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[Twinstwice22]

I had a total hysterectomy nearly 6 weeks ago and was told I'd go in to a surgical menopause. Ok so nothings happened. No flushing, some insomnia but that's dealing with a shock cancer diagnosis. So what else should I be watching out for? Did have sore boobs the other week.

[CLKD]

   enjoy the respite!  Did you keep your ovaries?

I'm sure that ladies will be along with hints etc..  in the meantime, browse round; make notes - we have a funny room too 

[Cazikins]

Hi Twinstwice22,
Here is a list an ex member (Poppyrose) put together several years ago showing the most common things to expect - but remember you will not get all of them:

(1)   Anxiety, feeling ill at ease
(2)   Hot flashes/flushes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling
(3)   Irregular heart beat
(4)   Irritability
(5)   Mood swings, sudden tears
(6)   Trouble sleeping through the night (with or without night sweats)
(7)   Irregular periods; shorter, lighter periods; heavier periods, flooding; phantom periods, shorter
cycles, longer cycles
(8 )   Loss of libido 
(9)   Dry vagina
(10) Crashing fatigue
(11) Feelings of dread, apprehension, doom 
(12) Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, mental confusion
(13) Disturbing memory lapses
(14) Incontinence, especially upon sneezing, laughing; urge incontinence 
(15) Itchy, crawly skin
(16) Aching, sore joints, muscles and tendons 
(17) Increased tension in muscles
(18) Breast tenderness
(19) Headache change: increase or decrease
(20) Gastrointestinal distress, indigestion, flatulence, gas pain, nausea
(21) Sudden bouts of bloat
(22) Depression 
(23) Exacerbation of existing conditions
(24) Increase in allergies
(25) Weight gain
(26) Hair loss or thinning, head, pubic, or whole body; increase in facial hair
(27) Dizziness, light-headedness, episodes of loss of balance
(28) Changes in body odour
(29) Electric shock sensation under the skin and in the head 
(30) Tingling in the extremities 
(31) Gum problems, increased bleeding
(32) Burning tongue, burning roof of mouth, bad taste in mouth, change in breath odor
(33) Osteoporosis (after several years)
(34) Changes in fingernails: softer, crack or break easier
(35) Tinnitus: ringing in ears, bells, 'whooshing,' buzzing etc

Cazi x

[Twinstwice22]

Jeez that's some list! Yep everything gone ovaries n tubes too. Its all such an unknown,  other ladies I've spoken to all seem to have had symptoms kick in almost immediately. I have read that a surgical menopause is generally quicker as the hormone levels just don't fall gradually they jump off a cliff. Please don't let that last comment p anyone off I just read it. Do some women go thru it with little or no symptoms?

Since surgery I am experiencing a kind of physical detachment from my family. I know that its hormonal as its the physical reaction not my feelings. Its like someone's stole my love. 

Lisa.

[dazned]

That could be also to do with the shock diagnosis you had aswell . Youve had a big operation that in itself will take a good few months to get over . So take your time dont rush yourself.

[Taz2]

I think that a lot of it will be to do with the shock of your diagnosis. I hope that you are doing well now re the cancer?

As for the meno symptoms some women don't get many at all so you could be one of the lucky ones.  It can take up to three months, even with surgical meno I believe, for symptoms to begin. You may experience vaginal dryness even if you don't have the hot flushes so be aware of this and ask for help from your GP if it becomes a problem. I'm not sure whether you can have topical oestrogen or not due to the cancer but there are other treatments available so please don't suffer in silence.

Taz x

[Twinstwice22]

I'm good thank. Hysterectomy got everything but I'm not allowed any HRT as it was a hormone fed cancer. I've got a hospital appointment in a fortnight to discuss my whole situation.

Lisa.

[CLKD]

Make that list to take!  Is someone going along with you to listen …….. why no HRT  .  Quality of Life Girl, Quality of Life!  You may not require anything, you may find that any symptoms you may feel may be slight and don't last long.  But do discuss the reasons why no HRT - if it's because of the possibility of breast disease then ask how 'they' intend to treat any severe symptoms!

Let us know how you get on!  Every one has experiences to share that can help others   

[Taz2]

CLKD - Twomstwoce22 had her radical hysterectomy due to a hormone fed cancer so that's why no HRT.

Taz x

[CLKD]

I read that Taz - so the cancer would affect what is left, i.e. breasts?  Otherwise, the Surgeon would have offered to remove those at a later date? 

[Taz2]

Not sure on that - it's a drastic operation to go through if you don't actually need HRT but I take your point. 

Twinstwice22 - I'm wondering if you saw Hurdity's detailed reply on your other thread about HRT after cancer diagnosis http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,32202.msg512360.html#msg512360   It may be helpful if you do begin to suffer from meno symptoms. At your young age HRT is advisable to protect our heart and bones if at all possible.

Taz x

[Twinstwice22]

From what I've been told so far is any cancer cells roaming free in my blood could settle anywhere. So if it did HRT would only feed it. They haven't picked up anything but that's not to say there's the odd wee bugger somewhere.

I'll have a look at the link I'm still trying to find my way about here.

Lisa.

[CLKD]

Thanks for that.  I have thought about you a lot - no wifi on the camp site    -   

I had precautionary radiation treatment on the breast which had the lump removed in the 1990s.  Let us know how you get on!

Trouble is what I type tends to look like it's written in stone rather than the wanderings of a very tired brain  .   

[Twinstwice22]

Had  follow-up with my MacMillan nurse today. So she is of the opinion that yes I'm not showing any outward signs of the menopause my mental state says otherwise. She said my feeling are just sleeping and will eventually come back. I've been referred for CBT to improve my mood and Counselling as she feel I need a neutral person to vent all my feelings to. I think I need a bloody good cry to just get it all out.

[babyjane]

sending you my thoughts as I have a friend going through the shock of a cancer diagnosis at the moment.