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Infertility

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Letrozole/ovulation/cycle length help

5 replies

Tulpabean · 27/11/2019 13:54

I've tried to trawl through previous/current threads to see if this is already covered but there's just so many posts, sorry.

Currently getting fertility treatment with letrozole 2.5mg (lowest dose) for PCOS. My cycles when not on meds can be up to 82 days.

Cycle 1 of letrozole - confirmed ov by bloods, 30 day cycle.
Cycle 2 of letrozole - no bloods done (that's the clinic policy), 29 day cycle.
Cycle 3 of letrozole - no period yet (currently cycle day 43, BFN). Had 42 day bloods which confirmed I've ov'd with levels of 37, but they don't know when the ov was. The nurse phoned me and said that regardless of my cycle length, as long as I've ov'd they are not gonna change my meds. I've to continue for another 4 cycles and not to come for any other bloods. I'm absolutely baffled and devastated that they are contemplating leaving me with long irregular cycles and reduced chances of conceiving. I thought, and was told by the consultant when I stated treatment, that they wanted me ovulating regularly and frequently for the best chance. Now a nurse tells me my cycle length is irrelevant as long as I'm confirmed to ov. HOW can they eave me in the same position as I was in before treatment, with long cycles, never knowing if I'm gonna ovulate in 2 weeks or 4 weeks, and having to have sex all the time for weeks on end which is really tough for us as we are shift workers on conflicting shifts. I just feel like there's no point even taking the bloody meds now and I'm dreading another long cycle when this one finally ends. Has anyone ever heard of this happening? I've just gone so negative now and struggling really badly.

OP posts:
Sylva123 · 02/12/2019 16:56

Hello @Tulpabean, I'm so sorry to hear about what an awful time you're having. It can be so hard to be optimistic with all that going on.
Now I'm not an expert as I'm on clomid not letrozole, but they gave me a "trigger shot" injection which is a thing that makes you ovulate within 32 hours of the injection. It helped me to know I was definitely ovulating within those 32 hours. They often do this to help with timed intercourse, so you're no longer in the position of having to have sex constantly, not knowing how long your cycle will be. It makes the fertility window clearer.
I don't know if this would suit your situation but it's worth a google and worth asking about. I just had to pay £9 NHS prescription fee.

Tulpabean · 04/12/2019 15:34

Thanks @Sylva123. Something like that sounds brilliant. A 32 hour window sounds like a dream compared to the current situation of 40+ days!! Unfortunately they're not interested in seeing me at the moment and my next review is end of Jan, so hopefully when I see the consultant then, I'll get something better than the current scenario. Cheers.

OP posts:
Sylva123 · 04/12/2019 15:37

What a nightmare. Would you consider going private just for the injection and some cycle monitoring? I'm lucky I'm getting it on the NHS, but if we weren't I think it's worth paying for. Some places offer a free initial consultation sometimes

carleygh · 14/12/2019 08:48

Hi @Tulpabean

Sorry to hear that you're going through that it must be so frustrating. Are you using ovulation tests? They help me loads and my ovulate date is all over the show but I just do one every other say. Admittedly it's not cheap but for the sake of £10 I don't mind I just use cheaper ones online x

carleygh · 14/12/2019 08:49

I take that back for 30 it's £3.79

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