I was given this script and had it filled out by pete. I had to make a few adjustments so i'm going to start again this month. Does anyone else use Pete and the bioidentical hormones? and how does it make you feel?? I thought my boobs were getting way too big but maybe it wasn't from that. thankyou!

hi, i am new to this . my name is marie snd i just started using progesterone cream and i am feeling better. if i take my vitamins and keep a good thought, not get overly excited about anything, i can control the heat flashes and sweats. now sleeping, is something else. i just bought a holistic harp cd, and i listen to that in the dark bedroom until i get sleepy. it does relax me. hope you all feel better and can find some relief. nothing woprks perfect, espescially me!

hi marie, thanks for sharing. are you peri meno or meno? wondering if i can just use the progest cream alone instead of with estrodial. thankyou!

I just read on the internet that if a person is still having periods,it means their estrogen level is fine and that all they may need is Progesterone cream.....is that true? I am SO CONFUSED about what i should try/use....somebody help me out here.I don't know if i should try herbs,soy,Progesterone.......so many things to choose from it's becoming too overwhelming for me...but i DO need something,so please give me some suggestions.

I definitely know it isn't true that if you are having periods your estrogen is "fine." The ovaries do not shut down overnight. It is extremely gradual, often from even the mid-30's, in many cases. You can get your period with an estrogen level of even 40 (which is normally post-menopause levels), because I did. But most women in their 20's and 30's have levels well over 100-200 or more. So, a level of 40 versus a level of 200 is DEFINITELY going to cause a few symptoms, even if you still get a period out of it. I've noticed, however, that my periods became lighter when my estrogen was lower, but I'm not sure how that translates medically-speaking. I know many peri women get heavy bleeding, but sometimes this is due to problems other than estrogen (at least that's what my gynecologist said). I think the big problem in menopause is that every doctor disagrees on everything. And I mean polar opposites, not minor disagreement. Disagreement on what causes what, especially, and COMPLETE disagreement on what to do about it. We are all in this alone, because doctors do not know what in the hell they are talking about. P.S. I would bet that the sites on the Internet that say your estrogen is fine if you are having periods are the ones selling progesterone, because they can't sell estrogen!

so how do we know what to do then?Just trial and error,and take chances on side effects?We have to find our OWN treatment?

Yes, basically. Go to two doctors, get two answers. What else can we do except trial and error? I started on a really low dose of estrogen (bioidentical patch) and that helped the headaches, but originally my doctor prescribed this HUGE dose of (fake) estrogen that only would have made things worse. Luckily, I'd done a lot of reading (books, all with different opinions) and knew not to start out high, so I asked for the lowest dose possible patch (wanted to bypass the liver with a patch, rather than oral, because that's thought to be where the blood clotting side effects are). But the years I only used progesterone, I didn't have any problems. But I'm too old now for a little natural progesterone to do much good. I can't see being afraid to try a small amount of nat'l progesterone, though--if you think it causes a problem, you can just stop using it. It won't kill you in a month or so.

AimeeDecorates,i guess the reason i'm "afraid" to try a little progesterone cream is i'm afraid of side effects.I just need some reassurance before using it so i don't freak out over it or "think" myself into anxiety/panic.

I understand. But I don't think a hormone would act as quickly to produce side effects as, say, a prescription drug would, you know what I mean? Because progesterone has already been in your body for most of your life (and at more than 10 times the level of the cream if you were ever pregnant), whereas a drug-chemical thing would be new (and could potentially kill you if you were allergic, etc.). I guess since I never had a side effect from progesterone (plus, it takes WEEKS to work, in my experience), it's hard for me to remember whether I had any fear or not, if that makes sense. I'm curious what you do when your doctor prescribes an antibiotic or other drug. Do you take it, or are you too afraid? I'm just curious, because I'm a HUGE drug phobic and I usually don't take what I'm prescribed!

actually,I haven't been to the dr. in awhile...last time i went,he told me i had a "disorder"(said it was NOT peri...thinks i'm too young)and prescribed lexapro...i had a very HORRIBLE reaction to it and was ill for a week,now i am afraid to take even aspirin.It has traumatized me or something,now i am afraid to go to the dr. at all(even different doctors from the one who gave me the lexapro)and i am afraid to take anything.The last prescription i had was antibiotics for my ear and i "thought" i felt side effects from it and had to convince myself i was ok so i wouldn't freak out.I HATE being like this,I used to be so strong and fearless,now i am afraid of my own reflection....

Jadebear, just curious, what was your reaction with lexapro? Also, what was your dosage. Doctors are notorious for perscibing high doses. These meds are meant to "wean" on a low doses.

I am curious about lexapro, also. I took one dose of 5mg and it kept me up at night. My depression is so bad now, though, that i am willing to try half that amount and see if it helps. I am in a desperate situation and i need some relief before i go crazy! I am so burned out. I see a therapist once every two weeks and it's still not enough. If anyone has any answers or suggestions, please let me know. thankyou

I took one 10mg. tablet of lexapro and i became so dizzy about 4 hrs. later that i had to lay down,then i vomited until there was nothing left.Then i had the dry heaves.My left arm was burning,then it was numb.I couldn't see/hear right,was seeing/hearing things,I couldn't pee,i had continuous panic attacks,one right after another.For the rest of the week,i still had panic attacks,whenever my hubby tried to talk/look at me,i thought he was the guy from the movie "the shining" and would freak out and panic.I couldn't eat,i could hardly walk.,i had obsessive thoughts,mainly imagining taking a butcher knife and slitting my wrists(had to fight the urge to do it).I wanted to die,i was so depressed.I forget exactly what all it did to me,but it was the worst experience of my life.It was more like a bad acid trip or something.....It was so bad that 3 or 4 days later i seriously considered admitting myself to a stress/coping center.I took just one tablet on a monday evening and it took until the following sunday to feel myself again.Sometimes i wonder if it did permanent damage to me.I filed an adverse reaction report with the FDA.But,just because it didn't work for me and i had side effects doesn't mean others will.

Weaning on SSRI meds must be done very slowwly so the body can become acclimated. These are powerful drugs and often time doctor's prescribe without telling you to start slow. I was on 20mgs of Celexa until February. I started feeling anxious and depressed again and decided to go back. This time I'm starting with 5mgs (even that may be high). I may even cut tomorrow's dose to 2.5mgs. I'm hoping to be at 10mg in 3-4 weeks. Low and slow prevents having these powerful meds slam into your body all at once! And yes these meds WILL intensify anxiety for the first few weeks. Especially at high dosages. When I started Paxil (20 mgs) 4 years ago I was so agitated and panic I had to pop 5 .50 xanax's in 3 hours until I completely passed out. Then all of sudden I felt 100% better. Go figure.

I wish the dr. had started me at a low dose,like 2.5 or 5mg. instead of 10mg......If i weren't so scared of everything,i'd actually try taking it again at a low dose.I have heard lexapro works pretty fast for anxiety and takes longer for depression. Even though i know it was too high of a dose for me,it has made me so scared and paranoid to take anything at all.How do i get over it?My mind just won't let go of that bad experience.

i have a question.....is it ok to change the amount of the cream during the month,or is it best to use the same amount every day a month,then change the following month?

Jadebear, 10mgs of lexapro is strong stuff. 10mgs of Lexapro = 40 mgs of Celexa. So, IMHO, your dosage was too high. You might want to consider slicing your pill into 1/4's or 1/8's and start again. Make sure you have a benzo available in case you feel increased anxiety (short term fortunately). Too many people have given up on SSRI's because their initial dosages were too high, especially for the anxious ones like us. PS: I'm not in the medical field. I'm just someone who learned the hard way with SSRI side effects.

I have been on lexapro for about 3 weeks now. The first week was pretty rough (anxiety, upset stomach, dry mouth). I am on 10 mg also. After the first week I felt much better but still have a few days every now and then that I feel anxious. I think sometimes we all are looking for immediate help and it just doesn't happen. I am still not sleeping really well but it is getting better. The anxiety is going away but I think the depression rears it ugly head every now and then. Lexapro supposedly works quicker than other SSRI's but still has to get in your system good to work. This is the first SSRI I have ever taken so I can't compare the others. My husband says I don't obsess on things as much and I smile and laugh more than I have in the past year or so. I guess it is working. I recomend it as my experience has been good. It is the best one they say with the least amount of side effects. It takes awhile to reprogram your body and brain to work right again. Hope you are feeling better and if I can answer any questions about my experience I will be happy to.

I am a strong advocate of taking whatever you need to get on with whatever you need to get on with...I LOVED my paxil...my doc started me on half a 10MG pill every other day for a week, then a whole pill every other day for a week, then a whole pill every day...worked for me and as I recall I stayed on the 10mgs for three years. I was taking paxil for situational depression and when the situation was resolved I went off the paxil the way I went on...after 9-11, I started wellbutrin for anxiety and did it the same as the paxil...I am not as Happy as I was on paxil but my anxiety has resolved itself and as I have no other issues with the med I am still taking it...