Well...my journey has started...again

gracie381 · 08-16-2009, 05:02 PM

So after a long 5 year break and being told that IVF was my only option, my husband & I finally went back for a 2nd opinion this past Thursday. The doctor was great and very positive. He said after reviewing my records and performing an exam all he sees is I haven't or possibly have never ovulated. Of course since clomid had failed in the past, he was a little hesitant when I mentioned I wanted to try Femara just for the heck of it, but he went along with me and said we would give it a try since it was relatively inexpensive. So to make a long story short he thinks injectibles w/IUI will be the key for me, which was great news after hearing the IVF speech from my previous RE. First though we are gonna give Femara a try for a month or maybe two. I happened to be on cd2 when we went to our visit so he started me on Metformin again & Femara which I started Friday on cd3 and will continue through cd7. I took Metformin for almost 2 years at 2,000 mg. and it never worked for me, no af ever without my reliable prometrium, but I thought okay we'll try it again. The first time on Met I never had a single side affect, well let me tell you this weekend has been horrible. I started the 500mg on Friday along with the 5mg of Femara and I have had this horrible headache ever since and the nausia and diarrhea are killing me. I keep telling myself to be patient that maybe it's actually working this time, but I feel so awful right now. Please tell me this will pass as I don't even think I can function to go to work feeling this way!!! Now i am really dreading moving up to 1500mg. Anyways, to conclude he says if I haven't af hasn't come by day 35 to call his office and then he wants to set me up for the HSG test and if that's all clear & my husband's little guys test out on Monday okay, then he says we should move to injectible w/IUI and he told me he was really optimistic about my future, so let's just pray he's right...just hope i can live through these horrible side affects that i have never experienced before. Also i read that you have to stop Met days before the HSG, is this right? I hate to know I have to stop, then start and have these horrible side affect all over again!

Jessieb · 08-16-2009, 05:17 PM

I've never taken Femara, but I have been through the s/e of Met! I switched to the extended release non-generic version and had much better luck. I was also on Met when I had my HSG and was never told to stop taking it, so I would verify.

Good luck to you and your DH! I'm glad your RE could give you some hope and help you think positive thoughts!

AnotherDreamer · 08-16-2009, 07:02 PM

Within a week the body usually gets used to the Met.

Good luck!

MendyB · 08-16-2009, 10:22 PM

So glad you are back with us! I know it's hard, I also had to take about a three year break. It seems like once your back, it just starts to consume you LOL

In regards to Met, I also had terrible SE and to be completely honest with you, I never had them go away. But one RE suggested when I complained I couldn't handle it to try GLUMETZA XR, It's the same thing, actually in the Physician's Desk Reference says it Metformin, but is formulated a little different. I am on 2500mg, I take it all at night after eating. I can function, with very little side effects.

So my hats off to you for trying a new avenue
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, good luck to you, and we are here if you need us.
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I too am on Femara+Follistim+Trigger+IUI so may be we can be buddies? I have to talk to the doctor since last U/S there was a lot of follies, but none big enough.

_Amanda_ · 08-16-2009, 10:41 PM

Wow!! A 5 year break!? I give you props! I don't think I could wait that long with nothing! I do not ovulate either. I've O'd once in 20 months, so I can totally feel your pain... it totally sucks!!

I'm so sorry to hear about the s/e's you're experiencing... hang in there! I've never been on Met, so I'm sorry, I can't recommend any remedies. I do know with the Clomid and my PNVs, I've always taken them at night before I go to bed to elevate any s/e's and, thankfully, I haven't experienced any s/e's to either! Maybe try that, if you can?

Lastly, I just wanted to say Good Luck with your "new" TTC journey! Stick around! We want to know how it's going and, I, personally want to know how the Femara works for you, bc Clomid only made me O once in 5 cycles...
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wtng4amiracle · 08-17-2009, 12:45 PM

Gracie-Yes, this too will pass. Being a long-time TTCer myself, I know every emotion you are going/have gone through. I started Met last September, and yes, it does take a while to get used to. Just gradually up your dose--do not push it. It helped me to eat small frequent snacks (for some reason carrot sticks helped a lot)--even though I was nauseous and didn't feel like eating, it helped to always have something small in my stomach.

Also, you may want to mention to your RE Femara and injectables. It is great for PCOSers, because it helps us not to overstimulate.

I will be thinking of you often....keep that HOPE and FAITH alive....NEVER GIVE UP!

gracie381 · 08-17-2009, 01:26 PM

Thanks you so much everyone! Your support makes me feel better already. My friends really don't understand all the pressure I feel sometimes and the emotional toll this process takes on me and I feel bad complaining to them all the time about it, as most of them already have children and just don't get it. I really hope this met will work this time, especially since I'm actually having the side affects from it and never did before. Also it would be great if this Femara would cause a miracle so I wouldn't have to come up with all the money for injectibles, either way though I am going to try & stay positive this time as the last time we were ttc'ing I was very down and depressed. Maybe it's because I'm ready now and hopefully God will answer my prayers. I look forward to chatting with you all and getting to know you!! Know that my prayers are also with all of you and I truly appreciate all the support!!

winddrop · 08-17-2009, 02:26 PM

I'm on Met 2000mg a day. I upped mine in stages. But something others recommended was to take one Imodium AD every day for a week to help during the get use to phase.
I had an HSG done about 2 weeks ago. Tuesday I got my blood drawn, Wednesday I didn't take my night dose, Thursday I had HSG, Saturday I got my blood drawn, and Monday I was told the results looked good and I could start taking my Met again. I was off it from Wednesday night until Monday night. Did get a little bad reaction, but nothing like when I started taking it.
Make sure to take between 600-800 mg of Advil/Motrin about 30 min - 1 hr before. Mine wasn't too painful during, actually went back to work. After, I had REALLY bad cramps. Plus, if you have a blockage, I have read it is more painful so just be prepared.
Make sure they also check your Thyroid, mine was "fine" (4.8) a year ago but now my TSH is 7.4. It can create fertility problems also. Blood tests should be standard for an RE.

aprildurham23 · 08-17-2009, 02:32 PM

Are you eating low-carb low-fat foods? Whenever I eat crappy food - the metformin makes it SOOO much worse! But when I eat veggies, chicken etc... I have normal BM's and not diarrhea.

gracie381 · 08-17-2009, 11:07 PM

I actually haven't eaten a thing but soup the last two days because i feel so nauseated, but i had a turkey steak and some veggies tonight and i feel a little better, so maybe it's looking up from here!