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Letrozole side effects?

AustrogermokeeAustrogermokee member
in TTC after 35
This is my first cycle with letrozole, and I started last night. I feel nauseated and woozy, my head is splitting, and I'm so tired! It's not helping that my office's carpets were cleaned last night and the cleaners didn't let things dry out, and the whole place smells swampy as hayell.

Did anyone else have side effects with letrozole? If so, how did you cope?
Me: 38 DH: 40 TTC#1 (and likely only) since 9/13. Saw RE 5/14, SA good, AMH 2.36, FSH 7.2, estradiol 69.6 indicating good egg reserve. Using OPKs. First Letrozole cycle 6/14, a burst cyst and a BFN. Second Letrozole cycle 7/14, BFN. 

Update 11/14 - had laparoscopy 10/28, good news is that my uterus and left tube look good, and they were able to drain the cyst on my left ovary. Bad news is that right tube and ovary have endo and scar tissue, so they're pretty useless.. Best news is that we finally have some answers and a path forward. Taking 7.5 mg letrozole CD 2-6 to put that good left ovary through its paces. 

UPDATE 2/2015 - We switched to another fertility clinic, but fortunately we don't have to start all over. We're doing two cycles of Clomid plus IUI, if neither of those take, we'll do IVF in April, potentially with ICSI. (DH's SA has gone downhill, likely due to excessive exercise.) IUI#1 2/25/15....
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Re: Letrozole side effects?

  • mdogan29mdogan29 member
    edited June 2014
    I am on my second round of Letrozole and the only side effect I've had is cramping/ovary pain and I think I've just ovulated and that was pretty painful, but it seems like it finally stopped in the past 30 minutes. But I've read on other boards of people suffering from headaches, insomnia and night sweats. I do wake up sometimes sweating, but it hasn't been too bad.  I did have a few days of nausea, but I've also tripled my dosage of iron which I think can cause nausea too and it was just queasiness, not full vomit-inducing nausea.

    On those same boards I also read that people prefer these side effects to the ones you get from taking Clomid, apparently for most it's a lot more mild.

    I guess I was so excited about actually feeling something going on I just ignored the pain and just dealt with it and it seems like it's passed now.  Can you take Tylenol for the headaches?

    When I had the queasiness, I munched on some organic corn tortilla chips, I think the salt helps some. 

    I don't know if that helps! But hope you feel better soon!
    image

    ME: 38, DH: 42, stopped BCPS 1/2013, TTC #1 2/2013, AMH 0.4, started acupuncture: 7/2013,
    BFP: 10/07/2013; MC 10/15/2013 @ 7 wks (natural), focused on health issues for 7 months.
    TTC again: 6/2014, 2nd round Letrozole, BFP 7/7/2014!!! --- EDD 3/18/2015!!!

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  • AustrogermokeeAustrogermokee member
    Thanks! I have chronic migraine and I'm very sensitive to hormonal shifts, so I knew going in that side effects would be stronger for me. I took my dose at 9:00 last night, and the side effects wore off around 9:00 am. I think tonight I'll take my dose a little earlier, so I'm better by morning and will be able to hit the gym and get to work without feeling too gross.
    Me: 38 DH: 40 TTC#1 (and likely only) since 9/13. Saw RE 5/14, SA good, AMH 2.36, FSH 7.2, estradiol 69.6 indicating good egg reserve. Using OPKs. First Letrozole cycle 6/14, a burst cyst and a BFN. Second Letrozole cycle 7/14, BFN. 

    Update 11/14 - had laparoscopy 10/28, good news is that my uterus and left tube look good, and they were able to drain the cyst on my left ovary. Bad news is that right tube and ovary have endo and scar tissue, so they're pretty useless.. Best news is that we finally have some answers and a path forward. Taking 7.5 mg letrozole CD 2-6 to put that good left ovary through its paces. 

    UPDATE 2/2015 - We switched to another fertility clinic, but fortunately we don't have to start all over. We're doing two cycles of Clomid plus IUI, if neither of those take, we'll do IVF in April, potentially with ICSI. (DH's SA has gone downhill, likely due to excessive exercise.) IUI#1 2/25/15....
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  • mdogan29mdogan29 member
    I also wanted to mention that the nurse @ my OB suggested not taking Letrozole too early in the evening because it can make you sleepy and very loopy, so it is best before bed. Good luck! :)

    I get bad migraines from the heat and it's been really hot here lately, so I've had 3 in the past 2 weeks! I feel for ya! I've been doing acupuncture too and my acupuncturist gave me peppermint essential oil to help, I applied a tiny amount to my temples and at the base of my skull/neck area under my hair and then rubbed it together in my hands and took deep breaths inhaling it and it actually worked! I reallllly hate taking meds, so this was a more natural way of relief! I need to buy some!
    image

    ME: 38, DH: 42, stopped BCPS 1/2013, TTC #1 2/2013, AMH 0.4, started acupuncture: 7/2013,
    BFP: 10/07/2013; MC 10/15/2013 @ 7 wks (natural), focused on health issues for 7 months.
    TTC again: 6/2014, 2nd round Letrozole, BFP 7/7/2014!!! --- EDD 3/18/2015!!!

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  • AustrogermokeeAustrogermokee member
    I add a little peppermint essential oil to my shower before I hop in - it relieves headaches and wakes me up.
    Me: 38 DH: 40 TTC#1 (and likely only) since 9/13. Saw RE 5/14, SA good, AMH 2.36, FSH 7.2, estradiol 69.6 indicating good egg reserve. Using OPKs. First Letrozole cycle 6/14, a burst cyst and a BFN. Second Letrozole cycle 7/14, BFN. 

    Update 11/14 - had laparoscopy 10/28, good news is that my uterus and left tube look good, and they were able to drain the cyst on my left ovary. Bad news is that right tube and ovary have endo and scar tissue, so they're pretty useless.. Best news is that we finally have some answers and a path forward. Taking 7.5 mg letrozole CD 2-6 to put that good left ovary through its paces. 

    UPDATE 2/2015 - We switched to another fertility clinic, but fortunately we don't have to start all over. We're doing two cycles of Clomid plus IUI, if neither of those take, we'll do IVF in April, potentially with ICSI. (DH's SA has gone downhill, likely due to excessive exercise.) IUI#1 2/25/15....
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  • mdogan29mdogan29 member
    That is a great idea, I'm sure the heat helps with the infusing! Where do you apply it? Where do you buy yours? I would love to do that to open my sinuses in the morning too! Thanks! :D
    image

    ME: 38, DH: 42, stopped BCPS 1/2013, TTC #1 2/2013, AMH 0.4, started acupuncture: 7/2013,
    BFP: 10/07/2013; MC 10/15/2013 @ 7 wks (natural), focused on health issues for 7 months.
    TTC again: 6/2014, 2nd round Letrozole, BFP 7/7/2014!!! --- EDD 3/18/2015!!!

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    image BabyFetus Ticker
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  • AustrogermokeeAustrogermokee member
    I just sprinkle peppermint on the floor of the shower after I turn the water on and before I get in. I order mine from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/NOW-Foods-Peppermint-Oil-ounce/dp/B00028MKRQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403723787&sr=8-1&keywords=peppermint+oil
    Me: 38 DH: 40 TTC#1 (and likely only) since 9/13. Saw RE 5/14, SA good, AMH 2.36, FSH 7.2, estradiol 69.6 indicating good egg reserve. Using OPKs. First Letrozole cycle 6/14, a burst cyst and a BFN. Second Letrozole cycle 7/14, BFN. 

    Update 11/14 - had laparoscopy 10/28, good news is that my uterus and left tube look good, and they were able to drain the cyst on my left ovary. Bad news is that right tube and ovary have endo and scar tissue, so they're pretty useless.. Best news is that we finally have some answers and a path forward. Taking 7.5 mg letrozole CD 2-6 to put that good left ovary through its paces. 

    UPDATE 2/2015 - We switched to another fertility clinic, but fortunately we don't have to start all over. We're doing two cycles of Clomid plus IUI, if neither of those take, we'll do IVF in April, potentially with ICSI. (DH's SA has gone downhill, likely due to excessive exercise.) IUI#1 2/25/15....
    Report Reply
  • mdogan29mdogan29 member
    How have you been feeling with the side effects? Better now?

    I just got back lab results from ob/gyn for round 2, this time it was a 9.74, still lower than she'd like to see (guess we're aiming for 15-20?), but much better than 2 after cycle one.
    image

    ME: 38, DH: 42, stopped BCPS 1/2013, TTC #1 2/2013, AMH 0.4, started acupuncture: 7/2013,
    BFP: 10/07/2013; MC 10/15/2013 @ 7 wks (natural), focused on health issues for 7 months.
    TTC again: 6/2014, 2nd round Letrozole, BFP 7/7/2014!!! --- EDD 3/18/2015!!!

     image BabyFruit Ticker
    image BabyFetus Ticker
    Report Reply
  • AustrogermokeeAustrogermokee member
    I finished the letrozole Saturday night. The first day I was super, super woozy and I felt like my ovaries had swelled. Then, weirdly, I started to get really forgetful. 
    Me: 38 DH: 40 TTC#1 (and likely only) since 9/13. Saw RE 5/14, SA good, AMH 2.36, FSH 7.2, estradiol 69.6 indicating good egg reserve. Using OPKs. First Letrozole cycle 6/14, a burst cyst and a BFN. Second Letrozole cycle 7/14, BFN. 

    Update 11/14 - had laparoscopy 10/28, good news is that my uterus and left tube look good, and they were able to drain the cyst on my left ovary. Bad news is that right tube and ovary have endo and scar tissue, so they're pretty useless.. Best news is that we finally have some answers and a path forward. Taking 7.5 mg letrozole CD 2-6 to put that good left ovary through its paces. 

    UPDATE 2/2015 - We switched to another fertility clinic, but fortunately we don't have to start all over. We're doing two cycles of Clomid plus IUI, if neither of those take, we'll do IVF in April, potentially with ICSI. (DH's SA has gone downhill, likely due to excessive exercise.) IUI#1 2/25/15....
    Report Reply
  • mdogan29mdogan29 member
    Well hopefully you won't need to be on it too long!! FX for O this cycle and beyond! :)
    image

    ME: 38, DH: 42, stopped BCPS 1/2013, TTC #1 2/2013, AMH 0.4, started acupuncture: 7/2013,
    BFP: 10/07/2013; MC 10/15/2013 @ 7 wks (natural), focused on health issues for 7 months.
    TTC again: 6/2014, 2nd round Letrozole, BFP 7/7/2014!!! --- EDD 3/18/2015!!!

     image BabyFruit Ticker
    image BabyFetus Ticker
    Report Reply
  • TripMommaTripMomma member
    Today was my second dose, this is my first cycle on it too. So far nothing. Have you tried taking it at night, so maybe you sleep through most of the icky.
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  • MARISAV77MARISAV77 member
    I took my first cycle of letrozole 2 weeks ago, and the only side effect I noticed was that I was a little sleepy from it, so I took it right before going to sleep. I just had an US this morning and found 3 follicles, 17, 18 and 21. I did a trigger shot and will be doing my first IUI tomorrow morning! Good luck to you on your cycle! 
    Me: 37 DH: 37, married since Sept. 2013. "actively" TTC for a total of 13 months (after 7 months of TTC, took a 1 1/2 year hiatus due to work scheduling and wedding planning. Started up again after our wedding in Sept.) First evaluation by an RE November 2013

    HSG-normal
    OH-tiny polyp found, but RE assured me she doesn't think it's contributing to infertility and doesn't recommend me to remove it because it's so small.
    DH's SA-normal
    Hormones all within normal levels
    Ovarian Reserve-RE says "is great" she's not concerned about my egg quantity (which I was until I saw her and results came back good!) 

    04/2012 50mg Clomid=BFN (prescribed by OBGYN, not monitored)
    06/2012 50mg Clomid=BFN (prescribed by OBGYN, not monitored)
    11/2013 100mg Clomid, with HCG trigger=BFN (prescribed by RE, monitored with US (2 dominant follicles) and baseline bloodwork done)
    01/2014 100mg Clomid, with HCG trigger-(prescribed by RE, monitored with US-1 dominant follicle)=BFN
    06/2014 7.5mg Letrozole, HCG trigger (prescribed by RE, monitored with US-2 dominant follicles), IUI #1 on 7/3/14=BFN
    07/2014 7.5mg Letrozole, benched for IUI#2 this cycle, because I ovulated on my own before my follicular US. Progesterone suppositories=BFN Diagnosed with PCOS this month too. Testosterone levels high at 76. =( 
    08/2014 7.5mg Letrozole, HCG trigger with 19mm follicle. IUI#2 on 8/31 cancelled last minute due to family emergency. 
    09/2014 Taking a 3 month break starting this month. If not pregnant in 3 months, will start up again with medicated cycles and IUIs. Had all my labs and AFC re-evaluated this month also. RE says nothing much has changed since my eval last November, okay for me to take a little break. =) 




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