Finally found evidence - I'm RIGHT!!!!!

VivC · 05-10-2005, 04:36 PM

I've been digging around since Rivi died, trying to find proof of a hormonal connection in IC. I couldn't.

Until today. I went back to the about.com page, and they CHANGED THE RISK FACTORS FOR IC! They added "hormonal influences." I was right, I was right, I was right...so there must be a study SOMEWHERE, or they wouldn't have made the change. :p I still can't find the freaking study itself, though.

And, also today, I finally searched the March of Dimes site, and in their August 2003 letter, they state, "Small studies of treatment with 17P started at least three decades ago, when the "progesterone withdrawal" mechanism that leads to labor and delivery in various other mammals was suspected of a similarly strong role in primates. Such studies had mixed results, although a meta-analysis in 1990 pointed to about a 50 percent reduction in preterm labor, preterm birth and low birthweight. The two new studies may revive the notion of progesterone withdrawal as part of what triggers labor in humans, and should lead to further clinical trials to further elucidate the potential effects of pregesterone on pregnancy and preterm delivery."

So basically, researchers knew 30 years ago that a drop in progesterone triggers labor. Since my progesterone was 5 at 6.5 weeks, I'll bet it was low when IC popped up. I really wish somebody had checked it - then I'd really have some backup.

I also found trials that prove 17P doesn't cause problems for babies, and that it actually HELPS prevent some of the most severe health problems in preemies. So, next time I'd better get my 17P, or I'll doctor hop (which would suck because I really like my peri).

GabrielsMom · 05-10-2005, 04:51 PM

You go girl!!!

I have no doubts that it could be progesterone withdrawl. My progesterone was 17 at 8 or 9 weeks!

I'm getting prometrium next pregnancy, from BFP til 36 or so weeks. It's comforting to know that I'll be doing everything I can to prevent a devastating repeat of my last pregnancy.

VivC · 05-10-2005, 06:48 PM

Adrianne,

When you get the progesterone, are you going to take it orally? I'm really scared to do it vaginally with my history of IC. My doc even mentioned that she hopes my progesterone is normal next time (like that's going to happen) because she doesn't want anything extra put in there.

Does anyone know if oral progesterone will work as well?

Viv

ETA: Obviously, I will get progesterone if necessary. I'm still trying to force the 17P issue. It can't hurt. One of the things I'm thankful for is that I can look back and know that I did everything I could for Rivi. I need that comfort for every pregnancy!

GabrielsMom · 05-10-2005, 07:16 PM

Prometrium is a pill taken orally. My doc said that studies that showed the good results were done with 17P, the progesterone in oil shots. He said that it is hard to get them and that prometrium *should* acheive the same result. Everything I've read says the same. So, while it is not proven, it makes sense that taking it in pill form should work as well or almost as well.

ReneeBeth · 05-10-2005, 07:23 PM

Well, the study I'm in is trying to see if progesterone with omega-3 is more effective than progesterone alone with prevent PTL. I dunno if I ever had a cervix problem last time, but I know now my cervix is measuring great since starting the shots.
I guess they KNOW progesterone shots help prevent PTL, they are just trying to make the success rates even better with other meds mixed in.
I finally found out the pills I have are the placebo. I know, bad me, but I had to know if I was getting the runs because of the wheat germ oil in those placebos, and sure enough...that's what I was taking. So, I don't feel bad not taking those placebo pills now...but I'd be kicked out of the study if they knew! So SHH!!!!

Anyhoo, either of you consider getting progesterone shots instead of oral/vaginal progesterone? Aside from a sore butt once a week, it's easy.

VivC · 05-10-2005, 07:33 PM

I would do the shots in a heartbeat. I took Prometrium pills vaginally last time, and now I'm kind of annoyed that I couldn't just take them orally!

Viv

~Traci~ · 05-11-2005, 12:07 AM

Wow Viv, that's a great find!

You could do PIO shots which are in the purest form. There are several different kinds of PIO so if you find you have a reaction to one, you could try another one. Much better than vaginal & much more effective but you do have to give yourself shots every day (sometimes 2x's/day) for the entire time. Can never be too safe though! The oral way doesn't work as good as the vaginal way though from what I've heard.

Traci

ReneeBeth · 05-11-2005, 12:23 AM

Hrm. I'm getting the progesterone oil shots, once a week, and my Dr. (well, the research nurse) does it. Didn't know some ppl gave themselves shots daily.

~Traci~ · 05-11-2005, 12:37 AM

I've heard of some giving themselves the shots but I've heard 1/day not 1/week...maybe there's different ones. I didn't have a progesterone issue at all (my p4 @ 6 weeks was 100-200) which was the only thing that was right w/ my body every time I was pg...if I could give you guys progesterone I would

Think I could extract it from my body?

Traci

LaurAnnHere · 05-11-2005, 02:07 AM

I found this. Perhaps the good doctor is off just a tad in his response. It seems to me that it would make sense that if progesterone is the hormone that smooths those muscle contractions then it is the hormone responsible for maintaining pregnancy. Just a thought. Maybe they're just not really linking it up yet.

Quote:

In reply to: Christie: "Progesterone/ Incompetent Cervix"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At Mon, 7 Jul 2003, Christie wrote: >
>Hi,
>I had a premature baby at 24 weeks, 2 days in March due to an
>incompetent cervix. An infection got in the uterus and caused the
>placenta to abrupt.
>We are thinking about trying again, but want to do everything possible
>to prevent this. I've read about the new research on progesterone
>injections given weekly from 16 weeks to 36 weeks. When I asked my
>doctor about this, he said the injections were not available
>commercially, but that we would use progesterone suppositories nightly
>beginning in the first trimester. We would also do a cerclage at 12
>weeks. Does anybody know whether the progesterone suppositories would
>have the same effect as progesterone injections? Is there any way to get
>the injections?
>Thanks so much for your help!
>Christie

I am not sure if you realy have incomptent cervix or not. if the cause of premature labor was placental abruption it means the cervix is normal and it is not recurrent case and does not need cerclage. if you have incomptent cervix in this case cerclage and progesterone then tocollytics will help.progesterone is effective as a relaxant to uterine muscle but has nothing to do with incomptent cervix.I think progesterone suppositories give the same effect

--
Samir F Aziz MD
Assist.Prof.Ob.gyn-Al-Azhar university
Advisor OBGYN.NET(P&B-gyn.Oncology)
Editor-in-cheif http://www.arabicobgyn.net
Consultant editor the contemporary Who's who

LaurAnnHere · 05-11-2005, 02:17 AM

You know, searching around the net looking for connections between IC & PCOS, it is hard to find studies, but there are tons of results. How can there be no studies to show what we can plainly see. Too many women with PCOS suffer from IC for there not to be a connection. Just search the two words together and you'll get millions of hits from women posting "I have PCOS and Incompitent cervix."

lifes2short · 05-11-2005, 08:17 AM

I have delieved two babies at 20 and 17 weeks due to IC.
I have just completed my 3rd pregnancy (went full term), under a obst who deals with IC and complications of pregnancy.
He had me on progesterone pesseries from the day I had a IVF transfer till 13 weeks were I had a stitch put in place. My cervix which in the previous pregnancys had thinned to 1.4 never shortened from 4.5...the whole pregnancy. He preferred pesseries as the research he had done proved them to be the most successfull in combination with the stitch. He did however stress the importance of having the stitch put in as high as possible in the cervix.

saluki_fan · 05-11-2005, 12:00 PM

Thanks, ladies, for sharing all this info. I'll check out this topic on about.com.

VivC · 05-11-2005, 12:20 PM

LaurAnn - you feel my pain. WE know there's a link, but nobody's doing anything about it.

SIGH - it would be nice if somebody else noticed.

Viv

Fairyflies · 05-12-2005, 08:22 PM

Holy crap, does this mean that a miscarriage can happen because of low progesterone?? That was one of the things I requested to be tested while I was in the ER and they refused saying that I would need to go see my OBGYN for that. That burns my cookies. Here I KNEW my levels might be low and I didn't do anything about it! ARRRGHH!!! I s'pose doing progesterone cream during the days reccommended couldn't be a bad thing right?