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Nina Murphy
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| Posted: Jan 07 2008 at 3:29pm | IP Logged
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I would like to talk more about Progesterone shots for PPD, ladies.
I took them up until week 16 (as recommended by a NaPRO physician here following Dr. Hilgers' protocol, based on my blood levels) and obviously it "worked" as I am now 28 weeks along with this little guy, Boy #5, Child #9.
But I have never had it recommended to me to use the shots *after* birth. I some questions. The shots seemed to make me extremely mellow, almost zombie-like. Slowed everything down (including my digestive system, which is hard, and loosened up my joints and veins; I was also more sick than usual?) Now that could have been early pregnancy with number 9, at an "advanced" age, with many other children to care for, and not the shots. But anyway: they seemed to have that effect on me, as well as putting quite a bit of weight on rapidly?
So, how would that work Post Partum to be slowed down since you already ARE and to have a hard time losing the weight...does that make the recovering even harder? But then I'm assuming that is a side-effect for others....
So, if you who have used the shots could share your experiences, I would appreciate it much! (And please share any effects from the shots during pregnancy if you were using them then, as well, to sustain the pregnancy, vs. how you felt from them after birth.)
Thank you for responding.
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God bless,
~~Nina
mother of 9 on earth,
and 2 yet-to-be-met
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amyable
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| Posted: Jan 07 2008 at 4:05pm | IP Logged
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I'm sorry I can't help with the progesterone after birth part, but I wanted to say my reactions to the shots during pg were exactly the same as yours, even way-back-when with my first when I was a spring chicken (28  )
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of 
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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happymama
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| Posted: Jan 07 2008 at 4:31pm | IP Logged
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when i studied to teach CreightonNFP, Dr. Hilgers stated that he had used single-dose progesterone shots to effectively cure severe cases of ppd. None of my clients needed it, so I don't know any stories personally. Based on what you wrote, though, you may just have to weigh the pros & cons: how severe or lasting might your ppd be versus the potential side effects of one single, larger dose?
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Zeliemum
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| Posted: Jan 07 2008 at 10:21pm | IP Logged
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Hi Nina,
I am not great at writing but I will try and explain my history with progesterone for you in as concise way as possible.
I found out I was pregnant with Augustine in April (about 5 weeks pregnant) I think. The very next day I started on progesterone injections as I was visiting in Brisbane and a friend who is a Napro doctor had his surgery not far from where I was staying. He was aware of my miscarriage history (4) and my 24 week premmie (Jonathan) as we had had discussions with him prior to falling pregnant about how Napro tech. could help us. He was convinced that progesterone shots would help me get through the danger period of up to 12 weeks. However my danger period was a little longer than we thought and after relaxing a bit on the injections at 12 weeks, we realized, as my levels were not maintaining well, that we would have to keep up the injections until maybe 20 weeks or so.
I was feeling pretty good I still suffered from morning sickness, they certainly didn't help reduced that ailment. I didn't notice any feelings of going to slow although I was in first trimester and I always feel pretty yuck anyway. If you ask my dh he would probably say that I was more relaxed and calm (not zombie like at all). I didn't notice any extra weight gain during the early weeks, probably the opposite as I was not eating much and sick most of the time.
My trouble started at 22.3 weeks where my cervix started to efface and the doctors were worried of imminent labour which was a big surprise for us. My Napro doctor told us that the shots could help in maintaining a calm uterus and help in holding back prem labour. We kept up the shots throughout my pregnancy until 34 weeks. I didn't gain any extra weight actually because I had gestational diabetes and the diet I was on helped me to maintain good weight throughout the end of my pregnancy - not to say I don't need to lose quite a lot more. 
After bub was born I felt PPD set in pretty much straight away, harder than I let on to people. I didn't want to see anyone, couldn't cope with confined spaces was constantly feeling restless couldn't sit for long and if I had to it took all my might to act normal. I felt very anxious whilst I was in hospital; it was a real internal battle. Once I got home it got so much worse.
We rang our Napro doctors and they sent us what they recommended would be enough to help me overcome this issue. My theory is because I was boosted up to the eyeballs in lovely progesterone throughout my pregnancy (which was essential to the survival of the baby, I truly believe) my levels over the last weeks and through out delivery and post delivery plummeted leaving me with a much depleted system. I think that is why I got hit so hard this time with this very debilitating problem.
The shots were remarkably to say the least after the first one (200) I starting to feel better by that evening. The next day I had another (100) then the following day one more (100). Each evening I would feel a big improvement in my emotional state. Currently after 2 days of no injections I feel almost back to normal. I may have one more shot, I think that will get me to where I should be; embracing my vocation which last week I could not.
I thank God and Our Heavenly Mother for the blessing of these shots, I was imploring Our Lady to help me even though I couldn't pray properly, all I could do was beg. God took pity on me I truly believe.
One more day feeling like I was could have been disastrous I wasn't well emotionally at all and don't really want to go into exact symptoms but many have already been mentioned amongst the links from my original breastfeeding post. All I can say that is compared to the woman who posted I was severe, it wasn't a mild case of PPD at all.
This is a little of my story, progesterone and Napro has worked for me. I have found the shots to be a God sent and I'm sorry to hear that they haven't worked as smoothly for you. If you have anything that you would like to ask me please if I can help I will try and answer it for you. HTH
God Bless
Chemai
Who can now smile once again. 
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Mother to seven with five in heaven...Spiritualmotherhood for Priests
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Nina Murphy
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| Posted: Jan 09 2008 at 8:08pm | IP Logged
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Thank you to those who responded. I much appreciate hearing your experiences and comments.
Yes, yes, yes; I am also grateful for the shots. Obviously, in that they worked toward achieving the goal for which I was administering them (maintaining pregnancy!) they were indeed successful. And who knows why I had my particular reactions in this pregnancy---I am not necessarily attributing them to the shots. For me, being mellow-ized is NOT a bad thing. No one really minds a supercalm me as opposed to irritable.
I guess I was just wondering for post-partum how they would work to improve your mood if they are "downers". I guess it depends if your post-partum depression is more anxiety-based or takes the form of blueness/sadness/lack of motivation. But then maybe they just boost your overall hormonal outlook, and help balance things out after the post-birth plummeting of levels? Nursing, esp. prolonged and exclusive lactation, can exacerbate that, too, I know, with the resulting non-existent estrogen levels!
I would then be interested to hear if the cream (Pro-Gest rubbed on fatty tissue 2x a day) is as effective as the shots. The shots were expensive for us, and of course, no fun.  But: if they work---they are worth it. WHATEVER works!
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God bless,
~~Nina
mother of 9 on earth,
and 2 yet-to-be-met
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Dawnie
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| Posted: Jan 14 2008 at 9:41pm | IP Logged
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Nina,
I had progesterone shots after the birth of my 3rd baby (Lucia) to treat PPD. Yes, I felt very mellow after I had the shot, but that was a GOOD thing, b/c the PPD made me very anxious, irritable, edgy.
I've also used progesterone cream DURING pregnancy to help maintain the pregnancy, but I don't remember experiencing any emotional side-effects from it. I'm normally very tired during early pregnancy, anyway.
I would do the shots again in a heartbeat if I had another bout of PPD. I've struggled w/ depression since I was in college, I've even been hospitalized for it once. Knowing how serious it can be, I know when to go get help and I'm not shy about doing it.
Dawn
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Progesterone shots and PPD
