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Postpartum hell

by Kate
(Boise Idaho )

I have to start out by saying THANK YOU to Wray. I'm a 30 yr old mom of 3 and have been dealing with horrible symptoms for the last three years, starting after the birth of my second child. If it hadn't been for this website, I don't know where I would be right now! I have seen close to 15 doctors and spent thousands of dollars, all to be told I am "normal" and I must be depressed. I have had horrible debilitating fatigue, muscle weakness, hot flashes, insomnia, rage outbursts, 40 pound weight gain that won't budge.. You name it! I had told almost all of those doctors that I thought I had estrogen dominance, and I swear all of them rolled their eyes at me like I was just another emotional female. I finally persisted down the estrogen dominance route after having my thyroid checked multiple times, and being told it was normal, to finally having my OBGYN test my progesterone and estrogen levels. My progesterone was at .4! I had to push to get a prescription of 200mg progesterone cream (she only wanted to give me 20mg) and I'm also taking 200mg of Prometrium at night because it has helped me to FINALLY sleep! I have only been on the cream for one week, but I'm hoping to finally see results and feel normal again. It's sad, but I don't even remember what that feels like. Thank you again, and i will update soon!

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May 23, 2016
 Update
by: Kate

Well, I haven't made much progress. I was still having a lot of estrogen symptoms at this dose, so I raised my progesterone to 400... Than 600, and so on. I now use 1000+ mg of prog a day. I also take 10000 vit d, a vit b complex, l tyrosine, selenium, taurine, magnesium, and zinc. It has been months since I started using progesterone almost 2 months of using the 1000+ of progesterone and I am still having intense hot flashes all day long. They are the most debilitating thing! They make me feel weak, lightheaded and crazy tired. I'm not sure what else to do, or what other suppliments to take. I am seriously reaching the end of my rope. I don't know how much longer I can live with all of these debilitating symptoms.

Please answer if anyone has some insight. I have scoured this site but I can't find anyone else who seems to have the hot flashes like mine that won't stop even with high prog. I was tested for IR, and was told I didn't have it, but I am still eating as if I do, to see if that will help with them.

I hope to hear from someone soon. If not, I will continue updating incase anyone else has the same problems with nowhere to go.
May 25, 2016
 Postpartum hell
by: Joy

Hi Kate

When you say that your symptoms started after the birth of your second child I immediately think, PND, have you been tested for this? For the doctors to say that you ‘must’ be depressed is a poor explanation to be honest, either you are or you aren’t. Wray has a page on Natural Anti-Depressants that you might like to look at if you have not done so already. I see that you are taking magnesium which is great, but what are you taking? It is so important to take oral and transdermal. The trick with magnesium is not to think that by only taking one kind is sufficient, it isn't! I am taking 4 different types and it has helped me so much, together with Vitamin D3 and Natpro progesterone cream. It is very important to use a good progesterone cream with no parabens or chemicals, have you checked yours for these? Your rage outbursts could also be high testosterone levels, has this been tested?

Your symptoms are most definitely crying out ‘Estrogen Dominance’! Interestingly enough, they are also Insulin Resistance symptoms too, yet you say that the doctors say that you do not have IR. Weight gain is certainly caused by too much estrogen and IR. Diet is so very important. You say that you are eating as if you do have IR, what exactly are you eating? You may like to consider trying the Ketogenic Diet, where low carbs, high fat and protein is called for.

I know that you have read Wray’s website, but I am still going to suggest that you read the following pages. Please take the time to read them all including the Vitamin D3 and Magnesium pages.

Estrogen Dominance
How to use Progesterone Cream
Progesterone Cream
Vitamin D3
Magnesium
Insulin Resistance
Ketogenic Diet
Natural Anti-Depressants
Depression after Childbirth by Dr Kittie Dalton
May 27, 2016
 Another question...
by: Kate

Not even sure anybody is reading this, but at this point I don't really care. Is it possible to still be having estrogen wake up crisis even though I'm on such a high dose? I've increased my dose even more, and no changes, I'm probably doing close to 2000 now. Guess I'll go slather some more on.
Jun 06, 2016
 Postpartum hell
by: Kate

Thank you so much for replying, I know how busy you must be. I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia around the same time of the birth of my daughter, probably from having absorbtion issues from having my galbladder removed 10 years ago. And I was taking injections for it monthly, with slight improvement but never fully better. (which I now know was in part to having no progesterone) I now think that my issues are estrogen/testosterone dominance and my pernicious anemia. I have just recently started taking my injections daily, along with upping my progesterone to 2000mg a day. Since upping my progesterone from 1000 to 2000, I have had bleeding and an increase in my acne, fatigue ,eczema and heart issues. I don't know if you have an answer to this, but is it still possible to get the estrogen surges even when taking such high doses? My body just seems to be constantly battling the estrogen/testosterone. I still have quite a few symptoms, but I have been improving so I know it has been working, albeit rather slowly. Thank you again for all that you do to help.
Jun 18, 2016
 Vaginal application
by: Kate

I am still currently using the high dose, and I have also increased my b12 injections. I though my symptoms were just from the b12 deficiency but now I don't think so. I've been taking mega doses, with no difference in how I have been feeling. Three days ago I started inserting the cream vaginally, since I don't seem to be getting all of it when I use it topically, and have yet to see a major decrease in any symptoms (I've been using over 1000 mg for 2 months) the next day I did feel better. I did it again yesterday, and I am feeling worse today. I think I am finally getting the full benefit, since I now seem to be experiencing estrogen wake up crisis. My hot flashes have increased ten fold. I am going to apply it vaginally again tonight and see how I get on. I'm hoping that by doing it the vaginal route, I will be fully absorbing it and won't have to use as high of a dose as I have been using. Guess I will write back In a few days to document if it's working.
Jul 01, 2016
 Update
by: Kate

I have been using the cream vaginally for a few weeks now, and I have had a couple of good days, but still feeling awful. I had my hormones tested and my progesterone has gone up to 34ng and my estrogen is at 120pg. If I did the math right then my ratio is 283:1. I'm just so confused on why I still feel so terrible. It's been 5 months with very little improvement, and never ending hot flashes. I just don't get it, because amidst all the chaos I seem to have one good day, and than crash all over again. My NPD thinks it's only my pituitary, and wants to put me on very expensive suppliments and take me off the progesterone which I refuse to do. I have a family and children but I'm finding it hard to see an end to all of this, and get suicidal thoughts that creep in.

I will update again in a few weeks.
Jul 14, 2016
 Update
by: Kate

Had an episode of atrial fibrillation the other day that lasted a few hours. The only other time I have ever gone into afib was a few weeks after starting the progesterone cream, although I have had episodes of tachycardia since I was 17. I feel like all I am doing is slowing waiting for my death. Have experienced Severe muscle weakness today. Wray, I know you're busy and I don't wish to annoy you but if you happen to see this , could respond with some insight I would be eternally grateful.

Also, i am on two months of a high protein/fat diet and basically no carbs. So far, no improvement from that.
Jul 22, 2016
 Update
by: Joy

Hi Kate

I am sorry that you are still battling, it can take time. I have asked you a few questions before, but never really received answers. What are your estrogen (E2), progesterone, testosterone, Vitamin D3 levels? I know that you are taking vitamin D3 and magnesium, but are you taking enough, have you read the pages suggested? If your ratio is 283:1 then it's low, it should be around 600:1.

You mentioned atrial fibrillation in another post. Estrogen does cause the heart to race, and at ovulation it reaches a peak. Take a look at the Chart. It shows how the hormones behave during the month. You will notice estrogen peaks again mid-luteal phase, but so does progesterone. This normally prevents any Estrogen Dominance. You need to suppress excess estrogen. Estrogen causes prolongation of the QT interval, which results in palpitations, arrhythmia and Torsades de Pointes. Whereas progesterone shortens the QT interval.

You could be eating or doing things which could possibly be causing your progesterone levels to drop, such as:

* lack of or drop in Vitamin D3 levels
* high estrogen
* high testosterone
* high LH
* high FSH sugars of any kind
* large meals
* alcohol
* stress
* insulin resistance
* high level of phytoestrogens in the diet

You state that you are on a high protein/fat diet. People tend to get a little confused with this as it is not a high protein diet. Yes high fat, but it is moderate to low protein. Did you read the Ketogenic Diet given to you? It does explain this.
Feb 25, 2019
 Update
by: Anonymous

I can’t belive it has been almost three years since I posted. I told myself that if Wrays solution worked for me I would come back and update. It has been three years of hard work and so much confusion but I am close to 90% full health and I owe it all to Wray. I just wish she could be here to read this. Of course Joy has also been such a big help.

Since my last update I will tell you what I have been consistently doing. If you’ve read my post then you already know what my symptoms were. Heart issues and terrible chronic fatigue being the worst. I continued to take close to 700 mg of progesterone for probably two years. I have since weaned down to 300 and it seems to be my sweet spot. Less than that and my heart palpitations return. Along with my progesterone I take calcium d glucarate twice a day, average 2000 mg. I believe this has helped the most. Consistently taking my calcium d glucarate. I have had some very high estrogen levels which caused bad back acne and jaw acne. Now all gone. My other life saving supplement has been a cortisol manager. I didn’t realize it but my levels were all over the place and supplementing with hydrocortisone was a nightmare. I believe this cortisol manager has helped my heart and Insomnia tremendously.

I also adopted a whole food diet, many fruits and veggies with lean protein. When my heart palpitations and a-fib started to slowly improve (almost two years that took) I began incorporating low impact recumband cycling. I have lost close to 50 pounds over the last year!! The terrible hot flashes that made me feel so weak and ill are now close to zero.

Another thing I want to point out about my recovery was my change in mind set. I was very upset and lost and angry at everything and almost everyone. Why did I have to get chronically ill and they didn’t? This was a toxic mindset to be in and it wasn’t until I started changing my perspective and thoughts that I think the healing started. I know it sounds kookie and stupid but it helps. It really does.

This has turned into a crazy long story but I just felt I had to update in part to honor Wrays memory. She played the biggest part in my healing journey. I was pretty suicidal for a while... It was too overwhelming and hard but this site gave me hope. Thank you to Wray for creating it, and thank you to those who keep it up and running.

I hope maybe this story will help someone who is struggling with the same symptoms. You are your own advocate! Fight for help from doctors and fight to get healthy!

Good luck and maybe I will update in another few years if I ever get to running my marathon!!
Feb 28, 2019
 Update
by: Justine

Thank you so much for sharing your story, we are so happy to hear of your progress!

Thank you too for your kind words, they are greatly appreciated, and I know they would mean the world to Wray.

Many blessings on your journey.

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