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Anxiety, hormones, or both?

by Terri
(NJ)

hi~ I am 51 and have had wacky cycles for awhile and a lot of stress over the last 2 years. Something snapped this past April and I started having panic attacks. Nothing they gave me helped--they tried Paxil, Zoloft, and Lexapro and each made it worse.
Because of my crazy cycles my Gyn suggested trying progesterone cream and I noticed the difference the first day! : )

I am still confused as to how much I should be taking. The Gyn isn't sure either. He has me take a total of 60 mg/day-- 1/4 tsp in the morning and 1/2 tsp at night for 3 weeks then go off for a week, period or no period. He says ignore any bleeding and just stay on the schedule. However, I still get "emotional" surges and feelings of warmth through my abdomen especially during the afternoon/evening. Is this hormones and the beginning of the hot flashes? Do I increase the progesterone to the 100 mg/day? If so, is it ok to break it up into 3 doses over the course of the day. I have seen 2 doctors and no one really knows. It is a new idea for everyone.

Thank you!

Comments for Anxiety, hormones, or both?

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Nov 04, 2011
 Anxiety, hormones, or both?
by: Wray

Hi Terri I'm delighted your Gyn suggested progesterone, most unusual. But I can't agree with the amount he has you on, or the rather strange schedule! Once cycles become too erratic too follow, which begins in late Peri-menopause, it's best to use the progesterone daily, taking no break. Each time you do take one, oestrogen rises again, this takes you back to square one. It makes the transition to Menopause easier too. In fact I began using it daily even when my cycles were regular, as taking the customary break caused all my symptoms to return. Something I could do without! I recommend 100-200mg/day, more if symptoms are severe. Yours are, so I suggest you start on the 200mg/day. You might need more initially, you'll only know once you start using it. But before you do please read our page on Oestrogen Dominance first. This often occurs, particularly if oestrogen levels are high and symptoms are bad. Progesterone is excellent for panic attacks, it activates the GABA receptor sites, GABA is one of the most calming neurotransmitters, see here. We do have a page on Anxiety which lists several nutrients which can help too. Taurine is particularly calming. Progesterone should be used at least twice a day, as levels drop after about 13hrs. But some women use it hourly to help with symptoms, particularly hot flushes. Your feelings of warmth could well be the beginnings of hot flushes. Starting progesterone now should prevent them occurring, it's only once they begin that 400mg/day or more is needed to stop them. Stress not only drops progesterone levels, but vitamin D too, please have a test done. This nutrient is vital for normal cell function. For more info on testing etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth Birmingham Hospital and Vitamin D Links websites. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml and not the 30ng/ml labs and doctors regard as adequate. And the minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although the latest research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. Take care Wray

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