Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Sunnydays]

Hi, After 7 weeks of oestrogen only, the 12 day course of Provera seems to have done its job of clearing the  build up in the uterus lining. The thing is, since stopping the Provera I've felt awful. Whist taking it I didn't feel too bad, although by day 8 I was planning and counting the days to stopping taking it as I just didn't feel right. I had expectations that within a couple of days of stopping it, I would revert to my good oestrogen only feeling but it hasn't happened.

I feel nauseous a lot of the time, breasts a bit tender and I have that horrible creeping feeling in my legs that I experienced when I very first started hrt. I'm quite irritable and sluggish and I've reverted to a few hot flushes. I've had headaches. Was I right in still using the oestrogen patch whilst taking the Provera? Do you think there is progesterone still in my system (when I had it via a patch on a previous hrt regime within hours of removing it, the horrible progesterone symptoms went). I am extremely sensitive to medications.
I feel much like I did when I made the decision to go on to hrt. I must be absorbing this estradot 25 patch otherwise I wouldn't have had bleeding. I've wondered if I've coincidentally got a virus but I just don't think that explains it. I feel like the Provera has messed my system up but I don't know why and I don't know how to get to how I was. Ideas gratefully received.

[Ju Ju]

Sadly, like many of us, it sounds like you are sensitive to progesterone. I didn't fair well with combined progesterone and oestrogen. I tried a long cycle of progesterone along with the 25 patch, 12 days provera every 3 months. I found provera more bearable than other forms of progesterone. Unfortunately, the lining of my womb did thicken, so the long cycle did not suit me. How long is your cycle? Others on the forum seem to be doing well on a 2 month cycle.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Sunnydays - I can't remember if you are peri or post meno? If you're peri then your hormones may have done a dip and this would cause your symptoms.  You are right, you could simply have a virus - there is a lot going round at the moment and it's wrong to always blame HRt for symptoms. Provera won't have messed with your system, it's actually the body reacting to the drop in progesterone and it should get back to normal soon.
If you're post meno, then the 25mg patch is very low and maybe you need a higher dose.  Also patches sometimes don't always stick that well so absorption can be an issue.  I do think it is early days to make a judgement - because of past experience you are expecting problems so I would try to do some mindful meditation or distraction techniques - try to get some rest - even watching some funny things on Youtube can lift my mood when I'm feeling low. 
I'm afraid HRT is a trial and error thing and the peri stage is always going to be difficult.  BE patient.  DG x

[Sunnydays]

Thank you ladies. Ju Ju I was suggested to do 3 months cycle but was too scared of the high dose Provera so opted for just under 2 months. DG I'm 2 years post meno and the bizarre thing is that that the 25mg patch suited me very well and for 7 weeks everything was great! Then I took the Provera and downhill since! I agree it could  be the drop on progesterone and all I can say to that is thank goodness I hadn't taken a high dose - it must be alwful to 'come down' after that!
Yes I'll keep hanging in there )

[dogdoc]

 There are a few studies out on the effects of progesterone withdrawal ( at least in rats) and withdrawal of progesterone can do several things including increasing anxiety, lowering mood and increasing prostaglandins ( the chemicals that cause inflammation/pain). 

I wonder if some of the women on here sensitive to progestetone are actually sensitive to the withdrawal of progesterone.  I for one have horrific symptoms when stopping utrogestan but feel fine on it.  :/

[GypsyRoseLee]

I think I was okay while taking Utrogestan, but then there would be a real dip a few days after I stopped taking it.

[Sunnydays]

Thank you ladies. I agree it must be to do with the withdrawl of progesterone.  I  know I must sound like a worn out record but since I stopped taking the Provera on the 8th December I have felt really out of sorts. I can't put it down to a virus as I now have a wretched cold/ ache virus  which is another kind of feeling awful!
Since stopping the Provera I must be like the rats in the study! I am awful to live with, a black mood, crying easily at anything, lack of patience, I feel nauseous much of the time, glass is half empty  and so the list goes on! Before I took the Provera and in the oestrogen only phase I was not like this; in fact everything calmly went over my head! It was wonderful!
I simply can't take the Provera again so am having to think up an alternative plan as I have some Evorel conti patches left in my drawer!