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Clomid vs Femara...

babyexpressbabyexpress member
edited August 2015 in Infertility
Hi, ladies. I did my 1st round of IUI with clomid and I was wondering if anyone switched to femara on a different cycle? If so, did anyone have different symptoms with it or what sort of side effects could be  expected from femara? I got REALLY bad cramps on clomid and all during 2ww.  My RE said you body is preparing itself as if you are getting an AF and If you get bad cramps during AF, which I do, than that might be why.  Would love some insight...

Married: 8/29/2009
TTC- since we got married (off and on)
TTC with focus: Since July 2015
Currently had 2 rounds of failed IUIs, failed TI monitored cycle
December 2015: Starting 1st IVF cycle
January 2016: Retrieval
March 2016: Pending Transfer (I have 3 PGS tested embryos waiting for a womb)
April 2016: BFP, the old fashioned way.

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Re: Clomid vs Femara...

  • rachlee2010rachlee2010 member
    I am probably not going to be much help but I have taken both 1 time each.  I took Clomid in April with my old RE.  I didn't respond at all and never ovulated that cycle (even though I always ovulate on my own without medication) and I ended up with a cyst.  I didn't have many side effects while on it though. 

    I took femara this past cycle with my new RE..I had no side effects while on it and I did respond.  I also took Gonal F injections with it which I didn't do on the clomid.  I had 1 possibly 2 follicles that cycle.  

    My new RE wanted me to try clomid again but I was really against it so she was happy to let me try femara instead and since I did pretty well on it and I feel strongly about it we are sticking with it again for this cycle.
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  • KidShrinkKidShrink member
    I haven't taken Clomid so I can't say much on that end, but I've done 4 cycles with Femara (this last one with injectibles also), and I've had no side effects from it. That's also generally what I've heard (that people tolerate it better than Clomid). Not sure about the impact on cramps though. Were you also on progesterone or was that tested? Maybe that could be part of it too?
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  • babyexpressbabyexpress member
    edited August 2015
    @rachlee2010 thanks for feedback
    @KidShrink.  I wasn't on anything else, other than my Pregnyl trigger shot the day before IUI.  I just know I have been in major pain the entire time.  Even a burning sensation pain for a couple of days.  I have no clue if it was the clomid or not, but my RE says every woman reacts differently.  The actual 5 days I was on clomid I only experienced hot flashes and random crying 2-3 times a day.  

    Married: 8/29/2009
    TTC- since we got married (off and on)
    TTC with focus: Since July 2015
    Currently had 2 rounds of failed IUIs, failed TI monitored cycle
    December 2015: Starting 1st IVF cycle
    January 2016: Retrieval
    March 2016: Pending Transfer (I have 3 PGS tested embryos waiting for a womb)
    April 2016: BFP, the old fashioned way.

    Report Reply
  • HBamama2BHBamama2B member
    I'm on my second cycle of femara (aka letrozol). I did 5mg for 5 days both times. I have never done clomid, but with the letrozol my primary symptom is exhaustion around 3:30. I also had one or two heat flashes while exerting myself, but none of the above was bad. I responded well on the first cycle (BFN tho) and go in for my second cycle US on Friday. Overall seems to be a good drug for me so far!
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  • pmakrillospmakrillos member
    For my case, three cycles of Clomid were awful in terms of the side effects and ineffective. If you have any signs of endo, fibroids or tube blockage, don't waste your time with these medications and their side effects, chances for their success are decreased more than 50%. Now I am going through the corrective surgery to give me better odds later.
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  • Knottie36622473Knottie36622473 member
    My RE says I'm the opposite of most ladies. I HATED femara. I couldn't sleep, I was moody, and dizzy and had nausea. I did one cycle on it and my RE put me back on clomid and just upped the dosage. My main side effect on clomid is hot flashes/being very hot. 
    Me 30 Hubby 32
    TTC#1
    1.) IUI Cycle 1 April 2015- 50mg clomid days 5-9, U/S cycle day 12 at 9:30am showed two follicles (17mm and 19mm), Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 13 at 9:30pm, IUI cycle day 15 at 10:30 am. BFN
    2.) IUI Cycle 2 May 2015-50mg clomid days 5-9, U/S cycle day 12 at 3:30pm showed three follicles!!! (17mm, 20mm and 22mm), Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 13 at 9:30pm, IUI cycle day 15 at 10:30 am. BFN
    3.) IUI Cycle 3 June 2015-50mg clomid days 5-9, U/S cycle day 12 showed one follicle, Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 13 at 9:30pm, IUI cycle day 15 at 10:30 am. BFN
    Month break and switched RE's.
    4.) IUI Cycle 4 July 2015-5mg letrozole/femara days 3-7, U/S day 12 showed one follicle (18mm), Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 12 10:00pm, IUI cycle day 14 10:30 am. BFN
    5.) IUI Cycle 5 August 2015-100mg clomid days 3-7, U/S day 12 showed 2 follicles (18mm each), Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 12 10:00pm, IUI cycle day 14 10:30 am. BFN
    Taking a break and trying acupuncture before continuing another 3 IUI/clomid cycles. I also went back to my original RE; because of my age and normal tests, RE wants to try another 3 IUI and Clomid cycles before considering injectables or IVF. 
    6.) IUI Cycle 6 October 2015-100mg clomid days 3-7, U/S day 12 showed 3 follicles!!!( 18mm, 19mm, and 20mm), Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 13 at 9:30pm, IUI cycle day 15 at 9:30 am. Did acupuncture with this cycle too. BFN
    Took a break and ttc naturally
    7.) IUI Cycle 7 February 2016-100mg clomid days 3-7, U/S day 12 showed 2 follicles (22mm and 24mm), Ovidrel trigger shot day 12 at 9:00pm, IUI cycle day 14 at 10:00am. BFN
    Meeting scheduled for 2/29/2016 to discuss iui with injectables vs. IVF
    8.) IUI Cycle 8 March 2016-Injectables (Gonal F), U/S showed 2 mature follicles, Ovidrel Trigger BFN
    April-May I lost my mind.
    IVF#1 July 2016-Transferred 2 fair blasts. 9dp5dt BFP 129 BETA, 13dp5dt 944 BETA, 20dp5dpt 8776 BETA, 8/19/2016-1 beautiful heartbeat  of 100 BPM at 6 weeks 1 day! Growing baby grow!! 8/25/2016-another ultrasound at 7 weeks and baby has a heart beat of 129 BPM and is 10mm/1cm! Grow baby grow some more!! Graduated from RE at 10 weeks and had ObGyn appointment at 13 weeks. It's a girl (found out via panorama test)  EDD 4/13/2017


    Lilypie Maternity tickers
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  • babyexpressbabyexpress member
    My RE was against the Femara for my 2nd round of IUI, which I'm in now, and he wanted me back on Clomid with lower dosage and adding injections.  I will just have to suffer through the cramps with Clomid.  I have heard Femara has a side effect of bad cramps too, so who knows if it would be any better for me or not.

    Married: 8/29/2009
    TTC- since we got married (off and on)
    TTC with focus: Since July 2015
    Currently had 2 rounds of failed IUIs, failed TI monitored cycle
    December 2015: Starting 1st IVF cycle
    January 2016: Retrieval
    March 2016: Pending Transfer (I have 3 PGS tested embryos waiting for a womb)
    April 2016: BFP, the old fashioned way.

    Report Reply
  • march2008march2008 member
    I have never taken Clomid, but I've taken Femara for 3 cycles along with IUI. Unfortunately, it makes me feel pretty awful for the entire five days. It gives me bad headaches, hot flashes, makes my abdomen very bloated, and makes me super emotional. I am considering asking to try Clomid if we have to do another round of IUI just to see if I may tolerate that better. Everyone is different so it's just trial and error.
    BabyFruit Ticker

    DH: 34/Me: 35
    Married: Feb 2008
    DD: June 2011
    TTC# 2: April 2014
    BFP!! 8/29/16 --> EDD: 5/11/17....it's a GIRL!!! :)
    Report Reply
  • babyexpressbabyexpress member
    march2008 said:
    I have never taken Clomid, but I've taken Femara for 3 cycles along with IUI. Unfortunately, it makes me feel pretty awful for the entire five days. It gives me bad headaches, hot flashes, makes my abdomen very bloated, and makes me super emotional. I am considering asking to try Clomid if we have to do another round of IUI just to see if I may tolerate that better. Everyone is different so it's just trial and error.
    I've had all those same symptoms on Clomid as you did on Femara (except headaches).  I would cry 2-3 times a day for no reason at all.  Guess we just have to keep suffering through it and hope we get a nice end result.

    Married: 8/29/2009
    TTC- since we got married (off and on)
    TTC with focus: Since July 2015
    Currently had 2 rounds of failed IUIs, failed TI monitored cycle
    December 2015: Starting 1st IVF cycle
    January 2016: Retrieval
    March 2016: Pending Transfer (I have 3 PGS tested embryos waiting for a womb)
    April 2016: BFP, the old fashioned way.

    Report Reply
  • Knottie36622473Knottie36622473 member
    @march2008 I would ask your doctor. I responded the same as you (horribly) to femara. Clomid is much better for me. I do have horrible hot flashes but at least I can sleep. The hot flashes are the biggest side effect...
    Me 30 Hubby 32
    TTC#1
    1.) IUI Cycle 1 April 2015- 50mg clomid days 5-9, U/S cycle day 12 at 9:30am showed two follicles (17mm and 19mm), Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 13 at 9:30pm, IUI cycle day 15 at 10:30 am. BFN
    2.) IUI Cycle 2 May 2015-50mg clomid days 5-9, U/S cycle day 12 at 3:30pm showed three follicles!!! (17mm, 20mm and 22mm), Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 13 at 9:30pm, IUI cycle day 15 at 10:30 am. BFN
    3.) IUI Cycle 3 June 2015-50mg clomid days 5-9, U/S cycle day 12 showed one follicle, Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 13 at 9:30pm, IUI cycle day 15 at 10:30 am. BFN
    Month break and switched RE's.
    4.) IUI Cycle 4 July 2015-5mg letrozole/femara days 3-7, U/S day 12 showed one follicle (18mm), Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 12 10:00pm, IUI cycle day 14 10:30 am. BFN
    5.) IUI Cycle 5 August 2015-100mg clomid days 3-7, U/S day 12 showed 2 follicles (18mm each), Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 12 10:00pm, IUI cycle day 14 10:30 am. BFN
    Taking a break and trying acupuncture before continuing another 3 IUI/clomid cycles. I also went back to my original RE; because of my age and normal tests, RE wants to try another 3 IUI and Clomid cycles before considering injectables or IVF. 
    6.) IUI Cycle 6 October 2015-100mg clomid days 3-7, U/S day 12 showed 3 follicles!!!( 18mm, 19mm, and 20mm), Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 13 at 9:30pm, IUI cycle day 15 at 9:30 am. Did acupuncture with this cycle too. BFN
    Took a break and ttc naturally
    7.) IUI Cycle 7 February 2016-100mg clomid days 3-7, U/S day 12 showed 2 follicles (22mm and 24mm), Ovidrel trigger shot day 12 at 9:00pm, IUI cycle day 14 at 10:00am. BFN
    Meeting scheduled for 2/29/2016 to discuss iui with injectables vs. IVF
    8.) IUI Cycle 8 March 2016-Injectables (Gonal F), U/S showed 2 mature follicles, Ovidrel Trigger BFN
    April-May I lost my mind.
    IVF#1 July 2016-Transferred 2 fair blasts. 9dp5dt BFP 129 BETA, 13dp5dt 944 BETA, 20dp5dpt 8776 BETA, 8/19/2016-1 beautiful heartbeat  of 100 BPM at 6 weeks 1 day! Growing baby grow!! 8/25/2016-another ultrasound at 7 weeks and baby has a heart beat of 129 BPM and is 10mm/1cm! Grow baby grow some more!! Graduated from RE at 10 weeks and had ObGyn appointment at 13 weeks. It's a girl (found out via panorama test)  EDD 4/13/2017


    Lilypie Maternity tickers
    Report Reply
  • babyexpressbabyexpress member
    I'm on my 4th day of Clomid this cycle and really don't have much of the same symptoms that I did the first cycle.  This time my RE lowered dosage to 1 50g a day instead of taking 2.  No cramping, no crying, not bloated and hot flashes are very light (maybe once or twice a day for a minute or two).  All in all, I'm glad I stayed on Clomid- now I just hope it produces what I need.

    Married: 8/29/2009
    TTC- since we got married (off and on)
    TTC with focus: Since July 2015
    Currently had 2 rounds of failed IUIs, failed TI monitored cycle
    December 2015: Starting 1st IVF cycle
    January 2016: Retrieval
    March 2016: Pending Transfer (I have 3 PGS tested embryos waiting for a womb)
    April 2016: BFP, the old fashioned way.

    Report Reply
  • Knottie36622473Knottie36622473 member
    I sleep at night with the fan on over me and next to me (so 2 fans on top of AC) when I'm taking clomid lol....
    Me 30 Hubby 32
    TTC#1
    1.) IUI Cycle 1 April 2015- 50mg clomid days 5-9, U/S cycle day 12 at 9:30am showed two follicles (17mm and 19mm), Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 13 at 9:30pm, IUI cycle day 15 at 10:30 am. BFN
    2.) IUI Cycle 2 May 2015-50mg clomid days 5-9, U/S cycle day 12 at 3:30pm showed three follicles!!! (17mm, 20mm and 22mm), Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 13 at 9:30pm, IUI cycle day 15 at 10:30 am. BFN
    3.) IUI Cycle 3 June 2015-50mg clomid days 5-9, U/S cycle day 12 showed one follicle, Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 13 at 9:30pm, IUI cycle day 15 at 10:30 am. BFN
    Month break and switched RE's.
    4.) IUI Cycle 4 July 2015-5mg letrozole/femara days 3-7, U/S day 12 showed one follicle (18mm), Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 12 10:00pm, IUI cycle day 14 10:30 am. BFN
    5.) IUI Cycle 5 August 2015-100mg clomid days 3-7, U/S day 12 showed 2 follicles (18mm each), Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 12 10:00pm, IUI cycle day 14 10:30 am. BFN
    Taking a break and trying acupuncture before continuing another 3 IUI/clomid cycles. I also went back to my original RE; because of my age and normal tests, RE wants to try another 3 IUI and Clomid cycles before considering injectables or IVF. 
    6.) IUI Cycle 6 October 2015-100mg clomid days 3-7, U/S day 12 showed 3 follicles!!!( 18mm, 19mm, and 20mm), Ovidrel trigger shot cycle day 13 at 9:30pm, IUI cycle day 15 at 9:30 am. Did acupuncture with this cycle too. BFN
    Took a break and ttc naturally
    7.) IUI Cycle 7 February 2016-100mg clomid days 3-7, U/S day 12 showed 2 follicles (22mm and 24mm), Ovidrel trigger shot day 12 at 9:00pm, IUI cycle day 14 at 10:00am. BFN
    Meeting scheduled for 2/29/2016 to discuss iui with injectables vs. IVF
    8.) IUI Cycle 8 March 2016-Injectables (Gonal F), U/S showed 2 mature follicles, Ovidrel Trigger BFN
    April-May I lost my mind.
    IVF#1 July 2016-Transferred 2 fair blasts. 9dp5dt BFP 129 BETA, 13dp5dt 944 BETA, 20dp5dpt 8776 BETA, 8/19/2016-1 beautiful heartbeat  of 100 BPM at 6 weeks 1 day! Growing baby grow!! 8/25/2016-another ultrasound at 7 weeks and baby has a heart beat of 129 BPM and is 10mm/1cm! Grow baby grow some more!! Graduated from RE at 10 weeks and had ObGyn appointment at 13 weeks. It's a girl (found out via panorama test)  EDD 4/13/2017


    Lilypie Maternity tickers
    Report Reply
  • peregrinefalconxperegrinefalconx member
    I did femara a few times with limited side effects. I had a bad headache the first few days, but that was it. I responded too well the first time (4-5 follicles and they wouldn't trigger me! ugh) But never had luck with it again. That was likely bc of my personal body situation though. All in all, I am glad they went that route over clomid though.
    *****Losses Mentioned*****BFP MENTIONED*****ALL WELCOME******ALL ABOARD!!

    Me: 42, DH: 46, Married: 11/12
    Losses: MMC#1 11/12 BO, MC#2 11/13 at 8w BO?, MMC#3 8/14 chromo healthy M @12 weeks, stopped growing at 10.
    Negligible AMH, FSH finally went high. Pursued DE.

    DD born at 38w2d on 5-27-16. Finally!!

    Pregnant again with OE. EDD 11/9/17 Girl!




    BabyGaga
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