Progesterone users support thread

[jeaninevp922]

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. :thumb

:1praying: for healthy :sticky for all!

[jeaninevp922]

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.

[jeaninevp922]

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.

[jeaninevp922]

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/education_article-treatment.shtml?article=NTk5OXN1cGVyNTk5NnNlY3JldD YwMDM%3D

[naturegirl]

I now have the natural progesterone suppositories. :D 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.

[jeaninevp922]

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 :inthet. 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. :o

[jeaninevp922]

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"

[jeaninevp922]

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.
:hug

[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.

[jeaninevp922]

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!

[jeaninevp922]

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! :thumb

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. :o

[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.

[KitttyKat]

I called my doctor about the early spotting not working and he said he wasn't concerned with early spotting and the only other thing he could give me was Clomid. I think he's a clown...I'm looking for a new one.
I tested this morning and got a 2nd line so faint it's almost imaginary.

[jeaninevp922]

KittyKat,
Your doctor (is it an OB or a reproductive endocrinologist or ?...) is kind of right. Sometimes low progesterone can't be fixed just with progesterone. Sometimes progesterone's low because the eggs aren't the healthiest, and if that's the case, Clomid would be necessary. However, I wouldn't jump to Clomid, without first trying either a different form of progesterone (like the suppositories) or trying the Prometrium vaginally. I did take Clomid to get dc#2, but I was soooooo ready to be pregnant. We ttc'd for over a year and a half. Right now, I'm not ready for that, so I'm hoping just the progesterone will work.

EricaE,
Regarding the tiredness: I read that progesterone depresses the central nervous system and so can make you tired. The place I read that was talking about a "normal" pregnancy, where the woman's body is making the progesterone, but I don't see why it wouldn't be the same (or worse) for those of us taking it.

Naturegirl,
I have nights where I don't sleep as well, either. I thought it was just nerves.

As far as me, I finally got the results of my 2nd hCG test, and it more than doubled in 48 hours:balloons. But, that blood was drawn over a week ago, so now i'm totally concerned about what it's done since. I'm very very paranoid, and making myself crazy!!

[naturegirl]

Wow, it took a week to get your results? That seems like a long time. I had mine in 24 hours! I would go crazy waiting a week.

Kittykat, I would go with the suppositories too. From what I have read they seem to be the best for targeting uterine prog. Good luck!

[jeaninevp922]

Wow, it took a week to get your results? That seems like a long time. I had mine in 24 hours! I would go crazy waiting a week.

Well, the blood was drawn on Friday afternoon, so the test was run late Friday. Dr's office was closed Sat, Sun and Mon (due to the holiday). I should have heard Tuesday, so it was really only 3 days late. And the doc apologized. I was really trying hard to not call and bug them. I was out of town Wed, Thurs, and Friday, so that made it easier to forget about, but I sure was glad there was a message on the machine when I got home!

How are you enjoying your suppositories? Do you have to keep them refrigerated?

[naturegirl]

How are you enjoying your suppositories? Do you have to keep them refrigerated?

Well since the suppositories are the only action I will be getting for the next little while...:shy :lol I put a new one in just before going to bed to minimize the messiness. Only doing one a day keeps it pretty clean and easy. I do have to keep them refrigerated too. If nothing else, they give me a little piece of mind. I truly believe that progesterone helped me maintain my ds pregnancy and I wish I didn't need to do them again but there are definately worse things that I could have to do or that could happen. :)

My little monkey man just crawled up on my shoulders. I should go and play with him while I still can! ;)

[EricaE]

As far as me, I finally got the results of my 2nd hCG test, and it more than doubled in 48 hours. But, that blood was drawn over a week ago, so now i'm totally concerned about what it's done since. I'm very very paranoid, and making myself crazy!!

That's awesome that your betas doubled!! But I totally understand about the paranoid thing - every time I go to the bathroom, I get this overwhelming sense of fear that I'm going to see blood. I'm also making myself crazy with all of this. I am just so terrified of another miscarriage. :gloomy:

[jeaninevp922]

Well since the suppositories are the only action I will be getting for the next little while...:shy :lol
:lol I've kind of wondered what would happen to dh - would there be any side effects for him?
Two times a day isn't as messy as I thought it would be. And as much as I appreciate what they do for me, it will be nice when I get to go off them.

every time I go to the bathroom, I get this overwhelming sense of fear that I'm going to see blood.
I don't have that fear. When I started m/c'ing last time, the doc found out that I had low progesterone with the previous pregnancy and immediately put me on it again (the pregnancy was a surprise). The spotting stopped. They checked hcg, did an u/s, etc, but it was too late, the embryo had stopped. I had to go off the progesterone to finish the m/c. My big fear is it will stop developing, but I won't know because I won't bleed while on the progesterone. That's why i want my hcg checked all the time. I haven't decided if i'm going to call the dr next week and request another hcg check...

[naturegirl]

They checked hcg, did an u/s, etc, but it was too late, the embryo had stopped. I had to go off the progesterone to finish the m/c. My big fear is it will stop developing, but I won't know because I won't bleed while on the progesterone. That's why i want my hcg checked all the time. I haven't decided if i'm going to call the dr next week and request another hcg check...

Do you know if POAS would give you info without taking the blood test. I think if the baby stopped growing hcg levels would also stop. It would take a few days to get a negative test as the hcg all left your system but I would think if you poas once a week and were still getting a positive it would be promising. ??

I just poas this morning again and still have a positive :thumb. I know it isn't a great measure but at least if helps ease my mind a little between hcg tests.

I still plan on having an hcg test with every appointment until the first trimester is over! Although I may relax some if this next one is good. For some reason I am starting to relax a little more about the whole thing and feeling okay. Maybe it is because I don't have any bleeding this time and with ds I still bled off and on until 13 weeks. (with progesterone.)

[jeaninevp922]

I think it would take quite a while for the hcg to be gone. The day after I m/c'd, my hcg was still at 2000, and the embryo had stopped developing at least 2 1/2 weeks before that. (The week before it had been at 9000 - so it dropped a lot in that week, but it's still a lot of hcg for a preg test). I think I might call and get it tested, for my peace of mind. who cares if the doc thinks i'm crazy?

[EricaE]

I'm still taking HPTs every few days just to make sure everything is still okay, even though that's not a very good indicator. I POAS this morning, and the test line is much darker than the control line, which makes me feel very good.

I would like to go in next week for another beta, however, I'm trying to wait until my u/s before I go back in (my u/s is on 1/15). I'm just trying to have faith that everything is okay, even though that's getting realllly hard to do.

[naturegirl]

I guess the POAS thing doesn't work too well if you are farther along...I would do the hcg test as often as you feel you need to reduce your stress. I am looking forward to getting my results next week. I am nervous. But, like Erica, I am trying to have faith that things will be fine. I am especially nervous because my poas tests haven't been getting darker. They are staying about the same. But, I am using the $1 cheapy tests so it is just the tests more than likely. Right?

[jeaninevp922]

But, I am using the $1 cheapy tests so it is just the tests more than likely. Right?
Maybe they can only get so dark. Maybe after a certain level of hcg, it can't tell you that there's more?

[EricaE]

But, I am using the $1 cheapy tests so it is just the tests more than likely. Right?

I've also been testing frequently with those and yeah, the line is pretty much staying the same for me, too. And the positive line shows up right away, but for the first few minutes it's really pretty faint until it gets as dark as the control line (or almost). Is this your experience, too?

[naturegirl]

My test are very light to start and then darkens after 1-2 minutes but doesn't get as dark as the control. There is a definite line but hasn't gotten lighter or darker over the last week.

[EricaE]

As long as it's not getting any lighter than I wouldn't worry about it. :)

I'm debating whether or not I should go in for another beta tomorrow. On one hand, I really want to know if my beta is up where it should be. It would take a lot of pressure off and maybe then I would calm down a bit. BUT then again, if my beta is lower than it should be, I'm just going to stress and worry even more than I already am!!

*sigh* I'm scheduled for my first u/s on Monday the 15th (one week from today). I wish I could just patiently wait for the u/s, but I'm having a really hard time doing that. I just want some peace of mind right now...

[jeaninevp922]

I totally understand. My first ultrasound is the 17th. I also wish I could wait for that. I didn't call the doc to test my betas today, but I might tomorrow....
I'm also concerned about what they will or will not see on the ultrasound. I had a 7 week u/s with dd, and it was all good, but that was at a fertility clinic where they do early ultrasounds all the time. This time I'm going to a hospital in the middle of nowhere where the u/s tech received on-the-job training (only). She actually told me when she did the u/s with the one I mc'd that 7 weeks is too early to see anything, even with a transvaginal u/s. Really!?!? I saw dd's heartbeat at 7 weeks!!! I hope they see everything they're supposed to so I can stop worrying (or worry less), but I'm afraid they'll be incompetent and won't see anything (even if it's there), and then I'll still have to worry! ARGH! I really drive myself crazy sometimes!

[naturegirl]

Went in for my blood test tomorrow. I will get the news tomorrow. :fingersx:

I am already worried that even if the tests are okay, are the "really" okay? What if my hcg numbers went up and are going down again but not down enough to make it look bad? :dizzy: :dizzy: :dizzy:

BREATH BREATH BREATH hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm :lol

[EricaE]

Not good news :gloomy:

I got my 4th beta result today - it's 5,856 at 26 dpo. At 20 dpo my beta was 1,536, so the doubling time is only 75 hours. I know from my previous experience that this is NOT good news.

I am sooo unbelievably sad right now. :gloomy:

[naturegirl]

:hug Erica It is still going up however. :fingersx: that everything is okay.

[jeaninevp922]

:hug 26 dpo is almost 6 weeks gestation, right? It can be totally normal for it to be slowing down now (see below), and like Naturegirl said, it is still going up! :fingersx:
Beta hCG levels should double approximately every 2 days for the first four weeks of pregnancy [1]. As pregnancy progresses the doubling time increases. By 6 to 7 weeks gestation beta hCG levels may take as long as 3 1/2 days to double [2,3].
from http://www.obfocus.com/calculators/betahCG.htm

[naturegirl]

Not good news here either...:gloomy: :crying

My results are back HCG was 172 at 21 DPO but they were at 93 at 10 dpo. so they haven't even doubled in 1 1/2 weeks. My prog. is only 12. I am going off the progesterone and now just have to wait for the m/c.

Sorry about the copy and pasting of this on the other threads. I just don't want to re-type this over and over...

[jeaninevp922]

Naturegirl,
I'm so so sorry. :hug

[EricaE]

Naturegirl,

I am terribly sorry. I know how much it hurts and sucks. :crying

[jeaninevp922]

:bump:
Anyone still on progesterone?

[ShabbyChic]

Yes, me. 200mg once a day. My doing. It was suposed to be twice, but I was nuts. Everything seems fine.

[EricaE]

Well, my RE just upped my prog. to 200 mg 3x a day!! :dizzy:

I had my first u/s yesterday :love and afterwards the RE wanted a prog. check just to make sure (I was taking prog. supplements 2x a day already) and my levels came back at 19. So the RE says that that is a fine level, but just to be on the safe side, he wants me on it 3x a day.

Luckily I don't have any side effects (I take them vaginally, not orally) so it's not really a big deal - other than the cost since insurance doesn't cover it, but what can ya do...

[jeaninevp922]

Your dosage has almost caught up to mine! I'm on the suppositories, 400mg, 2x a day.
I have my u/s tomorrow. I'm getting kind of anxious. I do have pregnancy symptoms, but now i wonder if that could be from the progesterone? I am the queen of making myself crazy. Hopefully all goes well tomorrow.

[kkeake]

Hi,

Can I join your little group? We had been TTC for 9 months, went in for an evaluation and I was diagnosed with a luteal phase defect. Doc put me on Provera to start a period and during that time I got pregnant! So I'm off the Provera and am now taking 200 mg. Prometrium once a day for 8 wks. Does this sound like a standard dosage? So far no side effects other than awful and disgusting night sweats (my husband actually wrapped me in a towel in the middle of the night last night because he couldn't stand it).

I am still very nervous about the possibility of a m/c, but there's not a lot I can do to prevent it.

Look forward to getting to know all of you.

Amanda
Mom to Juliet (3, bio) and Eyob (3, adopted from Ethiopia)

[jeaninevp922]

:w :w Congratulations!!
I was on prometrium when i was pg with dd. it was only 1 x day, and i think it was 200mg, but i can't remember for sure.

[JadeTree]

Hi all,

I am hardly ever on here, but now is the time! I am on progesterone 100mg capsule, and i am 5 weeks pg. (sorry, don't know all the lingo) I had 2 m/c's the 1st at 1 week in July 06 and the next at 2 weeks in August 06. I have been taking the progesterone for a little over a week now. I really hate taking drugs of any kind and i think this prog. is making me feel horrible. I am really depressed, i dont even want to go to the store to get food! I am tired and bored, and just this morning my lower back ached, like both sides, the back of my leg aches even my arms ache, i feel really weak. Is that even a side effect? My naturopath (who put me on prog.) cant get me in until february 5th, is that crazy! I don't know if I can last until 12 weeks or whatever it is. Does anyone know of anything helpful so i can stop thinking i might die? I know I am being dramatic, i apologize. Does anyone else wonder why it can't just be NORMAL!! btw, i have 2 great girls age 6 and 4. Thanks for any help!

~heidi m.

[jessx]

Just a quick question for you girls who have been on prog for a while. Dh & I have been ttc for 6 yrs (we also have a 10 yr old son) Anyhow, We have found out that I do not have a high enough level of prog to sustain a preg. I take 100mg vaginally from O till af comes every cycle & have been very fortunate not have any side effects. The only diff. I have noticed is that my seasonal depression has not returned this winter. My question is this... I am in my tww, 8 dpo & when I went to go to bed (which is when I take the prog.) I thought I had an second box in the back of the fridge but did not, so now I can't sleep thinking of wether or not one night without it could cause harm to a potential preg right now? I feel horrible that I wouldn't have paid more attention. I do have some prog. cream so I'm gonna slather some of that on but does anyone know if I am preg how likely is missing one day of the prog to cause problems? We have suffered 3 m/c's already & I would hate to think that because of my absent mind another could happen. Or am I just being crazy?

Also, does anyone else's prog suppositories need to be kept in the fridge?

[jeaninevp922]

jessx,
sorry, i don't know if skipping one night would matter or not. it's good you have progesterone cream as a backup. yes, my suppositories need to be kept in the fridge, and it also says "do not freeze" (our fridge has cold spots, and even though it's turned as warm as it can go, stuff still freezes:irked: . I've started putting my box of suppositories in an empty egg carton to try and insulate them a little more.)

jadetree,
are you taking the progesterone orally or vaginally? for me, taking it orally causes more side effects - mostly dizzy, out-of-my-head type feelings. I've had a hard time finding information on other side effects.