Fertile Femara?

My fertility doc started me on Femara 2.5mg for 5 days after not responding to my 150mg Clomid without waiting for AF induction (so technically it was cd20). Overall, Femara was almost a breeze for me compared to Clomid. While I didn't have as much difficulty with Clomid as others, I found Femara to be much easier on my body. And my skin thanks me too!

Day 1: Failed Clomid ultrasound and blood work. Lots of tiny follicles...

Days 1-4: I took the pill late at night before bed. I felt fine- a little bloated but nothing much more to note. My skin also began to clear up since the after Clomid effect. Lots of energy and in a good mood. Feel a little hot. This may also be coupled with my new order of Murad skin care products. 

Days 5-6: Felt a bit nauseous and run down, but taking several walks with my husband and watching Netflix in between helped. Day 6, I didn't have to take a pill but I was going through the effects of my evening pill. 

Day 10: Acupuncture- yay!! Feels so good! Lots of energy to begin with, very clear feeling and relaxed afterwards

Day 11: Still in a good mood. (This is definitely not CloMood!)

Day 12 ultrasound and blood work: Failed. Again. Follicle that was 8mm with 150mg of Clomid grew 2mm to a max of 10mm, with still lots of little follicles. Need to go back in a few days to check again and then we discuss next steps.

Kind of anxious to find out what's next. 1. Wait longer? 2. Start higher dose of Femara without AF induction? 3. Induce AF and start again with ...who knows...? 4. IVF? It's hard because I have all of these summer plans and being in town to do all of this monitoring will be more of a struggle. I'm getting really sick of this re-prioritizing and endless waiting game. If it will take several more months to find the magic, that's fine but I'd rather just know. Where's the crystal ball??

Good-bye Clomid, Hello Femara

 

Since I never responded to Clomid, my fertility doc moved me to Femara 2.5mg. On Day 20 of my Clomid cycle, I went in for an t/v ultrasound and blood work to confirm that I had not grown any follicles.  My husband and I also had to sign a release form to take Femara, which is commonly used as a breast cancer drug and is illegal in several countries. Again, I had lots of follicles and they were all too small, proving that Clomid and I were due for a break-up. 

I got a call later that day from my nurse instructing me to start my five days of Femara that evening, treating my actual day 20 as day 3 since my uterine lining was set to go. I was concerned that the dosage of Femara was so low that I wouldn't respond and wondered why I didn't start with what seems like the common 5.0 or 7.5 mg. They explained that it was due to me already being somewhat stimulated by the Clomid this cycle so they did not want to send me into hyper-stimulation which makes sense. Now, I just wait until my next t/v ultrasound and blood work to see if I can use that trigger shot that is just waiting for me in my fridge.

Several friends have announced their pregnancies in the past week or so. We're hoping that we are one step closer to our own gifted little one. 

Stay tuned for my play-by-play on my Femara experience.

Clomid Round 3 Report

Here's how the third round of Clomid at a higher dosage (150mg, days 3-7) went for me. With how many terrible, horrible, terrifying experiences are posted in blogs and forums, I feel it is important to share how for me, Clomid has not been so, so evil.

CD 3- Took it during a wedding, not the best time for the stomach cramps and general icky feeling that followed. My skin is seriously angry at me. 

CD 4- Nausea sets in, feel like I'm hung over (but I'm not...), Emotional (also had to cancel fun travel plans for next weekend due to treatment and my early period), Sweaty at night

CD 5- Moments of strong nausea.Starting to feel sick (headache, body aches, sinus pressure).  Not sure if it's the Clomid or seasonal allergies. Really bad night sweat! Oye!

CD 6- My skin is still screaming for relief from the hormones. Feeling more sick today and wanted to cancel acupuncture because I felt congested, yucky and all I want was to take a nap! So glad I went though!! 

Let me elaborate: She stuck those glorious needs in my nose and between my eyebrows which opened my nostrils up and cleared my headache. Also got needs in my legs and stomach for fertility. 

Went to bed early, slept amazingly and no night sweats!

CD 7- Felt great! Quite amazing, really! My head felt clear and my symptoms magically cleared. Hurray for acupuncture. So worth it. 

Now let's see if I respond to Clomid this time. Monitoring appointment this weekend.