Page 2 | Struggling with menopause after hysterectomy

Redandbluespots · 2024-04-13T09:48:08+00:00

Following a full hysterectomy 2 months ago. My gp can't see me until next week for hrt. The symptoms are brutal. My anxiety is terrible and my mood is low. My eye sight is deteriorating and they are blurry /dry. My boobs are so sore, worse than pregnancy. The palms of my hands and feet are itchy and scorching hot. My skin is itchy. I am forgetting everything, to the point I feel I've got dementia. Sleep is poor. To top it off I've started a new job and my confidence is zero. I just hope my symptoms improve with hrt. It would be lovely to hear from others that have gone through the same x

Original poster

Redandbluespots · 14/04/2024 19:12

AutumnCrow · 13/04/2024 19:50

The surgical stockings are normal for any pelvic surgery but injecting yourself with blood thinners after a hysterectomy- never heard of it.

I had all the gubbins after a BSO TH, but yes I imagine it might be pretty uncommon - in my case it was specifically because I had previous history with a DVT / PE. So I guess that's the protocol if a surgeon is concerned, in discussion with the patient. I had the socks, the post-surgery compression devices on my calves, and the injections.

And I was still allowed to go on transdermal oestrogen immediately, again after discussions to establish the DVT had been an acute episode with no underlying thrombophilia. I monitor my blood pressure at home.

I wonder if it's my age, as I'm 50? They said I might have Adenomyosis but we never really got to the bottom of it.
I can't believe I didn't question the 6 weeks. After 2 years of waiting, I was just so grateful to be out of pain x

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Original poster

Redandbluespots · 14/04/2024 19:13

mathanxiety · 13/04/2024 17:35

Maybe you have a specific clotting issue that the doctor was trying to avoid?

Not that I'm aware of?

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Original poster

Redandbluespots · 14/04/2024 19:18

JinglingSpringbells · 13/04/2024 19:23

I didn't mean to sound aggressive or bombard you with questions @Redandbluespots but I've never heard of women like you having been denied hrt for weeks.

The surgical stockings are normal for any pelvic surgery but injecting yourself with blood thinners after a hysterectomy- never heard of it.

I'd be thinking of asking a lot of questions about all of this, including the 'tissue can grow' when you had fibroids removed. I thought perhaps it was endometriosis which can be an issue of women use hrt, but that's not you.

It would also usually be the consultant's role to issue you with the hrt prescription, after having discussed types and doses with you before surgery- rather than expect you to somehow get to your GP for it.

Are you discharged from her now or will you have any more contact?

Edited

You didn't come across as aggressive. I really appreciate your advice. I have been discharged and was told to get hrt at the 6 week mark, from my gp. The gp couldn't fit me until 8.5 weeks. Admittedly I didn't ring straight after the surgery, as the first 2 weeks I was recovering.

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Original poster

Redandbluespots · 14/04/2024 19:23

dgirluk · 14/04/2024 09:31

@Redandbluespots so sorry you're going through this :(. I also had full hysterectomy (so both ovaries etc.) 2 months ago, but I was already on HRT gel and pessary before the surgery. My consultant advised I could continue with the gel straight after surgery, but not the pessary for 6 weeks until she cleared me. The consultant did say that for me (fibroids & adeonmyosis) this can get worse on HRT because you're "feeding" them with oestrogen. I wonder if you have endo, this would be the same, maybe that's what was meant by it causing tissue to grow ?

I have a history of clots - nothing in my blood, both had a cause, but both in the same place. Transdermal HRT was absolutely fine for me - it's the oral HRT that's the issue. At least that's my understanding.

I also had the stockings, and the injections (was supposed to be for 2 weeks but ironically had to come off them and go onto TXA because of a bleeding issue). My mum had the same with no history of clotting, so I think that just seems to be pretty standard now - 10 days of injections and stockings until you're more mobile.

I don't have any advice on how to cope until the HRT, but you do have big hugs and sympathies from me. It's rotten. I would also say go to the GP appointment armed with all your facts. Make sure you have your symptoms documented. For me the relief was really quick - within a week or 2 - hopefully it's the same for you. xx

Thank you so much for your lovely post. I appreciate the hugs :) xx It's good to hear that the hrt helps quite quickly 🙏
I hope you are recovering okay from the op?

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Original poster

Redandbluespots · 14/04/2024 19:25

isitbananatimealready · 13/04/2024 19:35

It never ceases to amaze me just how much medical professionals expect women to have to put up with.

It's awful isn't it. The whole situation has been going on for 2 years and I have been treated really badly from the start :(

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Original poster

Redandbluespots · 14/04/2024 19:26

Lostmykeys · 13/04/2024 19:41

You will feel amazing once the hrt has been prescribed and it kicks in. I had a full hysterectomy and waited 13 months… it was so worth it when I got prescribed the gel.

Thank you. That's exactly what I needed to hear xx

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Original poster

Redandbluespots · 14/04/2024 19:27

I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone for being so supportive. It has really touched me. You are all so kind 🥰

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Theeyeballsinthesky · 14/04/2024 19:28

Phenergen or sominex are both over the counter tablets that really help with insomnia

2 x 25mg tablets and you will definitely sleep x

notapizzaeater · 14/04/2024 19:32

I didn't start with HRT for about 6 weeks after before I dragged myself to the GP. SOYA isoflavones (I get mine off amazon) took the edge off it till the hrt kicked in.

dgirluk · 15/04/2024 12:40

Redandbluespots · 14/04/2024 19:23

Thank you so much for your lovely post. I appreciate the hugs :) xx It's good to hear that the hrt helps quite quickly 🙏
I hope you are recovering okay from the op?

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It's been rough tbh and not quite there yet (10.5 weeks) but this weekend was a massive turnaround on the positive side :). Had some complications early on which delayed things. Sounds like you're ahead of me which is brilliant!

If it helps on the HRT, I use transdermal + vaginal. Vaginal I use a pessary, plus a bit of top up cream when I feel I need it at the moment. I'm going to talk to the GP on Friday about testosterone and possibly upping the oestrogen.

JinglingSpringbells · 15/04/2024 13:49

@Redandbluespots Just a small point about the post by @dgirluk
The pessary she mentions is not classed as HRT- it's topical vaginal estrogen and it's not 'HRT'. Unfortunately, the media calls it HRT but it's not.

It's branded as Vagifem or Vagifux (?) and the cream version is Ovestin now branded as Estradiol 0.1%.

Only mentioning in case you ask for 'vaginal hrt' and are met with a blank look!

dgirluk · 15/04/2024 15:13

Oh interesting thank you @JinglingSpringbells i hadn’t realised that - sorry about the confusion!

Original poster

Redandbluespots · 15/04/2024 18:12

Thank you ladies. I went into work today and fell apart and ended up being sent home :(

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Original poster

Redandbluespots · 15/04/2024 18:15

dgirluk · 15/04/2024 12:40

It's been rough tbh and not quite there yet (10.5 weeks) but this weekend was a massive turnaround on the positive side :). Had some complications early on which delayed things. Sounds like you're ahead of me which is brilliant!

If it helps on the HRT, I use transdermal + vaginal. Vaginal I use a pessary, plus a bit of top up cream when I feel I need it at the moment. I'm going to talk to the GP on Friday about testosterone and possibly upping the oestrogen.

Show quote history

Thanks so much. Im sorry to hear you've been struggling but great to hear things are more positive now :) I thought I was doing well but I'm obviously not :(
That's great advice. I will add that to my list xx

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dgirluk · 15/04/2024 18:22

Don't beat yourself up, honestly. I went into Peri without realising that was what was going on, and more gradual than the brutality of ovary removal.

I had no idea that was the issue until I was sitting on the kitchen floor sobbing, with my DH putting a blanket over me to make a "safe space", because of a silly little work thing. I mean something so silly as someone wanting to move a meeting last minute. Add the crying any time an Abba song came on (wtf), lack of joy in anything, and lots and lots of other stuff. I wasn't coping at work etc. etc. Then suddenly a lightbulb.

Post HRT my manager even commented that I'd found my mojo recently....

So don't beat yourself up, hopefully it's just temporary. You've been through big surgery which carries all sorts with it - emotional upheaval, physical trauma etc. Then on top of that instant menopause without any sort of hormonal support, or "easing" into it.

Let us know how you get on with the appointment x

Original poster

Redandbluespots · 15/04/2024 20:57

dgirluk · 15/04/2024 18:22

Don't beat yourself up, honestly. I went into Peri without realising that was what was going on, and more gradual than the brutality of ovary removal.

I had no idea that was the issue until I was sitting on the kitchen floor sobbing, with my DH putting a blanket over me to make a "safe space", because of a silly little work thing. I mean something so silly as someone wanting to move a meeting last minute. Add the crying any time an Abba song came on (wtf), lack of joy in anything, and lots and lots of other stuff. I wasn't coping at work etc. etc. Then suddenly a lightbulb.

Post HRT my manager even commented that I'd found my mojo recently....

So don't beat yourself up, hopefully it's just temporary. You've been through big surgery which carries all sorts with it - emotional upheaval, physical trauma etc. Then on top of that instant menopause without any sort of hormonal support, or "easing" into it.

Let us know how you get on with the appointment x

I'm sorry to hear you have struggled. I can totally relate to you. It's reassuring to hear how much better you feel on hrt. I think we underestimate the power of hormones and recovery from a major surgery. I actually forgot a colleagues name the other day. I've known them for years :(
I will do. Thanks again. You are so kind offering support when you have been through so much yourself xx

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AutumnCrow · 16/04/2024 01:42

Redandbluespots · 15/04/2024 18:12

Thank you ladies. I went into work today and fell apart and ended up being sent home :(

Do PM me if you wish, OP.

SebastianFlytesTrousers · 17/04/2024 08:36

@CaptainMyCaptain That's how it should be for us women thrust into surgical menopause. May I ask what type of HRT you've been on all these years? I'm struggling still after coming off implants and being dumped with no help after the NHS menopause clinic keeps cancelling my appointments.

Original poster

Redandbluespots · 17/04/2024 09:15

I got my hrt yesterday. 2 pumps of gel. Maybe it's a coincidence but I had the best sleep I've had in weeks last night.
She also prescribed Vagirux. I'm slightly scared to use it, as looking at reviews it says it can cause diarrhoea?
Thanks again for all of your support xx

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Theeyeballsinthesky · 18/04/2024 07:15

Redandbluespots · 17/04/2024 09:15

I got my hrt yesterday. 2 pumps of gel. Maybe it's a coincidence but I had the best sleep I've had in weeks last night.
She also prescribed Vagirux. I'm slightly scared to use it, as looking at reviews it says it can cause diarrhoea?
Thanks again for all of your support xx

Ah that’s great news OP and I’ve used vagirux for 5 years with no issues at all :)

dgirluk · 18/04/2024 07:40

I don't have vagilux, I have ovestrin, but I haven't noticed any symptoms (assuming vagirux is the same sort of stuff - oestrogen cream applied vaginally), but I don't use much of it because it's just topping up a pessary tablet.

I'm glad you're making steps forward and have seen the GP etc. etc.

JinglingSpringbells · 18/04/2024 09:14

Redandbluespots · 17/04/2024 09:15

I got my hrt yesterday. 2 pumps of gel. Maybe it's a coincidence but I had the best sleep I've had in weeks last night.
She also prescribed Vagirux. I'm slightly scared to use it, as looking at reviews it says it can cause diarrhoea?
Thanks again for all of your support xx

I'd take those reviews with a large pinch of salt. Go by medical information not anecdotal reviews.

vaginal estrogen is only absorbed locally- never ever heard of it causing diarrhoea.

Original poster

Redandbluespots · 21/04/2024 17:42

Thank you, I've started the vagirux. How long until the hrt works? I've been put on 2 pumps but can increase to 3? Does hrt make you tired. I am shattered since starting, but interestingly my sleep has been so much better x

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Eatyourcrust · 21/04/2024 23:06

Mine took just over a week to work, I woke up one day and felt like myself, my symptoms had just lifted.
I still avoid alcohol (mostly) as this brings the night sweats, etc back.

Hopefully you will notice it soon.

AutumnCrow · 22/04/2024 08:18

My HRT post-surgery started working very quickly - as in, was feeling less sweaty by the next day. I started on the equivalent of two pumps and moved up to three pdq!

Never had any issues with the vaginal cream either, and never heard of any. It’s a very relieving and easy treatment.

Well done OP for getting there in the end!

p.s. I wonder if the tiredness is related to one’s muscles becoming ‘de-conditioned’ during the awful period of unwellness preceding the start of HRT? I became quite inactive and an ‘indoors person’ leading up to surgery and for a while after simply because of all the heavy bleeding.

I take vitamin and mineral supplements now.