Surgical Menopause - what to expect now?

[KatyMac]

Ovaries out last Friday expecting HRT that evening and I've now been told it might not be for 2 weeks

What symptoms should I expect (Night sweats?)

Can I do anything natural to alleviate any potential symptoms?

[QueenoftheNights]

You will have to wait and see.
Why have they changed their minds on timing of HRT? Seems odd.

Have you not challenged them on this? Your body!

There is nothing you can do 'naturally' to avoid the symptoms of a surgical menopause, no.

[KatyMac]

The change is because I had abdominal surgery rather than keyhole - and Dr google isn't giving me any information about that

[QueenoftheNights]

the best person to ask is the surgeon who did your operation. Why aren't you asking them?

[KatyMac]

Yeah, so in my version on the NHS I spoke to the surgeon last as I was coming out from anesthetic

When being discharged (2 days later as they did s different op to the one they planned) they noticed the note about HRT and rang the consultant who said she would ring me yesterday morning

She didn't so I chased it up and got that message

When I rang the GP they didn't have my discharge letter yet

So I dunno when I'll speak to the surgeon again but she isn't planning on it

[KatyMac]

Can anyone throw any more light/information on this for me please?

[QueenoftheNights]

I don't understand what info you want.

You are getting HRT in another week from now.

If you feel this is too late, you should contact the consultant's secretary and ask for it sooner, or go to your GP and ask them to ask for you if you are suffering.

[KatyMac]

What symptoms have people had in my position?
What did they do?
How long did they last?

[KatyMac]

TBH I feel shit loads better than I did before - allowing for a throat infection and a UTI

But I'd like warning if something is going to creep up on me

[7seas]

I had surgical memo after uterus ovaries fallopian tubes and cervix removed. I did not take hrt. I took soy isoflavones for 6 months from health food shop . Felt Amazing as o was so grateful to have had the operation. Only night sweats in early days. Good luck

[KatyMac]

Thanks for replying

I might be having night sweats, I wake up sticky but it hasn't disturbed me (yet)

If I don't need hrt I'd rather not bother, but if I do I'd like to get on with it

From what I have Google soy isoflavins don't cause any harm?

[whereiwanttobe]

I tried going without HRT but the hot flushes were awful, and quick! I assumed it was the very sudden drop in hormones that made them so strong, but I would be bright red and sweating profusely just standing and talking to people. At my 6 week check up I asked for and was prescribed HRT. That was 10 years ago, and I still take it, although the GP has tried to persuade me it's time to come off.....

[KatyMac]

I haven't had a hot flush (yet)

I am slightly grumpy but that could just be post-op

[7seas]

I did get hit flushes day and night. They were quite intense directly after the op for a few weeks. I was determined not yo go on hrt. I think what made me feel so good was I knew o was never going to have those horrendous periods flooding and leaving me exhausted and anaemia. That helped my mind a lot. It was as if I was liberated from years and years of hell. If you need hrt though don't suffer without it. Some people have felt great on it.

Soy isoflavones did me no harm. I also took sage to help with the sweats. I will check the brands I used and report back!

[7seas]

Vogel and natures best.

[KatyMac]

Thanks

I already have less pain than I had - even allowing for a massive cut!

disappointingly I am still very very bloated, a previous stretch mark is raised and lumpy and my appetite is awful

But less pain is good

[7seas]

Ah yes now that bloating I do remember. I walked slowly up and down the ward as much as possible and continued to do the same at home. It does eventually settle. Although I was a bit disappointed that after all they removed I never got a flat tum!

[KatyMac]

Yes - we deserve flat tummys

I'm 2 weeks post op tomorrow - had yours gone down by then?

[7seas]

No it took a few weeks. It would go down and then bloat out again. Maybe for about 8 weeks if I remember correctly

[KatyMac]

Thanks - at least I know not to worry

Back at the GP today - a neverending uti

[7seas]

Ooh not nice. Hope you feel better soon!

[KatyMac]

thanks - tbh I'm dubious I had 3x500 a day for 7 days and now I am 2x500 for 7 days and I wonder about a lower dose working

I think I'm a bit miserable

[CarryOnScreamingValenta]

Hot flushes were the first thing I noticed. They kicked in a couple of days after my ovaries came out.

[Iggity]

I started HRT about 3-4 days after mine. Switched to Evorel 100 patches after a few months as couldn’t be bothered with daily tablet. Have never had a hot flush but immediately after surgery had very dry eyes and this went on for a while leading to appts at eye clinic etc (no eye problems previously). It eventually resolved. I’ve been on it for about 9 yrs.

[KatyMac]

I think I've had possibly 3 or 4 how flushes in 2 weeks but I've had chest/throat/urine infections so I guess they could have been temperatures

Eyes are good - how scary for you Iggity!

I'm going to ask for a bone density scan and see how we go from there oestoporosis needs to be avoided if at all possible so we can checkthat now

[CarryOnScreamingValenta]

That's a good idea, Katy.