Talk to me about Femara

YankeeNavyWife · August 2011

My signature pretty much says it all (hypothyroid/PCOS) but I didn't respond to Clomid at all, so my RE has me starting Femara this month with an IUI. I'd like to know if you liked the drug, how you tolerated it and if you had success with it.

My husband is in the Navy, so we're doing all of this thru Tricare. If this drug doesn't work for me, we'll have to go to IVF, and that will be all OOP.

Thanks for the advice ladies!

lhcooper · August 2011

I didn't respond to Clomid either, and I had a MUCH better response with Femara; an excellent lining and 2-3 follicles each time (with Femara they do expect slightly fewer follicles each time, plus I'm turning 40 shortly). I didn't get pregnant--except for the last IUI, which was ectopic -- but my previous RE was pleased. That was on 7.5 mg/day; my new RE has said that if she had had me on it, she would have used 12.5 to produce more follicles (again, because I'm older).

I had virtually no side effects, either, except for a little bloating the first time I took it. Clomid gave me the typical hot flashes.

Good luck!

labdemon · August 2011

I also have PCOS, and didn't respond to clomid at all. So this is my third cycle on Femara (I also do FSH injections, 150 IU on CD 7 and 8), and it's going really well... 1-3 follies each time, great lining, etc.

I've had few side effects... this cycle I've had some killer headaches, but I don't know if that's from the meds or just a coincidence. On clomid I felt like a$$ all the time, especially with the hot flashes.... I wear a lab coat at work and would get the hot flashes and have to rip my coat off before I threw up! It was awful, And everyone knew I was having some weird problem... they all probably think I'm in menopause at 33!

So I am way happier with Femara in all ways! Good luck to you!

babina868 · August 2011

I never tried Clomid -- I went straight to Femara. I was on 2.5 mg for my first 2 cycles, 1 follie each time and great lining. I increased to 5 mg on my 3rd cycle to see if I could get more follies, but I only got 1 again that cycle and my lining was thinner. I had no side effects.

Obviously no success -- if you're looking for success stories, you'll have much better luck on the Pregnant after Infertility (PAIF) board or the Success after Infertility (SAIF) board. On this board, we're all still trying. Good luck!

racheyt0227 · August 2011

My RE won't prescribe it...I didn't respond to Clomid, so I would have been more than willing to try it.

jessican08 · August 2011

I never took Clomid, just Femara. I used in on all 6 of my IUI cycles (3 cycles we combined it with injectibles). I always responded really well to it so it was successful for me in that regard. The only s/e I had were headaches the first day or two of taking it.

Cycle 1 - 2.5 mg. of Femara = 2 follies

Cycle 2 - 2.5 mg. of Femara = 1 follie

Cycle 3 - 5 mg. of Femara = 2 follies

Cycle 4 - 5 mg. of Femara + Bravelle = 3 follies

Cycle 5 - 5 mg. of Femara + Bravelle = 3 follies

Cycle 6 - 5 mg. of Femara + Follistim = 3 follies

GL!

sarahtoledo · August 2011

jessicandavies, that is really interesting. I would've like to hear about others' experiences in such detail.

Here are my stats:

cycle 1, 50 mg Clomid, no mature follies

cycle 2, 100 mg Clomid, 3 mature follies

cycle 3, 5 mg Femara, 1 mature follie (switched because of lining issues)

cycle 4, 5 mg Femara, 2 mature follies

cycle 5, 5 mg Femara + Repronex, 2 mature follies

cycle 6, 5 mg Femara + Repronex, 3-4 mature follies

cycle 7, 5 mg Femara + Menopur, 1 mature follie

I loved Femara because I had barely any s/e with it. Just a headache or two, and not horrible headaches like I had on Clomid. Clomid also thinned my lining too much. GL to you!

FraggleChic · August 2011

YankeeNavyWife:
My signature pretty much says it all (hypothyroid/PCOS) but I didn't respond to Clomid at all, so my RE has me starting Femara this month with an IUI. I'd like to know if you liked the drug, how you tolerated it and if you had success with it.

My husband is in the Navy, so we're doing all of this thru Tricare. If this drug doesn't work for me, we'll have to go to IVF, and that will be all OOP.

Thanks for the advice ladies!

HI YNW, if you EVER have any questions about Tricare and IF please feel free to PM me. I've been fighting with them for awhile now and would be happy to help you.

I had less side effects with Femara than I did with clomid. I still got the hot flashes but I didn't get the bad headaches that I did with Clomid.

Good luck!

MBfromBMC · August 2011

I did respond pretty well to Clomid, but obviously it did not result in a PG. I switched to Femara two months ago (just started my third Femara today) and I have had no s/e. So far, for both Femara cycles, I have had just one mature follie, but I have heard really good things about making the switch from Clomid to Femara.

GL!!

YankeeNavyWife · August 2011

Thanks for all of the replies ladies!

Your knowledge has made me feel better about this whole switching drugs thing.

Thanks for dealling with my "Newbieness" as well! I'll get the hang of this soon!

Not wanting to get too comfortable on this board, hope we can all move on to the next step ASAP!!!! Big Smile

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