Letrozole?

BKBABY3

Looks like I'm out for this month (started spotting this morning, so I know AFF is around the corner. And yes, I meant the extra F. You know what it means.)

So I'm officially done with Clomid. I used to respond great, but now not so much, even with increased dosage. Now on to Letrozole. Anything good to know about how it will differ from my Clomid cycles or generally what to expect?


 

tweetyknicks

Agreed. Fewer side effects. Less bitchiness.

LindseyM2012

Ugh...I'm sorry about this cycle 

My RE has cited a huge recent study that compared Clomid and Letrozole.  This might be specific to women with PCOS (I'm sorry, I don't remember your diagnosis), but their findings were better response and less side effects with Letrozole. 

Good luck!

BananaPancakes02

I have had less side effects, but my headaches were pretty fierce.  They are the worst when I'm really, REALLY hungry.  I took it CD 3-7, and at my mid cycle U/S, none of my follicles had gotten beyond 5mm.  I'm still waiting to see if they will grow anymore, so we'll see, but so far for me, my ovaries are being slower to respond than they did on Clomid.  But my lining is great! 8.1 on CD11, compared to 3.8-4.2 on CD13 and CD 15 last cycle.

Chasity08

Fewer side effects for me, and I generally responded better. Good luck on your next cycle. Sorry to hear about AFF. She's a B

BKBABY3

Thanks, all.

@NariaDreaming, hoping for the same. Clomid made me clo-mad!

@LindseyM2012, yes, it's PCOS for me (I should do that damn siggy thing with all that info), and I heard about the study too. So I'm cautiously hopeful on that.

@tweetyknicks, I think everyone around me will welcome less bitchiness. Hallelujah!

@BananaPancakes02, here's hoping they start taking off. CD 11 is still early!

@Chasity08. Yes, yes she is.

RNCrystal

I've never taken clomid but letrozole has worked well for me - I responded well everytime. A few headaches toward the end and a little emotional - nothing extreme. Best of luck!

catlover790

I too haven't taken clomid and am only on my first letrozole cycle but I haven't noticed much for side effects. My lining was good which I've heard is one of the downsides of clomid. Sorry about AF!!

Kcheese

I've never taken Clomid, but my side effects were minimal with letrozole. On my third round I had a few hot flashes & was more emotional. Nothing like the "Clomid-rage" I've heard about so hopefully will be easy for you!

BunnyBerry

I took Letrozole for my one and only medicated cycle so far. I had only one follie, and it was late-ish as usual for me (O'ed CD18). My lining was not thickening well so I was on Estrace and then it got to 10, but that may have been an issue for me already since I had very light periods. The side effects were mostly just a hot flash or two each evening, and maybe frequent urination?

I heard Letrozole is healthier for the lining, cervical mucous, and less chance of multiples or cysts. RE is having us repeat it on the same dosage (5mg/day).

Sorry about your BFN. Good luck with Letrozole!

jennym25

I have taken both clomid and letrozole. Clomid was two years ago and I was moody with hot flashes and very emotional. Last month was my first cycle on letrozole and I had two days of light headaches no other symptoms. Just finished my second cycle DC3-5 and I had no side effects.

MARISAV77

I'm on my 2nd cycle of Letrozole and haven't had any side effects. I've taken clomid and didn't have any side effects from it either, I guess my body isn't that sensitive to these medications. I've responded well with both Letrozole and Clomid, just can't seem to get that BFP!

I usually have mature follicles around CD 13-14 with both clomid and Letrozole, but this 2nd cycle of LetroZole when I went in for my follicular US on CD 13, the doc said I had already ovulated probably a day or two before. I hear Letrozole can make you ovulate earlier than you are used to!

kristyn831

I've only taken letrozole. First time, I triggered CD13. This time I'm CD18 and not ready yet (FX for today). First cycle, I had hot flashes and dull headaches. This cycle, I had hot flashes and bad headaches/migraines for the entire time. Both cycles were 5mg CD5-9. I didn't have any mood changes with letrozole. Good luck!

DharmaChick

As others have mentioned, I have had far fewer side effects on letrozole than clomid.  I have also responded a lot faster on Letrozole.

Autumray

I just did 3 clomid cycles, now that I am with an RE he is moving me on to Letrozole (Femara) he said there is less side effects. Woohoo (I hope)!  I also have PCOS and since I wasnt being monitored on the Clomid I dont know how I responded. I had a clear temp spike and 13day LP so I dont know what conclusion to draw. My side effects werent good on Clomid I was a huge bitch and the night sweats and hot flashes le sucked! Good luck on your next cycle! I will be taking CD 3-7 next cycle

MBJune

I've only taken Clomid one cycle and I got the worst headaches from it. I was in bed for three days because I was so sick. I've taken 6 cycles of let now and I am up to 7.5mg a day. I have gotten some headaches after the 5 days but not nearly as bad as Clomid. I never did respond to anything less than 7.5mg of Letrozole. I'm sorry af is being such a bitch!

Katherine0

I've taken both.. I'm to the point now where I can't tell one side effect from another. Good luck this cycle!

BKBABY3

Thanks ladies. Jumped right into 7.5mg a day. Started last night, and so far so good. We'll see how things go once it builds up a little.

RunCC37

Hmmm... I've taken clomid, letrozol, and low dose injectibles for IUI cycles. In my case, I always got at least 3 follicles (usually more) but never resulted in a pregnancy. IMHO, as long as you are responding and producing follicles, it shouldn't make too much of a difference what the protocol was. All that really matters is that you have one quality egg and sperm. Perhaps a different cocktail will make a difference for you though! Good luck!

BKBABY3

@RunCC37, I think we're hoping for more than the one follicle I was getting with my last couple of Clomid cycles to increase chances. Hoping this cocktail (obviously the less fun kind) will do the trick!

Champs28

Thank you for starting this thread! I've never even heard of letrozale! Is this something completely different from clomid and femara? Are there really 3 options?

BKBABY3

Sorry to disappoint, but it's the same as femara. Femara is the brand name.

OhMyKittens

Good luck with letrozole! I had massive Clomid side effects, and letrozole was much better. Even at higher doses, my side effects were minimal.

Warda727

Hi...I'm new here but I want to jump in on the conversation. I've never taken Clomid but I'm on my 2nd cycle of Letrozole 5mg cd 3-7. My first round on it last month I had headaches the first few days. My doctor was happy because I ovulated last cycle so I'm hoping the same for this cycle.