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Largo Di

by Diana
(Seminole, FL)

Hi.

I am post-menopausal (70 yrs. young)for 15 yrs. now. Under tons of stress for many years (and continue a stressed life even though I'm taking calming supplements and trying to do relaxation techniques), so I'm sure my cortisol has been over the top with all the stress. I have been having palpitations now for a few months. Got all the heart tests and they show as normal except for a 24 hr. heart monitor that picked up an atrial fibrillation episode which I believe is basically the same as palpitations. I also read a-fib (palpitations) could be caused by un-controlled cortisol and that progesterone could help.

I read that post-menopausal women are pretty much out of progesterone; and in my case I believe that to be true due to all the stress as I think the stress hormones eat it up, so I got a good brand of progresterone cream yesterday at my local health food store. It has 500 mg progesterone per ounce and 22 mg per 1.3 grams (1/4 TSP). I read that post-menopausal women can easily take 1/8-1/4 tsp. per day. (which would be about 22 mg/day). On this site, it seems to mention much higher amounts (and it says there are no side effects with the cream but I believe I experienced some). I put only 1/8 tsp. on my inner arms yesterday around 2 pm and at 6 pm I was very tired and blurry vision (unusual for me I guess as I usually have the cortisol pumping). Glad I didn't have to drive somewhere.

Also, I am usually up until past midnight without being sleepy because I sleep in to about 9 am, but last night I could barely keep my eyes open at 9:30 pm and fell asleep on the couch. Woke up around 1:00 am and put about 1/16 tsp of the cream on my other inner arm because I want to get rid of these palpitations. I was concerned even that little bit might make me feel drugged in the morning, but when I got up at 8:30 am, I was okay. I am still having palpitations and anxiety, so I am assuming I can't expect results overnight.

So, I guess I have a few questions: 1) Is it normal when starting progesterone to have a drugged/tired feeling on such a low dose? 2) If so, will this feeling go away in time? 3) Does 1/8 - 1/4 tsp/day for a post-menopausal woman sound about right as I'd be concerned that I wouldn't be able to function if I took more? 4) Does it take some time after starting progesterone for problems to resolve?

Thanks for any help.

Diana

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