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2 months on high dose, still bleeding and other symptoms, please help!

by K
(Singapore)

My history is consistent with long term oestrogen dominance. I have been diagnosed with Graves Disease, Hashimoto's, and adrenal fatigue. I currently meet the criteria for fibromyalgia. I have a long history of infertility, abnormal bleeding, inability to lose weight, heavy periods, and debilitating fatigue that coincides with my cycles, always improving as my period nears.

One of the only times I was free of these symptoms in the last 10 years was briefly after giving birth, when my specialist OB prescribed progesterone injections to prevent postpartum depression.

Back to the present:

I reached the end of my rope in December when I needed a 2-4 hour daily nap (and still felt horrible). So beginning in January:

I took 200 mg of progesterone cream for the month of January. In February I briefly raised to 400 mg before going up again to 600 mg. During the month of February I bled for 25 of the 29 days, even though I started the continuous higher progesterone dose for all of January. My breasts remain swollen and tender. And I have copious amounts of "fertile" mucus even while bleeding. My fatigue has improved a little in the last few weeks, though it remains a problem. My weight does not budge, even with an exceptionally cautious diet.

I am trying to remain hopeful that I may be getting to the root of my problems - since so many of them continue to point to oestrogen dominance. But at two months on the higher dose, and still bleeding and no easing to many of the symptoms - I need some input!

I know a doctor would not support what I'm doing with the progesterone and while I have faith in this plan, I find so little information elsewhere that suggests this approach - I am just uneasy and needing support.

Your thoughts, advice and tips will be so greatly appreciated...

Comments for 2 months on high dose, still bleeding and other symptoms, please help!

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Feb 29, 2016
 2 months on high dose...
by: Rachel

Hi there. I hear you! I was like that for 5 years! I don't know how I'm still here to be honest. I don't bleed all the time now but my breasts still hurt like mad and I feel completely insane some days.
It does get better I promise. Do you take vitamin D? I take 10,000 iu daily and it has helped. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be here to help you soon.
Mar 01, 2016
 thanks, Rachel
by: Anonymous

Thanks for your comments, Rachel. What did you do with progesterone cream and how has it helped?
Mar 01, 2016
 thanks, Rachel
by: Anonymous

Thanks for your comments, Rachel. Yes, I do take vitamin D and a host of other supplements. What have you done with your progesterone dose and how have you improved?
Mar 01, 2016
 2 months on high dose...
by: Rachel

I am not good at maths at all but I use three teaspoons a day now. My symptoms are less severe. I no longer have hot flushes, night sweats or racing heart but I still have swollen painful breasts and I still often feel very down. I am still overweight too. I eat clean, unprocessed food and I rarely eat carbs. I also take a high Vitamin D dose daily.
I can't afford to take more cream! I have spent hundreds of pounds on the stuff.
Mar 02, 2016
 2 months on high dose, still bleeding and other symptoms, please help!
by: Joy

Hi K

Gosh you have suffered, but one positive from this is that you have proved that the only time you felt good is briefly after giving birth when our doctor prescribed progesterone injections, what a clever man!

You don’t state what cream you are using. Do bear in mind that most progesterone creams do not contain the correct amount of progesterone concentration. It normally take 2-6 months of use before any positive benefits are felt, longer if symptoms are severe. It also depends on what your Vitamin D3 level is, a deficiency reduces the benefits of progesterone drastically. A lot of your symptoms indicate a D3 deficiency! The fact that you are battling with your weight tells me that you are not using enough progesterone. Even though you are careful with your diet, have you cut out or back on carbs and increased your fat and protein (meat)? The Ketogenic Diet is excellent for this. If progesterone is not used correctly it will not help. You also do not state your age, you could be in Peri-Menopause which can be a difficult time. Have you been tested for Insulin Resistance?

May I suggest that you try the following Heavy Bleeding Protocol which has helped so many women. It is not an overnight fix, time and patience is needed.

Heavy Duty Protocol:

* 400-500mg Natpro Progesterone Cream per day
* 2000mg N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) per day
* 2000mg Taurine per day
* 5000iu's Vitamin D per day
* 1000mg Bioflavanoids per day

Please read the following pages:

How to use Progesterone Cream - https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/how-to-use-progesterone-cream
Estrogen Dominance - https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/estrogen-dominance
Menstrual Cycle - https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/menstruation-cycle
Peri-Menopause - https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/peri-menopause.html#axzz2m6SW8qc0
Vitamin D3 - http://www.progesterone-info.com/benefits-of-vitamin-d
Anxiety – https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/anxiety-attack-symptoms.html#axzz30pvpr0s3
Menstruation Cycle – https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/menstruation-cycle.html#axzz3B7Rwrbwc
Insulin Resistance - https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/insulin-resistance.html#sthash.eLEMBngq.dpbs
Ketogenic Diet - http://markmaunder.com/2012/07/22/the-basic-ketogenic-diet
Progesterone Cream - http://www.organicproducts-llc.com/#a_aid=4ca9f59d9276d

Hope this helps.
Mar 03, 2016
 reply to Joy
by: Anonymous

Hello Joy. I can’t thank you enough for the informative reply.

I am 42. I’m not inclined to think I’ve entered peri-menopause because my cycles are very so regular. I have always had short cycles with many days of pre and post menstrual spotting and heavy bleeding.

I think the most recent problems began when my doctor gave me pregnenalone. I took it for less than a month in Dec and could barely function. I was exhausted and foggy continually. My hunch is that my body converted it to estrogen and made my imbalance even worse. I quit it in mid December and started the 200 mg of progesterone cream on Jan 1, upping the dose to 600 in Feb.

As for this most recent episode, In Feb I bled 14 days, stopped for 3, then bled another 6, stopped for 2, then bled another 6, stopped for 2 … and have just started again today (not a full flow but both brown blood mixed with red/ pink). My breasts have remained swollen and painful throughout. I have felt well on the days without bleeding. But the bleeding returns and I become tired again.

I have been on vitamin D supplement for several years. Also for many years I have avoided all processed foods and most refined sugars. I don’t completely abstain from grains – but eat them only rarely, also avoiding starchy vegetables and fruits. On an average week my only grain is the rice in a sushi roll. I occasionally eat bread, potato or rice at dinner out, but that is less than once a week. For the last five years, my diet has been focused on protein, fats and vegetables.

I am unsure what to think about insulin. I do have a great grandparent with diabetes and thyroid problems on both sides of my family. I have bouts of thirst and frequent urination, but these symptoms come and go. But I have none of the behavioral risk factors on insulin resistance. My blood pressure is low and I get regular exercise. Should I be tested anyway? I admit it is SO frustrating to eat such a healthy diet and still be fat.

I take handfuls of supplements a day but have not tried the ones you mention. I’ll add them to my routine. I have spent so much time on this site but will double back with all the links you shared. Thank you.

So to sum … After 1 month on 200 mg and 1 month on 600 mg (5% cream), I am still bleeding, my breasts still hurt and I am unable to shift weight. I have fatigue and brain fog that comes and goes and also pain that fits the description of fibromyalgia.

Is your advice to keep on? Increase dose?

Kind thanks in advance for your time and suggestions…
K
Mar 09, 2016
 More to Joy new labs
by: K

Hi again, Joy. Several days have passed since these posts and I have a new update. My chinese medicine doctor became very concerned at my hugely bloated stomach and insisted I see a Western doctor for tests.

I was absolutely AMAZED to find that after 1 month on 200 mgs of cream and another month on 600 mgs ... my Progesterone / oestrogen ratio is only 13!!!

Please share any thoughts for the best / fastest way for me to turn this around. I wonder about intramuscular injections of progesterone in oil, as this worked for me in the past. I am at least thankful to have this real evidence of the problem. Though the levels are still in the "normal" range, I am hopeful that the doctor will understand about the ratio. Do you have any research I can share with the doctor about the ideal ratio? (600:1?)

Thanks in advance for any additional advice...

K

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