Hormones within "normal" range, but not feeling right

Hello friends,

I am so glad I found you all! I had a partial hysterectomy. I am five years post-op. I kept both of my ovaries. However, I am just not feeling right. I haven't for a while. The doctor told me that my hormones are within "normal" range, however, I am having some symptoms that I don't think are normal. I am not sleeping well, have mild hot flashes, am slightly depressed and irritable, definitely have lower libido, and just do not feel like myself. I am starting to think that maybe I just need to find some natural hormone support. I don't regret my hysterectomy because I was bleeding 2-3 weeks out of the month. It was miserable. I am so thankful that I've had 5 years without pain and bloating. I just want to feel like myself again. Oh, my thyroid is also within normal range. I'm thinking natural estrogen support? I've been looking at black cohosh and wild yams supplements. Do I need a progesterone cream? My doctor says my hormones are fine. I am trying to find a way to help myself at this point. Has anyone tried any of the above? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance. :-)

I couldn't believe it when I read your post....I can't believe someone is experiencing something so similar to me. I can't tell you the relief of knowing that I am not alone and that this isn't just all in my head.
I had a LAVH 3 years ago. I was also bleeding for prolonged times and was happy with my decision of the hysterectomy. I was surprised when the lab results came back and they found nothing wrong with the uterus, etc. I was thankful, but felt unresolved, not knowing what caused my problems.
Now, I know that it was likely a hormone imbalance. Over the last 6 months or more, I have also felt 'not right' and my mood swings have come back. It feels like PMS more days than not. I am exhausted many days without a good reason for it. It is making it very hard to function and keep up with everything.
I did go to a new dr and had tons of blood tests and my hormone levels were also within the normal range. However, my dr explained that the normal range is generic and varies depending on each person and what part of the hormone cycle you're in.
She gave me an estrogen patch to try and I have only been using it a week. I started out at .1 but it was too much so I lowered it to .05. I am still very tired and very emotional and irritable. My dr said it would take about 2 weeks for my body to adjust and I am having trouble having the patience to wait. When I first started the estrogen, I was bloated but when I cut down to half the dosage it got better.
I am desperate for some kind of help. I can't stand feeling so bad, knowing that hormones are mostly likely to blame, and it is hard to "fix" it.
Please know that you are not alone. I do hope that you find something that gives you relief and balance.

Thank you so much rabianco. It makes me feel less crazy to hear that I am not alone. Your post reinforced that I need a doctor who is open to hear what I am saying. Please let me know how the patch works for you. I'm going to get another opinion, and then I may try some natural alternatives. I am so ready to feel better. Here I am awake at 1:00. My body is tired, but I still can't sleep. This is just wearing me out. I wonder how many of us are out there. Thank you again. It really is so nice knowing that I'm not alone.

I know what you mean. I stayed on this site for over an hour last night and could not believe how many similar stories I read. I had started feeling so alone in all this but it seems rather common, sadly. It is so hard to feel so emotional and tired and to try to explain it to someone without looking crazy or weird. I have started withdrawing because I hate putting these feelings on others when they just don't get it. It has been hard on my family. I can hardly talk to my husband because I am such an emotional wreck that I get offended or hurt by most things he says. It gets lonely. That's why I was willing to try the patch. I prefer to do things naturally, but I am so desperate for help that I just went with the patch. I guess if I do get better and change my mind I can do more research and find a natural alternative.
I do sincerely hope you can find a dr who will truly listen to your concerns and give you the help you need. Keep me updated! It absolutely helps to have someone to go through this together who can truly sympathize with you and understand what's going on.
Thinking of you!!!

Rabianco, I am so willing to try the patch at this time, if someone will prescribe it for me. So, please let me know how it works for you! At this point, I will take relief however I can get it. I'm thinking natural if a doctor won't prescribe. I was also reading about antidepressants and it sounds like the complications are worse than the symptoms. Dang, its becoming abundantly clear that we have to totally advocate for
oursleves. I'm so easygoing that it's a
stretch for me. Misery is definitely driving me to get informed and fight for relief. I'll let you know what new doctor says, I'm about to make an appointment. Keep me updated.

Hello ladies. I had my op on Jan 19. And like you the doctor has given me a good health rating. However I can't sleep, am gaining weight etc. Can't really work out in the gym because I am too tired from not sleeping. I was on HRT tablets and stopped taking them. When you got your hormones checked did you also check your testosterone level?
I got mine checked and it was almost non-existent. Anybody??

I don't even know. He said everything looked fine. Now I know I need to ask for specifics. It is 2:30 am and I am wide awake, this really stinks. I have an appt. with new gyn on August 1, I have a list of questions, including checking testosterone levels. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Same here. Right now am very "foggy" today in my alertness and what I see.

So, I am now waiting for results of my hormone panel. I asked about testasterone, but she said that wasnt necessary, only if I had hair growing on my face. She's testing my fsh levels. I'm waiting for results. She's also testing my thyroid levels. I went to my pcp because I have horrible insomnia. Like the gyn, she found that my blood pressure is elevated and put me on antidepressants/anti anxiety/sleep aid. If my Bp doesnt go down, she wants to put me on meds for it. Oh, gyn said that after my mammogram came back we could discuss my going on a low dose of estrogen, even if my levels look normal. Does anyone have experiences with escitolopram? I'm on ambian for sleep and another that's like clonalopram(not sure about spelling since I'm at pool with kids). I hope relief is in sight. I'm a little nervous about all I'm taking, but I am desperate.

Newscat, I so know about foggy and otherworldly. It's very frustrating trying to live life through a fog. Let me know how you all are doing and I'll keep you all informed