Research Study Consultation

Luckily, this meeting with Dr. C alleviated many of my fears and anxieties about the study.  As I have posted before, one of my major concerns was whether or not to bother cycling in the study if we were placed in the Clomid or Femara group.  I was really going into the study hoping to be assigned to Menopur and stressing over the other two protocols.

In normal clinical practice, the patient is prescribed a low dosage of either Clomid or Femara, usually with two or three refills.  If the three cycles with that medication and dosage do not achieve pregnancy, the RE can either change the dosage or the medication after a follow-up consultation.  In our case, three rounds of low-dose Clomid did result in mature follicles, but they usually took at least fourteen days to mature instead of the ideal twelve and we always developed only one.  Instead of adjusting the dosage of the Clomid, our RE opted to switch us over to Femara, also at a low dose.  Obviously, this protocol was not successful either and only resulted in slowly-developing single follicles.

In this study, however, the dosages can be changed from one cycle to the next because I will be so closely monitored and because the medications are being provided right from the RE instead of through a pharmacy.  Given that we only ever matured one follicle and that it took slightly longer than the typical response, Dr. C felt that we were excellent candidates for a dosage adjustment after the first cycle if we are placed in the Clomid or Femara group.  This made me more confident and hopeful about trying these meds again. 

In this study, the patients are monitored much more closely than during a typical IUI protocol.  During each cycle, I usually need a baseline ultrasound and a blood draw on CD3, then a follow-up ultrasound of the maturing follicles on CD12 and usually again on CD14.  In the study, there will be an additional ultrasound and blood draw (or two) and check-up in between the baseline and the CD12, then several check-ins after the IUI. 

With all of this additional monitoring, I was worried that my schedule limitations might be even more problematic.  Dr. C could not have been more accommodating regarding my schedule.  He cannot guarantee that all of our appointments can be taken at the Radnor campus, but he is working hard to create a research team at the location.  He also offered to talk to the board about scheduling monitoring appointments in the afternoon after I get out of work. 

There are still some final considerations that must be determined before we are definitively accepted into the study, so we are simply awaiting a phone call to see if we are accepted.  As much as I am still hoping to be placed in the Menopur group, it seems like there is still hope for success with Clomid and Femara through this study. 

As for right now, we are not allowed to take any meds, as this would interfere with the study.  It doesn't matter much anyway - we just had to cancel our fifth IUI and we are out of refills for a new cycle.  It seems like with the coming of the new schoolyear and all of the stress it will most likely bring, this is the perfect time to take a break from treatments and try to focus on living carefree for a little while.  Who knows, maybe I am overstressing about the changes at work and we will be settled and adjusted just in time for a new cycle in the study...  Fingers crossed!