Thanks, [b]kguise[/b], for your suggestion to not use it every day... about 2 months ago, I cut back to every 2 days, & now I'm cutting back to once a week... Since I started using progesterone cream about 3 months ago, I've had a big increase in vaginal discharge... it's clear to slightly pink & very watery... I've read online that this is one of the side effects of progesterone... annoying, to say the least... I'm hoping by cutting back this particular problem will be alleviated...

Progesterone, and all the other hormone treatments, have a slow gradual effect. Don't expect a sudden change, but wait 2-3 months and see if you can tell any difference. If not, then it may not be the cause of the problems you are having. I can tell the progesterone cream works for me because I get PMS symptoms on a regular basis now. Prior to my using it, I would go for many months without any hormone level symptoms at all. (I don't have periods due to a partial hyst at a young age). I would rather have PMS than no sign of hormone function at all, lol. Mrs H

This is a message for POPCORNHAZEL - it has come to our attention you are using the Natural Progesterone Advisory Network as a foundation endorsing your comments on this message board. For the record, please let it be understood NPAN DOES NOT recommend women use medication other than how it is prescribed by your treating physician. Further, we ENCOURAGE women to implement progesterone replacement therapy under the guidance of their treating healthcare professional. Natural Progesterone Advisory Network (NPAN) http://www.natural-progesterone-advisory-network.com 'NPAN ... helping women use progesterone cream with confidence' Here is a link that might be useful: Natural Progesterone Advisory Network

I'm sorry and I feel for you in your dilemma. Our last two dogs went into similar declines but it was easier because I am retired now and was home with them all the time. We had to help both the collie and sheltie up by lifting their back ends. When our collie finally could not stand even when helped to his feet, we knew it was time and my husband carried him to the car, and at the vets they used a stretcher to bring him inside and put him down. My sheltie went into some sort of respiratory distress at the end, and collapsed, and we knew that that was the end for her. I asked the vet about treating her but he gave her a very slim chance of recovery, so it seemed kinder to let her go, than to leave her alone at the vet hospital hooked up to machines when in the end she would not likely survive. It is a hard decision and much depends on the circumstances. My old collie in the past's legs kept giving out on him and he would cry in distress unable to rise. I was afraid this would happen while I was at work and so I brought him in to be euthanized while he was still ambulatory. I figure if my old timers are still enjoying part of their lives and are not in acute pain, they still want to live. I had to feed my last two dogs by hand because they could not eat comfortably from their dishes at a certain point. I also had a small water dish that I offered to my sheltie while she was lying down, so she did not have to get up to drink. Both received sub-Q fluids that seemed to help them, and also helped their appetites. The collie had a malignant fast growing tumor that began to interfere with his urinary system and at the end urine just ran out of him while he slept. I covered his beds with waterproof plastic tarps and covered that with washable soft blankets and quilts. I think both wanted to be with us and continue on until both went into final health crises. It is a hard decision, and there is no easy answer, but it sounds as if your dog still is enjoying your company even though his active days are behind him. In his dreams he may still be running and playing as he did before.