Hello- losing it

Hi there. I have been posting on the post op board for a while coping with all of the healing aspects but this other stuff is unbearable. I am almost 6 weeks out now of my TAH/BSO. I was having a great recovery in most aspects up until here recently. In the tummy region I have felt great! The hot flashes and night sweats were my only evidence of the surgery. Until this last week or so. My hot flashes got ALOT worse than they were in the beginning, the night sweats are making it impossible to sleep, and I can't stand myself. Forgive the language but I can't even open my mouth without *****ing. I can't think of a word that captures it like that sorry if it offends. I am really losing it. I keep a headache, I am hot then I freeze, I am not sleeping then I chase my two kids (5 and 3) all day, and all my husband and I can do is fight- all the while I am exhausted. I know this just sounds like life that I shouldn't whine but I feel VERY overwhelmed! I am really frustrated. I don't know if or when my dr will put me on any HRT he said I needed to go as long as I can stand to not encourage endometriosis growth. Anyway I guess I have vented long enough just wanted to ask a quick ques. I was reading and came across the whole thing about black cohosh- I don't know if I am supposed to take it or not or even if it will help me but I had to try something. I got some but I don't know how much to take or how long it takes to see a difference. I looked on a REMIFEM( name brand) box and it says it is only 20mg of black cohosh exract the pills I bought say 80 mg. I am at such a loss and it seems that after my hyst my dr just lost interest in my well being.
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks so much
Have a wonderful day
TANYA

Tanya, hopefully you'll be able to start HRT in the not-too-distant future. The night sweats and hot flashes are probably getting worse because you've more than likely depleted your stores of hormones. My doctor prescribed Effexor for me, which has helped me significantly. I've realized a noticeable decrease in the frequency and intensity of hot flashes. Because it's a mild antidepressant, it also helped me cope with the day-to-day stresses of life. You might want to ask your doctor if he can prescribe something like this to get you over the rough days until you can start HRT.

Have you read trish's article on black cohosh? Here's the link:


http://www.hormonejungle.com/blackcohosh.php

The black cohosh I have says 50mg black cohosh root extract and the dosage is one per day. In trish's article, it says the usual dosage is 20mg. twice a day. Perhaps someone will reply who knows more than I do about this.

Hang in there, Tanya. It's not easy, but there are things you can do to ease your symptoms until you can start HRT. If your present doctor won't help, perhaps you can talk to your Primary Care Physician.

Keep in touch. Sometimes it helps just to have a place you can go to just to vent your frustrations, and to get a

50 mg ought to be ok. It's just that they've tested 20 mg twice a day more often.

It's supposed to help some and over a period of time. It's not like actual hormones, but it IS more effective than a placebo.

I take it your Dr. is a male. You might ask if one of his Medical Assistants has had a hyst/no hormones. This could be of value, as the assistant would be more likely to have the Drs "ear". If not, shop around for another Dr, and make sure to ask friends to find someone who has been in your predicament - their one-on-one advise could be invaluable.

Hope one of these ideas helps. I'm just nine days postop and am wondering what I'll feel like in 6 months (no hormones- ca).

Lots of luck - and consider the antidepressant, it's worked wonders for me so far, and we may up it to 30mgs later if needed (Celexa). Keep us informed as to how you're doing.

Hi there. I am so glad that you all wrote to me. I was having the worst of a bunch of awful days. My hot flashes are so frequent and intense that I tend to turn into a screaming maniac! Not to mention lack of sleep. I called my doctor in tears the other day and asked if I could come in a few days early to try and get on top of this and he asked if it was really THAT important that I come in- he said he was sure if I calmed down I could take it and he would see me next thurs. I was livid. I feel like I am losing my mind and he blows me off. I will be so glad to be rid of him.
Boy I just read what I wrote and I sound really whiny and bitter! I am so sorry- this is really not me!! LOL I just wanted to thank you all and let ya know that I appreciate the support. I can get on here and bring myself back to center.
Have a great day you all
TANYA

Tanya,

You don't sound at all whiney - just mad, and with a right to feel that way, most definately!! Get rid of that Dr and find one that will address and meet your needs. He's absolutely ridiculous, and not deserving of your business.

This is about your health and your wellbeing - be an advocate for yourself! Would you let a Dr. get away to saying and acting like that if a friend or daughter were his patient?

You might consider and "advocate"- friend or family member to assist you with these sort of things. It's so easy for us to just sit and take it, and we shouldn't. I have a friend, a psychologist who attended most of my appointments with me, and she was able to remember things that I couldn't and made sure the Dr. was understanding just what my needs and desires were. Due to her insight, I switched Drs. and had a wonderful experience with my hysterectomy (as much as surgery can be).

Once you get the help you need, maybe it would be a good idea to write a personal note to this other Dr. and let him know exactly how he made you feel, how he failed you, why you chose to find another Dr. He's undoubtedly going to be in business for some time, and your experience may just help him to change.

Good luck, stay in touch!

Hi Tanya!

Don't you worry, you don't sound whiney at all! You sound frustrated and rightfully so!

I'm assuming the physician you're refering to may be your gyn? Do you by chance have a general practitioner or PCP who might be more available to help you?

I'm also one who can't take hormones due to cancer. I've been taking a multitude of vitamin supplements and while I do still have hot flashes and night sweats, they are not as bad as they were without the vitamins, mainly Vitamin E. The biggest problem I've had (at least the one most annoying to me) is insomnia. My hematologist recently had me start taking Melatonin to try to help that. I've only taken it for the last couple of nights and while I did wake up a couple of times during the night, I actually was able to get some fairly good sleep. I've got my fingers crossed that it continues to help.

Also check out Trish's post at the top of this board regarding additional information to offset no HRT. There is alot of very good information you can take with you to the Dr's visit. Maybe some of them might work for you.

Hang in there and please let us know how you are doing when you can. I sure hope you'll be able to find some relief soon.

{{hugs}}

Vicki