Hi to all you wonderful courageous women, yes I have decided that is what we all are, now that embarrassing part of my thoughts system is out in the open I have a question regarding the above symptoms.
I am now about 13 weeks post operative, my medical type history is that I started my periods at 12 years old had a terrible time heavy irregular periods with fainting episodes then advancing onto my twenties I had pre-cancerous cells of the cervix so that was delt with then I was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries also in my twenties, advancing into my thirties we were having issues getting pregnant so needed assistance and had several miscarriages but ended up with a beautiful daughter, advancing into my forties and fifties I had always asked my GP's to check if I was going through the dreaded menopause as I was never sure due to Polycystic ovaries and irregular heavy bleeding with clots but more so when in my late forties or nearer my fifties I had a series of miner Hemorrhages (really heavy large clot bleeding without warning) anyway the GP's never done the job although my family history suggested early menopause within the family, I never had any night sweats or hot flushes and everything else that came along with the menopause but since my operation I have had
Night sweats I am absolutely soaked in the morning, fortunately not every night thank god but at one point I thought perhaps I have an infection on the boil somewhere that is not fully coming to the boil ??? another issue is feeling warm sometimes during the day (remember I live in Scotland so not much sunny days compared to South of the border) difficulty sleeping sometimes I can't sleep at all or I can sleep nearly a full 24hrs, my mood is up and down like a bloody jack in the box and at times I feel anxious but I don't know why my main worrie is regarding my recent problem with memory and concentration at the moment I just can't seem to hold onto something I have been told say a couple days before or getting the bloody days mixed up. ( Some of you ladies no I am a retired Mental Health Nurse and perhaps you guess what I am worried about).
Does anyone think due to my large doses of progesterone 5 tablets 3 times a day and the progesterone coil in I am having menopausal type symptoms because I was taken off the progesterone the next day after my operation, I have reframed from doctor Google but also do not want to contact the GP Surgery over such a little matter, any ideas are welcome as usual and always invaluable to me. Take care Williamina xx
Hi Wilma
I would suggest making an appointment with your GP to go through all the things that you are concerned about. Maybe make a list so nothing is missed.
I know that you have mentioned before about the health issues you have had that led up to the hysterectomy 13 weeks ago and remember that you had an unusually rough time of it for the surgery.
A hysterectomy with removal of ovaries will send your body straight into a surgical menopause. So for you the additional drop in progesterone ( where you had an artificially high dose to treat the cancer) and then the sudden drop in any oestrogen as well- it is no wonder that us ladies can feel the menopausal symptoms you are mentioning.
I remember being really pleased for you that you did not have to have any follow up chemotherapy or radiotherapy as many women do. For me personally any menopausal type symptoms were pretty much at the bottom of the list after chemo and radiotherapy. I do still feel I have some of the signs you are having though. But because you were able to avoid these treatments, then it would suggest that it is probably the sudden drop in hormones rather than anything more serious. Whereas for me, it is hard sometimes to work out what caused what!
I feel a check up at your GP to discuss these menopausal symptoms would be the best bet. The night sweats, mood changes, sleeplessness and fogginess do sound like the normal menopause symptoms that most ladies do get to some degree. However these symptoms can be debilitating for some ladies and definitely worth talking through with your GP. He/she maybe able to suggest some form of non hormonal treatment that may help you while you recover from the surgery. I know that for most ladies HRT is not advised as it is potentially putting hormones back in the body that could feed a new cancer, but I have heard of other people being offered SSRI's and other treatments that may help. From what I remember you had a low grade, low stage cancer so I do not know if this makes a difference.
So my advice is to get checked, you are not making a fuss over nothing and anything that helps you recover and put the cancer behind you is a good plan.
My cancer was 2022 and then I had chemotherapy May- Aug and then 25 sessions of external beam radiotherapy that finished the end of Sept 2022. I am still having check ups and examinations every 12 weeks. I wonder if you are on regular check ups ? as this is also something that they would be able to advice you on.
This link may help.
Surgical menopause | Royal Free London
Hope this helps and I hope your symptoms settle. In the meantime if there is anything you need, then you know where we are.
Jane
