Fluoxetine dose for menopause, Im post hysterectomy (surgical menoP)

[HellyLlewelly]

Hi ladies can anyone share their experience of being on Fluoxetine for menopause management.

I am on 20mg and its not covering me for low mood.

Really struggling today I feel horrendous. Stsrtoday ted them on the 19th.

Thank you.

Helly.

[PsychickGallery]

Dear HellyLlewelly

I can't understand why you have been given an anti depressant for your menopausal symptoms.

Surely some HRT would be better for you?

I was given this awful stuff a few years ago when my husband was dying. I told the doc I was not depressed just had anxiety but she insisted I try them. By the 9th day I suicidal. I had suicidal thoughts from the minute I started taking them. They are apparently known to cause this side effect. So why do docs keep prescribing them?

I'm sorry you are feeling so bad..please go back to your doctor and get something else but not anti depressants.

[HellyLlewelly in reply to PsychickGallery]

Thank you so much for your response...

PsychickGallery

I can see why you felt this way, Im very very sorry to hear about your husband, my deepest sympathies to you.

I hit that day on Wednesday it was horrific. I know this happens when the tablets are entering your system. I was previously on Duloxetine which only covered my anxiety not this depression Ive bern struck with. Im actually doing much better since the end of the week.

Im on hrt patches also though I need an antidepressant for my low mood.

I also just found that I have an underactive thyroid so that can cause depression which I had slumped into.

I have felt so much better since the end of the week. We got a real Christmas Tree and put it up this morning ok so its not decorated yet but it helped the feel good feelungs flow and my husband and child are now in the spirit of things.

Thank you.

Helly.

[RachaelE]

Hi Helly

Antidepressants are not the first line treatment for menopausal low mood, because it’s not caused by the same mechanism as clinical depression. Maybe you just need a higher dose of HRT? Whatever you’re taking, however, it always takes a while to notice an effect.

Hope things improve soon.

Rachael xx

[HellyLlewelly in reply to RachaelE]

Hi Rachael how are you keeping? - its great to see you again!

Rachael I believe my underactive thyroid diagnosis is probably to blame for my low mood as I have been on levels of HRT that are more than anyone else Ive heard of yet Ive never yet felt that "feel good" boost everyone is saying you eventually feel.

Im on 2 x 50 Evorel Conti combined patch with the Fluoxetine and Im on Pregabalin for pain, came down from 3 x patches for fear of feeding my Endometriosis 😫

My Mum and sister have both had hashimotos (underactive thyroid disease) and Im the same age as when my sister took it. I have shown up well under range T4 so in a month if Im still low I will be put on Thyroxine.

I had increaded my Fluoxetine on the Wednesday to 40mg and spoke with mt Dr at once who said its quite a normal treatment dose at 40mg so he re-prescribed me 40's.

I feel much better (my head is my own again after feeling so out of sync with my thoughts) now and know its helping me punch through my days.

Underactive thyroid brings with it many similar symptoms as endometriosis like the chronic fatigue and depression so I guess in the past 9 months since the big Op, Ive been dealt a bit of a raw hand.

My sister has a very taxing corporate job and I dont get to speak to her much but she said her underactive thyroid had her feeling the same way...Mum was in 1979 and can still remember the depression, tiredness and weight gain.

Its only been recently that Ive commented that my nail clipper is working overtime cutting my nails that are like paper! I cant get any length to them at all!

Im semi hopeful that I may have found an answer as to why Ive been struggling so much since my hysterectomy.

I have to have my bloods done again in 1 month to confirm underactive thyroid and supplement with thyroxine.

Im up amd down for example Saturday I aeoke feeling well rested, did quite a bit in the house with hubby and son in preparation for Christnas, by Sunday I woke feeling like a MAC truck has hit me and Im woozyish and unsteady on my feet all day with a temple pulsing type headache.

I have bathed my son today and rested and then bathed myself and Ive lay down afterwards and cannot get the strength to get make up or hair done.

Im sick of looking at this tired sick entity staring at me in the mirror.

Im barely anle to be in the kitchen ling enough to "heat" meals not cook as I would have done pre hysterectomy. Its been a shit existence of minimal effort and I feel like a failure I suppose....

At one point (before the thyroid was a factor) I really considered that Id done the wrong thing thinking the hysterectomy has wiped me of more than my ovarian hormones, that Id stripped myself of precious get up and go hormones (possibly testosterone) like androgens that were good for me to function?

Its been a terrible way to feel to be going back on whether this was the right decision for me.

Lots of it I suppose is self pressure and failed expectations.

Now there is a thyroid element (pray to God please holy Jesus) let this be something "fixable" that I can begin to start building an energy source for myself.

Ive been told that my feelings are exacerbated by the low thyroid and to try and chill, put the low thoughts to the side and tell myself its a process, I know why Im feeling like this and Im in the process of getting help.

I might be one of the women who slide into the bracket of not being sure that hysterectomy is 100% the answer - due to me having bowel endometriosis, a returning of symptoms and a general feeling of the heath service not correctly diagnosing me eith endometriosis as a life long condition regardless of hysterectomy.

Rachael you can see after all of this why my head is not in tje best of places atm. Its been an awful awful lot to manage.im seeing my surgeon on December 21st to discuss moving forward with the endometriosis.

I may book another laparoscopy to investigate and excise as needed.

Thanks so much for your input as per usual

Helly xx

[RachaelE in reply to HellyLlewelly]

Oh, bless you, you’ve got a lot going on. No wonder you’re exhausted and feeling low. I felt like I’d made a mistake having my hysterectomy because of the complications I suffered that needed 2 further ops, but I’m glad now. I was on the same dose of HRT as you’re on, before my surgery, but now on 75s, oestrogen only. Feel so much better these days, but it’s been 3 years now and it’s only been the last 12 months that I’ve really felt well. Don’t need to bother the doctor so much these days. Hang on in there. You’ve had massive surgery and your body needs all your energy to heal. Take care. Xx

[HellyLlewelly in reply to RachaelE]

Thanks so much Rachel

I appreciate your words.

I am hoping this thyroid scenario has been my silver bullet and I can try to heal from this.

Ive been bothering the ladies over on Thyroid support site they have given great advice too.

I think us hysterectomy ladies all go through a dose of thinking we did the wrong thing.

Well regardless I couldn't take the bleeds nor the pain anymore.

I have to remember that.

Truly a slave to my menses.

Thats gone thank God!

Take care!

Helly.

[HellyLlewelly in reply to RachaelE]

Rachael,

Thought I would send you a reply to fill you in....

Post Hysterectomy my private surgeon saw me on 3 after appointments, not 1 x internal, turns out I flew to Liverpool and saw a Specialist who said I had vaginal vault granulation (painful at that) - sound familliar 🤕Ive had painful intercourse as a symptom and another ongoing issue was that my bowel never settled it worsened.

I have been doing lots of research and had no choice than to come across to Nook list Specialist Endometriosis Surgeon, hes going to excise my vault (check & rebuild) and in particular look at my bowel and gall bladder for Endometriosis adhesions etc, aswell as a full MOT of what's left in there.

Im well & truly exhausted. Ive had

20 months now with worsening symptoms and Im in a wheelchair.

Surgery November 5th.

Spire Wirral With Dr David Rowlands.

How are you x

Helly.

[RachaelE in reply to HellyLlewelly]

hi Helly

Gosh, you must be exhausted. You poor thing. Yes, granulation is the same as one of my complications, adhesions being the other. You should feel better once that’s sorted and hopefully your other problems will get sorted too. Sounds like you’ve found a good consultant to help you.

I’m ok, thank you for asking. Feel a bit flat and no energy so I’m seeing a menopause consultant in January to talk about testosterone. Also got issues with vaginal atrophy so I’m going to ask my GP to increase my dose of vagifem. Just ticking along, I guess. Not quite perfect but better than I was.

Good luck. Hope you get some relief from your pain soon XX

[HellyLlewelly in reply to RachaelE]

Rachael

Im in your department of vagina issues, Im sure I have atrophy too and Ive been sloppy with my upkeep of using vagifem, too busy for my own vagina it seems!

Im 100% sure my surgery (this Tuesday) is going to reveal adhesions. My bowel in particular.

Ive did my research this time and Ive pre asked lots of questions like excision only no ablation.

Surgeon insists good surgery technique will give best outcome for stopping the reformation of adhesions. I was looking into Serapeptase and he said he presented a paper on it and unfortunately too many side effects involved for most women.

I trust this guy hes 100% onto the most up to date Endometriosis care.

Im going with Dr David Rowlands , privately at Spire Murrayfield Hospital, Wirral.

Im currently staying with relatives pre surgery.

Im getting a really good rest from looking after my son.

I was exhausted and threadbare.

I am in a wheelchair now for mobility needs longer than few minutes on foot & moving small distances.

Have had my pre Op done yesterday. The unfortunate thing is the outlay again, £6218 and I just hope its worth it this time around.

Im in a worse state than pre hysterectomy.

Id love to hear of us all having happy endings.

Racheal the patches & gell wernt good for me. Im on Tibolone hrt its the best so far. It has androgens too and progesterone and I definitely feel better on it.

Surgeon is doing a thorough check of my vaginal vault as Im having excrutiatingly painful intercourse and a feeling my bridging portion between ie the septum is wiggling around to almost popping out. Vulva feels like cut glass is on it.

Just hoping 2020 is a healing year for us all.

Best Wishes

Helly. Xx

[RachaelE in reply to HellyLlewelly]

Oh Helly, what a time you’re having. I’m so sorry and truly hope your next surgery is successful and 2020 brings new beginnings.

If I were to say one thing, you must look after your vagina. Keep up with the vagifem religiously, and I would recommend YES oil based lube and water based vaginal moisturiser. Their products are second to none and their water based lube and moisturiser are available on prescription. I use their oil based twice a day to moisturise my labia and prevent chafing and for sex, and their vaginal moisturiser (called YES VM) two or three times a week to keep the vaginal walls moist. I get VM on prescription. Google YES lubes and check out their website for prescription information.

Take care darling

Rachael. Xx

[HellyLlewelly in reply to RachaelE]

Rachael

Short summary of operation -

Short Summary though 🤤🤢

Just what hes said so far post Op to us

Told hubby sepatately too...

Laparoscopy

3 incision points

4 key areas of pain identified

2 spots of Endometriosis excised (recto sigmoid colon)

Bowel adhered to Vagina

Lots of adhesylosis done down right abdominal side

1 x large OVARY REMNANT adhered to abdomen & bowel

Ovarian Remnant nodular mass ^

size of 50p piece?

Duct remnant (more clarification needed from pathology)

Vaginal vault polyp excised again 50p piece removed

Vaginal refreshen surgery (surgically looked over) but looked good after polyp excised & resewn.

Granulated tissue excised

Bladder & apendix & kidneys etc looking good!

Needless to say Im vindicated. Totally delighted that Surgeon found so much ongoing.

Cant sleep the swelling v v bad but over all Im delighted.

Awwww Racheal why us pet.

This is bloody crazy!

Xxx

Helly

[RachaelE in reply to HellyLlewelly]

Take care honey. Get some rest xx

[3orangecats]

Fluoxetine was a horrible drug for me. Flat mood weight gain headache. I’m on citalopram 20 mg now with no side effects. U have to ask to wein off one onto the other. Best to get advice from an experienced pharmacist

[Bunzez68]

Hi HellyLlewelly

I was given Fluoxetine for the menopause about 2 months ago and I can honestly say it has helped me tremendously. I had terrible trouble sleeping, suffering with hot flushes and mood swings. All of these symptoms are so much better. I rarely notice hot flushes these days, I sleep for 7 or 8 hours every night and I am definitely less anxious than I was. My mood is better too, no more feeling blue and crying. My hubby says he is happier too!

I hope you stuck with them and I wish you lots of luck xx

[HellyLlewelly]

I did stick with them. Im on 40mg its definately working very well, Ive been on it for must be coming close to a year or more!

Was on 60mg yet felt no different. Back on 40mg and its great for mood and sweats!

Thank you

X