5-6 monthers how are you doing?

The 1st. of august was my 5 month anniversary and I just thought I would check in with everybody. It has been an interesting journey. I had a vaginal hyst and removal of both ovaries and choose not to go on replacement hormone therapy. The reason for my hyst. was excessive bleeding, my hemoglobin count was down to 6.8 and although I know some of you had periods from hell for many years this was rather a new experience for me. I always had heavy periods, but last November I started bleeding and just didn't quit. I went to the Dr. in January and had the hyst on Mar. 1st. I am 53 years old.

Anyway what I wanted to say was that I am glad I had it done. I am doing well not taking hormone replacements, some hot flashes but they are livable. The biggest thing I stuggled with was the fatigue. Finally I am feeling back to normal energy wise. I didn't think I was EVER going to get my zip back. So for all of you who are just starting your way back to recovery, be patient!!!! When you hear it will be 6 months to a year to feel back to normal its true and don't rush yourself. A little tip I discovered that may help some is that i wasn't sleeping well and I think our bodies heal when we are sleeping more than any other time. I started taking a supplement called Melotonin, an over the counter natural substance that helps you sleep. It made a big difference and after a week of good sleep I could tell it was helping. So you may want to give it a try.

In the sex department, it's so, so. I have absolutely no libido and sex is still kind of uncomfortable. My husband and I are able to talk about how this has changed our lives and we are working on it. I think I may try the testosterone creme that I have heard mentioned on the site, but want to research it a little more.

I would love to hear from other 5-6 monthers and see how you are doing and if you have any words of wisdom to pass on to the new sisters. I am so greatful for this website, it has made my recovery so much easier, Thank you sisters so much. -Kestrel

Hi...
I am just into my fourth month post-op. I wanted to let you know that it is a big help reading everyones recovery experiences-especially those that are just ahead of me!
Your posts certainly appease fears that pop up over issues that are always presenting themselves.
Thank you everyone for continuing to share!

I'm 5 months post-op as well, and am feeling great. I had a TAH/BSO for endometriosis, and am using Estrogel (estrodiol) for HRT, which both my gyn and my PCP insisted on, due to my age (33).

I am beginning to realize that my problems went beyond endometriosis - I think I was just not built for estrogen. My mother says my personality changed drastically at puberty, and I am back to my happy pre-pubescent self now that my ovaries are gone. Emotionally I was just flat for such a long time, with the exception of a few years in university when I was on hormonal birth control and was ridiculously emotional. At the end, just before my hyst, I almost never laughed - I would just say, "That's funny". I recognized the humour in things, but had no emotional reaction to it. Now I am happy and outgoing and almost never anxious, which is startlingly different from my pre-hyst life.

My libido is starting to return as well - another thing that had been dead for many years. Hubby says it's nice to have sex without worrying about it hurting me, so it's great from his perspective as well. I am so pleased with the results of my hyst - I just wish I could have done it sooner.

I will soon be 5 months on the 16th. Like I have said before I'm very happy I did have my Hyst. My life is full now. I'm gone showing horses most of the summer, and will be showing up until Nov. It's so nice not to worry about a period. I was walking 2 miles every night. That has slowed down now because I'm gone for a week at a time with the horses. When I'm home I still walk. Still lifting my weights, and just feeling great!!! It's nice too know that others are doing so well. I'm always happy to read the post.

Hi Ladies,

I'm almost 6 months post op and except for a minor issue with my bowels I'm very happy with the result.

Since my surgery I feel I'm a happier person to be around, I feel well and frankly I'm enjoying life again. I'm longer controlled by heavy bleeding that made going anywhere difficult, actually I just wouldn't go because of the constant accidents. My sex life is the best it has been in 2 years although a little different but hubby is enjoying my renewed interest.

I'm on a low dose of HRT and I'm using an estradial gel called Sandrena. I'm still having some insomnia but it's better than it was. I notice that I'm no longer snappy which is much nicer and to round my surgery off I am to be a grandmother for the first time so what more could I want!

Take care and be happy everyone...........Karen

Hi Ladies,

I'm about 6 1/2 months on after my Hyst. and couldn't feel any better! I didn't believe it would take 6-12months to get back to normal;to get your energy levels back up to norm. but it is true. I'm just got to the stage where I dont need to have a lie down after a long day at work; I have more energy than I ever did! So any ladies out there just recovering give it time and listen to your body 'If you need to put your feet up after a short time or need to lie down do it'
You will recover a lot quicker taking it slowly, the secret is not to rush yourself and your body.
I had 3months off work[due to the nature of my job] and only went back 3- 4hours for the first 2 weeks[ I could have had longer if I needed it].The tiredness was the biggest thing I had to contend with but it got easier.
I have just had a great 2week break,went home to Cornwall; No pain,or other monthly probs. that usually spoilt my holls! I wore my shorts;my white trousers;my swim costume without a care in the world not like the bad old days!!!!!!!!
Anyway good luck to all of you, and may any problems you are experiencing are only minor setbacks.
Take care: riedenise

My Hyst was in Feb and I feel pretty well recovered from it (as long as you don't count the strange spotting I've had off and on for the past 6 weeks...). Sex is good, no periods is GREAT, the overall bloated feeling and the constipation/diarrea that I suffered for so long is gone. For all these things I am truly greatful.

The only down side is the trauma from the surgery caused me to finally cross some invisible line and develop full blown Lupus. I've had lupus symptoms for years - in fact much of the "pain in the butt" that I've complained about for years appears to be arthritus in my hip joints due to the lupus. About 10 weeks after my Hyst all the symptoms began to come at one time - and the arthritis was unbearable. A nurse practioner put it togeather by looking at my current complaint - and complaints of rashes and joint pains for the past 5 years. She sent me straight to an Arthritis specialist who confirmed the diagnosis with blood work. I'm on the road back now - but I am still tired all the time. I frequently take 2-3 hour naps each afternoon and still sleep 9-10 hours at night. I believe this is the lupus - not a result of the hyst.

Even with all this I don't regret the hyst. One other MAJOR improvement has been my complexion. It is PERFECT for the first time since pre-teen years! I have gained some weight - but most of it came from the prednisone I was taking for the Lupus. I'm off that now and doing Weight Watchers - hopefully I will be back to my preillness weight and energy level soon.

It is good to hear from other 6 monthers.

Best wishes to all.

not quite 5 months yet, but I have to say, I have been back to more than full power for the last 3 months - I feel fitter than I have done for years and I'm off to the Swiss Alps on Saturday to ride my mountain bike down the mountains- woohoo!!!! :0)
One real bonus that I didn't expect from the surgery was my bladder capacity - I can go hours without a wee now! (I had to go every hour before else it was very painful) I also estimate that I'm 3 pints up on blood volume too - no wonder I feel good! Also the stress incontinence has stopped - which is just as well as I'm tap dancing to 'Viva las Vegas' wearing only a skimpy red velvet leotard and and fishnets, on stage in November - there's no room for underwear under that costume!
Best wishes to you all

Chicky

Wow it is so good to hear that you sisters are out there, doing well!! Dressage Rider, good to hear from you!! sorry though that the Lupus decided to pick on you, hope you find ways to cope and continue getting better!! Bikery Chicky, one of the things I wanted to do this summer was ride in anMutiple Scleroisis bike ride, but the health problems that started last winter put me out of the running for this year. I am hoping to be fit by next summer. It would be my first try at something like that and at 53 yrs old a big challenge for me. (My daughter has MS) but I really think it is cool that you are biking the Alps. During July I was glued to the TV for the Tour de France. You go girl!!

You are all such an amazing group of women. Keep the experiences coming so that the "new kids" know that life will get better!! I would like to send ((((hugs)))) to everybody and wish us all health and peace. Thanks for sharing!! -Kestrel