Anxiety following loss of ovaries? Documented?

Hi-
I am one month out from my total hysterectomy. I lost one ovary in '05 and lost the other one with the hysterectomy. I have had endometriosis since '97 and multiple therapies and attempts to solve it. It has been found on my bowel and bladder and has been a huge problem for me (although I have a beautiful 10 year old girl from a successful IVF!) for years.

So now I am out both ovaries. I also had a pulmonary embolism 6 days post op (thanks SO much to the posts on that...they are why i decided to go to the ED and have it checked out!) so I am now on coumadin. They discontinued all of my HRT- I had been put on oral Estradiol immediately post op. I cannot take anything now without having my INR checked and anything involving estrogen is out of the question because of the clot risk.

I am wondering if anyone knows if there is documentation of increased anxiety with loss of estrogen. I have started having literal anxiety attacks of sudden increase in HR, panic, brain blurs out and then I have a hot flash! I have always been a pretty calm person. I'm worried about going back to work because I work in a high stress job in a high stress profession and teach college students on the side. Depression is starting to be an issue but I think once I go back to work and start being busy again that will subside. More worried about falling apart at work when I have previously been a very strong, level headed person. Sleep is awful too which doesn't help....any thoughts would be appreciated. I guess I am a science person- I like to have a 'why' for everything! Thanks

rbs105

A friend of mine had her ovaries out several years ago and she started having anxiety attacks several days later. Hers sounded just like yours. They did gradually subside as her body adjusted to the loss of estrogen, though I don't know for sure how long it took.

I had both ovaries removed and have experienced some bad mood swings (that's an understatement). I am taking estrogen, though, so that probably lessened the symptoms. I haven't had a full-blown anxiety attack like you describe, but my nurse did ask if I was having anxiety. Can you try soy (soy milk, tofu) to maybe take the edge off a bit? Since you are a strong level-headed person, I think you'll be able to find a way to stay in control in a professional situation. Try to come up with a plan ahead of time. Maybe telling yourself that you will remain in control at work and can break down later? Maybe thinking of an excuse to duck out to compose yourself? I think having a plan to deal with these (very troubling) symptoms in a professional environment may help you. As far as sleep, I'm taking a prescription med (temporarily). Sleep deprivation makes everything worse!

RBS

anxiety and depression are symptoms of menopause and you have experienced surgical menopause.

Your body should adjust but you may want to ask if there are any other options for you.

I had major anxiety the first week after my surgery even though they put me on a .05mg estrogen patch. It wasn't until my doctor upped my dose to .10mg the next week that the anxiety stopped. Hormone issues have always seemed to cause me anxiety problems.

I actually just got put on Effexor which is an antidepressant but a side effect is that it helps hot flashes and night sweats. It takes a month for full effect but I am seeing some equalizing of my moods and less hot flashes. Acupuncture has helped me too. Thanks for helping me to not feel like I'm crazy!

Rbs105

Rbs

Glad to hear that your Dr. was listening to you and worked to help you. I did acupuncture for some nerve pain so good for you for checking it out.

A friend of mine is going through natural menopause, but is unable to take HRT because of other health risks. She has told me that she experiences her hot flashes just like you described, with extreme anxiety and feelings of being totally overwhelmed. She often feels like she could burst into tears, and then the heat hits her. Now that she understands what's going on, she is able to be honest with people and take a couple of minutes to pull herself together.

One of the truths that has helped me immensely at many different points in my life is recognizing that depression is a natural part of any transition. Such a major surgery, with all of its hormonal and physical implications, definitely qualifies as a transition! As we move through the process, we have to come to terms with a new understanding of ourselves. For me, those changes were from unhealthy to healthy, from fertile (sort of) to infertile, from perimenopause to surgical menopause, along with a number of others. We first have to acknowledge what is lost as a result of the changes, then we need to mourn the loss, and finally we allow the new experience to become our "normal".

Just a thought from a fellow "strong woman". Sometimes it is in our vulnerability that we are able to receive the most love from others.

I am glad that you are taking steps to deal with the emotional aspects of your recovery. Take care of yourself.