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PCOS, Estrogen Dominance and MTHFR (lucky gal)

by Chloe
(NY, NY)

Hello,
I am a 42 years old and have had PCOS since I was 18, I had no clue what was happening to me, I felt like a freak. After seeing many "top docs" they found an abscess near my pituitary gland and swore this was the cause, not PCOS. Although I had no other symptoms of pituitary growths, strictly PCOS. Not one doctor believed me, but appreciated my dedication to diagnosing myself, as computers were not in use yet. It was called Stein-Leventhal at the time. Long story-short, I had surgery and it turned out it was located much closer to my optic nerves and was now diagnosed an optic tumor. I was put on birth control and Aldactone. My skin began to clear, the facial hair slowed down a little and I began to diet and exercise. Things were good for a while. A very long while, until estrogen dominance was brought to my attention during a pod-cast and how birth control is only a band aid and making it worse. I was shocked, I thought I was treating the problem, nut only the symptoms. Honestly, I was a little angry as well, that not one of my doctors shared this info. with me, either they did not know or would think that I cared to know. Now at this time approaching 40 plus I am really beginning to feel increasing depression, extremely hard to lose weight, everything that had to be done was like climbing a mountain, I isolated terrible, always cancelled plans and just wanted to sleep, very emotionally labile as well. This was not me, I have always struggled with depression, however not this debilitating. I functioned solely for my children,(Metformin after stopping bc enabled me to get pregnant)and even that was hard, the guilt killed me. Not thinking hormones I went to a psychiatrist who tested my saliva and said you do not metabolize folic acid at all, I'm putting you on Deplin and that is a metabolized/methylated form, I said ok, whatever it takes. I new it was the building blocks for all of our antidepressant neurotransmitters so I figured problem solved. After 3 works I noticed a moderate improvement in my depression, ten, out of nowhere it was back again, I was very upset. I figured may be it's time to get off the birth control, I expected some acne, but whoooaaa I was a complete mess, 10x worse then I had been, similar to a withdrawal. It took everything in me not to get a refill. My ovarian cysts came back with a very painful vengeance. I had forgotten how painful they can be. Cystic acne covered my chin and jaw, facial hair increasing, oily skin and now my hair was falling out. It took me two attempts before I read this amazing web-site you have. I had a bottle of Vitex lying around that I purchased after hearing the pod-cast I mentioned, they recommended this in place of birth control. So I started that along with Life Flo's Progesta-Care. Within 3-4 days I felt so-so, its been 14 days know and I feel really good. I started with 200mg a day f progesterone cream, now I am using 120mg, my acne flared terribly but its calming down now, I am calmer and have more positive thoughts, and a sense of well being I have not had since I can remember. The bloated look I have is gone and my ankles have not been edematous at all. I cant believe there is still more time for even more improvement. Most importantly, I have energy and I am a better mommy. Due to the MTHFR and PCOS. I take a few supplements as follows. Vitex, Deplin, progesterone cream, N-Acetyl Cysteine (large dose for insulin resistance) Alpha Lipoic Acid, whole food vitamin, 5,000 IU of Vitamin-D, a probiotic, DIM, Milk Tistle, Zinc and on occasion TMG. I also use apple cider vinegar on my face as well as two tsp 2x daily. So many, I know! but what to do when your trying to stay away from prescriptions. I sincerely hope my story helps another, it has been a long and very trying journey. Although I do have a question, I have not menstruated in about 4 mos, I read hear in severe cases just to continue to apply the cream for three months even if bleeding occurs, is that correct? and is theree anything you see in my supplements that are redundant or unnecessary, or even harmful? any insight would be great. Also, stay clear and read all ingredients if you shop in the stores for your creams, I accidentally bought one with red clover and a few other phytoestrogens in it, it certainly was not labeled on the front clearly at all that these ingredients were added. Thank you for reading, I wish everyone well.

Comments for PCOS, Estrogen Dominance and MTHFR (lucky gal)

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Aug 23, 2014
 Dosage questions
by: Rachel

Hi Chloe,
I was just wondering, since I'm using the same brand as you of prog cream, and since I am new to using it, and since I found out two weeks ago that I have really low progesterone, how many pumps are you using daily. 20 mg of prog. Should come out in a pump. Are you saying that you're using 200 mg of prog? And now you've tapered back to 120? That is great that you see such benefit from just using it for 2 weeks. I was expecting the symptoms to be there for at least a month or maybe more! I was hoping for a quick solution, but I've been through the ringer, and I wasn't holding my breath for a quick fix.
Thanks for sharing!
Rachel
Aug 23, 2014
 If I may?
by: Chloe

I wanted to apologize for the spelling errors and also forgot to mention the huge difference my family has seen in me. Today before I got out of bed, but was doing some thinking about the day ahead, that feeling of dread and anxiety re what will the day bring is gone. It's the opposite now, I look forward to it again. I also noticed I'm waking up quicker, it used to be a very slow process. Don't even talk to me for 45 minutes type of thing.....that's gone too. I have an appointment today, that I won't cancel or debate going to. I'm so grateful, to know myself again. And it truly is Progesterone that was the missing link. I will be quiet now and thanks again. I guess this is my " shouting from the rooftops!"
Aug 23, 2014
 PCOS
by: Diane

Wow!! You have been through so much! You will help so many women with sharing your story. You are a strong woman for not giving up. I'm so happy for you that you found this website. I use 150 to 200mg per day of progesterone cream. I don't know what where I would be without it. Remember, if you feel symptoms of estrogen dominance, increase progesterone dose. I wish you all the best... Look forward and not backward. With our knowledge we can help others over come the estrogen dominance hole.
Blessings.
Diane
Aug 23, 2014
 Hi Rachel and thank you Diane
by: Chloe

Rachel, yes I started with 200mg daily, that was 5 pumps in the morning and 5 at night. When I decreased to 120mg I did 3 pumps in the a.m and 3 in the p.m.. I decided to do am and pm because of what it have read here, that it declines somewhere between 11-13 hours. I don't want any sudden drops. I also started vitamin d the same day as I began the cream, as strongly suggested here and it makes all the sense in the world, I take 5,000 iu daily. I put my cream on as soon as I'm out of bed. I am feeling so much better and I'm sure I will continue to, as it is only two weeks. Please don't give up, I have read so many others stories and the time frame for relief was different for everyone. I promised myself I would give it 4-6 mos. so I wouldn't be disappointed. Are you taking vitamins as well? If not I would add that immediatly. I feel for you, I know what you feel like, there is hope. Also, are you taking this strictly due to your lab results, or have any goals set, pcos, ed, fertility etc? Diane, I will surely raise it when necessary, thank you.
Aug 23, 2014
 Rachel and Diane
by: Chloe

Thank you Diane, its so comforting to know others have been where I have been and have come out of it. Re: increasing the dose, I sure will if needed.

Hi Rachel, I thought I replied this morning, I did it on my phone and probably didn't hit the correct link to send.

Yes, I used 500mg daily to start with, 5 pumps at 20mg per pump in the a.m. and 5 at night, I didn't want my levels to drop as stated on this site. In the past few days I decreased down to 120mg daily, so 3 pumps in the a.m. and 3 at night. So far, so good. I also added the 5,000 IU's of Vitamin-D the day I started the cream, I was only on a 1,000 IU's via my multivitamin. I really didn't want to miss a beat on the advice given here, because I was so desperate. So those may be some tings to consider, So the Vitamin-D and using the cream twice daily is something to consider if you haven't already. You also mentioned we are using the same cream, make sure it's not Progesta Care "plus" that's the one with phytoestrogens. Please don't give up, out of the many, many stories I have read everyone's healing time differs, sometimes greatly. While I say I am so much better, I have a ways to go, only recently could I begin to fathom a diet and exercise regimen for PCOS, before progesterone I felt like I was wearing a lead suite. I literally did the basics to keep my home running and put a smile on my face for my kids. I read you have low progesterone, so I am confident it will be beneficial. I'm not sure if your PCOS, trying to conceive, peri-menopause, and I respect your prerogative not to share. But if, you care to, may be we will have some more insight and some more advice on dosage and perhaps more supplementation. Stay strong, the 1st thing you may notice is just a simple change in your thoughts, becoming more positive, or a little more energy. I hate to sound like an authority, I certainly am not. Just my experience so far, and it pains me to know others are suffering the same. Please keep us posted, rooting for you!
Aug 24, 2014
 posted twice, ooops
by: Chloe

I guess the one I attempted this morning did go though after all. I'm thinking they are reviewed first or I have made an error. Is there a waiting period for comments? I know there is one for posting for the 1st time, just wondering about comments. Feel free to delete one as you wish.
Aug 24, 2014
 hi chloe!
by: Rachel

Thanks for responding. A little bit of my story is posted on this site...it's under Morgan (my middle name), and it's titled (I think) "prosterone >.5 follicular phase". I've been taking the exact same natural progesterone as you...there's nothing on the label saying plus. Anyway, I am going to the Endocrine doctor this Thursday. Also, I do take vitamin D as well as other vitamins that are pertinent to hormonal imbalance. Dr. Lee (he's well-rounded, you can find talks on youtube.)I For me, I take doctors with a grain of salt. Some if they are well-rounded and humble, can really tell me a lot. And he is one...he also says take magnesium and zinc as well as vitamin B6 and I think B5 as well as other Bs. I do get my period regularly, but it seems I am not ovulating. The initial reason for my insisting on hormone tests was because of the bulging veins everywhere (that's really not an exaggeration). About a month ago, they are surfacing around my eyes. I know the veins are always there, but the fact that they are surfacing really shocks me. And my skin thinning and my hair, wow it really is stressful. And I know stress makes it worse! And the veins they ebb and flow, (mostly there, but sometimes I feel like I've made some sort of progress balancing hormones when they're not there), next morning they are there. Frustrating. That's another reason that I believe it is a hormone thing; because they do get stronger and then lesser during the day. Aargh.
Sep 03, 2014
 Rachel
by: Chloe

Just wanted to see how you are doing, and if you were given more insight on your concerns. Re: your skin and the veins. Hope all is well.

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