Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: pants46 on March 18, 2019, 06:52:10 PM
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Quick summary - left ovary removed 7 weeks ago. Some peri symptoms - cold flashes, aching joints and muscles, fatigue, wobbly muscles and anxiety. Prescribed Sertraline last week. Started on Monday, stopped on Saturday. Felt horrible.
Blood tests came back today - iron, thyroid and vit D all ok. Doctor calked me to discuss next steps.
Side effects of Sertraline have pretty much worn off. I had no appetite, dry mouth, couldnt eat ( lost 6 pounds in 6 days ... not good), felt like I was walking through treacle. Slight dizzyness as well.
Now feel better, fog has lifted, still need to eat more though.
But now Im back to sq 1. Feel very tired. Unmotivated. Worst is the weak and wobbly feeling. Feel like I might fall down at times.
GP thinks its caused by my anxiety. And has suggested I try Citalopram. I've had that before and I tolerated it well.
But is my anxiety causing the muscle weakness (my hands shake a bit too) or is the muscle wobbles causing the anxiety.
I'm supposed to go to London this week (for work). 2 hour commute on public transport each way. Really don't think I can do it.
Has anyone else had the same problem? Is there anything else (natural) I can take to help ?
Thanks.
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You have had major surgery. Give yourself some slack.
I would think that lack of sustenance is causing your symptoms. Plus your needing to go into the City for work will up the anxiety levels.
When anxiety strikes it begins in my gut, then my thighs go weak followed by my calves :'(. If you have used Citalopram in the past then give it a go - 6-8 months - relief will allow you to see the wood for the trees.
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I don't know what's going on with me. I'm yawning my head off, so much its beginning to hurt. And I'm freezing cold right now. Am under a blanket with tbe heating on. Rubbish.
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Hi from reading are you not any HRT if not you should be it would help with some of the symptoms. I get weak wobbly spells but haven't quite figured out why, but when I asked the question it was blood sugar levels that was mentioned also something else but can't remember (if it comes back to me I'll let you know) but for me it definitely isn't anxiety.
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YorkshireGirl - I'm not on any hrt. Had the ovary removed 7 weeks ago and was told I wouldn't go into menopause. What a crock.
Have a nice GP, but she wants to see if my other ovary picks up. So she prescribed the sertraline, and now citalopram. Doesn't want me to take any of the herbal oestrogen supplements. Had staeted on menopace, but stopped because of what she said.
Don't know whether to take other supplements like magnesium.
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Your GP is quite correct about supplements. Because your body will be confused and may even interfere with any HRT you eventually use. Let your body heal - when do you go back to the GP?
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Need to make an appt for 3 weeks time. That's to review how I'm getting on with the citalopram. I'll pick that up tomorrow. I know she's right. But I'm at the point where I may have to get signed off work, or else I'll quit. I'm just not functioning well enough.
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Pants. Adter my ovary surgery I had lots of weird sensations in my legs for quite a few weeks. When it first happened was my first time walking to the shops after 2 weeks. My legs suddenly felt dead and numb while walking particularly on one side as though I couldn't feel my feet on the ground and I felt weak as a kitten. I thought I was having a stroke. It happened on and off for a while The feeling gradually went away. After about 3 months.
The doc said sometimes a nerve can get trapped from your position in the op. . Also certain nerve networks in the pelvis affect the legs and during the op they can be injured.
Mine had started to get better by 3 months. I hope yours does too. But of course when you see doc you should mention any issues you are having.
Believe me you are not alone in taking longer than we are told to expect to recover from the op so try to be kind to yourself.
Hope you have a better day tommorowxxx
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So today, I didn't feel as bad as yesterday. Less leg wobbles.
Slept terribly last night though. Ended up browsing Bored Panda and eating dairymilk at 1.30am. Finally fell asleep, then woke up at 7.30am (an hour before the alarm) so have felt jadded all day.
I took a magnesium supplement before bed, and I am wondering whether just one dose could be enough to have helped my anxiety / leg wobble thing ?
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So, I decided to have a nap earlier on. And got quite hot to begin with ... but had the heating in and climbed into bed fully clothed (including socks and a thermal top), so that might have been normal.
But I rolled onto my front and I started getting cold flashes. Had 3 sets in about 20 mins, before I rolled back onto my side. The cold flashes stopped, I fell asleep and then had the most horrible nightmares.
I've had the cold flashes before, last time, when I tried to sleep on my front about 2 weeks ago.
Does anyone know why I'm getting them when I'm in that position ?
I miss sleeping on my front :-\
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Hi Pants46.
You mentioned yawning a lot.........yawning is a sign of anxiety....
I get it all the time when my anxiety strikes..
Just thought I'd let you know...because you may have anxiety...??
Best of luck....xxxxxx
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HORMONES! :-\
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Thanks jillydoll. I didn't know that. Or maybe I did, but had forgotten!! Definitely less yawning today, but think I still have a way to go. Start citalopram tomorrow.
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CKLD - but why when I sleep on my front, but not on my side ????
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So, I had a twerible night last night. Fell asleep about midnight, then woke up at 2, again at 4 and at 6 and then again at 8. Each time I woke up I felt hot on the inside, but not on the outside.
When I finally dragged myself out of bed at 9.30, my hands were really warm and a little puffy. Once I'd got up, dressed, made the bed etc etc. I stuck my my arms above my head for a few minutes, and my hands felt better a little while later.
Now Im in the mini pill, have been for years. Dr says to stay on it. Fine. I am used to having break through bleeding avery 6 weeks.
About 2 days after my surgery (one ovary removed) I had somerhing more like a light period, for about 4 days. Then nithing, and then 6 weeks after that I had abreak through bleed, more like normal. That started 10 days ago, and I dont think I'm finished yet.
Can anyone tell me what is going on with my hormones now ? If I've had a normal b bleed, does that mean my remaining overy has picked up ? Am I getting worse sleeping because of the b bleed ? And when it stops, I'll sleep better again ?
Sorry to ask, I just dont understand any of this stuff.
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Hi pants46 - sorry to hear you're feeling like this.
Just a question about your blood tests. You say your thyroid is OK but do you have the actual readings for TSH and T4 and the lab ranges? It's just if you are feeling cold and fatigued this can be a sign of thyroid function not working quite so well - putting on weight without trying is also another symptoms. I gather when it starts to mix up with menopause some of the symptoms can be experienced as cold flushes although I really don't know anything about all of this? Maybe someone else can shed some light re potential thyroid as well as menopause?
Hurdity x
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Hurdity.
They just did one test for thyroid function. Serum TSH. My result was 1.05. The range should be 0.4 to 4.0. So I'm in the range, but at the lower end.
Do you think I should get a full set of tests for thyroid done ? Not sure my GP will do it, will have to find alternative means.
Best, Pants.
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Many GPs don't read thyroid function results particularly well, therefore if he/she is reluctant to do further tests, ask for an appt. to the appropriate Consultant at your Hospital - sorry wouldn't know which speciality :-\
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Hi,
As far as I know a lower value for this particular test is better than a higher one (too high usually points to under-active thyroid). I am no GP but that value looks good. I had something like 3 measured for this one. I guess with hormone fluctuations this can also fluctuate. AG
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Ah ha. Thanks AG, I didn't realise that I wanted to be at that end of the range. Thats good news.
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So I'm day 6 of citalopram, taking half a 10mg tablet. Feel like my anxiety is improving. Should move up to a full tablet soon.
But I'm still weak and wobbly, particularly through my legs (the muscles at the front). I seem to have maybe a couple of good hours and then a couple of rubbish ones, on repeat.
My darling friend said last night, that it couldn't be just my hormones, which wasn't helpful with my HA. She means well, but telling me to get out of the house and go for a walk, isnt really that helpful.
I've just started taking vit c and b complex, and I know the Dr said not to take supplements with phytoestrogens ... but I've stocked up on soya milk and yoghurts, in the hope of a miracle !!
Just need some support that I'm doing the right thing, really.
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Have you had you vitamin D level checked? Might be worthwhile if not.
JP x
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Joaniepat, yes that was checked. Along with iron, blood sugar and thyroid. All normal.
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If you are successfully cutting the AD in half, maybe take half in the morninging and half over-night? See how you feel? I have in the past taken half in the morning, half at night and missed the half in the morning: half at night and then see how I feel ......... then onto the 'proper' dose of full amount at night.
How is your diet today? Pancakes are a good standby, can be mixed and kept in the fridge for a couple of days; they cook fast and are almost instant gratification ;)
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CLKD, good idea to cut the tabs in half, and take morning and night. I think I was planning to do that, but then in my tired fog, forgot !!
Pancakes are a good idea. I think wheat triggers my IBS, but the Co-op has wheat free ready made ones, that I can keep in the fridge.
My diet now is far better than it was before the surgery. But I am still struggling to eat regularly. Never was one for breakfast, and would often skip lunch ... survived on sugary coffee, then would eat a large meal in the evening, followed by chocolate.
Thought things would have to change eventually ... but not so soon and so quickly :o