thekmeister
Registered: 07/22/08
Posts: 2
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Reply with quote | #1 |
Doctor,
I have recently discovered the book Natural Hormone Balance for Women by Dr. Uzzi Reiss. The idea of managing my well being with bio-identical hormones was so exciting that I had my CNP call in a prescription for progesterone (prometrium) for me asap. I started the prometrium (100 mg) pills last month. It went really well, but I wasn't really sure about what was happening.
This month I was a little cavalier and really started experimenting. I started on day 10 instead of 14 and then increased the dose to 200 mg at day 16 when I felt like I needed more. I experiemented with taking a dose during the day and at night. Unformtunately, now I think I am sporting some serious progesterone excess. But, as I have no support from my doctor (she is very skeptical and not knowledgable on the subject) I am very confused as to where to go from here. By day 21 I had water retention, VERY swollen and tender breasts and if I didn't take the progesterone at night, I got very irritable and did not sleep well.
Am I experiencing some kind of progesterone paradox or did the large doses of progesterone jump start some kind of a crazy wave of estrogen production?
I do not ususally have these kind of symptoms at day 21 of my cycle. ( I am usually dealing with estrogen/prog. deficiency symptoms) I never have swollen or tender breasts before my period. However, the large doses of progesterone made me feel so calm and ... well ... happy I was able to stop taking my prescription for Lamictal at day 22 (mood stablizing drug for depression and anxiety).
I am determined to find my true balance. Can you help me figure out how my body is REALLY responding to the progesterone?
Thank you for your time
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srabin
Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 33
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Reply with quote | #2 |
Thanks for sharing your experience on our message board. Progesterone supplementation (if you are still having regular periods) can be helpful and it sounds like it may be backfiring on you. As you can imagine, I cannot evaluate or treat you on this message board.
It must be frustrating to know you are on the right track but your physician is not able to coach you, or guide you.
This may be a case where less is more. (there's your paradox!)
Sometimes, a lower dose can give more dramatic results. I have seen 25 and 50mg by mouth help out.
Many factors need to be considered: what other meds you are on, the timing and quality of your periods, your birth control method, age, and others.
There must be a physician in your area who can evaluate and treat you. For now, you should go back to the provider who prescribed the bioidentical Progesterone, USP caplets (Prometrium) and ask for some guidance.
In many cases, 100mg from days 10 or 12 through day 25 or 26 of a 28 day menstrual cycle should help with estrogen dominance symptoms and help with sleep. Remember this is not a form of birth control (not at all!!!)
If you are in the Atlanta area, I hope you will consider coming in to see us. You may call 404-252-3898 to make an appointment!
Dr. R.
(No specific medical advice is being given nor is implied. This is an educational forum. You should discuss any diagnostic testing or medical treatment with your physician)
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Steven A. Rabin, MD, FACOG |
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thekmeister
Registered: 07/22/08
Posts: 2
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Reply with quote | #3 |
I am happy to report that I found an excellent practitioner that specializes in Bio-identical Hormone Therapy. She is not covered by my insurance, but the help and support she has provided me is worth the extra expense. I am looking forward to finding real balance in my body and mind. Good luck to all of you who are just beginning this journey or considering "doing something" about how you feel. It will be worth the wait if can find the right support and resources!
Kelly |
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