no estrogen....... no ovaries

Hello sisters! I visited with my regular doctor today and she said that even though my gyn suggested I take estrogen immediately after TAH/BSO, she prefers that i do not because of the extensive endometriosis. So instead,she is starting me on Effexor XR to help stave off some of the night sweats and mood swings. She thinks it is safer than the hormonal supplements. I try my first on tonight. Anyone out there doing the same before surgery?

Hi Betty

Your post was found in the Tech Help forum and moved here for preop support.

My doc did not address the hormone issue at all before my surgery ~ probably because he was just taking the 'let's wait and see' approach, since we can't know for sure how our bodies will react to suddenly being missing our 'estrogen factory'.

Perhaps there are others, though, who have begun planning HRT prior to surgery. I didn't have endo, but I have read many posts here about docs who want to hold off on HRT on those patients who do have endo.

Wishing you the best,

BettyB2
Just looked up your med and it is what I figured. Not a hormone but an antidepressant. I have heard of other drs doing this. Have you posted or read anything at hormone jungle? I have read of antidepressants helping with symptoms. I don't see why it wouldn't, though my drs keep telling me it's different. But if I take prozac for PMS why wouldn't it help for menopause symptoms. Our bodies are so complicated. There is so much to know. Sometimes it just gets so overwhelming. I know that it takes awhile for antidep. to work in system--up to two weeks. So it would make sense to begin taking them before surgery. And your body does store hormones, so it could be awhile before you begin to feel the effects of losing ovaries. I know when I read that ovary removal put you in 'immediate menopause' I got really scared. But I didn't start HRT till after I left hospital and I felt fine at the time.
Good Luck-
Tricia

My doctor has my on Paxil CR, similar to Effexor...because I did not want to go on hormones...it has helped tremendously with PMS and hot flashes...I hope it continues to help as well after the surgery as I really do not want to go on hormones....

I am no HRT due to endometriosis too. I may need to speak to my about some type of treatment like this! Thanks for the post!

I have not had my hyst yet, but I was on effexor for fibromyalgia. I gained about 35 lbs in two months on that. You might want to talk to your dr about alternatives. But remember, it effects everyone different. I just wanted to share...

My daughter is on Effexor and has gained weight also.....I have actually been losing weight since I started on Paxil...
Everyone reacts different to meds.... and sometimes you have to try different ones to see which works best for you....