Menopause Support Group
Menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles associated with advancing age. It normally occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, when the body begins to slow and stop the production of eggs, estrogen and progesterone production decreases, and menstruation diminishes, eventually stopping altogether.
Hi all~
I was wondering if it's "normal" for a 55-yr. old woman to still suffer from insane hot flashes throughout the day (and night) 8 years after a total hysterectomy??
I had a surgically induced hysterectomy in 2005, so I went into menopause 6 months after the operation. I figured, OK~I can handle it...they won't last forever, right? Wrong!
Tried estrogen patches of various forms, but nothing is helping. I feel as if I'm stuck in Menopause Land! ;) Mood swings, weight gain,depression (on antidepressants--no big help), OTC meds--what's wrong with me?
I haven't been to the gyno in a couple years (I know~my bad!) but I'm at the end of my rope. Any suggestions, ladies? Has anyone else suffered from post-hysterectomy menopause symptoms for so long?
Mary in Mich
I was wondering if it's "normal" for a 55-yr. old woman to still suffer from insane hot flashes throughout the day (and night) 8 years after a total hysterectomy??
I had a surgically induced hysterectomy in 2005, so I went into menopause 6 months after the operation. I figured, OK~I can handle it...they won't last forever, right? Wrong!
Tried estrogen patches of various forms, but nothing is helping. I feel as if I'm stuck in Menopause Land! ;) Mood swings, weight gain,depression (on antidepressants--no big help), OTC meds--what's wrong with me?
I haven't been to the gyno in a couple years (I know~my bad!) but I'm at the end of my rope. Any suggestions, ladies? Has anyone else suffered from post-hysterectomy menopause symptoms for so long?
Mary in Mich
I am also in surgical menopause (over 7 years) and, yes, it's been a hellish ride. But the right form and dose of estrogen can make a world of difference. I quickly became so depressed I was suicidal which was very out of character for me. Once I got enough estrogen in me and was able to maintain the level, the depression lifted and all my other symptoms also improved.
It sounds like the patch is not a good form of estrogen for you or you needed a higher dose. The highest dose V-Dot patch did not work for me either. I did not try Climara. There are plenty of other options out there - gels, pills, vaginal rings. So see your doctor and try some of these other options. It doesn't have to be an ob/gyn (especially since you probably don't need gyn exams any more).
The doctor told me that 15% of women go through "severe hot flashes." When they stop, nobody knows.
I know women in their 70's and 80's that STILL get hot flashes although they do taper off.
I have been on tons of hormones and been to 3 or 4 hormone specialists and haven't had much luck. Even traveled to NYC to see a specialist and all she gave me was Premarin. I could have gotten that from any gyno.
For me right now, Vivelle Dot is the only thing that has made the least bit of difference. By now you're saying "it's a patch.: However, I failed Climara and mylan patches, Combipatch. Vivelle dot has a different delivery system and for me, it is no miracle cure but has made a difference to a certain degree.
I still have bad days and then I have days where I have no hot flashes or night sweats at all. So if you haven't tried Vivelle Dot, I would strongly suggest that.
Hot flashes can go on for a very, very long time. I have a special health problem with an endocrine tumor in my brain that depletes my body of estrogen so my estrogen levels have been 0 at times. Talk about "burning up." And I also have Graves' disease (over active thyroid disease) and when it's active, I am very, very warm!
I know that I must find a reputable gyno first, and will definitely make that appointment. It's maddening, isn't it, when women have been going through menopause since the beginning of TIME and we STILL have to search for relief from these symptoms?!?
Best of luck to you both~!
Mary in Mich
Night sweats have been going on for the whole past 9 yrs (with only a month or two break this summer).
Hot flashes had just started a couple of months ago... but with the hot flashes it swings with chills, like my body is fighting a cold.
Just saying that your not alone and I wish that I knew myself when this 'trip' is going to end :(