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kayseyes

I am confused here with the progesterone vs estrogen debate..okay i realize we need progesterone for overall health ..anti-aging etc..what about estrogen ..medical articles on this website suggest estrogen is good for us at peri-menopause and menopause for skin aging so why all the negatives regarding this hormone or is it the environmental estrogens we are receiving ??? Should we not as women entering this difficult stage of life be able to have both as needed to keep us healthy and to some degree youthful ...let's face it noone wants to look old as we always hear the "dreaded" as menopause approaches we age alot faster..what can you eat or do to fight this if you cannot have these supplemental homrmones. I know people that entered menopause early and stil look good and are not on any HRT they exercise eat well and get sleep and try to lessen the stress of everyday life..so Why should menopause equal OLD...and if we need both hormones then how do we supplement these to get the right balance ..inevitably some of us just cannot afford Biodentical Hormones nor can we afford to resort to drastic cosmetic procedures when we reach that milestone. If anyone has any answers i would certainly appreciate some feedback on this!
Thanks :)

Comments for kayseyes

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Oct 05, 2012
 need advise about Progesterone ASAP!!
by: kathy/katseyes

I have told my story already. I ordered the Natpro and need more info on my symptoms etc...i do not trust Dr's or Pharmacists and everyone says something different therefore once again am I CRAZY OR CONFUSED??. I would appreciate a response from anyone in a similar situation or Wray herself..How do i get someone to respond...getting so irritated & frustrated right now ..just got a scrip for medroxy proges yesterday 100mg for five days and took one ..the pharmacy screwed up it was supposed to be 10 mg over 5 days not 100mg over 5 days..i freaked out and called Telehealth, Poison control and several pharmacists who could not tell me much of anything about the 100mg dosage i took in one pill ..WOW!! After reading possible side effects of progesterone i was freaking out as i have underlying medical conditions and take other meds...what if i had a reaction or interaction with the other meds i take or the dose and something had happened...i am disappointed in the medical community overall and there lack of knowledge and incompetence. Now I am concerned about the Natpro order??? Please help I need some answers from someone who knows!!
Oct 06, 2012
 kayseyes
by: Wray

Hi Kayseyes Yes we do need oestrogen it's vital in fact, but too much is not. I go into this on our Progesterone Misconceptions page. I'm not sure where on this site you found articles about it being good for us in Peri-menopause and Menopause, I certainly haven't put any on the site. In fact oestrogen is not good for skin ageing, it gives no benefit, see here and here. Whereas progesterone is of benefit, see here. The adverse symptoms experienced during P-M and menopause are caused by excess oestrogen in ratio to progesterone. In fact it's this skewed ratio throughout our lives which causes us problems. Particularly noticeable during the last few days prior to bleeding, manifesting in PMS. They can also occur around ovulation too. The environmental oestrogens certainly have an impact on us, there are over 100 now, see Our Stolen Future. And all the food we eat contains phytoestrogens, albeit mild they still have an oestrogenic affect on us, see here, here, here, here and here. These sites here, here and here. give the content in the foods we eat. These papers here and here, on infertility in sheep, show how a high level of phytoestrogens in food can affect the reproductive organs. Continued below.
Oct 06, 2012
 kayseyes Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Kayseyes There's no reason for menopause to equal 'old'! Or subject to more diseases either, which often happens to many women. Most of our diseases are caused by oxidative stress, therefore the potent antioxidant nutrients should be taken to counter this. Progesterone helps not only the skin, but a multitude of other things. For one thing it suppresses testosterone which generally increases in middle age. In fact excess testosterone will ensure a middle aged woman will get a middle aged spread! The weight gain over the stomach is related to testosterone, it increases visceral fat, see here and here. The menopausal ovary is an androgen producing organ, see here. Oestrogen stimulates subcutaneous fat to proliferate, which only adds to the stomach increase. And an increase elsewhere, as it's found all over the body. So I don't believe any women needs extra oestrogen or testosterone, certainly not in 'middle age', only progesterone. This is only obtainable in supplemental form. Take care Wray
Oct 06, 2012
 CRAZY OR CONFUSED CONT'D
by: KATHY/KATSEYES

Hi again Wray
The specialist I saw wrote an article about low libido and hormones such as testosterone having a a desired effect as well as therapy such as stress busting and relaxation techniques but he is on the fence about progesterone having an effect on libido. He does precribe testosterone if levels are low & he feels it is needed after testing. Women seem to and have reported an increase in arousal/ desire more lubrication and orgasms etc..etc..with all three. Myself well.. i tried the homework(relaxation,fantasizing, watching erotic films) etc..etc. and it did not help me at all(sigh)so i went ot see him again and now hormone testing :( ..guess it all depends on the person and the issues ??:) I should have had him check my estrogen again but it never crossed my mind as it was done in March by my regualr gnye and was apparently fine so I don't have a clue except my homones being all out of whack due to my sleep apnea and adrenal issues!
Oct 07, 2012
 need advise about Progesterone ASAP!!
by: Wray

Hi Kathy I have answered one who called herself Katseyes submitted on the 1st, but I only answered it on the 5th. Another by Kayseyes which I answered on the 6th, i.e. today, and now this one. I presume they are all from the same person? I'm moving house, and doing it myself with some help. There is only me, no one else does this, I try to answer as quickly as I can, but at the moment it's impossible. I work 7 days a week too. I don't have internet at the house I'm moving into, as I've asked for different settings from the previous occupier. So I have to go to my brother's house to download everything, which is also time consuming. I don't understand why you took the MPA, it most certainly isn't progesterone! It has androgenic properties too, see here. I don't know why you're concerned about the Natpro, maybe you could let me know. If you wish to read more about Contraceptives, there's info on this page. Take care Wray
Oct 08, 2012
 CRAZY OR CONFUSED CONT'D
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Yes they all think testosterone increases libido. Probably because they all think men have a higher libido than women, and therefore it has to be testosterone. But that's not true either! Women don't tend to boast about their sexual exploits like men do. There have been a few, and very few I might add, studies which have shown an increase in libido with testosterone. These are some of the things which affect libido which I've taken from the web page I've done, but not up yet......."There are many hormones, neurotransmitters and neuropeptides involved in the control of sexual behaviour. Some of these are progesterone, dopamine, acetylcholine, nitric oxide (NO), adrenocorticotropin/alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, testosterone, oxytocin, plus prolactin, serotonin and opioid peptides. All facilitate sexual behaviour, except for prolactin, serotonin and the opioids, which inhibit sexual performance leading to low libido. Furthermore, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, corticotropin releasing factor, neuropeptide Y, galanin, cholecystokinin, substance P, hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) and vasoactive intestinal peptide may be also involved in the control of sexual behaviour". One paper states….. "although a critical level of androgen is functionally available at receptor sites, there appears to be little correlation between plasma testosterone levels and sexual behavior. Both impotent men and hypersexuals may have concentrations within normal range and considerably elevated endogenous testosterone concentrations in a small group of impotent males. Thus, it may turn out that the significance of testosterone in determining libido and potency has been overstated. According to Cooper, as long as a “physiological” minimum is available, the hormone may merely be one of a number of interdependent neurotransmitters, which modulate sexual and reproductive functions. The importance of testosterone for central sexual function such as libido or whether it also has an effect on the end orgasm tissues in the penis is still debated". The paper ends by saying ....... "Progesterone deserves an established multifunctional role on male sexual behavior and thus, may in the future, lead to the development of additional treatments for erectile dysfunction." A paper on women says ......"It has been proposed that low sexual desire and sexual dysfunction are associated with low blood testosterone levels in women. However, evidence to support this is lacking." The paper concludes with.... "No single androgen level is predictive of low female sexual function, and the majority of women with low dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels did not have low sexual function." Continued below.
Oct 08, 2012
 CRAZY OR CONFUSED CONT'D Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Kathy A further paper states.... "Even though circulating available androgens have been implicated in several domains of sexual response, they seem to be related weakly to symptoms, such as low sexual desire, poor sexual arousal, orgasm and diminished well-being in postmenopausal women.......... Transdermal T has been shown to be effective at a dose of 300 μg/day both in surgically and naturally menopausal women replaced with estrogen or not, without any relevant side-effects. However, the decision to treat postmenopausal women with HSDD with testosterone is mainly based on clinical judgement, after informed consent regarding the unknown long-term risks." Another study found as women entered Menopause there was a decline in sexual function, but there was no significant decline in circulating testosterone levels. Although a total hysterectomy reduces testosterone levels, and in some women TRT can help, but only as a part of the many hormones etc that are needed. The evidence shows progesterone plays a far greater role in sexual health in both men and women, than otherwise thought. So I think your issues are low dopamine and probably low progesterone, did they check your Prolactin levels? As high prolactin suppresses dopamine. Prolactin only rises if stressed, because dopamine, which suppresses prolactin, drops when stressed. I do wonder how much research your specialist did on testosterone, as I don't believe it should ever be given to a woman. It increases the risk of cancer, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and heart disease, see here, here, here, here here, here, here, here and here. Plus as I said previously it causes an increase in visceral fat. Please read all the pages and papers I've given you, they're there to help you better understand why you feel as you do. It's now Sunday afternoon, but you won't get this till Monday late, as I won't have access to the internet until midday or later. Take care Wray.
Oct 09, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy

Thank-you Wray for your reponse..I am reading it and I m like overwhelmed ..my brain is ready to explode ..so much to register and try to get my head around as i I am not fully
comprehending it. I wonder though if my hormone issues are all related to my adrenal fatigue and sleep apnea as well as being on so many SSRI's for 6 years until I switched to Wellbutrin which I thougt would increase my libido but to my dismay NOT...I read and was told it can help but my dosage is 150 mg ..maybe I should up it to 300 mg and see as well as using the Natrpo when I receive it. i noticed the Mydroxy Proges the doc prescribed made me bloat out really bad but then again the pharmacy screwed up my script by putting 100mg over a five day period when it was supposed to be 10 and i took 100mg the first night not even knowing ...grrrr..anyway almost one the pills and then see if my period comes like in August . The Doc said about with about 2 weeks and i did get it in that time period so i am assuming it did it's job. I am feeling on and off for a few weks like my cycle iss trying to come..PMS symptoms and i think cool and then nothing..driving me nuts!! i am keeping my fingers crossed that i get my period within the next weekand a half..i am miserable and weepy as well as tired but the sleep apnea i have had for over a year if not longer and wasn't diagnosed until recently does not help..trying to get used to a CPAP mask is quite annoying and frustrating when you cannot fall asleep to begin with and then you aren't going into a deep sleep cycle anyway...:(
P.S yes it is the same person so Kathy I will use from now on to avoid any confusion :)
Oct 09, 2012
 CONT'D
by: KATHY

IDON'T SEE MY RESPONE TO YOUR LAST POST TO ME AND I JUSRT SUBMITTED 60 SECONDS AGO IF THAT...SHOOT IT WAS LONG TOO ..HOPE YOU RECEIVE IT..I CANNOT SEE IT ..DON'T WANT TO WRITE IT OUT ALL OVER AGAIN..LET ME KNOW IF YOU GOT MY RESPONSE WHEN YOU HAVE TIME. THANKS WRAY :)
Oct 11, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Yes it is a lot to take in, but I prefer giving all the info available, so people can make an informed decision. I still don't know why you are taking the MPA, it's one of the most toxic of contraceptives. And as you're in peri-menopause, nothing is going to make your cycle come on time, nothing. Not even progesterone. Peri-menopause is like that, but progesterone can soften the symptoms, if not resolve them. And all those SSRI's etc are not helping either. Please look through our page on Anxiety, it gives a list of the nutrients which help. Tyrosine is the precursor to dopamine, I think I mentioned this on another page you posted on. Far safer too. You won't see your response immediately, it has to go to our server, then comes to us, then gets published. And depending on what I'm doing, it can take 5 or more days. Although I finally have internet now, so I will be able to keep up. Take care Wray
Oct 12, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray.
I took MPA because i was prescribed it and what did i know afterall it was my Gyne. Anyway I talked to a Pharmicist and she said it was fine and would not harm me but yes it is a synthetic with lots of side effects..will not take it again...ever. I am anticipating my order of Natpro hopefully by the end of next week. Still feels like my period is going to come but it passes...(sigh) my body is playing games teasing me and i know i will feel much better once it comes...keeping my fingers crossed it happens ASAP because I feel like hell right now my health problems seems so much worse when i go through this crap but i thank GOD this has only happened 3 or 4 x in the last year where it's been almost 1.5 to 2 months without a cycle. i am taking some supplements right now and trying to eat better and exercise when i have the energy to do so. I have been reading so much on hormones on the internet that my head is spinning..wow so much varying opinions on this subject and what to do and not what to do ..it is crazy making. Well i will be in touch again soon ..thanks for your reply :)
Oct 13, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Yes, all too often we accept what our doctors tell us, it's safer to do a bit of research first if being prescribed a drug. You might like to see this video here. Don't be surprised or disappointed if your period doesn't come, that's peri-menopause for you. Yes there are too many opinions, and mine are but one. If interested I've done a page on Progesterone Misconceptions. Take care Wray
Oct 15, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray...really didn't want to hear that as I have been in a state of PMS now for going on a month and suffer from mental health issues which magnifies the whole thing :( so i am praying that if it worked last time it will work this time although the high dosage mistake the pharmacy made with my scrip 100 mg instead of 10mg may create a problem although i only took the one tab before i noticed but that is 90X the dosage that was prescribed over 5 days 10mg for 5 days for my particualr situation amenorrhea ( absence of a period)so in total itook 150 mg over 5 days instead of fifty and feel like hell!! not sure if i spelled that right..so frustrated right now!! i hope i get my Natpro order soon its been 2 weeks and still nothing called USPS and cannot track it once it gets to the border & into customs so GOD only knows where it is. Canada post would pick it up after that and i am surprised i have not gotten it yet!! Hopefully by the end of the week...keeping my fingers crossed ...never want to take MPA again!! :(
Oct 16, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy I do understand, but it's best to know what made you feel so awful, that it wasn't you. Besides the dose was far too high. I didn't realise you lived in Canada, as it wasn't given with your first comment. Please have a vitamin D test done, levels are very low in Canada, see here, here, here, and here. A lack of vitamin D not only reduces the benefits of progesterone, but causes depression, see here, here, here, here, here. and here. For more info on vitamin D levels, test kits etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth and Birmingham Hospital. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml (175-250nmol/L) and not the 30ng/ml (75nmol/L) most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although recent research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. Take care Wray
Oct 16, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray ..yes I know but i am going loonie right now..lol! I am so angry at the pharmacy & my doctor for prescribing MPA to me and the scre-up ..i have no trust left in these people and no one listens to me and I need and deserve to be heard . When i saw my gyne yesterday he acted shocked when i mentioned the MAP was so toxic even the pharmacists don't seem to know or don't give a damn. Anyway he gave me another scrip at 200mg for another form of progesterone which I cannot remember the name at this time a more natural form he says ..not sure why the dosage is higher unless he's giving it to me as a HRT ???? And the pharmacist wasn't sure either...incompetence in the medical field is ridiculous..also it is not covered under my drug plan because i am on Government asssistance another reason i could not order
the three tubes ..but wanted to see if it helped me ..still no period yet...(sigh) and confused aboutthe whole hormone thing..can't wrap my head around it at al!! Don't know what to do or where to turn
P.S. I have tried to contact admin about my order several times and no response back..not sure why and I really want my cream..feel like screaming..tired of being sick and tired..i don't even want to be around anyone right now for fear of ripping their heads off...my moods are so unstable ..insanity?? not sure. Do you have any customers in Canada and did they have problems getting their orders at all??...would be nice to hear back from Admin and there seems to be no contact number to call. My order was in Michigan sorting facility at the border on October 4th..now no info or anything!! :( ????
I will let you know what this other form of progesterone is as soon as i find out as it cannot be filled anyway ..no $$$..Thanks again Wray for your quick responses to my questions. I feel stupid about this whole hormone thing and scared too!
Oct 17, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wwray..think it might be prometrium at 200mg that i was prescribed on Monday almost 100% sure although i cannot fill it as of yet if i even do I need a replacement of progesterone not just 5 days once a month..all know is i cannot give up..i am not going to suffer silently especially with already being unwell ....this is taking away my quality of life and somebody needs to listen and help me!! i will keep pushing until someone listens and i get the appropriate care..for now still waiting on my Natpro!!! Hope to here back from you soon in reply to my last comment yesterday October 16th :)
Oct 17, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy It was very remiss of me, as you did mention the delay in getting the cream in a previous query. I have no idea why but it takes about 3 weeks to get to Canada, same length of time it takes to get to Australia! I've heard this from a number of our customers there. I'm sorry we don't have a phone number to contact, but the service we used to have went bust, caused us untold trouble and confusion. We haven't yet found a reliable one, we keep looking. As our customers are all over the world we do need a 24 hr service. I actually don't know why you bother with those doctors of yours, they will normally only give drugs. You were lucky yours gave you the Prometrium, evidently your outburst had the right affect! But Prometrium is oral progesterone, the least effective Delivery system. When you get it, please empty the contents into a small amount of cream, and apply it to your skin. That way you will be getting the full benefit of the progesterone, see this comment here. Please don't forget to look through our Anxiety page, there are so many nutrients which can help you. And please have that vitamin D test done. You need to start taking it, but it's best to know your level, then you will know how much to take. Take care Wray
Oct 17, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray
I just received my tube of Natpro in the mail today :).not sure if i should start it yet or exactly when ..i would like to get my cycle first and as i can ony afford one tube a month at this time I need too know what i am doing. i read the leaflet and the cycle stuff for perimenopause and i don't really understand it because i dont know my cycle??? i think right now like ASAP my body needs the relief of a period first!!:( i feel so ill from the MPA..i switched my pharmacy today as i filled an antibiotic yesterday and the Personal Medication History paper conveniently is missing the pills they made the dosage mistake on and my original scrip also that I had 10 mg for 5 days in August and then the one from beginning of October and that was the 100mg mistake..everything else even stuff i haven't had in months or since last year is still on the paper..kinda fishy to me and believe me i am the one paying for their mistake right now They seem to be trying to conceal there screwup...not too bright for them!! it's like a type of fraudulant activity almost eh? They only erased those two scrips from my PMH. Anyway my last period was August 27th so i am like 52 days without one now so i don't know what to do. Please advise ..confused and a little scared of not using enough or too much and not knowing how it is going to affect me right now
Thank-you Wray
Oct 17, 2012
 con'td
by: kathy

sorry missed a few things Wray. i am still not sure what the new scrip was because i argued all day with the pharmacist and i asked her and could not understand her so i will find out once all my records and pending scrips are transferred to the other pharmacy
Supplements i am taking right now although not consistently but trying
Calcium, magnesium & D3 combo
Omega 3,6,9, Multivitamin/mineral
Vitamin C 1000mgs a day ( i smoke but am trying to quit)
Wellbutrin 150 mg (dopamine based not SSRI)
Clonazepam for anxiety and sleep and benadryl caps also ..sometimes melatonin
I am finally going to try something I received a few months ago but was reluctant to at first because of possible drug interactions called Natural Energy which has the B vitamins, L-tyrosine, rhodolia rose extract, ATP, Aniracitan??(not sure if i spelled it right), acetyl-L carnitine,& Coenzyme Q10 (supposed to assist adrenal function??)
Anyway that's all for now until i hear back about the cream
Thanks for your ongoing support and answers to my questions even though i am still not yet totally understanding this whole hormone thing :) Hopefully someday???




kathy aka katseyes..lol
Oct 18, 2012
 con'td
by: Wray

Hi Kathy As I've said before, Peri-menopause is the most difficult and most confusing time in our lives. Certainly the worst to my mind, even though I had post natal depression. That didn't last as long as the P-M did for me, but then I knew nothing about progesterone in either case. It would have helped both. It wasn't until I was in my last two years of P-M that I discovered progesterone. I had no one to ask in those days, as it was mostly unheard of. Unfortunately one tube is not going to be anywhere near enough. Unless you can get more progesterone from your doctor and supplement with that. I did ask you to open the Prometrium caps and add the contents to some cream, then apply it to your skin. This will give you 200mg/day progesterone. You could then add 100mg/day Natpro, this is 3ml of cream. The tube will last you 20 days. As I've said, don't be surprised if you don't get a period. Or it could come out of the blue. The symptoms you're experiencing are due to P-M, not to not having a period, i.e. the cause is high oestrogen. What I suggest you do initially, and you can start now with this, is apply 500mg/day for 3 days, then stop. This might bring on your period. This would mean using 2 of the 200mg caps opened of course, plus the 100mg Natpro. I can't guarantee you'll get a period of course. If after the three days it has or hasn't come, continue using the progesterone at 300mg/day. This might not be enough, but I can't tell, only you can by trying it. Excess calcium in ratio to magnesium causes depression, see here. Do you know if you need it, if not I suggest stopping it. Magnesium is usually low in our diets, so continue taking that. It's also the most important co-factor for vitamin D. And how much D are you taking, probably about 400iu's per day, if it's a combo. It needs to be a minimum of 5000iu's per day. I did give you that info to read, please look through it. If you take Wellbutrin you obviously need tyrosine. I did explain this to you on another page, one about libido. And please look through that page on anxiety too, it gives a list of nutrients which can help. All those ingredients in Natural Energy are good. Take care Wray
Oct 18, 2012
 con'td
by: kathy

Hi Wray
Just saw this comment on the prometrium did not get the info about combining the caps with the natro??? i checked all my comments etc from PT yesterday and did not see anything about that not exactly sure if prometrium is the other scrip and cannnot get it because not covered under my drug plan. I just switched pharmacists yesterday (moving house) so I will find out exactly what it is and when i can and if i can find a way to get it covered i will follow your advise ..for now i will just suffer and hope for a period!!
Oct 18, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray..just received the info about the combo therapy you advised me about now with the prometrium?? ..wasn't there last night though when i looked at all my pages..weird maybe a gltch or just took some time to go through ..Thanks again :)
Maybe I should change my name to pain in the buttas like you said no-one is listeningand I am trying to persist to get the right info..!!!!
Oct 19, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy It does take time to go through. I did explain this to you, it's not put on the site immediately. It goes to our server, then to us, then we publish it. So it can be some days before it shows, particularly if I'm travelling and have no internet access. For some reason I thought your doctor had prescribed the Prometrium and therefore your drug plan would pay. If it won't then you will have to use more Natpro, the 100mg/day is not going to be enough. I know you will get Oestrogen Dominance badly if you use too little. We do have a 30% discount on 20 tubes which might help you. Maybe you have a friend who could share the box with you, or family members? Please don't forget your symptoms are not because you haven't had a period, it's caused by excess oestrogen. A fact of life during Peri-menopause. Please read this page again. Take care Wray
Oct 23, 2012
 CONT'D
by: KATHY

Hi Wray...I still beleive the MPA(been researching this alot..too much ..obsesssed now i think)and wrong dosage has caused me additional problems i'm having as well as the ED..Question: Have you heard of Amberen ..just stumbled across it ..wondering if it woud be good to supplemement that with the Natpro
P.S. i did get a scrip for 7 days only at 200 mg for the prometrium and no money to pay for it so cannot fill it right now..will try to see if i can get it covered somehow...i am in so much mental and physical distress i feel lost, alone, and scared you don't even know how much i appreciate you being here for me and all the other women Anyway..not having a good feeling AT ALL!! I wish i could order 100 tubes of Natpro..lol! not in my budget :(
Oct 24, 2012
 CONT'D
by: Wray

Hi Kathy As I said on your other page just now, MPA is not a good drug, it does have androgenic properties, as it's derived from testosterone. So it doesn't surprise me at all. I cannot believe the price of the Amberen! And all you get in the 800mg/day is three minerals, which combined in a regular form would come to over 1000mg, glycine, the minimum dose should be 500mg, some MSG, ammonium and vitamin E, this alone should be at least 500mg, plus 9 other excipients which you don't need. But it's up to you. Is there no one who could lend you the cash? As you really do need vitamin D, I know I keep on about this, but it is vital. I wish I could help more, other than merely answering your frantic calls for help. Take care Wray
Oct 25, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy/katseyes/canada

sorry if I am frantic...i feel hurt that you continue to say that..so what if i am it is understandable considering my mental health issues and this P-M stuff. this is my outlet for support as i said not getting anywhere with dr's an no one can lend me money ...i have noone!! So Amberen no good then..any other suggestions would be appreciated. Still lookig into getting my Prometrium covered so my cream will last longer..can't use it yet because if i run out too soon i am concermed about how i will feel ..I don't want to feel worse or insane again...as Iam calmer now but stillthe depression is worse and lingering and I see my Gyne again on Nov 1st .Will see if he can send me to check Vit D levels and not brush me off as I asked him to check my cortisol/adrenal and dhea levels etc Oct 15th..and he said I need to see a specialist for that particular blood work. The Vit D test may not be covered under OHIP here..dunno..BTW he is the only Dr. I have right now and yes sometimes I do need to see one like for ultrasounds, bloodtests etc..cannot do that stuff myself
take care
i will try to be less frantic in the future :)
Oct 26, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Please don't be hurt, I know how you feel. It does make you frantic, I felt like that too. I was a pain to my friends, but they saw me through the awful times, and out to the other side. I hope you will come out soon to the other side. I don't know if you have a spare CAD$48.00, as Birmingham Hospital in the UK do the vitamin D test for that. They will send you a kit, which you send back with a spot of blood. They then send you the results by email. It's cheaper than the test kits from the US. And you can be as frantic as you like! I do understand. Take care Wray
Oct 26, 2012
 canada
by: kathy/katseyes

Hi again Wray,
My friend is ordering DHEA for me from Amazon and also next pay she will be trying for the D3 @ 5,000 IU. I know there is something else called GLA but not sure what that is glutiathone ot gamma linoleic acid??? Not sure how it works and if it is also a recommended supplement..I read something on it somewhere but now brain fog again because i have been doing so much reading to educate or at least understand what i am going through and how to counteract the effects and feel alive and not just existing :)
Oct 27, 2012
 canada
by: Wray

Hi Kathy What makes you think you need DHEA? See here, here, here and here. It increases testosterone in a woman, this can make PMS worse. If bound to SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) testosterone becomes inactive, progesterone raises levels of SHBG, see here, so preventing the rise of free testosterone. SHBG drops if sugars are eaten, even those found in all grains, legumes, dairy and sweet starchy fruits and vegetables. Fructose, sucrose and glucose, reduce SHBG by 80, 50 and 40% respectively, see here. Thereby allowing testosterone to rise. It's best to avoid all the foods and sugars mentioned. Excess testosterone increases the risk of getting heart disease and cancer. GLA is gamma linolenic acid, comes from the omega 6 branch of the essential fatty acids. I wouldn't bother, I'm sure you're getting enough via your food, if you eat things like nuts and seeds. Take care Wray
Oct 31, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy/canada

Hi Wray
I think i need DHEA because it may help in low dosages 5mg balance my adrenals which are upsetting my whole body. I will not bother with the GLA since i do take a 3,6,9 supplement. I have just gotten some D3 1,000 iu . Not sure How much to take a day right now maybe start with 1,000 plus my combo of calcium, mag & D3. I will try the DHEA because I know my adrenals are exhausted and have been for some time. Also the prometrium i got (not yet filled) is 5 days @ 200mg 2x a day so not sure if i will be taking 400mg which is usually prescribed for Secondary Amennorhea based on the website i went to..got info from a reliable website totally about Prometrium. Anyway i want to get well and maybe I will see if my gyne can prescribe it for me over a period of 7 days and will try to purchase 3 tubes of Natpro and do 2 tubes a month..i will see how I can work that..and YES I do want my period!!!! I really think that last medicine mistake threw me totally out whack i was fine before that just having periods at 40-45 day intervals and took the medication MAP only once i needed it August 1 as my cycles sorted themselves out and was fine until the screwup on the last scrip Oct 4 and now nothing NO period in sight over 2 month mark now ??? I don't think i just stopped producing eggs just all of a sudden out of the blue..who knows i don't :)
Kathy
Nov 01, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy I have no studies showing DHEA helps exhausted adrenals. Progesterone does, as do a number of other nutrients. This is a good site if you want more info on Adrenal Fatigue. DHEA increases testosterone, this can lead to severe PMS symptoms, see here. 1000iu's of vitamin D will not do much, you really need a minimum of 5000iu's per day. The Prometrium is oral progesterone. As I think I told you, this is the least effective Delivery system. To get the full benefit of the progesterone, please empty the capsules into some cream, and apply that to your skin. You might like to read this comment here. I feel you will need 400mg/day or more, but cost is always a factor. But too little won't help you. So it's a toss up. During peri-menopause we begin getting anovulatory cycles when we don't produce a viable egg. Because of this, we don't ovulate, this means no progesterone is made, but oestrogen is still secreted, as is testosterone. So your egg production is slowing down, but the egg itself has nothing to do with having a period. Oestrogen builds up the lining of the uterus, with the drop in progesterone at the end of the cycle, we bleed. But the actually bleeding is caused by enzymes called MMP's, these break down the lining. They can only do so when progesterone levels drop, as progesterone inhibits their activity. There's more info on our page about Menstruation. With all the correspondence we've had, I've forgotten how old you are. All I can remember is you are in Peri-menopause. Could you please remind me again. Take care Wray
Nov 02, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy/canada

Hi Wray,
I am 47. I left another comment on my other page about 10 minutes ago re; my visit with the Dr. yesterday and what info i got ..which was very little and has left me even more confused and a little scared..sick and tired and feel like giving up as i am getting nowhere!!
Nov 03, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Thanks for giving me your age. You are in the last phases of Peri-menopause, please read through this page again, as it explains all your symptoms, which are not unusual. Something I forgot to mention to you, we do have a questionnaire top right of every page. Please do it, as it takes you through a list of possible symptoms, then gives you a score. We also offer a once off 30% discount on the cream after you've completed it, no limit to how many you get. Take care Wray
Nov 05, 2012
 cont's
by: kathyy/katseyes/ canada

Thank-you Wray
I am glad to have your support it means so much you have no idea ..you are a great inspiration but hearing that i am in the last stages of perimenopause whatever that means .. is saddening and can't help but cry All I can figure is if my last period was end of August then i will be officially.. based on Dr's in full menopause same time next year( the dreaded menopause 1 year they say without a period )about 70 days now ..it happened pretty darn fast WAY TOO FAST for me my mom went through at 51 ..i am early too early for my liking but i see it as a disease ..not normal!! i am still reeling from this
I am sure the last 6 years of hell have not helped and smoking & some alcohol problems also..maybe if not for this stuff???. I may be 51 as my mom was and smooth sailing for her!!
I will take the questionaire again and will try to come up with some $$ for some more of the cream . have the one for now but will try to get 2 or 3 more is probably the best i can do...I want to go back to work but with the adrenal fatigue and sleep apnea etc.etc..and now the biggest downer- no longer a woman, sexual being and feeling OLD Sick and tired of being sick and tired .....

P.S. i do want to use some on my face but what if it causes a reaction to my already blotchy..roseacea looking cheeks..another fear i also have BDD and that is a horrible thing to have especially right now....:(

Not giving up yet although i have come close over the last 2.5 months..will exercise,eat healthier take vitamins,try to sleep and do stress busting exercises (which is the worst)..not having hot flashes just what fels like severe PMS!!!!
Also need to take care of my skin..which i am doing pretty well at..need to even more so now!!

Anyway thanks again :)
Nov 05, 2012
 skin aging cont'd ??
by: kathy/katseyes/canada

Hi Wray
read about the 2% progesterone where you gave me the HERE and when you look to the right of the page PubMed it alo reviews estrogen and skin aging and actually does state it increase collagen etc..tc..so some must be needed??? from a non-toxic form when menopause hits or does progesterone alone help balance out eveything so we do not need to supplement when our estogen is gone..i still don't get it??? it is contradictory information if estrogen is bad for our skin..i cannot see that or we would be looking aged when we start menstruation...oh well more confused than ever..I wonder if you can look at that article/review and why it says estrogen slows down skin-aging during menopause..scares the crap out of me because of my BDD which is getting worse and suicide is the thought or way out sometimes for people like me who can no longer take the pain of this terrible disorder of the mind and perception.
P.S. (a long one)I am also in a new relationship with a good man who is trying to understand me...not abusive like most but i cannot even consider sex at all and it has been 3 and a half months since we started dating..How can I put him through this ..i want a healthy relationship with sex yes..it is important but I have absolutely no desire to be with him like that.driving me nuts because I have the thoughts in my head but my body feels nothing!! I love him and I believe he loves me and i actually gave him a "hall pass" to go have sex with someone else because i feel so much guilt. I feel I am rejecting him and his needs as a man and i cannot even cater to those needs if i am not in the mood or it would be purely out of obligation and not fair to either one of us and he would know..so frustrated!! Sorry for rambling..just don't know what to do..but he may be able to help me with the prometrium and then I can order the cream hopefully. He works but he has financial obligations etc and I know he wants to help so I will talk more with him about this as it is ppretty uncomfortable/ embarrasing as this is pretty new as i said and kinda sad that it is sexless..go figure my sex drive was fine last year and I was with a jerk!! We do share physical intimacy in other ways..for now.... :(
Nov 06, 2012
 cont's
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Don't be so dismayed! You are still a woman, and a sexual one too. Remember the first 12 to 15 years of our lives we don't bleed either, that didn't worry us. In fact it's often with shock and horror we discover we are now bleeding. You're so lucky to still have your uterus and ovaries, too many women loose theirs due to misguided info. I don't think you're reached Menopause either, stress does stop the reproductive cycle. And it appears you've been through a great deal. If your mother went into menopause at 51, then you probably will too. Daughters usually follow the same pattern as their mothers. I said you were in the last phases of P-M, to point out the horrors of it, I went through that too, many don't of course. I was very stressed at the time, like you are, and stress drops progesterone levels. On top of that we have dropping levels as we don't ovulate each month. Don't be concerned about the progesterone affecting the rosacea badly, it's a potent anti-inflammatory, and is very soothing. But it's as I thought you do have a vitamin D deficiency, as a lack of this can cause rosacea, see here here and here. Please have that test done, then I can advise you on how much to take. Forget about spending money on vitamins, they are often too low to have any affect anyway. Spend your money on vitamin D and progesterone. Don't overdo the 'stress busting exercise' either, there's no need to go overboard. Sleep apnea is caused by oxidative stress, see here. You need the antioxidants to reverse it, both Progesterone and Vitamin D are antioxidants. I gave you previously the paper showing progesterone could possibly have a positive affect on it, see here. Thanks for the kind words! And don't give up hope, many women have turned their lives around by using natural remedies only. Take care Wray
Nov 06, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy/katseyes canada

Thanks again Wray for your reassuring & kind words..words that bring a litle bit of light to my darkness. I am still scared this is it though because of the still no cycle and about 2.5 months withoutand the last round of MPA did not work. I will try what you suggested to bring one on. Going for bloodwork this afternoon again for estrogen & FSH..we will see what the #'s are now because i am still at a crossroads with the <73 beig considered low to little estrogen. Actually I want a copy of those tests and the actual measurements they use to come up with these numbers..still getting cramping etc and hoping for a period seems like almost everyday of PMS symptoms overload. i have upped my Vitamin D to 3,000 iu and will be up to 5,000 iu soon. I think i really need it too because I rarely venture outside or go out in the sun when we have any. Today feeling low and sad..not sure why can't get my obsession about this whole PM out of my head. Stil reading articles and googling estrogen and so much ifo on that and aging and it's not negative so i am not disputing you but some sites have actually blamed progesterone for hair thinning. My hair is fine ..doesn't grow fast but it's all there so far..ttys :) I will not take the the DHEA. Thank-you again
Nov 06, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy/ canada

hey Wray,
Well managed to get a sample of 14 caps of prometrium at 100mg per cap from Dr today after freaking out. I have done for the most part what you suggested to try to get a period to come on and just recently it is 11pm so just applied but I only rubbed 400mg of the prometrium on my skin it was in soft capsule in a cream substance so it is also a transdermal form I guess?? I applied it on a few areas top of thighs cause they ache and tummy cause it aches and face and decollate just because I felt like it. I will do this over 4 days 400mg and when I get down to the last 2 caps will use with 100 mg of the natpro to equal 400mg over 4 days ..works out about the same i think 3 days x 400mg + 200 mg caps & 100mg of natpro 4th day = 1500 mg over 4 days instead of 1500 mg over 3 days..I am going crazy and I want a damn period!! Then i hope to GOD my BF can fill the 5 day scrip for me @ 200mg x 2 a day i think..cannot remember..grrr brain fog ASAP!! Then i am screwed i guess after about 10 days...hope i have no bad reactions ..scary stuff..wish me luck!! :/ i did not split it into two doses ...so now i am kind of wondering if I should have done it that way instead but was fed up with the constant cramps lower back lower abs and upper thighs ...hope you get this soon. iread about the ovarian cysts and don't have those particular symproms just bloating & constant dull cramping in the areas i mentioned above..could be the cyst who friggin' knows but it feels just like PMS symptoms only lasting a hell of a lot longer and somewhat worse than the usual PMS. No breast tenderness, swelling or pain though..too bad wish my breast would at least swell a little bit instead of just my belly..lol!
Nov 07, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy You poor thing, you are living in a dark space at the moment, I only wish I could do more to help you. You are not taking anywhere near enough vitamin D, why are you increasing it slowly? You need at least 10,000iu's per day if not more. If you don't go outside then you are very deficient. I do wish you'd do the test, it doesn't cost much from Birmingham Hospital, about US$47. I need to know your level. I believe obsessing about things is due a lack of inositol, please consider taking some. You will need a very high dose though. There are not many negative things said about oestrogen, you have to look at the studies, and make up your own mind. All doctors still think it's a panacea for women! Take a look at our HRT and Contraceptives pages, read the studies on the pages, and you'll see what I mean. All oestrogens, whether endogenous, supplemental or phytoestrogens have the same effect on us, they all stimulate the oestrogen receptors and cause cells to proliferate. For instance after the WHI was stopped early in 2002, and women stopped taking HRT, breast cancer incidence dropped... "In 2003 there was a 7% decrease in incidence within a single year.", see here. I can give you studies showing how beneficial oestrogen is too, but I don't believe the risks are worth it. It's an excitatory, inflammatory hormone, why use it! I'm delighted you've managed to get some prometrium. I can't guarantee you get a period, as I've told you before. But at least doing it this way is safer than using the MPA. It would be easier to add the contents of the caps to a small amount of cream, I did advise this. It makes it much easier to spread and goes further too. That way you can rub it all over your tummy, or wherever you have pain. Let me know how you get on. Take care Wray
Nov 07, 2012
 skin aging cont'd ??
by: Wray

Hi Kathy As I said in my previous reply, I have already looked at and commented on the oestrogen skin study. It must be on your other page, as it's not here. But as I said to you in a reply about an hour ago, why risk oestrogen! I do understand where you are coming from re the BDD, it does have the highest incidence of suicide. I wish you'd told me about that in the first instance, as it would have made me realise immediately why you appeared so frantic. I so admire you for hanging in there, I'm convinced there's solution, but a natural one which you won't find with many doctors. One therapy you could consider looking in to is EFT, it's remarkable in how it helps the most extraordinary problems. I'm delighted to hear you have a new, and good relationship. I also understand about the sex thing too, I would hope once you have enough progesterone, and vitamin D it will help you. Have I asked you to try tyrosine? Please get some, start with about 500mg/day and gradually work up. Tyrosine is essential for any stressful situation, cold, fatigue, emotional trauma, prolonged work, sleep deprivation, it improves memory, cognition and physical performance. It's the precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine, dopamine is essential for a normal sexual response. Any stress drops dopamine sharply. Dopamine needs the progesterone receptors to have any affect. But the rate limiting step in dopamine synthesis is the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase. Insufficient levels of vitamin D inhibit tyrosine hydroxylase, resulting in a disturbance in the dopamine pathway. So progesterone, vitamin D and dopamine are all vital for a normal sexual response. Take care Wray
Nov 07, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy/ canada

Update; Well I am on my second night of 400mg of prometrium and so far no problems...i actually have less cramping now it has reduced down to less than half the discomfort i was experiencing. I will be meeting with a compounding pharmacist..the only one in my city tomorrow afternoon to discuss my situation etc.. . i will be having all my bloodwork results faxed since March over to him . Hopefully he will be of more help to me and listen than the damn dr's!! I heard of him from the pharmacy i am dealing with now since i recently switched and he has good reviews.

Ciao for now Wray :)
Nov 09, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy This is good news, let's hope he listens to you, and gives you the amount of progesterone you need. Wonderful news about the cramping too! I agree with your suggestion on your other page, it would help to have only one. Take care Wray
Nov 09, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy/katseyes

Hi Wray,
i got all my bloodwork and ultrasound results yesterday and not good!! It reads that i have a possible hemmoragic cyct on my left ovary 1.5 cm x 1.3 cm and possible suspicions of endometriosis..scared and concerned right now reading that and feel stuck ..playing the waiting game right now till my follow up ultrasound pelvic and TV on Nov 22 and then i requested a hysterosonogram which is being done on November 28th ..maybe this is why i am in constant agony with the cramping..well if these conditions have worsened i want laparoscopy done and the cyst removed before it causes me more problems...it needs to come out anyway to make sure it is not "C"..i am terrified of that and the cramps came back full force last night ..don't think it helped after the stress of reading my report. Also the pharmacist says that he doesn't like how they do their #'s for estrogen because they were testing me by my age i guess but at the post-menopausal range because in PM it is so difficult to get a good number due to fluctuations on a regular basis so the <73 indicates what?? could be 72 who knows since supposedly they cannot measure any lower but yes i do have estrogen he says unlike the gyne telling me i have neither or almost none of either P or E ..so confused !!! Now what ?? i am not post menopausal..that is ridiculous and all the more reason to take care of the problems in my uterus and ovary since more likely to be "C" after menopause What a mess!! Anyway the Ph also said he would never want anyone to take Premarin or MPA. So I wait and worry myself sicker and get more bloodwork done and i need a scrip from a Dr to give the pharmacist so he can help me out...just wonderful!! I am so angry right now i could ...grrr don't even want to go there!! I will update you when I know more
Thanks again Wray for your support as i feel I have noone :(
Nov 11, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Thousands of women have cysts on their ovaries and most don't even know. You have to have a scan to pick it up. Many have Endometriosis and Fibroids and live with them without knowing. There's nothing to worry about. Hemorrhagic cysts occur when a small blood vessel bursts within a cyst that has already formed, causing blood to fill the cyst. Abdominal pain occurs on the side the cyst formed, as the blood stretches the covering of the ovary, with clots sometimes forming. If it ruptures it generally causes a great deal of pain, which can last for a few days. But it's not life threatening, and they don't lead to cancer, that's rubbish! What you do need is vitamin D, it stops cells proliferating, so does progesterone. There's absolutely no need to have the cyst removed, that's treating the symptom and not the cause. If another forms will you have that removed, and another, and another?! No, please increase your vitamin D. They don't test by age, a test is a test is a test. So no matter what age the woman is, the result will be the amount of oestrogen present at the time of the test, nothing more, nothing less. The can measure as low as needed, down to zero, as the range for a menopausal women lies between 0-30pg/ml. Yours is 73, so you're not menopausal. You might like to read through this page, Karenina had two cysts, see here, scroll down to 'Ultrasound scan results'. She's been treating herself naturally for over two years now, no drugs. So why worry? And don't get angry, that just makes things worse, as the only person it affects is yourself, no one else. I got angry when I first started giving talks about progesterone, due to hearing about all the things doctors did to women in the name of health. It only affected me, as I gave myself very bad eczema, no one else got it! Take care Wray
Nov 11, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy/katseyes

Hi Wray Well as par the course continuing to read up on cysts and "C". I just found out this morning that my grandma passed away..got the news on Thursday the same day i saw my test results that she was dying and yes they did test me as postmenopausal and my gyne did say they cannot test any lower so i do not know what is up with that unless my dr is a complete idiot!! The pharmacist that does the compounding sat down with me and we looked at the blood work together and that is how i was tested by my age group and postmenopausal. Anyway will get a second opinion on everything from the other gyne in Hamilton. Remember i am in Canada testing or numbers may be different. What about the possible uterine stuff the endometriosis suspicion and also tiny calcifications whatever that means..I am getting nowhere fast and need answers like where the hell am I in PM or not..are the problems below the waist casuing this as well as the MPA..confused. i am in pain across my whole lower abs going around to my lower back and down both upper thighs and last night my stomach looked like i was 4 months pregnant..yes i am petrified and read up on H cysts and the problems they can cause if they grow. Also looking at Prometrium websites lots of unwanted side effects there also. Still no period dammit!! STRESSED! and feel horrible about my body right now also..i am taking 5,000 iu units of D3 a day will up it to 7,000 but i won't up to 10,00 unti i know there are funds to do so. I am very sad today and just feel like giing up the last month has been hell!! Should have never taken the MPA EVER when i was only about 40+ days late for my period but my dr just assumed i was in perimenopause without doing other tests to check other reasons for this ..feel like i am gonna die (in hell right now) and my relationship is slowly falling apart and do not know what to do!! ...:(
P.S. sorry for the rambling I am extememly depressed and frantic right now..taking a B complex for stress also because i really need it!!! So alone just wanna give up
Nov 12, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Please hang in there. You're not alone, I am here for you. I'm sorry to hear about your gran. Although you do live in Canada, and labs do have different means of testing, I know of no lab who can't test down to zero. And world wide the results are the same, i.e. if you have a level of 73, it means it's still within normal. If you do have endo, it is possible to reverse it with vitamin D and progesterone. All the progesterone websites have adverse effects listed. None of those listed are anything to do with progesterone, they are all to do with oestrogen. It seems so little is known about progesterone, the one critical thing is that it stimulates oestrogen if too little is used. And too little is always given. Are you still using the progesterone? Because the pain you're suffering from, if it's increased, could be due to the stimulatory affect I've just mentioned. Even using high amounts as you are, it can still occur, if there's excessive oestrogen in the system. Pleased you're taking the B vitamins, they also drop when stressed. Whether you're in P-M or not, is immaterial, what does matter is to get you well again. Take care Wray
Nov 13, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy/katseyes

Hi Wray,
Still using 400mg of the prometrium and also topping up with cream but almost out of both cannot re-order cream right now. So by Thursday which will have been 10 days combination with P & N i will probably get 4 more days at 400 mg if i am lucky of Natpro and then I am done..kindof scary actually but 14 days is better than nothing at all right? Maybe i won't be able to use regularly but i do so hope for a cycle. And never ever will i take Provera /MPA again as higher dosages can actully stop cycles or so i have read stories from women on other forums who have had problems with MPA. Still thinking that actually threw my cycles off more because i was not going more than 40 days without my period until I took the higher dosage October 4th since then it has been nothing but problems. I should have waited 2 months without a cycle before using that again if at all as i may have gotten my period if i did not jump on the bandwagon..but too late now.

Thank-you so much for your condolensces re: my Gran. This last few weeks has been one hell of a rollercoaster ride. Also thank-you for being there for me. I am still worried about the cysts though and the possible endo but i will know more Dec 10th. I hate this waiting game as it is such a dark time for me but i feel that i do need further investigation to rule out anything life threatening maybe have a laparoscopy just to be safe as i mentioned my report says "suspicious" for hemmoragic cyst on left ovary and the possible endo with small calcifications..not a 100% guarantee with US..unfotunately better testing needs to be developed for more accurate diagnosis so better to be safe than sorry right especially if the cyst has grown ..it could cause more complications? I do not need that as i feel I am and have been suffering enough and still scared of "C"
I am taking 5,000iu of D3 a day. May increase up to 7,000iu but no more than that at this time. Yes i really need the B complex especially right now...the constant dull aching & cramps are still better than they were so i am glad for that but sick of the bloating and distention..i don't understand that and it is scary unless it is related to the cyst or the endo but it states on the official Prometrium website this can be a side efect..great just what i need..i feel so sexy..NOT!! Still no sex drive whatsoever :(
Take care
Will stay in touch :)
Nov 13, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy I wish somehow I could get you to stop worrying so, nothing is that bad that can't be fixed. Have you considered contacting an EFT therapist? It's an amazing therapy which I know would help you, always cost though. But maybe they have a pro bono service to those who can't afford it. It's certainly worth enquiring about it. The more you stress about things the greater the affect it has on you. Stress can disrupt the reproductive system, and cause cysts, I feel this is what's happened to you. Yes you are in P-M too, which certainly doesn't help. I was very stressed going through P-M, and I know it caused the transition to be far worse than it need be. And ignore what they say on the prometrium website, I did explain all that too you. Please look into the EFT. Take care Wray
Nov 13, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy/katseyes

Hi Wray ,
Sorry ..i know you are trying to help as best you can and I appreciate your support but remember i am mentally unwell..noone can help with that so thank-you for the effort. Yes I find that the more stress i have, which seems to be daily the cramping starts up again although it is always present just to a lesser degree and more intermittent than continuous. I tried to order 3 tubes today but could not get the discount price as i am already subscribed so reluctantly i went with pro-gest 4oz tube ..they have a warning about it causing cancer because it contains pregesterone?? Huh what is the difference the box states biodentical natural progesterone and then a warning and ingredients at the bottom. Is there a difference and why put natural progesterone on the box and then write this cream contains pregesterone a chemical known to cause cancer..great!! Are they nuts..don't get it. But I need more because soon I will be out of Natpro and no Prometrium left. I did not have a choice and this is a one time thing and I did not have enough to cover the 3 tubes unless i was able to get the discount. I would rather go with you on a regular basis but for now this is the best i can do :( Sorry
P.S. The Prometrium website was the FDA one and there are other websites that contradict themselves..confusing to high heaven. Don't know what or who to believe. One site states not to be used if suffering from Endometrial Hyperplasia and the FDA one states 200mg over 14 days for treatment of EH and 400 mg over 10 days for secondary ammenhorea..what the heck!! ???
Nov 13, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy/katseyes

Hi Wray,
I just read or skimmed through karina's story and ultrasound stuff..kinda wish i had left that one alone)..way too much for my brain and she went for more than one ultrasound in fact she went for quite a few and you were glad of it so hence why tell me I do not need to get another when i have a cyst and i will be told once again i have a cyst and then there is the endometrial problems...i cannot leave this Wray and if the cyst does not go away or it grows it need to be removed plain and simple...it could end up complicated if it isn't already... the pain alone tells me alot and my estrogen levels are nowhere near hers so cannot be related to ED..i am more scared now after reading karina's story .. i would not be able to deal with all that ...i have more than enough on my platter..WOW...not sure what else to say..that did not help me at all! She certainly is a trooper glad she is a strong person and has come through this HELL ok !! Too bad I am not that strong and this cancer fear keeps me going with it's insidious grip on me ..might be a good thing..as i said better to be safe than sorry rather than too late. :) Once again thank-you for the support but this stuff I read was not for my eyes or mind. Take care..will keep you posted when i know more about my "illness" P-M or M ??? In limbo at the present moment.this sucks!
Nov 14, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy/katseyes

Hi again Wray;
Update: The compounding pharmacy is trying to help me as both gyne's turned the request for BHT down..unbelievable ..guess they would rather make me sicker than better because they make no profit from the drug companies if they do not prescribe drugs "chemicals" which do not agree with my body. I am so frustratd that i have no more options ..or no out for that matter. I need a miracle right now nothing but one bad thing after another..I am angry that the Dr in hamilton who profeses to want so much to help women with sexual dysfunction/libido issues and I sure as hell have them will not approve BHT for me. i will have a word with him on Nov 19th as he goes with the more phsychological end than the physical well it is physical that is obvious and yes some mental but he won't help...i almost want to say screw it and not even bother with him but i need a second opinion on my ultrasound results anyway. So depending on how my next app't goes I may not be seeing him again!! i could really use a hug right now :(
Nov 14, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy/katseyes

Hi Wray
Back again..still waiting to hear some GOOD news from the pharmacy re; a gyne that they work with that will give me a scrip for BHT. Nothing but bad news last couple of days and then my symptoms are getting worse. I cancelled the pro-gest order as my C/C would not accept and i did not really want that product anyway.just felt i didn't have a choice so if there is a way i can do the questionnaire again to get the discount for 3 tubes it would be nice to hear back and greatly appreciated ASAP. I only have a couple of days left with the 400mg of my 1 tube of Natpro and I trust that i am doing the right thing at this time but i cannot afford regular cost for the 3 tubes so how can i make this happen and I am afraid of running out and feeling really sick again with no help . I tried using another e-mail address and it did not work and my BF put $60 my C/C so i could do this..I need your help!! Thanks Wray and believe it or not you are a blessing in disguise to me and all the others out there going through this stressful and ever confusing time ..hugs :)
Nov 16, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy I'm upset the doctors are not willing to prescribe the progesterone, but it doesn't surprise me. They low so little about hormones, and how they affect us. I do hope the pharmacy can help you. I would like to help you with the discount for the Natpro. The cream you've just bought only contains 1800mg/tube progesterone, less than the 2000mg/tube in the Natpro. It's also double the price. When you start it, remember you'll have to use double the amount of cream to get the amount you are currently using. As it only contains 1/2 the amount in the Natpro. About the discount, please fill in the form on the following page here. An email will be sent to our admin department, who will issue you with a code for the discounted price. The reason I sent you Karenina's page was to encourage you. She did have scans etc, but there were weeks, sometimes months between each one. She is now very much better having followed the natural route. The cysts have stopped growing, one has gone, her breasts are no longer sore. What's so disturbing about reading this good news? The Cancer warning is because California in their wisdom say it's carcinogenic. But they are confusing real progesterone with the progestins, which can increase the risk. This confusion arises all over the world. Progesterone inhibits mitosis, i.e. prevents cells proliferating, and has been used successfully in a number of cancers. If it did cause cancer, every pregnant woman would come down with it, as we make over 400ng/ml in the third trimester of pregnancy. I'm sure you could do with a hug, so I'm sending you a virtual one! Take care Wray
Nov 16, 2012
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by: kathy/katseyes

Hi Wray,
Thank-you for the link...problem is i ordered 1 tube yesterday as i could not get my card to process two at the full cost..not sure why so now not enough in my account to get the 3 at discount so i will get my friend to do the questionnaire and will keep hold of that until next month when i have made my full C/C payment. I hopefully will be able to get into to see another gyne a female who works with BHT( the compounding pharmacy is helping me with that) but i need a referral so I hope i don't get denied that from my #$@% gyne. If he won't help me there is someone who will so I am praying no obstacles ..enough already!!
I have a question about the other cream.. is that a typo as i am confused?? Your last post says 1800mg in that pro-gest( cancelled anyway) and yours is 2000mg so how is that only half of what yours is wouldn't 1000mg be half???? :)

Well take care have a nice weekend and will be in touch.. virtual hugs back. Thanks again for your help and support during such a chaotic time..don't know what i would do without you :)
Nov 16, 2012
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by: kathy

Hi Wray
My friend just did the questionnaire to get the 3 tubes at dicount but when we went to cart it says your out of stock try back in a couple of days ..hope she doesn't try to order it and it just gives her already subscribed page like it did with me because she could not place the order. She did not fill out the form to be notified so i hope we can get around that somehow let me know or gets a an e-mail notifying her of restock but no items were placed in the cart??? Thank-you. We will try again Monday or Sunday evening :)
Nov 17, 2012
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by: Wray

Hi Kathy I do hope your pharmacist finds a friendly doctor who will write you a script. You were going to order a 4oz tube of the other cream, this contains 1800mg progesterone. The Natpro contains 2000mg in a 2oz tube. So it is fact less than half, because 2 tubes of Natpro, i.e. 4oz of cream would give you 4000mg progesterone, instead of the 1800mg in the other cream. I see there is stock in now. Let me know if it works when you try again, if not I will have to make enquiries about the questionnaire your friend did to help you. But please fill in that form I gave the link for, once you've done that I can help you further. Blessings and hugs to you, and have a lovely weekend too, take care Wray
Nov 19, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray,
Well my friend managed to get 3 tubes and i have the one tube so 4 coming and iwill use the link you gave me to re-order first week of December. Thank-you again so much for you kindness and generosity. It certainly helps when my finances are limited like this. I will keep you posted on whatthis week brings pretty busy hamilton to the "sex therapist" today and then Tuesday Nan's funeral as it was postponed until my uncle could get a flight over from England, then ultrasound follow-up..blah blah blah..lol. Not looking forward to any of it but it will keep me busy i guess ..although not in a positive way. Did I mention the pharmacy that does the compounding has suggested a Dr to me who works with BHT in my city ..actually there are 2 but the one i would like to see is a female. All i need is a referral and I am good to go..so I hope no flack from either Gyne..just do it ..if they won't help me and there is someone that will and has an understanding of this whole picture then they should help me..they better!!
Anyway take care be back soon..hugs :)
Nov 23, 2012
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by: Wray

Hi Kathy So glad your friend managed in the end to get the cream for you. I love your humour in spite of all your hardships. Do tell me what the 'sex therapist' says! And I hope the funeral for your Nan went ok. You do have much on the go, I just hope for your sake it all turns out well. Would like to know, also if the progesterone is helping you too. Take care and hugs to you too, Wray
Nov 28, 2012
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by: kathy

Hi Wray
i now have my 4 tubes..got here really quick but to make them last i would need your expertise so I am thinking 100 mg a day to start i haven't used any since I ran out of the prometriume becasue i was afraid of possible estrogen dominance ..i think I used 400 mg comcbo over 10 days and i beleive it's been over a week or longer now that i stopped..brain toot..lol! I sw the therapist and he was useless but said after reveiwing my US (second opinion) that if I am going into menopause the Andomeyosis should be going or start to go away. has my sonohysterogram yesterday and Radiologist said same thing but he said he could not see anything pathological now iwait until Dec11th to see the gyne re; my PU & TV ultrasound results and my estrogen progesterone, and FSH levels again..hehehe bad girl i added the progesterone to the requisition form since he did not do it..idiot..lol! Thank-you for your care regarding this last month and my nan it means alot to me :)
Did I send something about estrone and reliable sellers for that if iam estrogen depleted should itake a 2-5mg supp every other day and use 100mg of natpro and take 4 days off??? I was reading aout it sincei will not see the BHT doc until April 3..can you give me a ratio or any suggestions on this as again i am confused or will just using the natpro help build up my GOOD estrogen again need balance of all hormones for optimal health right??. 100mg is what again i have measuring spoons but can't remember I know 3ml is 200 mg i think that is what you told me another brain toot..lol ttys xo
Wondering since i have had no cycle in 3 months if i could go by the calender month and just use natpro at 200mg from day 12 to day 26.Let me know what your thought are on this..need a regimen. Will try to order more after X-mas
Nov 30, 2012
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by: kathy

Hi Wray,
As I am not wanting to start the daily dosage of natpro again yet do you think it will harm me to rub a small pea sized amount on my skin right now..lately it looks horrid..just suddenly fine lines under eyes that were barely there are looking deep and only in the last week and with my BDD it is a nightmare and my skin looks so dull.Stress & sleep related as well as hormones ..possible..anyway I have a little left in my very first tube for that so give me a heads up .this is freakin' me out...sleep not the greatest but the natrpo did not really help with that anyway. I have been doing better although like I said in the previous comment been about 2 weeks now and in a lot less pain not daily anymore and vague when I get it so tolerable...but i do want to try to do the day 12-26 of each calender month starting dec 12th. i also have a peel that day ..early X-mas gift for me cause of uneven skin tone and blotchy cheeks so i hope that natpro won't cause any problems ..hopefully it will help me with achieving better results from the peel it is called Vi-peel don't know if you have heard of it had it done 2x in the last couple years but before all this stuff happened and did okay with it but usually need 2 or 3 for optimum results and did not have the rosacea looking cheeks then either this is just this year..since feb i think when all hell broke loose..lol! :)
Dec 01, 2012
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by: Wray

Hi Kathy You are getting me so confused! You have asked me this on your other page, which I thought you weren't going to use anymore. And I have replied to it too. Please see my answer here. Running out of progesterone will cause you oestrogen dominance, as oestrogen can rise again. So I can't follow your reasoning. I suggested the 400mg/day in the first instance as it struck me anything less wouldn't help. But with stopping it and now wanting to use only 100mg/day, you are getting not only your body confused but me as well! Shall we compromise, use 200mg/day, as the 100mg is not going to do anything beyond probably making symptoms worse. And use it daily, don't take a break. And you don't need oestrogen, least of all oestrone the menopause oestrogen. Take care Wray
Dec 01, 2012
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by: Wray

Hi Kathy More confusion for me. Why are you not wanting to start it yet? You shouldn't have stopped it, as you are just making it hard for your body to adjust. Doing this yo-yo thing with the progesterone, starting, stopping, using high amounts, then low, then not wanting to start yet, then wanting to follow a cycle. Please just use the same amount each day, divided into at least two times, am and pm are easiest, and use it daily. Stopping progesterone causes oestrogen to rise again. I believe the relief from the pain was because of the high amounts you were using. Progesterone is good for the skin, so it shouldn't cause any problems. But why waste your money on a temporary solution, why not spend it on the progesterone and vitamin D, this is what you need to correct things at source. Spend it on the antioxidants which you also need. Take care Wray
Dec 03, 2012
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by: kathy

Hi Wray,
Sorry for the confusion..i was not sure if i wrote on my other page or not..had a hard time locating it in my inbox so i apologize.I guess because the pain was mostly relieved i thought i could stop for awhile and because i am over 3 months now without a cycle and trying to conserve the cream i thought doing the calender month thing from mid month to end ( 14 days ) might be sufficient but will resume go up to 200mg a day split in 2 doses am & pm as you suggested so is that 3ml again cannot recall..brain fog..lol!
P.S. My son bought me this spa coupon for 2 peels for x-mas..did not know until last week ..unreedemable but it was sweet of him as he knows my issues and must have saved for a bit to get this for me so i will hope for the best outcome ..even if it only acheives a 40% improvement im my head that is good!! :)
I will start up again tomorrow 100 mg am & 100 mg pm 12 hours apart and see how that goes..I am still pretty confused also .I will not comment on that other page again. Sorry Wray
HUGS!
Dec 03, 2012
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by: kathy

P.S.S. I am taking between 5-7,000 iu per day Vitamin D3 and other supplements: 1,000 mg vitamin C with antioxidants (because i smoke)plus Omega's, B-complex, a good broad spectrum multi-vitamin and also just started milk thistle to detox my liver from all these poisons ihave been taking to help me sleep. i am also taking melatonin at night with l-theanine & 5htp (it is included with the melatonin) not sure about the 5htp though but heard all good about the l-theanine. My boyfriend bought these for me even though his job as a contractor has slowed down to a dribble and he can't really afford to but he is a sweet man and he loves me even though we have NO sex life and wonder if that will ever happen..poor guy :(
Anyway GOD help me if I cannot go back to work in the Spring..hate relying on others ..it sucks!!
Dec 05, 2012
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by: Wray

Hi Kathy Thanks for clearing up my confusion! I'm delighted your pain was mostly relieved, you haven't mentioned that in your other posts. The last thing you need is for it to come back again, which it could do by stopping. Although I say about 2-3 months on a daily basis, this is only a guide line. Any severe symptoms generally require longer. How lovely of your son to give you the gift, that does make sense now. I agree too, anything to help you feel better, provided it isn't a more drugs that only treat the symptoms. It is better if you can stick to one page, as it keeps the thread going, so thanks for that. Plus you asked me the same questions on both pages! Delighted you're taking 5-7000iu per day vitamin D, although I suspect you could do with a higher dose. Please try to get a test done. The other supps are all good too, especially the milk thistle, that should help greatly to get rid of toxins. The 5HTP should be fine, although I prefer it's precursor tryptophan. But if it's combined there's not much you can do about it. And if it's helping all to the good. And stop worrying about the sex life, it will come back when you feel better. When you first wrote to me, I was busy writing a page on Libido but it wasn't on the site then. It is now, so please have a look through the page, as you'll see progesterone does play a big role, so too does dopamine and vitamin D. The precursor to dopamine is tyrosine which I seem to remember suggesting you took. I wish you would look on the EFT site, I'm sure there must be therapists who could help you for free or a small sum. Take care Wray
Dec 05, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray..thx for the reply using 200 mg right now am 7 pm and using on my face ...seems to be a it blotchier though and little white bumps popping up all ofa sudden...kinda weird I was using the cream a little on my face before and no issues but now it's like worde blotchiness on cheeks and a couple pimples on chin and a few small little white or opaque bumps ..milia i think they are called ..never had those before. Do you think i should stop using it on my face for a few days to see what happens.
BTW my boyfriend and i are pretty much coming to an end ...a 4 month sexless relationship is not cutting it mostly for him but also for me..I am sad but it is pprolly for the best..oh well another hardship ..sick of it!! may as well be single anyway no drive nothing no sensations i am DEAD!! needs lots of hugs right now
Dec 06, 2012
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by: Wray

Hi Kathy They are milia, and are keratin filled cysts. Which means the keratin is forming too fast and forming the cyst. Both vitamin D and progesterone inhibit the excess formation of keratin, so I can only assume that oestrogen stimulates it. This would account for the sudden appearance, as you stopped the progesterone then started again. This would stimulate oestrogen until it becomes suppressed again. I would hope that with continual use of the progesterone and not stopping it as you did, that they will disappear. I'm sorry you are in need of lots of hugs, I'm certainly sending them over the ether to you. Maybe it's for the best, it gives you space to heal alone, without the constant worry of will he/won't he, leave me. And the worry about your lack of libido affecting a relationship. This only puts a strain on you, not what you need right now. Take care Wray
Dec 08, 2012
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by: kathy

Thanks for all the virtual hugs...my moods and emotions have been all over the place and now i am starting to wonder 3.5 months without a cycle ..am I indeed in menopause..feel old and sexless and not a woman anymore. I am continuing on with the natpro at 200 mg per day and am not in any pain at the moment. I am still confused though about the adenymosis, cyst, adrenal problems, sleep apnea and such contributing to my being thrown into possible menopause. I should not have adenymosis if i am and have had it for almost a year and a half now..maybe longer and as I said did not even know until my October US that i even had that..noone told me...dumbasses. i beleive everything is related the cortisol reversal and maybe my pituitary gland affcting hormones and mimicking menopause or maybe wishful thinking..need to find out what is really going on here and scary for me. Take care too XXXXX
P.S. going to see if the gov't will cover my prometrium ongoing and then I can combine again with the natpro so the tubes will last me longer. maybe i should try to get medical marajuana for my sleep problems and anxiety...hahaha and hey it might help my libido also :)
Dec 09, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy You won't know if you are in Menopause until you've had a full year of no periods. So please stop worrying about it, it's only making matters worse! I did tell you Stress stops the ovarian cycle. You have to try to relax more, please look into the EFT I told you about. It really does work, a remarkable therapy. Stop worrying too about all those things you've been told you have. I gave you those papers on how progesterone helps sleep apnea, the cysts and adrenal problems. You have to get your antioxidant levels up, particularly the vitamin D, you're not taking enough. And please have that test done! You might like to read what Sage had to say to Catherine who is also going through a tough time, as she was. This is her own story here, sounds like yours. And this is her comment to Catherine here. I do hope you win with the prometrium. Take care Wray
Dec 11, 2012
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by: kathy

Hi Wray.
I know i need to relax more and it is hard when you already have adrenal issues and your cortisol levels stay up for long periods even after the stress or stressors are gone. I know now that whatever tiggered the rosacea(began in January 2012) on my cheeks flares up really bad with my stress ..hard to coer with make-up and there i s no cure and not sure a peel will help it or make it worse..hope the Natpro will be the miracle forthat..lol :( Now i am getting acne again and not just the milia that is going away and being replaced with the zits)..grrrr
Yes i am very stressed right now ( lots going on) but as i said the natpro at least helps with the pain ..find it gets worse when i am feeling stressed. i am now out of Vitamin D3 and i was taking 5,000-7,000 IU per day for 3 weeks or more i think. No $$ to get any right now. Hopefully in a week I can get back on track with that. I stopped the melatonin with L-theanine & 5HTP..was giving me nightmares and my sleep was very light ..no deep sleep cycle since i started taking it. Now back to the regular melatonin as I do need to sleep top priority to heal and feel well enough to function and do daily things. I see the gyne this afternoon...not looking forward to that. i filled out my paperwork for the Gov't and will only get him to sign ..i will do the work needed to get this covered as him helping or working with me is like pulling teeth. I did take a look at the EFT website and downloaded a free E booklet they offered. Just skimmed over it but not actually read it yet. Upped my dosage of natpro to 300 mg ..will see how that goes..but will have to drop down again in a week..so th e tubes last me until i can place another order. i don't have my boyfriend to help me anymore so it's going to be even harder :( Oh well..ttys
Will keep you posted
HUGS
Dec 11, 2012
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by: kathy

Hi Wray
#'s today
post menopausal estrodial <73 again (sigh) same
post menopausal FSH 109 higher than a month before think it was 91 or in that range
progesterone 3 (not in menopausal range) which is 0.3 -2.5 and i pointed that out and then he's like you can't always go by the ranges and i am like .HELLO!!hmmm strange i pointed all the numbers out out and he says that progesterone is not the important hormone and waved it off as it and the # means nothing..can't remember exact words but he went over the other #s he believes are real and said i am in menopause..I said well that was sudden and it is only just over 3.5 months since i had a a cycle and he said the 12 weeks is just a clinical range they use and that really doesn't mean much either what a condradictory speech..floored me. And I told him about the Natpro and he was don't believe it is real and the stuff you read online is not the best resource. attitude with a smile. he has no familiarity with BHRT.. he prescribes out testosterone (synthetic of course) for low libido and said he would for me but I won't take synthetics.We filled out the sheet for the coverage for the Prometrium and he also gave me a 1 month supply of it although he doesn't think progesterone is an important hormone office.! Last time he did not even want to give me anything..i pulled teeth for a sample..WOW..Nutter.lol
he says no proof of online creams or HFS creams working or being real and they would not have a good delivery system via the skin and your body would absorb very little if they actually had enough in them to begin with
Now the non-confusing stuff and better news. As I said my ovarian cyst has shrunk down to half the size and that is good ..Andenymosis still present though so still having pain. Also I mentioned it going away if I am in menopause and he said it will get better and he said just the pain will be better although the more educated hamilton Gyne said the adenymosis would be going away if i was in meo and they cannot know or say for sure that i am in meno..DUH i will go with hamilton..lol.. so confusion once more...I said to him maybe my cyst shrunk because of the Natpro cream and he smiled and shrugged and i said well it sure took away my pain so do you think that is just in my head? He shrugged again smiled and said i don't know..thrill of my day but what a joke. He has colleagues 2 or 3 in town who do BHT and a couple of pharmacies that do it and in my opinion he just kinda laughs it off..for 2 positives: a 28 day supply of prometrium and a ovarian cyst that is half the size it was 1.5 cm October 22th and a month later less than 1 cm..it was sure worth it..lol..can't wait for your 2 cents Wray
Dec 12, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray.
Sorry to bring up the estrogen once again but since i feel I may need to use a estrogen face cream..lowest dose and bioidentical/natural please humor me here and give me some suggestions of the best one to get, Just wanna give it a try and combine it with the Natpro and see what happens and if it helps my skin since it is not improving :( and also my lower region..lol..don't wanna get into that but let's just say some changes are happening and i will leave it at that. I would really appreciate this right now as my BDD is getting pretty bad and rapid aging is kinda a death sentence for me..cannot deal with that aalready hard enough and noe rosacea which i hope something will calm..so i need to do something. If you have any other suggestions also to slow down the aging process in Meno since it appears I am and prolly have some estrogen but the bad kind so i do think i need a combo..300mg of P and 1mg or less of E ... that would be greatly appreciated also. thanks Virtual HUGS.
kathy
Dec 13, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Well you do manage to pick them don't you! I can't abide patronising people, least of all doctors. They are there to help us! Oh how I wish they'd read the studies on progesterone, thousands of them covering all medical disciplines too. I've just been sent the link to a paper published in December last year, no idea how I missed it. It made such exciting reading to me too. They've discovered progesterone inhibits growth in neoblastomas, see here. It's the main childhood tumour in children under 1 year. Plus the paper lists many other cancers it inhibits too... "High natural P4 levels during pregnancy are associated with a lower incidence of maternal breast cancer and also appear to exert a long-term protective effect against breast cancer. The antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of P4 have been reported for breast, endometrial, ovarian, colon and salivary gland tumors". There have been numerous studies showing how the skin does absorb it well. How can he be so superior without knowing anything about it? We run Saliva Tests on the cream periodically and each time it shows very high levels of progesterone after only a month. Anyway it seems to be helping you with the pain, and I'm sure it's responsible for the Cyst shrinking. I'm glad he did give you the prometrium, after his attitude I'm surprised. And of course he would prescribe testosterone for low Libido, they all think that plays a huge role and it doesn't. Only a very minor one. But the danger of testosterone treatment for women is it increases the risk for heart disease and cancer. He obviously hasn't read those studies either! You do realise that if you use the oestrogen, you'll have to increase the progesterone? As the oestrogen will counter all that the progesterone is doing. It's an inflammatory hormone, so the pain could get worse. Try it and see, but I can't advise on which brand to use, as I have never looked into them, being so against it. You would do better to take at least 2000mg/day NAC (N-acetyl cysteine), it's a potent anti-inflammatory which you need for the adeno. One paper suggests ageing is a cysteine deficiency, see here. It's good for the skin, hair and nails too. Take care and hugs to you too! Wray
Dec 17, 2012
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by: kathy

HiWray.
I didn't pick him he replaced another gyne..a good one..lol. I am wondering about the changes down south and what i can do to have well lubrication..so dry. yes i am still with my guy but we had a break from each other and when we attempted to have intercourse i was let's say like the desert..it was embarrasing and uncomfortable for both of us..so what can i do about that that..i won't even mention the estrogen cream /suppositories for vaginal dryness and atrophy/..this is just a recent development by the way (sigh). i was thinking of the amino acids but a full spectrum one which include acetyl l carnatine..read up on that one lots...I am not sure which route to take. Doing 100mg of natpro am & 200mg of Prometrium pm..but still having issues sleeping which is a MAJOR problem for me as it affects every aspect of my daily functioning. I need to get Vitamin D again & another good women's formula multi ..ran outof both just on the b-complex, Vit C 1,500 mg day and Omega 3 ..any other suggestions would be appreciated but $$ is super tight. Yup Dr's ..grrrrrrrrrrrr! HUGS :)
Dec 19, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Oh dear, but at least he gave you the prometrium! This happens to so many of us, the changes. Please use the progesterone cream in your vagina. It's best at night, as a morning application can leak out. I've used it there for about 5 years now. Progesterone does help with dryness and/or inflammation. Sleep is so important, but I feel once you get your vitamin D levels up, and your progesterone too, that they will help you. If you're looking for a vitamin/amino complex, please look at one we make up. It's in powder form to keep costs down, the doses are all based on studies done, so are far higher than that found in capsules or tablets. Although it's best to take a full dose, if cost is a problem you can always halve it, see here. It contains the carnitine, vitamin D and all the B vitamins, plus other antioxidants. But no vitamin C as it's cheap and so many take it. Take care Wray
Dec 20, 2012
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by: kathy

Hi Wray,
Not sure which route to take as of yet I read about your energy comples ..sounds god but i am notsure bout the halving of it do you mean halving the dosage due to $$ so it lasts longer and would it be as effective to do that. In short wouldI be getting enough of what my body need if I do that? I cannot afford to order at this time maybe in february. My cream will probably be coming first I am waiting to see if the gov't will cover my prometrium..that may take some time and the Dr only gave me a months supply or 28 days ..may have to get on his nerves again before i run out to get a couple morre weeks worth..lol.
As far as the Vitamin C I feel it is a necessary part of supplementation for me as an antioxidant to make up for the lack of it in my diet and because I smoke & it depletes vitamin C so for me it is necessary. That is why i take 1500 mg a day not sure how many iu that is though?? do you know whaat that is in iu?? I was able to get some Vitamin D3 again it was on sale for $6.00 for 180 softgels and taking 5,000 iu a day . My roomie picked up Centrum for women multi so we are okay there..although i do believe I would benefit from the energy boost formula. Anyway of getting a discountor some samples as you know the Natpro has to come first
P.S. I will do as you suggested with the natpro in the vagina but should i use a small amount or the full 100mg because I like to use some on my face also and how the heck do i get it in there via a tampon and leave it in for a few hours .did that before with yogurt for an infection..lol! thx hugs again
p.s. reading a book i found called The Hormone Solution by Erika Schwartz MD to help me understand more of what the hell is happening to my body :)
Dec 21, 2012
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by: Wray

Hi Kathy I suggested halving the dose of the energy boost to save you money, it would of course be more effective at the full dose. But even half the dose if far more than you would get via capsules or tabs from a health shop, take the centrum you've got for instance, see here. Plus you are buying no extras fillers at all, look at the ingredients list under the contents list! I do hope you get the prometrium, I would not like you to run out of progesterone. I'm delighted you're taking so much vitamin C, it is needed if you smoke as it does get depleted. Vitamin C is not measured in iu, only the oil vitamins A and D are. No need to use the full amount in your vagina, and always do it at night. the best way of applying is with a finger, or syringe. You can get these from a drug store, or health shop. If you want to find out what's happening to your body, read those web pages I gave you, it's all there! I'll give them again....... How to use progesterone cream, Menstruation, Oestrogen Dominance, Peri-menopause, Menopause, Anxiety. Take care Wray
Dec 24, 2012
 kat
by: Anonymous

thanks Wray and Merry X-mas. I have a problem right now suddenly came down with a cold... nose dripping sneezing constantly and could not pee..weird then i was able to go pee but with discomfort and then this AM blood in my urine and no it was not a cycle but actual blood and quite a bit coming out of my urethra..great ..now what?? I am a little concerned but it has since stopped anyway i read the leaflet in the prometrium box and all the side effects that they give anyway and one was difficulty urinating and inflamation of the bladder..hmm wonder if there is a connection oh and do not use if you have uterine abnormalities..I do have adenymosis..holy cow!! gonna take a break for a couple days and just use the natpro at 100mg cause I have to conserve right now. What a nightmare. Anyway last post until after holidays HUGS
Kathy

Merry Christmas to you!! Will answer after the break. Take care Wray
Dec 27, 2012
 kat
by: Wray

Hi Kathy The difficulty urinating and blood in the urine is just cystitis. Otherwise known as a urinary tract infection (UTI). Antibiotics are given for UTI's, often unsuccessfully, or repeatedly in the belief it's killing the pathogen. Pathogens are opportunists, if a cell or tissue is damaged they will take advantage of this fact. More and more studies are finding that inflammation is behind our diseases and disorders. Inflammation results from a disturbance in the immune system, often due to a lack of antioxidants. I seem to remember you said you'd stopped the vitamin D? D-mannose is sometimes effective. It's believed that the bacteria, if present, will adhere to the D-mannose and be excreted. A more likely explanation is the lining of the urinary tract, including the bladder, has become damaged by inflammation. The lining is a thin layer of glycoproteins, these are a combination of a sugar molecule and a protein. The D-mannose can be used for glycoprotein biosynthesis, see here. This would strengthen the lining preventing possible attack from bacteria or inflammation. The amino acid arginine can help too, see here. Mast cells are implicated, see here. Progesterone inhibits mast cell secretions, see here. Excess oestrogen and a lack of progesterone appear to be a reasonable cause, see here and here. Oestrogen is an excitatory, inflammatory hormone, it's involvement is hardly surprising. Particularly when looking at the statistics, far more women get UTI's than men. Interestingly oestradiol increases mast cell histamine secretion, which is initiated by substance P. This is a pro-inflammatory, nociceptive neuropeptide. Even more interesting, progesterone and it's metabolites are suppressed by substance P, see here, unless sufficient is used, see here and here. Ignore those warnings given with prometrium, where they get them from heaven only knows! Take care Wray
Dec 27, 2012
 con'td
by: kathy

Hi Wray,
Drinking cranberry juice and lots of liquids to flush me out...scary thing and some slight ahing or heaviness in the kidneys after the bleeding stopped and dummy me I was drinking wine also while i was sick..my own fault because of the holidays..damn it ..some self-induced to help me stay sicker longer. Well I am back on the D3 and lots of vitamin C wit water and the juice so hope that clears things up so i don't need more tests...crappola. I have been through enough. I had been using the prometrium at 200 mg & 100mg of natpro for 12 days when this happened out of the blue.although i forgot to mention I was trying the prometrium the oral route. Well had my 3 day break and will start up again tonight. Hope you had a good X-mas. Will be in touch... a litle confused and scared by some of your wording in the last comment though..lol! Virtual Hugs
kathy
Dec 29, 2012
 con'td
by: Wray

Hi Kathy The cranberry juice should help, providing it's not full of sugar as most are! If it is, switch to D-mannose, although it is very costly. Any carbs, including those found in beers and wines, drop progesterone levels, so they do not help the healing process. And why are you trying the prometrium the oral route? Most of it is destroyed so it's a waste of progesterone and money. And why are you taking a break? That drops progesterone levels allowing oestrogen to rise again. I've just re-read my last reply to you, and can't find anything scary in it! Lovely Christmas thanks! And hope you have a good new year. Take care and hugs to you too Wray
Dec 30, 2012
 cont'd
by: kat

Hi Wray,
i don't know why i got frightened..just sounded a bit scary but then again I have been in a fearful state since October and now sad that I prolly am in menopause or the last stages of P-M :(. I have had no cycle for 4 months now and was hoping I was just imbalanced. Noticing these changes over the last three months to my body and face with the BDD has put in a tailspin. I did get the D-Mannose with my X-mas $ from my family and L-Arginine also and yes it is costly. I am still problematic in the bladder/urethra area and rubbing cream in tht region made me uncomfortable and had burning last night ..not sure why? I am taking the natpro again and will start using the prometrium again on my skin instead of orally..not sure why i did that route either. I took a 4 day hiatus out of fear it was the prometrium and was reading a Dr's article and urinary tract health and bladder stuff when i came across a blurb about progesterone & estrogen and allergies and bladder problems possibly relating to there usage. Same as the leaflet in the prometrium package . Thank-god no more bleeding like I had...none that is visible but yesterday barely peed and today going like crazy..I am sick of this it happened so sudden and i was in pretty good health in the Summer. I was wondering if I should get ome more tests like kidney & bladder just to be safe as i am constantly worried about "C"..yes still a worry wart because i feel like me but in a strange body. Does that make sense as it is hard to describe? Gaining weight now too..why not in my boobs ..i wish it would go there. Anyway doing more blood work next month but need cortisol am/pm and thyroid, t3 and 4 as well as pituitary and my gyne won't do it as he says he cannot interpt this..who cares i want to know the #'s. So I am going to add them to my requisition..tired of not being heard. I don't see the BHT female dr until April so he will have to put up with me until then at least. He did however include the DHEA test after me pulling teeth again..lol Glad you had a good X-mas..I didn't. HUGS!
kathy
Dec 30, 2012
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy If the fear came from the state you're in, then that is understandable. But as I said there was nothing fearful in what I wrote. And don't panic about not having a period, as I said to you, stress stops ovarian function, and you are stressed. The cream is slightly acid, it should be as our skin is acid, so it could have been that causing the burning. Or you still have cystitis which also causes it. Please don't stop the progesterone, it only allows oestrogen to rise again. This is the reason you appear to be putting on weight, oestrogen causes weight gain and water retention. When reading stuff written by doctors, don't forget they confuse progesterone with progestins, and use the term interchangeably. In fact "MPA (medroxyprogesterone acetate) is used instead of progesterone in mouse models of sexually transmitted diseases to increase infectibility because progesterone does not have this effect.", see here. I think you overdo the tests, you have cystitis, nothing more. And why worry about cancer, many more women die of heart disease than that. I do understand about feeling disorientated, I wish you could afford to have proper tests, not fiddle about with the standard ones. You need a full bio-chemical test done, to see what substances are overloading your system, and what you are deficient in. There are clinics that do this, but of course the cost is high. Mensah Medical is one of them. Sorry to hear your Christmas was not good, I hope your new year is better. Hugs and take care Wray
Dec 31, 2012
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray, Well I did get the D-mannose as i said in powder form and seems to be helping and it is acetyl L Carnatine not L Arginine. I started up on the natpro again 2 or 3 days ago at 200mg and still putting some on my face hoping it improves my skin especially the rosacea..I hate how i look..3 or 4 months ago I looked okay slight rosacea but seems to be worse and especially under stress gets really bad and I am at a loss as of what to do and I look like i have aged 1yr or more in 4 months ...WOW ..could be partly my BDD but I noticed a change as I am always checking my mirror (OCD) part of the illness. Yes I have gained 8 lbs since Dec 22nd..yuck! I feel old and fugly and for me it is terrifying ...as you know BDD is pretty serious. I don't want to age anymore or at least not so bloody fast ..it's freaking me out. I know you do not think estrogen is good for the skin but when we are young the good estrogens give us our supple skin and shiny hair etc..etc.. so yes Xenoestrogens are bad but I read a study 2012 in PubMed or a link from there about estrogen & the skin a positve one .good, natural the estrogen we had in our teens I believe we need to be balanced with all the 3 hormones optimally which we do lose as menopause approaches. I m having a really hard time and all happened in a blink. In August I looked the picture of health..not now:( and SLEEP still eludes me another major ager along with the stress ..seems I have them all. I was once vibrant and now I am well lackluster ..and yes obsessed about looking OLD!! Can't help it ..and don't want it. I am at a fork in the road and in April will try the proper ratios for etrogen to progesterone and a pinch of testosterone and see what happens. It feels so far away and the clock is ticking for me..yes thoughts .dark thoughts ..want to stay in now so i do not see anyone..that is sad :(. Anyway enough of my downer stuff. You do know alot and I am a researcher also.. so bare with me on this on please. HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and all the other women going through this HELL! HUGS XO
Luv kathy
Jan 01, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Please don't stop and start the progesterone, please use it daily. Each time you stop it allows oestrogen to rise, by doing do it will cause weight gain. You are also not using enough, I did say you would need about 400mg/day, although I know this is difficult for you to afford. It will just take longer to help at 200mg/day. And why the carnitine? I said it was arginine that helped, see here. I also said you needed inositol, at least 4000mg/day possibly more, this helps OCD, in fact cures it, see here. I feel you should try the oestrogens as I can see you are convinced they will help. There are three we produce, E1 or oestrone, E2 or oestradiol and E3 or estriol, but all of them have a similar action. They cause cells to proliferate, they are inflammatory, excitatory and cause weight gain and water retention, see here. Both oestrogen mimics and phytoestrogens have the same effect. You are also worried about not having a period, there is evidence we should not be having the 400 plus that we do have in a lifetime. But more like 100 in a life time, the longer the exposure to oestrogen the greater the chance of getting cancer, see here. This is another worth reading, see here. Continued below
Jan 01, 2013
 cont'd Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Kathy As for testosterone, in women it increases the risk for cancer and heart disease, see here, here, here, here here, here, here, here and here. Plus it increases visceral fat, see here and here. And happy new year to you too! Take care Wray
Jan 03, 2013
 cont'd
by: kat

Hi Wray.
Right now I have to stick to the 300 mg a day 200mg prometrium and 100 mg of Natpro and transdermally. I think I screwed myself up when I went on hiatus for those few days after what I read aboutthe prometrium but I feel you are right and although I have started up again I feel awful bloated (water) kinda moody stresed tired and my rosacea is worse and hives too OMG..what do i do..I cannot run out and have not given the Gov't enough info to see if my prometrium will be covered and have to wait till april to see the BHT doc. It's weird ya know because I was reading tthe post about the woman with melasma who had white skin and wonderif it might be I developed my rosacea around the time my cycles were getting a little off or just before becasue my skin was uniform except for a couple of acne scars...now it's a mess..I am pretty sure it is rosacea based on syptoms of it and pics i saw on webMD. I am using a little on my face but right now it is acting up ..grrrrr...should i be using Vitamin D3 on my face too I am on 5,000 iu units per day,,,got any ideas..I am freaking out..I am getting to the point where I don't want to leave the house or look in the mirror anymore because I see a face not mine...and in 3 -4 months it has gone from bad too worse..with periods and rare ones of light reprieve...I need help..I am getting worse with the BDD everyday...Thanks
Jan 07, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray.

Stil awaiting a response..hope all is well with you...anyway I used the link you gave me for the discount on my Natpro and filled in the form . that was Saturday January 5th and have not heard anything back yet. I would like to place my order ASAP because of the time frame in delivery to Canada ..don't want to run out. I am terrified of stopping now and you were right it did not take more than a few days to feel & look like hell again. I did have my medical peel for X-mas nd then was put on a regimen of Obagi bleaching cream & Retin A..needless to say it is not helping my Rosacea at all.grrrrrrrrrr. thank the Lord I did not pay for it!!
Anyway I am slowly losing the water weight and some of the blotches/rashes are gone and pimples but the rosacea is fighting me and I am applying to my face still...although i stopped the retin A because it was aggravating it more ..I am however still using the obagi ..no lightening yet but since it is of a vascular nature maybe it will not help but they say it can take up to 4-8 weeks to see an improvement and then after that stop if nothing changes. I am upping my D3 to 6,000 iu and stopped taking the D-Mannose after 3 days..no problems but I wonder if I should be taking it still as a preventitive like 2x per week or something it is way too costly for everyday usage. very small bottle powder form and almost half gone and used 5 times..WOW..what do you think? Also I value your input and your knowledge so if y 600:1 or 11 parts to 1 ratio is optimal for HRT then what would it be if I took 300mg a day of progesterone to estrogen would it be 0.3ml..Can you help me with that as I would like to take info to the BHT Doc in April.I do notwant t obe messing around with amounts and feling sick for a month or whatever it is scary... thanks
Anyway starting to slowly feel a little better but figure another week or so before I am feeling even more well..better except the sleep I am taking 300mg at night not splitting it up ..don't want to be tired in the daytime as I already am..got any suggestions??? Hope to hear back from you soon re: my last post and this one :)

HUGS kathy
Jan 08, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Well I'm pleased you're managing to get 300mg/day progesterone from the two sources. and yes, the hiatus did not do you any good at all. It does allow oestrogen to rise again, and when starting progesterone it initially stimulates it, so makes it all even worse. I think this is why you are noticing your face is worse, plus the bloating, moodiness etc. Undoubtedly your skin would have been affected by the change in hormone levels a few months ago, as were many other things. But just hang in there! I use the vitamin D on my face, it's wonderful for it too. Is there no way you can take more vitamin D, I feel the 5000iu is barely keeping your level up. Please don't give up, I just wish there was some way you could be helped financially, as you do need more progesterone, more vitamin D, large amounts of antioxidants, help via EFT etc. And yet of course none of these are covered by insurance. Drugs, drugs and more drugs, and nothing natural, what a world we live in! Take care Wray
Jan 08, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray,
YUP you are absolutely right and will try mixing 1 capsule of d3 with my 300mg of prometrium/natpro for my face if that is okay to do so..hope I don't get a reaction...my skin is so sensitive. I do believe I am still getting some estrogen dominance although it has been 11 days back on 300 mg..this is nuts.lol or should I say I am..
I would be lost without you and your wide range of knowledge and caring..i am so glad to have you in my life, you are a blessing and I appreciate your wisdom and try my best to follow through on your suggestions but yes it is too costly right now and on that note still no word from Admin with my code for my 3 tubes...How long does it take..i am slowly running out of my cream and it is stressing me out..slept only a about 9 hours total in the last 2 days..grrrrrrrr..oh well sleep will find me eventually
once i am balanced..sooner than later I hope.

IMPORTANT: Please let me know if you can find out about the re-ordering..I need to do it this week ! Thanks and I will up the dosage of vitamnin d3 to 7,000 for now. I hate not being able to have my health because of $$ :(
HUGS
Kathy
Jan 08, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi again
I just sent another msg via the link to Admin..geting frustrated with this since I am getting low on my cream and do not want to drop down to 200mg prometrium only it would be lovely to be able to take 200mg of P and 200 mg of N.but not at this time
You mentioned antioxidants re: my sleep apnea ..please let me know what they are and go by most improtant so i will try to find the $$ to get at least 1 or 2 on a money tre..lol..do you have any samples to try?? ..that would be great if I ould try some when I am able to place my order again..soon I pray!!P.S. you never ddi mention the ratios re: p to e for me to take into the doc 600:1 is optimal but that is confusingso what does that really mean and does it dpend on how much progesterone you are taking is 600 mg P to .06 ml Estrogen ..don't get it confused again and 11:1 I have een somewhere on a post also please explain this to me in more detail when you can. Thank-you No more internet research anymore..just the book I am reading..should take it in to my dumb Gyne..haha
HUGS
Kathy
Jan 08, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy I see you've had a reply re the discounted cream. Could you tell me the score you got from the questionnaire. I don't know why you need a bleaching cream, do you have brown patches on your face? Is this what you mean by blotches? And I'm relieved you've stopped the Retin-A as it's not good. I'm pleased the water weight has gone and some of the blotches, it will of course come back once you begin taking oestrogen, but that's your choice. It's best the doctor gives you the correct dose, you can see on our HRT page which I gave you what the doses are. The 600:1 ratio is we feel optimal, but what is yours now? Because if it's lower than this, which I'm sure it is, adding more oestrogen will just make it all worse, and lower the ratio even further. If you still have some of the D-mannose left, then your suggestion is good, as it's far too costly to take it daily. It is better to split the progesterone into a minimum of twice a day, as levels drop after about 13 hours. But if you feel once a day is fine, then stick to it. Take care and hugs Wray
Jan 08, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi again
My order went through several hours ago... success!! Thank-you ..was hoping to maybe get some samples of your antioxidnt formula but prolly to late now...was hoping to try them and possibly purchase down the road when my finances get better as well as myself..lol. You are a wonderful,awesome, lady Wray and i am lucky & grateful to have you in my life HUGS :)
Jan 09, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy That's a brilliant idea, mixing the D3 contents with the progesterone. I have been playing around with a D3 cream, it's delicious, but still in the formulation stage. One day I hope to have it available on our website. Oestrogen dominance can last days, a pity you can't increase further, I'll see what I can do about this for you. And our posts are crossing each other, as I now know you have managed to order the cream, as the department came back to you about it. Bless you for the kind words! And thank you for following my suggestions. I wish I could help further, particularly with the cash side, but I'll see what I can do. Take care Wray
Jan 09, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Well you do make me laugh, bless you! I must add that I've learnt a great deal from you too. For one thing to be more patient, initially I was taken aback by your attitude. But then I didn't realise you suffered from BDD until much later, that was also a new one to me too. I will try to organise some antioxidant formula for you, I take another we make which we call our Energy Boost. Don't know what I'd do without it now, it really keeps me going, I get very tired whenever I forget to take it. I actually think this would be better for you, it is full of antioxidants, but has much more in it, particularly the B vitamins. I must warn you none of the complexes taste nice! They are all in powder form to keep costs down, and the dose is far, far larger than anything you'd get in capsule or tab form. Plus we don't add anything to flavour them, or mask the taste, there are no added extras like that. I know you need inositol too, although it's in the complexes, I believe you need extra. I'll see what I can do about that too. Take care and hugs! Wray
Jan 16, 2013
 cont'd
by: Anonymous

thanks Wray it would be great if you could help me out with some samples. It would be greatly appreciated and i have computer problems right now which i cannot afford so lucky to get online s keeps shutting down. Take care..ttys
P.S. got a scrip for metrogel fo rmyrosacea..hope it helps at least that part anyway..lol :)
hope to talk again soon gtg before i get shut down again ...grrr
Jan 17, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Ok, but I now need your address. Please don't give it to me here, it invites spam. Please fill in this form here. Give your details, i.e. name, postal address, email etc. I need to know it's you! You have to get your vitamin D levels up, as that helps rosacea, see here here and here. Take care Wray
Jan 18, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Update: well my BDD is getting worse..my rosacea worsened after that stupid peel. I now know NOT good for this skin disease. Really worried and afraid to put anything on my face including progesterone / Natpro. Recently my eyes have been bothering me alot really bad over last month.. red and burning and glassy..had comments on that about looking tired/ worn out.bothers me terriby so what do i do hide away from everyone or wear sunglasses 24 /7...thinking I need to get checked now for ocular rosacea..great!! well one good thing possible loss of vision which is ironic so then can't see my self anymore .lol..actually not funny but ironic yes. I see a stranger now more and more every day with this disorder and the changes because of approaching menopause..almost 6 months now no cycle so i have accepted it but cannot accept the rapid aging/changes that come with it. i just want my health and looks back..the pics I saw at the clinic where I had my peel done were hideous and traumatizing and i said I did not want to see then..I freaked like ..is that me, do i really look lie that OMG??? don't know what is real anymore .This is horrible. Anyway
funny how my rosacea just came on this year also ..partialy flaring up due to hormonal changes ..prolly :(
So I am on metrogel 1% right now and using ceravue cleanser and moisturizer ..that is it..eye drops don't help so need to see a Doc soon..hope it is covered (sigh) I feel like saying NEXT now becauseseems always something bad at least for me no good!!! I pray for, provision, health and relief but they sadly seem to go unanswered :( (sigh)

take soon Kathy HUGS
Jan 19, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray,
i just sent you the info you asked for on the link . Thanks-you for you help. Enjoy your weekend talk soon when I get a reply back re; my last comment. I enjoyed responding to jesses' question as I like to help others and her situation is quite similar. It is also nice to get a response back.I will try to keep connected with her and hopefully there are others i can help too if only a little bit.You are the expert I am slowly learning. We can be a team..lol
HUGS.. I wish I could hug you in real life :)

kathy
Jan 19, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

P.S. I am upping the D3 to 7,000 iu is that okay..will slowly increase until I get to 10,000 IU. Again matter of cost so 5 to 6,000 is all I have been permitting myself. Getting more bloodwork done next week will give you the numbers then and if I can find my other tests from earlier then i will give you those. last test in early Dec my progesterone was at 3 so it was up a little but still <73 for the estrogen grrrr not fefinitiv enough. Hopefully in April I will get a more comprehensive work-up from the BHT gyne then I will give you all my numbers. :) ttys.
sorry about the extended PS ..lol
Jan 23, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy I was concerned about the peel, I don't think it's good for anyone, unless possibly to get rid of scarring. But for a skin with rosacea I'm sure not good. It does take longer for someone with severe symptoms to turn around, but please hang in there. You might like to read what Sage had to say to Catherine to encourage her, see here. Scroll to 'Possibly Reconsider', it's a long page. Thanks for your details which were forwarded to me. I've sent them on to the lab who make up the complexes. It will take about 3 weeks to arrive. Take care Wray
Jan 25, 2013
 cont'd
by: kat

Hi Wray..not sure if problems on your end but i sent a comment the same day as my last one and it is not showing up and nothing from you in a week which is odd...I did fill out the form with my info you asked for and I wrote that in the msg but do not see it and it's unusaul to not get a reply for a week..hope all is running well and all is okay with you . Take care hope to hear back soon :) hugs
Jan 27, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Bless you for the hug, I can feel it! We all learn from others experience, so even if you feel like nothing is happening for you, encouraging others will encourage you. Pleased you've increased the vitamin D, the lab is sending you some too. The blood tests will be good, but don't overdo them. It can make you anxious if you think they don't look good. And I have been having problems trying to publish queries and replies, it's being sorted out. In the meantime I am having it do it a very slow way, hence the delay. Plus I took time out to spend with my daughter back from travels, and a few friends I needed to catch up with. I rarely see friends now, spending so much time on the computer. Take care Wray
Jan 28, 2013
 cont'd
by: kat

Hi Wray
Thanks for the reply and NO the peel actually made it worse ..and now i am worse mentally. Oh hell. anyway I had been using 300 mg combo Nat/Prom and had to up it on friday to 500mg combo and then down to 400mg Sat back to 300 mg again as i was doing fine at 300mg?? On Friday I had not had a bowel movement since Tuesday and felt and looked like i was ready to give birth..earlier had some pain like cramping and this would have been the time I would have been getting a period so it was like before when i still was ..the symptoms prior constipation, bloating, water retenion 3 lbs..lol etc.etc. Am I still getting those symptoms of PMS or did my body go ballistic with estrogen dominance for some weird reason. I just started taking Kefir as a probiotic suggested by a naturopath as he said my digestive system was way out of balance (lots of bad bugs)I had a bio-energy test done it was free now i wish i had not done it ..scary stuff although some I already knew. Will explain later ..long !! One thing my 2 stress tests were maxed right out. Internal & External..WOW!! he gave me some drops to try with water as he said he had never see it that extreme before..GRREAT! Anyway thank-you kindly for sending out the supplements :) have not received them yet and I will read whatever you suggested ..I have before no matter how long it may be even if some of it confused the hell out of me..lol. ttys

HUGS Kathy
Jan 29, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Raising the progesterone like that and suddenly dropping it back down, would have caused oestrogen dominance. It's not a good thing to do, if you raise it at all you should lower it very slowly, i.e. no more than 20mg each time. And staying a few days at that level before reducing further. Kefir is good, probiotics even better, as you get them in a concentrated form. I can imagine your stress tests were at max, I could have told you that without a test! The supps won't have reached you yet, it will take about 3 weeks to get to you. That's working weeks, you have to allow for weekends when the post goes on hold! Hugs to you, take care Wray
Jan 31, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray,
I only upped it due to the bloating and discomfort ..freaked me out so rubbed most on my belly...not as bad but still retaining water and as i said i was fine on the 300mg a day for about 26 days straight no breaks and out of the blue bam ready too pop out a kid. I have read that if your gut is really compromised that probiotics it
can sometimes make it worse before it gets better so I took a few days off from the kefir and will introduce it back slowly into my diet. Wish I could just pop myself with a pin like a balloon..lol. I hope Jesse is getting on okay haven't heard from her since my last reply and we have similar issues...anyway yes I understand it will take sometimefor the sup[plements to get here, although my Natpro has been getting to me in under two weeks which is awesome!!! thank -you again. HUGS :)
P.S.still have to fill you in on the bio-energy test ..but i have the shutdown issues still so gotta make it short right now and will report to you my next comment GODBLESS
Feb 01, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Ah now I understand, rubbing it there was a good idea. Things can come out of the blue and we have no idea why. I've just answered a women who said peri-menopause was like a moving target! I do so agree with that, having been through it, wouldn't wish it on anyone. Probiotics can do that, in it's severest form it's called the Herxheimer reaction, see our page on Candida for more info. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could get rid of all that excess water by popping ourselves with a pin! I haven't seen anything from Jesse either. That is amazing about taking two weeks, as Canada normally takes 3 weeks, you'd think it was the other side of the world! And would love to hear about the bio-energy test, all those sort of things fascinate me. Hugs to you, take care Wray
Feb 01, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray,
Well the Bio-energy test is quite detailed but in order to break things down to specifics you need a full body scan and that is NOT free. It is a computer generated scan so you place index and middle finger on a metal pad and in a couple of minutes it generates info (energy from your body) to the program and brings up a pic of your full body with different color zones red, orange, yellow an then white(that is where it apparently does not detect any abnormalities)..to be honest it scared me and I wish now I had never done it since it won't leave my head anther thing to keep me up at night..grrrr. Anywy I am a mess based on this what bothered me the most is 2 things a possible auto-immune disorder and malabsorption going on to a degree..just whatI need. So his suggestion was, ESR, probiotics,vit C,selenium, zinc and chromium, exercise and the full body scan for now. I have small amounts of these 3 trace minerals in my multi and i take 1500 mg of C a day...alot i already knew but he said my digestive system was in pretty bad shape which was affecting my whole body so many bugs and a virus .HUH? Also a virus in my brain.WHOA! maybe that is my mental disorder(s) and the stressors internal & external was in the red zone. So in taking that all in i left pretty damn scared that i am falling apart. he did not mention my hormones as such but i think he said the ESR and probiotics would help? Man it's one thing after the other eh? lol..also nothing on my skin it was in the white zone so must be connected to something else..so now have to keep a diary of food triggers for my rosacea and inflammatory foods for my gut...wow overwhelming..researching inflamatory foods to eliminate from my diet..prolly won't be able to eat very much now ugghh.
Oh Damn it I have to type in another box ..deleted half of my comment/post was too long..add later..take care HUGS BACK :)
Feb 03, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Fascinating, thanks. It doesn't surprise me it came up with those results, as you are stressed. But I don't believe it's something which cannot be fixed with the right nutrients, plus EFT, I wish you could afford that. Have you made enquiries to see if anyone can help you pro bono, or give you a discount? The complex I'm sending you has selenium, zinc and chromium in it, you would just have to take the vitamin C and probiotics as extras. Can you tell me what ESR stands for, as I couldn't make sense of it using google. I think you'll find most people have many bugs, viruses etc they shouldn't have, but because of your stress levels, they affect you adversely. Taking the nutrients and the probiotics will help. Most skin problems don't arise in the skin, but are caused by an internal imbalance which then affects the skin.I think in your case a lack of vitamin D. All 'autoimmune' diseases have a low level of vitamin D, all of them. I think one day they will come to realise that they are nothing more than a lack of vitamin D. Without this vital nutrient cells malfunction. I'm sending extra of this to you too. When the supps arrive please contact me, as I need to go over how to take them. Hugs to you and take care Wray
Feb 04, 2013
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by: kathy

Hi Wray.
I beleive the ESR stands for External Stress relief or release and ISR in Internal Stress. He has little vials in his office of a variety of things labelled with short form..I should be on both of them lol.. but he just gave me the ESR. It is a mineral supplement clear liquid in a vial and you add so many drops to a quarter cup of water. Maybe he has someone make them up or does it himself so I don't know if you will find it online?? if I can find the brochure he gave me maybe there is a website. I will inform you if so and I will let you know when I get the samples before take them although I upped my D3 to 8,000iu a day 4 days ago . Still using the Natpro & Prom combo at 300mg a day now going on just over a month straight only twice increasing it 100mg more as I felt I needed to but i keep seeming to gain 3 lbs . i am up and down like a yoyo assuming it is water but frives me nuts hope it levels out. And the worst is going to sleep ..I was hoping that would help as I do the cream at night and would like to get off the meds ( chemicals) not good but know i will not sleep that ONE thing there is my biggest problem by far...I wonder if i will ever be able to sleep without aids I so want to be able to..this has been a burden for me and quality of life as far as going back to work etc..etc.when you feel low functioning sucks!!

ttys, HUGS :)
Feb 06, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Thanks, means nothing to me of course. It must be a name he made up for the mixture in his vials, let's hope they help you! Pleased you upped your vitamin D, although I wish you'd have a test done. The weight gain is water retention, but it also means you should be using more progesterone. This is an excellent diuretic. I would hope one day you'll sleep without aids too! Take care Wray
Feb 06, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray
I know I have bought this up over and over but my skin just seems to be loking worse. i look awful and although I have BDD the changes are there ..prolly magnified for me but still there not all imaginary. I just wonder if I do in fact need some estrogen at the lowest amount because up until i stopped getting ny periods I had a glow now my pallor is dull and washed out plus a few extra little crinkles around the eyes and all this since October. Will i ever see a change in my skin with progesterone alone and does it balance out the other sex hormones??? I am so scared of this aging right before my eyes and I have been feeling suicidal lately and tit freaks me out. i know it seems selfish but can't help it.. besides the rosacea my skin looked great but 2 months after my last period it is NO more an getting to the point where I do not want to leave the house and I am withdrawing again into my shell..de ja vu !! :(
Any suggestions? i have been consistent about 1.5 months now with no breaks like at X-mas so what the hell! help HUGS
Feb 08, 2013
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by: kathy

Hi again Wray
Yup prolly his own concotion...snake oil maybe..lol. I will up to 400mg bbut the highest I can go until I find out if i am covered for the prometrium..yes still waiting the Gov't certainly yakes it's time and on my last week sample from the gyne. Anyway quesio i was having PMS sysptoms on Jan 25th through up unitl 2 days ago now spotting for 2 days light and dark blood.is that a possible period per say? What do you think? I need to do about this sleeping issue..to many chemicals and not working all that well. Any ideas or suggestions would be great..so tired and fed up everynight thing for me and prevents me from doing much or having a life which in turn affects my depression etc...(sigh) at my wits end here. HUGS :)
Still waiting on my supps
Feb 09, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Don't forget that periods stopping doesn't mean you have stopped producing testosterone and oestrogen. The ovaries continue to make these in diminishing amounts during the early months of menopause. But if you are in menopause, progesterone production from the ovaries has come to a finish, as ovulation is not taking place. It's slowing down through peri-menopause anyway, as we get anovulatory cycles with increasing frequency. But I did tell you some time back, that if you want to try to, please go ahead. I can only give advice based on the knowledge I have of the three hormones. Please hang in there, it does take time, you were in a bad way when you first wrote in and seem so much better to me, your comments show it. It took me 6 months to come right. Take care Wray
Feb 09, 2013
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by: Wray

Hi Kathy I do hope not!! And yes it was/is a period, even if spotting. Seems things are beginning to right themselves, I'm so pleased for you. The PMS symptoms 2 days prior are a dead giveaway. I'm not sure what your cycle used to be, but please make a note of the date. You could have another next month, or it might skip one. The progesterone and vitamin D help sleep, as you know, but they both take time to work their way through all the other issues you have. There's no telling which system/organ is being adjusted. Which will be helped first, which last. I know how you feel, my depression seemed never ending, and no resolution to it either, I refused drugs. Well I didn't even go to a doctor! They should be with you soon, let me know. Take care Wray
Feb 19, 2013
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by: kathy

GODBLESS YOU Wray,
I received the samples today..thank-you thank-you thank-you..how DO I express my appreciation for all you have done. God's truth I may not be here today if not for you..someone so far away but oh so close. Hallelujah!! I am so sick right now...my skin looks okay (but still look older and gained a few pounds...yuck) than before my cycles stopped and the spotting went on for about 6 days and i had some cramping a day or 2 ago but no bleeding and low and behold keeping track. So far no word about the prometrium gotta order my Natpro ..almost out..sleep still eludes me, no energy and gotta slow down on the vino..no wonder i look like crap and STRESSED! lol

hugs and much love :)
P.S. how much is one serving of the EB ?? I would like to make it last me longer than 30 days if possible. Going to a seminar by some Lorna Vaangerhagen about hormones this week if I feel okay..freebie and will take notes and fill u in :)
Feb 22, 2013
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by: Wray

Hi Kathy So pleased it finally arrived! It's best to start on a 1/4 dose, as it can detox the body. i.e. give you feelings like flu, or headaches. It might cause your tummy to run a bit. Bear this in mind if it should occur, you're not coming down with some dreaded lurgy! So the packet will last longer than 30 days. Maybe do the 1/4 dose, which is 1tsp, for about a week, then increase to 2tsp for another week and so on. It should last just over 40 days doing this. But see how you get on, you might find you have to take 1tsp for two weeks due to the detox, before increasing. Would love to hear what she says, always good to hear another point of view. And please keep in touch about how you get on with the complex. Bless you too Kathy, I think you've already shown appreciation by listening to me and following my suggestions! Keep in touch, take care Wray
Mar 07, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray
Haven't been on for a bit..still trying to take the supplements as you suggested , hard to do or even remember somedays with a full plate so got bloodwork back from Feb 1st 8 days before my so called period: 186 estriodal and 8.5 progesterone..not sure what to make of the numbers but at least it is not a <73 or <1 anymore. exact numbers now. I also found out that on feb 1st my ultrasound showed 2 fibroids 1.0 cm and 3 more cysts on left ovary largest 1.7 cm...greatttttttt and in November all was looking better. I was told the cycsts were follicular in nature not hemmoragic this time around ..no mention of the adenymosis but I am sure it is still there and did not just disappear ..lol. So what can you tell me about thses numbers other than the 186 is no longer in the menopausal range..yeah! Cannot wait to see the other Dr ..April 3 and get a more comprehensive workup..also gained 6 lbs after my scanty period seemingly out of nowhere and now won't budge..pisser...Get back when you can ...hugs ..missed our convos :)
kathy
Mar 07, 2013
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by: kathy

oops mistake estradiol was 289 & progesterone was 8.5...ummmmm my est fell into mid follicular range also no menopausal..wow what a hike from <73 e and <1 pro..but the ratios concernd if that is a good thing or a bad thing and p.s. the gov't won't cover prometrium and has no plans too either, only other synthetics..lol..go figure..guess i am screwed and the weight gain water how the heck do i get rid of that i have continued with the same dosage no breaks and voila my stomach is expanding..with BDD i am now worse off than i was last month..done for now ttys sad & pissed off!!!
Mar 09, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy I'm beginning to doubt the other test results you had done on the oestrogen and progesterone. Your ratio is not good, it's 29:1, we've found from Saliva Tests we run that it's best if it's 600:1 and over to feel well. But at least yours is higher than mine was when first tested, it was 5:1! I was a basket case, so I do know how you feel too. Fibroids are caused by oxidative stress, you need to get your vitamin D level up higher. A lack of this not only reduces the benefits of progesterone, but seems possible it also causes fibroids. Certainly taking it shrinks them, see here, here, here and here. It should help the cysts too, progesterone does, see our page on Ovarian Cysts. Seems you are still full of oestrogen too, it exacerbates fibroids and cysts, plus causes weight gain. When you have the tests done in April, please get your vitamin D tested too. We still don't know what your level it, and it appears far too low. Please try to take the supps! And I've missed you not writing in too. Take care, hugs too Wray
Mar 10, 2013
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by: kathy

Hi Wray I am confused..the tests..are you talking about my intial blood tests where the #'s were not definitive as in the <73e on 2 different occasions. Why is it now so friggin high is it the timing of when i did the test maybe and is that why I suddenly gained all this water weight. I had the test done where it shows my estro at 286..can't see the last # on my thread sorry and my pro ws 8.5... the fibroids & cysts were present bloodwork & US done same day Feb 1st , scanty bleeding Feb 7th for about 5 days then big fat belly bloat & pretty much overnight . Pretty fast changes over 2 months eh..not sure exactly which tests you are referring too..different lab this time I think..my mind is overflowing with so many questions what the hell is going on here..so it must be that I am estrogen dominant then i take it? Is that why after the scanty period feb 7th i started the belly bloat?? I am a mess and frustrated beyond belief. What do those #'s say to you 286e to 8.5p??? I am tying to eat better avoid bad estrogns..nothing much i have changed ..diet etc..so holy crap. I will get the other Doc to do a more comprehensive work-up & yes Vit D3 ..hope it is covered by OHIP and so mad the Promtrium will never be covered ..the reason they gave no proof it is any better etc..etc.. than the provera..hahaha..whatever! talk soon missed ya .Gues iwl up my natpro another 100mg now 200mg pro till i run out and 200 mg of Nat ..see what happens. i try to eat healthier and take supplements and now i am becoming an estorgen belly..I think that has tobe it and I need it gone..water is not so easy to get rid of if it i trapped within the fat cells...grrrrrrrrrrrrrr :( stop eating i guess ..lol afraid to now
Mar 12, 2013
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by: kathy

P.S. Hey Wray could you provide an example like an optimum blood test because the 600 parts prog to 1 part estro confuses the hell outta me ..sorry, thanks :)
hugs
Mar 14, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

P.S. I guess it is time to cut out the glass of red wine everynight..that may help my estrogen belly bloat..too bad it would not go to my boobs instead seeing as itis so high the girls should be bigger ;)..lol
Mar 15, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy I was referring to the first test you had done, the one which sent you into a tail spin. They told you you were in menopause. They seemed far too vague to me, possibly the lab got the figures wrong, as it's now evident you are not in menopause! The oestrogen wouldn't suddenly shoot up to where it is now, unless you were taking it. Evidently the new lab got it right. Such a pity about the prometrium, as you do have oestrogen dominance and you do need more progesterone than you are currently using. Progesterone is an excellent diuretic, so good it's given to Traumatic Brain Injury victims. You might like to read this page here too. All about oestrogen and water retention. Why are governments so resistance to change, to using natural substances to help people, and not drugs?! They are the ones who dictate what doctors can prescribe etc. Except for the few who stick their necks out at their peril, often to be struck off the register. Take care, hugs Wray
Mar 16, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Unfortunately alcohol affects hormone levels in women, see here and here. It decreases progesterone levels and increases androgen levels, both the total testosterone and free testosterone become higher. Testosterone is notorious at increasing visceral fat, which causes abdominal fat gain, see here and here. The test you had was fine, and if you divide the progesterone by the oestrogen result you get the ratio between the two. There's no other way of showing a ratio but by dividing the one by the other. Hugs to you, take care Wray
Mar 16, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Yes Wray and that makes it even scarier ..the lack of periods so i have no clue what is really going on with my body or hormones..more worried now and don't know what to do??? Help !!
Mar 17, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Don't be scared. Please read our page on Peri-menopause again. It's very normal for us to have erratic periods, or very long extended times when we have none. Or a period seemingly about to come but doesn't. There's no way of telling when, or how it will occur if at all. Take care Wray
Mar 18, 2013
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by: kathy

Hi Wray, Just one one note I know it is mostly ater retention by the way it came on..overnight pretty much and my boobs have not increased in size although I have some tenderness now..Sigh) lol anway here are my #'s found my test ;)

glucose random serum 4.7
TSH 1.04 post menopausal
LH 33.7 post meno
FSH 44.2 post meno
testosterone 1.0
free 2.5
estradiol 289 WOW factor
prog 8.5 ughhh
DHEA 2.6

??? WTHis going on here,,hot mess..I need your help in getting this and also 3 cysts on left ovary over 2 months largest 1.7 cm and 2 fibroids largest 1.0..whh .do i have PCOS and why all of a sudden these changes ..dramatic was keeping up with my prom & nat since last week of Dec 300mg in total..i am scared & worried about cancer and of course IDIOT dr's :( HELP ME!! sooooooooo confused with this :)
hugs
kathy
Mar 21, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy We do have a page on Hormone Testing you could look through. TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone is not used to check for menopause! Yours within normal range. Your LH and FSH do show you as menopausal, but only just, the range for FSH is 40-250 IU/L. Your oestradiol is in the normal range for pre-menopause! The range is 30 - 400 pg/ml, menopause is 0 - 30 pg/ml. Something doesn't fit here. Your progesterone is still low, your ratio is only 29:1, meaning you have 29 parts progesterone to 1 part oestrogen. We've found from Saliva Tests that's it's best if is 600 parts progesterone to 1 part oestrogen. This explains why you still feel so s.....!!!! You're not taking enough vitamin D, have they done a test? I suggested they did one when they did all the tests above, it's so important we find out what it is. as it does shrink fibroids, see here, here, here and here. And no you don't have PCOS, look through the symptoms. In PCOS there are multiple cysts, you only have 3. And of course you don't have cancer, stop worrying! I've just asked if we can send you a coupon to give you a discount on the Natpro, I can see you're struggling. It's 30% off, same as the 20 tubes, but you can get any amount you wish. I need to know how much you can afford, then I will tell you how much to use. You're using 300mg/day now I gather, can you afford 500mg/day? And how is the supplement we sent helping you? Take care Wray
Mar 22, 2013
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by: kathy

Thanks Wray...I got the e-mail from mal today :)
What i read about menopause is tsh & lh should be higher and estrogen should be lower ..mine are backwards??? Weird. I am just worried about why my estrogen is so high..is my number really bad as far as being E dominant? I do read articles & pages but still confused and wonder why things changed from November to Feb so fast with my US results..I have continued to use 300mg of natpro combo with the prometrium since December while I still have a few samples left but upped the natpro another 100mg too total 400mg 4 or 5 days ago. Also i dropped 5 lbs seeemingly overnight just like the weight came on but is going back up again slowly..grrrr and i feel the supplement of the EB helps a little. I take it early in the day when I remember or if i sleep and do not get up until 3pm then i do not..lol. My sleep is the worst ..can't accomplish much at all..wish I could get that under control. I am hoping the other Dr will send me for a vit D test..I see her April 3..so wish me luck as I need to understand what the hell is going on here..it is scary for me & no bleeding yet again but like I said scanty period I guess in 1st week of Feb when my estrogen was high...?
HUGS for now a :) and a big thanks
kathy
Mar 22, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

P.S. just got on the scale..back up the whole 5 lbs..strange how this all happened mid february..i think it has to be water weight because it was pretty much overnight..just frustrating when you go down and think it's going away only for that 5lbs to suddenly come back over 2 days...!! Must be related to the estrogen ..not sure how else to lower it except cut out the vino and start moving more..I can at least try right? Really frustrated..and embarrassed to go out because I feel so huge. My weight was steady until February and then poof shot up...this is a mess..can barely fit into my jeans...grrr...lol
ttys Wray and thanks again for being there for me don't know what I would do without you
Kathy :)
Mar 22, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

sorry forgot how many days does a tube last using 500mg again is it 5 days or less...that will help me determine how much I can order at that amount
thanks Wray XX
Mar 23, 2013
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by: Wray

Hi Kathy Yes both LH and FSH are normally higher in peri-M and Menopause and oestrogen lower, so yours is backwards. Did your doctor have any explanation for this? It makes me suspect you are peri-M, you wouldn't suddenly go into menopause without this transition phase. All your symptoms point to it too, they are always far worse in peri-M due to falling progesterone levels and normal oestrogen. Although you are using progesterone, it does take time and high amounts to overcome the symptoms once they've started. Water retention does cause immediate weight gain, and oestrogen is the culprit. Your high LH and FSH are stimulating your ovaries which are responding with high amounts of oestrogen. But with all three of these high, and progesterone too low still, it will suppress ovulation. Progesterone is an excellent diuretic, which explains the sudden drop in weight with the 400mg/day. It's given to Traumatic Brain Injury victims to reduce or prevent any oedema. Did you try the inositol I suggested? It is good for sleep and anxiety/panic attacks, you'd need about 4000-8000mg/day, possibly more. Your maths is correct, 1 tube would last 5 days if using 500mg/day. Hope it helps you, hugs to you too! Take care Wray
Mar 23, 2013
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by: kathy

Hi Wray,
So do you hear that with other women too backwards like I am with the LH & FSH to estrogen and is this normal in perimenopause??? You never said if mine was overly high for ED?
Anyway I attempted to enter the coupon code sent to me by Mal but it said it was invalid. I was trying to do a calculation but would not work so waiting to hear back from Admin so I can figure out how many tubes I can order. I still have 3 left at this point from my last order. Anyway of course my Dr did not give me any explanation about anything..never really has ..the only help from him I got was the sample boxes of Prometrium (sigh)..hopefully the other Dr will be more helpful and can explain this to me so i don't feel at a loss and worried.I do not like or understand fully what is going on with my body :)
Thanks again ..big hugs
Mar 23, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

P.S. someone by the name Joy lewis msg'd me back and will look into the error for me..so will wait and see. I mentioned I would like to place my order by next week end of the week so hopefully it is straightened out by then.
ttys & thank-you :)
Mar 24, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy I can't recall other women being backwards. Sometimes they don't give me their LH and FSH levels, only the progesterone and oestrogen. I'm sure many have been if I'd been given those other figures. By telling you your ratio of P:E2 was far too low it was implicit. Your progesterone should be much higher to counter the high oestrogen you have. It's not so much the amount of any hormone, but if they are in balance, yours are not, which is why you are not feeling good. I can't imagine why the coupon is invalid, it's only just been issued. Joy is helping us as we are getting too many enquiries to cope now. I will also look into it as I'm puzzled! You are not limited to the amount of tubes you can order. For instance if you ordered 20 tubes you'd automatically get the 30% discount, if 100 tubes nearly 50% discount. I don't think there is any woman on this earth who likes what happens during peri-M! I thought it an appalling time, with Hot Flushes, exhaustion, dizziness, muscle weakness, crying all the time, emotional swings, terrible depression to the point I was always thinking of suicide, and more! You might like to read what other women went through, and how much progesterone and vitamin D they needed to help them, see here, here and here. Take care Wray
Mar 25, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray,
Well using 400mg still ..will just have to wait and see then until April 3 until I see hte other dr. shehas really good reviews so keeping my fingers crossed. Mal sent me another code so I tried it on the discount link I was sent for the questionaire and came out the same as I have been paying already and no sure why ..then when I tried to calculate tubes amount on regular order form it came up out of stock so not sure what is going on??? Hopefully I will be able to reorder again Thursday as I am getting low and would like to up to 500mg for a while. I need to know the oost first wih the sdditional discount before i do this.
i have writen down questions for the new dr about what is wrong with this picture..lol so I will let you know what happens..as for now waiting to clear up this order stuff..ttys
kathy HUGS
Mar 25, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Sorry about the stock out, we had double the number of sales over the weekend! All good, but not so good for people wanting to order. It should be back in stock soon. I will ask about the amount you say was the same as you have been paying, don't understand that! I do hope the new doc is as good as you say she is. Do let me know why you thinks of your case. Take care Wray
Mar 25, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray

Mal gave me a new coupon code and I tried to apply it to the questionaire discount link I was given a few months back so i put in 4 tubes as my last few orders just for a calculation to see what I can afford then I entered the code and still got the same price then I tried again and it would not accept the code at all..said not applied?? and this was a new code just for me specifically..a little frusrated but cannot place my order until Thursday when i get my disability pension. I do feel like crap and look it also ..down to the frumpy clothes which does not help and my skin just seems to have worse days than good ..this changes since November and I must say hard to go out ..don't even want too right now..really angry,down & fed up! thx kathy ..hugs
Mar 26, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy You shouldn't be entering the code into the questionnaire section. That is a once off offer and doesn't apply anymore. It needs to be entered into the normal order page, see here. I'm sorry you're feeling bad, it's not a quick fix, I wish it was. Please take a look at the comments on our website, they'll give you encouragement, so many are or were in the same boat as you. Take care Wray
Mar 26, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray,
I know it is not a quick fix but I have been on a steady regimine since December except for my 5 day hiatus because of the sever bladder infection. I was at a steady 300mg with the prom 200mg & 100mg Nat...now upped to 200mg nat & what I have left of the Promatrium..weight still hanging on nd just look like hell no real good days except maybe 1 or 2 so so days a week if I am lucky. It is super hard to go out feeling old and frumpy when you did not feel or look that way 5 or 6 months ago..it is harder to accept hormonal aging so rapidly when you suffer from BDD and depression and i do read other women's stories I have responde dto a few in the past. Anyway I calculated 5 tubes @ 500mg per day which would be about 21 days per 2000mg tube...it is way too much I can not do that much cream in 1 month not in my budget so i will have to keep at 400mg combo and when I run out well back down to 250-300mg nat ..best I can do for myself which is better than nothing at all I figure. By now I should be doing better not worse since December I cannnot understand why my estrogen is so high and this weight won't budge..I am at my wits end constant PMS..angry also!! I think i am going to stop rubbing the cream onto my stomach becasue i read and heard it can cause weight gain after prolonged use and starting to wonder about that...this comes from a good source Lorna Vanderhaeghe, MS a well known Nutritionist and Biochemist a well known woman in the world of hormones..lol. You should check her out...she has a website, books ,news casts and other videos and goes around the country speaking. She has some interesting info. S o i will order what I can as soon as I know what the heck i am doing :)
hugs kathy
Mar 26, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

hi Wray,
Well did 500 mg all over my tummy last night and now huge today so I am cutting back down ..no choice right now anyway and not rubbing it there anymore. I wil wean down and see what happens as this should not be happening to me and I can't even leave my house it is so bad!! :( not good I am feeling really well ya know..bad thoughts
kathy
Mar 29, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy I don't understand why you're rubbing the cream only on your tummy?! That amount should be applied everywhere. It should not be applied only on one spot all the time. The huge tummy has been caused by the increase in progesterone stimulating oestrogen, which causes water retention, see here. The last and worst thing you could do now is to reduce it from that high amount. If you do reduce do so slowly, no more than 20mg/reduction. Please do not go up and down with the amount of progesterone you use, that will cause problems. Progesterone cannot cause weight gain, however long you use it. It speeds metabolism slightly, like testosterone it's an anabolic hormone. Oestrogen does cause weight gain, it causes water retention and stimulates fat cells to increase. These also secrete oestrogen so a vicious cycle starts. It's essential to break this cycle, progesterone inhibits the mitogenic action of oestrogen, plus it's an excellent diuretic, see our page on Traumatic Brain Injury. Take care Wray
Apr 08, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray,
been a while....computer on the fritz. Anyway I do not understand the progesterone stimulating estrogen to rise if you have been taking it consistently for several months..I thought that only happened initially..so color me confused??
I saw the other Doc she seemed nice and listened but still left there with no answers so more blood work to follow with a Vit D test and another US and she gave me water pills to help with the retention..helping a little with that and a scrip for some sexual aid with arginine in it..lol..dropped it off at compounding pharmacy to deal with at a later date. She will be giving me some samples of prometrium too..not sure how much but it helps for now until my financial situation improves
ttys
hugs
kathy
Apr 10, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Progesterone can stimulate oestrogen initially and when increasing, also when decreasing it allows oestrogen to rise again. From what I gathered you'd said, you'd been changing the amount, i.e. going up and down. I'm pleased the other doctor was nice, you need that. And that she will do a vitamin D test too, please let me know the results. Progesterone is the best diuretic there is, unfortunately if you're retaining water still it means oestrogen is still too high. I do hope she will give you more prometrium, as you do need more. If you want any studies to give her about progesterone to prove any point, or that you need more, there are plenty on the site. Or I can give you specific studies, let me know. Take care Wray
Apr 10, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray
okay gotcha. Anyway I am freaking out ..went for my US today and I looked at the screen after and saw this number 4.3/1.0 i am thinking OMG it is the cyst that was 1.7 cm on Feb 1st and has grown to be 4.3cm??.The last US end of Nov showed no cysts as well as the Sonohysterogram?? Don't get it.I have been freaking all afternoon scared I have "C"...I want it out if it is right now ..like yesterday. I am going to get no sleep until next week when they have the results...Anyway no test results yet for my blood work..lost my health card and almost did not get the US done but knew the girl there so they took me in thank god ,,I guess?
I did mention to the dr that I was taking the natpro, i will bring a tube in with me next visit May 2 and show her because she remains unconvinced about online products delivering the required amounts. I will be getting some samples of Prometrium on Friday. Oh and the water pill helped take me down 4 pounds..yippee..only good thing so far. She also gae me a scrip for 2mg of prometrium (compounded biodentical ) HUH? 2mg WTH?? I said how is that going to raise my levels of progesterone..??? I do not understand and cannot remember what they told me about that but I can't fill it anway no $$ and running out of Nat really quick too..I am so frustated that i cannot afford it this month and next month due to insurance for my car and repairs and sticker. Need I say more..fed up My car was off the road for 5 months so i was okay for a bit..grrrrrrrrrrr
Anyway I am soooooooooo scared right now about this US that i cannot think straight ..why the hell did they leave the screen up..i could not help but look damn it.
Oh also I only put 400mg of Nat on my tummy the one night :) I usually alternate it on different body parts
HUGS and i really could use one back :(
Apr 11, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy I send you many hugs! Never think of the worst, it does us no good at all. And if you have cancer so what, there are many alternate therapies which help. The Ketogenic diet being but one, see here. It also helps us loose weight too. I would really like to see your vitamin D results when they come in, I suspect too low still. I do agree about the 2mg progesterone...huh?! If she wants convincing about the efficacy of the cream, please ask her to look at our Saliva Test results, we're the only company that does them on our cream. The naturopath who runs them for us is always delighted, she's been prescribing it for 16 years now. I'm glad you understand about increasing and decreasing the progesterone. It seems you're going to have to do it this coming month too. So please watch for the oestrogen dominance symptoms occurring again when you start up. More hugs! Take care Wray
Apr 11, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray.
unfortunately I was not expecting that answer..i am so scared and i can't have that.just can't. There was no cyts noticed end of Novemeber and then Feb 1st 3 on left ovary largest being 1.7 cm..that came on pretty quick. My dr said they were follicular in nature..maybe that one has grown due to the fact I am not ovulating..is that a possiblity? I need some positive feedback..is this normal and is 4.3 cm x 1.0 that big enough to warrant surgery..HELP..losing it need to stay off the internet..just scares me more but it is hard :(
HUGS
Apr 13, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy I was trying to make light of it, as I don't think it's something you should worry about. We do have a page on Ovarian Cysts which explains what they all are and why. In your last post you said you didn't know if the 4.3 meant the cyst size, have you been given confirmation it is that? I had an assistant once who had a 10cm cyst her doctor had scanned and wanted to remove. I told her to wait a bit and use progesterone before deciding. She did just that and a month later the scan revealed no cyst. Now she wasn't in Peri-menopause, when we suffer many odd things, although none of them harmful. Healing takes much longer too. The problem to my mind is you can't afford to use enough progesterone. Plus we still don't know your vitamin D level yet. This is the most anti-proliferative substance there is. i.e. it stops cells dividing and multiplying as they do in a cyst, much like progesterone does. Once you get your tests back we'll have a much better idea of how much you need to take to bring your level up. Take care Wray
Apr 18, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray,
thanks but that last msg really sent me overboard..one of my phobias is cancer and since i have OCD not good for my mental state. I have been uable to use my CPAP machine for the sleep apnea lately and not sure why but may have to go surgery route as my quality of live is so affected by this burden and the insomnia is a double whammy. I need to go back to work so i can afford my supplements and BH but it is not happening because of that set back which affects my daily functioning.
As far as the cys well it is another hemmorhagic cyst 2.3 X 2.0 X 1.0 larger than the last one maybe the fact that I keep getting these type of cysts is a reason for my missed periods??? in feb they saw at least three on my ovary ..weird or what??
I read up on the cysts thanks.
Anyway I feel more relieved the Dr assured me over the phone not to worry and she also paid for one week of prometrium..I was shocked..she is a really caring physician and her samples had not come in so it was a blessing that she did that for me. After the US I felt so mentaly unwell i could not do my bloodwork doing it soon though and will let you know in an update
:)
HUGS
Kathy
Apr 19, 2013
 Inositol
by: JL

Hi Kathy

My ex boss is an OCD sufferer, so I know what it is like. He was always worrying about some sort of an ailment. He even convinced himself that he had a brain tumour. After taking him to the neurologists for tests he realised that there was nothing wrong at all. He also convinced himself that he had Alzheimer's again tests proved negative. What I am trying to say is that perhaps you are trying to convince yourself that you have all these symptoms.

Have you tried inositol? It is very good for people who suffer from OCD. I see that Wray has suggested this to you. You need a high dose though, 4000-8000mg per day as suggested. It really does help and is very good for sleep.

I used to suffer badly from cysts on the ovaries and breasts. Every year I had to have the cysts on my breasts drained. All this stopped the moment I started to use progesterone some 8 years back.

I see that you are taking or have been given Prometrium by your Physician which is very kind of her. I think that Prometrium is of the oral kind and is not the best delivery method, so much of the progesterone is destroyed by the gut and liver. A cream is so much better. Vitamin D is vital too. It is connected to every single cell in our body and people just do not understand it's benefits.

I wish you love and light and hope that you will soon feel better again.
May 03, 2013
 Ghostwritten articles about HRT
by: Wray

Hi Kathy How are you doing, not heard from you for ages. I was sent this paper by a friend which I thought you might like to see. It is rather long, but so important. It's about how papers are published in medical journals about oestrogen, or HRT. Many are ghost written and do not reflect the truth. The paper says "Industry-funded marketing messages may infest articles in every medical journal. Although the prevalence of proffered or accepted invitations to sign ghostwritten articles is unknown, the practice may be common. Several recent examples of academic physicians receiving invitations to affix their names to prewritten articles have been documented. Acceptance of ghostwriting, euphemistically termed “editorial assistance,” may be so widespread that it is considered normal" It's a shocking indictment of the journal itself, that they allow papers such as these to be published, giving the wrong impression to doctors, and to their patients. Both assuming HRT is safe. This is the link here. Take care Wray
May 29, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray,
Sorry i have been away for a bit ...lack of access to a computer for one and been ill..sleep deprivation so bad i feel spaced out in a surreal environment everyday and can no longer use my CPAP machine due to it. I have not had any blood work done as of yet been isolated in my apt for over a month now. Still taking the prometrium vaginally at this point as it is hard to get out of the caplets. Anyway just wanted to touch base. Trying all kinds of herbal supps to sleep and not much luck in that Dept..ttys
HUGS
May 29, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi JL
Thank-you for the response and i will look into the Inositol..GOD knows nothing else is working :)
May 30, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy So sorry to hear about the lack of computer and that you've been ill. What a ride you are on, one I can't get my head around, why on earth can't the doctors help you? It doesn't make any sense to me. Do hope you're still taking the vitamin D, as that will help any illness, it should help the sleep too. Do hope you can get a test done soon. Keep in touch, hugs to you too. Take care Wray
May 30, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray,
It's the basket case again. I wanted to thank you Wray and JL whoever she is..as i have no idea how to access her page if she has one to connect with her.
Just wondering if this is the worst of my transition because if it is not i do not think i will make it through the menopause stage as i am almost there now. Only 3 months left and i am terrfified of never being able to function or leave my apt again...in the end i will probably end up in a mental hospital or will take my life ..i already am at my wits end ..this is the worst yet 9 months into last stages of perimenopause and no light at the end of the tunel and no real support either..well except here..only place i can find understanding and answers.. so sad :(
I cannot even afford the natpro right now and the prometrium is almost out and samples will and are not always available so i feel defeated by my hormones they have control over my whole being..not me and I cannot deal with it. Cannot even exercise anymore ..no energy since i get no sleep to speak of..when will this nightmare end..i would never wish my suffering on anyone even my worst enemy..this is nuts
kathy
May 31, 2013
 cont'd
by: JL

Hi Kathy

Sorry to hear that you are still not feeling 100%. Please try to follow Wray's advise, she knows what she is talking about.

Are you on Facebook? If you are, take a look at my Facebook page see here I post lots of tips and advice there too. You may just get a little laugh as well.

Take care Kathy.
May 31, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray
Not sure what it is you cannot get your head arouno..lol? Is it the sleep or lackof, i as taking clonazepam for many years and took so many prescription sleep meds that nothing over the counter helps me now. I beleive that is part of it and being at the 9 month mark my symptoms have only worsened. Cannot stand to look in the mirror or face the world anymore..all i see is a shell of myself. I feel ancient and my body is changing and if i could exercise which is next to impossible right now i might be able to fix that to a certain degree. My weight keeps fluctuating from day to day and none of the clothes that fit me at X-mas fit right or are to tight now. I think sleep would help alot but i do not see any relief right now ..i hope this is the worst it can be for me and although i do not welcome the twelve month mark sadly i think since i have suffered so much ...maybe just maybe after the 12 month point my symptoms may not be so bad..i pray for that ...:(
Love & hugs
Kathy
missed you
May 31, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

P.S. i have not much faith in Dr's anymore..don't think they know any better. I will be seeing the other Dr soon i hope. she is kind and listens but it is also a money issue BH is not cheap. yes i am taking Vitamin D still. Stopped for a bit but back on it now 5,000 iu a day. My fault about the bloodwork..fear and loathing is a part of that but i know i need to do those tests soon. I hope the Vitamin D test is covered under my drug plan.ttys :)
Jun 01, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Ah the basket case again, bless you, I see you haven't lost your humour which is amazing. I used to call myself a basket case too, it did end for me, as it has for many. Please hang in there, I just wish there was more help locally, as all I can do is suggest things to take or therapies, but these cost money. I can't give you a hug, although I do send you virtual ones, or be there to help, or lend you money. I still don't understand why there's no one to help you, friends? family? doctors? Surely there's someone? That's what I can't get my head around. And I do understand about your lack of faith in doctors. I hope the doctor you're seeing soon will be able to help, you're right getting well is not cheap. Glad you're back on the vitamin D, please try never to stop taking it, I know cost is a factor, but that's the most important. I also hope at the 12 month mark you feel better, but I can't say if you will or not, it's one of those impossible things to tell. Take care, and love and hugs to you too. Wray
Jun 03, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Thank-you Wray
i always feel better when i can connect with you...your kind words and your knowledge are a blessing..i do not think i can feel or look any worse .at least i hope not..it is scary enough. I will be getting my bloodwork again soon and will give you the numbers.I continue to take the prometrium when i can get the samples ..sometimes i have to go without for a few days but it is better than none at all. I wish i could afford to order more cream and the energy boost formula but at this time i cannot and there are no friends or family to help. I pray for GOD to provide and sometimes i feel he does. My bf's work is not stable and since he is a contractor sometimes he does not have work for weeks or months. I know if he could help me more he would. I want to get back to work but it is hard to do when you are exhausted all the time. I am trying to go for short qwalks now since i need to get rid of this gross belly fat..lol. I found out that the BHT progesterone 2% cream actually is 20mg per dosage so i hope that helps me a bit . I have the money from my bf to get a months supply at $40 and i have one tube of natpro left i have been using it very sparingly due to the lack of finances.
Anyway will be in touch soon love and hugs to you too
Kathy
Jun 04, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray it'sthe basket case again..lol
I have been doing some research on menopause and accelerated aging due to collagen loss and i am freaked out ..women's stories ..some who were on hormone replacement looked good and then went off and aged really fasrt ..faces etc went south real quick..did not say what specific hormones and me only being just shy of 3 months and in full blown menopause i am worried sick ..don't want that and probably won't be able to handle it BDD or not. Do you feel that progesterone therapy alone is sufficent enough to help slow that cruel joke of nature and if not what other hormones do we need at menopause to slow aging ..some of the sites i look at are misleading or contradictory..confused and fearful. hope to hear back soon and any info for sleep would help too as i mentioned nothing seems to help but clonazepam and i am wondering if being on that for so long has negated the effects of herbal or other sleep aids :(
hugs and love
kathy
Jun 05, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Bless you, and it's only you who thinks you look bad, no one else will. I know this comes from your syndrome, but take comfort that others won't look at you in the same light. I wish you could also afford more nutrients, as you would respond to it. Remember you do have that coupon code giving you a 30% discount. You could get 3 tubes of Natpro for that $40. 20mg/day will only make you worse as it will stimulate oestrogen, please don't do that. I would be interested to see your blood work results. Glad you're managing to do short walks, being in the open will help to not only get rid of belly fat, but help your mood and energy levels. Love and hugs, take care Wray
Jun 05, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy Please don't look at blogs, they only disturb and worry you. Oestrogen can do that, plump up your face with oedema then when you stop it the water leaves, and your face goes south as you say. Progesterone is anti-ageing, so I can see no need for any other hormone, certainly not oestrogen. You know my thoughts on that! It's implicated in menopausal uterine hyperplasia, cancer and more, so why take it. It does not increase collagen either, see here and here. If you want more info on oestrogen, please see our page on HRT. You did mention clonazepam before, you do know it's addictive don't you? And you said you were on Wellbutrin too, and I suggested you take tyrosine for this. It could well be the clonazapam causing all your adverse symptoms, see here. I take it you have tried to reduce the amount? And you have tried the tyrosine and other natural anti-depressants? I know you've tried the vitamin D which is so essential, but we're waiting for a blood test to se your level. Kathy I wish I could help you more, but I don't know what else to suggest. It all comes down to money doesn't it. Take care, love and hugs Wray
Jun 05, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray,
I know that the BDD does not help but i do notice i have aged sinnce X-mas and not all in my mind and I have gained alot of fat around the middle so none of my clothes fit me anymore. Anyway you never mentioned whether the progesterone alone would help slow down/halt the aging process at the 12 month mark as i will be there end of August and i am terrified and feel very alone, maybe you have not received my last contribution yet? Anyway it is a horrible feeling and i am very depressed so much that i have isolated myself from the world and public eye except if i have an appointment and even that is difficult. I feel absolutely hideous and do not see the same person i saw 6 or so months ago. These changes happened really fast..i am not looking forward to the twelve month mark..i cringe when i think about it because I fear it so much.
I picked up the Biodentical prog. cream yesterday and i had the amount wrong. The dosage equals out to 60 mg per day 30 mg am & 3o mg pm the pharmacist said. I told her i take 200 mg prometrium as well and she looked at me like i was nuts and then said that is probably too much..??? Anyway i will discuss this with the Dr on the 20th and i will be sure to give you my numbers again once i have the bloodwork back. I still have one tube of natpro left and will order more once my bf has money to assist me. Why does being healthy have to be so damn expensive? It really sucks. Ttys.. hugs light and love kathy
Jun 06, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy I have answered your previous query, but you write in too fast for me to keep up! I can't see any reason for using oestrogen, as I said in my last reply. Opinions vary about how much progesterone to use, I differ from others as I've found low amounts don't work. It is of course up to the individual, I can only advise and give papers to back up my arguments. The irony of the medical industry is they don't believe in natural products for healing, so therefore we can get no health insurance for it. How much cheaper for a nation if we could, as fewer people would be ill. Take care, hugs and love Wray
Jul 08, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray,just touching base done some blood work but no numbers as of yet still more to do but no vit D costs money unless you are sick..lol go figure Anyway i have been walking and trying to be more active but being so lethargic from having no clonazepam is rough major withdrawals 2 been on it for 6 yrs and no other herbal remedy or over the counter meds even come close to working. Anyway dosing at 60 mg of progeterone biodentical cream and 200 mg prometrium but thwe water weight around my midsection is fluctuating daily about 3-4 lbs ...grrrrr cant seem to get rid of it no water retention anywhere else except tummy.. i hope i can get rid of it Anyway will have my bloodwork results end of July so will let u know the numbers then and i will try Tyrosine for sleep when i can prolly need a huge dose ..lol somethin has to work for me..eventually
hugs kathy
Jul 12, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy As I've said all too often, I cannot believe the uphill you have in getting the help you need, I find it baffling. And you have to be sick before they'll do a vitamin D test.....huh?! Please give these papers here, here, here and here to your doctor. They are all done in Canada where there is an epidemic in low vitamin D, maybe that will convince them to do the test! Look forward to getting your test results. Take care and hugs to you too. Wray
Jul 17, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray, Unfortunately in order to get a Vit D test free of charge you have to have rickets, malabsorption problems et.. which i believe i do, but have no proof and if not it is $50 for the test. It should be covered for people on Gov't disability like myself but is not. Anyway on that note i am so frustrated that i cannot get rid of this water weight gain. i am up again and afraid to eat or drink anything . I have been walking as much as i can but no relief in sight for this spare tire it is disgusting i look 7 months pregnant on certain days . How do i get rid of it..any suggestions? Grrrrrr
hugs to u :)
Jul 18, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy This is shocking to me, and daft with all those studies proving how low it is in Canada, they should be running a national screening program. Have you tried taking salt, about 1/2 tsp in some water? It sounds counterintuitive, but often a cause of water retention is the body trying to stop the loss of sodium, it's vital for the adrenals. So to do this it inhibits water loss via the kidneys which stops sodium loss. Try this and see if it helps, your adrenals will be stressed with all the stress you're going through and will need all the sodium it can get. You might like to read this page here on oedema. Take care Wray
Jul 31, 2013
 cont'd
by: k

Hi Wray funny you mention the salt becasue it bloats me more and in menopause which i will be in 28 days uggghhh i gotta watch my calorie intake, salt, cetain foods, exercise like a crazy woman and wow am i ever overwhelmed. Water retention sucks casue i have only gained 8 pounds but becasue it all went to my midsection i look more like 18lbs pretty sad eh?
Well my progesterone is 29 and once again >73 for my estrogen lol grrrrr..i am so tired i will add on tomorrow oh and i look like someone i do not recognize i am huge and wide amd my skin is horrible all red and blotchy and red patches with bumps ..the rosacea has gotten prgressively worse would my higher progesterone make it worse. i no longer recognize the face or the body and it is almost unbearable to go out i feel so fat and ugly ..and old now what a dramatic change in only 6 months lost and powerless and walking well not helping my belly at all so i should just give up i look this way and nothing i can do..ttys hugs kathy
Aug 01, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy What a pity about the salt, as it's often the other way round. Water retention is a problem. I'm not sure if I've given you this excellent paper on it, see here. There are natural diuretics you could try. Progesterone is one of course, and your level is very low. The women using our cream often have levels of 3000ng/ml and more, see our Saliva Tests results. Your oestrogen is within the normal range for a Peri-menopausal woman, but high for a woman in Menopause. Your belly could be because your testosterone is too high, was this ever checked? See here and here. Take care Wray
Aug 01, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

Hi Wray, Yes the <73 gives me no accurate number again grrr it could be 72 0r 42 who knows?? It is frustrating. No testosterone is not the culprit it was low when i gained the weight overnight in february but my estrogen was 289 and prog was 8 . I thought 29 was not too bad still going up better than <1 in October although i would like it to be higher. i still do not know why my rosacea has worsened that is a mystery and just in the last month..anyway still one month to go to reach the 12 month celebreation..NOT ..haha so perimenopause still there just coming to an end hope and pray things start to get better nd i find some relief from this watermelon around my waist and that my skin improves. I am scared about another overnight change like waking up with gray hair and my boobs looking south and of course worseskin and a bigger belly estrogen belly i hear it called. Will be in touch soon
thanks and i will read the articles also :)
HUGS
Aug 01, 2013
 cont'd
by: kathy

P.S. any suggestions for the rosacea or ideas/ expert opinions for it getting worse. i am still taking 5,000 iu Vit D per day but i would like to nknow if putting a little on my face cheeks where the redness and bumps are would help..please let me know asap ttys Wray thanks
Aug 02, 2013
 cont'd
by: Wray

Hi Kathy If they only checked total testosterone, which is what they normally check, then it tells us nothing. It's the free testosterone which should be checked, as this is the active hormone. Testosterone is converted into oestrogen by the enzyme aromatase. So the 'low' testosterone you had, plus the high oestrogen, means aromatase was working overtime converting it. Progesterone does suppress aromatase, which is why your oestrogen level has come down. Plus it suppresses both testosterone and oestrogen too by increasing SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin). When bound to this those two hormones drop. I've heard it called a testosterone belly! Please try the vitamin D on your face and let me know if it helps. You could add some to the progesterone if you find it difficult just using the vitamin D. Take care Wray

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