HRT Scares me to Death!!

I'll be having my TAH/BSO this Mon. and the only thing I'm really scared about is what will happen to me without my ovaries. Will I ever be myself again on "replacment" hormones? I'm worried that me and DR will never be able to get it right. I was never able to take birth control pills because the side effects were so horrendous - will that make it difficult for me to take HRT?

At pre-op appt. Dr. told me that he will give me an injection of "hormones" (didn't specify what kind) in the recovery room. He said it would be enough to last for a month. Stupidly, at the time, I didn't think to ask any questions about it, but now I'm full of questions. What kind of hormones are they? What if I have side effects - I'm stuck with them for A MONTH? (At the same time I'm trying to recover from surgery?)

The closer I get to surgery, the more freaked out I get. Any help will be soooooo appreciated!

Hi Cammy

Good for you to be checking out options before your surgery! Early in your recovery you may have symptoms of menopause regardless of the HRT you use. Hormone levels fluctuate a lot at first because of surgery, stress, loss of ovaries and the body using up the residual hormones in your body while also processing the new hormone. Making changes in the first month isn't a good idea anyway. Do ask your doctor what sort of shot will be given. Is this something your doctor routinely does? Some do that, others start the woman off right away on a pill or patch.

Taking HRT is a lot different than using birth control. Your HRT will be a steady dose day-to-day rather than the fluctuating dose from your ovaries plus the BCPs added effects. That doesn't mean it will be smooth sailing, though. Unfortunately it can be tricky to balance but working with a doctor who is up on prescribing HRT makes it a lot easier.

Be patient, keep a journal of any symptoms you have during recovery, and keep in touch with your doctor if things get progressively worse instead of better.

Best wishes for your surgery!

s

Hi

As (((April Dawn))) replied above, do ask your doctor more specific questions about the shot you will be receiving, and discuss your concerns about being uncomfortable with an HRT "commitment" that you will basically be stuck with for a month. There are other options as in the patch or pills.

Also, regarding the difference between BCP's and HRT. My doctor once told me that BCP's contain a *much* larger amount of hormones than typical HRT dosages, thus the side effects from BCP's can be much more common and intense.

It's pretty much a tossup how we do individually on HRT, particularly during the early weeks/months----some ladies sail right through, for others it takes a few trips through the Jungle before coming upon what works best for each of us.

Best wishes for your surgery and recovery!
's