UPDATED: XP from TTC a Sibling: FET meds suck, may be the end of this cycle

BootsOrHearts

Hey ladies, I was part of this board many moons ago when we did our first IVF cycle. Appreciate your help/input on my FET cycle issues. Anyone else having a hard time on these meds?

I'm on day 14 of meds for an FET and I as of this moment I am calling the whole thing off.  I have been irritable, depressed, anxious, angry, moody, and miserable. I called the nurse at my REs office and she said there's no issue with stopping, my cycle might be a bit messed up but eventually I'll get a period and things will go back to normal. 

They offered to do my next ultrasound early (tomorrow instead of Friday) and see what's going on, if I wanted to take one more day of meds. then I could talk with the doctor while I'm there about the issues I'm having. I don't know if she can prescribe some kind of anti-depressant or something to combat the effects, who knows. 

They are going to see if the doctor can call today when she is in between surgeries. 

I talked to the doctor about doing a natural cycle, she said she doesn't like to do those because they aren't as successful, but I am wondering if that may be a better option for me given the issues I'm having. Surely they would just monitor my lining and see if naturally it's where it needs to be and if not, then not thaw the embryos right? I mean, it doesn't seem like we'd have a lot to lose. 

Any thoughts, ideas, advice appreciated. I'm on estradiol, minvelle and trental.

UPDATE: I spoke with my RE on the phone and we agreed to cancel this cycle (she will give me something to start a period) and we'll try a natural cycle, though because of the holidays it will have to wait until January. I've been doing some research on natural cycles and I think that will be the best thing for me. No icky meds (except the PIO but the only side effect to that is the butt lumps) and people who have trouble with a thin lining on medicated cycles (which I did with femara and with the fresh IVF cycle) can sometimes have better results with natural. Thanks ladies for all the advice and kind words! 

tptbabe

Just a thought, but have you had your TSH levels checked? The estradiol could be affecting it, which could cause you to feel depressed and moody (I know I get that way when my levels are off!). I'm sorry you're feeling this way

Marissa6609

I'm sorry you are experiencing those side effects. I am on estrace only to prepare for my fet and the only side effects I am having are exhaustion and constipation.
Are you close to transferring? If you are close can you stick it out a couple more days? If not, it sounds like a natural cycle might be best for you based on your side effects from the meds. Good luck!

BootsOrHearts

@tptbabe thank you I will ask the nurse about that! 

@marissa6609 they said my earliest transfer date would be dec. 4th so I have a ways to go. :-( The estrace and minivelle (both estrogen) are what's giving me problems I think. I haven't dealt with the issues you're having though, I guess it's always something! 

Smootiepie

Absolutely no advice, but just wanted to wave hi  :-h

Excited that you guys are TTC #2!  GL w/ whatever happens this cycle.

katers79

Im sorry you're feeling this way. I'm prepping for FET 12/8, and I'm currently on estrace, lupron, prednisone and baby aspirin. I'm DEFINITELY more bitchy on these, and I'm still only on relatively small doses.

IMO, I'd stick it out. But this process has really taken a long time for us (long lupron) and I'm just ready. I wouldn't want to delay anything further. I know you still have a little ways to go, but would there be anything you can do to decrease the side effects? Maybe some extra "you" time with massage, acupuncture, or just a mani/pedi? I find that I'm more relaxed after leaving acupuncture and I'm definitely happier after a massage. Or maybe a kickboxing class at the gym to take out some frustration?

GL with your decision. And FX for you!

BrideJackie11

**** siggy warning ****

@bootsorhearts, I remember you from way back when!!!  I am too am probably going to do an FET again sometime over the next 6 months.  I guess I should check out the TTC a sibling board.  I am nervous to intro over here again but was a regular way back (maybe I'll just delete my sig, ugh I keep trying to make the ticker go away!!!).  I wanted to say good luck!!!  I don't know if it would be worth starting an antidepressant like zoloft or prozac as they typically take several weeks to have the full effect.   I am sorry you are feeling so crappy.  Can you meet with a therapist for some brief therapy to help you out so you can keep cycling?  Sending you ((HUGS))!

CML11

IMO I would stick it out unless you absolutely cannot continue. Was your other cycles this way? I agree with pp to get a blood test work up to see if it's something easily fixable.
Good luck!

chicagobride_07

** Siggy warning**

Have you tried different formulations of the meds?  I've had my share of FET's- in this, I've found that I can't tolerate estrace (makes me very nauseous) and crinone makes me incredibly irritable and emotional.  Switching to PIO and delestrogen as alternatives worked for me.  Maybe it is something as simple as this?

I'm really sorry that you are going through this.

BootsOrHearts

chicagobride_07 said:

** Siggy warning**

Have you tried different formulations of the meds?  I've had my share of FET's- in this, I've found that I can't tolerate estrace (makes me very nauseous) and crinone makes me incredibly irritable and emotional.  Switching to PIO and delestrogen as alternatives worked for me.  Maybe it is something as simple as this?

I'm really sorry that you are going through this.

This will be the next step if the natural cycle doesn't pan out. RE said the estrogen via patches is sometimes better than the pills so we'll try more patches and skipping the pills I guess.