Hormone imbalance and insomnia... WLS related?

So I had my 3rd baby back in April 2010 and my hormones got all out of whack and I got PPD again (like with the other 2) and finally felt better at about 6 months out PP.   I had my estrogen levels tested in Aug and they were 546, normal high should be 400, so I was abnormally high.  And then I have a problem with low progesterone too, had to be on supplements for the first trimester with all 3 kids.

I kept having a period after I had the baby (had to wear a pad 24/7), so finally in Sept of last year, I went on Lo-Estrin (I also had the Mirena IUD put in at my 6 wk pp visit).  I took it from Sept-Dec and FELT GREAT!!  Tons of energy, slept great at night, acne cleared up, and just felt wonderful.   I was on it for 3 months and it seemed to be helping my period get back on track by then, so I went off.  Oh and btw, I'm not nursing my son, I know that would mess my hormones up even more.  lol

After getting off the pill, I got 2 periods in Dec, on the 4th and the 17th and for some stupid reason, developed insomnia around the 10th- about 10 days or so after going off the bcp.  I could not fall asleep, just layed there for hours and nothing.  My body felt tired, but my mind would just sit there blank and I'd be relaxed, but no sleep.    I also developed some bad acne on my face, had mood swings (hubby and I got into a bad fight around then and I ended up being all emotional and bawling, which isn't like me).   I was like WTH is wrong with me??  And for the past 2 weeks, my boobs have been kind of sore, which is  never like me.    So I'm wondering if it's hormonal. 

I also increased  my intake of vitamin b12 at that time (beginning of Dec) from 1000 mcg to 2500 mcg, to help with energy levels.  So I backed off that b12 after I had some blood work done and it was double what it should be and thought that would help with the insomnia.   It's been 2 weeks since I've backed down to 1000 mcg and nothing yet.  But then I was looking at my labs and my progesterone was considered "normal" but not for my liking.  Normal ranges for a woman that isn't pg is 8-10 ng/mL and mine were .6 ...  not even a 1!!!  And then my estrogen was 365, on the high end close to 400.   So I called my ob/gyn and asked to get back on the pill I was on before because I think my hormones are imbalanced (still) and that will help with the insomnia and other stuff.

I am on day 4 of the Lo-Estrin and already feel better- my skin is clearing up somewhat, my energy levels are better- but I stil have insomnia!  I'm going on the bcp for 6 months and hope this will help. 

It's going on like 5 weeks of insomnia and I have a Rx for Lunesta but only have a week left.  This whole insomnia thing is really starting to DRIVE ME NUTS!!!!   Our ins doesn't cover it and it's like $210 for a 30 day supply.   That is the only sleep aid that I have found to work for me (tried Ambien, tylenol pm, melatonin, benadryl and those don't work) and I'm going to try and get some samples from my doc to hold me out through this.  I've already had a bunch of blood work done (in the end of Dec) and a dr visit to see what was wrong with me and we have to pay almost $400 for all that because we have high deductible insurance and pay out of pocket till we get to the deductible.  So I don't want to have to pay $210 for more Lunesta.... but I need my sleep!

I looked online and it says that low progesterone and a hormone imbalance can cause insomnia and some of these other symptoms I'm having.  I just wonder how long after taking the bc pill that the insomnia will go away?  Has anyone ever had problems with sleep when their hormones are wacky after having a baby?  I would thnk maybe in a week or two after being on the bcp I should be fine.  It's just frustrating having this for 5 weeks and trying a handful of times to go to sleep on my own and I can't!!!   I am closer now to falling asleep than I was a month ago, but I still can't do it on my own.  I've never had a problem going to sleep and this is so frustrating!

Any help would be appreciated.  I am praying that this works and to have patience through this process.  It's really frustrating.  :(   I also wonder if having the WLS and losing all this weight (basically being skinny) is making my hormones not go back to normal or be low.   Does it take our womanly hormones a while to adjust after the WLS or something???  I've always had a problem with progesterone being low, so I just chalked it up to that....

I don't have any advice, but I wanted to share my sympathy with you. That sounds terrible! I hope your doctor is able to figure things out quickly and get you back on track!
-Nikki 

When they did your bloodwork, did they check your iron levels including your ferritin?  After both babies, I experienced insomnia despite feeling exhausted.  When they checked my ferritin, it was 2 with my first, 6 with my second.  Once I had iron infusions to bring my levels up, I was finally able to sleep better and the insomnia went away.  The hormones can probably cause it too but it's worth checking out.  So many things I just attributed to being post-partum were actually more related to my anemia.

yeah they checked to see if I was anemic and iron was low, but I was fine. I'm on ferrous fumerate right now and my levels actually improved from the last time I had them tested back in August. They said my hemoglobin got better from last time and my total blood count improved too. Thanks for the info though.