Re: Endo and depo irony
From: BJ (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu Feb 27 12:19:21 2003
Depression is a well known side effect (among many others) of Provera
and all the synthetic progestins. Yes, you may have endo, but the Depo
is only helping by stopping your periods. It does nothing to actually
heal the endo lesions and, as you are experiencing, it can cause
additional problems.
In my opinion, the supplements you are taking are a good idea but are
maybe not enough, especially if you do have endo. I'd like to suggest 2
things. First information. Dr. John Lee has written several really
good books about women's hormones. His website is http://www.johnleemd.com and
I would particularly recommend his book on premenopause. The menopause
book contains the most complete explanation of how our hormones work.
His books are also available in many health food and book stores as well
as elsewhere on the web (Amazon.com, etc.). This will give you a better
understanding of the relationship between endo and hormones. It will
also provide you with the info you need to deal with this perimenopausal
phase of life. The other suggestion is to switch from the wild yam to a
real progesterone cream. Wild yam is actually a phytoestrogen and does
not convert to progesterone in the body. Progesterone will help get
your hormones back in balance.
Take care and best of luck!
BJ
At Thu, 27 Feb 2003, anonymous wrote:
>
>After 11 years on the Depo, I stopped it in August 2002 because of
>increased depression due to a decline in hormones. (I'm 46 years old).
>
>IN December, after the three month Depo effect has worn out, I
>experienced heavy cramping in the left side of the groin. My doctor
>suspected diverticulitis, and made an apppointment for a colonoscopy. He
>also found infection and put me on antibiotics. The pain got worse and
>shifted to an area in the fold of the left leg, accompanied by
>unbearable cramping and pain in the upper rectum area. While at it's
>worst, I woke to a fully blown period, the first in many years.
>
>THEN only did I recall that after my last child was born 11 years ago
>via C-section, I had similiar cramps in the fold of the leg and rectum.
>A laparoscopy and colonoscopy revealed nothing abnormal then. Because
>of heavy bleeding and clotting, my gynae put my on the Depo at that
>time. And the pain disappeared with prolonged use of the Depo, which I
>understand now - the uterus stopped building up and shedding.
>
>I rushed to my gynae and asked to be put back on the Depo. Having read
>up about it by then, I mentioned a possibility of endometriosis, which
>was met by: if the Depo stops the pain, just go back onto it.
>
>But it will take time for the Depo to stop the periods, and I just
>experienced again the worst cramping and stabbing pain two days before,
>and four after my period started in January.
>
>I yesterday saw the specialist in connection with the colonoscopy. I
>mentioned all this, and he made an appointment for a pelvic sonogram and
>the colonoscopy, in March. Having had ovarian cysts before, I'm nervous
>this might show up on the sonar, and be blamed for the pain. I also
>realize both tests might show nothing unusual.
>
>My question to you: trying to control the depression I'm taking DHEA in
>the morning, and Dong Quai, Black Cohosh and Wild Yam at night (this
>combination does seem to help). However, could this be aggravating the
>endometriosis, if that is what I'm experiencing? And do you think I do
>have endometriosis?
>
>THANK YOU!
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