Hormone concerns

I have seen my surgeon for 10 minutes since my surgery. I told her I was miserable, and her policy is no NRT for 2 months to see where a patient levels out. She suggested taking Advil PM and Estroven. I see her again July 6th, and if I'm not feeling better by then I will need more advice. I haven't slept decently since my surgery and I am more than tired. My temperature fluxuates so much I feel like I have the flu. I had knee surgery last year, and was riding an exercise bike before my hysterectomy. Because I'm not allowed to do that now, I am having hip and knee pain. I cry all the time. I have no patience, and have to work really hard not to snap at people. I don't have enough concentration to properly read a book - admittedly, I read pretty acedemic stuff. Poor me, poor me, I know. I keep seeing so many others doing so well and I feel like such a failure.

Oh boy, I can relate to a lot of what you have said. I dusted my post surgery book today just can't commit to anything but a short story or article. I have my ovaries and felt a lot of body temp changes in the first 2 months also. I went from sleeping all day to not being able to sleep at all. I also had knee surgery last fall that has never been properly rehabbed. If it helps at all you are not alone. Next time you feel super hot or cold think of me. I woke up naked about 3 weeks ago. My husband thought he was going to get lucky - wrong

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Originally Posted by hope09 Oh boy, I can relate to a lot of what you have said. I dusted my post surgery book today just can't commit to anything but a short story or article. I have my ovaries and felt a lot of body temp changes in the first 2 months also. I went from sleeping all day to not being able to sleep at all. I also had knee surgery last fall that has never been properly rehabbed. If it helps at all you are not alone. Next time you feel super hot or cold think of me. I woke up naked about 3 weeks ago. My husband thought he was going to get lucky - wrong

You are the first person who has told me that they had the temp fluxuations as well. I appreciate your experiences - I took off my blouse this evening (feeling feverish) and my hubby's interest peeked as well. He has been such a good sport!

Actually, it is very early on considering that you had a TAH. Please don't be too hard on yourself. Since you have to wait on HRT, perhaps you can at least address your depression symptoms. The emotional toll is really the toughest part of healing, I think. Perhaps you should discuss that with your doctor. The joint pain may be exascerbated by the low estrogen levels. I had joint pain too for a time after surgery. Hang in there. It CAN get better!

This is so weird because today I felt achy all day. Don't know if is related, but I feel so wiped out; all I wanted to do is lay down. I also am feeling pain at the incision a little more today. I am 5 weeks recovering today. I hope it is nothing. Hoping I don't have an infection somewhere...

I had/have a lot of joint pain and have been blaming it on inactivity, too much time on my back in bed. For a while post op I was worried because both my achilles tendons were very sore every time I stood up.
Don't worry Sharpie a lot of the odd and end complaints seem to fade away.
Maybe you can check with your doctor if you can take magnesium. If you are low it can decrease your tolerance to pain. Also try melatonin for sleeping it worked for me.
I agree with cmtsp talk to your doctor this week about feeling depressed. Major surgery as we have had can reek havoc on our bodies in many ways. You may benefit from some medications that will also help with the pains and insomnia. After a couple of weeks your system may be reset.
It doesn't hurt to ask. The doctors have heard it before and if they haven't - teach them.

cmstp - what do you mean "early"? I'm reading all over this site about TAH sisters who are back to work at this point in their recovery or who are walking miles, going on road trips, etc. I have to drive into Boston Friday, (something I used to do all the time) and I am scared I won't have the energy, really. The doctor knows I am feeling anxious and depressed. That's why she suggested the Advil PM (useless) and the Estrovin. I was taking ativan (sp?) pre-surgery because I was anxious, but she doesn't want me to continue. I'm supposted to "hang in there" until the 6th. It is torture, I guess I am hoping that someone else has some "non-drug" suggestions, or at least some experience that will give me some coping strategies.

There is magnesium in the Estrovin. My ortho surgeon told me I will continue to have joint pain if I don't ride the bike. It is an ongoing solution to my underlying knee problem. I' scared I've undone that and will have to go back to PT after all of this.

Your only 5 weeks post op right? Don't put to much into the women who are posting all the great achievements they are not the norm by any means. Each surgery is unique the work inside and the condition you were in going into surgery makes a hugh difference in recovery. Also keep in mind many women over do it and end up relapsing. You'll be seeing some of that in the near future.
Try not to compare yourself to anyone, OK? If you must compare yourself use me for comparison - I'm a bonifide slow poke

I guess it seems early to me because I was so discouraged between the five and six week mark as well. I had planned on going back to work after six weeks, but then switched it to seven and even then just part time was all that I could handle. If you are like me, you will see a vast improvement in the next few weeks. There really can be a world of difference between five and eight weeks after a TAH.
The most dramatic results I have ever felt for my depression have been in changing diet, which for me means cutting out dairy especially. I know that it sounds strange, but it has a huge impact on me when I eat extremely healthy.

hope09 and cmtsp - thank you. You really have given me food for thought, and the kind of advice I can use. Hope - you are now my barometer for "normal" healing! I am better than week 2 - I need to remind myself of that. C- I can certainly reduce my dairy (drinking soy milk and taking calcium) and improve my general nutrition. I had not thought of that. Good to know you saw a big improvement after week 6...I will look forward to that too.