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please help, can't sleep because of jolt on chest, panic and fainting

by Eva verhoeven
(Netherlands)

Hello,
I am 48 years old and am in perimenopause now for about 3 or 4 years. Since two years I have occasional dizzy spells when trying to sleep. Always in the week before my period. Progesterone cream helped. The last months things have gotten much worse Periods are erratic, sometimes every other week. And nights have become terrible. Every time I doze of, I jerk awake with palpitations, feeling faint and panicky. If I don't take Oxazepam I lay awake all night with dozens of these 'attacks'. The progesterone cream doesn't seem to work anymore, and after my period, these dreadful nights just continue. I am at my wits end and desperate, even thinking of trying SSRI's or other medication. I take the recommended dose of 40 mg. natural progesterone. Should i take more? Could progesterone help these symptoms?
I would be grateful for your answer.

Kindly, Eva from the Netherlands

Comments for please help, can't sleep because of jolt on chest, panic and fainting

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Jul 15, 2014
 Dosage
by: Diane

Eva~ you are using far too low a dose. PLEASE read "how to use progesterone" and "estrogen dominance" pages. 100 to 200mg AT LEAST is necessary.
Wray and others have reiterated over and over the importance of proper dosing. Please read, learn and try. It may take a while to overcome estrogen dominance, but hang in there. It will get better. God's blessings. Diane
Jul 15, 2014
 Not Enough
by: Liz UK

It's fairly well written on this website that the "Recommended dose" of 20 or 40mg of progesterone for peri-menopause does nothing and actually awakens the Oestrogen receptors leaving your body in a constant state of Oestrogen Dominance.

After trying Natpro at 400mg a day, I spoke to my doctor about getting prescription natural progesterone as I could not afford the 400mg a day, every day until I hit menopause (I am 45)

I had done my research and there is in the UK a pessary prescription of Progesterone of 400 to 800mg daily given to treat PMS and women who are trying to conceive and have a history of miscarriage due to low progesterone levels early in their pregnancy.

They come in 200mg and 400mg pessaries.

The available dosage on prescription proves that the over the counter progesterone products that suggest using 40mg are actually providing no relief and if anything cause symptoms to worsen which is why so many women stop using it.

When we first start using progesterone, there is an initial "reaction" from Oestrogen receptors that are awakened by it. This is called Oestrogen Dominance which is well known subject if you research on the net or better still in these forums.

Because you are using such a small amount it's much like paying for insurance that is not technically valid. In short, you're paying for nothing and in fact at the dose you are applying it will cause more symptoms than treat.

You need to increase to a minimum of 100mg and see how you feel.
Expect the possibility of an increase in Oestrogen symptoms for a week or two (Maybe more) but in time progesterone will dominate the Oestrogen and things will calm down.

Also, as is also mentioned in the forums here your Vitamin D levels are crucial for progesterone to work and 85% of us are Vitamin D deficient which causes all kinds of symptoms in itself including insomnia, depression and anxiety.

Vitamin D is actually a hormone and not a simple vitamin.

You can only make it by exposing bare skin to UVB (Sun) and going on holiday once a year is no where near enough.

As recommended by Wray, I take 10,000 IUs a day along with Magnesium.

I was deficient with a blood serum level of 21 (Ideal is 70) and my parter was at 5.

Please research these forums for women all in a similar position to yourself and you will find the common answer.

More progesterone.

See:

https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/estrogen-dominance.html#axzz37Y7Q3Xxv

You can also see my story and the bumpy ride here:

https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/liz-from-uk.html#axzz37Y7Q3Xxv

https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/liz-uk.html#axzz37Y7Q3Xxv

There is no straight line of recovery and no fixed dose that cures all women. We are all different in terms of how much progesterone and Oestrogen our bodies have and need.

You need to find a dose that works for you and also take the Vitamin D (Hormone) test and take it seriously as the two hormones work in synergy.
Jul 15, 2014
 EVA
by: Deborah

Hi Eva

You are taking way too low of an amount of progesterone; Wray will tell you that you need around 200 mg every day - maybe more if you are having severe symptoms.

I know that Joy will have some good information for you, but in the meantime read some more on this site; it's so full of good information.

Don't take the prescription drugs! I know that I got some similar symptoms for a lot of years, but the progesterone has taken away the strange anxiety and palpitations, etc. - it just took a little while and I had to use the right amounts.
Jul 16, 2014
 but are high doses safe?
by: Eva

Thanks for all your kind comments! I did a lot of research on the internet and almost everywhere I find the warning NOT to exceed the 20-40 mg dose of cream...that it could backlash etc. if you take more then the recommended dose. And that if might not be safe.And that scares me and I get confused and don't know what to believe anymore.
Are there any studies that confirm that it is safe and useful to use high doses? Also, I won't b able to pay the cream in those kind of dosages, and I don't know what possiblilities there are here in the Netherlands to get progesterone that the insurance pays for. But i will look that up.
Jul 16, 2014
 Please help, can't sleep because of jolt on chest, panic and fainting
by: Joy

Hi Eva

First of all thanks to the ladies who have given you some useful information. Peri-menopause can be a difficult time for most women, but it need not be. Progesterone is needed to help prepare you for Menopause You are also suffering from Oestrogen Dominance The 40mg amount that you are using is not enough and is merely aggravating the estrogen receptors causing adverse symptoms i.e. palpitations etc. You should be using 200mg per day, possibly more depending on how severe your symptoms are. Please make sure that the progesterone used has the correct progesterone concentration . How to use progesterone cream and the Anxiety pages will help you to understand a little more. Progesterone does work if it is used correctly, it is not an overnight fix and does take time.

Oxazepam is a member of the Benzo group and is highly addictive.

A Vitamin D deficiency reduces the benefits of progesterone, it is also connected to every single cell and it’s formation in our bodies, making it vital. Please consider having a test done.

Hope this helps you.
Jul 17, 2014
 Dosage
by: Anonymous

Eva~ I work for a BHRT doctor in Ca and our average dose is 100 to 200mg daily, sometimes higher. Do not be afraid to try. Remember it may take a couple of weeks to overcome estrogen dominance. Diane ~

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