Progesterone users support thread

[*jeanine*]

I thought I'd start a thread for those of us on progesterone, so that way everything's in one place

I am on 400 mg suppositories 2x a day. I started those the day I got a positive test, before that I was taking an OTC progesterone cream (without the doc's knowledge).
With dd, I was taking prometrium, but using them as a suppository, not taking them orally.
They have under the tongue drops?

Wow. That's a pretty strong dose isn't it? I think I am going to be on 200 mg suppositories 1-2x per day. There definately are drops (sublingual). I took them with ds. I can't remember why we switched from suppositories but I think it was because my prog. levels weren't going up like we wanted and the drops seemed to work best for me.

I don't know if it's strong or not, but it's what the RE I used for dc#2 prescribes. I'm not seeing him this time, but my GP found out what he prescribes and prescribed it for me. Interestingly, I wasn't taking this when I was seeing him. I'd already started prometrium with my GP, and when I got to him, somehow they forgot to switch me to the suppositories. (And I'm kind of glad, too. These things are messy!!)
I don't know if the drops would work for me. I was initially taking the prometrium orally, and it didn't help me. Once I got to the RE he had me switch to taking it vaginally, and it worked beautifully that way!

[naturegirl]

I will be starting my suppositories today! I can't believe how nervous I am about this pregnancy. I will have my progesterone levels re-checked on Thursday. No bleeding at all so that is a good sigh.

: for healthy for all!

[*jeanine*]

I'm glad there's not bleeding!!
How did you know your progesterone was low? Did you test before getting pregnant, or after? My levels haven't been checked since I got pregnant. (Although with 400mg 2x a day, I can't imagine it's low)

[ShabbyChic]

I am taking 200mg of Prometrium orally 2x a day. It makes me crazy. I took it with DD and DS early on also and have recollections of it making me not feel well, but this time I am really not myself. It is making me dizzy and really queasy. It also makes me feel shaky and anxious. Does it have this affect on anyone else? When it starts to wear off, I feel on top of the world.

[*jeanine*]

It totally did that to me when I was taking it orally!! The first time I called my husband at work because I was totally freaking out! I have since read on the internet that it does that because it has to be metabolized by your liver (or something like that). I'll see if I can find it again. When I asked the nurse about it she made me feel like I was crazy. When I read it on the internet (much, much later) I was like "Ah ha! I wasn't crazy!"
I only took it orally for 2 months (while ttc), and then a different doc switched to taking it vaginally. It didn't have that same dizzying effect that way.

[*jeanine*]

Additionally, oral progesterone is metabolized by the liver, and the byproducts may cause side effects such as dizziness or sleepiness.

from http://www.conceivingconcepts.com/ed...Y3JldDYwMDM%3D

[naturegirl]

I now have the natural progesterone suppositories. I feel much better about taking them than taking the prometrium orally. I do not believe that prometrium is the "natural" progesterone. And you are right about it being metabolized in your liver. The suppositories and sublingual tincture are a different form of progesterone. They are actually a progesterone "supplement" and not a "drug" like prometrium.

I had my progesterone checked the day I got a BFP since it was low with my ds and I am underweight. Plus I have a shorter lp and figured it was low before getting preg.

I hope I am taking enough! I will be on 100 mg once a day suppositories and get re-checked in a week.

[*jeanine*]

If you got pregnant without being on progesterone, you make more than I do!! Maybe that's why my dosage is so high, I make so little progesterone on my own that I don't conceive without it.

[naturegirl]

Yes, but not very easily. I think this time I O'd super early for me so that is why I had success. It took a year with ds to get preggers!

I am feeling very anxious and not pregnant. I really wish I was :Puke or at least . Sorry for the graphics I would also be okay fast forwarding to the second trimester! This is definately a trial in my patience and meditation abilities.

[*jeanine*]

I'm very anxious, too. I never get really bad morning sickness, but sometimes I wish I did. (OK, well not really bad, but bad enough to notice would be nice.) I am more tired than usual, but I read on the internet that progesterone can make you sleepy, so it could be a side-effect of the suppositories, not of the pregnancy. KWIM? I think I'm going to be crazy for the next 7 weeks (at least). Then again, I hope I *get* to be crazy for the next 7 weeks. AGGHHH!!!!

[naturegirl]

My temp dropped this am? I was extra cold and also didn't take the temp as soon as I woke so I am trying to not fret. (but who are we really kidding!) I haven't been having any bleeding to speak of just a light pink twinge once or twice. I will be going crazy for at least 12 more weeks! I have another blood test scheduled for next Tuesday so I have at least a week until any more "news"

[*jeanine*]

Try to not freak out too much over one temp (I know it's hard). See what it does tomorrow, sometimes they're just weird.
You could always see about getting your blood tested sooner, if that will reassure you.

[KitttyKat]

Lurking from TTC and hopefully waiting to join.
This is my second cycle taking 200 mg of Prometrium orally. It affects me the same way. Dizziness, confusion. The doctor told me it would and told me to take it at bedtime for this reason. I don't think it's helping me much. I'm still spotting early in my cycle and I still have all the low progesterone symtoms.
Someone else told me that oral prometrium was supposed to bring on a period and supositories are supposed to hold off bleeding. That sounds weird to me.

[*jeanine*]

I was taking prometrium orally while ttc #2 (can't remember the dosage). My symptoms of low progesterone were early spotting, and the oral prometrium did not help it. I started going to a reproductive endocrinologist, and he had me take it vaginally - and the spotting stopped. Some people say it hasn't been proven effective that way, but I have a daughter, which is proof enough for me! You could talk to your doctor about it seeming to not work orally and see if s/he'll switch you. I read on the internet that some people think oral prometrium only raises your serum progesterone level, not the level in your uterus, where you need it. See the link about 5 responses back. HTH!

[*jeanine*]

Naturegirl,
How are you doing?

[naturegirl]

Hi. Still here. My temp was up this am. I didn't check yesterday as my sleep was really irradic and I didn't want to stress out about a low temp for the second day in a row.

No spotting but still anxious every time I go potty. (Finger nail biting smilie)

I will be going in to have my prog. and hcg levels re-checked next Tuesday. I am starting to feel a little pregnant. Last night I woke up at 4 am starving and having to go pee!

How are you all doing?

[ShabbyChic]

My new OB took me down from 200mg 2x daily to once daily. I was taking it at night, but it makes me toss and turn, so I tried taking it this morning and ended up walking around for the greater part of the day in a total fog and missed an obligation at DDs school. Nice, huh? My new OB said she would probably keep me on it until 12 weeks. I guess tossing and turning is better than walking around confused and dizzy. A really pleasant drug. Pisses me off really.

[EricaE]

I've been taking Prometrium 200 mg, 2 x a day vaginally. I had my progesterone tested on at 12 dpo and it was a 15, and that's when I started taking the prometrium. I then had my prog. tested at 14 dpo and it was up to 27, so obviously it's working for me. I have a history of recurrent miscarriages, so the prometrium really gives me peace of mind.

[naturegirl]

I had my progesterone tested on at 12 dpo and it was a 15, and that's when I started taking the prometrium.

Mine was 15.2 at 10 dpo. Haven't had it re-checked but I do know that it only got up to about 22 with ds so 27 sounds great!

I was taking it at night, but it makes me toss and turn,

Does any one know if the suppositories would do the same. I haven't been sleeping as well lately either? Thought maybe it was just nerves and having to pee.

[EricaE]

[Does any one know if the suppositories would do the same. I haven't been sleeping as well lately either? Thought maybe it was just nerves and having to pee

It seems to me that the suppositories cause a lot less symtoms (sleepiness, dizziness, etc) than taking them orally do. But that's just from my own experiences and from what I've read.

I'm realllly tired lately, but I think it's more from the pregnancy than the prog. but I don't know for sure.