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[redandpinkstripes]

Following a full hysterectomy 2 months ago. My gp can't see me until next week for hrt.

The symptoms are brutal. My anxiety is terrible and my mood is low. My eye sight is deteriorating and they are blurry /dry. My boobs are so sore, worse than pregnancy. The palms of my hands and feet are itchy and scorching hot. My skin is itchy.  I am forgetting everything, to the point I feel I've got dementia. Sleep is poor. To top it off I've started a new job and my confidence is zero. I just hope my symptoms improve with hrt.

 It would be lovely to hear from others that have gone through the same x

[sheila99]

That's not good, they shouldn't have left it this long before prescribing hrt  (I'm assuming ovaries were removed too). Hopefully you'll feel better once you start on it.

[Penguin]

Oh gosh you poor thing, that sounds dreadful. My friend had a hysterectomy a month ago and they gave her hrt before she'd left hospital for her to start taking when she got home. I'd phone up GP on Monday morning and get an emergency appointment,  you are being left to suffer unnecessarily when you have already gone through a massive ordeal. All of your symptoms point to low estrogen and could be so easily addressed.

[CLKD]

Hi there !!!  I would be ringing the Surgeon's secretary and asking to see him/her for a review.  There's too much 'refer back to GP' following surgical interventions.  In my day patients were referred from the GP to the appropriate Clinic where treatment, advice, surgery where necessary; sent home with a letter for the GP then follow ups at the Clinic until patient 'fit for discharge'.

This makes me so angry that women are left!   Where's the British Menopause Society [or what ever they all themselves]?  Why are they not in every Hospital discussing treatment that women may require?!?!?  It's obvious 2 me that Gynes have not idea about the effects of being without hormones is!!!!  It should be essential for HRT requirements to be discussed B4 surgery is undertaken.

Your body is lacking oestrogen = icheyness.  The body may become dry: inside and out; deep in the ears, nostrils, vagina, skin, scalp, between the toes.  4 me it was itcy insteps as soon as I took off my socks in the evenings as well as the back of the neck after a bath.  Lasted about 4-5 months from what I remember 

Make sure that you get some treatment for vaginal atrophy at the same time as other types of HRT.  Write a list of your symptoms to discuss with y0ur GP and if you don't feel supported, then ask for a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic; there are waiting lists both in the NHS and private sector.  Is there a Nurse Practitioner who is au fait with HRT requirements.

 

[redandpinkstripes]

That's not good, they shouldn't have left it this long before prescribing hrt  (I'm assuming ovaries were removed too). Hopefully you'll feel better once you start on it.

Thank you. They have resolved one problem but I now have an almost bigger one. You can't have hrt for 6 weeks due to blood clot risk from surgery. My gp can't see me until this week. I have begged for an earlier appt, but they couldn't help

[redandpinkstripes]

Oh gosh you poor thing, that sounds dreadful. My friend had a hysterectomy a month ago and they gave her hrt before she'd left hospital for her to start taking when she got home. I'd phone up GP on Monday morning and get an emergency appointment,  you are being left to suffer unnecessarily when you have already gone through a massive ordeal. All of your symptoms point to low estrogen and could be so easily addressed.

I'm wondering why they didn't get it to me on discharge. They said I would need to contact the gp at the 6 week mark. I have asked twice to be seen earlier, explaining the severity of my symptoms and was told I have to be seen in a specific menopause clinic and there are no earlier appointments

[redandpinkstripes]

Hi there !!!  I would be ringing the Surgeon's secretary and asking to see him/her for a review.  There's too much 'refer back to GP' following surgical interventions.  In my day patients were referred from the GP to the appropriate Clinic where treatment, advice, surgery where necessary; sent home with a letter for the GP then follow ups at the Clinic until patient 'fit for discharge'.

This makes me so angry that women are left!   Where's the British Menopause Society [or what ever they all themselves]?  Why are they not in every Hospital discussing treatment that women may require?!?!?  It's obvious 2 me that Gynes have not idea about the effects of being without hormones is!!!!  It should be essential for HRT requirements to be discussed B4 surgery is undertaken.

Your body is lacking oestrogen = icheyness.  The body may become dry: inside and out; deep in the ears, nostrils, vagina, skin, scalp, between the toes.  4 me it was itcy insteps as soon as I took off my socks in the evenings as well as the back of the neck after a bath.  Lasted about 4-5 months from what I remember 

Make sure that you get some treatment for vaginal atrophy at the same time as other types of HRT.  Write a list of your symptoms to discuss with y0ur GP and if you don't feel supported, then ask for a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic; there are waiting lists both in the NHS and private sector.  Is there a Nurse Practitioner who is au fait with HRT requirements.

 

Thank you so much for your message. I'm sorry to hear you have struggled with similar. You don't get any follow up with gynae after a hysterectomy.
Thanks for the tip. I will definitely write a list and ask for Vagifem. The gp I'm seeing is the menopause specialist in the surgery.

[Penguin]

That's not good, they shouldn't have left it this long before prescribing hrt  (I'm assuming ovaries were removed too). Hopefully you'll feel better once you start on it.

Thank you. They have resolved one problem but I now have an almost bigger one. You can't have hrt for 6 weeks due to blood clot risk from surgery. My gp can't see me until this week. I have begged for an earlier appt, but they couldn't help

Really? My friend started it straight away. She is mid 40s. I wonder if there is a specific risk factor for you re the blood clot risk. What a shame having to deal with that during your recovery though x

[CLKD]

How much about menopause does the GP know though  .  Apparently there is a GP with interest in menopause but it's not stated on the Surgery website and she keeps it very quiet 

Let us know how you get on.  Not prescribing is different to no discussion about what a patient might require and having it to hand; the possibility of a blood clot?  What's that about!  If after surgery care is good then there shouldn't be a risk, i.e. out of bed within 24 hours and on appropriate treatment to prevent a clot.  Patients are discharged from hospital far too early, it's known that 85% have to be returned as emergencies within 7-10 days of going home!

I could rant for England on the lack of care in the NHS from GP's upwards! 

[sheila99]

That's not good, they shouldn't have left it this long before prescribing hrt  (I'm assuming ovaries were removed too). Hopefully you'll feel better once you start on it.

Thank you. They have resolved one problem but I now have an almost bigger one. You can't have hrt for 6 weeks due to blood clot risk from surgery. My gp can't see me until this week. I have begged for an earlier appt, but they couldn't help

Really? My friend started it straight away. She is mid 40s. I wonder if there is a specific risk factor for you re the blood clot risk. What a shame having to deal with that during your recovery though x

There is no additional risk of blood clots from transdermal hrt. They really should keep up to date.
https://www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/can-i-take-hrt-if-i-have-a-risk-of-a-blood-clot/

[redandpinkstripes]

Thank you for your replies. I'm really annoyed at myself now for not querying this beforehand and at the consultant for causing unnecessary suffering 

[CLKD]

Making a list may help going forwards to discuss at the appts..  Let us know how you get on?

[redandpinkstripes]

That's a good idea. Thank you, I will

[Taz2]

Hi redandpinkstripes. I'm so sorry you are going through this and hope you can soon start the HRT. Do you mind sharing why you had to have a total hysterectomy and oophorectomy as sometimes this changes the time when HRT can begin after the operation. Also, what was your cycle like before the hysterectomy and we're you experiencing any meno symptoms such as hot flushes or vaginal dryness. Sorry if I've missed this in your posts.

Taz x 

[redandpinkstripes]

Hi redandpinkstripes. I'm so sorry you are going through this and hope you can soon start the HRT. Do you mind sharing why you had to have a total hysterectomy and oophorectomy as sometimes this changes the time when HRT can begin after the operation. Also, what was your cycle like before the hysterectomy and we're you experiencing any meno symptoms such as hot flushes or vaginal dryness. Sorry if I've missed this in your posts.

Taz x 

Hi Taz. I had multiple fibroids, 1 quite large one. I can't say I had any real symptoms prior to the surgery.
I've gone into work today and been sent home and signed off, as I was a mess