What should I expect?

I am having a TAH/BSO on Wed and I will be starting Cenestin on Thurs. I was wondering how others felt after this surgery as far as hormones. Will I have hot flashes, moodiness or won't even notice anything due to pain killers? How long does it take for the Cenestin to "Kick" in? Thanks for your help. I have been reading this board every day in preparation.....

I think sometimes it depends on how old you are as to how much you notice the loss of hormones. Maybe that's not true, just my impression. Anyway, you could wake up having hot flashes or you could not notice anything for days. The fact that you're starting right out on hormones may make that different too. As they say, we are all different, and this is one area in which it is very true.

Personally, I didn't notice anything for awhile, which surprised me. I wasn't on HRT for several months, then quit due to side effects. But I'm probably quite a bit older than you are.

One thing I can say is that although I know the unknown is scary, I hope you won't worry about this too much because it might just be a waste of your energy. You'll probably be just fine.

Joselle

Yes, worrying will not do much good. I am 48. I am hoping that all will go well.
Thanks.

Hello! I am 36 years old, four months post-op and I am on Cenestin, as well. In the recovery room following my surgery a nurse put a hormone patch on my hip, that was a Thursday. On Friday morning the patch was removed and I was given a Premarin (because my hospital pharmacy doesn't carry Cenestin!). On Saturday morning before being released I was given another Premarin. On Sunday I began my prescription of Cenestin.

I have little to none "symptoms", especially when I compare it to the menospausal symptoms I experienced when on Lupron. And I don't think it was because of pain killers, because I had no pain killers, except Motrin beginning the morning after my surgery. I did experience some nausea when I first began the Cenestin, but really no more than I ever did when I was on birth control pills! I was forunate to not have much pain and a great doctor!

I wish you all the best!

I'm on a different HRT then you but I DID experience several nights with the dreaded "sweats" after I got home from the castle. (I'd had them before as part of my perimenopausal symptoms that started at age 39). I would wake up 2-3 times a night drenched with a chilling sweat. My doctor allowed me to use Ambien, a prescription sleep medication for a few days so I could rest then I tried again to go it alone- the sweats stopped and I've been fine ever since.
There are other symptoms that may signal your hormone level needs an adjustment- take it one day at a time: hopefully, you'll have no problems and if you do, check here for advice and/or clarification so you can get with your doctor.
I wish you the best and especially, an uneventful recovery! Keep posting and reading here.
and s