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Femara vs Clomid - Need Opinions
Well AF is about to show anyday now (unless by some miracle I get a BFP). So I have 2 choices for my next cycle. Just wondering what you guys think I should do.
A. Go with Clomid and no RE. Clomid helps produce more and better quality eggs, although one side effect is that it has the potential to create hostile CM. But I would be taking EPO, and using Pre-Seed in a hopes to counteract. I got this Rx from my general practitioner, so really no one would be monitoring me. It can also cause problems taking OPK's. Also, this is one of the most widley used Rx's for fertility treatment and is researched and approved for such.
B. Go with Femara and the RE. Femara is like Clomid, but produces results in a different way. It should produce more and better quality eggs. There is a lot less research on Femara, and I don't think that the FDA has approved it as a fertility treatment, although it is widely used as one. This was prescribed by my RE. If I choose this route, then on CD2 I would get bloodwork done and start the Femara. Then on CD12 I would go in for an u/s to look at my follies. I would get a trigger shot and we would be doing timed BD. This option is a lot more time consuming and expensive as I would have to pay for all the follow up visits after the initial bloodwork. But doesn't give me any greater odds then using the Clomid.
The other problem to this whole thing is that I am having a heck of a time trying to get DH to go for his s/a. If his swimmers are no good, then this really is all for naught. I don't know if he is afraid of "stage fright" or what the problem may be as he refuses to have a real conversation about this. He now has the cold I had last week and this is his latest excuse.
What do you gals think?
A. Go with Clomid and no RE. Clomid helps produce more and better quality eggs, although one side effect is that it has the potential to create hostile CM. But I would be taking EPO, and using Pre-Seed in a hopes to counteract. I got this Rx from my general practitioner, so really no one would be monitoring me. It can also cause problems taking OPK's. Also, this is one of the most widley used Rx's for fertility treatment and is researched and approved for such.
B. Go with Femara and the RE. Femara is like Clomid, but produces results in a different way. It should produce more and better quality eggs. There is a lot less research on Femara, and I don't think that the FDA has approved it as a fertility treatment, although it is widely used as one. This was prescribed by my RE. If I choose this route, then on CD2 I would get bloodwork done and start the Femara. Then on CD12 I would go in for an u/s to look at my follies. I would get a trigger shot and we would be doing timed BD. This option is a lot more time consuming and expensive as I would have to pay for all the follow up visits after the initial bloodwork. But doesn't give me any greater odds then using the Clomid.
The other problem to this whole thing is that I am having a heck of a time trying to get DH to go for his s/a. If his swimmers are no good, then this really is all for naught. I don't know if he is afraid of "stage fright" or what the problem may be as he refuses to have a real conversation about this. He now has the cold I had last week and this is his latest excuse.
What do you gals think?
Hi -- I just found this post but left you a messy note on your home page too...
I did one month of Clomid (1 tablet for 5 days starting CD 2) and then one month of Femara (same schedule as Clomid). I got 1 follicle with each although the Femara follicle was 10% bigger than the clomid follicle & my lining was about 4mm thicker on Femara. We did an IUI with both. I didn't need the trigger shot because I O'd on my own and find it annoying that the REs feel the need do that when it's not always needed.
I didn't have any side effects on Clomid but was among the 2% of people who got a fever (and no other symptoms) on Femara.. 5 days of 102+ (lost a few lbs though!).
I used to work in clinical research and a lot of times it's just so expensive to run the necessary clinical trials to substantiate the off-label use of meds that the drug companies just don't bother, especially if they have a loyal following of Drs who prescribe off label uses. I wouldn't let that worry you too much.
That said, I'd give clomid a chance but I wouldn't use if for more than 1 or 2 cycles because, as you found, it builds up in your body and causes an increasing problem with the cm and lining.
Paying the extra $$ for the RE to monitor hormones (blood) and the development of the follicle (u/s) can produce some useful info. It also pinpoints exactly when you O if they are tracking you closely so you can get some swimmers in there before and immediately after O'ing. It might be the best use of $$ to do the cycle monitoring along with an IUI so the timing and placement of everything is just perfect... although success rates are still not great.
That said, I'd have a heart-to-heart with DH. The RE can do lots to help if his numbers aren't great but it's really going to help to find out before you start spending $$ and going through the hassle of cycle monitoring -- and even before you put yourself through a round of clomid. He may also be reassured to know that numbers shift a lot... my DH's numbers have been as low as 6 million and as high as 60 million... so if he doesn't perform well the first time, he can always make up for it with a do-over.
I did one month of Clomid (1 tablet for 5 days starting CD 2) and then one month of Femara (same schedule as Clomid). I got 1 follicle with each although the Femara follicle was 10% bigger than the clomid follicle & my lining was about 4mm thicker on Femara. We did an IUI with both. I didn't need the trigger shot because I O'd on my own and find it annoying that the REs feel the need do that when it's not always needed.
I didn't have any side effects on Clomid but was among the 2% of people who got a fever (and no other symptoms) on Femara.. 5 days of 102+ (lost a few lbs though!).
I used to work in clinical research and a lot of times it's just so expensive to run the necessary clinical trials to substantiate the off-label use of meds that the drug companies just don't bother, especially if they have a loyal following of Drs who prescribe off label uses. I wouldn't let that worry you too much.
That said, I'd give clomid a chance but I wouldn't use if for more than 1 or 2 cycles because, as you found, it builds up in your body and causes an increasing problem with the cm and lining.
Paying the extra $$ for the RE to monitor hormones (blood) and the development of the follicle (u/s) can produce some useful info. It also pinpoints exactly when you O if they are tracking you closely so you can get some swimmers in there before and immediately after O'ing. It might be the best use of $$ to do the cycle monitoring along with an IUI so the timing and placement of everything is just perfect... although success rates are still not great.
That said, I'd have a heart-to-heart with DH. The RE can do lots to help if his numbers aren't great but it's really going to help to find out before you start spending $$ and going through the hassle of cycle monitoring -- and even before you put yourself through a round of clomid. He may also be reassured to know that numbers shift a lot... my DH's numbers have been as low as 6 million and as high as 60 million... so if he doesn't perform well the first time, he can always make up for it with a do-over.
Wow, this a very good thread. I used Clomid (50mg) and didn't get pregnant on it. I actually got pregnant the cycle I STOPPED using Clomid, go figure. I think it jump started my ovulation.
After reading all of this I would say go with Clomid. The fact that Femara is not FDA approved is quite scary. Plus it is the less expensive route at this point.
After reading all of this I would say go with Clomid. The fact that Femara is not FDA approved is quite scary. Plus it is the less expensive route at this point.
Steph - like you said in nunu's post, we are the last of the originals. I take that to mean that our time is coming soon.
Thanks kgokgo, that was very sweet of you. Originally I was leaning towards the Femara, but after the last two days, I think I'm going to go with the Clomid. I've done the research on the increased chance of multiples and from what I've read, it really only raises your chances by about 10%. That is perfectly fine by me. I really want to have more then one child and twins would be just fantastic!
Thanks kgokgo, that was very sweet of you. Originally I was leaning towards the Femara, but after the last two days, I think I'm going to go with the Clomid. I've done the research on the increased chance of multiples and from what I've read, it really only raises your chances by about 10%. That is perfectly fine by me. I really want to have more then one child and twins would be just fantastic!
My husband is a pharmacist and I told him about your dilemma and he said you should steer clear of unapproved drugs coz there is a reason why they are not approved. I also agree with the others that why take the expensive route before trying the cheaper and more straight foward one. I googled clomid and it looks like its got a very good success rate. I also found out that most people who used it had twins so you might be buying two of everything in no time. Good luck.
Oh bam...I know your time is coming. You are so on top of everything and that is such a big plus. I pray that you are next to get your BFP. I have told Dani before that I have children already and that I would gladly give up my BFP to any of you that have not had that opportunity...I told her that a few days before she got her BFP, so hopefully God is listening and gives you the blessing you deserve...
I know Dani, I know. I can't wait to start back at school next week, to hopefully take my mind off of this.
Please remember that I SO know what you are going through. It can take so long and it just consumes our every thought. I really can't offer you any advice, I know I just couldn't take it any more and gave up. You guys were here for me when i was down and out, but somehow everything worked out OK. Have you tried a change in diet? Ya know, how some foods are better for ttc than others? Please don't get too sad...it WILL be your time soon! Most of my friends it took at least a year to conceive, so you still have time :)
The only thing that I was able to cling to was the same as you "you know you got pregnant once" it is so true, you CAN get pregnant, it is just that everything really needs to be perfect for it to happen...it really is amazing when you read what a hostile environment conception can be, that anyone can get pregnant at all. I know that when i read about how tricky it can all be, it helped me to realize that it just stands to reason that it may take time :)
The only thing that I was able to cling to was the same as you "you know you got pregnant once" it is so true, you CAN get pregnant, it is just that everything really needs to be perfect for it to happen...it really is amazing when you read what a hostile environment conception can be, that anyone can get pregnant at all. I know that when i read about how tricky it can all be, it helped me to realize that it just stands to reason that it may take time :)
Well, one thing I read about the Femara is that it can cause birth defects if used DURING pg (therefore even if I got AF, I would still have to POAS, per RE). But on the other hand, it only has a half life and gets out of your system much more quickly then Clomid.
I made some phone calls and to go the Femara route looks like it's going to be pretty expensive, because of the u/s etc it will cost over $400 a cycle and that's not even with an IUI. I cling to the fact that we got pg once, so why blow all that money without giving the Clomid a shot first?
DH can't do it at home for the hospital test because it has to get there in a half hour and we live about 40 mins away in good traffic. I also spent some time googling on my lunch hour and you can get s/a tests for at home. But they only test quantity, not mobility or quality. They are about $40. I think nunu mentioned them before. I think she said she found them at Walgreens. I just might start there and see where that leads us.
I'm so confused and I'm so stressed and I hate this NECOT! I want my life back :(
I made some phone calls and to go the Femara route looks like it's going to be pretty expensive, because of the u/s etc it will cost over $400 a cycle and that's not even with an IUI. I cling to the fact that we got pg once, so why blow all that money without giving the Clomid a shot first?
DH can't do it at home for the hospital test because it has to get there in a half hour and we live about 40 mins away in good traffic. I also spent some time googling on my lunch hour and you can get s/a tests for at home. But they only test quantity, not mobility or quality. They are about $40. I think nunu mentioned them before. I think she said she found them at Walgreens. I just might start there and see where that leads us.
I'm so confused and I'm so stressed and I hate this NECOT! I want my life back :(
Bam- I finally found this thread. I would go with clomid! The fact that it is not FDA approved scares me. I realize it may be widley used, but if there was something wrong with the baby or over time and they linked it to Femera that is going to be something you have to live with. Trust me, looking at an u/s of an abnormal fetus is the worst thing in the world.
As for DH, can't he do it in a cup at home and then you can bring it in??? Don't spend all that time and money until you know about his men!
As for DH, can't he do it in a cup at home and then you can bring it in??? Don't spend all that time and money until you know about his men!
I'm with Stph. I would try the clomid first. It seems the simplest route to start with. I hope it works too, and that dh doesn't have to have a s/a done. As for his reluctance, maybe he's like mine, and he's worried about finding out there is something with his swimmers. He won't admit it, but I know it scares him and I doubt if it came down to it I would be able to get him to go. Maybe you won't even have to try the clomid! I'll keep my fingers crossed the next few days for you.
I would definatly try the clomid first. You know it has worked for so many and as you said it is FDA approved. If I were you I would feel better going that route, not to mention you don't have to deal with that RE again.
As for DH...I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you get your BFP and he doesn't have to worry about the s/a. If not I hope he gets up the courage to go have it done.
As for DH...I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you get your BFP and he doesn't have to worry about the s/a. If not I hope he gets up the courage to go have it done.
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