hormone levels, prometrium, anxiety..., lots of questions Options

[sunnylou]

Okay here are some of my hormone panel results that the doctor said was normal.

Estradiol 249 (this was on day 21 which according to the lab chart the range should be 33-196 so could be alittle high?)
Progesterone 22.2
FSH 1.3

t3 free 3.10
t4 1.04
tsh 2.482
thyroglobulin antibody 31.1 (this showed high but she said nothing to worry about)

My doctor prescribed prometrium 200 mg. for 3 months to combat the endometrial hyperplasia but said other than that everything should be fine. My anxiety is shooting up because I don't know what to expect. I have read horror stories about prometrium and that seems like a high dose to start with. I'm afraid I'm going to start freaking out again because the anxiety is already rising and I hate taking anything and I never know how I'm going to react to new medication. Someone please put my mind at ease and tell me that prometrium didn't turn them into a freak! (If it did, don't tell me)

Thanks.

[stitchnanny]

Hi Sunny:

I have had no experience at all with this drug. I do have a suggestion. Talk to your pharmacist and let him/her know your fears. Tell them what you have discovered about the drug and ask them what they think. I have found that pharmacist know a LOT more about any medication and its affects on our bodies and with other meds than any doctor ever could.

Hope this helps you some and I hope that you are feeling better soon.
Hugs to you,
Jeaninne

[DebraD]

Okay here are some of my hormone panel results that the doctor said was normal.

Estradiol 249 (this was on day 21 which according to the lab chart the range should be 33-196 so could be alittle high?)
Progesterone 22.2
FSH 1.3

t3 free 3.10
t4 1.04
tsh 2.482
thyroglobulin antibody 31.1 (this showed high but she said nothing to worry about)

My doctor prescribed prometrium 200 mg. for 3 months to combat the endometrial hyperplasia but said other than that everything should be fine. My anxiety is shooting up because I don't know what to expect. I have read horror stories about prometrium and that seems like a high dose to start with. I'm afraid I'm going to start freaking out again because the anxiety is already rising and I hate taking anything and I never know how I'm going to react to new medication. Someone please put my mind at ease and tell me that prometrium didn't turn them into a freak! (If it did, don't tell me)

Thanks.

Dear sunnylou,
Let me tell you about my experience with Prometrium that was prescribed by and OB/GYN/Internist. I had an MRI done because I was having crazy PMS/depression and painful sex and some bleeding after sex. The MRI showed a couple of large cysts and this female doctor told me that I was not to have intercourse because I could rupture one of the cyst and I could bleed into my stomach cavity. She told me I would need to take high doses of Prometrium for a few months to shrink the cysts. I was so terrified that I was walking around like a timebomb ready to blead out into my stomach cavity. I picked up my prometrium and had no idea that I would experience anything, I mean come on, it was just a hormone not a pain pill or prozac or anything like that. I took the prescribed dosage and I think it was 200 mgs but I know she said it was a higher than normal dose. Within 20 minutes my head was spinning to where I thought I was slipped a micky. I couldn't walk, and I barely was able to slur my words. It was the most terrifying side effect I have ever had with a drug! My grown son had to call poison control and they had to let me know that it would wear off and that yes that was a higher than normal dose but not fatal. It took 5 hours to wear off. I was so pissed off that I called that office and canceled my next appointment. I went back to my regular OB/GYN of 20 years and took the MRI photos with me and he looked at them and said he did not see any HUGE CYSTS and they most certainly were not going to rupture and bleed out in my stomach. He told me that we would just watch and see for the next several months and they would probably resolve on their own. I will never take a never before used doctors word at face value again without a second opinion. Especially when messing around with drugs. Case in point. My aunt who is 82 was told adamately that she had cataracts and needed surgery immediatley. The receptionist made the appointment at the clinic and she was scheduled for surgery that week. My mom (her sister) thought it was silly to drive to another town for this procedure when the clinic my family had gone to was right down the street. My aunt called her doctor and they became defensive and aggrivated that my aunt would question them but finally they said they could send her records over to the closer clinic. When my aunt went in for the presurgery appointment the eyedoctor examined her and asked who told her she had cataracts and needed surgery. My aunt told her the name of the doctor who demanded she go to an out of town surgeon. He turned to her and said that she did not in any way shape or form need cataract surgery and that just a new prescription with her glasses would give her what she needed. That day my elderly aunt got a stronger prescription and she her vision is wonderful. Can somebody say "SCAM ARTIST" That doctor should be reported to the board. In fact I will do it myself! Sorry to get off on a tangent but the moral to my story is this. IF YOU HAVE DOUBTS OR HAD OTHER REACTIONS TO DRUGS TAKE ONLY A VERY SMALL DOSE AT FIRST UNTIL YOU KNOW HOW YOUR BODY RESPONDS! This is certainly not something any doc would tell you to do but those of us who are already in anxiety mode do not need to have to deal with a drug interaction or reaction. Most all drugs are made for the average size MAN not WOMAN!!!!!!!!!! I even did this with the last antibiotic I had to take last week and when I took a partial dose, I did just fine and had the confidence to take the rest. Good luck to you and I am sure things will work out for you.........Debra

[loracear06]

I've used Prometrium twice for hyperplasia....once about 1 1/2 years ago, and just a few weeks ago. If I don't have a period for the next 3 months, then I get to try it again. Its just for 10 days...200 mg. My experience with Prometrium has been wonderful. No complaints..in fact, I was disappointed when my 10-day dosage was up! I slept like a rock........my mood went WAY up....my husband even noticed! It leveled me out..I guess before I was all estrogen,and little or no progesterone. This drug just made a huge difference. I don't like to take stuff if I don't have to..but I didn't want the hyperplasia either. I'd say try it...low dose...and see how it affects you. Alot of women have had very good luck with it, and really like it. But everyone is different.

[sunnylou]

Loracear -

Do you mind me asking how old you are? I am 36 and am so hoping that it doesn't completely zonk me out. And you were on the 200 mg right? There are so many bad stories like the one above that I get so scared. I know that the ones that feel good on it go on and don't come back and post but I still get a little freaked out. I start on the prometrium on Thursday night and hope things go well.

Thanks again.

[loracear06]

Hi Sunnylou,

Sure, no problem...I'm 55. Still dealing with all this...I'll have regular cycles, then skip months...things have really started to change in last year. Dr. says its like an airplane sputtering out of gas...! I think I'm almost at the end of this, just don't want the uterine buildup, hence the Prometrium. Worked for me, but like others have said..talk to the pharmacist and your doctor about your concerns. Also, I did start bleeding on only the 8th day of dosage...usually bleeding will start right after the last pill, but I guess my body was ready to shed this stuff early! My dr. said it was ok....and to finish the pills anyway. Will be interesting to see what happens next 3 months. Good luck!

Loracear -

Do you mind me asking how old you are? I am 36 and am so hoping that it doesn't completely zonk me out. And you were on the 200 mg right? There are so many bad stories like the one above that I get so scared. I know that the ones that feel good on it go on and don't come back and post but I still get a little freaked out. I start on the prometrium on Thursday night and hope things go well.

Thanks again.