9 months post op and not feeling good

Hello,
Quite a few people told me I would feel great after having a hysterectomy but so far I haven't felt great or even good. I too thought wow, no more periods, sex whenever without fear of pregnancy, no more swollen ankles. The only thing from this list that has truth to it is the no more periods. Sex is extremely painful, the hot flashes are so intense at times that I have to lay down or pass out. I don't take HRT because my mother had breast cancer 3 times (and survived!). I have tried herbal supplements. I didn't think it was working until I skipped a few days and the hot flashes became more intense.I cannot keep a hair do because I sweat terribly in my scalp. I'm African American so shampooing every day is not an option for me. One well meaning church member pulled me aside to comment on my new hairstyle because the last time she saw me my hair was a mess, it wasn't combed!! (her words)I am ready to go bald!! I have gained the 15 pounds I lost post op and probably 10 more. It seems my hair has double the amount of gray since this time last year, not to mention the facial hair. I am miserable and don't know what to do. I also have bladder issues even though my cervix was left intact. Even after a shower I only feel "fresh" for about an hour. (Sorry, TMI!)
Any suggestions on any of these issues would be most helpful.
Justonian

Here are a few suggestions to try if you haven't already--
1 Try a personal lubricant for vaginal dryness.
2 Try vitamins, eating 8-9 fruits and vegetables a day, and 30 min of moderate exercise like walking, a day for the hot flashes. You may also consider HRT if you are under age 60. It is not known to cause breast cancer in younger women. Talk to DR about that one.
3. Go to the beauty shop and get an easy to care for hair cut-(someone who knows black hair ) and get your nails done! They can help with waxing the unwanted hair too. A mini makeover will make you feel more confident!
4. Don't skip meals eat breakfast, and try eating smaller portions. Don't exceed calorie limit for goal weight. (ie goal weight 160, eat 1600 cal only per day.) for more weight loss increase exercise to walking 1 hour a day.
5. Try scented panty liners and /or one that come with freshening wipes.
Pamper the princess, and feel better soon!! HUGS

Apple Blossom has some really great suggestions. there ar ejust a cuople things I would add:

1. Fans. I have a fan in every room and even one on my desk at work. I also never go to a meeting, movie, concert or anything without a stiff peice of paper or cardboard to use as a fan.
2. Drink plenty of water. I have found it to make an enormous difference. Especially when one of those head swimming flashes hits me, several sips of cool water really help me get past it.
3. Talk to your doctor about an estrogen cream. This won't eliminate the need for a lubricant, but will restore the health and balance of your vagina. From everything I have read, the very small amount of estrogen in the cream is not enough to be systemic. (I worry as my mom had breast cancer, too)
4. Try weight watchers. You can sign up to run the program on line without ever going to a meeting and it is really helping me get a handle on portion control and eating a balanced diet.
5. Recognize that the changes in our hormone levels distribute fat differently on our bodies. Focus instead on being healthy, weight loss will definately follow.
6. Read "What yor doctor may not tell you about menopause" by Dr. John Lee. I thought I rememberd a lot about how hormones work in the body, but this really gave me a new understanding.

And, seriously, remember to pamper the princess. Do something that is just for you each day.

Hi

Sorry you are having problems with hot flashes and other symptoms. There are also herbal over the counter medications that may take some of the edge off and help you with some of the symptoms. Estroven or Remefemin are two products that may help. You can try one for about a month and see how you do as herbal takes longer than hormones.

The doctor can give you vaginal cream which does not cause breast cancer and does not go all into the body and it helps keep bladder infections away. I have to take it or I get bladder infections.

If over the counter remedies do not work then you can ask your doctor for medication that is not hormonal that will help hot flashes. Anti-depressants are given to women who cannot take hrt and will cool hot flashes up to about 70%.

Here is a link from the Mayo Clinic on ways suggested to help with hot flashes:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hot-flashes/HQ01409

I hope you find some relief soon. Dressing cool, using fans, drinking ice water, avoiding caffiene, spicy foods, sugar, alcohol, taking multivitamin, vit. E, fish oil capsules, and 1500 calcium a day can help a lot . We sell a Chillow in our site store, which is a pillow that is cool to sleep on, and it has been a big success with women here.

Hang in there things will get better once you find some support with what is available to you.

s

Justonian,
Unfortunately I do not have any tips but I wanted you to know that I understand and emphathize with you. The perspiring is quite frustrasting. I too am African-American and I battle my hair every morning. I really would love to carry a banner around to tell everyone why my hair looks as it does, so I just bring it up in conversations every chance I get.
I noticed that my hair is graying too-at a faster rate then normal (for me). I also have hair growing in every crevice known to man, chin, neck, chest, side of face... I am going to read the book woodstork recommended and pray that things get better for us both.

Hello all,
Thanks for all the suggestions. I plan to go to a weight watchers meeting on thursday and have started to eliminate sweets from my diet. I have read that exercise and a healthy diet will help. I also started taking the herbal supplement and evening primrose again. (I had missed a couple of days) Is Wild Yam creme the natural altenative to estrogen creme? And does the estrogen creme go in the vaginal?
Justonian

Justonian,
Wild Yam is actually natural progesterone. Progesterone therapy is the focus of Dr. Lee's book. However, he doesn't cover surgical menopause in great detail. I would talk with your doctor about it.

Estrogen creams are inserted in the vagina, and again, from what I've read the tiny amount absorbed does not pose a cancer risk. It does help with atrophy and restore proper balance, which will help you avoid getting a yeast or BV. You should talk with your doc about this, too. Anyway, you'll need a prescription.

One extra thing I haven't seen anyone mention here. Many herbal supplements, like black cohash and soy, are natural plant estrogens. These act like our own estrogen and are often not reccommended for women with a personal history of breast cancer. I have not been able to find any information about using them with a family history. You may also want to talk with your doctor about that one.

Best wishes and keep cool!