Crisis! Allergic to progesterone! what can I do? Ever heard of this?

cjp · 02-08-2005, 05:43 PM

After something like 10 times of doing Progesterone in oil shots, I had an allergic reaction. Lots of hives and itching. It persisted for a long time. The doctors thought it was the oils - an allergist guessed it was the aspirin. That was 4 years ago. I wanted to do another cycle and was tested for all the oils and the progesterone alone. I had an allergic reaction (welting of skin tested) to the olive, sesame, cotton oils AND THE PROGESTERONE in saline solution!! Only suggestion allergist was to take Zyrtec twice a day before taking the shots. Plus he could order a diluted cream for any welts. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE OTHER SUGGESTIONS or have heard of anything like this! My RE said before I was tested that it's one thing if I'm allergic to the oils because we can get around that, but to be allergic to the progesterone itself would be a big problem. I'll be suppressed with Lupron and need to have the progesterone. Other forms of progesterone, such as pills and suppositories won't solve the problem now! Please help! CJP

Shellg76 · 02-08-2005, 05:55 PM

Oh no! I'm sorry! I don't know what to do!
I get hives, all the time, and usually an antihistimine such as sudafed (which is safe to take during pregnancy) takes mine away. I don't know if that will cut it in this case tho...
I wish I could help!
I get hives when I'm sick, getting over being sick, getting my period, getting over my period, tired, upset, you name it...
Maybe you just need an antihistine to help with the itching. Sudafed is on the safe list. The kind that you take every 4-6 hrs.
Good luck.
Keep us posted.

**BC-KarenS-MI** · 02-08-2005, 07:33 PM

Yikes!! I'm sorry this is happening to you!! I've never heard of someone being allergic to all forms of it before. I don't know much about allergies, but is it possible to just take something to ease the hives/itching & just take the progesterone anyway?? I'm not sure if that's an option, but I just don't have a clue?!

I hope that you find a solution so you can keep going!!

Karen

Twins_Squared · 02-08-2005, 08:04 PM

Hi,

I am also allergic to all forms of progesterone and am surprised that your RE would tell you that its a problem! My reaction (same as what you described, plus my fingers and toes swelled up from the itching), happened after my first progesterone shot during IVF #1.

My RE (Dr. Schoolcraft at CCRM) had me use 1500u shots of HcG every third day, for a total of 3 shots (so I took them over 9 days) beginning after egg retrieval.

Despite not having any added progesterone, I was able to become pg and w/multiples.

Jillie

SomedayMommy · 02-09-2005, 08:14 AM

Yeah, my RE has prescribed hcg shot boosters as well...

stillhavehope · 02-09-2005, 09:38 AM

Hi there,

Reading your post was like reading one of mine from the past! I know first habd what you are dealing with.

I had done two IVFs and had no problems with PIO whatsoever. Well, on IVF#3 I developed hives and just like you the RE thought it was from the PIO and an allergist thought it may be an allergy to the asprin. So, I was taken off asprin completely and switched from PIO to Prometruim 600mg daily vaginally and STILL had the hives. That cycle was my BFP and I am 17 weeks pg now and I hate to say it but I STILL have hives! I am going to an allergist at a medical university 2/14 and hope to get some answers. I take Claritin each and every day and now it isn't working but for about 12 hours. I honestly think I am allergic to progesterone in all forms. Bizarre, but that has to be it. Oh, I stopped the Prometrium at nearly 14 weeks and began progesterone 17 shots so I am still on progesterone and will probably be the entire pg.

On top of that I developed an allergy (since being pg)to pennicillin and unfortunately have been RX'd two antibiotics (once for spider bite, once for UTI) and have severe allergic reactions to the antibiotics which included major hives (regardless of Claritin) that had me at the hospital for an Epipen and steroid shot

OH, I am so sorry you are experiencing this! Hope you get some answers and I am interested in reading the answers myself!

atd36 · 03-09-2007, 08:36 AM

Hi, ladies. I also have a problem with the progesterone, but my reaction was slightly different. A few days after starting the POI, I developed very high fevers, pain and huge knots in my hip muscles -- near the injections sites -- the pain was so intense, that I had trouble walking for four days. My RE subsequently switched me to progesterone suppositories, which I also had a negative reaction to -- they caused vaginal pain and swelling. I have my beta today and am worried that (fingers crossed), if it's positive, I won't be able to support the pregnancy. My doctor took me off the suppositories today.

It gives me great comfort to hear that others have a bad reaction to the progesterone and have gone on to have successful pregnancies. Thank you for sharing your stories.

OldTimer · 03-09-2007, 08:44 AM

Great job on doing the search and reviving a good post!

cjp · 03-09-2007, 08:47 AM

Wow - my post was from 6 years ago! After 2 months of not sleeping due to the itching, a doctor finally prescribed Zyrtec (an allergy medicine) and it helped a lot throughout the rest of the pregnancy. The day I had the baby was the last day I took Zyrtec. I've never had allergies before or since. When I tried IVF again, I went to an allergist for testing. They tested all the oils progesterone came in (cotton, sesame, olive, and peanut). I was allergic to all but peanut. Unbelievable part is they tested me for progesterone and I did actually show an allergy to it. I was willing to do the injections though because I hadn't had the rashes until I was actually pregnant. I took progesterone in peanut oil shots and didn't have any problems. I supplemented with oral progesterone too. The hcg boosters are also a great option I did a few times. If you want to email me, my email address is "Nikolov@tampabay.rr.com"

wan2b3+ · 03-09-2007, 09:09 AM

I thought some centers used HCG shots every 2-3 days instead of progesterone??

02-08-2005, 05:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
cjp Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 193	Crisis! Allergic to progesterone! what can I do? Ever heard of this? After something like 10 times of doing Progesterone in oil shots, I had an allergic reaction. Lots of hives and itching. It persisted for a long time. The doctors thought it was the oils - an allergist guessed it was the aspirin. That was 4 years ago. I wanted to do another cycle and was tested for all the oils and the progesterone alone. I had an allergic reaction (welting of skin tested) to the olive, sesame, cotton oils AND THE PROGESTERONE in saline solution!! Only suggestion allergist was to take Zyrtec twice a day before taking the shots. Plus he could order a diluted cream for any welts. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE OTHER SUGGESTIONS or have heard of anything like this! My RE said before I was tested that it's one thing if I'm allergic to the oils because we can get around that, but to be allergic to the progesterone itself would be a big problem. I'll be suppressed with Lupron and need to have the progesterone. Other forms of progesterone, such as pills and suppositories won't solve the problem now! Please help! CJP

02-08-2005, 05:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Shellg76 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Louisiana Posts: 4,011	Oh no! I'm sorry! I don't know what to do! I get hives, all the time, and usually an antihistimine such as sudafed (which is safe to take during pregnancy) takes mine away. I don't know if that will cut it in this case tho... I wish I could help! I get hives when I'm sick, getting over being sick, getting my period, getting over my period, tired, upset, you name it... Maybe you just need an antihistine to help with the itching. Sudafed is on the safe list. The kind that you take every 4-6 hrs. Good luck. Keep us posted. __________________ Michelle Bryce 10/28/2005 Twins: Liam Archer 12/30/08 12:53pm Lillianna Grace 12/30/08 1:11pm

02-08-2005, 07:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
BC-KarenS-MI Board Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 28,043	Yikes!! I'm sorry this is happening to you!! I've never heard of someone being allergic to all forms of it before. I don't know much about allergies, but is it possible to just take something to ease the hives/itching & just take the progesterone anyway?? I'm not sure if that's an option, but I just don't have a clue?! I hope that you find a solution so you can keep going!! Karen __________________ ttc #1 for 7 1/2 years ~ IVF #1, 6-93, cancelled; IVF#2/rescue ICSI- 7-99, failed ~(switched RE's) ZIFT/ICSI- 1-00, successful w/twins, lost 1 at 8w ~ ZIFT/ICSI #2, to try for #2- March '03- successful ~ GS- IVF #1, 7-05 failed. FET 10-05- BFP, m/c 5w5d

02-08-2005, 08:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
Twins_Squared 10000-15000 post ace of hearts Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: United States Posts: 18,853 Blog Entries: 20	children ment. Hi, I am also allergic to all forms of progesterone and am surprised that your RE would tell you that its a problem! My reaction (same as what you described, plus my fingers and toes swelled up from the itching), happened after my first progesterone shot during IVF #1. My RE (Dr. Schoolcraft at CCRM) had me use 1500u shots of HcG every third day, for a total of 3 shots (so I took them over 9 days) beginning after egg retrieval. Despite not having any added progesterone, I was able to become pg and w/multiples. Jillie __________________ 5 years old! "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."----Sir Winston Churchill

02-09-2005, 08:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
SomedayMommy 10000-15000 post ace of hearts Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 16,194 Blog Entries: 75	Yeah, my RE has prescribed hcg shot boosters as well... __________________ Stacie(37) DH(30) Bilateral hydros (cauterized), elevated dheas IVF#1 8/02 BFN -- IVF#2 3/05 BFN -- FET#1 6/05 BFN IVF#3 9/05 BFP Ben 4/29/06 -- FET#2 11/07 BFN IVF#4 5/08 BFP Ashley 1/2/09

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02-09-2005, 09:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
stillhavehope Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 655	PG MENT Hi there, Reading your post was like reading one of mine from the past! I know first habd what you are dealing with. I had done two IVFs and had no problems with PIO whatsoever. Well, on IVF#3 I developed hives and just like you the RE thought it was from the PIO and an allergist thought it may be an allergy to the asprin. So, I was taken off asprin completely and switched from PIO to Prometruim 600mg daily vaginally and STILL had the hives. That cycle was my BFP and I am 17 weeks pg now and I hate to say it but I STILL have hives! I am going to an allergist at a medical university 2/14 and hope to get some answers. I take Claritin each and every day and now it isn't working but for about 12 hours. I honestly think I am allergic to progesterone in all forms. Bizarre, but that has to be it. Oh, I stopped the Prometrium at nearly 14 weeks and began progesterone 17 shots so I am still on progesterone and will probably be the entire pg. On top of that I developed an allergy (since being pg)to pennicillin and unfortunately have been RX'd two antibiotics (once for spider bite, once for UTI) and have severe allergic reactions to the antibiotics which included major hives (regardless of Claritin) that had me at the hospital for an Epipen and steroid shot OH, I am so sorry you are experiencing this! Hope you get some answers and I am interested in reading the answers myself!

03-09-2007, 08:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
atd36 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1	Hi, ladies. I also have a problem with the progesterone, but my reaction was slightly different. A few days after starting the POI, I developed very high fevers, pain and huge knots in my hip muscles -- near the injections sites -- the pain was so intense, that I had trouble walking for four days. My RE subsequently switched me to progesterone suppositories, which I also had a negative reaction to -- they caused vaginal pain and swelling. I have my beta today and am worried that (fingers crossed), if it's positive, I won't be able to support the pregnancy. My doctor took me off the suppositories today. It gives me great comfort to hear that others have a bad reaction to the progesterone and have gone on to have successful pregnancies. Thank you for sharing your stories.

03-09-2007, 08:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
OldTimer Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3	Great job on doing the search and reviving a good post!

03-09-2007, 08:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
cjp Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 193	Hi all Wow - my post was from 6 years ago! After 2 months of not sleeping due to the itching, a doctor finally prescribed Zyrtec (an allergy medicine) and it helped a lot throughout the rest of the pregnancy. The day I had the baby was the last day I took Zyrtec. I've never had allergies before or since. When I tried IVF again, I went to an allergist for testing. They tested all the oils progesterone came in (cotton, sesame, olive, and peanut). I was allergic to all but peanut. Unbelievable part is they tested me for progesterone and I did actually show an allergy to it. I was willing to do the injections though because I hadn't had the rashes until I was actually pregnant. I took progesterone in peanut oil shots and didn't have any problems. I supplemented with oral progesterone too. The hcg boosters are also a great option I did a few times. If you want to email me, my email address is "Nikolov@tampabay.rr.com" Last edited by cjp; 03-09-2007 at 08:50 AM. Reason: Adding hcg boosters

03-09-2007, 09:09 AM	#10 (permalink)
wan2b3+ Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,109	I thought some centers used HCG shots every 2-3 days instead of progesterone?? __________________ D. In Dallas

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