Clomid vs. Femara

JennyB · August 6th, 2005, 12:21 AM

Hey guys! I thought I would come over and ask the experts. I have taken three rounds of clomid. I did not ovulate on 50 mg, had an ectopic pregnancy on 100 mg and did not get pregnant on this last cycle of 100 mg of clomid.

The clomid really did a number on my emotions this last cycle and I really hated it.

I have heard of people using Femara. Does anyone know what it is? What are the differences between clomid and femara? Do you think my doctor would be willing to switch me over to Femara due to side effects alone?

I struggle only because the clomid has been making me ovulate so I am concerned that I will try and make a switch and it won't work.

Does Femara make you more suseptible to multiples? Not that I wouldn't love twins but I would prefer to have just one more.

Any info that someone can share would be appreciated. Thanks.

Dori · August 6th, 2005, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JennyB

Hey guys! I thought I would come over and ask the experts. I have taken three rounds of clomid. I did not ovulate on 50 mg, had an ectopic pregnancy on 100 mg and did not get pregnant on this last cycle of 100 mg of clomid.

The clomid really did a number on my emotions this last cycle and I really hated it.

I have heard of people using Femara. Does anyone know what it is? What are the differences between clomid and femara? Do you think my doctor would be willing to switch me over to Femara due to side effects alone?

I struggle only because the clomid has been making me ovulate so I am concerned that I will try and make a switch and it won't work.

Does Femara make you more suseptible to multiples? Not that I wouldn't love twins but I would prefer to have just one more.

Any info that someone can share would be appreciated. Thanks.

I'd love some thoughts on this as well!! I know Suzi knows a lot about it.. "OHHH SUUZZZIIII...

Kaybee711 · August 6th, 2005, 10:04 AM

I think femara will create the same amount of follicles as clomid without the nasty side effects. I took tamoxifen which I think is about the same thing and my body didn't go all crazy during PMS time like it did with clomid. I don't think it's any stronger than the clomid though. It just makes you ovulate by changing your hormones differently than clomid. Others can probably describe it better but that's how I understand. You will get more responses on a weekday around her. Good luck with everything!

~Andrea~ · August 6th, 2005, 10:26 AM

I asked my RE about it but she didn't want to try it until I do MONITORED cycles on clomid. And she won't do them until we get my other meds under control

I realize she is right, but the WAITING is TOURTURE!!!!!

Suzi · August 6th, 2005, 11:12 AM

Jenny (and Dori!), check out thix thread, I think I explained it pretty well. Clinical trials show that Femara may work in cases when Clomid has been unsuccessful. If I can answer any more questions, just let me know!!

Dori · August 6th, 2005, 11:48 AM

Oh, you are the best!! So, one more question if you don't mind..

.. clomid worked with Lauren really quick, second cycle. We have been trying since January this time with clomid, no luck. If clomid worked for my body the first time would femera still necessarily work better. I guess I just don't understand enough about clomid (or fertility drugs in general) to understand how it can work so well before and not work AT ALL the second time. Like, not at all.. I don't ovulate from it, nothing.

JennyB · August 6th, 2005, 11:52 AM

Andrea - Did she say why she wanted to wait? Also, what does she consider monitored cycles?

The thought of being told "No, we need to continue with clomid because of xyz" just brings tears to my eyes. I don't think I can do it again. I am a mess.

Can you tell?

~Andrea~ · August 6th, 2005, 12:00 PM

I wasn't being seen by an RE when I took clomid. I got it from my ObGyn. They did NO monitoring (no blood tests, no u/s, nothing until I got pregnant). The only way to tell if I Oed was charting. My RE wants bloodwork and the whole shebang to see if I even Oing on the clomid (which I don't think I was).

When I got PG with Gabrielle, I took 100 mg CD 3-7 and Oed on CD 28 I think (going by temps only). It did match up with my u/s so it's probably right.

I haven't Oed at all the past 4 cycles

JennyB · August 6th, 2005, 12:55 PM

Well, the only thing I do is chart so I could be screwed. I'll see what she says.

Kaybee711 · August 6th, 2005, 12:59 PM

Jenny- You must have seen an OB/GYN and not an RE. I wish my RE would do that because I think the stress of monitoring hinders my chances of conceiving. It's a very stressful process and it's all I think about when we are being monitored.

JennyB · August 6th, 2005, 01:20 PM

Yes, I have not taken the next step to an RE. I hate the idea of having to wait months to get in to see one. I also need to look into how much my insurance covers. We have already agreed that we do not plan on spending a ton (and we have not defined "ton"

yet). We feel very blessed to have Emma so we will just see.

Suzi · August 6th, 2005, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dori

Oh, you are the best!! So, one more question if you don't mind..

.. clomid worked with Lauren really quick, second cycle. We have been trying since January this time with clomid, no luck. If clomid worked for my body the first time would femera still necessarily work better. I guess I just don't understand enough about clomid (or fertility drugs in general) to understand how it can work so well before and not work AT ALL the second time. Like, not at all.. I don't ovulate from it, nothing.

Let me answer your question by reminding you what happened to me. In Feb of 2004 I stimmed perfectly (for me). Ten days, just like clockwork. Just five months later in July, I stimmed SO BADLY that I had to drop the cycle. Same drugs, same doses, same everything - and there is no explanation as to why other than because that's what happened. It's enough to drive you mad!

Femara doesn't necessarily work better per se, it has a different action (working directly on the ovaries rather than through the pituitary gland). You MAY get better results, you MAY not. Before moving on to any more invasive treatment (and much more expensive), it is crazy not to do several cycles of Femara first.

Suzi · August 6th, 2005, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JennyB

Andrea - Did she say why she wanted to wait? Also, what does she consider monitored cycles?

The thought of being told "No, we need to continue with clomid because of xyz" just brings tears to my eyes. I don't think I can do it again. I am a mess.

Can you tell?

Jenny, if your RE tells you that, it's time to find a new one. Seriously. The s/e from Clomid can be SO BAD and they can linger for several months after you stop taking it. Femara produces far fewer s/e and if you DO happen to have any that are severe enough to stop taking it, the s/e stop when you stop taking it.

Don't let your RE "force" you into taking Clomid when there are other alternatives. There are other REs out there who will listen to you and address ALL of your needs.

Suzi · August 6th, 2005, 02:22 PM

Well I just read that you are just seeing an OBGYN. Don't know if an OB will do Femara or not since it is more a endocrinology issue but it's definitely worth a try. If it takes such a long time to get into the RE, why not make the appointment now and then you have some time to find out what is paid by insurance during your wait. You can always cancel the appointment...

JennyB · August 6th, 2005, 02:54 PM

Yea. That is what I was thinking. I feel like I am in a really tough spot. With the last two cycles that I have actually ovulated on clomid, I got pregnant with one and with the other one I really question whether or not FF has my ovulation date correct. If it is wrong, then we couldn't have conceived because we didn't have

thinking that I had already ovulated. So then my thought is, maybe I just need to

at the right time and take the clomid.

I think I will just talk to my doc on Monday and see what she has to say. I do have two more refills of clomid sitting at the pharmacy so if she does recommend seeing an RE I could just take those while I wait. I just need to figure out whether or not it is worth it. I'm really trying not to let it affect everyone around me (except for you poor people that have to listen to me bitch and complain) so I just need to figure out if I can handle it.

Kaybee711 · August 6th, 2005, 04:32 PM

Jenny- Do you know how affected your tube was after ectopic? I would be worried that taking clomid would be successful but it would just end up in my tube again.

Dori · August 6th, 2005, 06:22 PM

I will answer for her..

.. she lost her tube altogether. Does have ectopic correlate with clomid in any way?? Like, would taking femera better her chances of it not being ectopic? I thought ectopic was just a fluke, no real reason and nothing you can do to prevent it.

Suzi · August 6th, 2005, 06:29 PM

No, ectopic doesn't have anything to do with Clomid. If she still had her tube, her chance of ectopic rises from 2% to 25%.

JennyB · August 6th, 2005, 07:27 PM

The tube is sealed off.

JennyB · August 6th, 2005, 07:28 PM

Hey Suzi! Once you get done going through IVF you should look into getting your MD.

August 6th, 2005, 12:21 AM	#1
JennyB Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,967	Clomid vs. Femara Hey guys! I thought I would come over and ask the experts. I have taken three rounds of clomid. I did not ovulate on 50 mg, had an ectopic pregnancy on 100 mg and did not get pregnant on this last cycle of 100 mg of clomid. The clomid really did a number on my emotions this last cycle and I really hated it. I have heard of people using Femara. Does anyone know what it is? What are the differences between clomid and femara? Do you think my doctor would be willing to switch me over to Femara due to side effects alone? I struggle only because the clomid has been making me ovulate so I am concerned that I will try and make a switch and it won't work. Does Femara make you more suseptible to multiples? Not that I wouldn't love twins but I would prefer to have just one more. Any info that someone can share would be appreciated. Thanks.

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August 6th, 2005, 10:04 AM	#3
Kaybee711 Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: with Snoopy, Sophie, Mariah, oh yeah Mark too! Posts: 3,950	I think femara will create the same amount of follicles as clomid without the nasty side effects. I took tamoxifen which I think is about the same thing and my body didn't go all crazy during PMS time like it did with clomid. I don't think it's any stronger than the clomid though. It just makes you ovulate by changing your hormones differently than clomid. Others can probably describe it better but that's how I understand. You will get more responses on a weekday around her. Good luck with everything!

August 6th, 2005, 10:26 AM	#4
~Andrea~ Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Welcome HOME Matteo!!! Praying Suzi will beat the odds!! Posts: 10,385	I asked my RE about it but she didn't want to try it until I do MONITORED cycles on clomid. And she won't do them until we get my other meds under control I realize she is right, but the WAITING is TOURTURE!!!!!

August 6th, 2005, 11:12 AM	#5
Suzi Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: . Posts: 6,882	Jenny (and Dori!), check out thix thread, I think I explained it pretty well. Clinical trials show that Femara may work in cases when Clomid has been unsuccessful. If I can answer any more questions, just let me know!!

August 6th, 2005, 11:48 AM	#6
Dori Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,602	Oh, you are the best!! So, one more question if you don't mind.. .. clomid worked with Lauren really quick, second cycle. We have been trying since January this time with clomid, no luck. If clomid worked for my body the first time would femera still necessarily work better. I guess I just don't understand enough about clomid (or fertility drugs in general) to understand how it can work so well before and not work AT ALL the second time. Like, not at all.. I don't ovulate from it, nothing.

August 6th, 2005, 11:52 AM	#7
JennyB Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,967	Andrea - Did she say why she wanted to wait? Also, what does she consider monitored cycles? The thought of being told "No, we need to continue with clomid because of xyz" just brings tears to my eyes. I don't think I can do it again. I am a mess. Can you tell?

August 6th, 2005, 12:00 PM	#8
~Andrea~ Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Welcome HOME Matteo!!! Praying Suzi will beat the odds!! Posts: 10,385	I wasn't being seen by an RE when I took clomid. I got it from my ObGyn. They did NO monitoring (no blood tests, no u/s, nothing until I got pregnant). The only way to tell if I Oed was charting. My RE wants bloodwork and the whole shebang to see if I even Oing on the clomid (which I don't think I was). When I got PG with Gabrielle, I took 100 mg CD 3-7 and Oed on CD 28 I think (going by temps only). It did match up with my u/s so it's probably right. I haven't Oed at all the past 4 cycles

August 6th, 2005, 12:55 PM	#9
JennyB Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,967	Well, the only thing I do is chart so I could be screwed. I'll see what she says.

August 6th, 2005, 12:59 PM	#10
Kaybee711 Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: with Snoopy, Sophie, Mariah, oh yeah Mark too! Posts: 3,950	Jenny- You must have seen an OB/GYN and not an RE. I wish my RE would do that because I think the stress of monitoring hinders my chances of conceiving. It's a very stressful process and it's all I think about when we are being monitored.

August 6th, 2005, 01:20 PM	#11
JennyB Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,967	Yes, I have not taken the next step to an RE. I hate the idea of having to wait months to get in to see one. I also need to look into how much my insurance covers. We have already agreed that we do not plan on spending a ton (and we have not defined "ton" yet). We feel very blessed to have Emma so we will just see.

August 6th, 2005, 02:22 PM	#14
Suzi Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: . Posts: 6,882	Well I just read that you are just seeing an OBGYN. Don't know if an OB will do Femara or not since it is more a endocrinology issue but it's definitely worth a try. If it takes such a long time to get into the RE, why not make the appointment now and then you have some time to find out what is paid by insurance during your wait. You can always cancel the appointment...

August 6th, 2005, 02:54 PM	#15
JennyB Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,967	Yea. That is what I was thinking. I feel like I am in a really tough spot. With the last two cycles that I have actually ovulated on clomid, I got pregnant with one and with the other one I really question whether or not FF has my ovulation date correct. If it is wrong, then we couldn't have conceived because we didn't have thinking that I had already ovulated. So then my thought is, maybe I just need to at the right time and take the clomid. I think I will just talk to my doc on Monday and see what she has to say. I do have two more refills of clomid sitting at the pharmacy so if she does recommend seeing an RE I could just take those while I wait. I just need to figure out whether or not it is worth it. I'm really trying not to let it affect everyone around me (except for you poor people that have to listen to me bitch and complain) so I just need to figure out if I can handle it.

August 6th, 2005, 04:32 PM	#16
Kaybee711 Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: with Snoopy, Sophie, Mariah, oh yeah Mark too! Posts: 3,950	Jenny- Do you know how affected your tube was after ectopic? I would be worried that taking clomid would be successful but it would just end up in my tube again.

August 6th, 2005, 06:22 PM	#17
Dori Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,602	I will answer for her.. .. she lost her tube altogether. Does have ectopic correlate with clomid in any way?? Like, would taking femera better her chances of it not being ectopic? I thought ectopic was just a fluke, no real reason and nothing you can do to prevent it.

August 6th, 2005, 06:29 PM	#18
Suzi Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: . Posts: 6,882	No, ectopic doesn't have anything to do with Clomid. If she still had her tube, her chance of ectopic rises from 2% to 25%.

August 6th, 2005, 07:27 PM	#19
JennyB Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,967	The tube is sealed off.

August 6th, 2005, 07:28 PM	#20
JennyB Registered but not Subscribed Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,967	Hey Suzi! Once you get done going through IVF you should look into getting your MD.