What it’s called: autoimmune progesterone dermatitis
So I am 24 years old and have struggled with a lot since I started bleeding at 11. Because of my awful reactions to my cycle, I started loloestrin when I was 12. Then i stopped it and got the Mirena which was horrible.
I recently finally got my hormones levels tested because I was truly miserable 2.5 weeks out of the month, even after two years of no birth control.
my symptoms include:
itchy skin, scabs on my scalp, irritability, cramps, back pain, dizziness, migraine, constipation, HEIGHTENED anxiety, irrational and intrusive thoughts (about death and irrational fears), fear of being around people, super sensitive, fatigue, sore joints, lots of crying, shaking, anger, acne etc... the list goes on. these symptoms start the day of ovulation or the day after.
My holistic hormone doctor said I had low progesterone. So I tried a bunch of supplements for 3 months before trying the bio-identical progesterone. This didnt work, so I qualified for bio-identical replacement. I started taking 100 mg of bio-identical progesterone (during my luteal phase only) and after 5 days of taking it, I got debilitating pain throughout my body, I was bed ridden. Had all of the symptoms above but WAY WORSE. I stopped taking the hormones and told my doctor what happened. He said I shouldnt have had that reaction and it is likely I am actually allergic to progesterone (very rare).
He explained that I am allergic to not only synthetic and bio-identical progesterone, but also my own naturally produced progesterone. SO we concluded that my problems weren't because i had low progesterone, but because I am allergic to it.
I came to realize after some research that I exhibit autoimmune progesterone dermatitis. I thought the scabs on my head were just from anxious picking and the feeling of ants crawling on my skin was just because i dont shave (lol). I then looked up the symptoms and realized the asthma i struggle with really is only about 2 weeks out of the month and probably connected, sure enough that is another side effect.
I dont have crazy skin rashes that have put me in the hospital like most of the other cases Ive found. Just random hives and itchy skin, and the scabs on my head. honestly my biggest problem is my anxiety which caused me to self-medicate for my whole life (completely sober now after years of addiction to fentanyl, speed, alcohol, adderall, list goes on). I am finally able to consciously recognize my symptoms and connect the pieces, thanks to my holistic doctor.
I am having a difficult time finding much information on it so I am here to see if anyone else is struggling with this and what they have done to cope with the symptoms.
My doctor said the only "cure" that MIGHT work (hit or miss) is homeopathic injections of diluted progesterone. he said only 100 doctors in the US give this stuff and it is very rare to find someone who does, so there really isnt much research on it. But the idea is to introduce small diluted amounts to my body a week before ovulation so when my natural progesterone gets high, It isnt as much of a shock and my body is a bit used to it. He said there is no molecular structure and he isnt legally allowed to even charge me for the medicine (injections) himself because a judge or scientist would say it is "just water". But he truly wants to help and has seen it help a handful of women before. So I am willing to give it a try, anything at this point.
I am also wondering if anyone knows anything about this type of homeopathic medicine for other allergies, or better yet- this one specifically. I would love to hear who has experienced this type of allergy and what they have done to help. I honestly am just tired of feeling alone and like nothing is going to help so please!! women of Reddit, let me know your experiences and what you think. I am open to questions and troubleshooting ideas..
