Anxiety and tearful

Thats true I had eight weeks off

Thanks for this Karen, are you on HRT? Symptoms kicking in big time, I have now started something called Menopause FX helping it will help. 

Jo 

Hi Caroline 

I've decided to take holiday at the end of my sickness so will be off for 8 weeks but will take longer if needed! I work in the nhs so not a good place at the moment to be 

thanks Jo 

Thats good idea I too work in NHS do a lot of moving about so needed the time off

Thanks Caroline! So you know what it's like too! Lol X

Hi

yes, started on oestrogen only (eleeste solo 2mg).  Surgical menopause kicked in fully about 6 weeks post op.  Didn't take anything initially as wanted to see if I could manage due to family history.

Didnt want to take it as breast, cervical and ovarian cancer big risk in family..mother, grandmother..they found cervical growths but were benign for me, thank God, as well as severe adenomyosis and badly inflamed cervicitis, so everything removed and sorted all the fused organs.

Also had to undergo breast checks and mammagrams as experienced breast changes and doc wasnt sure if 'hormonal' or cancer related.  (I previously reacted badly to hormone treatment pre-hysterectomy, but am severely allergic to many medications so risk always there.)

Unfortunately been referred back due to severe pain left hand side (poss lesions again).  The wheels turn ever slowly and my appointment is t until mid April!.  

My go had dragged her heels initially, wanting to try all sorts of treatment and saying the hospital wouldnt do anything different..when I did eventually see them, they booked me for surgery same day, pre-opped same day...all due to cancer scare..looks lime they decided coz growths benign there is no hurry to review me now!

In the end I decided to take hrt because of the hot flashes and night sweats Got unbearable, then joint pains got really bad and I already have some joint issues, and then I was crying at everything!  

Hot flashes initially manageable, just 'warming sensation' - carried a hand held fan with me everywhere, turned into 'rolling' super hot sessions that just overtook my body, one after another...soaking me, having to change constantly.  Took to sleeping on towels on top of sheets, with another towel over my pillow, and bought a ton of nighties so had plenty of changes..  

Am 17 weeks post op.  Glad I had the op.  Having a constant period for nearly 2 years and all the pain and mess that entailed is now over!

took me weeks to stop looking/expecting to be still bleeding was such a part of my life, and the family's because it was such a nightmare at times..

and definitely dont miss propping up the supermarkets 'ladies aisle' too...saving a fortune

apologies for all the typos..hope it still makes sense.

Me too glad had mine done too as bleeding erratically on hrt feeling alot better

Yes, have to say, despite the pain in my side, feel so much better in my self now.

it is a marathon recovery, not a sprint, as everyone says.

for some it is easier than others, so dont judge yourselves too harshly ladies if you are not conforming to the supposed ideal of '6 weeks'....that is Not the standard recovery by any means, but just the initial surgical approximation of that part of the recovery process.  It can take 6 months to reach 80% of full health, and then the rest of the year to get to 100%, for a 'straightforward' hysterectomy.  

I had all sorts of issues initially...impaction, 3 uti's then an extremely awful burning/chaffing sensation in my vaginal area.....was given internal hrt to help with that, it did, till suddenly started reacting badly to that...aarghh...that has definitely improved though..

definitely taken an upward turn at last despite said pain..

best wishes to you caroline and jo, and to all you recovering/ladies in waiting.  

*(Improved without further internal hrt, the allergic reaction put paid to that particular usage), still taking the oral elleste tho. 

Yes that's true still trying to recover even after 5 months you still get twinges and aches

Thanks for this Karen, this has given me real insight to what is happening at the moment! One thing you mentioned was about your joints I hadn't really linked the two together but since my surgery my knee has been terrible I can hardly walk at times! I'm currently taking something called menopause fx which is a herbal agent if this doesn't work I'm off to beg my GP for some HRT 

Take care 

Jo 

it's not easy being a woman! 

Take care 

jo 

Yes, defnitely helped with the joint pain.

read in a few places that there are some antidepressants that can actually help with hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, so also worth asking about... There seems to be so much stigma around taking antidrepessants, but if it can help control menopause symptoms don't see why shouldn't be used if other types medication cant be utilised.

x 

Hi Karen

Thanks for this Im actually going to give my new tablets another week and if no joy I think Im going to see about escitalopram, for the anxiety and flushes. 

Thanks again ]Jo