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So Sleepy

by Kristine
(Dela)

Wray, I started using 1/2 tsp of your cream in the morning and at night disregarding my cycle. I have my period right now and am using the cream. I feel so sleepy and like my thinking is slowed. Is this ok?

I called a compounding pharmacy and they said too much progesterone can make you feel this way. I can't find a doctor who believes in prescribing that much progesterone so I only have you to write to. Please tell me what to do. I am supposed to be moving and am in the middle of packing and am so sleepy and slowed. It makes me panicked like how do I motivate myself to get this stuff done. Please give me your advice or thoughts. I feel out of control. Thank you.

Comments for So Sleepy

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Aug 23, 2011
 Wait for Wray's Response
by: CamperKat

Poor thing...I understand how you feel...!! Sometimes progesterone can make us feel sleepy, especially with non-stop use through a menstrual period (it goes against what nature does.)

I'm sure Wray will get to you shortly, but as you know, she is very busy...but in the meantime, I suggest you either lower your dosage a little bit OR break up the current 160mg into 3 doses per day. Progesterone exits the body from hours 10-12, and is markedly declining by hours 6-8...so if you use the same total amount of 160mg but spread it out in 3 doses (say, every 4-6 hours) you'll find you'll be less sleepy.

If splitting up the dose still doesn't work (you should know within a day or two) then lower it a little bit, to 120mg per day and again, split that over 3 doses.

You don't mention why you are taking the cream through your period and what symptoms you are trying to work through, or your age or general health (including weight and eating habits). All of that has a great impact on progesterone cream and its effects. The healthier and more fit you are, the easier to correct your symptoms, whatever they are.

Good luck to you.
Aug 25, 2011
 Hi
by: Anonymous

Hi,
Thank you so much. I am 45 and I started using it because I stumbled upon this site and I do get a heavy period with pain. I thought maybe it would be good to get cleaned out the first few months and then follow my cycle. The sleepiness is still there so I will try doing what you said. Again, thank you. Do you know if I can just use it at night. I have always had some difficulty with sleep at night.
Aug 25, 2011
 Cream
by: Anonymous

Can you tell me what you mean that it goes against nature to use it during my period? The difficulty is I have my period for about 7 to 10 days so even if I didn't use it continuously, I would still have to start it while I am still bleeding. I would have to start it on day 7. Is this ok? And can I just try this next month to not use it til day 7 (that would be 14 days before the start of my next period)?
Aug 26, 2011
 Progesterone is good for sleep
by: Wray

Hi Kristine Oestrogen Dominance has kicked in. Progesterone is good for sleep, see here. But it doesn't cause day time sleepiness. It seems you have only just started using it, am I correct? This would account for the oestrogen dominance. I'm not sure why you are using it during your period, do you have very severe symptoms? I only recommend using it daily if they are severe, otherwise it's best to follow your cycle. We have more info on our page How to use progesterone cream. Take care Wray
Aug 28, 2011
 Progesterone
by: Anonymous

Hi,
I am 45 and used it the first month 14 days prior to my period. I didn't notice it helped improved my heavy period and symptoms. Plus, I got my period in 17 days the first month and 15 days this second month. so I decided to use it straight through. I know I am 45 but I dont believe my period is changing yet because it only did this when I used the cream. Should I go back to using it 14 days prior to my period? What day should I start it on since my period is now ocming so quickly and is it ok to start applying it while I am still not finished my period?
Aug 30, 2011
 Hi
by: Wray

Hi there I'm not sure if the two anonymous queries are from the same person, but will answer them as if they are. If the period is heavy or painful it's evident oestrogen is high. In which case I do recommend using progesterone throughout the month for about 2-3 months to suppress the oestrogen. It's an excellent anti-inflammatory, so I recommend rubbing the cream over your tummy, back too if pain is felt there. I don't suggest you use progesterone only once a day, as levels drop after about 13 hours. It's always best to use it a minimum of twice a day, hourly if symptoms are bad. CamperKat always gives sound advice, she merely meant we don't normally make progesterone during our period. But there's nothing dangerous about using it then. I'm assuming your cycle is only 21 days long, if you start the progesterone on day 7? If you have such long periods it would appear not only that your oestrogen is too high, but the MMP's too. MMP?s are enzymes that break down protein. They play a role in the breakdown of endometrial tissues at the end of the menstrual cycle. If they are over active, as would be the case with excess oestrogen in the body, as oestrogen stimulates their production, the result is a pathological reaction. A high level of MMP's can lead to inflammation and excessive bleeding in the uterus. If a low level of progesterone is present, and a high level of oestrogen, the lining will continue to grow. With a high level of MMP's the lining will also continue to break down. Progesterone suppresses both MMP's and oestrogen. It is essential to use a high amount of progesterone, between 400-600mg/day to stop this. I suggest you continue using the progesterone daily, through you period too, but use a higher amount to stop the bleeding. Take care Wray
Aug 30, 2011
 Progesterone
by: Wray

Hi there I think I have answered your query, if you are the anonymous person above. Take care Wray
Sep 05, 2011
 MMPs
by: Anonymous

Hi Wray, yes this is Me. I couldn't tell where to put my name. Thank you for explaining about MMPs. I started using the higher amount straight through. How long should I do that? And how do I find a doctor who believes in this? I feel nervous not having a doctor over me because it's not like I can call your office if there's a problem. I have a strange sensation since I started this like palpitations in my body sometimes during the day and definitely at night. It woke me up and I couldn't fall back asleep. I tried eating protein but it doesn't seem to be tied to this. Is progesterone this high dangerous? Is it known to cause palpitations? Are the any dangers? There must be dangers or more docs would be prescribing it. Can you tell me?
Oct 05, 2011
 Questions
by: Kristine

Hi Wray,
I started taking 200 mg Chelated Magnesium Citrate in the morning and at night to see if that helped because they suggested it at the health food store. Have you heard of using that and is that amount right? I also went to buy glutamine because you said it helps with insomnia where you wake up in the middle of the night and it could be tied to low blood sugar. But the health food store lady recommended chromium picolate instead. I just want to confirm before I buy the wrong thing. Thank you. Kristine

---

Hi Wray, yes this is Me. I couldn't tell where to put my name. Thank you for explaining about MMPs. I started using the higher amount straight through. How long should I do that? And how do I find a doctor who believes in this? I feel nervous not having a doctor over me because it's not like I can call your office if there's a problem. I have a strange sensation since I started this like palpitations in my body sometimes during the day and definitely at night. It woke me up and I couldn't fall back asleep. I tried eating protein but it doesn't seem to be tied to this. Is progesterone this high dangerous? Is it known to cause palpitations? Are the any dangers? There must be dangers or more docs would be prescribing it. Can you tell me?
Oct 05, 2011
 nother Question
by: Kristine

I also forgot to ask..I went to an internal medicine/ob/gyn and she told me that I'm too young to use progesterone cream and that longterm us is dangerous. Can you help me? I told her you recommended 400 mg because of mmps and she said she's never heard of this and also using that much progesterone is dangerous. Can you tell me more about why I would use if for that and if its dangerous? Thank you. Kristine.
Oct 06, 2011
 MMPs
by: Wray

Hi there At least I got it right, it does help to have a name as too many anonymous's make it difficult for me. I like to read the thread between comments, mainly to stop repeating myself, and of course to find out what occurred in the first place. You can enter your name in the field which says 'Your Name'. As for any dangers, no. It's been used successfully for over 60 years. Dr Dalton first advocated it's use in the late 1940's. She's had many papers published in medical journals, and written books too, you might like to read them, this is one here. I can't remember if I gave you the page on Oestrogen Dominance, it's essential to read this first, as it explains why strange sensations can occur when first using progesterone. Oestrogen causes prolongation of the QT interval, which results in palpitations, arrhythmia and Torsades de Pointes. Whereas progesterone shortens the QT interval, see here, here, here, here and here. Initially progesterone stimulates oestrogen, to overcome this sufficient progesterone must be used. There is only one doctor I know of but he's in California, see here. Take care Wray
Oct 06, 2011
 Period
by: Kristine

Wray,
I am using the cream straight through and I just got my period and its completely brown. I dont mean to be gross but what is that and is it ok. I've been getting it every two weeks and then today: Aug 4, Aug 19, Sept 3, Sept 16, Oct 6. It's never been brown before. Is that ok and should I still use it?

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