Stephanie1112
03-02-2006, 04:56 PM
Hi Everyone!
I'm 42 and I have been battling crazy symptoms for over 10 years. I've had several episodes of Thyroiditis and I currently take medication for heart palpitations.
After seeing a new Gyno last month she said that my progesterone was too low. She feels like this is the reason for all my problems. I sure hope so because I'm tired of Dr.'s trying to put me on antidepressants or send me to a psychologist!
She wrote me a prescription for progesterone cream. I started taking it two days ago. Last night I had horrible night sweats to the point where I had to change night gowns. Is this a normal side effect when you first start using this cream? Also, how long does it take for you to start feeling better?
Thanks,
Stephanie
I'm 42 and I have been battling crazy symptoms for over 10 years. I've had several episodes of Thyroiditis and I currently take medication for heart palpitations.
After seeing a new Gyno last month she said that my progesterone was too low. She feels like this is the reason for all my problems. I sure hope so because I'm tired of Dr.'s trying to put me on antidepressants or send me to a psychologist!
She wrote me a prescription for progesterone cream. I started taking it two days ago. Last night I had horrible night sweats to the point where I had to change night gowns. Is this a normal side effect when you first start using this cream? Also, how long does it take for you to start feeling better?
Thanks,
Stephanie
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pixiek
03-02-2006, 08:59 PM
Hi, I am waiting for my bioidentical progesterone cream and reading all threads with interest. Just to let you know, my holistic doc is putting me on 1/2 what most docs usually start patients with for 4 months and then retest and see....apparently the progesterone can build up in the system and then do more harm than good eventually....I can't say from experience, but I wonder if you might to better to also start small and possibly work up if you need to? Also, I also have thryoid troubles, did you know that progesterone helps you use those thyoird meds more effectively? And if you are not on meds, I bet the progesterone can do somthing with the thryoid...all these are part of the endocrine system it is a delicate balancing act.... It is possible you need to now test your thyroid (FT4, FT3) and adjust from that end. Pixiek
Stephanie1112
03-03-2006, 12:23 PM
Pixiek,
Thanks for your post. I didn't have any problems last night, but you might be right about starting with a smaller dosage. One postive thing is that I sleep much, much better and wake up feeling rested. I was battling insomnia.
I have thyroid tests done about every 3 mos. It goes from normal to low every so often. I'm not on any medication for it other than the Toprol for heart palpitations. I've been to several Dr's over the years to no avail.
I'm just praying that this diagnosis is correct and I can start feeling normal.
Stephanie
Thanks for your post. I didn't have any problems last night, but you might be right about starting with a smaller dosage. One postive thing is that I sleep much, much better and wake up feeling rested. I was battling insomnia.
I have thyroid tests done about every 3 mos. It goes from normal to low every so often. I'm not on any medication for it other than the Toprol for heart palpitations. I've been to several Dr's over the years to no avail.
I'm just praying that this diagnosis is correct and I can start feeling normal.
Stephanie
manyboys
03-03-2006, 04:36 PM
Hi guys,
I used a compounded progesterone cream for about a year. I was started on a very low amount (if you're interested, I could fish the dispenser out of my closet to give you exact amounts), then was told to gradually increase. Problem really is with finding the right amount for you. Everyone is different but I found that I had terrible side effects when the dose was higher than lower, but when it was lower it did not do enough. I got frustrated and gave up after just over a year. Now I am trying to balance both estrogen and progesterone and am doing that with BCP. Nasty side effects that I had with the cream were heachaches, very fatigued, sore breasts and weight gain. I would recommend to be very patient and work with your compounding pharmacist closely. They can be very helpful. There are also some really good books out there dedicated specifically to progesterone cream. They are helpful also (also in my closet, if you'd like specifics....:)
Cathy
I used a compounded progesterone cream for about a year. I was started on a very low amount (if you're interested, I could fish the dispenser out of my closet to give you exact amounts), then was told to gradually increase. Problem really is with finding the right amount for you. Everyone is different but I found that I had terrible side effects when the dose was higher than lower, but when it was lower it did not do enough. I got frustrated and gave up after just over a year. Now I am trying to balance both estrogen and progesterone and am doing that with BCP. Nasty side effects that I had with the cream were heachaches, very fatigued, sore breasts and weight gain. I would recommend to be very patient and work with your compounding pharmacist closely. They can be very helpful. There are also some really good books out there dedicated specifically to progesterone cream. They are helpful also (also in my closet, if you'd like specifics....:)
Cathy
Stephanie1112
03-04-2006, 12:31 AM
Manyboys,
Thanks for your reply. I would be interested in knowing what your dosage amounts were and also the books you were mentioning that were helpful. I just bought a book this afternoon from a Dr. John Lee. It seems very informative.
Stephanie
Thanks for your reply. I would be interested in knowing what your dosage amounts were and also the books you were mentioning that were helpful. I just bought a book this afternoon from a Dr. John Lee. It seems very informative.
Stephanie
pixiek
03-04-2006, 07:16 AM
I am harping on the thyroid, but if you post your numbers and labs on the thyroid board everyone there could give you some ideas about "normal"...sometimes (many times) docs think normal is normal as long as you are inthe normal lab range...but those number within the range are very, very specific and narrow for each individual (have scientific paper to back me up on this one)....might be worth another check. Pixiek
manyboys
03-04-2006, 09:06 AM
Manyboys,
Thanks for your reply. I would be interested in knowing what your dosage amounts were and also the books you were mentioning that were helpful. I just bought a book this afternoon from a Dr. John Lee. It seems very informative.
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
I will give you what is on the syringe. 30mg/0.2ml of progesterone. That's the prescription. The doseage instruction for me was "apply 0.2ml (= one line) twice daily day 6-28 or until mensus begins.
I fooled around with the amounts from there. Never did quite get it right. I do believe though, that the smaller amounts made me feel much better. Problem is that you have to be patient because it takes quite a bit of time for it to effect your levels. I'm not sure how this prescription would work if you are not getting your period.
I have the Dr. Lee book. It's really great. Also anything from Suzanne Sommers. Another great read is "The Change Before The Change" by Laura E. Corio. Good general reference book for the 10 years before you become menopausal.
Good luck.
Cathy
Thanks for your reply. I would be interested in knowing what your dosage amounts were and also the books you were mentioning that were helpful. I just bought a book this afternoon from a Dr. John Lee. It seems very informative.
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
I will give you what is on the syringe. 30mg/0.2ml of progesterone. That's the prescription. The doseage instruction for me was "apply 0.2ml (= one line) twice daily day 6-28 or until mensus begins.
I fooled around with the amounts from there. Never did quite get it right. I do believe though, that the smaller amounts made me feel much better. Problem is that you have to be patient because it takes quite a bit of time for it to effect your levels. I'm not sure how this prescription would work if you are not getting your period.
I have the Dr. Lee book. It's really great. Also anything from Suzanne Sommers. Another great read is "The Change Before The Change" by Laura E. Corio. Good general reference book for the 10 years before you become menopausal.
Good luck.
Cathy
Stephanie1112
03-04-2006, 12:13 PM
Good Morning Cathy,
0.2 ml 2x per day is a big difference from my prescription! I'm taking over double what you were. Mine is 1.0 ml per day at bedtime. I only had the bad side effect that one night and I'm sleeping better than I have in years :bouncing: I also feel better upon waking up, I seem to have more energy and not that sluggish feeling upon waking.
I have been reading Dr. Lee's book since last night and I'm having a hard time putting it down. I wish I knew about this book when it first came out 10 years ago!!! I would have saved myself a whole lot of frustration and heartache! I will look into getting those other books you mentioned.
Thanks for the info!
Stephanie
0.2 ml 2x per day is a big difference from my prescription! I'm taking over double what you were. Mine is 1.0 ml per day at bedtime. I only had the bad side effect that one night and I'm sleeping better than I have in years :bouncing: I also feel better upon waking up, I seem to have more energy and not that sluggish feeling upon waking.
I have been reading Dr. Lee's book since last night and I'm having a hard time putting it down. I wish I knew about this book when it first came out 10 years ago!!! I would have saved myself a whole lot of frustration and heartache! I will look into getting those other books you mentioned.
Thanks for the info!
Stephanie
manyboys
03-04-2006, 01:39 PM
Good Morning Cathy,
0.2 ml 2x per day is a big difference from my prescription! I'm taking over double what you were. Mine is 1.0 ml per day at bedtime. I only had the bad side effect that one night and I'm sleeping better than I have in years :bouncing: I also feel better upon waking up, I seem to have more energy and not that sluggish feeling upon waking.
I have been reading Dr. Lee's book since last night and I'm having a hard time putting it down. I wish I knew about this book when it first came out 10 years ago!!! I would have saved myself a whole lot of frustration and heartache! I will look into getting those other books you mentioned.
Thanks for the info!
Stephanie
Do you know the strength of your cream?? That's why I gave you that amount. The doseage depends on (your needs) and the strength of the cream.
Also, I did not begin to feel the nasty side effects until I used the cream for a few weeks. It accumulates in your system. Just mentioning it as something to watch out for.
Cathy
0.2 ml 2x per day is a big difference from my prescription! I'm taking over double what you were. Mine is 1.0 ml per day at bedtime. I only had the bad side effect that one night and I'm sleeping better than I have in years :bouncing: I also feel better upon waking up, I seem to have more energy and not that sluggish feeling upon waking.
I have been reading Dr. Lee's book since last night and I'm having a hard time putting it down. I wish I knew about this book when it first came out 10 years ago!!! I would have saved myself a whole lot of frustration and heartache! I will look into getting those other books you mentioned.
Thanks for the info!
Stephanie
Do you know the strength of your cream?? That's why I gave you that amount. The doseage depends on (your needs) and the strength of the cream.
Also, I did not begin to feel the nasty side effects until I used the cream for a few weeks. It accumulates in your system. Just mentioning it as something to watch out for.
Cathy
Stephanie1112
03-04-2006, 02:04 PM
Progesterone 10% cream
manyboys
03-04-2006, 05:11 PM
I guess my prescribed amount was 60 mg/day. The cream was compounded into 30 mg per .2 ml. Must be different formulations.
No doubt it's great stuff. The other thing I should have mentioned is that I think that my level of progesterone was low when I began taking it, but as I progressed through peri men my estrogen began to drop as well. So, the careful balance no longer existed. This is why my GP suggested BCP to try as it can balance both (all). I think that's the tricky thing about peri. One week one hormone is down, the next it's something else. They are constantly changing.
Glad to hear you are sleeping better. Nothing worse than getting out of bed unrested!!!
No doubt it's great stuff. The other thing I should have mentioned is that I think that my level of progesterone was low when I began taking it, but as I progressed through peri men my estrogen began to drop as well. So, the careful balance no longer existed. This is why my GP suggested BCP to try as it can balance both (all). I think that's the tricky thing about peri. One week one hormone is down, the next it's something else. They are constantly changing.
Glad to hear you are sleeping better. Nothing worse than getting out of bed unrested!!!
Stephanie1112
03-04-2006, 07:18 PM
Did you feel better when you first started using the cream? How long did you use it?