Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: redandpinkstripes on April 13, 2024, 09:52:23 AM
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
:bighug:
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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 :(
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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 :(
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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.
:bighug:
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.
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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
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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 ;D
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!
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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/
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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 :(
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Making a list may help going forwards to discuss at the appts.. Let us know how you get on?
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That's a good idea. Thank you, I will :)
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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 :welcomemm:
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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 :welcomemm:
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 :'(
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I hope that your employer is understanding. Try to get some you time and allow yourself to relax as you are still in recovery after your op if it was only two months ago. Have you given yourself long enough to get over major surgery do you think? I had to have twelve weeks off following my total hysterectomy but I retained my ovaries and resumed HRT straight away. Do you know why yours were removed?
Taz x :hug:
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Back to work far too early! Do U feel supported by your employer?
:foryou:
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I hope that your employer is understanding. Try to get some you time and allow yourself to relax as you are still in recovery after your op if it was only two months ago. Have you given yourself long enough to get over major surgery do you think? I had to have twelve weeks off following my total hysterectomy but I retained my ovaries and resumed HRT straight away. Do you know why yours were removed?
Taz x :hug:
Thank you, Taz. Looking back I've gone back too soon. I think the lack of Estrogen has been brutal.
Apparently, it's normal to do a total hysterectomy at my age (50) To be honest I was glad to have them removed.
My employer has been really supportive, thankfully x
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Back to work far too early! Do U feel supported by your employer?
:foryou:
I think you're right. It's all just hit me. Work are being very supportive, thank you x
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I've got my hrt. I started last night with 2 pumps. I had the best sleep that I have had in a long time. I'm sure it's just coincidence.
I was also given Vagirux but one of the side effects is diarrhoea, which I really don't want. I'm now reluctant to try it.
Thanks for all of your support xx
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WHat's Vagirux for, please remind me.
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Hiya, it's vaginal prssaries x
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:thankyou: meno-brain here ::)
Let us know how you get on.
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Awe mate, I fully understand you...I had a total hysterectomy 16 months ago. I was on HRT prior to the op, but could only take a low dose until my womb had been removed. My consultant (spire Norwich) put me straight onto a higher dose as soon as I woke up. I have since then gone back to tablets as I felt I was not absorbing enough of the patches. I did have to fight with my own GP to up the dose a few months later. Currently on 3mg. Without HRT I would not function, so I do not know how you have done it. Its brutal enough with the HRT. Good luck going forward xxx
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Thank you. It's so nice to hear from someone who has been through it.
You are right there. The whole thing has been brutal :( I was left in pain for 2 years with fibroids crushing my bladder/bowel. I was so grateful to be out of pain, I didn't think of the hrt. The consultant said I couldn't have it for 6 weeks and I couldn't get a gp appt for 8.5 weeks. This could have all been avoided if I had hrt straight away
I hope you are feeling better on 3mg? X
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Did U inform your Consultant of the long wait to speak with a GP? Is there a Nurse Practitioner at your Surgery?
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I didn't, to be honest. I even called the gp 3 weeks and begged for an appt but was refused :'(
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Thank you. It's so nice to hear from someone who has been through it.
You are right there. The whole thing has been brutal :( I was left in pain for 2 years with fibroids crushing my bladder/bowel. I was so grateful to be out of pain, I didn't think of the hrt. The consultant said I couldn't have it for 6 weeks and I couldn't get a gp appt for 8.5 weeks. This could have all been avoided if I had hrt straight away
I hope you are feeling better on 3mg? X
I still have bad days, but on the whole I am doing ok. Its the joint pain that gets me down, even though I exercise a few times a week and am now taking collagen to see if that helps x
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Bless you .Funnily enough my knee arthritis has flared up again too :( I hope the Collagen helps you x