His and Her Health

I had a total hysterectomy a few weeks back and was concerned about instant menopause. I have not had any symptoms of this! The only thing I have noticed is short-term memory loss. My mom thinks this is from the surgery. I am going through a divorce right now, so I do have stress in my life. I am on low-dose paxil so maybe that is helping me. Thank you to all that answered my questions before surgery. Danette

I also had a total hysterectomy but many years ago. I was in my late 40s, I did have some hot flushes(flashes)but mostly I was just tired for a month. Gave myself permission to rest a lot and pampered myself. Don't worry about the memory loss, that will straighted its self out.
Best wishes in your recovery from the surgery and the divorce.

<small>[ 09-30-2007, 05:29 PM: Message edited by: Moderator ]</small>

I had this complete surgery at age 47. It is a shock to your system. I could not work for 6 weeks. I cannot recall any hot flashes but doctors really did not talk much about anything then. No preparation nor no help afterwards. Just premarin. This was 23 years ago and all I remember was feeling like they took everything out of me and moved it around.. I recall the hurt. Do not be concerned if you have some pinched nerves in your legs and other things. In time they will go away .I could not vacuum or do anything heavy for 3 months.. Paxil could cause the memory loss but again, take it easy. Don't look for trouble. Just relax and be what you used to be. Your biggest problem is dealing with the healing inside and your new body adjusting and mending. You will do great. Take care, Caroline

Thank you Ruby and Caroline. Yes I have to remember to take it slow. Us women are not wired for that. I keep thinking why is it taking so long to get back to normal. I had hernia surgery last year and it did not take that long to get back in shape and health. Thanks again. Danette

After my oophorectomy (hysterectomy with removal of my ovaries) in 1991, I was thorougly convinced my ovaries had been attached to my brain, as suddenly I was having trouble remembering things, my keys, names, etc. Lack of sleep and the stress of the surgery really created a lot of my fog brain. I found ET to be extremely helpful for me and it cleared up this problem once my hormones were balanced again. I also began to think more clearly and even remember more things that before I went into menopause. Key is for you to stay positive, and allow yourself time to heal. Once that is done you should feel better and even have a lot more energy. And, I also suggest you always keep in touch with your doctor and discuss all your concerns with yout doctor. Hope you are feeling better soon.

I wish someone can help me, I am in huge distress over this. I was sharp as a tack, ran a business, and was more mentally alert than the next person, truely. 7 weeks after surgery, I have healed from the waist down beautifully, but the memory loss, concentration, and brain fog is horrible, I cant work, at all. I am having difficulties making it day to day. Never had any problems with anxiety till now. I am eating right, taking the correct supplements, and now I am on Climara, .1 patch. Just the fact that I cant function in the workplace has brought me to tears. When will this end, or will I face this quality of life forever?

Hopefully the above posts will help. Each person recovers at their own pace, but as you can see they do recover. There is no way to predict how long it will take you to become yourself again. You might want to talk to your doctor more about your problem.

I'm sorry you're feeling so poorly. Surgery can be really stressful and quite often, women can shoot right into full-blown menopause without any warning signs whatsoever... No wonder you're experiencing anxiety!!

Cognitive changes are part of the menopause package for a lot of women. Fluctuating hormones can result in some really frustrating psychological changes.

I think once your hormones level out, everything will improve. I think you're taking the right steps, you just need to give it time- 7 weeks is not very long. Be patient, try to stay positive. Get plenty of exercise and eat healthy.

Have you talked to your doctor about these problems? Do they have any advice?

Have you just tried to relax?? Massage therapy, yoga, that kind of thing?

Can you attend a Red Hot Mamas program? Social support can really help and I know they give very informative information on this very topic. To find a program near you, go to: http://www.redhotmamas.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=102

Also, here are some articles that may help you from the Red Hot Mamas site:
Mentalpause- Mental and Emotional Issues Associated with Menopause: http://www.redhotmamas.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=124

Stress at Menopause:
http://www.redhotmamas.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=161

Also, there are a number of articles in the Menopause Minute Newsletter that may be helpful. Try browsing through some of the topics:
http://www.redhotmamas.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=112

Hang in there!

Hi RJG, there is nothing remotely close to me to attend meetings. I cant seem to find anyone in this area to help me cope with my situation. I live South Jersey, and there isnt even a menopause therapist to help me talk this through. I just need to hear encouragement and to believe this will pass. In my opinion, it has become worse, I honestly am loosing judgement on what day it is, or what year. I wont just lay down and take this, I need to really know if this will get better. I would have gladly taken all the pain and discomfort back, just to have my mind and its clarity back again. The last doctor told me she didnt know if I ever will get better, mind clarity and brain fog speaking.

Hi endowomen, I was like you, thinking I was going crazy because I seemed to be in a fog and had so much stress in my life after surgery, but the fog left, don't remember when(no pun intended) but it did go away. I am not on any hormornes, just paxil and a xanax here and there. I got my memory back and am so glad that I had a total hysterectomy. Wishing the best to you. Dane61

To endowomen: Being told to relax when you are losing your brain is not helpful. I've been there. You entered menopause abruptly when you had the surgery, and that is very hard on the body and brain. Essentially, your brain is telling you that it isn't happy about being deprived of estradiol and testosterone. The brain is a hormone sponge, and without the right hormones in the right balance, it has problems. This reaction is probably genetic. Just as some women never have a problem in menopause, some women are not be mentally affected by a hysterectomy. That's not me, though.
At this point, you need simple advice. Put on an extra patch. Doctors seem to believe that one is enough for everyone, but different women need different amounts! News bulletin-we all have different needs-if only doc would listen! If the extra patch makes you feel better, then the extra estradiol was probably the issue.
Also, you will need testosterone as well. Testosterone has important effects on your brain, mood, energy, sex drive, and it is breast protective as well.
You need to have your blood taken to determine if you are absorbing the Climara patch. Some women don't. Some women only do well on Vivelle or the Vivelle dot. You may find that combining Estrogel with a patch works well, also.
And don't believe the box-patches need to be changed every 3-4 days for most women. Try changing them on set days, like Wed and Sat to help remember. Also, the patch takes a full 24 hours to fully activate, so always leave the old one on until the new one has been on for 24 hours. If you have problems getting them to stick, put them on a clean dry place on the hip or abdomen, and then blow the blow dryer on a low heat setting for 30 seconds or so, and then press down with your hands. I call this the "shrink-wrap" method. Go check out any book by Elizabeth Lee Vliet, MD, for all the reasons why your brain needs estradiol. You don't have to suffer!

I forgot to add: listen to the free internet radio show at blogtalkradio.com/drvliet for a series of shows about the effects of hormones on the mood, memory, sex drive, the brain, weight issues, and many other health issues. This is sound medical information, without any sales pitches. Please listen and find out your options!

<small>[ 01-23-2008, 10:46 AM: Message edited by: Moderator ]</small>

Relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation have actually been proven to be very effective in calming the mind and brain. While I think the hormone solution is the right choice for many women, I also think there's nothing wrong with looking at alternative options. I know many women who use acupuncture as a solution to this type of issue. Many experience instant relief and swear by it!

I think you have a good point though with the patch- many women do not realize this is an easy solution or even an option at all. You don't even have to remember to take a pill! But I would make sure your doc knows you're thinking about putting on an extra patch. You have to be careful how and/or when you use higher doses of HT.