Follistim side effects and protocol ?

mrsharris15

What have your side effects been? I've got a monster headache tonight and I'm feeling a little nauseous. What was yur protocol? I started at 75iu cd3-6, 150iu cd7-8, and now I'm up to 225iu for the next to nights. 225iu's seems high to me, has anyone else had this high of a dose?

Jill070707

Do you know your estrogen count? Those are estrogen side effects - they're a good sign. My dose was almost that high during my IVF cycle towards the end. Good luck!

mrsharris15

Jill070707:

Do you know your estrogen count? Those are estrogen side effects - they're a good sign. My dose was almost that high during my IVF cycle towards the end. Good luck!

I had my labs today, they called and said everything looked good but didn't give an actual number if my symptoms persist I will call in the morning just to be on the safe side. Thanks!

Mrs.Slick

I also get headaches with Follistim due to the rising estrogen. My first Follistim cycle (IUI) I started at 25 and by day 25ish of stims I was up to 150. We did a low and slow protocol since with PCOS over response was a big concern. 

mrsharris15

Mrs.Slick:

I also get headaches with Follistim due to the rising estrogen. My first Follistim cycle (IUI) I started at 25 and by day 25ish of stims I was up to 150. We did a low and slow protocol since with PCOS over response was a big concern. 

I was sure that's what we would do to, but nothing was happening so they upped the dose. I just can't believe it was so much so fast....I did question the nurse when she said 225 today, but she said that was right...

Mrs.Slick

Mine went up/down/up so they might just be trying to get some follies to jump into the lead and then adjust down. 

nawlinsgrl

I started at 150, increased to 200, and have been at 300 for the past 3 days.  Tomorrow I go back down to 225.  I am also on Menopur.  My major side effect has been mild insomnia (falling asleep later and later each night).

mrsharris15

nawlinsgrl:

I started at 150, increased to 200, and have been at 300 for the past 3 days.  Tomorrow I go back down to 225.  I am also on Menopur.  My major side effect has been mild insomnia (falling asleep later and later each night).

Me too! I didn't think it was related but now that you say it maybe it is... I've just been laying in bed for hours not able to fall asleep! It's so annoying!

Mrs.Slick

mrsharris15:

nawlinsgrl:

I started at 150, increased to 200, and have been at 300 for the past 3 days.  Tomorrow I go back down to 225.  I am also on Menopur.  My major side effect has been mild insomnia (falling asleep later and later each night).

Me too! I didn't think it was related but now that you say it maybe it is... I've just been laying in bed for hours not able to fall asleep! It's so annoying!

Omg, me too! I haven't been able to sleep much in the past week since starting stims (Follistim/Menopur). No sleep + early morning monitoring appointments make for a cranky Mrs.Slick. 

mrsharris15

Mrs.Slick:

mrsharris15:

nawlinsgrl:

I started at 150, increased to 200, and have been at 300 for the past 3 days.  Tomorrow I go back down to 225.  I am also on Menopur.  My major side effect has been mild insomnia (falling asleep later and later each night).

Me too! I didn't think it was related but now that you say it maybe it is... I've just been laying in bed for hours not able to fall asleep! It's so annoying!

Omg, me too! I haven't been able to sleep much in the past week since starting stims (Follistim/Menopur). No sleep + early morning monitoring appointments make for a cranky Mrs.Slick. 

I am totally exhausted today after monitoring this morning and about 4 1/2 hrs of sleep! But here I sit bumping away...

Mrs.Slick

mrsharris15:

I am totally exhausted today after monitoring this morning and about 4 1/2 hrs of sleep! But here I sit bumping away...

Ha! You and me both! 

sarahtoledo

I've been on 225 this cycle, and just got upped to 300.  Yes to the headaches and fatigue.  :::sigh:::

GL to you! 

ccam

My side effects on Follistim have been pretty minimal.  I normally have mild headaches, so if it made them worse, I didn't really notice.  I'm also on a really low dose - last cycle I started at 50iu and this cycle I started at 66iu. 

hootie123

I was up to 375IU w/ IVF.   I actually felt ok other than feeling my ovaries growing. 

HotChocolate79

I did 50 IU's CD3-10.  I guess I am an over-responder so the RE always gives me the smallest doses of everything.  S/E's were hot flashes and night sweats with some crazies thrown in.  Not terrible overall.

saratrying

After the first cycle on Follistim, I was sure the only side effect I felt was a raging headache shortly after taking it. With the second, I noticed I was definitely more fatigued. With the third, I definitely realized there was something going on on because I couldn't sleep.