Hi guys: I apologize if I'm starting a topic that already exists...I looked for one under this heading, or something similar, and couldn't find it. Here goes:

As I you know, or as some of you may know, my symptoms the past few weeks have become 100% worse. I get 20-40 drenching sweats per night, can't sleep, am moody, irritable, and literally feel like I'm a half a step from being hospitalized in a psyche ward. I called my ob-gyn today---spoke to a N.P. I don't want to take estrogen, so she's starting me on oral progesterone...every day. I took it once before, to induce a period, but this is different. Here's what I want to know...what can I expect?

The nurse practitioner told me that it is much safer than estrogen and has almost no side effects. She said I won't gain weight (may in fact shed the 10-15 extra peri-pounds that refuse to leave my body despite dieting and strenuous exercise daily.) Is this what you ladies have experienced? I want to hear any and all stories.

Thanks!!!

Robin

Hi RoundRobin,
My experience with progesterone was not good at all! I assumed I was estrogen-dominant so took no estrogen and just used bioidentical USP progesterone on days 14 to 28. On the 12th day I was a weepy, depressed mess and I gained 3 pounds. I craved carbs like crazy while I was using it and gained despite trying to control extra eating. It was the same story the 2nd month...and another 3 pounds added. The only way I was able to tolerate the progesterone was to be on enough estrogen to counteract the effects of the progesterone and I have only been using it for 2 weeks every other month.
I am sure some will have better experiences to relate but for me progesterone is a hormone I prefer to use as little as possible. I have heard that progesterone can help with mild hot flashes but estrogen is what it took to relieve my symptoms.

I have also heard the progesterone is safer...and I guess some folks really are estrogen dominant...I am not...in fact my estrogen is a bit lower than it "should" be. However, doc STILL put me on progesterone 100mg bio-identical and for a month and a half I hung in there with worsening symptoms in my life...more brain fog, and more fatigue.....ok, perhaps it was just too much for me...I don't know...but perhaps it is wise to see if you are lacking or not? I stopped it and doc put me on estrogen and later to add in a very small (2.5mg) of oral progesterone, but I started my period so early with just the estrogen so I never got a chance to even try the small amount. Next step for me is to try combination estrogen and progesterone all month (basically BCP) with a week off for period....haven't tried it yet....just getting everything out of my system for now!

My experience with synthetic progesterone was horrendous, to put it mildly. I was put on Depo Provera when I started having irregular periods and, although it did its job - stopped my periods - it make me sick as a dog. I threw up every for close to 3 months, I had horrific flu-like symptoms (crashing fatigue, aches, headaches . . .), and it threw me into a depression that was a living hell. To top it off, it was an injectable that last 3 months, so, I had to wait it out until the shot wore off. Even after the 3 months had passed, I didn't fully recover from the depression or the fatigue. Everybody responds differently to these things, and, I am sure there are women who do very well on synthetic progesterone, but, I for one, will never, never, never touch the stuff again. Make sure you do your research before you agree to begin treatment with synthetic progesterone, is what I am trying to say. Sometimes it can make a bad situation 100 times worse.

Alley

Hi Guys: My ob-gyn put me on something called Camila. Everytime I try and google it, I get a ton of articles on Camila Parker Bowles....LOL. It's synthetic estrogen. I've taken it for 4 days now, and the only change I've noticed is I'm terribly bloated and have bad headaches every day. Still have the awful night/day sweats and hot flashes. I"m giving it another week, and then I"m stopping.

Hi,

I managed to find something on Camila. It appears that it is a progestin (synthetic progesterone) bc pill (mini-pill). Anyway, here is what I found.

Camila

Main Ingredients: Progestin- High Dose (Mini-Pill)



Camila is used to prevent pregnancy. Camila is a synthetic form of female sex hormones produced naturally in the body called progestin. These hormones suppress the pituitary glands activity thus hindering ovulation; alter the mucus at the cervix opening to prevent sperm from entering, and their variable levels play a vital role in fertility in women.

However, since Camila contains only Progestin, it may be less effective than Progestin-Estrogen combinations. Mini-pills like Camila may cause irregular menstrual cycle.


CAMILA WARNING

Progestin-only contraceptives are linked with an increased risk of blood-clotting disorders.

Avoid using contraceptives including Camila if you are or might be pregnant.

Avoid smoking as it enhances the risk of heart-related side effects in women who use oral contraceptives like Camila. The risk is even greater in women over 35.

Avoid using Camila if you have had an allergic reaction to any oral contraceptives.

Avoid Camila if you are a migraine sufferer.

Avoid taking Camila if you or someone in your family has ever had breast cancer or cancer of the reproductive system or liver problems.

Avoid Camila if you have or ever had a stroke, heart disease, liver disease, chest pain, or blood clots.

Avoid Camila if you have had pregnancy related jaundice or jaundice resulting from previous use of any oral contraceptives.

Avoid Camila if you have experienced abnormal vaginal bleeding.


CAMILA CAUTION

The progestin-only Mini-Pills may cause irregular menstrual cycle and are considered less-effective than estrogen-progestin combinations. They are usually recommended for women who should avoid estrogens as well as older women.

Camila should be used with caution if you are:

-Smoker
-Have liver, heart, gallbladder, kidney, or thyroid disease
-Have high blood pressure
-High cholesterol
-Diabetes
-Epilepsy
-Asthma
-Porphyria
-Obese
-Stroke or heart attack in the past
-Depression
-Family history of breast cancer or other cancers
-Camila does not protect against HIV (AIDS), or other STDs.
-If you experience abdominal pain, contact your physician right away.
-In rare cases, oral contraceptives like Camila may cause benign liver tumors.

CAMILA SIDE EFFECTS

Common side effects of Camila may include abdominal pain, vaginal discharge, acne, fluid retention, bloating, blood clots, chest pain, hair loss, headache, heart attack, high blood pressure, kidney problem, migraine, leg pain, nausea, sex drive changes, skin discoloration, stroke, vomiting, and weight gain or loss.

CAMILA INTERACTION

Check with your physician before combining Camila with the following:

Acetaminophen/ Paracetamol
Amitriptyline
Antibiotics
Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
Aspirin
Atorvastatin (anti-cholesterol drugs)
Barbiturates
Blood thinners
Carbamazepine
Chloramphenicol
Clofibrate
Clomipramine
Copper supplements
Cyclosporine
Diazepam
Doxepin
Fluconazole
Glipizide
Griseofulvin
HIV drugs
Imipramine
Propranolol
Insulin
Lorazepam
Metoprolol
Modafinil
Morphine
Oxazepam
Phenylbutazone
Phenytoin
Prednisolone
Prednisone
Primidone
Propranolol
Rifabutin
Rifampin
Sulfonamides
Temazepam
Tetracycline
Theophylline
Topiramate
Troleandomycin
Valium

Herbs like Black Cohosh, Milk Thistle, and St. John's Wort.

CAMILA DOSES

Take 1 pill daily.



CAMILA OVERDOSE

Symptoms of Camila overdose may include nausea, vomiting, and withdrawal bleeding.

In case of Camila overdose, seek medical help right way.

If you miss a dose of Camila take it as soon as you can. However, if it is just about time for your next dose, skip the one you forgot and go on with your regular schedule. Never take a double dose. Back to Drug List


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this website is not intended to be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please consult your licensed health care provider regarding all medical problems. You should never stop taking a prescription drug or alter the dosage or dosing schedule without first consulting your physician or health-care provider.

© 2000-2006 TheMedicine.NET

Okay, I'm DONE. With the progesterone that is. One week on it, and I have: Blinding headaches, increased night sweats, and my appetite has gone through the roof. I"m eating everything in sight. I called my gyn again today and she said they're probably not going to work for me. Again, she tried to talk me into estrogen. I reminded her of my family history (heart disease, strokes, blood clots) and she acknowledged that yes, those are risks, but the estrogen is ALL MEDICAL SCIENCE HAS TO OFFER ME. The previous caps are meant to indicate how upset I am right now. Last night was the worst yet. I woke up every 40-50 minutes completely soaked through to the skin. It was a lovely Sunday here, nice and cool, a pretty fall day. My husband and I had lunch out, and then went shopping and bough mums. I cried almost continously---over absolutely nothing. Oh wait, not over nothing...let's see. I saw a newborn baby in the parking of the restaurant. That sent me over the edge. Then my husband told me I looked pretty. Tears again. We went to The Christmas Tree Shop, and I found a CD of '100 Favorite Love Songs for Lovers'....should never have read the song list---went into wracking sobs.

One good thing: my gyn said that when symptoms get this severe, AND I haven't had a period in a couple of months (next week I'll have skipped 4 in a row) that means I may be (gulp) near the end. I don't know how much more of this I can take. I feel crazy, literally crazy.

So...I tried the progesterone, and it failed. I've tried the cream, that failed too. Dr. Lee calls synthetic progesterone 'poison', but I thought I'd give it a try anyway. Maybe if I get really, really bad (how much worse can it get than this?...I'm already acting like a complete nut) I will cave in and try the estrogen. But I"m soooo afraid of developing a blood clot. I just want this damned change of life to be over with.

If I think of anything else new to try, I"ll let you guys know. In the meantime, the pills are in the trash.

How are you R Robin? I just read your post here as I was looking for info on progesterone, (just been prescribed for me) and my heart went out to you! What has happened since? Are you OK?

chico: Thanks for checking in on me. What happened was...I got a period. And I felt better. I know a lot of women here say that the longer they go without bleeding the better they feel, but this hasn't always been the case with me. These past 5 months, and in the no-period-for-4-month phase was really bad. Then I bled, and the symptoms got a little better (notice I said a little NOT, a lot.)

So far I'm skipping this month's period..we'll see...I've had cramps for days but no sign of Mr. P. in sight.

Progesterone didn't help me...although...I may give another brand of cream a try.

Glad your are a little better, even that little bit helps I find. Hope Mr P comes soon and you get a bit more improvement. I have not picked up my progesterone pills yet........

My doctor is getting irritated with me because he prescribes things for me to help with the bleeding, then I go straight home and google the drug, and come onto this site and read about it, and, so far, end up not taking it! Sigh.

RRobin, I can relate to crying over the baby, I always cry when I see babies, it's terrible.