Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: mothership on December 23, 2015, 06:21:58 PM
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Hi can't believe I have found this site - so much information.
I had a total hysterectomy two weeks ago - they have whipped it all away.
I have just started HRT and feel as though I am the new girl at school and am totally
confused ???
Hoping there is someone on here who can hold my hand!!
Mothership
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Hi mothership and :welcomemm:
Don't worry, there's loads of us here to hold your hand.
Have a browse of the green menus at the top of that page, they are full of great info.
There's so many lovely ladies on here in the same boat as you who will be along shortly.
Make sure you rest as much as possible and give all the tasks to everyone else.
Galadriel x
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Hi
You will find a lot of info on the Hysterectomy Association website.
You can join in with ladies who have had hysterectomies in the same
Month as you and share symptoms etc. It is very reassuring.
Hope this helps
Carol
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:welcomemm:
Welcome mother ship. A few on here have had hysterectomies, me included. Although I kept my ovaries for about 10 years before they too were removed. HRT takes a week while to kick in. Ask any questions you like, always someone who can give you support.
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Hi mothership
Taz x :welcomemm:
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Thank you ladies - Carol will have a look for that site too. Feels like a very lonely place at the moment.
Its all happened so fast - was admitted ten days after appointment with consultant for the op so with sorting my son's wedding (he got married on the 18th) sorting Christmas and leaving work in the lurch (primary school teacher) I hadn't really thought at all about what would happen after the op - big mistake as it seems to have hit me like a ton of bricks now! :o
Never mind I'm sure it will be fine.
Here goes with questions - given they have taken everything away I have obviously started this whole horrible menopause game but what are the rules - I'm confused? Had to go to see GP for HRT and he was very reluctant to give me it. I'm 46 and he kept saying if I was 45 he wouldn't have hesitated? He is saying I can take it until Im 50? Is he suggesting this will be done by the time I'm 50 ? I know I should ask questions but I just sit like a child nodding - and that drives me mad that I can't or won't question 'them'. I feel so stupid - I'm an educated woman but this whole situation is totally alien to me. What's wrong with me - why don't I know the answers to what seem like (now) obvious questions???
Mothership
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Hi Mothership
Welcome to the forum :welcomemm:
You've had a big procedure it's not surprising you feel like s-1t. Make sure you really rest up to to give yourself chance to properly recover. Also, your hormones will have had a big shock and will be all over the place.
Re your GP saying you can take HRT till you are 50. I believe the thinking has changed a bit in this area.
NICE has produced some guidelines about HRT recently. I was under the impression they were pulling back from the idea of hard and fast rules as to the length of time HRT can be used for.
Is there any chance you could be referred to a meno clinic or speak to another GP?
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Thought new guidelines would have helped, obviously not. I'm 59 and I take Oestrogen. My GP was happy enough for me to continue. Prior to new guidelines I was told by meno consultant that cut off age was 60. There now doesn't seem to be a cut off age.
I'd ask for another opinion, be it another GP or referral to meno/gynae clinic. I imagine you will have a check up 6 weeks or so post-op so you could ask then.
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mothership, you one priority is to give yourself time. Time to rest and recover, you are human not a robot.
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Thank you for your kind words - I need to be more pro active I know and look into HRT more thoroughly.
Yet another question - yesterday and today I have felt much better surgery recovery wise but have had this weird wobbly feeling. Not enough to say dizzy but just unstable, miss judging stairs and generally like a jelly. Could this be the HRT kicking in do you think as have been taking it for 7 days now. I seem to be having less flushes of a day but it is not moving the night ones. I wake up just prior to it starting? Do I expect the HRT to stop them completely ?
Thanks for your hand holding - makes me feel less alone. My other half is a lovely man and is looking after me amazingly well but refuses to talk to me about either this menopause business or my hysterectomy - typical put his head in the sand kind of man. :-X
Mother ship
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Hi mothership. Are you on a pill type HRT? This can take a while to kick in whereas patches work more quickly in banishing the sweats. It is still early days for you and it can take up to three months before you know if a particular type of HRT suits you so don't feel despondent.
As for your GP saying that you can take it until your 50 I believe that he/she means that at 50 it is the norm for you to come off it just to see what symptoms you still have. If symptoms are still there then you can usually restart HRT.
Have you joined the Hysterectomy UK association? http://www.hysterectomy-association.org.uk/ There is lots of info on there and an active forum. I hope that you are taking it easy?
Taz x
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Hi mothership
:welcomemm:
I agree with the others. You have had a major operation and don't underestimate the physical and mental effects of this. Also re the HRT - the doc is being irresponsible if he did not prescribe it at your age!
I presume you've also read the info on this site:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/aftermeno.php
Also between the ages of 50 and 60 the benefits of HRT are thought to exceed the risks anyway!
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/balance.php
Glad your man is looking after you well - you need it - and hopefully will also come round to being able to discuss it - mind you my husband is not interested in all my internal goings on and what I'm slapping on or poking up and for what reason ;D
Hurdity x
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Hi can't believe I have found this site - so much information.
I had a total hysterectomy two weeks ago - they have whipped it all away.
I have just started HRT and feel as though I am the new girl at school and am totally
confused ???
Hoping there is someone on here who can hold my hand!!
Mothership
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Hello I am new too! Had TAH/BSO on 14/12/15. After a slow shaky start I am feeling much better but my surgical menopause symptoms have kicked in big time mainly the hot flushes. I'm due to start HRT was told Elleste but when I opened the bag it's something called Zumenon.im 45 just my consultant said I should take it. I'm interested in what HRT you have been prescribed? I too get the wobbly thing I lose my balance sometimes for no reason? I always wake up prior to a hot flush they are horrid!
X
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Hi Catspelle. You can read about both products here https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/2089 and here https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/20976
I'm not sure whether you have been given the 1mg or 2mg dose though.
Taz x :welcomemm:
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Hi Taz2 thanks for the reply. I'm starting on 1 mg to try for a month. I still want to talk to my GP I just find it odd to have a discussion about one brand not yo then be prescribed it!
I'll see how I get on. I'm told I have to measure if the HRT is working by h hot sweats! No probs there.
X
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Sometimes there is a shortage of a particular type of HRT and you are given one which contains the same ingredients but is marketed under a different name.
Pill HRT can take a little longer to kick in re hot sweats compared to patch or gel HRT. You should see results fairly quickly though. It's the emotional side of things which can take longer to improve - or so I've found anyway!
Taz x
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Hi Catspelle - it's certainly a journey! Im taking Climavelle 1mg and it is doing the job with the flushes - sorted the day time and its getting better of a night so Im pleased with it so far. The wobbliness and light headed-ness is still the same and I am in a fog (husband is befuddled with me as I am usually very in control) I was trying to tell him which way to drive home the other night and couldn't remember the name of the village we needed to head for - we drive through it frequently but the name was just not in my head!
Re the side effects of HRT and a bit personal but will I ever have a sex drive again?? I love my other half to pieces but at the moment I couldn't even contemplate letting him near me ??? I know its early days in terms of my op recovery and would not be something I was considering doing at the minute but I don't even seem to have any inklings of wanting him near me :D Or am I just looking for problems ???
Apologies if this is not an appropriate question but it is playing on my mind.
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Apologies if this is not an appropriate question but it is playing on my mind.
All questions are appropriate on MM! :)
However, it might be an idea to start a new thread within the Private Lives section which can only be viewed by members.
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Next question (will I ever know all of the answers???)
Been taking the HRT for nearly three weeks now and not having any of the flushes that over whelmed me but at night I am just roasting hot - to the point its stopping me sleeping. It not a flush that creeps up and then tails off its just constant being hot!!!
I am usually a freezing cold person - heating up high and fire on full blast. My husband is loving it (although being sympathetic at the same time) because he has the whole duvet to himself ;D- something he hasn't had even the corner of for the last 29 years!!
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Ask for the rub on oestrogel, and there are plenty women here taking it well into the 50's and 60's so get rubbing your body needs it you are far too young to be without oestrogen, a patch is also good if you prefer, trans dermal is always the better option in my opinion, with less side effects, he should have given it to you on discharge from hosp....all the best with the healing.
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Hi mothership - it's still quite early on for a tablet HRT to have stopped all of your flushing. I am sure that the night hotness(!) will soon begin to fade too. It's a good sign that your daytime flushes have disappeared as it shows your oestrogen levels are rising. Patch and gel HRT's do lessen symptoms faster than pill types in most women.
Taz x
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Thanks for the swift replies - sounds like im heading the right direction. Just been out today and bought a summer weight duvet for my half (well two thirds) of the bed see if that helps. Have never in my life owned a summer duvet - something else new in my world!
Was at the Docs on Friday and he has given me a note for another five weeks off work and has told me to ring the hospital Monday as I still have loads of internal stitches and they shouldn't still be there. He thinks that's probably why I am still having the dragging sensations - so that could be an answer to another of my frustrations.
Just got to tell work Im not going back this week - that should be an interesting conversation ::) They are less than sympathetic so Im debating the cowards way and sending an e mail.
Its my birthday tomorrow and Im feeling really positive that this year is going to be brilliant. No more bleeding, no more buying new clothes when Im out shopping because there has been a flood and I have ruined my outfit, booking a holiday without wondering if there will be a toilet on the beach and best of all being able to do aqua aerobics without a friend watching for my 'slip stream' leak (yes this has happened) :o I feel that with the help and advice of you lot on here I will deal with this menopause business and start to live my life.
Here's to being a new woman. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Here's to YOU :foryou:
How long is it since your op? I had twelve weeks off work in the end and even that was tiring!
Taz x
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Hi Taz - 4 and a half weeks since the Big H !!! Seems like a life time so much has gone on in that short time!!
My son got married 9 days after the op, my daughter who had been home visiting for two months went back to her paradise home on an island in Thailand 10 days after the op, Christmas came and went and I discovered what a hot flush was :o
I don't feel ready for work just yet - have just dropped youngest son off at the pub only ten minutes from home and driving is really not on my agenda yet either. But I am feeling better every day - very very tired still even though Im not doing much.
Feel better without the pressure of going back to work next week so can relax a little more and concentrate on getting ready for this new life :D :D
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I was told 6 weeks before I could go back. Was nearer 10. My work had me in questioning my need for extended absence! I worked in a supermarket at the time on checkouts. Some items are very heavy to drag across & scan. HR didn't appreciate that, despite many operators going off sick with bad backs.
It's not worth going back too soon. Take all the time you need.
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Hi again mothership. I would say that if it is only four weeks since your op and you are doing so much then the dragging sensation is likely to be because you have done too much and put a lot of pressure on your pelvic floor. The guidelines I was given are these http://gallery.mailchimp.com/a5692c6457e86f0e2182630fa/files/sbs_recovery.pdf?utm_source=Free+Hysterectomy+Booklet&utm_campaign=30c61c525a-Booklet-14&utm_medium=email
Most insurance companies don't permit you to drive until at least six weeks after hysterectomy. Mine was eight weeks due to not being signed off as fit by a consultant by the six week mark. Make sure that you are covered to drive although, in my opinion, four weeks is too early to be doing all of that pedal work which again puts pressure on the pelvic floor and you don't want to risk prolapses! You only have one go at healing properly - take it easy - it's a major operation! HRT will help with the pelvic floor strength by the way plus make sure you do the exercises recommended to you by your consultant although it's probably a bit soon to start them properly yet.
It sounds as if you have had an interesting few weeks!!
Taz x :)
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Hi mothership
It's a big big thing and you should take plenty of time for recovery. It takes some months for your body to get back to normal and even with HRT hormone levels take a while to settle.
I do agree with Taz that patches seem to work more quickly and effectively but again it takes time. As far as stopping HRT goes though, you can really stay on it for as long as you want to - my 82 year old Mum is still using a little bit! Her dose decreased ever so gradually over a period of years. I'm 2.5 years post op and still using lots but hot flushes are minimal now (although I do overheat easily in general). Moods are better, but I think sometimes stuff just gets you down, it can't all be blamed on hormones!
Good luck with your recovery. It sounds like you're doing really well.