought I was out. Got my BFP 13 dpo and stopped spotting 15 dpo. I haven't spotted since but my only PG symptom had been sore chest. Had my betas drawn Wednesday (15 dpo) and the results were hcg 189 and progesterone 7.7. I am so nervous about this. DH and I were going on a quick vacation and I was going to cancel but my doctor told me to go and have my betas drawn again on Monday. I was still crying off and on thinking I would miscarry at the beach so he called in a prescription for the progesterone to ease my mind. I don't think he is convinced that it will help but he said it could if everything was fine except I had low progesterone. I have always felt I had low progesterone with my cycles because of spotting before AF and somewhat short lp. He said they like to see progesterone at 20 but they consider 7.7 to be borderline. If it was less than 5 there would be no hope. I love my doctor for calling me after 6 on a Friday because he knew how long I had been trying and how worried I would be. I will know late Monday or early Tuesday if my numbers are going up so I will ask for any prayers/dust/good thoughts I can get. The only effect I have felt from the crinone so far is fatigue and sore breasts. I don't know how I will get though a work day but I would do anything for my little one.

 

[monkeyprincess]

Hi indecisive,I don't have any personal experience with crinone (I was given prometrium because I had an IUI), but several other ladies on here have used it and discussed some of the build-up that happens. Hopefully someone with experience will chime in. I do know that you should not want to use a tampon when you're pregnant.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you and sending lots of sticky dust. It's so frustrating when there is nothing you can do but wait and worry, but I'm really hoping that your progesterone and beta levels continue to rise.

 

[indecisive]

Thank you so much for the support MP. I know you had a big roller coaster ride in early pregnancy (ugh that lab mistake). I am so excited to hear that your little boy is growing! I do have to thank you because I was going to wait it out and not get blood work and your post reminded me that they might be able to do something about progesterone. Thank you! The tampon comment was because I think BS had been dealing with the buildup with the bath and was told cleaning it out with a tampon was a better method. I can't remember all the details. Is there a reason that wouldn't be a good idea? Thank you again!

 

[monkeyprincess]

Well maybe if you are just putting it in and taking it out shortly after it is okay. But I do know you are not supposed to wear them for spotting or discharge during pregnancy, probably due to the risk of introducing germs or causing infection. Hopefully somebody with experience will help you out. Early pregnancy is such a scary time especially when there are complications, but I do think it is at least a good sign your spotting has stopped for a few days now. Hopefully you are able to enjoy your vacation knowing you are doing everything you can right niw. Continued dust!

 

[pavelover]

Hi Indecisive,
I don't have experience with the Crinone gel. I am taking vag progesterone (capsules) but it was only my first day last night. I just don't know if I am gonna worry about any residual from it but then I might have a better idea after day number 2. I would think if it was important to remove it the doctor would have told us but I can understand why people worry about it I guess. I just wanted to tell you I'm thinking about you and hoping everything will be ok for you. It is such a scary time and I just wanted to offer you some (cyber) support. I didn't write earlier because I was hoping I would be struck with something to say that was profound, but I never came up with anything . Hope you are managing to relax this weekend and find some peaceful times. Take care.

 

[nomissjane]

Hi there,

I've done many rounds of ivf cycles and have often used the crinone gel.

I was told absolutely to not use tampons while using the crinone. I definitely didn't love using the gel pessaries, but i was told that you shouldn't actually do anything about the build up. It will eventually come out and that trying to remove it increases the risk of infection.
It won't make any difference to the absorbsion rate of the pessaries.
When it does come out don't be alarmed if it is tinged with pink ie blood, as the crinone can slightly irritate the cervix over days and that anything from a greyish white, cream or pinkish coloured build up is all very normal.
Sorry if this is TMI, but the build up sometimes had the texture of tiling grout...Gross, but I was told all very normal.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

 

[indecisive]

Thank you ladies. You have all been so helpful.

MP- I never would have thought to use a tampon for the discharge but that makes sense. I was just thinking about using it quickly to remove build up but I think I won't now. I haven't had any build up issues yet so I will try to take things as they come. I haven't had any spotting in 5 days so I am hoping that is good as well.

pavelover- It is good to hear from you. I hope you do well with the progesterone capsules. I am glad you double ovulated and wish you luck with your tww. I really appreciate the support. I am so nervous but trying to relax. I am a worrier in general so this is not easy!

nomissjane- Thank you so much. I didn't get much guidance on what to do. I think it is because I got it through my OB not through a fertility specialist that prescribes it often. I haven't noticed any build up yet but I was mostly worried it would affect absorption. It is really good to hear that is not the case. I am also glad to hear about your experience. I don't think there is such a thing as TMI with TTC, pregnancy, and raising little ones!


Yesterday was my second dose and all is well so far. I still only have the same 2 symptoms and nothing else. I know they say a lot of people don't have symptoms until week 6 but I wouldn't mind if they showed up early. I am feeling good that my pregnancy test this morning the test line showed up quicker and almost darker than the control line. I hope my hcg is skyrocketing but I will know Tuesday. Thank you again for all the feedback and support!

 

[JGator]

I took Crinone 8%. I didn't see any buildup issues until about 2 weeks into taking it. At that point, clumps started appearing on toilet paper and I did have some mild discomfort. I did insert and remove a tampon quickly to take some of it out every few days.

 

[indecisive]

Thanks JGator. I hope I am on it long enough to get buildup because that will mean my betas are going up. Oh the things we wish for. Did you have any side effects? Will they do any extra monitoring for the very small chance of birth defects?

I don't know how I will get through tomorrow to find out my betas. I am so nervous!

 

[Laila619]

I used it until I was 11 weeks along. The build up is icky but manageable. I would definitely not use a tampon though--you really shouldn't use one unless you have a period. Maybe just clean it out daily while showering. The only real side effect I had was sleepiness (but that is also a symptom of being pregnant). Good luck, and congrats on the pregnancy!

 

[enbcfsobe]

I've been quiet for a while but wanted to chime in with my experience re: crinone. I was prescribed crinone twice by my RE (fertility specialist), both times for low progesterone. I unfortunately had a very early m/c the first time but I am currently 14w3d. Don't read too much into the progesterone levels or initial beta levels. Every person and every pregnancy is different, and there is little to nothing you can do that you aren't already doing. Also don't worry about skipping a beta draw -- I found that actually helped to test less (less waiting and worrying) and they can still calculate it pretty well.

As far as I know there is no additional monitoring for birth defects and there is no conclusive evidence linking short-term use of progesterone suppositories with an increased risk of birth defects. If you are worried and were on the fence about whether to do the sequential screening/NT scan later on in pregnancy, maybe that will help you make your decision if you think it would give you an extra comfort level that your risk level for the issues those tests address are in the normal range.

My RE and OB both said it is fine to gently clean out the residue if it does not come out on its own, and recommended using a very clean finger (clip your nails!!). I discussed it at length with them because the buildup became very uncomfortable for me as it would not come out on its own at all. It was one of the more disgusting things I've ever done in my life (including changing diapers & shoveling horse poo). Both times I had brown spotting that stopped after beginning the crinone. With both I had a lot of bloating, dizziness, and fatigue almost immediately. The dizziness went away almost entirely after I stopped the crinone (not so for the nausea that appeared this time at around 6 weeks). I cleaned things out very gently about every other day, just trying to get whatever was easily within reach. Other than the disgusting outcome it's really no different from checking your cervical position and you don't even need to go that deep. The residue was brown at first from leftover spotting, and then was at various times (I used it until around 9 weeks) white, pale pinkish, and white with spots of brown or light pink, likely from irritation caused by the crinone or its applicator.

I wish I could tell you not to worry, but reality is that I was miserable through those weeks, convinced I would miscarry again, running to the bathroom every time I felt anything damp, convinced I was bleeding. I really didn't start to feel any level of confidence at all until the NT scan at 11 weeks showed a bouncing (literally) baby in there. I still worry a lot. You should just know that it is okay to be worried, that there is nothing "wrong" with you, and that you are doing everything in your power -- most of the time these things are decided on the sub-cellular level in ways that we don't fully understand and have no control of at all.

I wish you all the very best and hope that this is helpful!!

 

[indecisive]

Thanks Laila (such a pretty name). So far for me it is just fatigue and bigger boobs. The fatigue wasn't so bad at the beach but at work not so much.

enbcsobe- Your post made me tear up. I do run to the bathroom at every twinge thinking the worst. It is hard to remind myself that I don't have any control. I feel like everything I do or don't do will be bad luck and that is not healthy. I appreciate you reminding me I am doing everything I can. I am so worried about seeing pink or brown in the build up even if it is normal. I am so glad you are getting to the relaxation point and you got to see your beautiful baby bounce around.

Thank you all for the support. It is so hard to not talk to anyone about this in real life that it is good to have support here. Today I didn't think I could get through the waiting and I know tomorrow morning will be worse. I will try to take your advice and try to stay come. Thank you for the well wishes!

 

[monkeyprincess]

Indecisive, sending lots of dust your way that your numbers have gone up as they should!

 

[enbcfsobe]

Indecisive, thinking of you and hoping all is well. If it makes you feel any better about feeling like things are good or bad luck, DH insists on wearing the same pair of boxers to every appointment. He ripped them and made me mend them so he could continue wearing them to our appointments. He also won't let me garden, insists I wash my hands every time I touch the cats, and further insists on showering after each time he cleans the litter box (hand washing just isn't good enough for that). So its not just us gals who are superstitious and worried!!

 

[indecisive]

Thank you mp and enbcosbe and everyone else for the dust and good thoughts.

I spent the entire day in knots waiting for the levels. My doctor called me around 8:30 and told me that my level is 2600 now!! I had been praying for something around 1500 so I am so excited and relieved. I am still really cautious but doing much better than I was. Again, thank you so much!

On the crinone front I am doing ok. I still don't have many symptoms, although my skin and hair look really good? You guys were not lying though, it is so terrible to clean out. Ewww! Anything is worth it for these little stow aways though!

enbcsobe- your DH is adorable!! Mine is definitely already worrying about the little tadpole too, but he reminded me if things go well we will worry about this little one for the rest of our lives!

Thank you again for all the support! I was really losing it and it was so good to have people to confide in and to prepare me for the crinone grossness!

 

[pavelover]

Hi Indecisive! It's so exciting to hear that your numbers are good! It must be quite a relief. Woo hoo!!!! Hugs.

 

[monkeyprincess]

Indecisive, that's fantastic news about your betas! Wishing you continued dust for a healthy pregnancy!

 

[Puppmom]

Indecisive, I'm so pleased to hear that your numbers are good!

 

[indecisive]

Thank you pave, monkeyprincess, and pupmom! I deeply appreciate all the good thoughts and well wishes. I am anxiously awaiting my u/s next week, hoping for a heartbeat!