Badly need some help with this please

[CaptainRedbeardandbigbadbarry]

I had a total hysterectomy and ovaries removed this week. I had adenomyosis and moderate pelvic pain for years, bleeding after sex as well as both fallopian tubes removed last year due to cysts and being blocked.

This year, I was put on combined HRT as well as the vaginal cream. I have an anxiety disorder so take regular medication for this, including Diazepam.
I also drink alcohol and in general I struggle day to day with the severity of my anxiety.

Long story short: I am literally now going cold Turkey as I have gone straight into a surgical menopause.
Dr has said that I can’t start Oestrogen only HRT for two weeks.

I developed some clinical issues post surgery so stayed in hospital for longer. I also had a really traumatic experience in hospital that upset me.
Since being home, I am still in a lot of pain. Despite the hospital giving me laxatives, I have still not passed a bowel movement. I have been sweating, shaking and crying uncontrollably for much of the time. I also can’t sleep
Please can anyone give me any advice for this.
I really need help.
thank you
xx

Oh Captain, this all sounds horrific. I hope a medic comes on soon to address things more scientifically. In the short term, drinking extra water or some other non-alcoholic) might help with your constipation (this is a known side effect of anesthetic)

Thank you so much for your support

I have not touched a drop of alcohol at all. Am
on five lots of pain medication as well, including codeine

That sounds awful OP.

What laxatives are you taking?

Have you tried glycerin suppositories and drinking prune juice?

Stop any codeine containing laxatives, they can be very constipating. What was the reason for not starting oestrogen immediately? You're having hormone withdrawal + side effects of medication & anaesthetic + recovering from major surgery & complication

I spoke to a dr who said that it has something to do with clots I think?? I can’t remember exactly because at the time I was off my tree on morphine. I don’t know what to do. The hospital were appalling.

Hello lovely, I had gynae surgery in the summer and it took 6 days to go to the loo, and that was despite two goes with a suppository, daily laxative and stool softeners.

Can you get someone to drop in some lactulose for you? That's what did it for me in the end. Two tablespoons, two pints of water, a black coffee and no other food until my bowels moved. I was desperate. I was allowed to do short walks and I walked up and down our village about 6 times that afternoon trying to go!!

Regarding the oestrogen, do you actually have any in your hands? Lots of women Hve a patch put on when in surgery to avoid the cliff edge meno symptoms.

Also op, I cried SOLIDLY for three weeks and I didn't have a hysterectomy. I was in a terrible way. I felt depressed and I just weeped all day. DH was baffled by it.

I did find it helpful to make sure I was eating 30-40g of fibre, including soluble and I soluble. Plus I drank 8 pints of water a day for several months while things got back to normal. I did use a lot of suppositories and if you get some, don't forget surgical gloves and lube.

I had a hysterectomy with my ovaries removed as well at the start of this year. One thing I was told to do was take a small amount of liquid laxative twice a day. It really did help, but it did take a few days for things to get back to normal.
Do you have any peppermint tea as that can help too.
I was lucky with my op that I didn't have any of the pain they said I would. But I get anxiety which causes my jaw to tighten and make it difficult to swallow. With having the breathing tube down my throat it made my jaw ache and felt like the symptoms of my anxiety so I couldn't eat any food afterwards and just about drank water. Thankfully it was ok the next day.
I wasn't told to stop taking one of my hrt pills and started to feel like I was going through pmt very badly. Turns out I should have stopped the Utrogestan progesterone as I no longer had a womb, and just do the oestrogen gel every day. If you can, speak to your gp and get the oestrogen again as you need it. I have heard some gps stop it for some reason, but I don't understand why.
It is a very strange time, and I felt like I didn't know myself any more. But, time has helped and I hope you start to feel a bit better very soon💐

Thank you for your reply. This is really helpful.
I am pleased that you are okay and am sorry that you suffered too.
You are right - it really is a horrible time. I am questioning myself about everything. I don’t feel me anymore.
I’ve already sobbed three times tonight since posting- asking myself did I really do the right thing, even though it was urgent. I have this evening said to myself “ I wish I hadn’t done this”.

This rollercoaster of emotion is very very real and very strong and I desperately think I need some sort of help. This is all goes alongside a pretty severe anxiety disorder.
The hospital treatment post surgery was pretty shoddy to be fair . I was only left on discharge a bag of medication and instructions on how to take them. No advice, guidance, numbers to call if needed or anything.

I feel utterly overwhelmed.

I think I am
going to call my consultants secretary on Monday as well to chat to them about the care post surgery and my traumatic experience, as well as my Doctor, who was the one who had called me back in the hospital incidentally as I had left a message with the gp surgery, asking about the oestrogen.

Thank you again for your reassurance .

Somebody once said to me, that the Menopause is “ Puberty’s bigger, badder and more evil sister” They were correct. 😢

This has hit me quite scarily like a train. I have just had the most horrible, vivid dream and woken up and sobbed my heart out. I know, hand on heart , that I desperately need some help in coping with this.
Please can anyone help me.

I had a complete hysterectomy when I was 42 and went into menopause overnight. Couldn't take HRT at all due to cancer concerns, picked up a staph infection in my bladder which necessitated a re-admissjon for antibiotic treatment, and couldn't manage a bowel movement for a week post hysterectomy. I was in a mess, but I found resolving the constipation improved how I felt 200%. I took Movicol and did what the hospital referred to as a Movicol bomb - so a high dose over a day or so. When it worked, it worked, and I felt so, so much better when it did. The constipation really affected me physically and emotionally. The staph infection was picked up just after that, so I got that problem resolved and then focussed on the menopause symptoms and treating them as they arose/depending on what was worst. If you can take it one issue at a time, prioritising what is impacting you the most, it really helps.

Thank you so much for your kind words.
I have never experienced anything like this before and I am struggling so much.

I experience regular constipation due to various long term meds I'm on for cancer and pain. When all else fails I bring out the big guns - Microlax enema ( or phosphate enema in green box) Amazon have them. Sometimes it's been the only thing to help me when nothing else will. You can imagine the relief afterwards. 'Really hope you feel better soon.

OP would it help you to contact Samaritans (116123)?
Or do you need to get medical care urgently?
I’m pretty sure you need to get some proper medical advice asap re constipation, and I would call 111 in your position.

OP you've got some brilliant advice here.
I literally woke up daily feeling sick that I might have to Hve a bowel movement that day.
I had a posterior prolapse repair, plus tendons fixed on both sides of the vagina, AND a perineal reconstruction.

Every time I did manage to poo, it hurt like you have no idea 😫😂every stitch screamed, even with lactulose, tons of water, and a step stool.

It will come eventually my love and you will get back to yourself.

If you can afford it or you have medical cover, try to get some counselling. I have had counselling since I was 7 weeks post op and it has helped immensely.

Xxxxx

I had this op in January and had to wait for histology before getting to go ahead to restart HRT. Maybe that's the reason why but I hope they let you start again soon. re the constipation I understand eating whole kiwis including the skin works a treat. You could also think about joining the Hysterectomy Sisters UK Facebook group. There is a tonne of advice and support there so you will definitely find women who know exactly what you are going through. Good luck OP