Surgical menopause - how long it lasts without HRT? and sur meno related insomnia - any tips? Am going slowly bonkers from lack of sleep...

[dundeegirl]

Since my op last August I've been in surgical menopause (with a couple of 'holidays' due to HRT as part of IVF treatment). My tumours were oestrogen receptive so I can't have any HRT normally long-term, nor oestrogen creams, nor lots of phyto-oestrogens. I'm really struggling at the moment with insomnia and mood swings which I reckon are most likely to do with the surgical menopause (since I also have worsening hot flushes, fatigue, etc etc). I can't find any info on the Net about how long a surgical menopause actually lasts and at the moment I'm feeling really low wondering if I'm going to have insomnia for years! I can cope with most of the other stuff but the lack of sleep is somehow really getting to me. We don't have a menopause specialist where I live, and I just wondered if anyone had had info from their doctors or nurses about how long sur meno lasts. Any insomnia beating tips would also be fantastic!!

[Hidden]

Hi Catherine,

"They" say it lasts 2 years, but I'm still experiencing some of it after 2.5! I thing it's a 'how long is a piece of string?' question.

I have to say again: the 'ladycare magnet' has made my nights so much better. I react v badly to heat, anyway, and what with that, summer, and the hot flushes, I was going crazy. The magnet has made things at least 75% better, especially at night.

Isadora.

[dundeegirl]

Thanks Isadora, its helpful to have some kind of timescale even if its very approximate!I have my ladycare ready but need to check with my onc she approves.

Thanks again, Catherine

[Hidden]

I am assured by both my Oncologist and GP that the magnet has no effect on hormones. I wish I'd discovered it 2 years ago.

I xx

[dundeegirl]

I think I'll just get on with wearing it then!

Cat x

[RayRay]

I had a radical hysterectomy 4 weeks ago and the night sweats have been horrendous for me too. I've just started to wear my lady magnet and it really does work. I wake up in the night still but only twice last night but more importantly I didn't need to change pillows or sheets!x

[dundeegirl]

Thanks Rayray.Am trying it out,so glad it's made such a difference for you!Wishing you all the best for your recovery from your op!

Love from Cat XX

[Jane]

Just want to second or is it third the magnet (can't stand the name but it does seem to help). I had the surgery Aug 2010 and after a couple of months went on to HRT. As I've recurred i decided to come off the HRT and the magnet seems to make it much more manageable. Also meditation is very helpful for regulating the system - 20 minutes twice a day.

Jane

[dundeegirl in reply to Jane]

Thank you Jane- I have high expectations now of this magnet!What kind of meditation do you do,or does it not matter?

Cat

[Hidden in reply to Jane]

Hi Jane,

I concur about the name!

Isadora.

[spanishanna]

HI Catherine,

I had medical induced menopause after de balking surgery. I had been taking HRT for almost 20 years due to early hysterectomy and steroid use for asthma, so was told the best thing was to take HRT or I would end up in a wheelchair due to osteoporosis. Instead I ended up with stage 111c ovarian, they think caused by HRT.

My hot flushes, or tropical moments as I call them, are horrendous particularly as I live in a hot climate. My Oncologist has informed me they will remain as long as I am on chemo But as my chemo is maintenance treatment that will be for the rest of my life. My life saver for night time has been my Chllow Pillow, do Google them, only buy the original, not a fake, they are fantastic !!

I have read about the magnets so I will look into them.

Anna x

[dundeegirl in reply to spanishanna]

Thanks for this Anna-the chillow looks nice- will maybe try it out!Cat XX

[Jane]

Hi, I don't think it matters what kind of meditation, it all calms the system down. I try to just sit with the breath, but guided meditations seem easier.

Just a thought - I was told that in some cultures they see the flushes as a positive energy surge as the body is no longer focused on reproduction and the energy moves from the reproductive organs to the mind giving greater clarity, energy and insight - it works for me to positively reframe it, rather than feel like it's a struggle. Also some cultures don't experience these kind of symptoms, probably diet related but I'd need to look into this more.

Jane

[dundeegirl]

Thanks again Jane.I'm aware there is a large 'psychological adjustment' aspect to this and had heard that women in other countries experience fewer or even no problems.The way you seek to 'reframe' your experience is inspiring.I think though as I am only 34 and still very much trying to have a family, against the odds, the idea of embracing my menopausal self is perhaps more problematic.You have most certainly given me food for thought though-perhaps in future I will feel able to embrace the 'energy surges' in this way. Thank you for your most thoughtful post. Catherine

[Gilly46]

Hi catherine,I had my op mid April and didnt get any menopausal symptoms until July and then it was awful! Thought I would never sleep again and the hot flushes,funny at first,were terrible! Like you I cant have HRT so for two months now I have been taking Black Cohosh,what a difference!Buy it at the health food shops,worked for me within a week.Good luck x

[wendydee]

Hi Catherine! I was recommended a site called menopausematters.co.uk. This was from the consultant at my menopause clinic. I don't know if the forums on there will give you any useful hints.

I still find the tape I bought from what is now the Penny Brohn centre (was Bristol Cancer centre), which has guided meditations and visualisations and relaxation sessions on it. I'm sure they do an up-dated CD now, but I've used my tape for the last 9 years. (I hang on to a pre-historic Walkman tape machine, specifically for this sole purpose!) The tape has never failed yet, no matter how bad I'm feeling and however sleepless I'm feeling. It may be worth looking on their website to see what they are doing now.

By the way, I always refer to my ladycare magnet as my magic knicker magnet! Incidentally that was also a recommendation from the meno clinic consultant. I really trust her recommendations.

Good luck with finding a solution, I'm sure you will

Wendy xx