Femara/Letrozole first cycle

[Frozeneverafter]

Hi all,

I was recently diagnosed with PCOS despite none of the usual signs and symptoms. I'm due to start Letrozole when AF arrives next week (fingers crossed) and am taking 5mg of Folic Acid as well as daily doses of Inofolic.

I've tried to come to terms with all of this and felt close to breaking point a few times. Thankfully I had a two week break from work scheduled which helped significantly. I went walking and thought it all over.

I can't shake the sense of doom within me that my path to a child is not going to be easy and keep thinking I'm going to fail. To add to this, my mum rang the other night to inform me that my younger sister is 8 weeks pregnant. It really knocked me back to square one.
I know there's so many posts on here about Letrozole but I did want to ask if anybody had success with it as I feel like I need some positivity.
Also, how to deal with constant questions about losing weight. I know I'm overweight but I don't find it helpful that people assume losing weight is the silver bullet in this scenario. It also adds to my feelings of failure-like I deserve this for abusing my body.

Thank you to all who read and take any time to reply. It all really helps.

@frozenneverafter So sorry to hear you're having a tough time. I'm sure lots of people on these threads recognise the feelings you describe; I know I do.
In terms of positive stories, I am 11 weeks pregnant with my second baby, thanks to letrozole. I was initially put on 2.5mg which didn't induce ovulation. I was then prescribed 5mg and I conceived the second month on that dose. Obviously still a long way to go in my pregnancy but everything going well so far.
I wish you all the best and hope letrozole works for you x

Thank you for responding and for your kind words. I too have been prescribed 2.5mg for my first dose. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I'm currently in the same boat as you and feel very much the same. Hopeful but hopeless at the same time! I'm in my first cycle of 2.5mg letrozole. Took from CD2-6 and I'm now on CD11. Fingers crossed for us both!

@Frozeneverafter hello! Sorry to hear you're not feeling great. Thought I'd jump on this thread as I'm in a similar situation. Been TTC for 15 months now. Under fertility clinic and been diagnosed with pcos and given letrozole and also metformin. Just waiting for my period to start and then I can start it.
I feel similar to you; I try not to think negatively and then I just think oh god what if this doesn't work, really do not want to go through the route if IVF etc.
Period should be here within a week and then going to start it. What cycle days have they recommended ? And do you have to go for a tracking scan?
I've read lots on letrozole and it's meant to be really good ! X

Just an update, I'm on my first round of letrozole and on CD15. I had a positive OPK and lots of EWCM two days ago and went for a scan yesterday. There are two good sized follicles waiting and the nurse thinks the eggs are mature, so now I'm in my two week wait. But at least letrozole has done the job it's supposed to do!

Hi everyone, I'm taking the letrozole for cd2-6. So far I've had every side effect! It's really hard not to think negatively when you've come this far and wish you'd known from day one. Really glad to read that you had good sized follicles @roxyfoxy89. Hoping it works for me too. I've got my scan next Friday. Coming round to the idea my sister will be having a baby now. Infertility really makes life hard.

@Frozeneverafter Good luck for this cycle 🤞.
Did they put you on metformin as well or just the letrozole?

Just letrozole, inofolic and 5mg folic acid. They mentioned metformin too so could be next! I've been worried I should also be on metformin but we shall see. Thank you!

@Frozeneverafter I think they can do it either way. I haven't got metformin yet anyway as have to get that off the gp. So gonna do my first cycle without and see where that goes and add metformin the next cycle if it doesn't work xxx

Good luck. Hope it all goes well. 😊🍀

@Frozeneverafter You too! Keep me updated xxx

Just an update! I have one follicle measuring 19mm today (CD11) the consultant seemed pleased and confident we were on the right tracks. Just a blood test to confirm on day 21. Got everything crossed.

@Frozeneverafter Great to hear, sounds like it's working for you!
I've come on period today so will be starting letrozole tomorrow.
Do you know if it's best to take it morning or night? Or doesn't it make a difference? I know it needs to be taken the same time each day. X

I took mine in the morning and found I was getting the side effects in the evening. It worked for me because I could keep going in my day job. It did write off a few evenings though with the headaches but I guess we all respond differently. 😊 Fingers crossed it all goes well. X

@Frozeneverafter so what days did you have scans on?
I took first dose today and no side effects yet but I do feel extremely tired but that's probably the period. It's a struggle at work 😩

The scan fell on cycle day 11 (last Fri) but I think my consultant said any day from 10-14 depending on how my period lined up. I feel your pain! I thought I'd already ovulated this weekend but today I feel so bloated and crampy!

Hi. I am also taking letzerole and on C1. I had my scan today CD13 and am showing 3 follicles all at 14mm x2 on my right ovary and x1 on my left. I am back at the fertility clinic on Friday for another scan and to see if they decide to give me a trigger shot to force the egg the release. I am hoping it works my first cycle as they said they were pleased with what is happened so far. After 2 years of trying and hoping to be so close, its become draining!

How's everyone getting on? I had a positive OPK at cd13, had two good sized follicles and thick lining on a scan at CD14 and the nurse said it looked like I'd ovulate that day. I'm now CD30, roughly 16 dpo. I had a negative test 4 days ago but I'm too scared to test again! Had cramps for 6 days or so and I keep expecting AF to show up!

Hi, fingers crossed for everyone that it goes well. I think I'm in the two week wait now. Have got my day 21 bloods on Monday so shall see. Not holding out any hope. Feel like I'm drowning in my own depression. All the two week wait doubts have crept back in too.

Hi, I hope it's ok to join. I'm waiting for af to arrive after taking provera and then I'm starting my first cycle on letrozole 7.5mg. I've had 2 cycles of clomid 100mg and 150mg but I didn't ovulate on either cycle. I have PCOS and endometriosis and have been ttc since June 2018. DH has 1% morphology- although my consultant isn't particularly worried about that. I'm really hoping my body responds to the letrozole otherwise it will be IVF next year.

Hi @Bec18x glad you're joining! Fingers crossed you respond to the letrozole. You must be feeling downhearted about your experience on clomid and all the factors you're being dealt. I've got everything crossed for you. How are you today? I'm just feeling like AF is coming.

Hi

I hope it's ok that I join. I'm also waiting for AF to arrive and doing 5mg letrozole on days 2 to 6. I ovulate already so my consultant is trying superovulation as I'm over 35 and we don't have any other issues.

I did one round of IVF which was a fail, so let's see how this works out.

Fingers crossed for everyone!

Hi,
The more the merrier. Fingers crossed and baby dust to you. My day 21 bloods were 25.9 and the consultant said he would like it to be over 30 so now I will take 5mg of letrozole when my period arrives. I've spent all day reading the message back to myself.
The consultant says I probably ovulated but would like it to be over 30. I guess I'm out then? Who knows. Don't know how emotionally ready I'll be for this period if it's coming. I've already had two/three meltdowns behind closed doors this week as my sister announced her pregnancy to the world. Wish I could feel better about it all.

@Frozeneverafter Feeling for you , this TTC journey is a battle every day I find. It's always at the back of my mind.
I had my scan today on cycle day 11 and they said they might have to cancel the cycle but then they decided it was ok to continue. They said I responded well and got 3 follicles on the go! I get my hopes up and then realise I need to tone it down because there's a lot to overcome before actual conception. But what can we do a part from hope ?
Sending good vibes to you. It's only first round , have faith xxxx

Its really emotionally draining, especially when people announce pregnancies. I'm happy for them but also makes me realise how sad I am for us. I finally got a positive ovulation test on CD20 and am now 3 days past ovulation. I've got blood tests on Tuesday to check my progestogen levels and then the clinic will decide if I need to up my dose or remain on the same! Anyone had any luck?