Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: redandpinkstripes on October 26, 2024, 08:51:54 AM
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To cut a very long story short. I had a full hysterectomy (including ovaries) in February and was put on Oestrogel 8 weeks later. I was told I needed to wait due to blood clot risk. I really suffered :(
Unfortunately my pelvic pain returned and my gynae diagnosed me with Endometriosis. My hysterectomy was for Adenomyosis and large fibroids. She took me off of Estrogel and started me on Tibolone. This worked slightly but I still had anxiety, skin rashes and generally not feeling great.
In September I saw a menopause specialist who switched me to Lenzetto and Progesterone. I have felt so awful that I've stopped the Progesterone and am now on just the 2 sprays of Lenzetto. My anxiety is still through the roof.
After my hysterectomy I started a new job and I am finding it so hard with how I'm feeling. To the point that I am very close to resigning.
I've never felt so scared, vulnerable and alone. This is following 3 years of crohnic pelvic pain.
I just don't know what to do :(
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I'm so sorry you're going through this.
Transdermal estradiol doesn't increase clot risk, and withholding it for 8 weeks after surgery is cruel.
Premenopausal women who have any kind of major surgery are not put into chemical menopause for 8 weeks post op!
Depending on the extent of the endometriosis, you may or may not need a progestogen.
This would need to be decided by a specialist after viewing your surgical notes.
If you do need one, it doesn't have to be progesterone.
Your estradiol dose is low. Depending on your age and stage, this may be nowhere near what you have lost.
Also you are not receiving any androgen replacement, which can be a big help for symptoms such as you describe, especially in surgically menopausal women.
If your job is at risk I would consider seeing one of the renowned private specialists if you have the resources. This would be well worth it if it keeps you in work.
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:bighug:
With regards to work, have U talked to any1 about your symptoms ?
Good reply from bombsh3II. There are waiting lists for dedicated menopause clinics so make the appt ASAP - U can always cancel if no longer required.
Why wait after major surgery >:(!!!! That's cruel!
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I am away but don't want to not reply. But in brief - I had same opp three and half years ago. I had the anxiety and it was just so awful. Yes your oestrogen dose is very likely too low. As a comparison I take 2 mg of Sandrena. Yes too, testosterone is prob a good idea. It's not for everyone in SM but certainly worth a try. But even with those adjustments you may find you need more help with the anxiety until your whole system calms down and gets on an even keel. For me, an SSRI was no good, made things worse, but GP switched me to Mirtazapine 15 mg which is an SNRI antidepressant and from then on I started to improve. It's great for sleep too! I only needed it I think for about a year but it probably saved my life. I feel mostly very well now. Occasionally tweak my dosage re the odd physical symptom but I feel mentally strong which after the debilitating anxiety is by far the most important thing. Please do go to GP and get some more help. x
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Thanks everyone for your helpful replies I wasn't expecting to feel as awful as i have. I actually think the Tibolone helped more than the Lenzetto.
I have seen a private specialist and she said we need to get the estrogen right before we can add in testosterone.
Work are aware but I think they are running out of patience. It's been 6 months and I'm still not on a settled dose.
I am 50 and take anti-depressants, Mirtazapine being one of them, already.
I do feel like I need 6 months off work to sort myself out but I feel bad leaving :(
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Work are aware but I think they are running out of patience. is that your perception? Is there some1 with knowledge about menopause symptoms in the workplace?
You may benefit from taking time out so that U can rest when required, get into the fresh air when you want etc.. R U able to take holiday followed by extended leave, what does your Contract say?
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I have spoken to them and asked for reasonable adjustments, which I still feel I need. They are no longer happy to do them.
I feel bad, as they have paid to train me for the new job. I just wasn't expecting it to be so hard after my hysterectomy :(
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Don't feel sorry for 'them' they should have a menopause pathway in place! How many in the Company?
Would they B the same if a man had problems ? The company needs to be aware of discrimination!
How R U this morning?
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Hi,
I agree with CLKD and the others, in that you need much more support both inside and outside the work place with this.
Hysterectomy is a huge surgery and until you are more hormonally stable, you are likely to continue to feel unwell unfortunately.
Do you now have endometriosis? Does oestrogen feed that and possibly affect what HRT dose you take?
I think your best bet is to get back in touch with your MS and work together to try and get your oestrogen dose right. Lenzetto is also known to be quite a weak product.
In the mean time, I would be also be inclined to get yourself signed off sick ( will you get full sick pay?) Or at least speak with HR?
Best of luck. I’ve had a full hysterectomy also, but not allowed HRT. Brutal doesn’t come close! :foryou:
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I have seen a private specialist and she said we need to get the estrogen right before we can add in testosterone.
Based on what evidence? Whilst it is true that in the absence of estrogen, our clever bodies convert every spare ounce of testosterone into estradiol anyway as this is more critical, this is an economic issue not a safety one, based on testosterone costing more.
This is frequently used as an excuse to deny women androgen replacement, along with estrogen having to be transdermal, the wind blowing west and Saturn in retrograde etc... and I agree with Louise Newson on this one that both can absolutely be replaced simultaneously.
Your employer is being a d***head, as well as probably breaching multiple anti-discrimination laws. Don't let them force you out - although ultimately you may not want to remain in a company with that attitude, make sure if you do leave it is on your terms not theirs, ideally as others have said after a period of medical leave.
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How long have U been with the Company and do you have a Contract?
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Sorry for late reply. Yesterday I literally hit rock bottom after being awake all night Sunday having panic attacks.
I've been signed off and am going to take things one day at a time. The gp has increased my ad's and I'm waiting to hear back from the MS.
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Tnx for the update. Rest. Gentle exercise, plenty of sunshine. Eat little and often. If U need to sleep: sleep.
Remind me what 'the MS' is :-\ R U able to increase the Mitrazapine?
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Thank you for your kind advice My gp has increased the Mirtazapine.
MS is menopause specialist x
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Of course it is ::) - meno-brain here, sorry.
How R U this morning without the stress of getting ready to go to work?
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Sorry for late reply. Yesterday I literally hit rock bottom after being awake all night Sunday having panic attacks.
I've been signed off and am going to take things one day at a time. The gp has increased my ad's and I'm waiting to hear back from the MS.
I've been exactly where you are. I had to take 3 months off. It was the best thing I could have done. Just to have the space to get through it all calmed me down. I'm also on ADs and saw a psychiatrist who upped my dose quite a bit (150mg sertraline now). I was also prescribed promethizine to help with sleep and settle my stomach as I wasn't eating. I spent a week pretty dosed up and in bed and it helped so much.
As an aside just for info--I was on 2 dots of androfemme (testosterone) + 75mcg oestradial patch. My testosterone level was 3 times the limit but FAI was in the normal range so my MP kept my dose as-is at my appointment in late July. Even though it went against everything I could read about testosterone HRT, I had a feeling it might be making my anxiety and depression worse. So I stopped it and instantly felt about 50% better the next day. I can't explain this and no one else seems to have had this reaction, but I thought I'd mention it just in case you add in testosterone. I don't want to put you off it as the evidence says it helps most women with their mood and I'm totally an outlier. But just wanted to share the experience in case it's relevant at any point.
This gets better. I was so low they were considering hospitalising me (sectioning me). But a proper work break and the right meds and HRT have made me 75% better in just 6 weeks. You'll get there too.
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Hi Dramy3
Did you see an psychiatrist on the NHS or privately (if you don't mind me asking?)
Did you build up to 150mg sertraline?
I had a full hysterectomy last year and am also on hormone blockers. I can't take systemic HRT but am feeling dreadful.
What has the sertraline helped with most?
redandpink stripes, I am glad you have been signed off work; it sounds as though you are having a very hard time of things.
I hope you start to recover soon xx
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Hi Nas
Ask away! I have been seeing a private therapist for 9 months but my anxiety and depression got worse and worse from July so was switched from the 20mg escitalopram I had been on for 6 months (15mg for the last 8 years) to sertraline. I took 10mg escitalopram + 50mg sertraline for one week and then went to 100mg sertraline. My symptoms continued to decline (was slowing increasing my oestrogen patch as well as 2 dots of testosterone) through August and I had what I can only describe as a psychotic break mid-September where I was threatening suicide, dissociating, not eating or sleeping. My wife got the NHS crisis team involved that day and an NHS psychiatrist saw me 24 hours later. He upped the sertraline to 150mg that day and added promethizine to make sure I slept and to take during the day if I needed to zone out for a while. It was bad. I started to feel better after about 3 days as I was sleeping and then wobbled a bit for a few more days until I decided to try cutting out the testosterone. I woke up the next morning with a clear head and no panic. I obviously can't put it all down to testosterone as I was doing other things to help, but it was key for me.
The sertraline is rough on my stomach and I feel a bit nauseous for a few hours after taking. I also have to take in the morning because it keeps me awake if I take at night. I'm pretty numb emotionally, but working 2 days a week and functioning pretty much as I was before things got really bad. I've just started reducing the sertraline dose to 125mg every other day (with 150mg on alternate days). Will do that for a week and then go to 125mg if all ok. My aim is to reduce to 100mg over the next 6 weeks or so if I can.
I had a total hysterectomy (kept the ovaries) 5 years ago and then breast cancer 3 months later. The hormone journey has been complicated for me but I'm confident the choices I've made are right for me. Quality of life is my focus now and that involves systemic oestrogen, oestrogen cream (ovestin) daily and the antidepressant. My hope is to decrease the AD and oestrogen as and when my body agrees with it. That may be never, and I'm ok with that because I've looked into the abyss and won't go back.
I know how you feel. I don't think anyone realised how desperate I was until the suicide talk started. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, but hitting the bottom made me willing to accept any and all help offered.
I wish you all the best and happy to answer any questions about ADs, etc if it helps at all.
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Thanks Dramy3
I will get back in touch when
I have a spare moment. Lots of questions to ask? It’s totally hideous.
Can I send you a message, as I don’t want to hijack redandpinkstripes thread?
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Thanks Dramy3
I will get back in touch when
I have a spare moment. Lots of questions to ask? It’s totally hideous.
Can I send you a message, as I don’t want to hijack redandpinkstripes thread?
Of course. I just realised Messages were a thing on here!
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Thanks Dramy3
I will get back in touch when
I have a spare moment. Lots of questions to ask? It’s totally hideous.
Can I send you a message, as I don’t want to hijack redandpinkstripes thread?
Of course. I just realised Messages were a thing on here!
.
😊
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1 query Dramy? Why not take the anti-depressant if it helps? I wouldn't be without mine.
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1 query Dramy? Why not take the anti-depressant if it helps? I wouldn't be without mine.
Hi CLKD. I am taking an AD (sertraline). Just switched from escitalopram to sertraline and upped the dose. I'd like to get the dose down over time, though, as sertraline has some side effects for me. But if that can't happen, I'll happily stay on it as long as needed.
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Let us know how you get on.
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Please don't apologise. I'm forgetting everything at the moment 8) xx
My anxiety is a lot calmer, thank you. I just feel low in my mood and worried about what's next. I know it's not going to be a quick fix :(
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Half a day at a time. Don't look too far forwards. Rest when you want to.
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Hi Dramy
Thanks so much for your helpful post, it gives me hope.
I am so sorry you have had such a hard time though :(
I just wasn't expecting any of this and just wanted the surgery done and stupidly thought I'd get my life back. They have to be careful with me as they believe I have Endo, as HRT seems to flare up the pain.
I do feel guilty being off, as I'm letting people down but I can't do it anymore. It feels as though Ive been walking on a broken leg and it's finally broken (if that makes any sense)
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Thank you Nas. I'm so sorry to hear you are suffering. I really feel for you. It is brutal:(
I really appreciate your kind words. All I know is I can't do it anymore.
I'm here for you, if you need a chat xx
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Half a day at a time. Don't look too far forwards. Rest when you want to.
I need to remember this. Thank you xx
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Women aren't 'allowed' to listen to their bodies or appear vulnerable >:(. Sometimes we have to take time out ;-)
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That is so true. Thanks again for your support xx
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:bighug:
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Xxxx
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How are you feeling redandpinkstripes? 😊 x
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Hello everyone. Thank you for asking. I've actually resigned from my job. I just can't do it anymore. I'm now scared because financially I'm not sure how we are going to manage. The environment I worked in was extremely stressful, so it was definitely the right decision. I just feel quite lost but know I need time to process and heal. If that makes sense :(
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Great decision. I went part time in August and it’s the best thing I could have done. You can’t help others if you don’t put your own oxygen mask on first.
Be kind to yourself.
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Thanks Dramy. I just couldn't do it anymore xx
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I thought I'd give an update. I'm having some better days but the last few days my anxiety has been through the roof :(
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Awful ain't it! Is the anxiety cyclical even though U have had surgery? Is it the time of year? How is your diet?
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Hiya, no it's not cyclical as I had my ovaries removed.
It's hard to explain but sometimes the anxiety makes me feel like I'm crawling out of my own skin. It is hideous.
My diet isn't the best. I do comfort eat x
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Don't beat yourself up about comfort eating, it depends on what you decide to grab.
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Cakes, chocolate etc I'm in a lot of pain too so that doesn't help :(
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When anxious I stop eating completely.