Hello ladies...

I know I dropped off the planet for a bit. My sister got married at the end of October and then my father passed away tragically and suddenly a few weeks later. It has been rough to say the least.

After that the ol' anxiety kicked up to high gear and they put me on lorazepam (which I was already taking "as needed")...this went ok until I started to have what they call tolerance withdrawal...meaning get me off the benzo now! So on top of all of this I am now trying to wean off the lorazepam. *sigh* My poor body.

So ANYWAY! The doc who thinks I am in peri changed my compounded progesterone cream rx after some saliva labs came back. I was taking 20mg twice a day on days 15 to 26 but now it is 20mg once a day days 1 to 15 and then the twice a day as before. I started that this month. Here is the new business...the week after my period I started having more of some old symptoms. Friday started not the heart palps but this weird almost squeeze sensation (scare the poo out of me!!!!) only last for a second or so but it was so strong I totally lost my concentration and got a bit disoriented. It happened on and off through the weekend so I went to the regular GP doc on Monday. They did an EKG (I am sure to placate me) and listened to my chest but all was fine...then told me it could be a withdrawal symptom from the lorazepam. We didn't even talk hormones. A few days later, some mucus discharge (very thick)...more of these weird heart things on and off but lessening through the week (possibly because what little progesterone I am making was on the rise?). Then yesterday and today a couple of mini hot flashes...barely noticeable except to me. I felt my face get hot, my cheeks looked a little pink...that's what woke me up this morning at around 4AM (ahh..the gift that keeps on giving!).

Can you become tolerant to the progesterone cream? Or am I simply in hormonal flux again with estrogen? Or I am simply a crazy person! Let me tell you, the heart business is really bothering me despite all tests coming in negative my fear that the docs are missing something (probably fueled by the months of misdiagnosed peri-hell) is really cranking on my anxiety. So the heart symptoms are making things difficult for me.

Could it be the stress you have been under?Stress can make all of your symptoms worse.I hope you feel better.GOD-bless

Curiosity ... if you are having hot flashes and that "squeeze" sensation, which I think I know exactly what you are talking about but I call it "pressure", then you are likely dipping on your estradiol. If you are open to supplementing estradiol, I suggest you give it a try. Read my other threads about my experience with estradiol, EstroGel in particular. I do recommend the gel so that you can tailor your dose.

I agree with Sandra. Progesterone is a vasoconstrictor, estradiol a vasodilator which could account for the squeezing sensation. Palps for me get better with estradiol.

If you multiply the dose you are on by 10, that is the equivalent oral dose, which means you are on a significant amount of P, and given that it builds up in adipose tissue over time, your actual levels could be even higher.

Your symptoms could be from too much progesterone relative to your estrogen level. You could try backing off the P some as it is blocking the beneficial effects of your body's estrogen production. I agree with Sariah...progesterone cream builds up in adipose tissue, which is one of the reasons saliva testing is not accurate.

Thanks ladies....maybe I should go back to the doc? I was thinking maybe some of this could also be from weaning off the benzo (lorazepam) and it screwing with body chemicals...I feel like I have regressed in a way back to what brought me here to begin with. For the past week (which is the estrogen rise portion of my cycle....days 7 to 15) this has been going on with increase in other symptoms. Namely the waking really early with heart pounding and face on fire.

That said, could it really be the estrogen? I am overweight and should be making more estrogen than the average bear...unless I am simply totally out of whack! The progesterone seemed to be helping in the past two month until now.

This is all so confusing and frustrating.

Curosity,

I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am to read of the passing of your father. My deepest condolences. I'm sure the stress of all of that is playing a big part in all of your problems as well as the weaning off the benzo. Is your heart racing too along with the pounding. I have tried several type of HRT and BHRT to no avail yet for my symptoms. I hope you find relief soon.

Hugs,
Karen

Curosity,

I think you should consider going back to the doctor if this continues. It could be trial and error trying to figure it out because the weaning off the benzo's could be complicating the picture. Do you know if your doctor changed your progesterone dose to compensate for the withdrawal of the lorazapam? Both P and lorazapam work on GABA receptors to exert a calming effect.
Also, even though our bodies still produce estrogen in peri and during menopause, there is a shift that occurs and we start producing more estrone than estradiol. For me, I need estradiol to feel well so I supplement. You may not be at that point yet, but if your body is producing plenty of estrone, a conversion takes place that converts it to estradiol and vice-versa. My palps and other symptoms never stopped until I added estradiol to my hrt. Estriol and estrone just don't take away the heart palps, low mood and other stuff I was dealing with.
Wishing you relief soon.

Thanks ladies! I did back off the progesterone and some of it did slack off but it was hard to say if it was the P or where I was getting to in my cycle. I have had to take the P last night and tonight so I can sleep.

I also just found out I have some sort of brain/skull issue called a Chiari Malformation...its a long story and I am too tired to post it. But I have to see a neurologist and determine the next step (i.e do I get surgery or not) *sigh* It is nerve wracking as all of these things, stress/hormones/brain thing/anxiety/benzo weaning have some similar symptoms.

I'll keep things posted as I can.