Biggest Challenge of My Life!

Hello Sisters. Please receive a big from me. I am a mother of three beautiful children: Michael 13, Jessica 9 and Jacqueline 6. My children are the biggest blessing. I am married to a wonderful man. He is very supportive.

I am presently experiencing the biggest challenge of my life. I had a TAH BSO on June 29, 2000, due to uterine fibroids and enlarged uterus. My ovaries were removed because of two previous surgeries for ovarian cysts. My life has not been the same.

Immediately after surgery, I felt terrible anxiety (I could not concentrate, I was unable to sit still -- it was awful! -- nurse called my dr. and I was given a shot of Delestrogen 2 mg. I was released on the third day. I was prescribed an antidepressant Prozac 20 mg along with Premarin .125 mg. and Vicodin for pain. I was on disability for approximately 2 months. I went back to work and in September 2000, I started to feel very irritable, nervous, extremely depressed, difficulty with concentration and this was noticed by my co-workers. Unfortunately, I had no choice but to give my notice of termination in December of 2000. Thereafter, I suffered a nervous breakdown on March 1, 2001. I was diagnosed with paranoia and given medication which aggravated my symptoms (Haldol). I stopped taking meds for paranoia and felt better for approx. 4 months. I started a new job as a legal secretary in July 2001 and was working very long hours. I felt exhausted. Once again, I started feeling terrible symptoms, such as depression, nervousness, fatigue, etc.

In September 27, 2001, I had an episode during which the left side of my face was completely paralyzed. I could not speak clearly or eat. I was unable to close my eyes. I was immediately taken to the emergency room and ER doctor diagnosed me with Bell's Palsy. I was devastated! The ER Doc referred me to a neurologist. I informed the neuro of TAH/BSO 6/29/00. Neuro conducted various tests (MRI was done at the time and showed no significant pathology in my brain -- thank God) and I was given a lot of meds (antibiotics, pain killer and vitamins). He said my blood was very thick and prescribed Ecotrin (aspirin therapy) to thin blood. Neuro also decreased my dose of Premarin to 0.625 mg. This was done out of concern that I might be at risk for developing clots. My Neuro's dx: secondary to severe stress. Neuro then referred me to an ENT specialist and was given additional meds (Prednisone 50 mg, Famvir 250 mg., etc.) The ENT specialist gave me an 80% chance to recover.

I was then referred to a very good ob-gyn. I went to see an OB-GYN on October 17, 2001. OB dr. was shocked when I gave him my history. OB was very skeptical about surgery. OB performed hormonal evaluation and TSH and estradiol and testosterone levels were measured. This evaluation revealed very low levels of estogren and low testosterone (October 24th). I was switched to a birth control pill (Alesse-28).

My health got worse and I suffered another nervous breakdown October 28, 2001. I sought the help of an endocrinologist (an attorney friend of mine referred me to this dr). Endocrinologist went ahead and retested my blood levels of stradiol and thyroid function. Endocrinologist's diagnosis: his impression is that I was not receiving adequate doses of estrogen post surgery. The dose of 1.25 mg of Premarin is the standard dose given to young pre-menopausal women after hysterectomy. In certain cases, such as mine, this dose of estrogen is still inadequate and such patients continue to have persistent hot flashes and severe mood disturbances which can potentially lead to severe anxiety and potentially a nervous breakdown as I experienced in March 2001 and October 2001. (Inadequate estogren replacement therapy).

I also went to see a psychiatrist to rule out wrong diagnosis. His dx re my mental status: "Simply put from a psychiatric standpoint, Claudia's mental state at the present time is clean. The endo is willing to describe the entire episodes to improper care after her ovaries were removed. They didn't monitor her replacement therapy and she got out of balance was given wrong diagnosis in March and October."

I went back to work January 2002. I have my good days and some bad. I recovered 90% from Bell's Palsy. I am presently taking Alesse and Sinequan 25 mg. I am once again experiencing hot flashes and chronic fatigue. I have not worked for the past three weeks. I am due back to work on the 15th of July -- I don't feel I can handle it -- the stress.... I need your advice and support. My family needs me. I do not want to experience another nervous breakdown. Please pray for us.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Lots of hugs,

Claudia
:confuse:

TAH/BSO: 6/29/00

Just an idea, but have you checked into the possibility of lyme disease? Bell's Palsy is a symptom as well as many of the others you have mentioned. Please if you have not done this, take the time to find a GOOD rheumotologist who really KNOWS lyme disease and check this possibility out. I have it and can relate first hand ....you'd be amazed what it can do to you. Hang in there please, and I believe you'll be o.k. Hugs to you...Tickles P.S. Any surgery , especially a hyst lowers the immune systems ability to fight, and lyme is an immune disease which tends to really flare when you are at your weakest.....please have hope...Love, Tickles

There are plenty of those ask for them anytime. I also went through the nerve thingy. I was put on prozac and it sent me into a deeper darker place. But I am now on Celexa and am doing fine. I also get anxiety attacks and panic attacks if my estrogen gets low. My DR checks each time I call and say they are back. They are usually mild but I don't want even mild ones. God Bless Claudia and my prayers are always with you.

Claudia:


I dont have personal experience with this so I dont have any advice for you. But I do want you to know we are here for you. I pray that God gives you strength & I wish you the best. Keep us updated on how you are doing

Susan

Claudia, my heart simply goes out to you.....'s!!

Have you considered raising the dose of your birth control pill? I am on Minestrin (I think it's called Loestrin in the US) and it seems to work pretty well for me, I was unable to tolerate other types of hrt so I have a small idea of what you went through when you weren't getting enough estrogen.....I thought I would go insane!! Just a thought, maybe if your GP or Gyn increased your dosage it would help? I would inquire , you never know!!

here's a few more 's please do call your doc and tell them how you're feeling and let us know how you make out!!!

((((Claudia))))) I am so very sorry for all that you've been through in the past two years

Sweetie, I do not have any personal experience of what you've been dealing with. Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone and that we'll be here for you, with plenty of s, whenever you need them.

Sisters,

Thank you so much for your support and advice. I really appreciate it. Lots of s to you all. I have a doctor's appointment this morning with ob-gyn. I will keep you posted.

Let's keep in touch,

Claudia

let us know how the appointment went......we've got our fingers crossed for ya!!

Claudia,
Sending you out some 's and : just to let you know I am thinking about you. You keep going to dr's until they get it right. In this day of modern medicine there has to be an answer; sometimes it takes persistance. You keep coming back here for support, someone always has a pot of on. Karlene

I am pre op, but wanted to share my experience. My dr put me on alesse to hopefully level out my hormones and regulate my periods. It was a nightmare. I do have pmd, but on the alesse my migraines worsened and by the end of the 4th month I had a total meltdown was literally suidical. If it wasn't for my faith and my terrific family I don't know what I would have done!!!

I didn't refill the alesse and went back to the dr who said no more bc pills! I am now having lavh/bso for endo and probable adeno. The horrible black cloud lifted as soon as I stopped the alesse and went back to "normal" pmd instead of psychotic!!

There are many solutions available. Premarin causes adverse reactions in some women as well. I really recommend searching through the hormone jungle. (For example estratest is good for those with low estrogen and testosterone.) The info on the various options is terrific!! You might also consider seeing an endocrinologist who specializes in hrt. The suggestions regarding a rheumotologist and lymes are also good ones.

Another help might be vitamins. I took b complex and evening primrose oil for years with good results.

Don't give up hope - there is an answer to all of this!!

Let us know how you are doing!

Our prayers are with you.