Progesterone... side effects?

mandalu292

Since we've had 2 previous miscarriages, we've been put on progesterone with our current pregnancy. My sister warned me that she'd had friends who said it made them "crazy". lol I felt fine the first few days, but now I find that I'm feeling really out of sorts, have been having headaches and even a bit depressed. (It says depression is one of the side effects, as are headaches)

We are currently 7 weeks along and I'm assuming that I'll only be on it for the first trimester, although I'm not sure. I just wondered what other people's experiences were with progesterone. I'm so sick of feeling crappy... and sad, and unlike myself. Of course it will be worth it to have a healthy pregnancy, just hoping that the symptoms improve!

maurierose

I took it (just stopped it) and am really glad I did - basically, it's going to help your pregnancy "cement" itself until your baby's placenta starts producing enough progesterone on it's own (somewhere between 8 - 10 weeks, according to most of the research I've done). What form are you on? I took the Crinone 8% twice a day, and went to 3x a day for about a week and a half, then quit "cold turkey" (felt a bit awkward about doing that, but our doc assured us that was perfectly fine).

Drink lots of water to help with your headaches, take a walk if you can to help with your "spirits", and most of all, know you're helping your baby however you can. I asked myself this: If progesterone means the baby has a better chance of survival, would I "deal with" the side effects? Could I handle the guilt/emotions if something happened to the pregnancy if I DIDN'T take it? Thus.... I took it dutifully. We've had enough complications, I'll take whatever "help" we can get.

I did get some headaches, but it didn't seem like it was more or worse than before I took the progesterone, and I was starving and nauseous constantly..... but again, think I would have been otherwise as well because I'm still the same after having stopped the progesterone.

Sorry to hear about your losses, and wishing yout he very best with this pregnancy :flowerforyou:

mandalu292

Thanks for your response! I appreciate the advice as well. I do feel like I've had a harder time of drinking water with this one, but I imagine it will help with all of my symptoms, so I will make more of an effort. I definitely feel better with this one, knowing that I am doing absolutely everything I can to have this baby healthy. It will be worth every bit of it. I've been taking it every day.

Right now I'm just on the oral pills. We moved out of state (just before we found out we were expecting) from the doctor I had seen with our last pregnancy who had mentioned putting me on progesterone and also 1 baby aspirin a day. I am not able to get in with a dr. here in Michigan until 8 weeks, (which stinks because it's at that time we lost both pregnancies!) so my last dr still called in the oral prescription for me to start taking. I'm hoping the dr I end up with here in Michigan will be as proactive as my last one... we shall see! So far no spotting or anything, so that is good. Just praying my 8 week check up goes well on Tuesday.

maurierose

This is a little too late as your appointment is Tuesday - but I knew I was high risk, we were changing insurance, and I wanted to see a doc BEFORE losing insurance just in case the transition was hard. You can always tell them you don't know when your LMP was, give them the date of the month prior to the one you had, and just tell them you're really not sure how far along you are. We got in at 5 weeks, and they would have made us wait til 10. Worked like a charm. I've had excellent care and have known any/all issues, and have been able to get help for them, and have been so glad we made that choice. After being told over the phone that they wouldn't see us, I hung up almost in tears and hubby sat there and calculated the "LMP" I needed to be seen..... called back..... will never forget that. Doc didn't care at my first appointment either, he was just glad we were there, and that they could help.

Water definitely helps - if you can't stand the taste, try tossing in a few sliced strawberries, oranges, grapes, cucumbers, melon chunks...., whatever helps you get that down. I got really queasy if I drank much at a time, so I grabbed a straw too and just made a point to sip on it as much as possible, and know that it's definitely helping (dehydration can cause cramping - not sure HOW dehydrated you have to be for that to happen, but I'm chicken and I'd rather drink water than play with fire. LOL).

Moving homes/docs is SOOO hard, glad to hear your old dr. called in your prescription for you - and if the one you end up with in Michigan ISN'T as proactive, don't be afraid to switch!! It's so important to be comfortable with your medical care, especially when you're high risk or facing issues, and have had m/c(s) before.

Sure am glad to hear there's no spotting!!! Keep me posted on how Tuesday goes, you guys are in my thoughts and prayers!!! :flowerforyou: