Stopping progesterone, WWYD

dhreczuck

My OB at my last appt told me I could stop taking progesterone supplements that day, I was 8 weeks 6 days. She saw the freaked out look I got and said it was also totally fine to wait until I was 10 weeks if it made me feel mentally more confident but that it really wasn't necessary at all. 

Now I'm almost 10 weeks and totally freaking about stopping. I was only taking them as a precaution and my progesterone levels on their own were always totally fine but I can't help but be nervous. I have quite a  bit left so I had devised my own plan of going from 2x a day to 1x a day for a week and then stopping at 11weeks. Am I just pissing in a pool of progesterone at this point? Is it better to wean or just stop cold turkey?

Tigger & pooh

I don't know anything about progesterone so my only concern question be is there a possible negative effect to taking it longer?

solarflare

I think there is a certain reason you stop at either 10 or 12 weeks, but I can't remember. I think I stopped PIO at 10 and the suppositories at 12. 

But I've seen many ladies stop earlier. If you are worried, ask to have your levels checked before and after. Mine were checked for 2 weeks after, went down a little bit and then went back up. But a range is all they are looking for.

I haven't heard of weaning - it probably wouldn't do any harm, but you should prob clear it with the doc first just so they know that's what you are up to.  

fingerscrossed72

No advise on progesterone issue. But I just have to say......wow: 10 weeks. That is awesome, I'm sooooo happy for you. You got this! Will be watching your updates.

dhreczuck

solarflare:

I think there is a certain reason you stop at either 10 or 12 weeks, but I can't remember. I think I stopped PIO at 10 and the suppositories at 12. 

But I've seen many ladies stop earlier. If you are worried, ask to have your levels checked before and after. Mine were checked for 2 weeks after, went down a little bit and then went back up. But a range is all they are looking for.

I haven't heard of weaning - it probably wouldn't do any harm, but you should prob clear it with the doc first just so they know that's what you are up to.  

I'm almost embarassed to call them about it since she was so definitive that I should stop at 10 weeks. I guess they wouldn't knowingly do anything to hurt the pregnancy so I should take their advice.  She said because im only on suppositories they don't actually affect my blood concentration level of progesterone so measuring it isn't really effective.  

dhreczuck

fingerscrossed72:

No advise on progesterone issue. But I just have to say......wow: 10 weeks. That is awesome, I'm sooooo happy for you. You got this! Will be watching your updates.

 

Awww, thank you!!! Those first two months really freaking dragged by, hoping things start to speed up a little. I hope to see you over here asap!! 

danieleandwayne

I just spoke to my doc about this today! My RE had said to check with her, but that he was saying I should take the progesterone supps until 8 weeks, but to start weaning off them at 6 weeks.

My OB today, however, said she'd like to see me keep taking them up to 12 weeks. So I can start weaning at 10 weeks-- going from every day to every other day, then every 2 days, every 3 days, etc. She said that given my history and age, she would just feel better to cover me up to 12 weeks, since it takes up to 10-12 weeks for the body to take over and no longer need progesterone. It can't hurt, only help.

I don't know if her thoughts help you at all, but that's her plan and reasoning behind it for me.

dhreczuck

That does help danieleandwayne..I think the weaning is going to be more a mental aid for me than anything else, and I certainly don't think it will hurt. I have enough to do 1x a day for a week and then every other day for a week, that will take me to 12 wks. Plus we have an u/s scheduled next week, I'm sure after that I'll feel 99% better about it!

MrsNukem

My RE says I can stop the progesterone at 10 weeks (that is about when the placenta takes over progesterone production I believe).  I am on shots, so I will be more than happy to ditch the progesterone when the time comes.  I can understand your apprehension though.  I don't think there is any harm in weaning vs going cold turkey.

Country Girl in the City

I was terrified to stop the pregesterone.  I weaned gradually from 8-12 weeks and then I had another ultrasound when I was completely off of the progesterone.  I would talk to the doctor or nurse before you devise a plan of your own but I doubt that they will have an issue with it.  She saw your freaked out look once and was understanding so I bet that she will be again if you call and talk about it.

solarflare

dhreczuck:

solarflare:

I think there is a certain reason you stop at either 10 or 12 weeks, but I can't remember. I think I stopped PIO at 10 and the suppositories at 12. 

But I've seen many ladies stop earlier. If you are worried, ask to have your levels checked before and after. Mine were checked for 2 weeks after, went down a little bit and then went back up. But a range is all they are looking for.

I haven't heard of weaning - it probably wouldn't do any harm, but you should prob clear it with the doc first just so they know that's what you are up to.  

I'm almost embarassed to call them about it since she was so definitive that I should stop at 10 weeks. I guess they wouldn't knowingly do anything to hurt the pregnancy so I should take their advice.  She said because im only on suppositories they don't actually affect my blood concentration level of progesterone so measuring it isn't really effective.  

Oh yes - I forgot that the blood levels aren't affected by the suppositories. Well, have you had your levels checked anyway to see if they are in the normal range?

Early pregnancy is so freaking scary!!! Ok - the whole thing is. But especially the beginning. I understand your worries.  

mrsjami

My OB is super conservative and had me go to 13 weeks. I was happy to be done!

dodo1202

I had the same fear too when RE told me to stop at the end of 8 weeks.  The nurse even warned me if I wanted to take it longer, don't use for too long.  The only thing to calm myself is to have a blood test on progesterone level and to pay attention on myself to see if there's any bleeding.   So, I reduced from 3 times suppository to 2 times then 1 time in the following week.  I then took a blood test and my level still in the mid range.  I then stopped totally.  I had the suppositories new refill with me just in case I see bleeding.  Since then, I'd never had any bleeding.

angel1namae

I have taken progestrone with 3 pregnancies now and they always make me take it to 12 weeks. The placenta starts to make progestrone at that time, 12 weeks. Before then your ovaries make it. If you have a history of PCOS, that is what I have my body just does not produce enough to maintain a pregnancy, even though my levels come back normal. After the 12 weeks I am fine and have no issues and just stop taking it.

  

chance_encounters

I weaned myself off because I too was totally freaked out at first i took them just e very other day, the eveymry three days then I was off of them by 12 weeks. Good luck