Femara Friends!

[Cridge]

Cringe, I think I am doing something similar to you next month. I just got off the phone with my RE and she wants to try adding FSH injection(s) before my next IUI (maybe around CD 10 or something?). She used some word I didn't recognize, but she said it was an injection they use for IVF, but I will receive a very small amount (75ml?). I know I'm talking gibberish, but does that sound like the same thing as you?

She said the risk of twins is 20% and triplets is 1%. Scary, but my husband seems to be on board, so I guess I am too.

They are also going to do a trigger and add progesterone post ovulation. I'm excited for something new...what we've done so far certainly isn't working!

Yes - that sounds like it's exactly what I'm doing next cycle. Did she tell you it was Follistim or gonal-f? Those are both FSH injections. I think 75iu is the typical dose to start on. That's what dose I used when i got pregnant. I took it for 8 days - but how long you inject is totally up to how you respond. As long as they're monitoring you, you shouldn't have to worry too much about multiples.

GL!!

 

[MrsCompass]

S08 & Cridge - During my meeting with my Doctor, she briefly mentioned Gonal-f. She said that would be our next step if IUI doesn't work for us. She said this injectibles would make me release 3 to 4 eggs ... more target for my DH's swimmers. I'm guessing we would use it too, with IUI.

How do you take Gonal-f? How many days do you have to do it? Do you take it instead of femara or in addition to femara?

P.S. I'm not sure if many of you know ... we also have male factor .. low count

 

[s08]

Cringe, I think I am doing something similar to you next month. I just got off the phone with my RE and she wants to try adding FSH injection(s) before my next IUI (maybe around CD 10 or something?). She used some word I didn't recognize, but she said it was an injection they use for IVF, but I will receive a very small amount (75ml?). I know I'm talking gibberish, but does that sound like the same thing as you?

She said the risk of twins is 20% and triplets is 1%. Scary, but my husband seems to be on board, so I guess I am too.

They are also going to do a trigger and add progesterone post ovulation. I'm excited for something new...what we've done so far certainly isn't working!

Yes - that sounds like it's exactly what I'm doing next cycle. Did she tell you it was Follistim or gonal-f? Those are both FSH injections. I think 75iu is the typical dose to start on. That's what dose I used when i got pregnant. I took it for 8 days - but how long you inject is totally up to how you respond. As long as they're monitoring you, you shouldn't have to worry too much about multiples.

GL!!

Thanks for the info., Cringe. I'm new to these injections, so I need to get the lingo down.

That gives me some hope that it worked for you last time. Do you mind me asking why you haven't tried it again until now? Also, when did you/will you start the injections?

And to answer your question, my RE definitely didn't call it gonal-f. Maybe follistim, but not totally sure. She called me back while I was walking my dog in a snowstorm, so I might have missed some info! Oops. At least as a result of the storm, I'm working from home in my jammies today.

 

[s08]

S08 & Cridge - During my meeting with my Doctor, she briefly mentioned Gonal-f. She said that would be our next step if IUI doesn't work for us. She said this injectibles would make me release 3 to 4 eggs ... more target for my DH's swimmers. I'm guessing we would use it too, with IUI.

How do you take Gonal-f? How many days do you have to do it? Do you take it instead of femara or in addition to femara?

P.S. I'm not sure if many of you know ... we also have male factor .. low count

I wish I knew the answers to these questions. I'm sure the expert MrsCompass can help us out! All I know is I will be combining the injections with my same dose of femara (2.5 mg), doing iui #3, and adding a trigger shot and progesterone. We don't have the male factor issues, so not sure how that affects it all. I'm certainly going to feel like a freaking science experiment!

 

[Chiles]

S08 & Cridge - During my meeting with my Doctor, she briefly mentioned Gonal-f. She said that would be our next step if IUI doesn't work for us. She said this injectibles would make me release 3 to 4 eggs ... more target for my DH's swimmers. I'm guessing we would use it too, with IUI.

How do you take Gonal-f? How many days do you have to do it? Do you take it instead of femara or in addition to femara?

P.S. I'm not sure if many of you know ... we also have male factor .. low count

I wish I knew the answers to these questions. I'm sure the expert MrsCompass can help us out! All I know is I will be combining the injections with my same dose of femara (2.5 mg), doing iui #3, and adding a trigger shot and progesterone. We don't have the male factor issues, so not sure how that affects it all. I'm certainly going to feel like a freaking science experiment!

I can try and answer some of the questions:
Gonal F is the cheaper version of follistim, but its basically the same. Just like Femara and letrozole is the cheaper version.

Gonal F can be injected in your tummy (side of belly button) thigh, or arm.

You can do a combo cycle with gonal f and femara, which I am currently doing. Or you can do injectables alone.

Difference between femara and follistim/gonal f. Is femara blocks estrogen so your brain creates more fsh.(Follicle stimulating hormone) and gonal f is pure fsh, that you just inject in your body to make your follies grow grow grow!

HTH!!!! AFM: I have another u/s tomorrow. And the doc said its normal for my follicles to be that size since I don't have a normal 28 day cycle. But he said they are growing a little to slow. If that makes sense. Tomorrow is cd 19, and it might be a bust. I am moving on to a higher dose. After this.

 

[MrsCompass]

Chiles: Thanks for the information! When do you take the injectibles?

I really hope this cycle is not a bust for you. C'mon follies ... grow grow grow!!!

S08: Where are you from? I'm from Toronto and I'm currently sitting in the office watching the snowstorm and wondering how I'm going to get home tonight.

 

[s08]

Chiles: Thanks for the information! When do you take the injectibles?

I really hope this cycle is not a bust for you. C'mon follies ... grow grow grow!!!

S08: Where are you from? I'm from Toronto and I'm currently sitting in the office watching the snowstorm and wondering how I'm going to get home tonight.

I'm from Seattle. We are now dealing with an ice storm warning. Good luck on the commute home!

And above I made a mistake. I meant Cringe was the FSH expert. I hope none of us has to become too much of an expert and it works the first time for all!

 

[s08]

S08 & Cridge - During my meeting with my Doctor, she briefly mentioned Gonal-f. She said that would be our next step if IUI doesn't work for us. She said this injectibles would make me release 3 to 4 eggs ... more target for my DH's swimmers. I'm guessing we would use it too, with IUI.

How do you take Gonal-f? How many days do you have to do it? Do you take it instead of femara or in addition to femara?

P.S. I'm not sure if many of you know ... we also have male factor .. low count

I wish I knew the answers to these questions. I'm sure the expert MrsCompass can help us out! All I know is I will be combining the injections with my same dose of femara (2.5 mg), doing iui #3, and adding a trigger shot and progesterone. We don't have the male factor issues, so not sure how that affects it all. I'm certainly going to feel like a freaking science experiment!

I can try and answer some of the questions:
Gonal F is the cheaper version of follistim, but its basically the same. Just like Femara and letrozole is the cheaper version.

Gonal F can be injected in your tummy (side of belly button) thigh, or arm.

You can do a combo cycle with gonal f and femara, which I am currently doing. Or you can do injectables alone.

Difference between femara and follistim/gonal f. Is femara blocks estrogen so your brain creates more fsh.(Follicle stimulating hormone) and gonal f is pure fsh, that you just inject in your body to make your follies grow grow grow!

HTH!!!! AFM: I have another u/s tomorrow. And the doc said its normal for my follicles to be that size since I don't have a normal 28 day cycle. But he said they are growing a little to slow. If that makes sense. Tomorrow is cd 19, and it might be a bust. I am moving on to a higher dose. After this.

Thanks for the info. When did you start your injections? Do you know how many days is normal to take them?

 

[MrsCompass]

Found this, Chiles. It made me think of you ...

Not sure if you're interested. Can't hurt during the winter months too.

"In women, vitamin D works directly on the ovaries, helping to regulate how estrogen is used to help egg follicles mature and grow."

https://www.gettingpregnantnow.org/Articles/The_Fertility_Nutrient__Vitamin_D.html

 

[s08]

Cringe, I think I am doing something similar to you next month. I just got off the phone with my RE and she wants to try adding FSH injection(s) before my next IUI (maybe around CD 10 or something?). She used some word I didn't recognize, but she said it was an injection they use for IVF, but I will receive a very small amount (75ml?). I know I'm talking gibberish, but does that sound like the same thing as you?

She said the risk of twins is 20% and triplets is 1%. Scary, but my husband seems to be on board, so I guess I am too.

They are also going to do a trigger and add progesterone post ovulation. I'm excited for something new...what we've done so far certainly isn't working!

Yes - that sounds like it's exactly what I'm doing next cycle. Did she tell you it was Follistim or gonal-f? Those are both FSH injections. I think 75iu is the typical dose to start on. That's what dose I used when i got pregnant. I took it for 8 days - but how long you inject is totally up to how you respond. As long as they're monitoring you, you shouldn't have to worry too much about multiples.

GL!!

I feel as though I'm posting like crazy this morning...oh well.

I just received an e-mail from my nurse letting me know she ordered my drugs for me:

Bravelle: 1-75 IU vial
Ovidrel: 1 vial
Prometrium: 20 pills

I guess they are just doing one FSH injection. Thoughts anyone?

They're ordered through a pharmacy called MDR. Anyone else use it?

 

[MrsCompass]

I wonder, S08, if maybe ... you'll take 1 vial at a time adn depending on what your u/s shows and how you responds to it, they may or may not add another vial. It'd be great if you just need 1. Less $$$!!! (1 Bravelle (75IU vial in my clinic is $80.00 and are non-refundable).

Keep us posted on more information.

 

[Chiles]

@MrsCompass- thanks for the link, I am going to check it out.

Since I am doing a combo cycle. I took femara cd 5-9, and started gonal f cd 9-12.
I am still using my gonal f. There is not a normal time frame, it just depends on how you respond.

Injectables ( follistim. Gonal f, repronex, menopur, bravelle etc). Are mostly used in IVF patients. Usually at higher doses so they can retrieve more eggs. J For me my RE wants me to start off slow so I don't. OHSS.

@so8 I believe bravelle has fsh, and lh. Don't quote me on that. We use freedom fertility pharmacy, my RE states they have the best prices, and next day delivery. I only pay a co pay, but the meds are pretty high. A vial is 75iu so maybe they will order multiple vials?!? Are u doing a combo cycle?

Ladies you also have to take a class on the injectables.

 

[Chiles]

@mscompass. I did a combo cycle femara cd 5-9, and gonal f starting cd 9 until now. I am on 75iu daily. And there is no certain time that you have to finish the gonal f unless you run out. And injectables are pricey but my insurance covers them. For my 900iu pen it was almost $800 and my copay was only $12. And my trigger was only $5. Most RE don't like to stim past cycle day 20. So it depends on your RE protocol. Next cycle I will be doing injectables alone.

@s08 a vial usually contains 75iu, maybe they will order multiple vials? Or maybe you are doing a combo cycle. Bravelle contains fsh, and lh I think. Not sure. Well keep us posted.

Here some of the different type injectables for stimming. Gonal f, follistim, menopur, bravelle, and repronex). Some do contains fsh, and lh. Good luck ladies

 

[MrsCompass]

Thanks Chiles!!!! Fingers crossed for you. This is all new to me and you're helping me understand what might be ahead for me. Thanks again!

Cindy ... I guess you're on your way to Montreal tonight for your IUI tomorrow. I hope it stops snowing or doesn't snow. Drive safe!

 

[Cridge]

MrsCompass & s08 - Chiles has pretty much answered all your questions - I'm slow. The only thing I don't think I saw answered is when you do the injects if it's not a combined cycle. I started mine on CD3 and took them for 8 - 10 days. Like Chiles said - it just depends on how you respond. If you respond well, you'll do less, and likewise, if you're slow to respond, you'll just keep injecting. So you'll be getting u/s every 2-3 days, and possibly bloodwork to see how your estrogen is progressing.

MrsCompass, I would imagine they'd do IUI as well if you have MF.

I've never heard of bravelle - interesting if it has LH. I would definitely want my LH tested before taking that because if you're pcos, your LH is probably too high already. So be careful with that.

Also, I didn't have to take a class on injects, I just had my nurse show me how to mix and inject. It was no big deal. Injectables sound a little scary when you're used to just popping pills, but really, it's not bad at all!

Between Chiles and I did we get all your questions answered? Feel free to keep asking if not - we may have missed a couple.

 

[courtneycvt12]

is anyone else on progesterone supplements? i've been on them since Monday and i just want to lay down and cry all the time. so tired and depressed...the thing is my re never tested my progesterone levels the supplements were more of a 'just in case'. i don't know if i can do this for another 7 days especially since i dont even know if i ovulated this month..i mean they gave me the trigger shot but i haven't been temping so who really knows! ugh....

 

[Cridge]

courtney - I'm not on progesterone, but my dr. wanted me to use my NPC last cycle starting 4 days after I ovulated. I didn't do it because I knew progesterone wasn't my problem and I figured my body was sufficient to deal with a pregnancy if I could ever get pregnant.

So MY thinking, is that if your progesterone is fine, why take sups? It's hard to go against what your doc says though. GL

 

[Chiles]

Sorry ladies that I double posted but the 1st time it didn't seem to post so I typed it again in different wording. Well I have my u/s tomorrow again and I don't know what to expect just yet.

Congrats to Chook on her !!!! Sticky vibes!!!

 

[LolaM]

Hi ladies, just a quick update. After two failed rounds of Clomid and one failed round of femara our doctor wanted us to have a break this cycle. This cycle was 2 years trying for us and today I got my bfp! I didn't really temp this month we didn't bed like rabbits and I didn't do ovulation testing. I've had no symptoms and got the shock of my life when the test was positive. My levels are very low so I'm not getting to excited but just wanted to share.

 

[MrsCompass]

@Courtney - I am on progesterone suppositories. And they make me very lazy and lethargic. I could sleep throughout my TWW as long as I'm on them. I'm also extra sensitive and emotional. I cried buckets while driving over a radio commercial (insurance commercial). My clinic checks my progesterone level and even if they think my level is fine, I still have to take them. If my progesterone level is low, they call me to let me know to increase it to 2 times a day (OMG! No way!). So, I guess you could also say, I take them for "just in case". Sucks huh?!