Making my way through the estrogen jungle

Hi there!

I am celebrating 5 weeks today since my total davinci hysterectomy! I had my surgery due to heavy bleeding when I would have a period, adenomyosis and severe anxiety around my periods and when I would ovulate. When I say anxiety, I don't mean like feeling like something would happen. It was more a feeling of too much caffeine and restlessness. There were many nights when I would literally pace the house instead of sleeping! I am happy to report that since the surgery, things have improved quite a bit. My Dr. put me on the dot patch right after the surgery. I did end up switching to estradiol pills. I started taking the 2mg ones and within the first day I was starting to get the over-caffinated feeling again. So, I cut them in half and felt much better. I am sleeping much better at night. I still wake up and sometimes have the hot flashes, but I can go back to sleep now.

Okay, there is my background! Now I find myself waiting to get that caffeine feeling again. Sometimes I'll feel like it's going to happen, and then the feeling passes. I am wondering if it's just because I was so used to feeling like that and it's just going to take time to get used to feeling better and stop worrying. All in all definitely a big improvement, I just still feel the "shadow" of how bad I felt before my surgery. I am wondering if anybody else has had these feelings.

This site had really been a comfort and help to me when I was looking for information! A big thank you to all the princesses out there!

I have anxiety issues as well, and I think I know what you are talking about. Sometimes sitting there anticipating how BAD you know it COULD be makes the anxiety worse and around and around it goes in a vicious circle.

Besides my Xanax, I've learned to do some deep breathing/meditating to try and break the cycle before it gets away from me.

I had an anxiety attack that lasted THREE hours last week, it was horrible. I just couldn't break it.

I'm sorry that you had such a bad attack last week, I really feel for you! I find staying active helps a lot. I walk a lot and was running. I'll start up running again when I get the all clear from my Dr. It's definitely been an improvement since the surgery. Did you have problems pre surgery as well? Did you have any relief afterwards? Are you on HRT?

Hang in there, and keep up the deep breathing and meditating!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by khewes I have anxiety issues as well, and I think I know what you are talking about. Sometimes sitting there anticipating how BAD you know it COULD be makes the anxiety worse and around and around it goes in a vicious circle. Besides my Xanax, I've learned to do some deep breathing/meditating to try and break the cycle before it gets away from me. I had an anxiety attack that lasted THREE hours last week, it was horrible. I just couldn't break it.

Did you keep your ovaries?? I am having those darn anxiety attacks around my cycle time!! Just like I used to!! I do have my ovaries!
I miss my Xanax right about now!! I've been a mess the last couple days!

Tygger, so sorry that you are also still having the anxiety attacks! I used to think I was the only one who had those around my cycle! My Dr. took my ovaries because she thought it would be a bigger challenge to me to keep them. I have read here that it takes awhile for your body and brain to get used to not having a period, ovaries or not. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that's true. We are both early in our recovery. I am trying to have patience, but some days it's hard! Hang in there and maybe you could call your Dr. for a prescription to help you through the rough times...