blood pressure drop, just feeling awful all over

[Lanie46]

Hi, my TAH/BSO was done on Aug 10. This surgical menopause is all new to me. Went to the doc for post-op today and my BP was 95/64 (approx), which was unusual. I take BP med to begin with, but have been dizzy, dull-witted, depressed, and nauseated, extremely tired, like a flu-like feeling all over since this surgery. I'm definitely not myself and need to remedy this. I'm on the Vivelle 0.375mg patch which has dizziness and nausea as side effects. I understand that thyroid can change after hysterectomy but am not sure. Doc's office took blood for anemia only. Wonder if I need more bloodwork done, but I don't want to be a pest to my doc. I feel lost. Any suggestions?

[Cherie762]

btw I used vivelle and vever any problems what was your dose mine was.00375 ,,just curious I never had any sude effect thats whyI wondered if it wa the darvocets I do understand everyones personal chemistry is different.

[Cherie762]

we have talked before, ofcorse any surgery is going to effect one . Healing time is variable most takes place in 5-8 weeks, you willl feel better each and every day and regain your strength. Dont make the mistake I and many oters did and over do, you feel better , on the inside your anatomy is still adjusting. be kind to yoursef and rest.

I know you know Mary read her stufff again if you need we definatley agree on bio identical, I reccomend starting with just estrogen, Mary likes the combo you must find what works for you,

btw :aney I hear ya on the next surgery good Lord my neck is finally 90% healed and now I got a gangleion cyst on my dominant hand. ARGHHHHH

love, Cherie  pm me any time

[Lanie46]

Thank you, remar. I actually have a Neti Pot and need to use it. Yes, my eyes hurt due to sinus and allergies, but they're getter a little better, thank goodness. I also use nasal spray from the health food store.

Well, I think I found the main reason why I feel so awful. Since I been very nauseated and been having flu/cold symptoms that didn't go anywhere, I started to think what I've been doing different to feel this way. DHEA helps, so that can't be it. After 3 surgeries and pain all these years, I think that I'm having withdrawal symptoms from the Darvocet I've been taking. I've never had withdrawal symptoms before. I've been taking 1 a day (due to my back/neck pain and wrist surgeries) and skipping days for the last 1 1/2 weeks to get all the pain and surgical meds out of my system. I took a higher dose since April, and Vicodin after each surgery (not together, of course) and went back down to 2 Darvocet per day 3 weeks ago. So I looked up withdrawal symptoms on this site, and that has to be it. Oh, and hormones, of course, are part of it. :-)

I'll keep tapering off the Darvocet until next surgery, just kidding about the surgery.
Lanie46

[remar]

Oh good! I'm so glad to hear the DHEA is working for you.
It seems like it's that time of the year again for colds and sinus problems. You must be having alot of pressure if your eyes are bothering you. Are they itchy and watery?
Have you heard of the Neti Pot? It's for cleaning out your nasal passages and it works great. Your can get one at your local drug store. Putting a cool washcloth on your face helps with the pressure and swelling too.
Your very welcome. We're always here to help and listen. Cherie is our wonderful Hysterectomy Community Leader and she does the best job on this forum. We've both had hysterectomy's and understand what your going through.
I really hope you can get the thyroid tests done soon.  And I hope this cold does'nt last too long.
Thank you so much! I probably will be contacting you asking for health information. Take care and feel better soon. Remar

[Lanie46]

Thank you for helping me during this mire, remar. I think DHEA is doing great, but I think that I coming down with a head cold or something. My eyes are killing me, and I can't get the paperwork I need to get done completed. The brightness on my puter monitor is turned down to compensate. Hard to adjust to bright lights, focus, and especially read. It's always something, but this too shall pass. Computer stuff is all I can do right now. Have no energy and feel awful - that cold-like feeling.
I thank you more than you can imagine. Let me know if I can help you in any way; I do extensive research on health issues on my spare time and am also a listener too...
Your friend,
Lanie46

[remar]

I'm glad to hear your working with a compounding pharmacy. But you do need to get the blood or saliva tests to see what you levels are.
Is your BP still doing good on the DHEA?
I totally understand about hospital and Drs bills. And your having to look for a new job too! That's got to be so overwhelming.
We're always here to listen. I hope your doing better. Take care. Remar

[Lanie46]

Thanks, remar for your suggestion. Since I discovered by accident that a prior gyn I went to noted very negative remarks about me in my file that my current gyn and family doc have (which I posted in the adrenal insufficiency forum), I am reluctant to request any testing at this point. I'm sorta overwhelmed that I have to look for a new job, request an amendment to my medical files, and organize my office to work on overdue issues that were in limbo since surgeries. And bills!  Also, I'm still healing from all 3 surgeries in the meantime.

I'm working with a pharmacist at a local compounding pharmacy, and he's been a great help. He strongly suggested saliva testing for hormones. I do need a blood test as you indicated.

I did get DHEA (5mg) which helped normalize my bp and made me feel much better, and progesterone cream. I do need to find a balance. Although bypassing the tests are not good, I have to make due for now until I get slightly organized and be able to focus to proceed with my doc. Times are tough, but it's only temporary.

[remar]

Your BP can go up and down throughout the day. Are you taking it around the same time everyday after sitting and resting for 5 to 10 minutes?
Your BP was running a little high before your surgery. Normal is 120/80 and below so you may need your beta-blocker adjusted. Also, some antidepressants can cause your BP to go up.
I would ask your Dr to go ahead and check your thyroid levels. It would'nt hurt. Ask for FT3, FT4,TSH and antibodies. Take care. Remar

[Cherie762]

I hear you, I know just what its like I had many surgeries in a row too, it tends to lead to the blues, completley understandable, is your bp a bit higher now w the decrease in Darvocet? Timing of meds means alot too, ask your pharmicist, they are well trained as to what mixes with what to cause side effects of tiredness and low bp etc..perhaps your answer is as simple as timing your medications to a percise schedule every day.

I for sure would not stop the Lexapro, w/o drs advise and it sounds like its effective for 2 reasons and works well for you..may be that you need to space the hours to atleast 4 between that and the Darvocet ( again ask dr or pharmicist, Im not qualified, this is just my opinion)

Feel better!

[Lanie46]

Thank you Cherie for your help. I've decreased the Darvocet to 3 per day. I take a beta-blocker blood pressure med in the morning, and now I think that it may be part of the problem, since I haven't been very active due to being depressed. I increased Lexapro from 20mg to 30mg and am starting to feel better but feel worse when I take the blood pressure med. I realized that this morning. The beta-blocker also helps with migraines which have been tormenting me for decades. I don't want to stop the beta-blocker since it also helps me with stress, so maybe my doc can monitor my dose. My BP is usually 130/85. Yes, I'll ask for a cbc too :-)

Also, this is the 3rd surgery I had since end of May. The first 2 were carpal tunnel on my right wrist. 1st surgery at end of May was botched and was corrected by another surgeon on July 8. I lost my job the day before the 2nd surgery. The stress from anesthesia (1 local, 2 general), losing my job, and hysterectomy has taken its toll.

Thank you for your post, Cherie. Feel free to comment - I'm always open to any suggestions.

Lanie :-)

[Cherie762]

Are you havina any bleeding, Im kinda guessing not cause I feel youd of mentioned it.'

Taking Narcotic pain meds which you likely got for post op can lower blood pressure, its real important to take as directed,Also bp can be low due to in activity, You need to be resting now,,,95/64 is actually not that low  110/50 is a standard good norm for a woman..your pretty close to that.

Meds can cause many side effects (vicodion, darvocet, tylenol 3 etc) of dizziness and nausea,,take food or mile w you pain meds,
Being very tired is normal but should be easing up a bit for you by now...the flu has hit many states perhaps you do have it. Suggestion..get the blood work ask for a cbc too, try to get back to a bit of a routine like 3 squares at appropiate times per day.go to bed and get up at same time,,rest but do not nap, your about 6 weeks post op,,ask your dr but you should be able to resume sex and tub baths..ask first !!!!!

Please do not worry about asking drs questions , He is an employee of yours, You and your insurance pay him well, hes not doing you a favor he is doing his job,.

Hugs, Cherie