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Struggling

by DD
(Vancouver, BC, Canada)

I'm not sure which way to turn.

I really hit my stride in life (48 now) about five years ago, fell in love a few years ago, then started falling asleep sitting up, getting massively irritated with strangers and loved ones alike, and am now on a downward spiral of self-loathing, ashamed of my behaviour and inability to maintain a stable mood for the past eight months now. My partner is taking the brunt of my negativity and I'm afraid of the consequences of this.

After a lifetime of what is likely PMDD and anemia, I had the Mirena IUD removed four months ago thinking it may be the cause...though it was prescribed to solve these issues. Since then things have gotten worse. Saliva test results say Estrogen Dominance and high stage 2 adrenal fatigue. I've been on Cytomel/T3 for several years and while my levels are normal, I feel chronically PMS, hypothyroid, and more curious symptoms than there's space for. I'm now on glandular adrenal support, though I haven't noticed much change.

My question: I've taken the progesterone cream into my own hands as I'm having trouble getting an ND to prescribe doses higher than 250mg/day. I'll be feeling OK and hopeful, and then at even the threat of a stressful moment, I feel like I've been kicked in the gut and my reaction is off to the races. Do I still keep upping it even if my ND wants me to go slowly because the adrenals are repairing themselves? I am still getting painful breasts, swelling in the legs and under the eyes, and a bit of weight gain with each increase.

A year away from what had become my most loving, happy, and more confident self is heartbreaking to me and I risk losing it all. I won't deny I have some very old issues that I'd thought I'd forgiven myself and others for and moved on from through many, many hours of therapy, healing work. These days the slightest thing takes me back to a very dark place.

Can anyone relate to this or share what helped them, even if it means I just need more time doing what I'm doing?

Many, many thanks,
DD

Comments for Struggling

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Mar 04, 2015
 Struggling
by: Wray

Hi DD My worst symptoms began at age 47-48, although Peri-menopause had started slowly at age 40 odd. I hit Menopause at age 51. Those symptoms are not new, unfortunately all too many women suffer from them. See our page on Oestrogen Dominance. The Mirena s not my favourite Contraceptive, you might like to see what others feel about it too, see here. Any Stress drops progesterone levels, so it doesn't surprise me you react as you do. We do have a page on Breast Tenderness and another on Breast Cysts. You live in Canada, which has one of the lowest rates of Vitamin D in the world, only beaten by Scotland! Please have a test done, a lack of it reduces the benefits of progesterone, plus a host of other problems, many outlined on the link I've given. Take care Wray
Mar 06, 2015
 More specifically...
by: Anonymous

Thank you for your supportive feedback Wray.

Buried in my story is a more pointed question, one that I've spent a fair amount of time searching through the forum about and have had no luck.

I'm now at 300mg progesterone cream a day and each time I increase, I get a hooded feeling around my eyes, a bump up in weight, increased thirst, anxiety, anger, tears, and breast tenderness. Is this estrogen dominance kicking in, warranting me to increase more?

I ask because my naturopath wants me to take it easy on the progesterone as I've got adrenal fatigue and she want that repaired first.

Keep increasing until I feel a shift? If so, what am I looking for? Then hold that amount for three months or so? This is what I understand. Or stop and try something else.

As many women are who come to this site, I am heading towards a point of desperation.

Thank you for hearing me,
DD
Mar 09, 2015
 More specifically...
by: Wray

Hi DD Please have a vitamin D test done, rather than increasing the progesterone. And maybe take advice from your naturopath. Take care Wray
Mar 09, 2015
 DD
by: DD

Thanks Wray. I hope you don't mind me writing in, despite having a naturopath. I hadn't yet found one who followed your protocol and yet I was feeling torn as your advice has helped so many. Maybe double dipping on the advice is causing more harm than good.

So, yes, I'll get a Vit D test done and be a good patient with my ND.

Best
DD
Mar 18, 2015
 More specifically...
by: Wray

Hi DD I'm not trying to brush you off, but I have have so many queries to answer, than I find I have no time for myself. So I'm limiting myself on the whole to helping those who are using our progesterone cream. There are occasions when I feel compelled to help someone I can see struggling, and you were one. I don't know one naturopath who follows my protocol either, it could be for fear of the authorities and not for fear of believing it won't work. So please bear this in mind and experiment yourself. Take care Wray

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