TAH Questions about Premarin

Greetings, Sisters.

Before my TAH, I was already an emotional basketcase and one of those people who was really only at a comfortable temperature when everyone else was freezing. Since I've been having premenopausal symptoms for nearly a decade, I figured this was just more evidence of hormones going crazy.

Well here we are, a little more than three weeks post-op, and except for the couple of horrific days dealing with high temperature, nausea, and the day spent in Emergency, I have been taking my Premarin (0.625) faithfully.

When does this stuff actually start to take effect? Not only am I still too warm most of the time, I have full-on 'night sweats' (although they are most definitely not limited to nighttime), mood swings that make me feel like I should be locked up for the safety of the people around me, and the tiniest, stupidest things make me want to rock back and forth in a corner somewhere and cry.

Is any of this normal? Does HRT eventually sort this out? Someone please tell me that this isn't permanent!!

Hi (((Sav625)))

Well, to some extent, no matter which HRT you're on, the first few weeks/months after the ovaries are removed can be pretty uncomfortable, even if that HRT turns out to be the right one for you. The whole endocrine system is interconnected, and you're dealing with the system trying to cope with the loss of one of its key components. Also, skipping a day here or there can wreak havoc on your hormone balance and cause wild fluctuations which can last a while, so it's important not to skip a dose. And finally, most women have some stored estrogen at the time of surgery, and once that estrogen is used up, their HRT needs can increase.

If things don't improve soon, though, I'd talk with your DR about possibly increasing your dose of Premarin. Meanwhile, keep a journal of your symptoms, in which you log the date, which vitamins, supplements, HRTs and other medications you're on, and how you're feeling. That can be very helpful in talking with your DR and can help you as you work on finding the right HRT(s) avoid repeating combinations that didn't feel right to you. We usually say give each adjustment several weeks to level out when you're changing your HRT dose(s), and if you're using more than one hormone, only change one at a time. The process of finding the right HRT(s) can be a long and slow one and it's tempting to hurry things along, but this is one situation in which slow and steady wins the race.

Good luck, and best wishes for a continued smooth recovery.

(((hugs))),
-Linda

I've never gone through surgical menopause, was already post-menopause when I had the hyster. I took premarin and then estradiol back when menopause first hit and I had gotten emotional, cranky, and stupid. I hadn't had real hot flashes yet, but felt that for several years prior I had been heating up in general. The HRT helped the emotional stuff, did nothing for the brain fog and, after I got off it I realized that it had been holding the hot flashes to a mild level. Once off it I had pretty bad hot flashes for 4 years. If anything the hyster seems to have cooled me down. You are still very early in your recovery so your system is still screwed up from the surgery, anesthesia, pain meds, etc. Don't give up on the HRT, it will probably help but you might need dose adjustments. I have always found that my hot flashes were worse after big meals, and alcohol and caffeine consumption.

Thanks so much ladies! I have my 6 week checkup in three weeks, but there are a couple of other concerns I wanted to ask about, so I'm calling my doc today anyway.

It helps so much to know that I'm not alone in all of this! Patience has never been one of my finer points, and I've already had the one complication that set my healing back a week. It feels some days like this has already gone on forever with no end in sight. I may have gone completely around the bend if I hadn't discovered this site and the amazing women on it!

Hello, I am taking both Premarin .625mg AND Prometrium 100mg. I was not close to menopause per my test levels prior to surgery even at age 51.. I have had some headaches, nausea and some other symptoms. I am giving it some time to work through my system and get adjusted. If you feel like your symptoms are a health concern, I would follow up.

Happy Healing