Letrozole

[mom2prielle]

I finally broke down after 26 mo of TTC, 8 clomid cycles, 2 IUIs and trigger shots and went to the RE for advice. After AF shows in 2 weeks or so - we will start on letrozole with CD3 blood work and U/S and then do another IUI. If that is unsuccessful - we will do IVF.  Has anyone done letrozole vs clomid? side affects? BFPs? also - i will be in NY when Af starts - and will hopefully make it back somewhere between CD2-5 or i will have to have CD3 labs and US done up there and rx called in there as well.  so nervous and hesitant to spend so much $ - esp when we have a blessing with our 2.5 yr old. thoughts?

[mom2prielle]

we do have a lot in common......
glad AF finally showed up for you and that you can start meds soon.
Hope this is OUR month!!!
GL to you!

[SeattleRed]

I have done Letrozole twice now, one with an IUI that ended up with a BFN this morning. I'm super bummed about it...trying to be as positive as possible. Will go in for a beta tomorrow morning to check where my hormone levels are-that has to be helpful to know, right?  We've been ttc for over 2 years now and had a mc in Feb. 08 when trying w/o meds or anything.  I had no side effects with Letrozole and my lining was great apparently. RE said we should try up to 3 times on Let/IUI before considering moving on.  The bills are starting to pile up -thinking of holding a bake sale in honor of the Clinic!  lol....In reality I'm super impatient so this is crazy frustrating...

*sighs before continuing*

Good luck on your cycles, ladies!!!  SSBD to all of us....plus a whole lot of positive attitude!

[meeshy9]

I'm starting my first cycle of Femara tomorrow and I've had a lot of the same questions you do.  This is the first thing we've tried after ttc for the past year after having a mc in August last year.  I too have a 2.5 yr old daughter.  I'm also traveling a lot while trying to accomplish all of this - we have a lot in common!  Best of luck to you this cycle - hoping for a BFP for you!

[bny807]

I know what you mean about the ultrasounds, but really its no big deal, i sware i get like 8  of them a cycle! one the first day of AF and then two or three before IUI, then one after IUI at least!  its just a part of life now., i always just remember, the tech does this every single day all day long, so they are used to it, so they don't think anything of it!  its not bad, just a little od but not a big deal at all!  I really like dr's that monitor your follies and cycle closely, its nice to know whats going on inside of there and to see things working.  glad you found a great doctor , thats so important!!. GOOD LUCK!!!  Keep us updated! : )

[mom2prielle]

THANK YOU ALL!!! i feel so much better now.  insurance covered the clomid - so i am sure they will cover the letrozole.  Glad to hear less side effects - i was a raging biatch on clomid - hmm - no wonder i didnt get a BFP - great way to get DH in th emood - LOL.  I also have to go for CD3 labs - sort of grosses me out to have AF and a trans-vaginal US.  is it as bad as i think it will be?  I have only had CD blood b4 - never an us.  i am thrilled with this RE.  2 friend have used them (both IVF) and one had a baby in july - the oher due in Oct.  And they are one of the 2 highly recommended in the ATL area.

[mlb1234]

I used femara and got pregnant on the first cycle (dd is now almost 7 months old!!).  I never tried clomid and did not use an IUI.  But from my experience I had very little side effects from femara - in fact I can't name even one.  Best of luck - I hope you also get that BFP!!

[candie429]

I have used both Clomid and Femara.  I didn't end up with a BFP, but I definitely O'd while on them and they helped lengthen my cycles/luteal phase.  Anyway, I liked Femara much better than Clomid.  Clomid gave me terrible mood swings and hot flashes.  The only thing I noticed with the Femara was that I had mid-cycle headches and I read somewhere that is one symptom that is typically stronger with Femara vs Clomid.  Like bny said, Femara doesn't thin your lining and it also doesn't have the risk of OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation) like Clomid does.  I think it's definitely worth a try for a few cycles, it may be just the extra boost you need!  Best of luck to you!!

[bny807]

Femara(letrazole) is a great choice for a lot of people! we have had a lot of BFP's on here with it! : )   it has fewer side effects than clomid for most people - no thining of your uterine lining like clomid, and it doesnt' dry up cervical mucus like clomid either.. i've personally never taken clomid, but they say that people have fewer hot flashes while on femara too.... we took femara 2.5mg once a day for two cycles, then upped it to 5mg once a day in combination with follistim and IUI's and got our BFP.. unfortunately miscarried but i will be starting that combo again tonight!    GOOD LUCK! let me knwo if you have any questions or if there is anything  i can help you with!   lots of times if you have insurance it will pay for femara (since its a breast cancer drug, not on the market for fertility) even if your insurance doesn't cover fertilty treatments!  GOOD LUCK! : )

[Hope4best]

I am so sorry to hear you are going through this.  Please hang in there and things will fall into place in time.  I was in a similar situation.  After unsuccessful clomid / IUIs cycles I was determined to move onto IVF.  I know my doctor did not like my decision to move onto IVF but I was determined to get pregnant and I personally didn't want to waste time and money on things that did not work.  I was blessed to have insurance cover most of the cost but it is expensive.  Does your insurance cover fertility cost?  Also, have you gotten a second opinion from another RE?  I actually went to another RE for advice and decided to transfer my file and I am finally pregnant with 1st try at the new place.  Good luck with everything and I will pray for you.