I have an auto-immune condition and have been on prednisone for a flare. This year I've been on it longer than any other year at 5 months. I'm down to 5mg of tapering and really feeling it.
My doctor was willing to prescribe me 5% progesterone cream (50mg/g) and I'm already taking DHEA. I convinced her and she's letting me self-direct my own treatment. My progesterone levels were not tested or anything like that. I've read in various places that progesterone can help ease the withdrawal symptoms of pred because it feeds into the cortisone cascade. Prednisone also suppresses DHEA production in the body so that's why I'm on that, as it helps prevent bone loss and other gnarly effects of pred.
I'm a 33 year old man and I don't want to mess with my hormone system too much, but I also need to support my adrenals as I come off of this last 5mg. It might not sound like much but it's intense. It's also winter time now so I'm always freezing on top of dealing with this temporary adrenal insufficiency. I also feel that stress triggers my flares if the stress gets too high so I'm wondering about taking progesterone during stressful periods in my life to help with cortisol production.
Am I doing the right thing with progesterone? Is it potentially too much? I plan to take it short term. What kinds of adverse effects should I look out for? I am mainly concerned about energy levels and libido. I've read that prog can shrink the penis if used excessively. I am also concerned about prog converting into estrogen.
My sex drive is OK right now although ejaculation exhausts me for days, so I tend to avoid doing it. I also started back at the gym and I'm finding that rather exhausting too, but I have muscle atrophy from being underweight and I need to regain.
Also keep in mind I live in Canada where you can't buy hormones over the counter. It's all prescription up here. So if you have product suggestions I'll probably have to get them on my next visit south.
Thoughts and suggestions would be most appreciated!
My doctor was willing to prescribe me 5% progesterone cream (50mg/g) and I'm already taking DHEA. I convinced her and she's letting me self-direct my own treatment. My progesterone levels were not tested or anything like that. I've read in various places that progesterone can help ease the withdrawal symptoms of pred because it feeds into the cortisone cascade. Prednisone also suppresses DHEA production in the body so that's why I'm on that, as it helps prevent bone loss and other gnarly effects of pred.
I'm a 33 year old man and I don't want to mess with my hormone system too much, but I also need to support my adrenals as I come off of this last 5mg. It might not sound like much but it's intense. It's also winter time now so I'm always freezing on top of dealing with this temporary adrenal insufficiency. I also feel that stress triggers my flares if the stress gets too high so I'm wondering about taking progesterone during stressful periods in my life to help with cortisol production.
Am I doing the right thing with progesterone? Is it potentially too much? I plan to take it short term. What kinds of adverse effects should I look out for? I am mainly concerned about energy levels and libido. I've read that prog can shrink the penis if used excessively. I am also concerned about prog converting into estrogen.
My sex drive is OK right now although ejaculation exhausts me for days, so I tend to avoid doing it. I also started back at the gym and I'm finding that rather exhausting too, but I have muscle atrophy from being underweight and I need to regain.
Also keep in mind I live in Canada where you can't buy hormones over the counter. It's all prescription up here. So if you have product suggestions I'll probably have to get them on my next visit south.
Thoughts and suggestions would be most appreciated!