Surgical Menopause Question

[birdcarver]

Hi all, I am now one week and two days out from my laparotomy for total abdominal hysterectoomy and bilateral ooperectomy. I am doing very well and trying hard to make myself rest. I know I over did it a couple of days ago and am paying for it now - more sore than before. I am wondering how long it takes your body to realize it doesn't have the hormones anymore. The only thing I have noticed since my surgery is that I am warmer than before. I have always been one of those cold people, always cuddling up under a quilt or putting on a sweater, and now I am hot and kicking off blankets and running around in shorts! My temperature is about one degree higher than it normally was before but no fever so I don't think this is due to post-op infection. I haven't had any hot flashes or night sweats, just generally warmer than before surgery. I'm wonering what more I can expect. I am 48 so may have been menopausal already, although I was having regular periods. My post-op visit is scheduled for July 6. Is it usual to begin hormone treatments after that visit? Thanks for any advice.
Michelle

[Mary 53]

Hi Lex, Thanks for the post and the additional information. I am off for a dog walk and so I wanted to say hello and that I would respond with some thoughts later.

My husband keeps asking me questions...so I am getting off track now anyway. Just wanted to say hi and I will catch you later on. Mary

[confused Lex]

Hi Mary ..As I'm sure you know ...doctors have been learning alot over the last 2 or 3 years about PCO's and the female  diseases of the reproductive area and the effects on the Brain and our General Health .. I was one of the many unfortunate ones who was never treated for any of it ...had my past surgerys while going through the infertility process which left me absolutely unable to have children ( due to adhesions )..but adoption was the best thing that ever happened to me ..so I feel everything happens for a reason .As for treatments ...well now that I am asking a zillion questions to my Doc's  I have learned that all I ever needed  was insulin...woman with PCO syndrome are insulin resistant and the surgerys where never needed(adhesions could have been avoided and would not be in the position I'm in now ) .But knowing all these years I've been on a emotinal rollarcoaster and not wanting to mention it to often to my Doc ...in fear she would think i am crazy..has had me wondering at times if maybe i am crazy ....hormones never crossed mine or my doc's mind...and because of what I'm going through now my Doc's are offering up a lil help ..due mostly because I'm asking the right questions which is also because of the huge amounts of info available online and here... now ...B4 all I could say is I'm going through so many highs and lows and confusing moments ...now I can ask to have my hormones evaluated to see what I am lacking.Education is a wonderful thing ..but this too can sometimes be a little overwhelming .I worry mostly now about the fact I've been hormonely imbalanced for so  long now ..that when I start HRT ...it will be extremely good or bad and how will they figure out how to make me somewhat normal again ..If normal is possible for me ..wink wink ..I will keep researching and hopefully will be totally pre pared / armed with all the right questions when I see my surgeons on June 8th.
I love this forum and all the woman here are truly special..so glad I found you all..
Takecare ..Lex

[Mary 53]

http://groups.msn.com/BulgeBattlingBattalionCysters/

Hey you all, think about joining this group. Just a bunch of very nice people trying to support each other...share information, etc...all related to the functions of these wonderful women's body's of ours. We are trying to put together a little section just for information on hormones. It is so confusing. But, there is hope. Research is key, but, I do know how confusing it all is.

There is a lot of info on this site, too....go to archives and click on "general" but, it might be hit or miss for awhile...there are many posts on hormones...some with my name after the thread; some without. There is a lot of confusion about what is avaiable and what they can do for you. I have done a ton of research and I have been taking the bioidentical hormone (not drugs) for six years...since my hysterectomy for ovarian cancer. SOOOO helpful.

Lex, what have you been on in the past, if you don't mind me asking. There is hope out there. Hang in there.

I will check in tomorrow. Take care, Mary

[birdcarver]

My doc likes to wait until the 6 week check-up to start on hormones. He says that by waiting we will know how my body reacts to not having them and then can better decide what to use. I really have no idea what is available so I guess I should do some research!
Michelle

[daddiesgirlforever]

I am 30, and when i had my hysterectomy, i had 1 ovary left. I had that last ovary removed in march and was given a shot of estrogen immediatly following the surgery. I started premarin about 3 weeks later. I didnt have many symptoms of surgical menopause until the second dose of premarin, I was taking .625 mg and immediatly had severe hot flashes and trouble sleeping, on the third day i was told to double my dose so i was to be taking 1.25mg and i have had zero problems since. do you know what kind of ert you will be taking? i was given the option of the patch, the pill or the shot. I cant do the patch due to skin sensitivities, going in with a toddler in tow every month for the shot was out of the question, so i decided on the pill.

And i must admit, i'm very happy with the results. GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

[confused Lex]

Wow ..I am 48 and having a total hysterectomy very soon ..been doing my research like a good little girl ...but wowww  it is overwhelming what we woman go through ...and I am one of those drug sesitive types  who is peripausing all over the place and already have major inbalances in my hormones..Don't know what where how or why ...Yikessss But I do know want run ..run all the way back to the womb ...lol Never thought I would get here  ..Hormone re-placements ...didn't like the ones I had ...lol  Yuckk!!!                                
Can  ... I please
get some more of the good ones ( happy hormones ) since I've been stuck with all the crummy ones all these years ..
Would be nice if we could order up our hormones just the way we like them ..After all we deserve to be as happy as we want to ..
Don't we ..?
Just venting ladies...your all i have right now ..well going through this... as all my sisters have been through this so long ago..they've forgotten and are all retired bingo ***** now ..who have no time for a young ding aling like me ...lol
I wish you all the best  and most of all ..All the best hormones ;)
Lex

[turtledovemom]

I hear you loud and clear.  Surgical menopause really stinks.  I'm hoping that Mary53 sees this soon.  She's has been tremendously helpful with all of her research on this topic.  Age 50...I had my surgery on 4/26 and just started on Climara (patch) this past Monday.  The nurse who has been visiting for wound check assured me that the patch is a very slowly releasing medium and that I probably wouldn't be feeling results as quickly as I would like. Just had an eye checkup today (routine) and the doc said that I shouldn't be expecting any vision changes, but might experience dry eyes.  There are so many more symptoms of the big "m", but as I understand it not all women experience them all.   Hang in there.  Your "thermostat" will be working again soon.  Do your research and keep your mind open.  You're definitely not alone in this situation.  
peace,
Anne

[AnotherKatie]

I am 48.  I had my remaining ovary and my uterus cervix and tubes removed in February.  My doctor put me on the Estraderm 50 patch the same week.  It seems to be working OK, not too many hot flashes (they are worse when the house or the outside temperature is hot already).  He insisted that I should take hormones as I am "young".  He feels it protects your vaginal and bladder health, and helps keep you from feeling the more severe menopause syptoms.  I do have some minor problems (brain fog, trouble sleeping, dry itchy skin, dry eyes) but I am coping.  I think "proper living" is very important too...diet, exercise, good attitude, etc.
Estraderm is estradiol-17B, which is considered to be a very close approximation of what your body produces.  The amount I am on is considered to be about one quarter of what I would have naturally been producing.  Some other hormone replacement therapy is synthetic, or perhaps I should say, "more" synthetic.  You can Google the name of the drug you are on and research it.  I personally do not like Premarin because of how it is manufactured, and in my opinion (from my research) I do not think it is as safe as a more bioidentical type.  Discuss it with your doctor.
My skin reacted more to the patch initially, it is not as bad now.  
Best of luck Ladies...

[turtledovemom]

If I may ask, why were you switched from the Climara?  Did you feel any significant differences?  I'm not a big fan of dealing with the unknown so this is not too much fun.  
peace,
Anne

[lacjmc]

I am 48 and had my hysterectomy with both ovaries removed in March.  I went home from the hospital with the Climara patch and have now been put on Premarin.  So far I have had no symptoms, but I was menopausal before my surgery and had few symptons.  A few nights of sweats, but nothing else.  I wish that I had tried it without hormones for awhile and then been put on them over time.  My doctor told me that as soon as I was completely healed that she would change me to another type of hormone.  I feel great though.