Menu

Only 36 and going crazy!

by EK
(Canada)

Hello Wray, I felt compelled to share my story with you. I am awaiting the arrival of Natpro and I cannot wait!

My story goes like this: I am a single mom, working full time, raised my 17 year old daughter all alone. I have had stress ALL my life. By age 26 my Thyroid was a mess. "Borderline" was what they called and and didn't treat me. I suffered for YEARS!!! Then finally they put me on Synthroid, that didn't help. Then onto Levothyroxin, that didn't work either. When I couldn't take it anymore (literally) I did extensive research and found a wonderful Dr here in Toronto, Canada where I live. He put my on natural desiccated, Armor Thyroid which I fill at a compounding pharmacy. That has made me feel much better.....BUT still not like myself. I still have severe PMS, mood swings, water retention, foggy thinking, major anxiety, can't sleep, always crave sweets, carbohydrates etc. I feel depressed, and unmotivated most of the time. I have a 17 year old daughter and an extremely supportive boyfriend. I have never been overweight in my entire life. I am 5'9 and 115 lbs. I exercise 4-5 days a week, I eat mostly organic meat, veggies etc. AND after all this I had my hormones checked and I couldn't believe that my ESTROGEN levels were THROUGH THE ROOF!!!! My progesterone, testosterone, DHEA were basically so low they were alarming!!!

My Dr. gave me oral Progesterone (natural compounded) to help me sleep. (I take it before bed) I also got Testosterone and DHEA to apply transdermally. I have been doing this for about a month and still don't feel all that different.

I am TRULY, TRULY hoping that with Natpro my nightmare will end.
I will share my story with you again and hopefully by then I will feel like "me" again.

Kind regards,
Eva

Comments for Only 36 and going crazy!

Click here to add your own comments

Mar 03, 2011
 Going Crazy
by: Eve

Eva, what is the dose and delivery means for the compounded progesterone? What is the dose for the DHEA and testosterone? Be aware that excess estrogen doesn't only come from your diet. What are your cycles like? Have they changed? The cravings can be from excess estrogen or even a mineral deficiency. If it is chocholate you crave, you could likely have a magnesium deficiency. Another aspect you need to take a close look at is your digestive system. All these symptoms tend to go hand in hand. If one hormone is out of balance (thyroid), likely you have more than one out of balance. You may need to consider if you are taking the right dose of progesterone. My first doc put me on 25mg/day starting out. That was a laughable dose...made things worse. Also, I found the compounded transdermal progesterone from the pharmacy doesn't work well for me. I am not sure if it's something my pharmacy does, but it failed for me...just something to consider. I would track all your symptoms - journal how you feel - good or bad. Follow it with your cycle, you should be able to see somewhat of a pattern. Good Luck! Eve
Mar 06, 2011
 Only 36 and going crazy!
by: Eva

Thank you kindly for your reply and posting. My dosage is 25mg of progesterone capsules (compounded) I am to take 1-2 on days 1-14 then 4 on days 14-my period. I don't know if they help but I am sleeping a TINY bit better. As far the DHEA it is dosed at 1mg/0.1 ml and Testosterone is the same 1mg/0.1 ml per day applied to the skin (comes in a syringe pre-measured) All these are compounded as well.
I am getting concerned because I haven't received my Natpro and I ordered it Feb 20. Maybe Canadian customs is holding it as (Progesterone) is only available by prescription here I hope it is not the case.

I also take (just started a few week ago) Indole 3 carbinol for excess estrogen balance. I am hoping something helps soon and your advice is fantastic as keeping a journal would help to see my progress.

Kind regards,

Eva
Mar 09, 2011
 Re: Eva
by: Louize

Hi Eva, I'm a canadian also and when I order Natpro it almost always takes a full 21 days before I recieve it. Give it a good go, I take about 200mg. a day, you may need less than I do.
Mar 11, 2011
 Only 36 and going crazy!
by: Wray

Hi Eva Well I do hope it helps! It's helped many others, but please make sure you use enough. I get so many queries from people condemning progesterone, and when I follow it up, it's always because they've used too low an amount. It really does have to be high to help. Plus the more oestrogen present before using progesterone, the worse the Oestrogen Dominance. I recommend 100-200mg/day, dependant on symptoms and of course oestrogen levels. Please see our page on How to use progesterone cream for more info. All the symptoms you've given indicate low progesterone/high oestrogen, so please persevere through the oestrogen dominance. The higher the amount of progesterone you use the quicker this phase passes. Unfortunately oral progesterone is the least effective Delivery system. Please avoid the testosterone, see here, here, here, here here, here, here and here. And the DHEA, see here, here, here and here. I'm running out of space, so will open a new comment below this one. Take care Wray
Mar 11, 2011
 Only 36 and going crazy!
by: Wray

Hi again Eva Natural thyroid meds are always more effective, but I suspect your vitamin D is too low. This effects the thyroid badly. I wouldn't be surprised to hear it is, as you live in Canada. The little sun you get and the oblique angle it hits the earth at, means most Canadians aren't making sufficient vitamin D. See here, here, here and here. It's become a serious problem world wide now, but most of all in countries of high latitude. So please consider having a test done, in fact your whole family. For more info see the Vitamin D council and GrassrootsHealth websites. This is also an excellent video to watch too, very funny in parts, but the truth comes home, see here. Take care Wray
Mar 12, 2011
 Only 36 and going crazy!
by: Wray

Hi Eva I never understand why women are told to use the progesterone during the follicular phase. We don't make any ovarian progesterone then at all, the ovaries only make it after ovulation. If a woman has severe symptoms, I do suggest using it daily, but at a far higher amount. It's best to get rid of symptoms, even if it means an upset cycle. And do you have a 28 day cycle? If so then starting the progesterone on day 14 is fine, but our cycles range from 21 to 35 days. So it would be incorrect for any woman outside a 28 day cycle to start it on day 14. All women, irrespective of their cycle length, ovulate ±12-14 days before bleeding. Unless they have a short luteal phase, in which case progesterone does help to lengthen it. I'm surprised the Natpro has taken so long, it is after all coming from just across the border! I'm thankful Louize has said it normally takes this long. And encouraged by her comment on using a high amount. Take care Wray
Mar 12, 2011
 Re: Eva
by: Wray

Hi Louize Thanks so much for telling Eva this, as I said to her I had no idea it would take so long. Bless you too for telling her the amount you use. I've found initially it really does have to be high to have any positive effect. Take care Wray
Mar 13, 2011
 Progesterone for Canadian customers
by: Mary

Hi Louize,

Eva mentioned needing a prescription for progesterone....did you need a prescription for yours? I know my current MD is not likely to prescribe it for me so that might be an issue!

Thanks!
Mar 14, 2011
 Only 36 and going crazy
by: Eva

Wow!
I never expected so much support from everyone, thank you so very kindly to all my fellow Canadians. Wray, thank you for giving women hope and support in changing our lives and feeling better. The long, dark Canadian winters are depressing and add to thyroid issues etc. I will have my vitamin D levels checked as well. Can you please comment further on DHEA and Testosterone? I currently take .1 ml per day. My levels were extremely low. Do you think this is due to the excess estrogen? And if so perhaps when my levels of progesterone increase I could stop both testosterone and DHEA?

I am really happy I found this site and will keep you all posted on my progress to better health. Wishing everyone health and happiness. Eva.
Mar 22, 2011
 Progesterone for Canadian customers
by: Wray

Hi Mary A prescription is sometimes needed, it depends so much on the individual countries. Import laws differ too, many allow individuals to buy without a problem, provided it's for their own use and not for resale. Unfortunately so many MD's believe it's a scam, if only they would read the studies done on it! It's quite remarkable how many have been done, and in so many disciplines too. But rarely does anyone look across the board, I have the time to do so, and it leaves me in awe at the benefits it gives. We have many in Canada getting the cream, and so far it's reached them, here's hoping it continues! Take care Wray
Mar 22, 2011
 Only 36 and going crazy
by: Wray

Hi Eva Many thanks for the thanks! I've only been to Canada in the summer, and spent a glorious time with cousins I have there. But I can imagine what your winter does, so I'm delighted you'll have your vitamin D levels checked. I'm dismayed you are taking DHEA and testosterone, why won't doctors read the studies. DHEA increases levels of both oestrogen and testosterone, please see these papers here, here, here and here. And testosterone, why on earth this is given to women I have still to find out. Most doctors think it increases libido, or if levels are 'low' we need it, but it's harmful if given to a woman, see here, here, here, here here, here, here, here and here. Briefly it causes insulin resistance, an increase in visceral fat, cancer and cardiovascular disease. I really don't think either of these hormones are worth the risk. Take care Wray
Mar 28, 2011
 36 and going crazy
by: Eva

Hi Wray,

I just received my Natrpo and I am thrilled. Thank you for all the information that you have provided me on DHEA, Testosterone. My Dr put me on Testosterone for low libido and on DHEA as he said my levels were very low. Now...my question is this..since my Estrogen was through the roof, is it possible that it caused low DHEA and low Testosterone? I do not want to take all these hormones if I don't have too, and will Natpro help me balance my levels of Test, DHEA and Progesterone as well as ease the Estrogen dominance? Now since I am 36 and most likely peri menopausal (I still have very regular cycles), should I start it next month on day 14? or should I start right away? Also what is a good dose? (I read the usage suggestions so I figure a teaspoon?) I am worried of the symptoms you describe that some people may experience (such as bloating etc as I already suffer from these symptoms) any other suggestions would be so very much appreciated.
Kind regards,
Eva
Apr 08, 2011
 A very happy Canadian customer!
by: Mary

Hi Wray, I just wanted you and my fellow Canadian posters on this site to know that I ordered the cream on March 28th and to my very pleasant surprise, got it today!

I look forward to using the cream and letting you know of the positive results!

Thank you so much for your website! As I said before, I wish I had found this 2 years ago when my symptoms started, but better late than never!
Apr 09, 2011
 36 and going crazy
by: Wray

Hi Eva I'm sorry I couldn't get back to you in time to advise about using the cream right away, too many queries! As you have a cycle I suggest following it. Progesterone should be used from ovulation for the duration of the luteal phase. If you know when you ovulate start then, if not you'll have to work it out from the length of your cycle. All women irrespective of the length of their cycle ovulate 12-14 days before bleeding. We have more info on our page How to use progesterone cream. Unless your mother went into early menopause, I don't think you are in peri-menopause yet. This starts 5 to 10 years before menopause, the average age of this is 51. I recommend 100-200mg/day, which is 3 to 6ml of cream. Often more is needed to overcome the Oestrogen Dominance. But once this clears, it's easy to slowly reduce the amount till you find the optimum. The reason you suffer from bloating now is excess oestrogen. So yes initially it might increase, as progesterone stimulates oestrogen. But once this phase has passed, and progesterone is dominant, the bloating should go. Doctors always give testosterone for low libido, and yet the jury is still out on that. Progesterone plays a big, if not greater role, plus the neurotransmitter dopamine. So I would really avoid those two, and let the body settle down with progesterone. The risks inherent in testosterone and DHEA are not worth it. Take care Wray

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Progesterone faq.

Share this page:
Find this page helpful? Please tell others. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Search over 8,400 pages on this site...