Post laparoscopic hysterectomy and surgical menopause

[FMustafa]

Hi I am 51 years old and based outside UK now and have just had a laparoscopic hysterectomy as well as oophorectomy and my Fallopian tube removed. It’s been just over two weeks and I was told to expect fatigue and low mood after the surgery. However I was not expecting to feel this tired and blue. I did have a UTI last week which is now clearning up so mood is better but the lack of movement or activity is driving me med. there is post op care where I am and I am wondering if others had a similar experience at my age/stage and how they survived. My friends have offered to come over but I find even speaking fpr
more than 5 minutes, exhausting.

Sorry to hear you are suffering.

In the UK it's usual (but doesn't always happen) to have a discussion on what happens next after removal of ovaries.

Most women are given HRT either immediately after the operation or within 2 weeks. was this not offered to you?

You need to consult your surgeon/ gynaecologist and discuss.

I always feel they'd never remove a man's balls and just let him get on with life afterwards.

Thank you for responding. I did discuss it with a gynaecologist and have got Estrogel but i am not sure it’s helping. Perhaps it’s taking time to work it’s ‘magic’. Thank you so much for responding, I feel so alone with this thing. My husband finally understood when I told him it’s like someone chopped off his balls and part of his penis. Perhaps my body is in mourning. It’s pretty damn awful. God bless x

Ah, okay so your have got HRT- that's good.

Maybe you need to increase the dose. The starting dose is 2 pumps a day. Maybe try giving this dose another couple of week and increase it to 3 a day?

And don't underestimate the effects of major surgery. The effects of the GA can last for 7-10 days, and your body is healing inside, repairing itself, which all uses energy. I think the general advice is to try to do a shortish walk every day (15mins?) and build up slowly.

Hi OP. I took weeks to get over the immediate effects of this surgery. Maybe months tbh.

My starting dose was Evorel 75 patches, which correct me if I’m wrong Jingling is about 3 pumps a day?

( I was already on Evorel 50 prior to surgery btw. Was always prescribed patches for some reason.)

Thanks ladies I have decided to go back to London and have a gynaecologist review on my HRT so I am not grasping at straws. It’s really scary the way I am feeling, eating or drinking anything wholesome doesn’t give me energy it’s like a tap has been left open and I cannot replenish my energy reserves. Thanks for your suggestions I will increase the oestrogel to three times a day at the end of this week. But got to have a proper review so I don’t feel so lost. Really appreciate your replies. 🌹

Thanks for your suggestions I will increase the oestrogel to three times a day at the end of this week

It's 3 pumps a day (all used at once, or you could do it 2 morning and 1 evening if you find 3 pumps is too much to apply/dry.)

Please bear in mind you have had major surgery. Everyone reacts differently, but the minimum recovering time from a hysterectomy is 6 weeks (for internal healing to take place) but also you need to get over the GA. Don't expect to feel normal in just 2 weeks.

I decided to come to London and going to see a menopause specialist on 18th Oct. I am wondering if there is a community of some sort out there for women going through what I am going through? Each day I have a new symptom and spend hours feeling anxious about how I will overcome that particular thing. It’s all very lonely.

Hi there-
I'm in a similar situation in terms of surgical menopause and age (I'm also 51). I sincerely hope you've managed to get yourself sorted out in terms of mood and HRT. I completely get it, unfortunately!!
I actually had my ovaries removed in Nov 2020 and it's all been complicated by the fact that I've also been coming off an antidepressant.
It's been a long haul- prior to the op as well as was struggling with natural meno then.
Anyway- I've figured out that I'm super sensitive and actually can only tolerate small amounts estradot patch. I'm trying to be healthy (at least healthier!) and have lost a couple of stone. Currently on 12.5mcg patch (half a 25 patch)- only been on it 5 weeks- gritting my teeth and hoping to increase very gradually- seems to be the only way for me. may well be different for you. I hope your appointment in London gave you some answers.
You mentioned how good it would be to have some sort of community and I totally agree- i feel very lonely and misunderstood with all this but take a lot of comfort from good news stories- and there are many- it's just a case of finding what works for you. I'll stop waffling now but I wish you well :)