new HRT, new side-effects

Hi,
All of a sudden I'm taking 2-3 hr naps daily, having HORRIBLE nightmares, waking up a few times every night, and dare I admit (?) mood swings and bad moods! All this seems to coincide with my switching from .625 mg. Cenestin to .5 Estradiol. Could there be a connection? Is it possible my estrogen levels are too low now? Or progesterone too high (I'm on 100 mg. Prometrium for about 1 month now, after using only Naturally Eden cream for about a month). Not to mention the libido, which disappeared a long time ago... but I'm used to that by now, although hubby getting very cranky about that aspect.
When my Dr. finally gave me the Rx for Prometrium, he said if it was too high I'd notice painful breasts, but I don't have that, and then to take it every other night, or 2 nights on, I night off.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Anita Sue

It is possible that your estrogen is too low. Check with your doc., he may thin an increase is warranted. Have you had your levels checked? That might also be helpful.

Progesterone seems to help with sore breasts for me. I cannot take the high dose of prometrium, though, I take 25 mg.

anitasue,
when i was on estradiol i took 2mg a day. and i'm not second-guessing your doc, but tender breasts are a sign of too much estrogen, and progesterone relieves it. my pharmacist advises me too use more progesterone if i have sleep troubles and /or anxiety. i take most of it at bedtime because a big dose makes me drowsy. i use a little bit in the day if i get crabby.
in dr reiss's book about nhrt, he says if you have a deficiency of a hormone, and up your dosage enough, you'll notice relief right away. on the other hand, if you have too much of a hormone, and cut back, it takes days-weeks to see a difference.
hope this helps...wouldn't it be nice if hormonally speaking, it was one size fits all?
susan

Sisters,
Thanks for your input; it makes sense to me. I took an Estradiol yesterday afternoon, then at bedtime as usual, along with my Prometrium. This morning I took an Estradiol; thought I'd try one in the AM and one in the PM, and continue the Progest. in the PM.
The jungle is a tough one, but someday I'll conquer it!
AnitaSue

Hey ladies,
Okay - level with me.... I am supposed to start taking Estradiol tomorrow (2) and I'm coming off of Cenestin. So, what can I expect, etc.???? I've been on Premarin, Estratest, Cenestin, and now Estradiol -- all since April 26th. I am a basketcase, not to mention, ill as a hornet, getting very chunky and just really blah. Any advice or help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Melanie -- Pyramids54@aol.com