Hello my PS friends,

I started taking Estrogel (estradiol) and Prometrium a few days ago.  Everything seems to be going fine except that my anxiety levels seem to be higher and I feel depressed.  I'm wondering if anyone could tell me if maybe it's because I switched from synthetics and this will take sometime to get adjusted, or is it because I'm not absorbing the Estrogen ( gel form ) or the Progesterone is not enough.  I was really hoping that this new bioidentical regimen would work for me. I feel so discouraged and at the end of my rope. What could be causing this anxiety  , too much or not enough ?  Man this is a drag !!!!

Hey moozie! Yes, aint that the truth - all this trial and error stuff is A DRAG! I became totally depressed after starting on a bio identical progesterone creme, but it diminished my hot flushes. I have posted the results of my meno merry go round on other boards. At the moment I am *CLEAN* and feeling good. I was turning into a meno meds junkie. I have just been reading a lot of interesting info on magnesium and lack of it at a site called rapid recovery, posted on another board. A lot of our symptoms apparently can also be as simple as low magnesium levels!!! - including anxiety, depression, palpitations and many, many more. Worth a look. jimi - bugs - (((HUGS)))

I just started the Vivelle Dot .05mg  2x a week and 200mg prometrium at bedtime day 15-26.

Within an hour of putting the first patch on I have had horrible anxiety.  3 times worse than my usual.  I didn't realize it was the patch until I went to change it 3.5 days later.  The anxiety had been going down but within 30 mins of the new patch..back up again!!! It's making me nuts.  I can't figure out if I am supposed to wait it out or get a lower dose.

Lynn

I'm new to the boards, but have a few yrs of experience trying every kind of fix imaginable for my perimeno symptoms.  A few things to remember about Vivelle and prometrium.  Vivelle is only one type of estrogen - your body produces 3.  It is 17 beta estradial that's in the patch and is the same as what your body produces so I think its only part of what you need.  Maybe the imbalance of the estrial -#3 type is what's causing the anxiety.  Can't say for sure of course.  Vivelle is by far the best patch out there for its ability to stay on, but it is still easily comprised by hot tubs, etc.  I've been on very large dosages to try to curb hot flashes....2.050!  As far as prometrium.  My experience was bad.....had 14 days periods and felt bad!!!  It's in a peanut oil base and is broken down differently in the liver I'm told.  There is a combipatch you may want to try.  Best of luck to you in your search.

I'm in the process of switching to compounded estrogens and progesterone from Bellevue Pharmacy under the direction of Dr. Warner.  Can anyone guide me in this transition and what to expect?

Thanks....Tammi

I use the .025 Vivelle (so just half what you are using) and got great results. Truth be told, once in a while if I feel a bit of sore breasts or the like, I'll cut the thing (length-wise) in half!

I really believe less can be more when it comes to hormones (but I do know some women could need a lot). Like Dr. Gillespie says, "Baste, don't marinate."