please help! 3 months post op and not doing well

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone can offer words of hope and encouragement. I had my TAH/BSO 3 months ago and for the last 2 months have suffered terrible fatique and depression. I have lost all desire for everything. I feel like the walking dead. Zoloft doesn’t help at all. I am on 1 mg of Estrodial and just had my blood test for my testosterone level this morning. It takes a week to get that back. I have missed lots of work due to this inability to function. Being single, that doesn’t pay the bills. I regret this surgery big time. Does it get better or is this life now?
Eagerly awaiting any replies,
Nirvana

I went to a class last week concerning hysters, I was told that this kind of surgery will cause a LOT of fatique for about 6 months which I was not happy to hear. I would still check with your Dr. Please take care, try not too worry.

Nirvana, I am sorry that you are still not feeling any better.I think you need to call your dr and let him know how you are feeling, if the Zoloft is not helping he can give you something that will. I am sending you lots of s and I hope you get to feeling better soon.Carol

Hi Nirvana...

I'm not as far out from my surgery as you are... I had my surgery September 8th 2005... I had TAH/BSO but my surgery was not a choice... well actually it was... surgery or body bag... that was my choice... so I went for the surgery... truthfully at that time because my family wanted me to... I was so far gone I just didn't care anymore... mind numbing pain... I think about that when I start getting down... or frustrated because my recovery is not as quick as I wanted it to be... I've been realizing as I read through this site that recovery is going to be a long process...

Did you have a choice regarding your surgery... in reality... other than a body bag... and I don't mean a baggy dress... in any event... the surgery is done... doubting your decision is going to make your recovery more difficult... so... you made a sound decision... lets go on from here... it does sound like your hormones are off... I had a monster of a melt down... much more stable now... I'm on Premarin... it seems to be working for me...

Keep in mind you just had a major major surgery... your body needs time to heal... more than 12 weeks... one of the side effects of major surgery is depression... I can feel it poking it's nasty nose around the perimeters of my mind as well... is counseling an option?

I understand the financial crunch... I work for myself... so when I'm not working... my income is... hmmmm... let's see... zero... I erroneously thought I would be able to deal with my clients within a week or too... hah... boy was I wrong... I'm having to face some cold hard truths... that yes i'm going to lose some clients... and my precious credit rating is taking a monster of a beating... but you know what... that's just the way it's going to be... usually yes I care... I can't afford to care about that now... and neither can you...

My main focus has to be healing ... physically... mentally... and emotionally... so does yours... keeping a journal helps me... I can see the little changes from there... otherwise I miss them... and think that I'm not making any progress... perhaps it would be useful for you as well...

I've talked to a couple of local women that had Hysters... one that focused on her recovery... One that went back to work too soon... over did it ...

The first one is healed up and functioning well... having a healthy quality life... the second is going into the doc to day... after 2 years because she made a mess of her body by not giving herself time to heal...

She is a huge warning sign for me... frustrated over not being able to do this or that... so I'm having to focus on what I can do... maybe I can do in just small amounts ... but by focusing on what I can do... it helps to push the depression off... and give me some sense of accomplishment... perhaps the same would work for you...

I hope this has been helpful to you... if nothing else here's another virtual for you... Mary

Nirvana,
I think you have it right by going to the Dr. for some more testing. I am 14 weeks out. I am VERY frustrated, very tired, and very fat! I did hours of research yesterday trying to figure out what is going on. I have been eating extrememly well since late July, exercising more than I did for the many months prior to surgery, and I am fat, fat, fat. I can't wear most of my clothes. It is causing me to be very down. My eyesight has deteriorated, I have brain fog still. So, I am wondering if a trip to the Dr. would be helpful, or a brick wall. I know something is not right. Is it thyroid, is it estrogen dominance (I kept my ovaries)...I just don't know!I don't know.
I do not regret the surgery. I don't miss the bleeding and pain. But this is not my body.
Here's hope you and I both get some answers.
L

nirvana,
I'm sorry you are having a hard time. lI'm also 3 months post op, and am surprised at how long it is taking, but I'm not having quite as hard a time as you are. Maybe it's because I was fortunate enough to keep my ovaries.
I think it is a good idea to have the appropriate blood tests done (also thyroid).
And also, do the low tech things, such as getting enough sleep, and eating well, and taking a multi-vitamin, and taking walks, and nurturing yourself.
Hang in there -- it has to get better!

Hi Nirvana, I too am 3 months out of my TAH. I have good days and bad days. I feel tired sometimes and extra sensitive. It helps me to read and go online, keep busy. I hope you start feeling better soon.

Hey guys just hold on many people feel the worst at 3 months (besides the first week or so)I think it is about the time people start feeling annoyed with the healing process and when the "help" starts dwindling. I am 6 months out and feeling almost 100%. I am self employed too. I own and teach Jazzercise classes so it is very physical. As for the depression and fatigue consult your Dr. there are many anti-depressant out there and it sometimes takes a few to find the best one for you. That goes for the type and dose of HRT too. Exercise, eat well and get enough rest (but not too much)make sure you are drinking enough fluids too. Dehydration can cause fatigue. A few small things I do for myseld are. Set aside time each week just for you, Let some things go..Example I used to bring a special-dessert to occassioins and this year it's been ice cream and hot sauce, Gift certificate ordered online for B-day presents and my DH is in charge of my daughters soccer this season. Don't try to figure out "if" you should have had the surgery thats a done deal and will just drive you further into depression. # months is not that long after such a huge physical, mental and spiritual ordeal be kind to yourself you have been through a lot. Good luck Jodi

Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to reply to my post. This website has truly been a Godsend since my surgery. I was supposed to go back to work this morning after taking last week off due to the extreme fatigue and depression but couldn't find the strength and energy to go. Another week without pay... I'm thinking of trying Prozac since my doctor recommended it since the Zoloft hasn't worked. Morningsun mentioned Premarin, is that progesterone? I have read pros and cons about progesterone. I had severe PMS before surgery, would Premarin make that come back? I hope that I can get my life back the way it was before my hysterectomy....That we all can.
Thanks again for all the hugs and support.
Nirvana

Nirvana,
Sometimes people have to try a few medications before one kicks in, so please don't give up. Remember, there may be more than one thing going on. With the BSO it is NORMAL for your hormones to be totally out of wack, and to need medication, and the shift may have caused you to need the anti-depressant. Keep working with your doctor to see if you can get the right combination.

I'm rooting for you.