New doc, new plan, new year
The consultation appointment with my new RE went...well. I have yet to form a solid opinion of him, however. He appears to be devoid of emotion—which, I think I'm ok with. He wasn't sympathetic, but he wasn't mean or abrasive either. I feel confident in his knowledge, and to me that is more important than him being overly sympathetic to my plight and being mushy and gushy.
So we talked about my previous visits to that clinic, and also about what I've done in the meantime (I did two unmonitored Clomid cycles since I had been there last). He was looking through my chart, and apparently I had some blood work done in April of 2009. I did not even remember this. How sad! But, in my defense, I was still reasonably clueless regarding all things TTC, other than knowing where to put which body part. In the bloodwork from April of 2009, they tested my thyroid, FSH, and prolactin (I think that's what he said...?), and all were in the normal ranges. My FSH level was 5.8. I was pleased with these results, as I had worked myself up thinking my hormone levels were off somehow, and that must be to blame for my lack of pregnancy.
He wanted to do an u/s, just to check and make sure I didn't have any cysts from the Clomid, and to see how I was looking. I am CD9, and had a follicle measuring 14.5 mm on my left ovary. Based on this, he thinks I will ovulate around Saturday-ish. I didn't actually ask for that information, as I typically know when I'm O'ing, but ok. We then headed back to the consult room. He then told me that to round out my testing, we could do a laparoscopy. He said that even though I have no outward symptoms of Endo, sometimes a micro-something(? can't remember the word!) Endo could be present. Also, sometimes when the extract peritoneal fluid and mix it with semen, in some cases it can kill the semen. But, this is a rare thing and probably not the case with me. He didn't press one way or the other in regards to the Lap, and I don't think it is something I am interested in doing at this time, as I have no symptoms of Endo.
As for protocol, he suggested that I take Femara (Letrozole) on CD 3-7, then a trigger shot + IUI. His hope for the Femara is that it will give me 2-3 large follicles. When I did Clomid+IUI back in March, I only had one large follicle.
So, this is how I will start out the new year! I'm pretty excited about taking a different medicine, but I haven't done my typical googling yet. I hope I don't find lots of horror stories. But, the doc did say that Clomid stays in your system, where Femara is out within 96 hours. I think Buster will be happy about that.
Has anyone out there had experience with Femara/Letrozole? I'd love to hear about it!
So we talked about my previous visits to that clinic, and also about what I've done in the meantime (I did two unmonitored Clomid cycles since I had been there last). He was looking through my chart, and apparently I had some blood work done in April of 2009. I did not even remember this. How sad! But, in my defense, I was still reasonably clueless regarding all things TTC, other than knowing where to put which body part. In the bloodwork from April of 2009, they tested my thyroid, FSH, and prolactin (I think that's what he said...?), and all were in the normal ranges. My FSH level was 5.8. I was pleased with these results, as I had worked myself up thinking my hormone levels were off somehow, and that must be to blame for my lack of pregnancy.
He wanted to do an u/s, just to check and make sure I didn't have any cysts from the Clomid, and to see how I was looking. I am CD9, and had a follicle measuring 14.5 mm on my left ovary. Based on this, he thinks I will ovulate around Saturday-ish. I didn't actually ask for that information, as I typically know when I'm O'ing, but ok. We then headed back to the consult room. He then told me that to round out my testing, we could do a laparoscopy. He said that even though I have no outward symptoms of Endo, sometimes a micro-something(? can't remember the word!) Endo could be present. Also, sometimes when the extract peritoneal fluid and mix it with semen, in some cases it can kill the semen. But, this is a rare thing and probably not the case with me. He didn't press one way or the other in regards to the Lap, and I don't think it is something I am interested in doing at this time, as I have no symptoms of Endo.
As for protocol, he suggested that I take Femara (Letrozole) on CD 3-7, then a trigger shot + IUI. His hope for the Femara is that it will give me 2-3 large follicles. When I did Clomid+IUI back in March, I only had one large follicle.
So, this is how I will start out the new year! I'm pretty excited about taking a different medicine, but I haven't done my typical googling yet. I hope I don't find lots of horror stories. But, the doc did say that Clomid stays in your system, where Femara is out within 96 hours. I think Buster will be happy about that.
Has anyone out there had experience with Femara/Letrozole? I'd love to hear about it!
No experience with Femara, but I think people really like it better than Clomid. Glad to hear your consult went well! It's much better to have an RE that you trust their opinion than feel like he cares...
ReplyDeleteNo experience with Femera, but didn't know it was known for making more follies. I had multiple on Clomid twice - that would be great if you could get two or three and do IUI. I had 3 with mine and ended up with 1 baby. My RE is also pretty devoid of emotion, but he knows his stuff and is all business, which is getting you knocked up. I loved him for that! Good luck! I'm excited for you to try something new!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you have a new plan!!
ReplyDeleteI definitely recommend Femara, Kara! I switched over after two failed Clomid cycles. The Clomid was making my lining too thin, but it has been perfect for all three of my Femara cycles. I started at 2.5mg on cd3-7, but didn't have a mature follie until cd19 and got a bfn. The next cycle he bumped me up to 5mg and I O'd on cd14 for the first time ever! I got pg, but then m/c. Took a month off, and then did 5mg and cd3-7. I O'd on cd15 and got pg again! So basically, I'm 2 for 3 on Femara.
ReplyDeleteI also noticed less side effects. I had horrible hot flashes when I took Clomid, but nothing really on Femara. Maybe a little blurry vision, but my eyes are awful to begin with.
Anyways, I hope it works for you! I'm excited to stalk you in January!
Good for you! New year, new plan to get yourself knocked up! I hope that you get to enjoy your holidays and start on January 1 with refreshed hope and optimism.
ReplyDeleteWOOHOO I am excited!!
ReplyDeleteYay! That's great news :)
ReplyDeleteFemara is much more tolerable than Clomid! Much less side effects and shorter half life.
ReplyDeleteI used Femara as well and had no side effects, and ended up with 2-3 follicles for the three separate times I used it.
ReplyDeleteI hope it's all you'll ever need!
Yay for a plan of action! Exciting kickoff for the new year.
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you Kara! Hoping this new protocol is just what you need ;)
ReplyDeleteHope the new plan does the trick :)
ReplyDeletehi kara, im layla from tww. i took femara and got my bfp the first cycle! it works really well. i have a feeling its going to work for u too! its a wonderful drug. i felt o so strongly when i took it. i wish a speedy bfp!
ReplyDelete