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Forgetfulness problems after Surgery
Since having a full hyster with the removal of three large cysts, I have been experiencing the normal menepausel symptoms (some hot flushes, etc). But the biggest problem is forgeting things. Having a conversation with someone and then forgetting it almost immediately. It is starting to effect my job where I have always been known to have a mind like a steel trap with excellent recall and accuracy. My family laughs with me and say "Mom's getting old." I'm only 42. Is this part of menopause?
Lisa
Lisa
I don't mind your using the information. It has helped me tremendously and would want others to be helped as well. You are AWESOME!
I did go to the doc and I will have to tell you later what she prescribed and what she said about all the crying this weekend as I have to log off now.
Again, thank you...thank you...thank you!
Lisa
I did go to the doc and I will have to tell you later what she prescribed and what she said about all the crying this weekend as I have to log off now.
Again, thank you...thank you...thank you!
Lisa
I was out of town for a conference and glad to read these posts. I just read Freshair's post. I have to add some thoughts, if that is okay, but need to do it tomorrow. Gosh I hate this rushing. Sorry.....but, I had so many problems from hormone imbalance...when will this world get this all straight.
Lisa, yes,...please keep in touch. I will be eager to see how things go for you and I will save this thread to my hard drive so that I can cut and paste some of the discussion info as far as the hormones go if that is okay. I will use the general info and not the more personal stuff so you won't be reading about yourself in a few months :)
Mary
Lisa, yes,...please keep in touch. I will be eager to see how things go for you and I will save this thread to my hard drive so that I can cut and paste some of the discussion info as far as the hormones go if that is okay. I will use the general info and not the more personal stuff so you won't be reading about yourself in a few months :)
Mary
That's a great plan, very best of luck with it, I am sure that you can get some help. My gyn is the head of gynecology at the teaching hospital in my city and he insisted I do the estrogen patch.
Some doctors are skeptical about words like "bioidentical" and the progesterone cream.
I was 48 at the time of my surgery and TOTALLY related to the things you said about forgetting conversations, etc. It does get better... but it took me several months to straighten out (and I was on the patch from day 1). Don't get discouraged. I really notice I can't burn the candle at both ends anymore, I need a lot more sleep, need to eat really well (and less than I used to!), I take supplements and most importantly I exercise.
Working out helps tone my mind! I think it takes a good year to get back to feeling normal.
My neat freak thing never really came though!!! Maybe that's a good thing??!!
Let us know how you do...
Some doctors are skeptical about words like "bioidentical" and the progesterone cream.
I was 48 at the time of my surgery and TOTALLY related to the things you said about forgetting conversations, etc. It does get better... but it took me several months to straighten out (and I was on the patch from day 1). Don't get discouraged. I really notice I can't burn the candle at both ends anymore, I need a lot more sleep, need to eat really well (and less than I used to!), I take supplements and most importantly I exercise.
Working out helps tone my mind! I think it takes a good year to get back to feeling normal.
My neat freak thing never really came though!!! Maybe that's a good thing??!!
Let us know how you do...
Thank you all for your wonderful words of wisdom and advice. My poor husband has been very understanding with all of this and just holds me when I ask him to and lets me rant and rave when I need to and then lets me apologize over and over again. I am going to call my doctor tomorrow (with my dh's encouragement) because I can't take this "crazy" feeling any longer. I tried retail therapy yesterday, but didn't help...I stilled cried not stop, even in the stores. It's time to talk to the doc and get these hormones straightened out before I alienate friends, family and lose my career.
Maybe once things are straightened out, I'll feel like cleaning the house again (use to be a neat freak).
Thanks to all of you!
Lisa
Maybe once things are straightened out, I'll feel like cleaning the house again (use to be a neat freak).
Thanks to all of you!
Lisa
Lisa,
Yes, not enough time and effort goes into warning women of their side effects on losing their ovaries. It's sad. But it will get better for you in time. I used to have severe hot flashes with anxiety just before the hot flash so I knew when it was coming on. To this day I dress in layers and never wear wool or polyester. My forgetfulness is awful but I have learned to laugh it off because of multiple complications that I have had.
Mary,
You are so so very right about hormones. Common sense just tells us that most women that get ovarian, breast and other reproductive cancers are in their 60s. Well that's because the hormones are all out of balance. And so much of this ovarian cancer happens in perimenopause when the estrogen is too high and the progesterone way too low.
I wish everyone would take your advice and check their hormones with a naturopath or a ACAM doctor. It's amazing I have a friend that had hers checked and how many hormones are involved.
Your naturopath doctor can work you through the whole process. The hormones have to be monitored just as the thyroid has to be monitored.
I hope every woman on this site that doesn't have cancer, read your book recommendations. I have the cancer and how do I wish I had years ago. I have made an appointment with a ACAM doctor and will check my hormones even though I have the cancer and I am on chemo. I want to know.
Take care,
Helen
Yes, not enough time and effort goes into warning women of their side effects on losing their ovaries. It's sad. But it will get better for you in time. I used to have severe hot flashes with anxiety just before the hot flash so I knew when it was coming on. To this day I dress in layers and never wear wool or polyester. My forgetfulness is awful but I have learned to laugh it off because of multiple complications that I have had.
Mary,
You are so so very right about hormones. Common sense just tells us that most women that get ovarian, breast and other reproductive cancers are in their 60s. Well that's because the hormones are all out of balance. And so much of this ovarian cancer happens in perimenopause when the estrogen is too high and the progesterone way too low.
I wish everyone would take your advice and check their hormones with a naturopath or a ACAM doctor. It's amazing I have a friend that had hers checked and how many hormones are involved.
Your naturopath doctor can work you through the whole process. The hormones have to be monitored just as the thyroid has to be monitored.
I hope every woman on this site that doesn't have cancer, read your book recommendations. I have the cancer and how do I wish I had years ago. I have made an appointment with a ACAM doctor and will check my hormones even though I have the cancer and I am on chemo. I want to know.
Take care,
Helen
What was I going to say? (I forgot) hahahaha
I was the same after my surgery and I was scared I had instant dementia!
It does get better, but I have to say I do rely on my bioidentical estrogen patch (Estradot 50) and 10% progesterone cream. I also use vaginal estriol cream, wow does that help!
Kudos to you Mary53.... you da best!
I was the same after my surgery and I was scared I had instant dementia!
It does get better, but I have to say I do rely on my bioidentical estrogen patch (Estradot 50) and 10% progesterone cream. I also use vaginal estriol cream, wow does that help!
Kudos to you Mary53.... you da best!
Thank you! Thank you!
1) I do live in the states, so can I go to my local Walgreens Pharmacy or grocery store and get the progesterone cream? I've also had problems with dryness and libido. Love my husband madly and he really tries to make me happy in everyway (married 22 yrs).
2) Where do I get the testosterone - is it over the counter?
My boss sat down with me today and asked if I was O.K. She thought I might be depressed because I was so forgetful and errors were made in my work. I just started laughing and said no depression - just menopause and the same stuff is going on at home. Luckily someone else in another department is experiencing the same thing and I was able to compare myself to her to my boss. My boss is a young chick no where near in age to start thinking about menopause. So I pointed my finger at her and said one day you will be going through the same thing!
I will definitely look for the books.
Again, thank you so much Mary!
1) I do live in the states, so can I go to my local Walgreens Pharmacy or grocery store and get the progesterone cream? I've also had problems with dryness and libido. Love my husband madly and he really tries to make me happy in everyway (married 22 yrs).
2) Where do I get the testosterone - is it over the counter?
My boss sat down with me today and asked if I was O.K. She thought I might be depressed because I was so forgetful and errors were made in my work. I just started laughing and said no depression - just menopause and the same stuff is going on at home. Luckily someone else in another department is experiencing the same thing and I was able to compare myself to her to my boss. My boss is a young chick no where near in age to start thinking about menopause. So I pointed my finger at her and said one day you will be going through the same thing!
I will definitely look for the books.
Again, thank you so much Mary!
Yes, you should be able to find the cream. You may have to go to a store like GNC...what we used to call Health Food Stores....I actually have found the cream at large grocery stores. Whole Foods has it. Make sure you see the words "Progesterone" in it. Wild yam is not bad stuff, it is just that some people don't understand that it is processed differently (cuz wild yams are used in Progesterone cream, but this is not the same as using Wild yam cream on your body). "Progest" is good...Darn, I cannot think of the other now...I use a pretty high amount (actually I am at 20% strength twice a day now) so I get mine from a compounding pharmacy. The stress I have been under is BAD and BIG and the thought is that my body was using all the progesterone for making Cortisol. So, my progesterone levels were/have been very low. We are trying to get them up. That is why I am on the high amount. And, I have to supplement with Prometrium, the oral bioidentical progesterone since the 20% cream is the highest level and if I just added more cream, I would just be "sticky." :)
If/when you start the cream, get a measuring spoon just for this purpose and don't forget to use it. And, Be patient. You can rub in on inner thighs, inner arms, and back of neck or hands.
There is one brand that often packages a two for one cream...so, you will pay about $25.00 for this initially. Oprah uses Progest (sounds like she's a neighbor or something!). Now, the OTC stuff is only 2% but that was what I used for years. I used a 2% cream from the compounder, too, and a 3% cream, too. The compounders "micronize" the cream so it is dispersed differently or more efficiently, and they can adjust the amounts...and, there is blessedly no scent to the compounders brand. I have "scent issues" but did you know that a lack of testosterone can cause a low tolerance for scents....and all those poor people I could not stand to be around cuz they had perfume on! Things are better in that area now.
Initially I worked with a Compounding pharmacist (about fifty miles from here) and he and I woud coordinate with my doc and yet the Compounder sort of "ran the show" since he knew more than my doc did and my doc was willing to learn. So for years, that is how we did it. Got a little confusing, but it worked.
The testosterone initially came from my doctor after I sat in his office four months after the hyster crying that I found sex thoroughly disgusting for the first time in my life. HORRIBLE feeling. The testosterone helped a great deal. It is "off label" since it is not approved by the FDA for women to use it. One of those things. My doc gave it to me and the person with whom I work now on all this has me using two types. One 1% type I put on the inner thigh every day. The 2% type I put on the "critical" area (use your imagination) and that helps like crazy. When you get this in a scrip, and you can get this from a regular pharmacy, like Target...you don't need a compounder for this, make sure you get it in a cream formula, not a "Vaseline" formula. It absorbs better in the cream.
**Another book***Dr. Uzzi Reiss...hope I spelled name right....wrote "Natural Hormones for Women." I would get that book too...He talks a ton about testosterone. I am facing surgery for bladder issues and I am trying to avoid them by "tightening" that area, so I use the testosterone for that if for nothing else. I really love it. Helps with dryness so much, too. Even if a person is not sexually active, that dryness will hurt so badly...I could feel the dryness just walking sometimes. Local Estrogen, like Estrace, which is a bio, is also good for this. Using it just in the vagina will not effect the whole body's amount of estrogen. You use it for two weeks straight and then about three days a week after that.
What I do now:
It took time, but I found a great person, a Nurse Practioner who works for a Urologist, who is my "guide" and they actually take my insurance. So, I don't work with the compounder who started me out on all this after I did the research and presented the info to my doctor (to start the progesterone)...my doc, as I said, got me on the testosterone, and my Oncologist started me on the Vivelle Patch, which is the bio estrogen I use.
But, I wanted to have the blood levels checked more regularly and I wanted more "attention to detail" and I found this great lady. She is one of three who work in this office monitoring the bio's for the patients. They are "overseen" by a doc who works with women and men who want the help with hormones...I am trying to get my husband to see them...He has low testosterone issues and here I am the one feeling interested in the whole sexual issue....geez...when can we all get on the same page, you know?!!!
Well, glad you are going to get the book.
I recently wrote to "Hatgirl" and the post is still up....but, I am the one who threw away the white gold earrings my husband gave to me for our 25th wedding anniversary. So, Yes...I sooo get the work/memory/home/memory thing...take care, Lisa...someone is IMing me...yippee!
Mary
If/when you start the cream, get a measuring spoon just for this purpose and don't forget to use it. And, Be patient. You can rub in on inner thighs, inner arms, and back of neck or hands.
There is one brand that often packages a two for one cream...so, you will pay about $25.00 for this initially. Oprah uses Progest (sounds like she's a neighbor or something!). Now, the OTC stuff is only 2% but that was what I used for years. I used a 2% cream from the compounder, too, and a 3% cream, too. The compounders "micronize" the cream so it is dispersed differently or more efficiently, and they can adjust the amounts...and, there is blessedly no scent to the compounders brand. I have "scent issues" but did you know that a lack of testosterone can cause a low tolerance for scents....and all those poor people I could not stand to be around cuz they had perfume on! Things are better in that area now.
Initially I worked with a Compounding pharmacist (about fifty miles from here) and he and I woud coordinate with my doc and yet the Compounder sort of "ran the show" since he knew more than my doc did and my doc was willing to learn. So for years, that is how we did it. Got a little confusing, but it worked.
The testosterone initially came from my doctor after I sat in his office four months after the hyster crying that I found sex thoroughly disgusting for the first time in my life. HORRIBLE feeling. The testosterone helped a great deal. It is "off label" since it is not approved by the FDA for women to use it. One of those things. My doc gave it to me and the person with whom I work now on all this has me using two types. One 1% type I put on the inner thigh every day. The 2% type I put on the "critical" area (use your imagination) and that helps like crazy. When you get this in a scrip, and you can get this from a regular pharmacy, like Target...you don't need a compounder for this, make sure you get it in a cream formula, not a "Vaseline" formula. It absorbs better in the cream.
**Another book***Dr. Uzzi Reiss...hope I spelled name right....wrote "Natural Hormones for Women." I would get that book too...He talks a ton about testosterone. I am facing surgery for bladder issues and I am trying to avoid them by "tightening" that area, so I use the testosterone for that if for nothing else. I really love it. Helps with dryness so much, too. Even if a person is not sexually active, that dryness will hurt so badly...I could feel the dryness just walking sometimes. Local Estrogen, like Estrace, which is a bio, is also good for this. Using it just in the vagina will not effect the whole body's amount of estrogen. You use it for two weeks straight and then about three days a week after that.
What I do now:
It took time, but I found a great person, a Nurse Practioner who works for a Urologist, who is my "guide" and they actually take my insurance. So, I don't work with the compounder who started me out on all this after I did the research and presented the info to my doctor (to start the progesterone)...my doc, as I said, got me on the testosterone, and my Oncologist started me on the Vivelle Patch, which is the bio estrogen I use.
But, I wanted to have the blood levels checked more regularly and I wanted more "attention to detail" and I found this great lady. She is one of three who work in this office monitoring the bio's for the patients. They are "overseen" by a doc who works with women and men who want the help with hormones...I am trying to get my husband to see them...He has low testosterone issues and here I am the one feeling interested in the whole sexual issue....geez...when can we all get on the same page, you know?!!!
Well, glad you are going to get the book.
I recently wrote to "Hatgirl" and the post is still up....but, I am the one who threw away the white gold earrings my husband gave to me for our 25th wedding anniversary. So, Yes...I sooo get the work/memory/home/memory thing...take care, Lisa...someone is IMing me...yippee!
Mary
Oh my....YES, it is a huge part and it is one of the reasons I went running for help three months after my hysterectomy (total) back in 2000. It takes three months for the Progesterone in the system to totally leave your body. In case you were not always ovulating, then there would have been a low level of Progesterone to begin with (suffering the symptoms of perimenopause), but three months after the surgery....
Well, let's put it this way, my 60 year old husband makes more progesterone in his body now than I do...although I supplement it now by using bioidentical progesterone along with the small amount of bioidentical estrogen that I also use and have used since the day after my surgery. I also use two types of testosterone...
The forgetfulness can be very scary and yes, it can affect job performance. I have a whole new respect for the female hormones since I had my surgery, that's for sure. I still have to stay on top of the matter even though I have been using the bio's for over six years. I can tell when I am "off."
I would highly recommend that you pick up some info on the hormonal situation since it can be so grossly confusing and you are bound to get a lot of misinformation from well-meaning people. You have to research this yourself so you know what you are talking about and what you are looking for.
If you live in the states, you can pick up over the counter progesterone (Not wild yam cream) if you decide to look into using it. It might take up to three months for you to build it back up and for you to notice the effects. There is a lot of controvery here since personally I like to take the estrogen for vaginal dryness, bladder issues, itchy/dry skin issues, night sweats, hot flashes, irritability, memory, fatigue, libido, etc, and to keep the cell receptors open in our system so that the progesterone can be utilized appropriately. Some women who've had total hysters use Progesterone only (again, the bio kind) but I like the benefits from using both estrogen and Progesterone and I have my doctor's okay.
Progesterone (not PROGESTIN or PROGESTAGEN....these are NOT NOT NOT the same thing....You will get arguments about that) anyway....(sorry...I get a bit passionate here) will help you with mood, calmness, memory fog, fatigue, sleep issues, as does the estrgen, also Progesterone helps build back bone, helps keep cholesterol in check and thyroid, too. The testosterone is good for mood, clarity of mind, libido, of course, clumsiness (that's right) problems with allergies, loud noises, and confusion.
Christianne Northrup's book, "The Wisdom of Menopause" is my favorite book....(she talks a great deal about Progesterone either over the counter or the slightly different type you get at a Compounding pharmacy (they also make bio progesterone pills that are commercially made and can be picked up at a regular pharmacy).
I would pick the book up quickly, if you can. I also like Erika Schwartz, MD. Both also have websites and Erika puts out a newsletter...actually they both do, I just keep forgetting to sign up for Chris Northrup's letter....
Well, gosh, a lot going on here. But, I wish someone had helped me out like this.. I had to do it all on my own. My doc was not familiar with Progesterone, the bio kind, and only got me on the estrogen. As I said, Three months later, I thought I was losing my mind. Seriously. I was ELATED when I got it back, but this did not happen for about 8 months....wish we'd had this type of info exchange back then.
Good luck. There is hope. Just learn all you can for yourself so you will have all the info you need to make the choices you decide to make.
Mary
Well, let's put it this way, my 60 year old husband makes more progesterone in his body now than I do...although I supplement it now by using bioidentical progesterone along with the small amount of bioidentical estrogen that I also use and have used since the day after my surgery. I also use two types of testosterone...
The forgetfulness can be very scary and yes, it can affect job performance. I have a whole new respect for the female hormones since I had my surgery, that's for sure. I still have to stay on top of the matter even though I have been using the bio's for over six years. I can tell when I am "off."
I would highly recommend that you pick up some info on the hormonal situation since it can be so grossly confusing and you are bound to get a lot of misinformation from well-meaning people. You have to research this yourself so you know what you are talking about and what you are looking for.
If you live in the states, you can pick up over the counter progesterone (Not wild yam cream) if you decide to look into using it. It might take up to three months for you to build it back up and for you to notice the effects. There is a lot of controvery here since personally I like to take the estrogen for vaginal dryness, bladder issues, itchy/dry skin issues, night sweats, hot flashes, irritability, memory, fatigue, libido, etc, and to keep the cell receptors open in our system so that the progesterone can be utilized appropriately. Some women who've had total hysters use Progesterone only (again, the bio kind) but I like the benefits from using both estrogen and Progesterone and I have my doctor's okay.
Progesterone (not PROGESTIN or PROGESTAGEN....these are NOT NOT NOT the same thing....You will get arguments about that) anyway....(sorry...I get a bit passionate here) will help you with mood, calmness, memory fog, fatigue, sleep issues, as does the estrgen, also Progesterone helps build back bone, helps keep cholesterol in check and thyroid, too. The testosterone is good for mood, clarity of mind, libido, of course, clumsiness (that's right) problems with allergies, loud noises, and confusion.
Christianne Northrup's book, "The Wisdom of Menopause" is my favorite book....(she talks a great deal about Progesterone either over the counter or the slightly different type you get at a Compounding pharmacy (they also make bio progesterone pills that are commercially made and can be picked up at a regular pharmacy).
I would pick the book up quickly, if you can. I also like Erika Schwartz, MD. Both also have websites and Erika puts out a newsletter...actually they both do, I just keep forgetting to sign up for Chris Northrup's letter....
Well, gosh, a lot going on here. But, I wish someone had helped me out like this.. I had to do it all on my own. My doc was not familiar with Progesterone, the bio kind, and only got me on the estrogen. As I said, Three months later, I thought I was losing my mind. Seriously. I was ELATED when I got it back, but this did not happen for about 8 months....wish we'd had this type of info exchange back then.
Good luck. There is hope. Just learn all you can for yourself so you will have all the info you need to make the choices you decide to make.
Mary
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