Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Early Pregnancy Sign, or Progesterone Side Effects?

I'm not obsessing, really. Ok, maybe a little bit. But how do you not obsess when the BFP has been so alluring yet out of reach for so long? I think people may say they just kicked back during their 2ww, but who are we kidding here? It takes every bit of will-power for me to not do endless internet searches on early pregnancy symptoms, or think that every twinge, cramp, and bloat is a sign that this is the month.

I am currently at 5 dpo, and have been on the progesterone suppositories for 4 days. Here are some of the symptoms I've been experiencing:

IUI day: During dinner on the day that I got inseminated, I got this horrible headache that felt like my head was being squeezed, and interspersed with this constant sensation, I also had these horrible shooting pains in the back of my head. This lasted until late-afternoon the next day, after I took a couple of Tylenol.

1 dpo - present: Been having trouble sleeping through the night, and have been really, really tired. I read that this could be a side effect of the progesterone? Has anyone else experienced this?

3 dpo - present: A ton of cramping and bloating. The cramping doesn't hurt bad, I just feel twinges here and there. Yesterday I felt some mild cramping around my right ovary, and today it was at my left ovary. I also feel twinges around my uterine area, and it feels like a busy place. It feels as if there is "construction" going on. As for the bloating, it's similar to the worst kind of bloating I get on the months that this occurs prior to AF. It seems a bit early for me to be bloating this much if I'm not PG, but I kind of forget the exact timing when I usually experience this.

4 dpo: Last night, I got a pretty insatiable craving for something salty. This would ordinarily be no biggie, as it used to be a PMS symptom for me as a teenager. However, the feeling was really strong, and I haven't had this as a PMS symptom for years. If anything, I typically get intense sugar cravings, and need something moist and chocolate-y. Cakes, brownies, or cookies usually do the trick. But last night I was truly bummed when I saw that we were all out of microwave popcorn. Must remember to add that to the shopping list.

So what do you think? Is the Progesterone messing with my body and making me think I might be PG even though I may not be at all? As I write this, I'm thinking, "you need to stop obsessing about this...go read a book or something..." - but I'm so tired right now, I know that if I started to read a book (and I'm actually in the middle of an extremely intriguing one right now) that I'd just end up falling asleep. I hope hubby comes home soon so he can entertain me - and keep me awake!

49 comments:

Jena said...

I'm in the 2ww right now too. Just wanted to let you know that I found your blog while I was obsessively searching the internet for early pregnancy signs :)

I don't know how people keep calm, but I suspect that you're right - they don't really. Unless of course they're one of those annoying fertiles!

- Jena

beagle said...

I wish there were some way to speed up the 2ww!

Dramalish said...

Doesn't IF just completely screw with your head??? I hate that.

Best of luck, SG. And may the rest of your 2ww fly by happily.
-D.

OrchidLover said...

Hi--
I'm in the 2ww, too. It's taking forever and I feel your pain! (Also my uterus hurts, too... I hope it's good news for both of us.)

Kelly said...

I'm in the 2 ww now too after OI and I'm dying to know if the symptoms I'm having are a good sign (fingers crossed) or just side effects of progesterone.

I feel exhausted all the time, my bb's feel sore, I feel twinges in my ovarian/uterine area (although I could just be noticing b/c I'm paying more attention to it than ever before), and I've been feeling scatterbrained and emotional. I rarely ever feel these things b/f AF, but this is my first cycle with the progesterone supplement, so it could just be that messing with my system.

You'd think with all the technology available, there would be some way of finding out earlier so we don't have to drive ourselves crazy wondering for 2 wks.

Good luck and best wishes for a BFP!

Kristin said...

It's so wonderful to find out that there are other women as obsessed as I am about all of this! The 2ww is just killing me! I, too, am completely obsessed with finding an answer to the pregnancy question before the end of the 2 weeks. I had a very similar experience. The night after my IUI I felt like my face was wind burnt - I've been pretty much on fire ever since - just completely overheated. People I've hugged have even commented on how warm I feel. Around 4dpo to 8dpo I felt like my uterus was stretching. Like I was pushing my stomach out. My bbs have been hurting since 3dpo. I've been really tired since around that time, too. I'm going to bed around 8pm now instead of 11pm. I just can't keep my eyes open. Today is 11dpo and I broke down and took an HPT first thing this morning. Everyone's right when they say not to do that - it was negative. Now I'm a little freaked out because my temperature doesn't feel as warm (or is it that I'm just getting used to it?). But I'm not completely discouraged as one of my girlfriends who is pregnant took an HPT 2-3 days early and it was negative (falsely). Knowing me, I will try again on Sunday (2 days early) and then on the BIG DAY, Tuesday, to see what the real results are! This Monday (the day before) is going to be the longest day of my life!!! My biggest fear is that all of the feelings I've been experiencing are side effects from the progesterone suppositories that I started 3dpo and not true early pregnancy symptoms. May God be with us all through this very difficult time. It would be so much easier if we didn't know, but I'm so thankful IUI's are available for those of us who need a little help bringing a new life into this world. Best wishes to everyone reading this!!

daniela said...

I'm also in the 2ww and my heart is racing everyday- cos I'm so nervous. 1 dpo my boobs were really sore and then it just went. Now my 5dpo and feeling strange things inside-It feels like my uterus is stretching an twinges on left side. I'm really hoping this cycle is the one! Best of luck to everyone.

Anonymous said...

It's so nice to know others out there are feeling my pain! I found this while I was doing a search for Progesterone SE. I've been super hot, moody, EXTREMELY tired, bb hurt, mild cramping on and off and dizzy. Has anyone else felt dizzy, like almost "drunk"? My 2ww is almost up, Tuesday...I did however break down and take a test early. I got a really, really, really fain line. Almost can't see it, but it's there because my hubby and I both see it. I hope that means this is it! Best of luck to everyone else!

Tiny said...

I empathize with everyone here...feel so bloated it seems I'm ready to explode..tired, cranky, have a headache and craving lemon sorbet like there's no tomorrow...have already eaten 3 cartons. Scared to death I'm going to blow up like the fat lady at the opera but seems I'm headed down that track! I just feel so horrible.

kimika said...

soooo true...ladies, the 2ww BLOWS! it seems as though you second guess every little twinge, ache, soreness...and it makes me wonder about what i USED to think about BEFORE all this waiting, waiting, waiting! muscle up, ladies...it can be done! we may go nuts in the interim, but at least we will eventually know for sure!

caroljean said...

You know what I hate? That all these women leave these comments and symptoms but never come back later to say if they actually WERE pregnant or not...so how are the rest us of supposed to know if the symptomes were real or not? Please post updates!!!

Olivia said...

Ladies, I was able to find this site that gives an overview of SE for PS: http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/Uses/1,3915,7353%7CProgesterone%2BVaginal%2BSuppositories%7C5308,00.html

I am on day 8 after an IVF procedure - it is definetly a challenge to not think about pregnancy. What will happen will happen. You can only hope for the best.

Now - where's that cake?? *wink*

Good luck.
Olivia

Amelia Grace said...

Haha im cracking up laughing! I to am obsessively searching the internet late at night for answers. Im on day 9 after timed intercourse. Up until today I was really confident that I was pregnant until I realized the cramps and nausea could be caused by the prog. supp. im taking. Damn! Im So bummed.
I never thought I would go through so much to have a family. After 3 yrs of fert. treatments and 2 miscarriages we have a Beautiful little boy! He is SO wonderful and worth all the hell we went through to get him! We are trying for # 2 now and I've got to say one thing that I will take away from this experiance is that I appreciate everything about being a mom. I cant get enough of my boy, I could just eat him right up!Having to fight for something you want so badly only makes you treasure it more than ever when you do finally get it.
Good luck to all of you, try to keep your spirits high!

Sarah said...

I too am one of those internet searchers. I did an IUI but didn't start progesterone suppositories until after a positive pregnancy test. Now, 8 days later, I am having bad cramps, light bleeding, and gas. Lord, I hope it's just side effects and I'm not losing another pregnancy...

Unknown said...

Hi, I am on 2ww, day 7 after second IUI(ovulation). I had one single IUI 6 years ago and doctor put me on progesterone suppositories. I don't remember any twigling, cramps or breast effects from that time, but I remember a wierd thing - dry stuffed nose which I had to clean several times a day even put some water, there was blood on those "pieces" but There was no nose-bleed at all. I was pregnant and this nose symptom was with me through all pregnancy :) - I delivered healthy girl 10 days early. And then my nose cleared. :)This time I have the same nose symptoms after I started progesterone. But I also have mild cramps and some "activity" in there since IUI. I wonder may be it is because this time I was on Clomid and Follistim (first time there were no fertility drugs only Bromocriptine = 1 follie) and there were several follies 3 or 4, I am not exactly sure. Also it hurt much worse this time at IUI (I have retroverted uterus and new doctor is not very skilled, I guess). I hope this is it, I am pregnant again:) Also we tried one IUI at this clinic in last september, but it was not right timing - clinic has to evacuate before Ike (a lot of fun) and they did not give me progesterone. And no nose symptoms.:)= I was not pregnant. Usually after Clomid they do not give it, as Clomid helps with progesterone, but this time I asked to have it, they agree this will not hurt.
I hope this will help all of you who are waiting,
Larisa

honey34bunny said...

i am in the 2ww now and yes it is driving me crazy i am 9dpt i had ivf done on 3-2-09 i go in on 3-14-09 for my blood test and am going nuts now with the wait. i am on progesterone also and have been since 2-27-09 the side effects seem to go away with time i still have slight cramping

Starr said...

I am in the middle of my 2ww (IUI)and going nuts. I keep obsessively looking online for symptoms of the prgesterone suppositories vs early pregnancy signs. I have gone up an ENTIRE bra cup size in ONE week!!! My breasts are so sore they feel like ripe fruit. I am peeing all the time and soooo tired. My temperature has also remained up since ovulation. However all of this could be caused by the suppositories. I don't think I can wait another 5 days to test but I am also terrified of it being negative. I don't want to go through this again - this is my fourth month of trying. Good luck to us all!!

Countrymom said...

This is best blog I've read from women hoping, praying and obessing they are pregnant. I'm one of you! I too was researching progesterone side effects late a night hoping to find something that will suggest that I could pregnant. I'm 5dpo and experiencing bloated feeling bbs, a stuffed nose, and a crampy feeling in my right ovary. I promise to come back here if I'm pregnant. It was so comforting to find you all here. Babydustglitter

balmergirl said...

I'm on day 8 po and trying desperately not to obsess. I'm on 200 mg progesterone and feeling exhausted, nauseated and super moody. Also having food cravings and wanting to eat all the time. To make matters worse, I'm not sleeping well. This better be for a good reason. This is attempt #7 for us, #4 ended in miscarriage just before the end of 1st trimester. It's hard to function feeling so miserable. I've got the test 5 days early test sitting upstairs, I want to wait until it is definate though, the chance of false negative is too high to test early. It only leaves me wondering if I tested at the right time!

Good luck to all of you!

Flickity said...

I feel very linked to you all through mutual experience. i too am in my 2ww, 9 dpo, 4 dp implantation, searching net for progesterone side effects, wishing that the bloating, sore bb's and ache in my r) groin all means pregnancy. No answers but pleny of comfort knowing i'm not alone. patience is truly a virtue!

Unknown said...

Holy crap I am not alone....I love you guys. I have a voicemail telling me if I'm preg or not right now and I'm waiting for my husband to come home from a work trip. I'm on my 3rd IUI after many timed intercourses and this progesterone sup gets me everytime. I feel like I have someone pushing on my uterous, I am so bloated I feel like I could be 10 lbs heavier, my boobs are full.....and don't even try to get into an arguement with me I could stretch someone's eyes out. :) Knowing all these symptoms and having gone through this many times to a neg test...I'm still online searching for answers when I have the vm waiting for me. AH! I truly am with you ladies and wish us ALL the best luck. I wouldn't wish this process on ANYONE!

Mrs. Ball said...

Thank God there are others out there like me! My husband thinks I am crazy and should just relax. I can't!!! I too am on progesterone suppositories following a follistim/ovidrel/timed intercourse cycle. It is our first medicated cycle, so until today, I did not know that all of the bloating, breast pain and swelling etc... were actually side effects of the progesterone. As many of you were, I was hoping they were positive pregnancy signs. I made the mistake of testing 5dpo (negative), but the tests were not at all sensitive. Anyway, I have to wait until Friday 9/25 to know for sure. I have given my tests to a friend at work so I can't test again until then. Good luck to all of you in the same boat, and to all of you who are pregnant. I will try to post again to let you know my outcome. As they say, BABYDUST to all!!

Teacher Tanya said...

I have been on the progesterone in jestions for 2 wks.I have severe bloating,bbtenderness,fatigue, nausea,dizzines,nightsweats,constipation,tenderness of uterus,tinges of pain in my abdomen and more!I'm taking the official pregn.test in two days!I took an AHPT and it was positive! Thank you all for helping me feel at ease with all of these symptoms.I worry a lot!

Mommatobe said...

Well ladies, I just like most of you were searching progesterone side effects when I came across this site. I've done 1 IUI cycle (non successful) 1 IVF cycle ( non successful) and just completed our 1st and last frozen embryo transfer on the 2/18.. The 2ww was horrible so I feel your pain!! My doctor started me on Estrace 3x a day and Crinone 2x a day. After the transfer I only used the Crinone for a few more days then switched to Progesterone in Oil injections.. I like them MUCH better.. However, it does seem to give some ovary cramping.. I got a positive pregnancy test this morning :) so now all we can do is pray everything stays and continues normally..

Best of luck to you all :)

Unknown said...

OMG! I am so thankful that I finally found this blog. Its been a week since my IUI and I'm absolutely going bonkers with worry and fear that the blood test will come up negative. My husband and I have bene trying for five years and I'm sick of waiting! I have all the symptoms that everyone has mentioned, and yet I'm terrified that any minute I'll start my monthly and thus, confirm my worst fears that I'm not pregnant, again. But just reading about how my symptoms may be related to the progesterone and not a period makes me feel a whole lot better. I will definately be back next monday to let everyone know if I'm pregant or not. Good luck to everyone. We all deserve the chance for a family, especially when it seems that it comes so easy to everyone around us.

Sarnia said...

This is my 2nd cycle of using IUI and I am going to PG test on Thursday. I don't want to get disappoint again; maybe that's why I am not so anxious. But all these all Gonal-F and Progesterone making me crazy; I am so depressed, my breast are so sore for almost 2 weeks, I am gaining weight at least 1/2 lb every single day. I don't know...I am tired and hoping for positive result this Thursday. I will be back with results.

Mr Investor said...

Come on girls you have to come back and leave your outcomes. I so would love to see a comment somewhere that says Progest. doesnt give you all these preg. symptoms and it all prob means im pregnant. I made the worst mistake by testing 7 days after an artificial insem. and getting a positive result and getting extremely excited and telling close family that i was pregnant. oh dear it was a false positive as did a test two days later and was negative. bc of the trigger injection. Boo! No one explained to me what i would be experiencing over the 2ww i am so annoyed as it has totally messed with my head! So now it brings me to tomorrow, test day. I am so exhausted and really cant believe there is not much more info out there just all us women losing their minds for 2weeks. Ok lets all pray for a wonderful miracle

why said...

Hey - I'm new, but found this site obsessing like the rest of you. I promised that no matter what I'd post my experience for everyone.
Well for the past week I've been feeling pregnant (nausea, tiredness, sore boobs...). I should probably add that I've been pregnant 3 times and had 3 miscarriage so I know the difference between PMS and pregnancy symptoms. Well it turns out my symptoms were from the progesterone - BFN today :(
That being said, they same symptoms in the past have been because I was pregnant. This is my first cycle using progesterone right after ovulation.
Fingers crossed for next time...
Any questions - just post, I'll try my best to reply. I find that between Dr's not giving much info and everyone being different all you can do is gather your own info and figure things out for yourself!
Stay positive!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Hello All

I had my 2nd IUI done and tomorrow is my BIG DAY (Blood Test). As you all say, 2WW is horrible and the longest days of my life. I am on Progesterone suppliments (200 mg Prometrium). For the last 3 days, I am severely bloated and constipated. Had 2 sleepless nights, literally slept for only 2-3 hours a day. Also having hot flashes. Called the nurse, she said it might be because of the Progesterons that I am taking.I asked her, I have been taking it for 2 weeks, but only for the past 2 days I am having these weird things going on. She said, yes this is the time your body will secrete more Progesterone and you are taking Progesterone suppliments also, that is why the delayes side effects are. I am going in for a Blood Test tomorrow hoping for a positive. But never know, not keeping my hopes high. Don't want to get disappointed. I will post in this thread tomorrow. Good luck to all of you!

Maybebaby said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
laura said...

I got the news from my blood test after my two week wait. I am not pregnant. The symptoms that I was given by a combination of progesterone and estrogen were:
-skin sensitivity
-tender nipples
-white bumps on outside of nipples
-enlarged breasts
-shortness of breath
-mild uterine cramping throughout the day
-moderate uterine cramping with bowel movements
-constipation
-headaches
-more sensitive to smells
-more sensitive nose in general increased sneezing
-queaziness if not true nausea (worse at night)

This info will not make the two week wait easier. But it is info...good luck to all who read this.

Heidi said...

Since we all seem to have similar symptoms there is only one conclusion I can come to... we are all pregnant! Which is a relief because I was starting to think I was just crazy. While just 2 days to go on my wait my sister announced she and her hubby are pregnant. So, there is good news that a baby is on the way. Just hope it is contagious! :) My thoughts and prayers for all of us. News of one of us getting pregnant is good. To me it means it's still possible.

StraightTalking said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
StraightTalking said...

Originally posted 11th October 2011

I too am awaiting my results and have been experiencing a number of symptoms including headache, fatigue and mood swings but only minor twinges with no cramping or spotting. I found the following website provides very useful advice in all aspects of IVF/ICSI including symptoms.

http://fertilityzone.co.uk/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=9237

In short you may experience implantation bleeding or cramps around day 8-10 further to egg collection day but otherwise you are unlikely to experience any pregnancy symptoms for 2-3 weeks after ECD. So in my case I recon my symptoms are being caused by my progesterone drugs and in terms of my result I will just need to style it out for two weeks!

16th October 2011

I couldnt wait for my appointment and just tested positive this morning with home test (day 12 after EGD)!!

Best of luch all :)

Paula said...

I've been ttc for 3 years Had another iui 6 days ago, on progesterone 200 daily. I've taken progesterone several times, always same symptoms, bloating, tired, headache, but most of all, I'm not just moody, I feel down right crazy!!!
Started spotting 5dpo, it went away, now I have cramps.
Hope I can make it another week on these horrible suppositories!!

StraightTalking said...

Hi Paula,

I just got a positive result from the hospital on Thursday and though I got no spotting I have been experiencing cramping too. I checked the baby centre site and it seems this is pretty normal early on in pregnancy.

On a less positive note I was told that if things progress I have to continue with the suppositories for three months!! They are horrible but a small price to pay I guess : )

Best of luck with your results!

Unknown said...

Hi everyone. What I'm obsessing about is whether my symptoms are due to the progesterone suppository or am I pregnant. Because if this is just do to the hormone, this SUCKS. If this is because I'm pregnant, than OK, I'll deal with it. :)

Symptoms: extremely vivid dreams (always something challenging in the dream), ridiculously cranky (more in the mornings) to the point that I'm about to tell everyone to not talk to me in the morning, swollen and sore breasts, bloated, really dry skin, racing heart beat, got a cold out of nowhere, peeing more than normal, no cravings per se and not starving or particularly tired (but i've been resting a lot from being sick). I haven't taken a PG test. I guess my period should come sometime next week.

Ladybird said...

Hi everyone! Im laughing at how the obsession to try and know before it's time is so common. I thought I was a freak.

I did my first IUI about a week ago and started Prog. suppositories the day after once per day. My symptoms are:
-vivid, crazy dreams and talking in my sleep
-mild cramping in the abdomen
-very sore boobs especially nipples
-dry skin
-fatigue
-increased appetite
-constipation
So, sounds like side effects... Im trying to be patient

One more thing, can someone tell us who has gotten pregnant how the syptoms fely different from the side effects?

Sallyanne Germaine said...

Progesterone is the hormone released in greater quantities by the body when you are pregnant. It is Progestrone that drives the body to adapt to being pregnant. If you are taking Progesterone your body will start to adapt to being pregnant even if you are not.

Most early pregnancy symptoms are progesterone related. Morning sickness is better described as Progesterone poisoning! Hence the more sick you feel the stronger the pregnancy drive by your body.

So you. Really can't use the early pregnancy symptoms as a guide to if you are pregnant if you are taking Progesterone supplements.

I wish you all luck in being patient.

Hugs

LisaS said...

I had my 3rd IUI on March 26th and started the progesterone the next day. I am currently 2 days late and I have taken 2 pregnancy test and both have come up negative. I am NEVER late. The last time that I was late, I was pregnant. I miscarried 2 months later. Has anyone experienced being late and having a negative test but then ended up being preganant? I didn't know if the progesterone was causing me to be late or not. I have experienced the cramping, strange dreams and sore breasts too. Glad to know that I am not alone!!

Kaushik said...

hey dears, we are are sailing in same boat with same dilemma to find out if these are pregnancy signs or the side effects of progesterons suppliment. But can anyone share the result which they experienced later ? what did you all find out afterwards ? this will help all the new readers/ writers.

thanks.

Nadia said...

does any of you got weight ??? im on Progesterone 4 day and i do have all this symptoms you calling about ... whats freaking me out is .. for 3 days my weight change on 1kg300 gr (1.5 pound) is there anything about it ????pls answer

Unknown said...

Hey everyone,
I did a house insemination from a personal donor.
I have not been on any progesterone or anything and I have been having symptoms since I got it on the 16/11/12. It is now the 21/11/12.
My symptoms are:
Cramping in the pelvic/abdomen area
Headache
Sore boobs
Dizziness
Emotional and spacing out
Urinating a lot
Vomited 2 times

I'm not sure what is happening or if this is normal or not, but I will keep you updated

Stancioli said...

I had my 2nd IUI 8 days ago, and am going through the same things as you all... Was also googleing projesterone side effects and got tothis blog... OMG!!!! I want so much to take a HPT, and at the same time am so scared!!

mwalker82 said...

Well i am expecting but my doctor has me taking the progesterone 100 mg once a day and it has me thinking im losing my baby. The cramping & spotting alone is driving me crazy and causing my blood pressure alone to rise! So i decided to goggle the side effects & found this blog. We all are on the same page but its more scary for me because i am pregnant! HELP!!!

Msttc2013 said...

Ladies! I am 10 dpiui and been on progesterone since the night of iui. This is my second month using them. They are deadly!! I have crazy sore bbs and have had cramping the entire time. It sucks not knowing it if is all related too progesterone, AF or pregnancy!! Someone earlier commented on being late by 2days but bfn...you need to do a blood test bc AF won't come when taking the progesterone. My RE says to come in at 12dpiui for beta.

Love this blog!

Unknown said...

Hey ladies,is there anyone who can help me, i m 10dpivf and wanna check pregnancy . Dis is my first ivf . Feeling like dizzy ,cramps on and off , id this the sign of positivity . Worried .

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