New to Femara

mom23cs · #1 (**permalink**) 02-22-2008, 02:16 PM

Hi everyone! I am starting a femara cycle on my next cycle and have never used it before. I did 3 cycles of clomid (after trying for 20 cycles on our own) with my OB and then he sent me to an RE and did one cycle of injectibles and got pregnant! I wanted to try femara before I go back to the RE because of the risk of multiles with the injectibles.

The thing is that my OB told me to take them on 3-7, then estrace on 8-12, then prometrium after O....but I don;t know why I have to take the estrace. I haven't ever had any problems where I needed extra estrogen? And what is the difference between 3-7 and 5-9? I would rather have just ONE mature follie....so I am wondering if 5-9 would be better for me.....I know I should have asked him this, but my littles were wreaking havox at my appointment yesterday so I was really ready to get out of there after being there for an hour and a half......

Looking forward to meeting you all!

MaybeBabyin08 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-22-2008, 02:40 PM

Hey Dawn, I took Femara for the first time this cycle too. I'm not really sure why some docs do 3-7 and some do 5-9. I took it cd 5-9 this time. And I've never heard of estrace, so I don't know about it. I'm sorry I can't be more help. I will say this...I really like Femara. I didn't have any side effects on it. I have been cramping since the day after I O'd, but I think it's b/c I haven't O'd in 7-8 years, so I think my body is just freaking out right now. But anyway, these ladies are great, and I'm sure they can help you better than me! Good luck this cycle and I hope you get your one perfect little bean!

mom23cs · #3 (**permalink**) 02-22-2008, 06:31 PM

Hi jessica! Thanks for the welcome! I hope that this is your cycle too! i am looking forward to the no side effects, I know that clomid is horrible for that! YUCK!

MaybeBabyin08 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-22-2008, 08:18 PM

Yeah, I have heard really bad things about Clomid. My doc didn't even want to bother with it. He's had so much more better results with FE and must less side effects too. Also, it helps that the chance of multiples is slightly less with FE, even though I wouldn't mind a pair!

mommaphoebs · #5 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 06:25 AM

Hi and welcome! The Femara is great, little s/e and works well in making you ovulate. I hope it does the trick for you!

Constance_13 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 05:31 PM

Welcome and GOOD LUCK!!!! I am currently PG with a Femara baby

I took Femara on CD 4-8 but its cuz I missed it on CD 3-7....LOL. I have not heard of the other med you will be taking. I know each doctor is very unique in how they like to manage their meds.....he might have a higher success rate with the combo then with the one and that could be why he is having you take both. It could also be due to some of your blood work....I would really ask him lots of questions and make sure you understand and are 100% comfortable with the plan he has you on.

Let us know if you have any questions.....the ladies here are truly GREAT!!!! I wish you all the best and every success!!!!

mom23cs · #7 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 05:39 PM

Thanks everyone!

After looking up some info, I have found that the estrace is given to replace estrogen that the meds might steal during the process. However, since femara doesn't really block ALL estrogen and enough still gets to where it needs to be....I am not sure that I need it, although I am also not sure that it would hurt anything to take it anyway

I was supposed to start today CD3, but I have had the flu for the past 48 hours and just am not ready to take it today since I am still feeling ill so I am going to take it tomorrow instead.

My OB has given me this to take, not an RE, so no bloodwork...it is just the "generic" prescription he gives out to anyone who seems to have an issue getting pregnant...another reason I question needing the estrace.

One thing I am not sure of is when to BD....do you guys use OPK's to see when your surge is coming? I do that anyways, but I guess I will just go ahead and keep doing it starting about 3 days after my last pill.

I am looking forward to taking this journey with you all!

Constance_13 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-25-2008, 05:48 PM

I did not use OPK's but my doc did scans to monitor how my body reacted to the med. I would for sure your OPK's and look for any other usual O symptoms you have. I have heard that some woman O a bit early (not always) on Femara....just something to watch for. As for BD'ing.....I would do it as much as possible and make sure you guys hit all the days around and when you usually O

I am really unsure of that other med too.....it’s hard when you are not working with someone who specializes more in IF. I am sure they are ok to take together or he would not have given them to you.....I just do not know it its needed is all. Hard call.

GOOD luck....hope you feel better soon.

mommaphoebs · #9 (**permalink**) 02-26-2008, 11:17 AM

[quote=Constance_13;6730576] I have heard that some woman O a bit early (not always) on Femara....just something to watch for. As for BD'ing.....I would do it as much as possible and make sure you guys hit all the days around and when you usually O

Yes, with this last cycle, I finally got to have an ultrasound on day 12 and found I had a really large follicle already and was ready to ovulate, so it can make you O early.

mom23cs · #10 (**permalink**) 02-26-2008, 12:31 PM

Thanks for the tips on possibly O'ing early! That would be nice for a change! I am not normally a super late O'er, but somewhere between CD 16-19 normally...so earlier would definitely be nicer

Jennbenn2 · #11 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 07:14 PM

I just started taking Femara this month. I have been on Clomid since March. I do not ovulate and I normally go 45-81 days before 'bleeding', as I have learned that I do not actual have a period but I bleed b/c "the estrogen will build up slowly to a point below the threshold and then drop, resulting in "estrogen withdrawal bleeding" Or more commonly, the endometrium builds up slowly over an extended period of time, eventually to the point where the resulting uterine lining is so thickened it can no longer sustain itself. This is known as "estrogen breakthrough bleeding." (This information if from the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Dr. Toni Weschler, MPH)

My OB-GYN is amazing and I love that she explains to me what each medicine is for.

She put me on Provera (to induce my cycle, as I don't have one for 45-81 days as I have tracked them for years) I do this for 10 days and then I "bleed' on day 11ish.
On Day 5 of my cycle she put me on Clomid, but not Femara for Days 5-9. (femara stimulates ovulation, as does clomid)
On Days 8-12 of my cycle she has me Estrace b/c my uterine lining does NOT get thick enough. It needs to be at least 7cm. I come in at Day 10 and they do an ultrasound on me to count my follicles to see if the eggs are getting to the appropriate size and they look at my lining. The Estrace is very important if your lining does not get thick enough b/c the egg cannot attach. Clomid can cause the lining to thin; thus, this is why Estrace is prescribed.

After I Ovulate, I then will take the progesterone suppositories ( a messy substance you insert into your vajay-jay) or the Prometrium ( a pill taken orally, this is much easier in my opinion)...These do the same thing as they help to support the pregnancy and keep you from having a miscarriage.

Good luck to everybody!!

Jennbenn2 · #12 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Jennbenn2

I just started taking Femara this month. I have been on Clomid since March. I do not ovulate and I normally go 45-81 days before 'bleeding', as I have learned that I do not actual have a period but I bleed b/c "the estrogen will build up slowly to a point below the threshold and then drop, resulting in "estrogen withdrawal bleeding" Or more commonly, the endometrium builds up slowly over an extended period of time, eventually to the point where the resulting uterine lining is so thickened it can no longer sustain itself. This is known as "estrogen breakthrough bleeding." (This information is from the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Dr. Toni Weschler, MPH)

My OB-GYN is amazing and I love that she explains to me what each medicine is for.

She put me on Provera (to induce my cycle, as I don't have one for 45-81 days as I have tracked them for years) I do this for 10 days and then I "bleed' on day 11ish.
On Day 5 of my cycle she put me on Clomid in March, but NOW I am on Femara for Days 5-9. (femara stimulates ovulation, as does clomid)
On Days 8-12 of my cycle she has me Estrace b/c my uterine lining does NOT get thick enough. It needs to be at least 7cm. I come in at Day 10 and they do an ultrasound on me to count my follicles to see if the eggs are getting to the appropriate size and they look at my lining. The Estrace is very important if your lining does not get thick enough b/c the egg cannot attach. Clomid can cause the lining to thin; thus, this is why Estrace is prescribed.

After I Ovulate, I then will take the progesterone suppositories ( a messy substance you insert into your vajay-jay) or the Prometrium ( a pill taken orally, this is much easier in my opinion)...These do the same thing as they help to support the pregnancy and keep you from having a miscarriage.

Good luck to everybody!!

I jsut wanted to correct my typo! (I couldn't find an edit button)

nessak · #13 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 12:11 PM

Just wanted to send you some SSBD, I hope your journey here is short and sweet.