Friday, May 20, 2011

Lying Awake - Clomid vs Femera

              So since Bracken is gone for the summer to sale in Knoxville, I go to bed rather early. Is 9 too early? Ha! My husband definitely says it is, but hey I have nothing better to do. I get so bored sometime I take my dogs Lilly and Vegas for a car ride. They love it!


              So last night I laid awake thinking about some ideas for this blog. I have already had so many wonderful comments on facebook that it continues to give me strength! But I thought this morning I would share what Bracken and I have tried with infertility methods and some of the different side effects I experienced. Please please please share some of the side effects you may have experienced as well. I think I'll  create a tab for each procedure or method we have tried and other have as well. Don't get me wrong we have not done it all, but I have researched many different ideas! I think this would be a great place we each can share.
             So after about six months of trying we figured something was wrong. Doctor Barb Nielson, a Obgyn from Idaho Falls prescribed me one of the most common fertility drugs prescribed for treating female infertility called femera. However, the medication is also used to treat breast cancer in women.My mom and I were taking it at the same time!   Femara side effects are something that should be considered by each of you before deciding whether or not to take the drug.
All medications have the chance of producing side effects, but for couples trying to conceive a baby these things are all worth it if success is achieved.  The most commonly experienced side effects of include the following:
  • HOT FLASHES
  • PROFUSE SWEATING
  • Back pain
  • Breast pain or tenderness
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Flushing
  • Indigestion
  • Night sweats
  • Vomiting
  • NAUSEA
  • Edema (swelling)
  • Weight gain or loss
  • SLEEPINESS
               The number one symptom I experienced was exhaustion. I was just so tired all day long. I just felt weak and nauseated. 
               The reason doctors prescribe femera for women who do not ovulate on their own. When taking Femara for infertility, it is used to suppress estrogen levels, which in turn stimulates the brain to produce more follicle stimulating hormone.  In women with PCOS or another type of ovulatory problem, the increase in FSH levels can result in maturation of ovarian follicle and lead to ovulation.  In women that are able to ovulate, the drug can help the ovaries produce multiple follicles and multiple egg release, which can increase the chances of pregnancy when trying to conceive a baby. Well to find out, my eggs not only don't ovulate but need medication to grow as well.
              Alright lets talk about clomid vs femera!!!

Femara studies also indicated that Femara could be an advantage to those women previously taking Clomid, but had not ovulated.  Some women considered to be Clomid-resistant can benefit from trying a regimen of Femara in order to induce the body to ovulate.

Because there has been so many studies on clomid doctors and fertility specialists feel more self-assured and confident in prescribing it to women.  Though Clomid has been used for so many years,  many fertility specialists are now being more open to the idea of prescribing Femara.  A big advantage of Clomid is that the drug is available in a generic form and can be cheaper in comparison to using Femara for infertility treatment.

Some women will have success with Clomid, while for others another type of medication may be needed. Femara appears to be a very promising medication for those that may have tried Clomid and not been able to conceive.
        
SO THE STUDIES NOW INDICATE.... CLOMID VS FEMERA = SAME POSITIVE RESULTS
With the right conditions, a woman has a 15% chance of becoming pregnant each month while using Femara for infertility.  Other factors which can increase the odds include if the woman is under 35 years old, has no other fertility problems and ovulation can be stimulated using the drug.

Bracken and I were using femera for 4 months, nothing!!! Bracken and I were using clomid for 4 moths, nothing!

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