Hi Ladies,

I had a hyster 10 yrs ago because of fibroids and and just had a bilateral oophorectomy because I had a golf ball sized cyst which was benign on one ovary. I was in 'ovarian failure' before the surgery to remove the ovaries on Feb. 28 but now I am experiencing chills almost every day, and hot flashes mainly at night, insomnia and anxiety. Also fatigue, which is normal I guess, having just gone through abdominal surgery 2 weeks ago!

Have any of you gone through this surgery and had these symptoms - the chills, etc? I am not on HRT, but I do take VagiFem for vaginal dryness and Promensil OTC (red clover) which I'm not sure is helping.

What do we women do who have nothing left? Do we have to go on hormones? What alternatives did you find that worked?

Please help! My life is on hold until I get this figured out. My doc doesn't want to put me on anything for a month or so until everything settles......and I know he'll be pushing HRT's I am 54, BTW...

WHAT to do???!!!!!

Thank you,
Princess Di
Dianne

Hi Dianne,
I'm not dealing with surgical menopause, but my sister went through it and I know it can be rough. If your doctor is o.k. with you taking hormones, then I'd ask for them right away because sometimes they take a few weeks to work. Maybe if you let your doctor know you are really suffering, he/she will prescibe something. Have you checked out the hystersisters Web site? I haven't had a hysterectomy but I go to the Web site now and then because those people know alot about hormonal issues, as well as hysterectomy and oophorectomy.

Dianne,

I had one ovary removed in December due to a benign cyst and I can say that right after that, my hot flashes and night sweats got much worse. I had had them before the surgery, but nowhere nearly as bad as afterward. I still have one ovary. I wasn't able to sleep at night because I was contantly either sweating or freezing. I tried the Black Cohosh and soy, etc., but they didn't seem to help much. But I've been using ground flaxseed (I get the ground flaxseed meal and sprinkle 2 tablespoons on my yogurt each day) and I've also been taking Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin E. I take other supplements too, but these are the ones that are supposed to help hot flashes. SO FAR, I have seen an improvement in the flashes with these (of course, now I have other issues, but there always seems to be something in this wonderful time of life!). Maybe you can give the flaxseed a try and see if that helps. Hang in there

Hi Princess Di

I had a complete hyster 1 year ago. I was determined to not take any kind of hormones. After suffering from every symptom imaginable, and after 10 months, I had blood work done to see just what was going on, and where my hormone levels were. Both my estrogen and progesterone levels were depleted, while my testesterone was on the high side. My doctor suggested using Bio-identical hormones, and for me, they have been a life saver. I can function like a normal person again, on most days. I would suggest giving them a try. And BTW, I'm 57. Lots of Luck, Mary

I had both ovaries removed.. I was put on an estrogen patch right after surgery, and while I had a few hot flashes, they went away in a couple of days. If I go off of the patch, I'll have serious hot flashes, therefore, I remain on it!

Whether you go on HRT or not is up to you and your doctor. If you want to go on it, Vivelle Dot works well for me. The adhesive is less likely to cause an allergic reaction and it is what doctors consider to be "natural" hormones - while not bio-identical, they are not made from horse urine either..