Facebook Pixel
EmpowHER Guest
Q: 

I had a bad experience with bioidentical hormones. What information can you give me on this topic?

By Anonymous December 2, 2008 - 9:03am
 
Rate This

I ended up in the hospital with severe panic attacks and delusional thoughts after being given too little estrogen and way too much progesterone by an N. D. here in the valley. I have had a full hysterectomy and was told by three other doctors that I never should have been given the progesterone. This episode caused a chain reaction in which I was then put on too high of a dose of Lexapro and many other anti-anxiety drugs for the next two years. All of the side effects made me feel horribly worse and I ended up being weened off of everything except some Adivan. I feel better now, but still not right.

I need some help with my hormones, but don't know who to get it from or who to trust. Any info that you have would be helpful.

Thanks, Debbie O'Donnell

Add a Comment112 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

How long did it take for you to heal? Can you try to find me on FB to message me that way? I am Megan McCall from Eddy tx my profile pic is of my daughter and I.

June 2, 2015 - 6:44am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Thanks for your post. Iam just scared cause I only used it for a short time but my body hates it from day one! Nightmares and couldn't sleep for days . The doctor talked to me into adding more more for 3 weeks! I should have never listened. I didn't even have low progestrone. It was supposed to help migraines. I actually have low estrogen. So it has really caused me to become completely imbalanced. Feel like I can't think straight. Have 3 beautiful girls I feel like I'm missing out on. The anxiety nightmares and intrusive scary thoughts continue. I have never been able to watch scary movies now I feel like I'm stuck in one. Will this ever go away? Thanks

May 12, 2015 - 11:08am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Wow! I was just searching and found this site and your dilemma. I'm in a similar situation, have been on bio progesterone only since the end of Feb. Low dose at only 25mg, and given it in hopes to raise my testosterone. My progesterone levels were ok. I've recently been having panic attacks (did have some life stress suddenly so I'm sure that didn't help), but feeling the heart palps, feeling scared and paranoid about things (I think I have health anxiety). Anyway - I guess I could be super sensitive? I see most have been prescribed way more than my dose. I've just stopped altogether this week and will call my doc tomorrow. I'm hoping this is "normal".

May 31, 2015 - 6:48pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

This is Tamara. Being scared is one of the biggest parts of anxiety and the imbalance. How i would get through it. Drink alot of water...learn how to breath deep. Cry if you need to. Crying will be a big part of your healing. It gets rid of the toxins. There is alot to cry about and alot to be afraid of. Get in touch with your spirituality. Whatever you believe in...tell how scared you are. It will go away...but it might not for a while. Take walks if you can to sweat. Also, if you can hack it...take something to help your liver and kidneys. It's going to be hard because your body is in "what's going on" mode. It's trying to get itself back. You can help it by talking to your body and telling it that it will be okay. You have to be your own comfort and seek help spiritually with comforting spirits. You probably also need to figure out where you might think you will go after you die. This experience...in my case...has taught me to seek guidance in what i am actually afraid of...i know it is physical, but, mentally it is super challenging because it effects the mind. Try to wipe bad thoughts out...cleanse, purify, breath and drink water when you feel you are panicking. It will go away...BUT, in the meantime...to cope...nurture yourself. Take baths, walks-to sweat and stay strong (force yourself), eat warm foods not raw salads or raw anything except maybe carrot juice. Keep telling yourself you are going to be okay. You will be okay. Lay flat on the floor, close your eyes and breath...in out in out...fast too...it can move the energy up and out. Especially to the brain. Out your nostrils. In out in out...it's a spiritual teaching to cleanse and move energy to keep blood flowing in health. Pull breath into stomach and then focus on pulling into lungs. Stretch. Move the energy. I'm sorry. I know what you are going thru and my heart is with you.

May 12, 2015 - 12:07pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I have been writing anonymously as well and want to say the same thing...you will recover. Even though it may take awhile, everybody is different. I thank God that I own my own business and have help but I am sure glad others like myself are writing on this thread because I believe it may be the only site out there for this problem...I will let you know...my name is Tamara. I am the anonymous whom has written a lot about it taking time and diet is important and yes, we are all in the same boat. Love love and more love...eat ayurvedic! It can help a lot !

May 6, 2015 - 6:39pm
(reply to Anonymous)

Oh thank you thank you!!!!!! I am only in week 3 and feel like the world has ended with how out of control everything feels (and sometimes hopeless is the best word that comes to mind)....one reply on here calley it being a raw nerve and that is the truth! I have everything you mentioned above........how long did it take before you woke up one morning and said, "Gee, I don't feel neatly as bad...." Your story gives me hope and right now there isn't anything I appreciate more! I am so fortunate that I have good people running my business because there is no way in the world I could work....and I couldn't imagine going through this with 4 girls depending on me. MY husband has been a dream and I am so thankful, as this is pretty terrifying, not having control over your own body. Is there anything you would recommend doing/not doing? I can't bear the thought of leaving the house....I have had some epic panic attacks outside these four walls which I know increase that fear of going anywhere. I have always been incredibly active and successful in my life, travel frequently and this is just too much......you can find me on FB at Lana Harvey Cichon for anyone who wants to connect there....I would love the companionship as we trek on through this adventure......

May 6, 2015 - 6:38pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Demogirl66)

Lana, my name is Tamara. I honestly think it took me about 3 months to get out of the panic mode part. I tried everything at first and just had to trust in God. I have written a lot on this thread because I knew it would help others to not feel alone. I am Tamara Sindorf on FB. I also have my own biz...and am an herbalist...but...water...lots of water...it is a SLOW recovery for me...but I think now after 2 years I can eat other things as a treat once in awhile for fun...my social life is shit for sure. Let people love you. It's a hard lesson to learn about what we are willing to take that the dr just says to take. I am still very very sensitive...can't eat spicy. Sugar will definitely trigger the anxiety. Also...coconut oil. If u go to an ayurvedic practitioner they can help you at least with the eating part...coconut oil on the skin...and on the scalp once in awhile to ease that brain on fire thing...throat, tongue, thyroid...all. Of it will be effected. It's painful in a very scary way. I know. Is u msg me on FB u can call me if u want. I run a business with health products. Bless u...you r going to b okay...trust me...I'm okay but it's in my bones and I was walking a lot to sweat it out. Walking is good..but now I can't walk...I have an issue with my tailbone now and my joints...it's all connected...it's all so scary. Trust in God. T

May 6, 2015 - 6:51pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Demogirl66)

Hi,
It is a long and slow recovery...I wrote a whole lot on this thread and your experience sounds just like mine. I am going on 2 years since I quit cold turkey after being overdosed...I was only on the. For 6 months...but just 6 months has had me tailspin ing for 2 years. I can show you compassion. Hormones move very slowly. There is no quick fix...best way to spend your money is to get nutritional support. I suggest ayurvedic...the only things I have been able to eat is chicken soup. I make it over and over and over again. At first you need to build your body through goat milk and quinoa, soup...no tomatoes, processed meat, sugar is a big culprit for the anxiety attacks...etc. ayurvedic. My mouth and tongue has suffered with strange sensations...like I am on fire inside... I can say I am getting better after 2 years but I am suffering now from the last stages of detox in my bones. If I were rich I would sue this doctor...whom subsequently was fired for not testing before dosing...and quitting cold turkey I was told a no no...but...it's all done and a hard lesson. I am outspoken about the dangers...I also feel like I was going to die. This is a time to really trust in God. It is going to take time to heal...a very long time...and you have to get use to the idea that any small progress should be documented as a leap forward. Nobody is going to tell you what I am telling you u less they have been through it. Don't let any dr tell you it is abnormal what u r going through. Believe me...law suits are starting to pop up...I see them in new commercials on tv...about how you can sue...bla bla bla... Believe me...until women step up and tell their stories...this is going to be a fad that is pushed on women and people are going to be going through hell...men and women. I wish I could tell u there is a quick fix. I have been in be more in the last 2 years more than any other time in my life. You have to have faith though because it is going to take time and nobody wants to hear how slow recovery is. Diet is super, super important. What you eat and when you eat. You are like a raw nerve right now. It is very very hard and I feel for you...I feel for me.,I feel for anybody going through it. I would try very hard to not be dependent on Xanax because that can perpetuate the anxiety. I will try to help the best I can if u have specific questions. I would consider myself a survivor. You are a survivor too.

May 5, 2015 - 8:52pm
(reply to Anonymous)

Thank you so much for reaching out to me, that means so much when you feel like you are living alone in crazy land. I am really focused on my d>ire r, nothing but organic, hormone free (no pun intended), etc....no reason to give my body more bad things to detox and get rid off......and no sugar, bread, pasta, etc and I am only drinking water. I think what I struggle with the most is the resulting high blood pressure and rapid heart rate that I never had before....it is crazy I require two medications to try and control it....it's like my adrenal glands are out of control and I don't know if they will ever be right again! I am on a beta blocker (Labetalol) and it is supposed to help with the anxiety as well (although it makes me shaky, queasy, dizzy, tired.....awesome) so I am going to start reducing my xanax dose tomorrow. Between those two medications I can barely move and still feel weird in my chest
Have had 2 EKG's and both have shown my heart to be sturdy, but it is still unsettling. And I will ask you.....how long until you felt like you could leave the house and get on with life a little bit? I will just be happy when that day gets here.....and praying it will....praying A LOT these days....good Catholic girl I am dusted off those rosary beads.....

May 6, 2015 - 6:47pm
(reply to Anonymous)

The above anonymous comment is from Angie (me)! I was not signed in when I responded

March 25, 2015 - 6:50pm
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
By submitting this form, you agree to EmpowHER's terms of service and privacy policy
Add a Comment

All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.

Menopause

Get Email Updates

Menopause Guide

HERWriter Guide

Have a question? We're here to help. Ask the Community.

ASK

Health Newsletter

Receive the latest and greatest in women's health and wellness from EmpowHER - for free!