Scared to stop progesterone shots! At what week did everyone stop them???

DebBKNY · 07-27-2009, 04:35 AM

Im currently 14 weeks pregnant and my RE advised that it's OK to stop the progesterone injections since at this point the placentas are supposed to "take over" with the hormone production - Im a little leery about stopping them only bc Im afraid of something happening (although I have no reason to be afraid its just unsubstantiated I guess)...how do you know if the placentas are functioning correctly? At what point did everyone else stop the shots?

Miss Conception · 07-27-2009, 06:41 AM

I understand your fear all too well. It is THE scariest thing to stop the meds that have helped you conceive.

I am pregnant with twins after 9 years of infertility and three heartbreaking losses. I know the fear and felt it when my doctor wanted to stop my meds as well.

My clinic began weaning me off of estrace, prometrium and PIO at about 9 weeks and by 11.5 weeks, I was off of all meds. I was petrified, but through the weaning process, they monitored my levels, so this made me feel better. I saw, at about 8 weeks, that my progesterone levels almost tripled despite having no change in the meds at that point, so I figured that this is when the placenta had begun to function.

You are completely justified in your feelings, but I think that at 14 weeks, you can feel safe enough to come off of the meds. Can you ask your doctor to monitor your levels as you come off?

tdg119 · 07-27-2009, 06:41 AM

I wasn't on the shots; I was on Crinone.
My RE did a final blood draw and took me off the progesterone (and estrace) at 6w2d; same day as my first U/S. He released me too so I won't get another check-up till I'm 9 weeks.

I feel the same way as you. I guess it's all a matter of trusting your doctor.

HCJ · 07-27-2009, 09:38 AM

My RE wanted me to stop the PIO shots at 8 weeks, but like you, the thought really scared me. I ended up stopping at about 10 1/2 weeks, but I didn't stop suddenly. I dropped down to 0.75 cc for a few days (I stared at 1 cc), then went down to 0.5 cc and then to 0.25 cc. Weaning myself off the PIO probably didn't make a difference, but it made feel better (I felt like this wouldn't "shock" my system and that I would notice something if there was problem, like spotting..). I think you're okay going off the shots at 14 weeks, but as others have mentioned, maybe your RE can monitor your levels (mine wouldn't...said there was no need..).

Lisa Canoe · 07-27-2009, 12:08 PM

I did IUI, so no shots, but I did take p4 vag suppositories. They gave me enough for 8 weeks, but I had some leftover, so I had enough for 10/11 weeks. They explained to me that the placenta takes over by 9-10 weeks. At 14 weeks P4 supplements of any kind should not have an impact on your pregnancy either way.

There is no way to test the placenta that I know of. Just having growing babies!

formerly sam · 07-27-2009, 01:23 PM

I'm sure you're totally fine to stop your progesterone now. With my first dd I was weaned off around 12/13 weeks and with this pregnany I was never on PIO, only suppositories and they took me off of them around 7 weeks. By this point in your pregnancy the placenta has taken over. Just try to relax and enjoy.

carolsue · 07-27-2009, 04:20 PM

I will be facing that is well soon and am scared too, my RE monitors me and I have yet to see the OB, they said they will monitor me until around 12 weeks

BrookeC · 07-28-2009, 10:57 AM

In my twin pg, I quit taking PIO at 12w. I know it's scary, and hard not to worry, but at 14w you really should be fine. Perhaps you could ask your Dr for bloodwork to ensure the levels remain adequate?

MizzB · 07-28-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdg119

I wasn't on the shots; I was on Crinone.
My RE did a final blood draw and took me off the progesterone (and estrace) at 6w2d; same day as my first U/S. He released me too so I won't get another check-up till I'm 9 weeks.

I feel the same way as you. I guess it's all a matter of trusting your doctor.

Barge, tdg!!!! CONGRATS on your pregnancy!!! I was in my first FET cycle with you back in Feb. I am so pleased to see that you are preggers! Congrats again!

I stopped taking progesterone supp at 12 weeks.

DebBKNY · 07-30-2009, 03:48 PM

Thanks Ladies for all of your replies - I called my RE and he reassured me that at 14-15 weeks the placentas should be functioning adequately so blood tests are not really needed; I am going to followup with my OB and ask her to run the blood work as I dont see how knowing the actual levels could hurt...Id rather have facts than base my certainty on assumptions

07-27-2009, 04:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
DebBKNY 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New York Posts: 45	Scared to stop progesterone shots! At what week did everyone stop them??? Im currently 14 weeks pregnant and my RE advised that it's OK to stop the progesterone injections since at this point the placentas are supposed to "take over" with the hormone production - Im a little leery about stopping them only bc Im afraid of something happening (although I have no reason to be afraid its just unsubstantiated I guess)...how do you know if the placentas are functioning correctly? At what point did everyone else stop the shots?

07-27-2009, 06:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
Miss Conception 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 67	I understand your fear all too well. It is THE scariest thing to stop the meds that have helped you conceive. I am pregnant with twins after 9 years of infertility and three heartbreaking losses. I know the fear and felt it when my doctor wanted to stop my meds as well. My clinic began weaning me off of estrace, prometrium and PIO at about 9 weeks and by 11.5 weeks, I was off of all meds. I was petrified, but through the weaning process, they monitored my levels, so this made me feel better. I saw, at about 8 weeks, that my progesterone levels almost tripled despite having no change in the meds at that point, so I figured that this is when the placenta had begun to function. You are completely justified in your feelings, but I think that at 14 weeks, you can feel safe enough to come off of the meds. Can you ask your doctor to monitor your levels as you come off? __________________

07-27-2009, 06:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
tdg119 400-499 post 6 of hearts Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 483 Blog Entries: 207	I wasn't on the shots; I was on Crinone. My RE did a final blood draw and took me off the progesterone (and estrace) at 6w2d; same day as my first U/S. He released me too so I won't get another check-up till I'm 9 weeks. I feel the same way as you. I guess it's all a matter of trusting your doctor. __________________ Tiffany (28) & Ron (35) Met 11/01, Married 05/04 TTC #1 since 10/06 Endo & PCOS Oct 2008 - Hysteroscopy & Laparascopy Jan/Feb/Mar 2009 - 3 Failed IUIs Jun 2009 - IVF #1 (w/ ICSI) - BFP!! Beta #1 (12dp3dt) - 560 Beta #2 (14dp3dt) - 1,329 TWINS!! EDD ~ 3/12/09

07-27-2009, 09:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
HCJ 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 73	My RE wanted me to stop the PIO shots at 8 weeks, but like you, the thought really scared me. I ended up stopping at about 10 1/2 weeks, but I didn't stop suddenly. I dropped down to 0.75 cc for a few days (I stared at 1 cc), then went down to 0.5 cc and then to 0.25 cc. Weaning myself off the PIO probably didn't make a difference, but it made feel better (I felt like this wouldn't "shock" my system and that I would notice something if there was problem, like spotting..). I think you're okay going off the shots at 14 weeks, but as others have mentioned, maybe your RE can monitor your levels (mine wouldn't...said there was no need..). __________________ Hanna (40) 10 IUI's '04-'05 - BFN 1 IUI '05 - BFP, ended in m/c at 7 weeks 1st IVF/ICSI Nov '06 0 - DS born 4 Jul 07 2nd IVF/ICSI Apr '08 - chemical 3rd IVF/ICSI Aug' 08 - BFP, ended in m/c at 10 weeks 4th IVF/ICSI Apr '09 - BFP U/S 27 May '09 - TWINS due 13 Jan 10

07-27-2009, 12:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lisa Canoe 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Southern Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,763 Blog Entries: 182	I did IUI, so no shots, but I did take p4 vag suppositories. They gave me enough for 8 weeks, but I had some leftover, so I had enough for 10/11 weeks. They explained to me that the placenta takes over by 9-10 weeks. At 14 weeks P4 supplements of any kind should not have an impact on your pregnancy either way. There is no way to test the placenta that I know of. Just having growing babies! __________________ Lisa Canoe Been there, done that, got the Ya-Ya Princess T-Shirt m/c 11/01 m/c 6/02 M & J b. 9/12/07 * 36 weeks 1 day * Everyone home 10/9/07

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07-27-2009, 01:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
formerly sam 300-399 post 5 of hearts Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 384	I'm sure you're totally fine to stop your progesterone now. With my first dd I was weaned off around 12/13 weeks and with this pregnany I was never on PIO, only suppositories and they took me off of them around 7 weeks. By this point in your pregnancy the placenta has taken over. Just try to relax and enjoy. __________________ IVF#1-5 BFN, Chemical, ectopic, blighted ovum IVF#6 - dd born 8/07 IVF#7 - b/g twins!!! due 10/09

07-27-2009, 04:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
carolsue 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,102	I will be facing that is well soon and am scared too, my RE monitors me and I have yet to see the OB, they said they will monitor me until around 12 weeks __________________ Me-44 DH-47 IVF#1-none to transfer IVF#2 BFN IVF#3 BFN Donor IVF#1 Cancelled-Poor response 7/7/09-Abd. myomectomy Donor IVF#2-Chemical Donor IVF#3-ER 6/25 Transfer 6/28- 1 9 cell & 2 7 cell 7/10/09 Beta#1-523-12dp3dt 7/13/09 Beta#2-2042.2-15dp3dt 7/16/09-Beta#3-7237.6-18dp3dt 1st u/s - 7/26-TWINS! Boy/Girl Twins

07-28-2009, 10:57 AM	#8 (permalink)
BrookeC 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 4,820 Blog Entries: 2	In my twin pg, I quit taking PIO at 12w. I know it's scary, and hard not to worry, but at 14w you really should be fine. Perhaps you could ask your Dr for bloodwork to ensure the levels remain adequate? __________________ Brooke & 9-02 "You can Never go down the Drain"..... Mr. Rogers

07-30-2009, 03:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
DebBKNY 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New York Posts: 45	Thanks Ladies for all of your replies - I called my RE and he reassured me that at 14-15 weeks the placentas should be functioning adequately so blood tests are not really needed; I am going to followup with my OB and ask her to run the blood work as I dont see how knowing the actual levels could hurt...Id rather have facts than base my certainty on assumptions

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