Newcomer - Help!

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone -- I just joined the group and here is my story:

I began BHRT in January 2008 (age 41) after crazy bleeding and other 'wacky'

perimenopause symptoms. I was diagnosed with perimenopause and was put on

natural Thyroid, Progesterone, Testosterone, and DHEA. But daily doses of all.

It helped dramatically with the bleeding, and the side effects came and went as

my period came and went. So far, so good.

BUT THEN...A year later (this February), prior to my period starting, I gained

up to 8 lbs within days (I usually gain a few pounds, but not like this!), my

breasts became enormous and extremely painful, I was bloated, my normally slim

belly turned to jello (as did my entire mid section from under my breasts to my

thighs) and I seemed to be retaining alot of water and fat. The problem was the

symptoms never went away after my period ended! So, after being extremely

frustrated (as I have worked so hard to stay slim and fit), I called my doc and

they suggested I go OFF of daily progesterone and only take it 10 days prior to

my period (yah, as if I can figure out when THAT is - LOL!) and stop taking it

at the first sign of blood.

Anyway, I've been doing that for 1 week now and I have been doing research on

rhythmic cycling and I think this is what my body needs to do. I think I had

too much progesterone (even though my bloodwork panels were good #'s for both P

and E) and so I want to figure out what days and when I should take P, etc.

I have noticed that finally, as of this past Saturday, the water weight is

reducing and the jello belly is subsiding (still there, but not as much), the

bloating is gone (stopped fiber pills last week too and think I need to do those

only at night before bed), and my breasts are a bit smaller and nowhere near as

tender as before. The weight is subsiding finally and I think the P had a great

deal to do with it.

Now, I am concerned that the hemmoraging will return with not having regular

doses of P in my system, but trying to figure out what is going to work best for

me is where I am at -- any any help you can offer me is welcomed as I navigate

through this new 'journey' of cycling my hormones. I am completely clueless so

any and ALL help and info you can give is most welcomed. Thanks and God bless!!