About ready to give up

I am 42 and 2 1/2 years post op from a TAH and have done pretty well without any hormones, I've been able to work through the hot flashes and the night sweats, I've managed the slight mood swings when they come on, I've learned to tolerate the sleepless nights, I've gotten past the achey joints and muscles. I take a few vitamins including calcium.
BUT I am so ready to talk to my dr. about possibly getting on something I have gained almost 30 pounds since my surgery ( and I do exercise more now than I did pre-op but it's doing nothing) I feel emotionless no ups no downs just here, and the biggest issue is the lack of sex drive it's put a whole new twist in my marrige, we're 2 people living in the same house and I hate it. I can't help but wonder maybe hormones will help. If anyone has any advise I'd be glad to hear it!!!

I am sorry you are having problems and not feeling good. I would talk to the doctor and see what he suggests. I think the bio-identical hrt is most like what our ovaries made. I use the vivelle dot patch and have been pleased with it. I try every year to get off, but the symptoms are still not good enough for me to do so, but I have weaned to a lower dose.

You might want to look at our Resources library and look at the Hormone section before going to the doctor so you are informed and can have questions ready to ask the doctor.

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Just Read Your Comments about considering HRT. I finally broke down this week and called my GYN About getting something. I am just shy of the two year mark for my Hysterectomy. Immediately after my surgery my doctor offered to prescribe something and at that time I felt like I wanted to try to do it without anything. I had already been taking Sarafem and continued to do so after surgery. That helped for awhile. Since the beginning of the year I have had increasing hot flashes until it seemed like it was just one continuous hot flash and if that had been it I think I could have handled it, but, my irratability level is what really pushed me to do something. I called and told my doctor that I would like to try a low dose hormone as my symptoms had increased in the past few months. He prescribed oral Estrace (1mg). I started taking this Monday and was amazed at the fast results, I expected it to be a week or two before it took effect. I had promised myself and my family that I would not hesistate, (which I did), if I felt I needed something to help me through. I wanted to be able to do it hormone free, but, that was not to be for me. If there is one thing I have learned every woman who has had a hysterectomy is different and their bodies will react different, just like women who go through natural menopause, some never have symptoms and some do. You have to do what is right for you, your body and your family. I did and I don't feel as if I have failed because I was not able to maintain hormone free. I hope this helps and encourages you with your decision.

Thank you for sharing your story, I have been feeling like I've failed if I can't make it without getting on something. But your comments have helped make me feel better.'
Thank you!!

Smock I admire your ability to give yourself the flexibility to change your mind. The reality is if you are getting hammered so badly with night sweats and hot flashes that your quality of life is dimished, then perhaps taking a low dose replacement therapy is the right thing to do. If you ever begin to doubt your decision, get the book Screaming To Be Heard and read it. It is avalable online for about $20.00. There you will read about the huge role hormones play not only in the elimination of night sweats and hot flushes but also their connection to brain, heart, and bone function..and the 400 other different systems that estrogen is involved in. Many of the studies done that got so much media hype were with conducted using the older hormones made of equine urine. There are much better, bio-identical options out there which provide estrogen identical to what your body use to make in much higher doses then what you will be getting with HRT. Before you go into the Dr. do your research here on the site. Know what you want and be ready to ask for it! I know my Dr. wanted initially to prescribe the older equine hormone because that's what he has always done, and I spoke up and said, "No! I prefer bio-identical in a transdermal." The transdermal delivers the hormones to your blood stream and bypasses the liver...so you don't have to metabolize a pill.

Take Care. And Good Health!

Smock,

Just wanted to let you know yesterday marked the one week point with the Estrace. I am truly feeling much better. I have really been struggling with fatigue since my surgery. I have always been a morning person and my energy levels would run in spurts to some degree before my surgery. I would be able to get up early and then it seemed like a few days every month I would be super charged, but , since I had surgery no more burst of energy like before and getting up in the morning was really hard. I would be groggy and stumble and fumble whereas before I would not have a problem I would be ready to go when my eyes opened. This week has been much better. I still don't won't to pop right out of bed, but, I have been functioning a lot better, my overall outlook seems to have improved. My what a big difference a little pill has made. Wondered What you had decided.

SMOCK,

Hey never heard from you about making a decision on hormones. I have been on mine for almost two months and I'm still really glad that was the choice I made. I thought I would let you know how I'm feeling when it has been longer than a week. I still get tired more than I like, but, overall I have much more energy and feel much better, hot flashes not as often or as intense, mood has improved greatly. I would not hesitate to tell anyone thinking about hormones, to go for it. But , like I said before everyone is different and I also respect those differences.

Girl I was there righ with you on weight gain, no emotions, and NO sex drive. I got on Bio-Identicals and after about 5 months of tweaking them I DO have a nicely rounded sex life again........its really incredible. I still don't have any energy and my feet tingle so more tweaking to be done....
I would recommend getting on something for yourself it could only help you.....you can't keep going around emotionless we all need emotions.
Keep striving to get better.....
At least you are excersicing, I think about it - I think about doing lots of things but my energy then falls flat.
Hang in there.....

	Quote:
Originally Posted by smock I am 42 and 2 1/2 years post op from a TAH and have done pretty well without any hormones, I've been able to work through the hot flashes and the night sweats, I've managed the slight mood swings when they come on, I've learned to tolerate the sleepless nights, I've gotten past the achey joints and muscles.

Smock, how long did the achey joints and muscles last? I am going through that right now and I am in constant pain.

I started on Premarin (the lowest dose possible) about a month ago and so far to good. The hot flashes have diminished and the night sweats have really decrease!! I have actually gotten a good nights sleep and feel much better. I also have some emotions back, my brain still feels foggy but tolerable. The sex drive hasn't gotten any better but I'll keep working on that.
When I was having the achyness it lasted several months it took me quite a while to put it all together and realize what it was from.
Thanks to everyone for all the support, I had lost track of time I just had my 3 year anniversary, wow how time flies.