Progynova exhaustion - wow

[orangecatmum]

Hey all,

I'm currently on Progynova ahead of my FET (booked for next Tuesday, eek! Terrified and all of the emotions) and oh my goodness I feel like I've been hit by a truck.

I know some side effects are normal but I was also sort of expecting not to feel much from these. Has anyone else felt so exhausted on these? Also since my EC in March, I've had such horrendous spots. As a non-spotty person, it's so weird - my face is just one giant hormonal break-out, and I feel like the estrogen has made them worse. Also the weight gain, but that's a whole other thing.

I start cyclogest tomorrow (not looking forward to this, NGL) and my body already feels like such a mess from the progynova!

Just checking that I'm not completely abnormal and that it's OK to feel this shattered on the hormones? Working is a real struggle - I have a really busy job and a big team that I run, it's tough!

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi. Have you tried drinking lots of water. Sometimes helps to sett the pituitary gland, where all the activity is going on, ans likes the water. Good luck. Diane

[orangecatmum in reply to DianeArnold]

Thanks Diane - yes, drinking as much water as I can without making myself waterlogged!

[JoleneR]

Oh yes, I can relate to this! Whenever I start the meds, I recognise the familiar feeling of tiredness and brain fog ... And there's nothing I have found that helps. All I want is a coffee 😂 It definitely affects my ability to work, and I even told a manager about it and they referred me to OH. As a result I've been given a bit less work. Before IVF, I never realised how much hormones affect you emotionally and physically!

[orangecatmum in reply to JoleneR]

Oh no! God, honestly what we have to go through is mad, especially while carrying on with our normal lives/jobs! I feel for women who already have young children, too. Must be so intense. That's great your work could streamline your workload, though!

[Rubylou01]

Hi - I also had terrible acne from the hormones. I went and saw a biomedical Dr as also had chronic upset tummies alongside the spots and it just felt like my system was completely out of sync. They thought it was all linked and advised taking probiotics and prebiotics to help balance gut bacteria in addition to loads of water. Been on stims for egg collection and no crackers so it's worked I also think there's an assumption that we can take all this in our stride but when youre as busy as you sound to be you're just going to have to say no and take time out to care for yourself!! xx

[orangecatmum in reply to Rubylou01]

Oh bless you. The spots really are so annoying - like, in the grand scheme of life they aren't a big deal but they are part of a package of more upheaval, and totally agree with you on the whole body feeling out of whack. I think it's surprised me how off I feel - I wasn't really expecting it!

[Glaedy]

Hi hun, I've got my transfer booked for Tuesday too! I started progesteron today, and as for Progynova - I feel exactly the same! My skin is breaking out so bad 🤦‍♀️ and I am so tired all the time, and sometimes so badly bloated, and on top of that - recently I can't sleep at night, I wake up randomly between 3-5am and can't fall asleep again 🥲

[orangecatmum in reply to Glaedy]

Ahh hey! I haven't found anyone who is doing exactly the same day as me! I started the progesterone today too - while at work, awful going into the cubicle to do that!

Sorry to hear you have struggled too - I can also definitely relate to the sleeping issues! It's all fun and games isn't it! I may DM you so we can go through this madness together, ha

[Glaedy in reply to orangecatmum]

I think progesterone passaries are the most dreadful part, so awkward and messy. I've got an alarm on my watch to keep reminding me about them 🙊 and now on top of everything above I will be super moody and emotional 😆

Please do! The infertility journey is a hell of a ride 😅

[orangecatmum]

Oh an alarm is a great idea! I had to do my first at precisely 3.40pm today, and then another in the evening but no idea when. And I suspect I'll forget a fair bit over the next few days.

But hopefully we both have 12 weeks of these, as awful as they are!🤞🏼