Failed progesterone and the battle continues...

[JeanetteLW]

I am not ashamed about it:  I self medicated completely for several years.  I supplementally self medicate now even though I am under a doctor's care for my HRT.  When they don't listen and will not do what I want, I take action if their reasons are not logical.  My body, free country, my transition.    My labs are always spot on...

I could agree and I sympathize with you but like I said, "I'm trying to be a good girl" I'm just getting started and want to give him a chance.  This will be only my second lab series. Well see where I am and go from there. He knows my desires and I'll remind him again after the results are in and see what he says.

   Hugs,
      Laurie

[LexiDreamer]

I have not, but KayXo has and I would recommend her advice regarding that.  Progesterone definitely increased my libido and my T levels are null (reference ranges are for women...I am post-op):

Testoster Free
0.16 ng/dL
Reference Range: 0.06-0.95

Testoster Tot
10 ng/dL
Reference Range: 8-60

Thanks Ainsley!

I thought it strange that she had me dial back my Spiro for my T being at 25 ng/dL.

One more question please...

Do you cycle the Prometrium or take it every day?

[ainsley]

I don't cycle.  I take it daily with food. 
I have recently begun adding inject-able progesterone to my regimen, too.  Very much liking the effects from that.  My nails stopped peeling and splitting, my hair is healthier, my libido is even better, and my hips are getting padding, albeit minor.  I have a voracious appetite, gain weight easily, and my workouts aren't as easy to get through, but, hey, that is what girls battle, right?

[KayXo]

I don't cycle.  I take it daily with food.

+ 1

I have recently begun adding inject-able progesterone to my regimen, too.

Injectable progesterone needs to be injected daily or at the very least every 2 days because its half-life is very short. On the other hand, hydroxyprogesterone caproate, another relatively safe progestogen can be injected less frequently (weekly to biweekly). FYI, for others. I know you know Ainsley.

I thought it strange that she had me dial back my Spiro for my T being at 25 ng/dL.

I don't think it is. Some T may be needed for some for energy, well-being, etc. BUT, some also do well on very low T so it depends. I think it best that a doctor adjusts according to the patient's feedback (how they feel, overall feminization) rather than numbers. Did you tell her things were alright for you on this dose?

[LexiDreamer]

Well, my total Testosterone level was at 99 ng/dL back in November so she had me up my daily dosage by 20%.
Two and a half months later my lab showed me at 37 ng/dL on the slightly higher dosage (perfect if you ask me).
My last lab in March had my level at 25 ng/dL (which seemed like a normal fluctuation from the 37 to me), and she had me drop the extra 20% of Spiro because she felt this was too low.
The Quest Diagnostic range for females is 2-45, so I can only assume she thought the lower level was somehow affecting my libido. 
I've been on the lower Spiro dosage for 6 weeks now (I'm assuming my level is probably back to around 99 again)  and my sex drive has not improved... much to the detriment of my relationship.
I think the only effect it's had on me is making my leg and facial hair grow a little bit faster again.

Now I've read where some doctors wait to prescribe progesterone until after 1-2 years of Estradiol, as it somehow may mark the end of breast growth. But, I have also met at least one girl that had both Estradiol and Progesterone prescribed right from the beginning of her HRT.
I know some of you are post-op so I assume you've been on HRT for several years.

I'm a 34-36 B bra size right now but my breasts are still tender, so I am assuming they're still growing.

Can I ask where you were in your transition when you added Prometrium?
I have been taking Spiro and Estradiol for almost 10 months now. I wan't to consider the possible unintended effects of taking Prometrium now, before I lobby my doctor for some (again).

Sorry for all the questions, but you girls seem to be very knowledgeable and experienced in this area, and I really appreciate your help here.

[Laurie]

 Hi  LexiDreamer

    I have been asking my doctor about adding progesterone to my regimen. I've only been on HRT for 5 months now. His last answer is that he wants me on a full dose of estradiol before prescribing it. I'm not sure at this point what he considers a full dose yet but I know I at the lower end of the "normal dose range". I guess I'll be interrogating him more on the 22nd for that information.

  Hugs,
   Laurie

[KayXo]

I took Androcur within two months of starting HRT and this is a progestogen. I took progesterone 1 yr into my HRT for no specific reason other than just to see if it would make a difference.

The idea is to mimic young girls in puberty and wait to give progesterone but that's far as the rationale goes. No real science behind it.

[LexiDreamer]

Thank you Ladies!

My doctor sent the script in for Prometrium, but she doesn't think my insurance is going to cover it. Is there a generic I can suggest or should I really stick with the brand name version?

[AshleyP]

Thank you Ladies!

My doctor sent the script in for Prometrium, but she doesn't think my insurance is going to cover it. Is there a generic I can suggest or should I really stick with the brand name version?

Yes, there is a generic, but it's still pretty expensive. Kay once suggested to me that I ask a compounding pharmacy, and it cheaper there. The two I talked to have some weird dosage rules that they can't compound a med if it's a standard dosage, i.e. 100mg or 200mg. I don't know if I understood them right though. They didn't really want to talk to me when they discovered I didn't already have a prescription.

All the best,
--AshleyP

[KayXo]

Maybe your insurance will cover it if you mention you can't tolerate the progestin, medroxyprogesterone acetate (i.e. depression). It worked for me. I get it for free.

Apparently, Prometrium is just as expensive as the generic. No difference, is what Merck claims.

[LexiDreamer]

My insurance covered it. They gave me generic though. Round pink balls. They look strange for meds.
I started it tonight as the instructions say to take it once a night.

Anything I should watch out for?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[ainsley]

Anything I should watch out for?

Vivid dreams.

[LexiDreamer]

Vivid dreams.

OMG... you are so dead on with that one!

[AshleyP]

Vivid dreams.

Funny that you'd mention that. While I'm not taking progesterone, it seems that my dreams have been much more vivid since beginning HT. As a practiced lucid dreamer, I've also found it much harder to "enter" my dreams, too.

All the best,
--AshleyP

[ainsley]

I could not believe the vivid dreaming I began to do when I started progesterone.  They are unlike anything I have dreamt before taking it.  I still dream very vividly, and they seem so real!  Also, I remember them--another thing I never used to do.

It's crazy, but I like it, tbh.   

[LexiDreamer]

I'm already a dreamer... hence my username.

But the Prometrium has definitely amplified my dreaming! And yes, my dream recollection seems to be sharper too.

I've only taken it for 3 nights and overall I'm feeling pretty good. My mood was very calm and upbeat this weekend.

Hopefully it won't be long for the libido lifting effects to kick in.

Thank you so much for the recommendation!

[ainsley]

I'm already a dreamer... hence my username.

But the Prometrium has definitely amplified my dreaming! And yes, my dream recollection seems to be sharper too.

I've only taken it for 3 nights and overall I'm feeling pretty good. My mood was very calm and upbeat this weekend.

Hopefully it won't be long for the libido lifting effects to kick in.

Thank you so much for the recommendation!

So glad to hear you are seeing good results thus far from it! 
Keep us posted.