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Post-Op Hormonal Shifts
Hello ladies! I am at 3 weeks post-op (laparotomy with removal of an endometrioma and my left ovary) and I am not in much pain...BUT today as I tried to go to work I felt really emotional, as if I could break down and cry any second. This came and went throughout the day - periods of feeling fine mixed with periods of extreme sadness/urge to cry. I have also been having trouble sleeping. Is this normal? How long will this last? I am feeling physically and now emotionally drained and I am confused. I don't want to panic...but I feel like I have so many questions and no one to really ask. Please help!
Thank you to everyone who responded! I cannot tell you how valuable your advice has been :) My doc did mention going back on the pill, but I was on it for years and had to take a rest (i was getting IBS symptoms and headaches and felt so much better off of it!) I just turned 30, so I don't know if there are other options - my doc did mention something (Levaprin? or something?) that would put me into a false menopause...but that seemed kinda risky! I am considering the pill again, but somewhat reluctant because of how it made me feel.
I hear you all and wow, do I feel your pain! Ask Mary V just how many days I have where I feel like I am going to just jump right out of my skin! And then anything can set me off - sad or angry. It is one hell of a roller coaster and I surely want to get off of it! I don't know if hrt is suitable for you, I cannot take it because of blood clots, but maybe it is a solution for you. Talk to your dr. You need relief. Godspeed
~Tascha
~Tascha
I had my left ovary and a growth removed 7 weeks ago and I am still up one day and down the next. I am on Orthocept contraceptive and even managed to have a period through that. My oby/gyn said that it was because the right ovary is trying to compensate and it will eventually settle down. I laughed as I read your bit about women doing marathons after 2 weeks. I also saw those kinds of stories and it did nothing for my morale as I was recovering and wondering "what is wrong with me? I must be a big baby!". I still need to have a rest in the afternoons and am only just getting back to my normal walking pace - let alone a run!! (Mind you, I haven't run in 30 years anyway!!). I am sure that all these ladies are right and things will eventually settle down - I sure hope so - my DH doesn't know whether I am likely to be crying, laughing or wanting to kill him when he walks in the door!!
Look, Lady.....you are nowhere near alone in your feelings of loss or trepidation with your situation.....none of us want to admit it...we don't want to admit it because we know some stupid idiot will come along and say "see, that's what they are....a big bundle of hormones who need to be kept pregnant and barefoot"......none of us wants to go there again.....I can clearly understand that.
Still.....we do have the right and responsibility to be women....we must pave the path for those who will follow in our footsteps......you clearly have the right to grieve your loss.
In all probabibility you will have children.....still, your hormones and the emotions they generate are a very real part of you....a wonderful part of you that makes you who you are and what you are...the people of this planet should honor and respect a woman's hormones because that is what brings the renewal of humanity and the promise of tomorrow.
Know you are that....you are woman....you are the promise of tomorrow.
You are WOMAN and I understand you....thank you for the courage you have shown to others who are also feeling alone and scared.
I will listen for your voice.
Peace is definately in your future.
dian
Still.....we do have the right and responsibility to be women....we must pave the path for those who will follow in our footsteps......you clearly have the right to grieve your loss.
In all probabibility you will have children.....still, your hormones and the emotions they generate are a very real part of you....a wonderful part of you that makes you who you are and what you are...the people of this planet should honor and respect a woman's hormones because that is what brings the renewal of humanity and the promise of tomorrow.
Know you are that....you are woman....you are the promise of tomorrow.
You are WOMAN and I understand you....thank you for the courage you have shown to others who are also feeling alone and scared.
I will listen for your voice.
Peace is definately in your future.
dian
Dian07-
Thank you so much for your kind words. I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed - I keep hearing stories of women who went through this and were up and running marathons days later...and yet I don't feel even close to that! Maybe they are Superwomen...but I am not! You were also right on target with the fears I am having re: pregnancy, my bio clock, etc. There is so much to consider now - it seems funny to mourn the loss of a tiny ovary, but yet I feel a little less 'complete' knowing it is gone. It has been hard, too, finding people to talk to about this; I have a great support system in my family, but no one has gone through this and I don't want to seem like I am 'milking it' or want to be babied. I am so thankful that I found this site and that I can confide in people who seem to truly understand. :)
Thank you so much for your kind words. I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed - I keep hearing stories of women who went through this and were up and running marathons days later...and yet I don't feel even close to that! Maybe they are Superwomen...but I am not! You were also right on target with the fears I am having re: pregnancy, my bio clock, etc. There is so much to consider now - it seems funny to mourn the loss of a tiny ovary, but yet I feel a little less 'complete' knowing it is gone. It has been hard, too, finding people to talk to about this; I have a great support system in my family, but no one has gone through this and I don't want to seem like I am 'milking it' or want to be babied. I am so thankful that I found this site and that I can confide in people who seem to truly understand. :)
Nina....you have been through an awful lot both physically and emotionally.......it is now wonder you are finding yourself on a roller coaster.......try to figure out what you would say if your best friend went through what you have gone throug and came to you in the state of despair you describe experiencing.....you would bleed compassion all over the floor!
Of course her emotions would be all over the place....she would be dealing with the loss of a very important part of her body....she would be confused trying to figure what she will do now about a family......what if she has trouble getting pregnant.....how much time is left on her clock....what if this stuff comes back! And on top of that...throw a monkey wrench into her delicate hormonal balance.......hmmm....I think your best friend should expect to find herself on an emotional and physical roller coaster.......it's too early for her physical body to be fully healed let alone her hormonal and emotional self to be healed!
I would imagine you would wrap your arms around her and cry with her....you would encourage her to be patient with herself and her situation.....you would reassure her that you will always be there for her...all she needs to do is call. You would remind her she is not going to go through this alone.
Now, I will tell you to be your own best friend....be good to yourself.....give yourself permission to take the time needed to regain your direction.....emotionally, mentally and physically. After all, your best friend would certainly deserve that much....right?
I will be listening for you....don't forget to call.
Peace.
dian
Of course her emotions would be all over the place....she would be dealing with the loss of a very important part of her body....she would be confused trying to figure what she will do now about a family......what if she has trouble getting pregnant.....how much time is left on her clock....what if this stuff comes back! And on top of that...throw a monkey wrench into her delicate hormonal balance.......hmmm....I think your best friend should expect to find herself on an emotional and physical roller coaster.......it's too early for her physical body to be fully healed let alone her hormonal and emotional self to be healed!
I would imagine you would wrap your arms around her and cry with her....you would encourage her to be patient with herself and her situation.....you would reassure her that you will always be there for her...all she needs to do is call. You would remind her she is not going to go through this alone.
Now, I will tell you to be your own best friend....be good to yourself.....give yourself permission to take the time needed to regain your direction.....emotionally, mentally and physically. After all, your best friend would certainly deserve that much....right?
I will be listening for you....don't forget to call.
Peace.
dian
Yes, I still have my right ovary and all of my other parts. The only thing that was removed was the left ovary and the growth itself...but I have heard that as the remaining ovary tries to take over, your hormones can get all out of whack. I guess this kinda hit me without any warning and I am still not quite sure what to expect!
Hi,
Go to "Hormone Questions" 04/03/2006 to start you off on more information than ever thought possible.
Although...sounds like you have one funtioning ovary, and I understand that after that remaining ovary sort of figures out how to "take over," where the two left off, you get hormonal relief, but, it is wise to learn about all this stuff.
I have read that when one has a hysterectomy but keeps the ovaries, there can be atrophy of the ovaries, and so, you do often need hormonal support. However, now that I have gotten all excited thinking I could help you, well, I am thinking you still have a uterus, and of course the one ovary. I am sure someone will come on who has had a similar situation. I had a total hysterectomy six years ago and it was quite a struggle finding information I could use...but, I did, and I am grateful, so I am happy to share my information.
Well, no matter, do read up on this..you are wise to do that. There is so much help available, but, it seems it is a well-kept secret. I do wish I'd known more about hormonal balance and bioidentical hormones before my surgery...I was in perimenopause big time, but didn't think there was help for me. I know better now.
Welcome to this great site. Hope you start to feel better soon. Mary
Go to "Hormone Questions" 04/03/2006 to start you off on more information than ever thought possible.
Although...sounds like you have one funtioning ovary, and I understand that after that remaining ovary sort of figures out how to "take over," where the two left off, you get hormonal relief, but, it is wise to learn about all this stuff.
I have read that when one has a hysterectomy but keeps the ovaries, there can be atrophy of the ovaries, and so, you do often need hormonal support. However, now that I have gotten all excited thinking I could help you, well, I am thinking you still have a uterus, and of course the one ovary. I am sure someone will come on who has had a similar situation. I had a total hysterectomy six years ago and it was quite a struggle finding information I could use...but, I did, and I am grateful, so I am happy to share my information.
Well, no matter, do read up on this..you are wise to do that. There is so much help available, but, it seems it is a well-kept secret. I do wish I'd known more about hormonal balance and bioidentical hormones before my surgery...I was in perimenopause big time, but didn't think there was help for me. I know better now.
Welcome to this great site. Hope you start to feel better soon. Mary
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