Do you ever worry about

luckybridetobe

I thought I would post on this board as well to see if you had any input since all of you ladies are going thru/ have gone thru fertility treatments.

Do you get nervous Taking all of these fertility medications? Does anyone know if there is an increased risk to breast cancer/gynological cancers due to all of the fertility meds? DH and I are thinking about going thru with the IVF. Breast Cancer and Ovarian cancer runs on my side of the family. It scares the crap out of me to inject myself with all of these meds. Have any of you ladies thought about this prior to going thru with your IVF? Have any of you done any research on this? I have read some articles and majority of them say that there is no real increased risk, I kind of find that shocking. Maybe there is not enough research on it yet. I know that I am at an increased risk all ready because of my family history. I dont want to increase my chances even more doing these fertility meds. DH and I are kind of nervous to go thru with it. I was just wondering what your thoughts were on this subject. Need some advice. Noone really knows that we are having infertility issues so I counting on this board with your expertise/advice

lupineaura

Obviously, everyone here has chosen to take the meds. I advise you talk to your doctor about your specific medical history.

Edited because on second reading that sounded snarky, and I did not intend it to be. Good luck with your decision!

sailorgal

Yes I've considered it. I'm pretty eco/green/natural. I did get really pissed off at an offhand comment my naturopath made the other day because she has issue with the synthetic progesterone vs the progesterone she prescribes. Her comment stung the way it was worded and I snapped back and that was the end of it. But it has weighed on me ever since. 

For me though, I thought about the cost/benefit to it all. I'm pretty optimistic that we will end up with a baby at the end of this. And I (grimly) figure that hey, if it lead to something, at least my husband and DS would have more family to hold them together. Also this whole treatment process has brought my husband and I closer together. So it's all worth it to me. 

jen4ny

I've thought about it too. The consent form I have to sign at the RE's office before every cycle actually mentions ovarian cancer and how there is no good data linking fertility drugs with an increased risk but they can't be certain. I try not to think about it too much. I know that financially we can't do treatments for a very prolonged amount of time so I try to think that will limit my cycles on these meds. And I just have to hope that the majority of research saying they are safe is correct! 

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

GraceyandTroy

I heard deodorant gives you cancer, too.  Something about the aluminum getting onto your boobs.  And so does diet soda and hot dogs and any food that doesn't go bad within seven days.  Soooo, yeah.  It's not 'MERICA if you aren't exposing yourself to something that could give you cancer!

Ooooh, and don't forget about all cosmetic products and scented candles and microwaves and smog!

Steph1673

Since letrozole is actually a breast cancer drug anyway, I figure I'm killing two birds with one stone.

CeCe8579

@GraceyandTroy‌, nailed it... In a good way ;-)

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

pettycrocker

Well I can give up follistim, but I'll be damned if I give up diet soda. 

luckybridetobe

I came on this board for honest opinions and thoughts on this subject. Thanks anyways.  

pettycrocker

:-h

MoFree

I do have concerns about all the hormones I've ingested since I am extremely mindful of the foods I eat and feed my child. However, since IVF is our only option to achieve a pregnancy, I don't think about the risks.

luckybridetobe

 Really Potatocastillo???  Is that how you treat people that you dont know? You are one Classy lady.  I am glad that I am not your friend. 

[-X

sailorgal

I did give my honest thoughts and opinions. I think many of us did.

designer303

Really @luckybridetobe‌ you come on a board where we have all had to except that we are taking these drugs and ask us if we think we are going to get cancer because of the hard decisions we have already had to make and then you ask what @potatocastillo‌ is thinking when she defends us from this nonsense?!? I AM lucky enough to call her my friend and I would like to give her a high five!

Please think about how your question made the ladies on this board who have no choice but to take these drugs feel.

BillyMollyEmmy

A little humour goes a long way when your uterus is broken. Also, it's klassy with a k. 

Also, give me all the drugs. 

luckybridetobe

@ designer03. 

I would not be on this board asking all of these questions if I wasnt in the same boat as all of you ladies. IVF is our only option. I am nervous as hell to go thru with it because I do have family history of breast & ovarian cancer.  I was just trying to get some support from you ladies and was asking if anyone has read any articles where there is concrete evidence  showing that there is an increased risk.  I apologize if my question came off the wrong way.  I wasnt trying to hurt anyones feelings.  I was just looking for thoughts/opinions on the subject. 

designer303

I appreciate the apology, the fact is there is no real evidence either way so it's basically something that probably scares of us, but we do our best not to think about it, so that is probably why you got the responses you did.

pettycrocker

Ummm.. I didn't do anything lol 

I am seriously lol @ "Is that how you treat people" 

mareba2011

Yes, I think about it a lot actually.  My PCP finally agreed to prescribe a mammogram due to my paranoia.  It was normal, so that eased my mind a bit.  Is there any testing that you think would help ease your mind?  Or are you mostly concerned about potential future problems that may be years out?

Steph1673

OP... you got the responses you did because you have never posted on this board, never made an intro and we have no idea who you are. Even your post above gives us no background or history of your IF experience; however, you came into a group of people taking fertility meds and asked if we thought about getting cancer because we take them.

Also your posting history on the bump, shows a history of you asking this exact same question on a variety of boards as far back as March. What are you looking for? If it's medical advice, get a second (or third) opinion from a medical professional. If it's support, you need to give it to get it. We aren't ask.com. We are a community of people going through a similar mess.

If you are dealing with 2IF, like the rest of us, we really do feel for you, but you should also know the emotional roller coaster it can be and how this could be taken very intrusively.  We aren't a bunch of meanies.  We are happy to give support to those who give it back in return.

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12267033/newbies-read-this-first

chicagobride_07

I didn't read through all the responses, but can tell you that yes, this is a serious concern that I do have. You can see my history in my siggy, I've done multiple back to back FETs and have had prolonged (or at least more than I would like) exposure to estrogen. I've talk to two REs and of course, both encouraged regular mammograms, etc. I had a false scare on a screening mamogram about a month ago and it was really tough. In any event, everyone has their own risk tolerance. I am looking into immune testing for possible issues causing recurrent implantation failures. Even if it would help, I will not take IVIG. I don't want to shoulder the expense or the risk. I really wish you the best as you think through all of this. I know it is not easy and from my perspective, your questions are valid.