Progesterone - first day and feeling awful!

[thearchers]

Everyone was so helpful on my previous thread about switching my HRT from patches to gel and progesterone tablets. This issue was discussed on my other thread but I’m hoping for some more advice/ reassurance please!

I took my first progesterone tablets last night and I know they can have a sedative effect, but my goodness I feel dreadful today! Very woozy and a bit dizzy, luckily nowhere to drive today but I have work tomorrow and have to get my son to College, I am concerned about driving in the morning if I take them again tonight to be honest!

Obviously I will ring GP in the morning (assuming I can get through) but should I just power through until I can get professional advice? Has anyone felt like this but adjusted over time? Someone on the other thread mentioned the vaginal pessaries, I wonder if I should ask for those instead?

Any words of wisdom very gratefully received thank you.

Might have been me on the other thread but definitely ask for the pessaries - I felt shocking on the tablets but no side effects when up the chuff

Oh yes thank you, I did take in what you said, I am deffo going to ask for pessaries and see if that’s better. Really appreciate your advice

I felt awful as well after taking the first day. Considered taking progesterone as a pessary if it continued as I couldn't focus on anything and felt really depressed. But seems to have been ok since and now on second cycle of the tablets have been ok. The first dose seemed to be a shock to the system. I'm on oestrogen patches and the progesterone tablets for 12 days each cycle.

That's good that it settled down for you. I can’t bring myself to take them tonight, I’m worried about working and driving tomorrow.

I found tablets preferable to patches but they do have quite a sedative effect.
Try something else until you find what works for you.

I couldn't tolerate oral progesterone, i felt so sedated and had really horrible, vivid dreams and hated using it vaginally but have found the mirena coil so much better.

You don't need to ask for pessaries just insert the capsules, you don't need to ask the gp about that its a common way of administration.

Try to give it longer, ringing a gps within days of starting a new med is a bit of a waste of your time and theirs. They will suggest you stick at it and review in 3 months. Many women feel it settles down.

Just insert tonight's dose vaginally and see how you get on. Hope you feel better Sat.

I agree with @Janiie Many meds have side effects that wear off so you need to give it time.

You may find that as you go further along the 12 days the side effects settle down.

It's no good talking to your GP as all they will say is give it longer (the guidance is actually 3 months or 3 cycles ! Although that can be a tricky if side effects are bad.)

I found taking them earlier at night helped a bit (before 8pm), but it was quite restrictive having to eat before 6 so they were taken on an empty stomach.

I am now trying vaginally and feel much better, although I find it is a bit of a faff to do and worry if need to go to the loo again it will fall out 🤦🏻‍♀️

I never saw your previous thread, but assume you have checked your progesterone is one of the brands that is suitable to use vaginally such as utrogestan.

Hi I found the initial side effects of oral tablets. settled down within a few weeks but then after a few months I realised all ny hair had broken off ( bloods normal). Can't be sure but hair has been growing back since I stopped. You'll probably be fine but just something to be aware of!

@Blanketpolicy You don't have to take them on an empty stomach. The patient leaflet doesn't explain this fully but the reason is that food doubles the effectiveness of Utrogestan. For some women (who bleed) this is a good thing. However, it can mean some women get more side effects taking it with food.
It's trial and error.

If you take it early are you not feeling dizzy? I took it once at around 10pm instead of when my head hit the pillow and felt very dizzy within an hour.

I now use it vaginally which can be done any time although I stick with bedtime.

The brand makes no difference to oral or vaginal use- they are all the same product, some generic, some branded.