What is femara?

mk9906 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-23-2007, 04:13 PM

We are quickly entering our 7 month of TTC

Never imagined it would take this long, how naive.

We are going to our first doctor appointment in January if we aren't pregnant yet.

I have very regular cycles so I just thought this would be easy, but it hasn't been.

What is femara? And what does it to for your cycle? How is it taken, everyday?

Your advise and any info would be great!

TIA!

Constance_13 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-23-2007, 04:37 PM

HI Mandy!!!! I am sorry you have not gotten your BFP yet!!!! I just know it will happen at the most perfect time and it will be truly amazing.

Femara is a breast cancer drug in actuality but through the different studies they have found that is has a most WONDERFUL side effect!!! The side effects found are that it promotes follicle growth and it helps stimulate the uterine lining and in lots of woman can help thicken it. Other fertility drugs often have the side effect of thinning it and if the lining is too thin the baby will not be able to implant. The use of Femara for IF is completely different the use for cancer.

For cancer you would take it long term and then they do not recommend you get pregnant as it can cause some permeate damage to the baby BUT for IF you only take it for 4 days of your CY and its out of your system before the baby implants.

Most doctors have you take it on CD 3 to 7 or CD 4 to 8. There are different strengths and the S/E are not that bad. They seem to be way less then other IF drugs and you can generally take Femara at night so you sleep through the worst part.

I am currently PG with a Femara baby

I took it from day 4 to day 8 of my CY; I then had a scan on day 11 to check on how my body reacted to the drug. My doctor wanted to make sure I did not have too many follicles as we were not sure how I would respond to the drug. I had one mature and one that could have been by the time I took my trigger shot of Ovidrel. I took the trigger on day 13 and they we had timed BD'ing from CD 13-15. We had SUCESS!!!!

Not all doctors go with the Femara, scan and trigger off the top but my doc new with our situation, immigration craziness, my endo and my age we wanted to step up the process and for us it was our magic recipe. Some doctors will give you the Femara and then have you track your own O. I am sure your doctor will discuss all your options and may try a different drug first....they all have their favorites.

I hope I have helped. If you have questions let me know. I hope you find your miracle recipe soon!!!!

GOOD LUCK GIRLY!!!! Sending lots of

mommaphoebs · #3 (**permalink**) 11-24-2007, 01:05 PM

Yes, it generally is for women who are not ovulating on their own, but does not have the side effects that Clomid can have. Not all doctors will use it since it is actually a cancer drug, but studies have since shown that it is out of your system long before you get pregnant, even quicker than Clomid. It can be used on its own, or with IUI. I found the following link super helpful and informative, not in 'doctor-speak!'
http://www.soft-infertility.com/docs/PIletrosolIUI.pdf
Hope this helps you and you get your BFP soon!

mk9906 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-24-2007, 05:16 PM

Thanks for the great info girls!!!

We are doing all of our homework now so that when we go in for our appointment we know what to ask for.

Thanks again, so much

mieko25 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-24-2007, 05:57 PM

The ladies gave you so great info, I just want to wish you luck! I hope you will get your BFP soon!

Keep us poosted on how the apointment went.