Switching from Clomid to Letrozole (Femara)

DharmaChick

Since we've tried three cycles with Clomid so far, it's time that I move on to a new med. We are trying Letrozole next.  Are there any differences between the results and/or side effects that any of you have noted between the two?

I'm really hoping that, with the Letrozole, I can finally produce multiple follies.  So far, I have only had one mature follie per cycle, which took a long time to grow.

pmpknbride

I had 1-2 mature follies on 5mg of Femara. The only side effect I had on Femara was exhaustion, mainly at night - I'd sleep for about 9 hours per night, other then that it was a breeze compared to clomid. Best of luck!

jaco0207

I have used both and have not noticed side effects with either, other than a thin lining with clomid, which is why I was switched to Femera. My response was good with both in terms of multiple follies, and my lining is much better on Femera. I did have one bad month on femera, but I think that was stress related, not from the drug. Fx that this works better for you!

Mozzarella13

I had MUCH fewer side effects on letrozole. I felt so irritable on clomid, on letrozole just weepy and bloated.

WillCMyInk

I much prefer letrozole to clomid. I don't really experience any side effects on it. Like PP said, it's known to produce fewer follies than clomid so I don't think it will help you in that department. I personally have to do a combination cycle (femara + injects) to get a follie big enough to trigger.

DharmaChick

Thanks, ladies.  It is great to hear that the side effects are fewer/lessened. I had a feeling that it wouldn't likely produce more follies - otherwise I wouldn't understand why the RE didn't start with that.  FX that this does the trick! 

The weird thing is that my mom was on Femara for her breast cancer, so it was strange to hear that I would now be taking it for something else entirely.

I have a vacation coming up in mid-May.  I'm really hoping that I respond well/quickly so that we can do the IUI before leaving!  Today will hopefully be CDay1, and my trip starts on May 11 (Mother's Day, lol).

BunnyBerry

I hope the timing works perfectly around your vacation! And nice job scheduling a trip on mother's day.

emilykbw

I don't remember where I heard/read this, but since Clomid and Femara work differently, I've heard its quality over quantity with Femara. I only had 1 follie on 5mg and 7.5mg of Femara but got 2-3 mature on 10mg. Definitely had FAR fewer s/e on Femara. Good luck!

DharmaChick

Did any of you "stair-step" (increase dosage within one cycle) or do any extra round with the same dosage with Femara? 
I had to do that twice on Clomid, and I'm wondering if I'll be in the same boat with Femara.  I am starting at 5mg.