Asking RE about Femara, opinions needed

Julie721

Okay so I have some weeks to kill before meeting with my RE to "regroup" after two canceled cycles on Gonal-F. I have already done 3 rounds of clomid (unmonitored, I know, I know) without ovulating, but I don't know if I was developing follicles or not.

Anyway, when I canceled this cycle, I asked about possibly trying femara + injectables to see if that works better, and the nurse practictioner said they don't do femara, only clomid.

So my question is, what would you do? See if he would try Femara even though he doesn't? Try a clomid + injectables cycle? If he refuses to do Femara, would you find another RE? I am a little discouraged right now, and I feel a little lost about where to go next. But I also want to have some sort of plan in my mind before talking to my RE. TIA!

goodgollie

How do you know you weren't ovulating on clomid if you weren't being monitored?  If you are absolutely sure that there was no ovulation and Gonal-F hyperstimulates you then yes, I would push about doing another cycle on Clomid (being monitored) or the same on Femara. 

Julie721

I did charting, OPKs and a day 21 bloodwork on Clomid, just no u/s.

genmalone

My RE doesn't do Femara but I talked her into letting me try 1 cycle.  Alot of Dr's don't prescribe it because its only FDA for breast cancer.  I took it one cycle and loved it but my Dr wouldn't let me take it again.

Good luck! 

hootie123

So you had no response on Clomid and over-stim on injects.  I would agree with you that trying Femara before moving on IVF is worth a shot.    I would do some research myself into the studies that have been done with Femara - and bring that with you to the RE.  And if he will still not try Femara - I would also consider calling another RE in your area and ask for a second opinion.  GL!

goodgollie

Julie721:

I did charting, OPKs and a day 21 bloodwork on Clomid, just no u/s.

Well, OPKs never worked for me.  You didn't get a temp shift with charting?  Your progesterone should be checked at 7dpo, not cd21.  If you O'd late, then a cd21 bloodwork wouldn't show ovulation.  Did you get AF on your own or did you have to take Provera?  Sorry for all the inquisitiveness, I'm just trying to help.

Julie721

goodgollie:

Julie721:

I did charting, OPKs and a day 21 bloodwork on Clomid, just no u/s.

Well, OPKs never worked for me.  You didn't get a temp shift with charting?  Your progesterone should be checked at 7dpo, not cd21.  If you O'd late, then a cd21 bloodwork wouldn't show ovulation.  Did you get AF on your own or did you have to take Provera?  Sorry for all the inquisitiveness, I'm just trying to help.

No temp shift at all, and I never got AF on my own. I always had to use provera. 

goodgollie

Julie721:

goodgollie:

Julie721:

I did charting, OPKs and a day 21 bloodwork on Clomid, just no u/s.

Well, OPKs never worked for me.  You didn't get a temp shift with charting?  Your progesterone should be checked at 7dpo, not cd21.  If you O'd late, then a cd21 bloodwork wouldn't show ovulation.  Did you get AF on your own or did you have to take Provera?  Sorry for all the inquisitiveness, I'm just trying to help.

No temp shift at all, and I never got AF on my own. I always had to use provera. 

Hmm, darn.  I was hoping there was some hope you actually did O on clomid. I would ask about Femara.  There has to be something in between that will work for you.  Best of luck! 

PlumCallaLily

I did 3 unmonitored cycles of Clomid before switching to Femera. On my first Clomid cycle, the CD21 bw showed no O (because I didn't ovulate till CD23. The second cycle, I O'ed on CD19 I think and my CD21 bw showed slight O. My third round, I had a very high progesterone level on CD21, having O'ed on like day 17 or 18 (exact numbers in link in siggy). On my first round of Femera, I was monitored and had one great sized follie and triggered on CD15. My progesterone level was 18.8. In my experience, Femara was incredibly better to me than Clomid by was of s/e. Clomid made me miserable. I have had none of those s/e with Femara. I would recommend being monitored to see what your body even does during a cycle. 100% of my monitoring is OOP, but it was worth it. If the Clomid is for sure not working, they might switch you to Femara, which is my drug of choice. Good luck an sorry for the one large paragraph...on my iPhone!