Anyone on Letrozole?

[rubywoo24]

Hi everyone

I have been prescribed 3 cycles of Letrozole and I have just started AF after a very very long few months. So quite excited to finally getting things going!
We're currently away and I do have my medication with me but not the leaflet that came with it. So just want to double check that I am taking it correctly:

• do I count tomorrow as CD1 as AF only started at 9.30pm today
• is there a specific time that I have to take the tablets, I think night time is recommended?
• do I take both tablets together?

Any other help or advice would be much appreciated!

Hi everyone,

I'm coming to the end of my first cycle of Letrozole 2.5mgs. Sadly didn't ovulate but have to wait until cycle day 42 or period before I can start the next cycle. I feel a bit fed up because the nurse told me I have to keep the dose at 2.5mgs for the next cycle as there has to be two anovulatory cycles before they up the dose.

Does anyone know why this is? Any stories of 2.5mg dose working second time round?

My progesterone level was really low so I feel very doubtful the next cycle will work and I'm tempted to up my dose to 5mgs but not sure if that's a bad idea to go against the nurses advice?

This is my first time in a forum. It's been really reassuring hearing you all share! Nice that we are all rooting for eachother x

@hope90

I'm not sure about the answer here. I started on 5mg - the first 2 cycles worked (although were really slow and long cycles) and then my 3rd one didn't work at all (who knows why!?) so they then upped it to 7.5mg.

I'd be really wary about going against the nurses advice - might be better and safer to ask for clarification of why or what the risks would be of you going up now?

I know how frustrating all the waiting is though.

By the way, have you had a hycosy scan yet? I tried to time that in between my cycles which weren't working so then I at least felt like I was doing something to move things along!

Just thought I'd jump on this thread as I'm really starting to lose hope! I'll be starting my 6th round of letrozole when I get my period - had to use provera to induce it this time.

I've done one cycle at 2.5mg but I didn't ovulate. Then I was told to up my dose so did three cycles at 5mg and I did ovulate but didn't fall pregnant then for some reason the next round at 5mg I didn't ovulate at all. So now I'm moving up to 7.5mg for my sixth round.

Really starting to think it's not in the cards for us

@maw16

Just thought I'd jump on this thread as I'm really starting to lose hope! I'll be starting my 6th round of letrozole when I get my period - had to use provera to induce it this time.

I've done one cycle at 2.5mg but I didn't ovulate. Then I was told to up my dose so did three cycles at 5mg and I did ovulate but didn't fall pregnant then for some reason the next round at 5mg I didn't ovulate at all. So now I'm moving up to 7.5mg for my sixth round.

Really starting to think it's not in the cards for us

Aw I totally understand that feeling. I'm so used to seeing that negative pregnancy result I really struggle to imagine it ever happening for me either. The main thing is you're not alone in how you feel and also it's such a positive that you have ovulated in the past. You wouldn't have been put forward for the treatment if there wasn't a chance it'll work for you so fingers crossed happier news is round the corner! I've found fertility acupuncture and reflexology really helpful in keeping me feeling relaxed and positive. The other thing which has helped (although I really resisted doing it at first) was keeping a note on my phone where I jot down positives or hopeful thoughts and keep that as my own bank of hope for when I have my down days or doubts. I've also written down all the negative thoughts and fears in a journal as a way of getting them out of my head and onto paper which can be put aside.

With the lockdown cloud hanging over you it's so easy to get bogged down. We are all on our own timelines just keep one foot ahead of the other and bloody well treat yourself when you can to nice things - I think we all deserve that with what we're going through! xxxxx

@hope90 It definitely helps speaking to other people who understand what I'm going through so thanks for responding so quickly! I don't have anyone in my real life whose gone through anything similar so it feels like a pretty lonely journey a lot of the time. Thanks so much for the tips as well, I have head great things about acupuncture and reflexology and I definitely should start writing things down to get the negative thoughts out of my head! I just get overwhelmed with thoughts of it not happening and I keep dreaming about being pregnant and feel so down when I wake up to reality. It can definitely be all consuming!

I hope that good news is just around the corner for you too. Just reading through your experience - it's interesting that they wouldn't up your dose without two anovulatory cycles, seems like every consultant follows a different process! Hopefully you ovulate next cycle xxx

But if a TMI question as well but when does everyone count CD1? I was spotting ever so slightly on Monday and the same on Tuesday (just wore a thin liner but it was mainly when I went to the bathroom). Then Tuesday evening it turned into more of a flow and now Wednesday it is full flow. When would you count CD1 to take letrozole?

@maw16 I would count the first day of flow as day 1 which could be Tuesday then take Letrozole on the Wednesday - I think they only say 2nd day of flow to start to ensure you're definitely not pregnant as you can sometimes spot when pregnant if that makes sense! 🤞🏻 this cycle is your cycle! Not reason why it can't be the one that works for you!
I decided to keep to the nurses advice and keep to 2.5mg dose for my second dose - feel like it's a throw away cycle but at least I can relax a bit and focus on other factors I can do to help myself xxx

@hope90 it’s so difficult to stay hopeful! I just can’t imagine it working after so many failed rounds.

Probably sensible to listen to the professionals! And you never know, it could still work at 2.5mg xx

Hey does anyone have some positive stories they can share? Our girl @maw16 needs a dose of hope!

All I can say is you can't say for 100% that this cycle won't be the cycle it works for you! Your body is doing it's best so
be kind when you think about yourself. Athletes perform better when their coached with positivity - so show those ovaries some love!

Dig deep to stay positive and keep up the nooky!! We're all rooting for you! Xxxx

@PuffinPippin how things going for you? X

Hi @hope90

I'm doing ok thanks - I had my first IVF cycle last month, unfortunately I developed OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome) - a mild version although it did take me a little while to recover, and we therefore didn't proceed to a fresh transfer. The good news is though that because of all the stimulation we did end up with quite a number of eggs collected, and in the end have 10 frozen embryos.

So they are sat in the freezer waiting for the next step which hopefully won't be too long away!

@maw16 I know exactly how you are feeling...towards the end of all the letrozole cycles I was so fed up of it not working, and was feeling really quite apprehensive about the idea of IVF. Actually once we'd made the decision to go ahead with IVF, I felt a lot more positive! It felt good to be trying something different...and yes I'm realistic that it might not work out still, BUT it's definitely increasing my chances a lot more. It also felt good to be handing over more control over to the IVF clinic.

Hopefully you guys won't need to go down the IVF route and the letrozole will work for you this cycle...but don't despair if it doesn't!

Best of luck with everything xxx

@PuffinPippin yeah, it’s definitely hard to stay positive after so many failed cycles!! How many rounds of letrozole did you do before moving onto IVF and do you have PCOS? Just curious as my consultant isn’t keen for us to move onto IVF yet so just trying to see what your timeline was like if you don’t mind!xx

Good luck with your transfer, hopefully everything works out for you! Sending positive vibes!!

@maw16 I actually had 9 altogether, partly because it took a while before I was on a dose where I was actually ovulating and there were a couple of cycles where the scans showed I'd already ovulated!?

I was referred for IVF after the 7th though, but just thought I might as well continue with the letrozole whilst waiting for the appointment to come through!

Yes, I do have PCOS. Since being referred for IVF things have moved very quickly - perhaps the benefits of suddenly being seen by a private clinic (although this is an NHS funded cycle)

Not sure how old you are @maw16 but if you are nearing the age of 35, it is probably a good idea to check what your local guidelines are for IVF - they can be quite strict about age. Of course if you're younger than this then don't worry about that yet!

Best of luck with everything!!! xx

@PuffinPippin glad that everything has moved quickly for you, that’s reassuring as I find the thought of IVF very daunting at the moment.

I’m currently on round 6 but I didn’t ovulate for two of the rounds, so my consultant seems keen to wait until the end of the year to think about IVF…I’m only 24 so maybe that’s why?

Thanks and you!xx

How is everyone doing I am
Just starting out on my letrozole journey after clomid didn’t work for me I’m really hoping that it works and we don’t have to go down the ivf route 🤞🏻

@HT1335 Welcome to the group!
I'm on my third cycle - have just upped my dose from two cycles of 2.5mg to 5mg as I didn't ovulate on the lower dose. I've got my blood test next week but don't feel like I've had any symptoms of ovulation so far..
If it helps I have a friend who had no luck on Clomid but found Letrozole worked really well for her!
Hope you're doing ok, it's such a waiting game!

@hope90 oh thanks that’s good to know! It is such a waiting game, I’ll have to be patient until my follicle scan next week and think positive thoughts
I hope the increased dose works for you!it’s a very frustrating journey and pcos is not a nice thing to have, from acne to weight gain it ain’t ideal, but all we can do if try and be positive and follow advice to try and help improve the symptoms etc

@HT1335 @hope90 just about ready to give up tbh. 6th round of letrozole and I just got my period today. I don’t think I can keep going through all this disappointment. I’m really at breaking point

@maw16 I honestly get how you’re feeling it’s so deflating at times and feels as though it’s never going to happen. Everyone saying oh it will don’t worry, doesn’t help sometimes either does it.
Are they going to look at clomid or any other options for you? I hope they will give you the option to try something else and that this works for you

@HT1335 I’ve emailed my consultant to ask about other options. She’s keen for me to stay on letrozole because I am ovulating but after 6 rounds of not falling pregnant on it, I just don’t feel confident that I ever will

@maw16 it’s a difficult one isn’t it, I understand where the professionals are coming from
But when you’re the person that’s going through it and it doesn’t seem to be working you want a different option or something to happen
Are you on metformin too? I take that as well as some herbal stuff I’m also healthy eating to try and improve my pcos symptoms.. wish there was a quick fix!

@HT1335 it really is, so hard to stay hopeful. Yeah, I take 1,500mg metformin each day. The only PCOS symptom I have is irregular periods which has been fixed by letrozole. But we’re still not able to fall pregnant, just feeling drained and ready to give up but it’s so hard when you want it so badly

@HT1335 What is the scan for? I haven't been offered one of those as I just do the blood test.. I also haven't been offered Metformin for my PCOS management but I am taking inositol:

https://www.fertilityfamily.co.uk/inofolic-alpha/

• did you have to have a blood sugar test for the Metformin?

@maw16 so sorry to hear you're low. It sucks - could you look at going private? I've literally stopped looking at my pregnancy tests and make my husband check them as I can't take seeing another negative after 2 years of trying. Hopefully it's when you least expect it that you have some luck although Im rubbish at pretending that I don't care about it

@hope90 we did go to a private clinic at the beginning of June to have my hycosy done (bypassing NHS waiting times) we also did a follow up consultation to get a second opinion and he said to stay on letrozole for a few more months if/until we’ve had enough. I think we’re going to book another appointment to take next steps

Hi everyone. Is this thread still active or is there a new one?