2nd betas good, progesterone bad

JellyTwoPointO · November 2012

My HCG jumped from a 14 to a 56! However, my progesterone was only a 9 :-(

I actually don't have an OB yet because my previous one moved, so I'm working really hard to try to find an OB who will see me (because I'm self pay, no insurance till January) because since 9 is on the low side, I need some progesterone meds, stat! I'm encouraged that the HCG went up, but I'll admit, I'm REALLY nervous about the progesterone level, especially if I can't get into an OB yet....

KikiCohen · November 2012

I hope you're able to get the meds you need soon! And yay for good betas

Erinm278 · November 2012

T&Ps I'm wishing you the best of luck! Congrats on the nice looking betas though!

KdgTeacher · November 2012

I'm sorry about the low P4. In terms of meds, PIO is the cheapest when paying OOP I've found. I paid about ~70 for 2 vials.

JellyTwoPointO · November 2012

MrsErinH:
Yay for an awesome 2nd beta number! ::does happy dance for jelly:: I'm sorry that your progesterone level is low though. I hope you can get something figured out fast to get a prescription. If you don't have an OB who is doing your betas?

Thanks, Erin!!!!

My first one was done through my PCP who actually REFUSED to do a second one for me when I got concerned (huge side eye, throat punch, all of the above.) I called multiple OBs in my area but because I don't have insurance till January (even though I'm willing to do self pay till then), NO ONE would see me!!!! So I drove up to Michigan to my home town walk in clinic where there's PCPs who've known me since I was a kid, explained my concerns, and they did a HCG and Progesterone draw at my request. But because this doctor isn't an OB, he said he couldn't get me the progesterone meds. Sad His suggestion was to call my PCP back with my progesterone number and ask for an internal referral to an OB because normally internal referrals get seen quicker than people off the street. I'm going to do that and call EVERY OB in my area till someone sees me. I have cash to wave in their face -- I just need the medicine!!!

JellyTwoPointO · November 2012

KdgTeacher:
I'm sorry about the low P4. In terms of meds, PIO is the cheapest when paying OOP I've found. I paid about ~70 for 2 vials.

Thank you for the info!!! I don't know anything about progesterone supplements. Can you explain what the PIO is for me? It's still prescription, I'm assuming. Is 2 vials equal to two doses? I don't know anything about this :-(

KdgTeacher · November 2012

Jellybean902:

KdgTeacher:
I'm sorry about the low P4. In terms of meds, PIO is the cheapest when paying OOP I've found. I paid about ~70 for 2 vials.

Thank you for the info!!! I don't know anything about progesterone supplements. Can you explain what the PIO is for me? It's still prescription, I'm assuming. Is 2 vials equal to two doses? I don't know anything about this :-(

PIO= Progesterone in Oil. It is an injection. I won't lie--it hurts and the needle is big. It has to be given in your tush. Yes, it is RX only. I'm on 1cc/day and I think I got about 10(?) doses per vial.

Xles10 · November 2012

Do you have a history of infertility or of m/c? If not, that also may be why no one is taking you seriously. Honestly, I'm not even sure if 9 is that low? My first HCG was 13.5 and my progesterone was 7. The nurse told me that was good, since it was very early pregnancy. I was put on a progesterone supplement, but I think my RE does that for everyone. I guess the question is, what was your progesterone when you had the first draw? If I had to guess, that number is slowly increasing. You're probably 10+ now. No reason not to try and get a supplement if you're worried, but there is a good chance your body is increasing the progesterone on it's own.

Edit note- Sorry, just reread your ticker, didn't read it close enough before. Too bad you can't get to an OB or specialist, I always get the impressions the PCP don't understand this stuff, heck I think OB's barely understand it. They get it once you're farther a long, but this early pregnancy stuff really isn't their cup of tea. You need an RE for that.

JellyTwoPointO · November 2012

KdgTeacher:
Jellybean902:

KdgTeacher:
I'm sorry about the low P4. In terms of meds, PIO is the cheapest when paying OOP I've found. I paid about ~70 for 2 vials.

Thank you for the info!!! I don't know anything about progesterone supplements. Can you explain what the PIO is for me? It's still prescription, I'm assuming. Is 2 vials equal to two doses? I don't know anything about this :-(

PIO= Progesterone in Oil. It is an injection. I won't lie--it hurts and the needle is big. It has to be given in your tush. Yes, it is RX only. I'm on 1cc/day and I think I got about 10(?) doses per vial.

Thank you!!!!!

If I can pick your brain a little bit more.... I DEFINITELY want to get on Rx progesterone meds and get monitored by an OB ASAP, but if you see what I wrote to Erin in the comments above, I'm having issues with that. I have OTC progesterone cream that delivers 20mg a pump. Do you think that in the meantime, while I'm trying to get into a doctor to get the meds, it would be worth it to use about 100mg worth of progesterone cream? I figure progesterone is progesterone and it might not be AS effective, but I'm hoping that while I'm calling and waiting, it might at least do some good? I'm feeling kinda desperate and until I get into an OB, this cream is all I have...

KdgTeacher · November 2012

Jellybean902:

Thank you!!!!!

If I can pick your brain a little bit more.... I DEFINITELY want to get on Rx progesterone meds and get monitored by an OB ASAP, but if you see what I wrote to Erin in the comments above, I'm having issues with that. I have OTC progesterone cream that delivers 20mg a pump. Do you think that in the meantime, while I'm trying to get into a doctor to get the meds, it would be worth it to use about 100mg worth of progesterone cream? I figure progesterone is progesterone and it might not be AS effective, but I'm hoping that while I'm calling and waiting, it might at least do some good? I'm feeling kinda desperate and until I get into an OB, this cream is all I have...

Truthfully, I'd at least ask a pharmacist before you do that. What does the box say the suggested dose is? I don't think all P4 stuff is the same....especially OTC stuff, which I'm sure is not what you want to hear. I'm on 2 different types of progesterone--1cc PIO/day and then a gel (Crinone) 1x/day.

JellyTwoPointO · November 2012

KdgTeacher:
Jellybean902:

Thank you!!!!!

If I can pick your brain a little bit more.... I DEFINITELY want to get on Rx progesterone meds and get monitored by an OB ASAP, but if you see what I wrote to Erin in the comments above, I'm having issues with that.  I have OTC progesterone cream that delivers 20mg a pump.  Do you think that in the meantime, while I'm trying to get into a doctor to get the meds, it would be worth it to use about 100mg worth of progesterone cream? I figure progesterone is progesterone and it might not be AS effective, but I'm hoping that while I'm calling and waiting, it might at least do some good?  I'm feeling kinda desperate and until I get into an OB, this cream is all I have...

Truthfully, I'd at least ask a pharmacist before you do that.  What does the box say the suggested dose is?  I don't think all P4 stuff is the same....especially OTC stuff, which I'm sure is not what you want to hear.  I'm on 2 different types of progesterone--1cc PIO/day and then a gel (Crinone) 1x/day. 

No, you raise a good point. I'm desperately hoping if I'm aggressive enough, I'll get in to an OB and have meds by tomorrow....