As some of you know, I had to have a full hysterectomy last Summer. By "full" I mean that my Uterus and both of my ovaries were removed. I had fibroid tumors that were growing at the speed of light and my uterus was the size of a woman carrying a 22 week old fetus by the time I had my surgery. Anyway, this operation threw me into what is called 'surgical menopause'. I was fine for about 10 days and then WHAM! I was a basket case. I started taking a synthetic hormone since I do not like the way the mares are treated to excrete what is needed to make the Premarine (spelling??) hormone. (for those of you who do not know - this most popular hormone is made from mares urine)
The synthetic drug did NOTHING for me. I might as well have been taking sugar pills. I was miserable. I was having 10-20 hot flashes a day and crying my eyes out. My hot flashes did not feel hot like "temperature hot" but hot like someone had cut me open and implanted Jalapeno peppers inside of me!
I had no choice but to change my meds to a low dose patch of Premarine. It took about 2 days, but I felt much better on this drug. My crying episodes stopped and my hot flashes went down to just a couple per week.
Six months after my surgery though, I was still having hot flashes and they seemed to be on the increase - now at least 1 per day. Add to this, I felt a horrible sense of dread. Now - I am one of the most upbeat, positive, love to laugh people out there. I have never had a problem with depression, so this was quite new to me. I hated being alone. I found myself much more sensitive and easily got my feelings hurt.
I contacted my doctor and again we have changed my hormone meds. I was just wondering if any of you ladies have experienced this? If so, can you share your experiences with me. If you don't want to post it on the blog - please e-mail me at juliesize@yahoo.com
Thanks!
8 comments:
I went through menopause the natural way and used HRT (estrogen and progestin) for years. Too many according to many experts. I was phased off them in my late 50's. (It wasn't easy.)
Both of my sisters have had the same surgery as you and are still on a low dose hormone patch. They are in their mid-60's. They tried going the no-med route, but the symptoms they were experiencing after surgery were really impacting their daily lives.
Oh, Julie! so sorry to hear that! I am a lucky one because I only had a few "warm" flashes one summer and then it was over. I didn't have to take anything. Hope you find something that helps.
Mental-pause is misery. I am a clinically depressed person, but with the onset of menopause being well controlled by my meds to my meds are not holding the symptoms at bay. My hot flashes (I call them my own private tropical vacations) can be so bad that I have worked in an unheated barn (10 degrees!) without a coat, hat or gloves and was still sweating! My trainer asked me if I wanted to use some Mare Magic to control my witchy-ness.
Have you tried Black Cohosh? I haven't because of interactions with my SSRI. I have heard good things about it though. Here is a list of herbal meds. My best buddy suggests weekly massages and chocolate.
Hello! I know Im a stranger, but I just wanted to let you know that at age 38 I also had a radical hysterectomy. I am now 47 years old and the best advice I can give is to find a dr who is willing to work with you seriously on this hormone issue without making you give up - the good ones know that everyone is different and you may have to experiment a bit before you find the right dosage...that being said, I do take premarin .9 tablet, and it works wonders for me- im very physically fit and happy, most days lol. ON the down side, as a horse owner I also have concern on where this premarin does come from. In checking with proper regulated PMU farms, they do have to meet humane standards, and i guess there are worse things in the world for mares to buddy up in a barn with their sisters, eating and drinking all day, not worrying about having to go to the bathroom, all while winter winds blow nasty outside...actually i think i might have done that somewhere in my past lol
http://www.naeric.org/about.asp?strNav=7&strBtn=2
Heres a little bit more information on premarin and horses that might put your mind to rest. I know it did for me.
Since we have no ovaries, we will have to be on estrogen for the rest of our lives - estrogen regulates heart, brain, bones, the whole body for optimum health. If you still have your ovaries after menopause, your ovaries still produce a tiny bit of estrogen to help regulate these. For us, we have no choice but to be on some sort of hormone therapy, whether plant, urine or synthetic, and has to be adjusted occasionally as we age...
Julie,
I went through the exact same thing in my mid 30's. I day I had ovaries, the next day they were gone.
Between the hot flashes and the sheer out of control emotions, the entire family suffered. I did not respond well at all to Premarin,in fact I think I got worse. Finally talked my doc into the natural botanicals,and I love them! They are hand compounded and more expensive,but in my opinion well worth it. I take estrogen,progesterone and testosterone. Hormones my body was making before the surgery.
Hope this helps. Let me know.
Terri Baker
They tried going the no-med route, but the symptoms they were experiencing after surgery were really impacting their daily lives.
Work From Home
Julie,
I went through memopause naturally and did have hot flashes for some time. I have never taken any meds for it but have tried to just grin and bear it. I do yoga and know that yoga has helped me tremendously through this period of my life. There are no side affects or positive and you feel wonderful after attending a session. Hope this helps, Peggy
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