His and Her Health

This seems like the place to get more information, the more ladies help me with this, the better off I will be. PLEASE HELP ME! I had the total hysterectomy with ovaries out almost 2 months ago. Everything is healing perfect from the waist down. Never in my life did I have this brain fog, memory loss, and concentration problems, along with extrememe anxiety. I will not accept this will be my quality of life forever, is this the case? I feel like a vegetable in my own body. EAting right, vitamins like crazy, light yoga, nothing is making this lift. Finally on Climarra .1 per week, that isnt giving me any problems, occasional migranes, hot flashes seem to be under control. I am becoming very desperate, all the gynos, eurogynos, neurologists are saying it will pass, why isnt it? I spoke to a therapist, she says the same thing! I am spinning dizzy, and my dreams are crazy, any insighy ladies, please help, I want to go back to work and live life.

<small>[ 03-05-2008, 09:14 AM: Message edited by: Moderator ]</small>

While waiting for some responses to your post you might check out this link .
http://www.redhotmamas.org/newsletters/newsletter_200711.htm

When I was expecting my first child I encountered that problem. Doctor told me not to worry it was a normal hormonal reaction and would clear after the birth. It didn't. The explanation then given was that I was breast feeding and it was a normal hormonal reaction. I stopped breast feeding at 14 months to restore my cycle as we wanted another baby. One month later I was expecting again so of course nothing improved in the brain department. When our second baby was finally weaned I have to say I did not notice any marked improvement although with time I suppose I was more able to cope but never returned to pre pregnancy sharpness. When many years later I had a hysterectomy my brain once again became like scrambled eggs. I have remained on estrogen replacement therapy for the last 17 years because without it I just can't function mentally. Thinking when my hormones level is low is like wading through jello instead of walking. I hope that knowing that you are not alone helps. I suggest you try different types of HRT or ERT to find the one which works for you but most importantly keep exercising your brain or it will only get worse. I took on a mentally challenging job which was (in the long term) a great help. Best of luck.

Brain fog ...I know that symptom all too well. I am 53 and used to be very, very sharp. I am on estrogen, prometrium and yestosterone.
There are days when I will shower twice because I "forgot " that I already did. I leave conditioner in my hair because I forget to rinse. I forget what month it is..or what season. I went grocery shopping, spent $200 and "forgot" that I had gone grocery shopping and left all the food in the trunk of my car for over 8 hrs. I have started cooking, "forgot" that I was cooking and when I smelled something burning, was shocked to find food cooking in my kitchen. I absolutely didnt remember cooking anything. Most days are so bad, I cannot function well enough to get showered and dressed for work. I've seen several DRs , including a nuerologist. They all seem unconcerned. They say its probably stress...and normal. They says there is no way to know if its early demensia or ALZ. Basically I am told to wait and see how bad it gets. I am losing my mind and my meories. Any thoughts ?

I remember forgetting where I left my children,the conditioner in the hair, oh it is all to familiar. The thing that worked for me was DHA. I choose the strawberry flavor from nordic naturals. It has made a world of difference in my motivation as well as memory.

Women have a double whammy at menopause - stress and menopause. Fluctuations in estrogen levels do play a part in why we experience memory loss at menopause. Dr. Barbara Sherwin, McGill University, CA conducted a study that showed women who were deprived of estrogen had difficulty with verbal recall. There is good news. Once women's dancing hormones level out, memory seems to improve. You should seek advice from your doctor about memory loss. Hope that you feel better soon. Good luck to you.

<small>[ 03-05-2008, 11:05 PM: Message edited by: Moderator ]</small>

Hello everyone. I am glad that other are making comments about the memory problems that we have experienced after a total hysterectomy. It is embarassing and the Doctor want to make you think its all in your mind. It has been two years and it has been very upsetting, especially since my work requires for me to be very ontop on things. I dont do any public speaking because I am afraid I will because myself because of frequent moments of Brain fog. I tried hormones therapy. I had none of this prior to the surgery. I was very sharp, I will not accept this. I feel like I am 100 years old. Not to mention the 40 pound weight gain. thyroid has been checked and these Doctors just upset me when they act like you are suppose to accept all of this. (Nothing they can do and will not put you on anything). I have tried vitamins (Fish oil, Cod Liver oil, vitamin e, Ginkoba for Brain Fog) It helps some but my cognitive function is not like it was before my total hysterectomy. For weight gain-Nothing works but I have been taking Pantothenic Acid (for Adrenal Function) Exercising and weight training regularly. Not able to obtain any muscle definition. I pray alot, and try to accept my new body and mind. I am wondering if I really needed this hysterectomy. I know I needed it but its upsetting the problems we face afterwards. We must help each other by supporting and writing our symptoms and concerns. It helps to know we are not the only ones. Sorry for the long post. Stay encouraged, one day we will get answer and a solution.

meljude ,I hope you have visited our companion website for help. Go to www.redhotmamas.org

Hello everyone-just proofed my last post and saw I had many typos. Heres the one after corrections. Just wanted to say I am glad others are making comments about their memory problems after their total hysterectomy. It is very embarassing and upsetting for me. Its like I know what I want to say but my brain is processing it too.... slow or not fast enough. It has been two years since I had my hysterectomy without much improvement in my focus or memory. My job requires for me to be very sharp and think on my toes. I dont do any public speaking anymore because I am afraid I will embarass myself with the bouts of Brain fog. I tried hormones therapy and decide that this was not helpful. I had none of this prior to my surgery which make me pin it on the hysterectomy. I was very sharp and I dont care what the Doctors say, I will not accept this. I feel like I am old lady in a 48 year old body. Not to mention the 40 pound weight gain. Thyroids have been checked and these Doctors just upset me when they act like you are suppose to accept all of this ugly fat. They say everything looks fine thyroid wise. I have tried vitamin: Fish oil, Cod Liver oil, vitamin E, Ginkoba for my Brain Foggness) It helps some but my cognitive function is not like it was before my total hysterectomy. For weight gain-Nothing really works but I have been taking Pantothenic Acid (for Adrenal Function) Exercising and weight training regularly. Not able to obtain any muscle definition. I pray alot, and try to accept my new body and mind. I am wondering if I really needed this surgery in the first place. I know I really needed it but its upsetting the problems I am facing afterwards. We must help each other by supporting one other and writing our symptoms and things we have tried (or things that have helped). It helps to know we are not the only ones suffering. Sorry for the long post. Stay encouraged, one day we will get answer and a solution.
Hope this is understandable-Please write back and share your concern after your hysterectomy-Thanks

Posters, for those who aren't aware you can edit your own posts by clicking the icon of paper/pencil above your post and edit from there.

Hello,
I am a new member, I too am having a very difficult time with menopause. I also take my b complex vitamins, a,c,d,e omega 3,6,9 calicum, mag/zin and exerise 5 times a week lost 20 pound, eat right and look great for a 52 year old however, I have hotflashs, nightsweats, vaginal dyness, memory fog, get very emotional, no libdo and etc. I am on bi-identical hormone therapy. so far no help. in fact the estrogen made my migraines worst so the doctor cut back on it. Said my choice was to have more migraines or to live with hotflashes. So now we are just focus on helping me with my memory well being. she gave vagifem for the vaginal dyness and it is better. Before going this doctor. I tried three doctors and a Nutritionist I also tried over the counter herbs, black cohash, soy, gingko, progrestrone cream and estrogen cream all which did nothing. Can anyone offer any help or support Thanks

acure4me, I would also invite you to go to this link for more information. WWW.redhotmamas.org

Dear new member,
Your history is very complex so what do you take currently as hormones? And, with the hormones you are taking, do you still have migraines? Also, do you still have your uterus intact? By the way, we are conducting a free webinar which will discuss bioidentical hormone therapy and the information we are providing may be of real benefit to you. It's free and all you have to do is register on our website www.redhotmamas.org. Dr. Vliet and I will be hosting this webinar on August 4th, 9pm EST; 8pm CT; 7pm MT;6pm PT. Hope you will join us then.

Hello eveyone,
Just wanted to give you an update since my last post in June. I have found something that is working for me. I have broke down the areas that I feel have affected my life after my total hysterectomy and bascially doing a trial and error on balancing my hormones thru the use of vitamins and natural hormones. (Since I did not have them anymore)I am starting out with the following areas of concern for most of us who are menopause or who have had a hysterctomy.
Weight gain, Memory loss, Hot Flushes, Support Group support.Improvement in memory this month-July 2009 THANK GOD I am finally starting to feel like my old self.
Memory Recipe that is working me:

1. Pregnenolone-sublingual tablet
Suppose to enhance memory, cognitive function, allows faster accurate thought process, improves mood. No side effects noted. This unforgotten steroid ?? (some say it not a hormone) is a precursor to other hormones in our body. It decreases with age. (notice improvement immediately). Please read the section heading neurosteroid at the link below.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pregnenolone

2. Natural Progesterone Cream-
Improves memory, Reverses Estrogen Dominance problems which may cause memory loss. I did not realize that our bodies continue to make very small amounts of estrogen in fat tissue after menopause and total hysterectomy.

tsangenterprise.com/news28.htm

Progesterone cream will help the estrogen work better. Give it at least 3-4 days and do not use the Yams-must be Natural Progesterone Cream

3. Vitamin D and Calcium
Miracle Vitamin according to Loyola University Study who revealed it protects against age related dementias
4.Niacinamide (free flush only)
Memory Enhancer

5.Cod liver Oil-Vitamin E-Fish Oil B vitamins-improves memory

webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20071226/fish-oil-prevents-alzheimers-plaques
sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080415194438.htm


Sorry my post is long. I know some of the vitamine's overlap one another so i plan to eliminate the ones that do not work as well.
Goal is to limit it down to taking only two.

For Aug 2009-I am working on Weight Loss since I gain 40 pound since my total hysterectomy.

<small>[ 08-01-2009, 07:32 PM: Message edited by: Moderator ]</small>

How does one function in their jobs when they are having Memory Loss, Brain Fog, Concentration Problems? In the 13 yrs I been at my current job I never got a bad review but since I've been going through menopause and hyperthoid problem I am getting bad reviews. I am taking medicine for the depression but what can I do for brain fog and lack on concentration? It took me awhile to take the medicine for depression but these feelings are so new and a little scary.