surgical menopause

well im 7 weeks post op of tah and bso i was 32 when i had it done i have been suffering since i was 15 with period pain went to loads of doctors over the years to be told its all in my head loads of women go through it they said up until 18 months ago i had bloating and severe pain in my lower abdomin went to hospital had a trans vaginal ultrasound scan and they found a large mass on my right ovary and a smaller one on the left one they thought the right one was cancer because half of the the mass was solid after having a mri scan and blood tests thankfully it wasnt thought to be cancer any longer then 2 months after i had a cystectomy to remove the mass which was 20 cms in size removed while they were removing that they also found that i had severe endometriosis my pelvic organs were stuck together after trying 4 differant types of medication over the last 18 months i decided enough was enough i asked for a hysterectomy and my consultant agreed they had done every think they could for me i cant go on any hrt yet as i have a blood clotting disorder i see my gyne doc in 2 weeks to discuss hrt and i so need something i have terrible night sweats at mo and anxiety my normal doc says its the menopause i feel like im losing my marbles any help in releiving the night sweats are very welcome

First of all, I'm glad it wasn't cancer! I had a TAH on Nov. 19th and they took both of my ovaries as well. I also cannot take HRT due to factor V leiden (blood clotting disorder). I know how overwhelming it can be to figure out what to take in order to protect the body the way HRT does. I got no help from doctors and gained most of my knowledge from this website! I take the following every day:

a multi-vitamin for women
Extra-strenght Estroven
600 Calcium with vitamin D and magnesium
400 I.U. vitamin E
1000 of vitamin C
folic acid
I drink 2 glasses of soymilk per day

I really found this to work for me. The hot flushes have greatly diminished and aren't as bad as they were. However, nothing has helped my insomnia except for Ambien. I don't really have terrible mood swings, more weepy than angry, but I've been on an anti-depressant for years so I think that probalby helps more than anything.
I just started acupuncture yesterday for my menopausal symptoms. I don't know if it's all in my head, but I feel a lot better. My mind isn't racing, my hot flushes are very manageable and less often, I only got up 2 times last nite (without Ambien) and actually slept thru to my alarm for the first time in weeks. She gave me a lot of dietary advice as well. You can look at my post "I just had my first acupuncture" for a list of the food she suggested.
It's quite a jungle to navigate and there are no clear answers either. This is one of those situations when you really need to be pro-active about your own health and research what's best for you. But you should discuss it with your doctor.
Good luck! You're not alone!

hi and many thanks for your advice im glad im not alone anymore bececause its felt that way .
all the hospital gave me is calcichew d3 forte tablets to take twice a day they also gave me no advice just left me to it im done alot of research myself and read alot of menopause books so im more prepared for when i go for my post0op check il let you know how i get on if you dont mind it would be good to talk to someone who knows what im going through take care of yourself too

Hi, I'm going to be put into medical menopause on Tuesday, Feb 5.
I have 5 more days to think about it!
I already had the hysterectomy, but he left an ovary. That is coming out Tues.

Thank you for the suggestions - in case the hormones cause me problems -

I'll keep you guys in mind when I am sweating! And if I find something that works, I'll let you know too.

Take care everyone!
Carol

hi carol i hope things go ok for you on tuesday im 7 weeks post op now ive found what helps for me is when im lying in bed to have several sheets over me rather than a thick quilt aand when you feel a hot flash or flush coming on iy helps me to take my shoes of anf put mt bare feet on a cold floor cools me down right away well take care and please let me know how you get on please kyla

Good suggestion!

I am kind of worried about my job - I go to several people a day ( I travel to different businesses to audit payroll records for worker's comp) and if I am sitting there in a ball of sweat, I'll be explaining ALL day to EVERYONE what is going on -
No, not a crack addict -
No, not in withdrawel - well, actually. LOL

Thanks!

Carol

Hi all! I'm so glad to connect with some people that are in similar situations to mine. I, too, felt abandoned by my doctors when the surgery was over. I was terrified that I was going to turn into a dried up old lady overnight and develop osteoporosis and heart disease! Everything I read was scaring the heck out of me. That's when i decided to take my health into my own hands and get pro-active. What i've been doing is working so far. My acupuncurist said that aging and good health have more to do with diet and exercise than hormones. I kind of knew that deep inside already.
Please keep in touch! I'd love to hear from you all and good luck on your surgery next week LEXDEXTEX! You can count on me to be here if you have any questions when it's over, or if you just need to complain to someone! I don't mind!
Kyla, I'd love to keep in touch. You can always find me on this thread or lurking in this "no hormones" forum. Keep in touch and let me know how the Dr. visit goes!

Thank you! I'll post when I get home from the hospital. Supposed to be a same day surgery.
He is hoping to do it the easy way (laproscopic??) but said if he has to cut me open because of adhesions (he is pretty sure I have them) - then, I'll be home Wed or Thurs.

it is good to talk to other people in the same boat, just to know there is someone else that can relate and we can gripe to and not feel like they think we are just whining. (even if we are.....) :~)

Carol

Hi. I can't take any oral HRT as I had a blood clot after my surgery as well. I was given Clonidine (a blood-pressure pill) in a very low dose and it works!!! For me at least! My primary care doctor recently prescribed Premarin Cream for my vaginal area as it was very irritated and dry from the lack of estrogen. He felt that would be ok, but I still can't take any oral estrogen Ask your doctor about Clonidine, my gyn was the one who prescribed it for me and it works!

Good luck to you!! Let me know if you need anything! I'm happy to help!!!

Thank you, I'll keep that in mind. List is growing, thanks to all you helpful women!

I never had blood clots, but I am on high blood pressure medicine. Thank you for reminding me to take the name of it and does with me tomorrow!!