Skin condition (against progesterone) -- effects in pregnancy

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone, I have a specific skin-related question that I'd posted in the Health and Medicine forum 3 years ago, and it didn't end up getting any responses. I'm still interested in learning if others can relate, so I'd like to post it here. As a bit of background, I've had 2 miscarriages to date, possibly related to my low progesterone level. For upcoming TTC, I was prescribed a progesterone supplement to use.

The concern I have is that leading up to my period, I will typically get small blister-like "bumps" on my fingers and sometimes my palms. I found out (on a dermatologist visit for another concern) that the condition most likely is autoimmune progesterone dermatitis. The intensity of the bumps will vary from month to month. Sometimes they don't appear. Fortunately, they subside completely by the time my next period begins (no scarring or anything). Although it's too early to say, because I've yet to TTC again (still waiting for my period after the last loss), I do hope the progesterone supplementation will help me. At the same time, I'm concerned if this autoimmune condition is in fact fighting the progesterone production in my body, resulting in the allergic reaction on my hands (so far), and if it can be a detriment during pregnancy.

Thanks for any input, if anyone can relate.

[Anonymous]

The one thing that comes to mind is that are you sure that it is the Progesterone itself? The PIO and the progesterone pils use some form of peanut or other nut oil. It is just a thought in case you might have an allergic reaction to the nut based oil.

I'm not saying that is what it is. It was just what came to mind.

[Anonymous]

Hi PP, thanks for the fast reply. Good question, I can't be sure it is the progesterone. But all this began about 6 years ago, and it preceded TTC. So, I know that it is cyclical with my period, always in the luteal phase, when progesterone production increases. The supplement I was given -- its the vaginal suppository, Crinone -- it's a gel, so I don't think there is the concern of nut oils (and I don't have any nut allergy, as far as I'm aware).

[Anonymous]

(sorry, "it's" the vaginal suppository...)

[Anonymous]

OP here, just bumping in case any others may be able to relate. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Hello all,
It took me a long time to find someone else with this same issue. So happy I'm not alone I have done 3 IUI and 4 IVF cycles and each time my RE tells me I don't have an issue with low progesterone, but they make everyone take it for additional support (needed or not). It made sense at first until it was very clear (to me anyways) that I was having allergic reactions to the PIO (w/olive + sesame oils) and it was causing my defenses to attack my embryos. I brought this up and they switched me to vaginal inserts. THEY ALL BURNED LIKE HELL FIRE!!! They may as well had poured acid directly on my lady bits!! Then they decided to have me alternate PIO (w/ just olive oil) and the pills. By the way...my RE and doctor were somehow unaware that it could be requested that way (I found the info on other blogs). Talk about doing someone's job for them ...anyway I got a BFP and was overwhelmed with joy. My DH cried when I told him the news. However, our joy was short lived...I miscarried at 5wks. We were devestated!!! I know in my gut that not taking the PIO everyday gave my embryo a chance to stick, but over time the progesterone built up in my system and my body doesn't seem to like it, kicks up the allergy reaction and starts to attack everything, including my embryos. My most recent IVF cycle (Aug, 7th 2013) my doctor thought to just give me the PIO (w/ olive oil) by itself because the reaction was only a slight irritation (no welts or severe burning). What I found was that the reaction was only delayed. She had me take the ovidrel shot after blood work confirmed I would ovulate in a few days, on July 31. On Aug 2, I started the PIO. On Aug 7 did the transfer. I clearly felt the implantation cramps, but no itching and burning at all. I thought I was in the clear, just as I had in the cycle that resulted in a BFP. Then on Aug 16 got BFN!!! The reaction to taking the PIO shots every day resulted in MASSIVE WELTS THAT BURNED LIKE HELL FIRE "ALL OVER MY BODY!!" And just 1-2 days before my first BETA, along with severe acid reflux. I'm use to getting the acid reflux from the progesterone, that was not new. However, it didn't develop after a week like before, it developed 1-2 days before my Beta and at the same time as the welts and burning showed up.

The bottom line to my tale of horror...I know that i am clearly allergic to progesterone (in any form). I truly believe that. My RE and doctor claim there is no way around having that stuff put in me for IVF, but I am determine to prove them wrong. There must be someone out there who did IVF and was able to not only get a BFP, but also make it to delivery,despite having to leave out the progesterone. Chances are I will try just the pills and see what happens. If the same thing happens I will have tried EVERY damn form of progesterone. So, either my dose needs to be lowered or it needs to be every other day instead of everyday or both. The sad thing is she has tested me for everything under the sun including any immune system issues, and blood flow issues and all tests came up negative. Personally, I feel they are giving me too much for my body to take and the reaction is often delayed because my body has always metabolized medicines very very slowly. So, when it finally builds up, it's like a bomb waiting to go off, causing my poor embryo to detach. I still wonder what would have happened had my doctor lowered the PIO dose and/or alternated it with the pill. All I can do a trial and error. However, I still feel my body can't handle man made progesterone (yes ALL PIO, pills and vaginal inserts are man made) as I have no issues with my own natural progesterone.

I am still really ticked off that this last cycle failed! Everything was text book perfect (embryo quality, my ovulation timing and lining development) so I thought.
I am still searching for someone who skipped the PIO and all forms and still had a successful pregnancy/delivery. As I said before I HAVE NO ISSUES WITH LOW PROGESTERONE!

[Anonymous]

OP, I get small blisters on my fingers - around nails and on palms. But that is due to heartburn. I think I am slightly allergic to peanuts, almonds etc - which cause heat in the body. I drink about 3 liters of water when that happens and the blister subdue in a day or so. Try drinking water and see if you really are even 100% allergic to progesterone. Maybe that is just the heat produced in the days before AF.

[Anonymous]

I do remember reading something about increasing your water intake. I tried that and it did make a small difference. But I think I was too far gone by the time I tried it. Last night my palms started to burn and I could always feel the heat of the reaction. Some more welts started to appear on my legs about the same time, so I drank a bottle of water. It helped a little, but I could tolerate it no more and I took 2 benadryl pills and they went away within 30 minutes, max. I should have started taking it the moment I felt the irritation, during my 2WW, then maybe I could have saved my embryo. I know it sounds far fetched, but I have read about women taking benadryl to keep their bodies from rejecting the embryo, in addition to increasing their water intake. If I could just hold on to it until week 10 or 11...I may have a real chance.

[Anonymous]

Did you ever figure this out?! I’ve done a ton of research on progesterone intolerance and IVF. Would love to know your outcome!