PMDD Symptoms After Total Hysterectomy
I am writing this blog because there is a scarcity of resources for people who are still dealing with PMDD symptoms in the months following a total hysterectomy. This is my personal experience and what I found to work for me. I am not a member of the medical community; this is simply my story. I will continue to update this blog until my PMDD symptoms stop completely. I hope it helps you.
My gynecologist, who is a wonderful doctor, recognized after one visit in March 2018 that I was in serious pain and something needed to be done. She did not second guess me and my knowledge about my body. After a few preliminary tests to see if a D and C would help and to rule out kidney stones, I had
a radical laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (LAVH/BSO) on April 18th. In layman's terms, that is a radical hysterectomy through 3 tiny incisions in my abdomen and my uterus was removed through my vagina. All of my reproductive organs have been removed.
From that surgery, we discovered I had also been dealing with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) along with the PMDD symptoms each month. That explains the constant, stabbing ovary pain from February to April in my lower, left side. I felt better 12 hours post op than I did before the surgery and did not have any pain medicine in my system to explain that. I had IMMEDIATE relief.
I also had hormone-induced asthma which flared every 3 weeks in conjunction with PMDD Hell Week. I would have a sinus infection and an asthma flare each month and then bronchitis if the flare did not respond to steroids.
All references to a "Phantom Cycle" in the post below are what day of my monthly cycle I would be on if I still had the organs to menstruate. My cycles were 26-28 days long before my hysterectomy.
Forty-two Days Post Op, Day 1 of my Phantom Cycle, May 31, 2018: I am in the middle of three straight days of PMDD symptoms after a total hysterectomy last month. Day 1 has ALWAYS been the worst day for PMDD symptoms and cramps for me. I am so frustrated and so sick of dealing with this for YEARS. ALL I have heard is how a hysterectomy stops PMDD symptoms and here I am still having them even though I no longer even have ANY of those organs. I thought this would be over and I am still having to deal with it ALONG WITH hot flashes. ANGRY.
I called my gynecologist to tell her about my continuing PMDD symptoms and asked when they will stop, how long until my body runs out of stored hormones and I stop cycling? Her nurse replied that I do not have any hormones now that the organs are gone. (NOT CORRECT.) That they could call me in an SSRI like Prozac, just let them know where to send the prescription. No, thank you. I do not need an antidepressant, this is a HORMONE issue from a gene mutation that causes my body to attack itself when my progesterone level is elevated. An antidepressant will only cause MORE issues for me instead of less.
Furthermore, research has proven that fat cells store estrogen (I weighed 267 pounds at the time of my surgery, I am 5'9") and other organs besides reproductive ones make hormones as well so YES, VIRGINIA, I DO HAVE HORMONES.
The lack of extensive research into primarily female diseases and ailments because of the sexism in the medical industry has prevented doctors from having the knowledge that they should have in order to correctly treat our issues. I know that cells store more hormones than just estrogen or I would not still be having PMDD flares at PRECISELY the same time every month I would have had them when I still had reproductive organs. Medical studies do not exist to prove this yet but I know what I know because I am living it.
The PCOS symptoms stopped completely the day I had surgery. I lost 23 pounds from April 18th to May 11th without a change in diet or activity and my high blood pressure has improved to the point that I was able to get off of the Torprol XL. I am only having to take Diovan for it now.
After an extensive search for the duration of PMDD symptoms after hysterectomy or even PMS symptoms since those continue for some people too and quizzing my friends for how long theirs lasted, it seems that the average is 4 - 6 months after surgery. The HysterSisters website was and continues to be an important resource for answers to questions my doctor doesn't have.
HysterSisters Website I am PRAYING that 6 months or less will also be my experience.
I began taking Black Cohosh this month for the hot flashes and it has helped.
Sixty-seven Days Post Op, Day 25 of my Phantom Cycle, June 24, 2018: Here we go again. I'm in the middle of the worst PMDD flare since the pre-op flare in April. I had to break down and take some anti-inflammatory medicine even though I hate taking them. My entire body is in pain and I can do nothing but lay in the bed. All of my joints are throbbing. My sinuses are also involved with the massive amount of inflammation in my body currently and the bones in my face are popping from the pressure in my sinuses. Acid reflux began 5 days ago out of the blue along with stiffness in my joints that have arthritis in them.
The only thing that is getting me through this is the constant mantra that it will end in, HOPEFULLY, four months from now. I only have to hold on for that long. I am having a hot flash as I type this ON TOP OF all of these other symptoms. I am so tired of this.
The Black Cohosh I began last month did not provide enough relief as my hot flashes became more intense and frequent in June. I switched to an herbal blend from Puritan's Pride called Flash Fighters which has proven much more effective in reducing the flashes to a manageable number.
Having a bottle of water nearby you can spray on your face is also effective for immediate relief, especially with a fan. This is my favorite and least expensive (it's still expensive) non-drying water in a can:
My PCOS symptoms continue to improve. My weight loss continues, my blood pressure continues to improve, and my hormone-induced asthma has not flared up at all during all of these changes. Under the direction of my asthma doctor, I began coming off of one preventative medicine at a time over the last 6 weeks. First the Qvar inhaler, then Azelastine nasal spray, and most recently, I was able to stop taking Singulair. I have not had to take steroids or an albuterol dose in months and I should be able to stop taking a 4th medicine next week as long the asthma stays at bay.
One Hundred & Thirty-Eight Days Post-op, Day 13 of my Phantom Cycle, September 3, 2018: I have been able to stop all of my asthma prescriptions except one and was even able to reduce the dosage of the remaining inhaler by half. Physically, I am doing WONDERFULLY.
However, I will not lie; the last 3 cycles have been rough mentally. While I do not have even a quarter of the physical symptoms I had pre-op, the mental symptoms have intensified to the point that I had to begin taking 20 mg of Prozac during my Hell Week and Phantom Period Week. I became suicidal in July and it was time to add another tool to my toolbox for being able to deal with this disorder. I only have to take the medicine half the month and it has helped IMMENSELY. I have not been suicidal since beginning Prozac but I can tell that if I did not have it in my body, I would have fallen off that dark edge during the last few cycles.
My hot flashes seem to be getting more frequent and intense over the last week. If this trend continues, I will be contacting my compound pharmacist for some bioidentical hormones to help with them.
In spite of my worsening mental PMDD symptoms and menopausal symptoms, I still am so glad I had the surgery. My life has done a 180 degree shift so that now I am not sick with sinus infections and asthma flares every 3 weeks, and I get to have a life again. My life is still MUCH BETTER compaired to where I was a year ago, all thanks to the surgery.
Ten months post-op, Day 6 of my Phantom Cycle, February 27, 2019
I have not updated this blog in quite some time but I have good news to share. My hormone cycling has improved to the point that I know the end of it will probably be happening this year. The mood swings and agression from PMDD have lessened to the point of only having 24 or 48 hours of symptoms about every 3rd month instead of days or weeks of it monthly like it was before. My hot flashes have also lessened so that most days, I do not have a hot flash at all. I am still taking only the Flash Fighter supplements and will continue to do so until the flashes have stopped completely. The PMDD joint pain, body aches, brain fog, muscle cramps, and fatigue has not hit me since last fall. It has been a wonderful improvement. Just to be able to remember a word when I'm taking to somebody is such a great thing and I am so grateful for the improvement.
The anxiety is still sometimes worse than what my Prozac can alleviate and I am exercising, using my light therapy box to help with my Seasonal Affective Disorder, and doing all sorts of thing to try to calm down the anxiety when it gets bad. I have been suicidal a couple of times since last July but I distract my brain by watching funny movies or YouTube videos until it stops. I really need my state to make medical marijuana legal and we are working on a petition to get it on the ballot in 2020.
My asthma flared up at Christmas when I contracted a brutal respiratory virus then after packing and sorting through 40 years of office stuff in February, it flared up again. Both of those were inevitable and not hormone related but due to external forces. My blood pressure and weight continues to improve and I have a bike now that I can ride whenever the days get longer. It is so nice to have the energy to do things after work. My cholesterol has improved but is still a few points too high so I have begun taking Fish Oil supplements to see if that helps. I have also cut back on the amount of meat I am eating each day.
I am waiting patiently for the last emotional symptoms to stop but I see measurable improvement every month so there is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm holding on until the point and I am still so happy I chose to have the surgery.
My gynecologist, who is a wonderful doctor, recognized after one visit in March 2018 that I was in serious pain and something needed to be done. She did not second guess me and my knowledge about my body. After a few preliminary tests to see if a D and C would help and to rule out kidney stones, I had
a radical laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (LAVH/BSO) on April 18th. In layman's terms, that is a radical hysterectomy through 3 tiny incisions in my abdomen and my uterus was removed through my vagina. All of my reproductive organs have been removed.
From that surgery, we discovered I had also been dealing with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) along with the PMDD symptoms each month. That explains the constant, stabbing ovary pain from February to April in my lower, left side. I felt better 12 hours post op than I did before the surgery and did not have any pain medicine in my system to explain that. I had IMMEDIATE relief.
I also had hormone-induced asthma which flared every 3 weeks in conjunction with PMDD Hell Week. I would have a sinus infection and an asthma flare each month and then bronchitis if the flare did not respond to steroids.
All references to a "Phantom Cycle" in the post below are what day of my monthly cycle I would be on if I still had the organs to menstruate. My cycles were 26-28 days long before my hysterectomy.
Forty-two Days Post Op, Day 1 of my Phantom Cycle, May 31, 2018: I am in the middle of three straight days of PMDD symptoms after a total hysterectomy last month. Day 1 has ALWAYS been the worst day for PMDD symptoms and cramps for me. I am so frustrated and so sick of dealing with this for YEARS. ALL I have heard is how a hysterectomy stops PMDD symptoms and here I am still having them even though I no longer even have ANY of those organs. I thought this would be over and I am still having to deal with it ALONG WITH hot flashes. ANGRY.
I called my gynecologist to tell her about my continuing PMDD symptoms and asked when they will stop, how long until my body runs out of stored hormones and I stop cycling? Her nurse replied that I do not have any hormones now that the organs are gone. (NOT CORRECT.) That they could call me in an SSRI like Prozac, just let them know where to send the prescription. No, thank you. I do not need an antidepressant, this is a HORMONE issue from a gene mutation that causes my body to attack itself when my progesterone level is elevated. An antidepressant will only cause MORE issues for me instead of less.
Furthermore, research has proven that fat cells store estrogen (I weighed 267 pounds at the time of my surgery, I am 5'9") and other organs besides reproductive ones make hormones as well so YES, VIRGINIA, I DO HAVE HORMONES.
The lack of extensive research into primarily female diseases and ailments because of the sexism in the medical industry has prevented doctors from having the knowledge that they should have in order to correctly treat our issues. I know that cells store more hormones than just estrogen or I would not still be having PMDD flares at PRECISELY the same time every month I would have had them when I still had reproductive organs. Medical studies do not exist to prove this yet but I know what I know because I am living it.
The PCOS symptoms stopped completely the day I had surgery. I lost 23 pounds from April 18th to May 11th without a change in diet or activity and my high blood pressure has improved to the point that I was able to get off of the Torprol XL. I am only having to take Diovan for it now.
After an extensive search for the duration of PMDD symptoms after hysterectomy or even PMS symptoms since those continue for some people too and quizzing my friends for how long theirs lasted, it seems that the average is 4 - 6 months after surgery. The HysterSisters website was and continues to be an important resource for answers to questions my doctor doesn't have.
HysterSisters Website I am PRAYING that 6 months or less will also be my experience.
I began taking Black Cohosh this month for the hot flashes and it has helped.
Sixty-seven Days Post Op, Day 25 of my Phantom Cycle, June 24, 2018: Here we go again. I'm in the middle of the worst PMDD flare since the pre-op flare in April. I had to break down and take some anti-inflammatory medicine even though I hate taking them. My entire body is in pain and I can do nothing but lay in the bed. All of my joints are throbbing. My sinuses are also involved with the massive amount of inflammation in my body currently and the bones in my face are popping from the pressure in my sinuses. Acid reflux began 5 days ago out of the blue along with stiffness in my joints that have arthritis in them.
The only thing that is getting me through this is the constant mantra that it will end in, HOPEFULLY, four months from now. I only have to hold on for that long. I am having a hot flash as I type this ON TOP OF all of these other symptoms. I am so tired of this.
The Black Cohosh I began last month did not provide enough relief as my hot flashes became more intense and frequent in June. I switched to an herbal blend from Puritan's Pride called Flash Fighters which has proven much more effective in reducing the flashes to a manageable number.
Having a bottle of water nearby you can spray on your face is also effective for immediate relief, especially with a fan. This is my favorite and least expensive (it's still expensive) non-drying water in a can:
My PCOS symptoms continue to improve. My weight loss continues, my blood pressure continues to improve, and my hormone-induced asthma has not flared up at all during all of these changes. Under the direction of my asthma doctor, I began coming off of one preventative medicine at a time over the last 6 weeks. First the Qvar inhaler, then Azelastine nasal spray, and most recently, I was able to stop taking Singulair. I have not had to take steroids or an albuterol dose in months and I should be able to stop taking a 4th medicine next week as long the asthma stays at bay.
One Hundred & Thirty-Eight Days Post-op, Day 13 of my Phantom Cycle, September 3, 2018: I have been able to stop all of my asthma prescriptions except one and was even able to reduce the dosage of the remaining inhaler by half. Physically, I am doing WONDERFULLY.
However, I will not lie; the last 3 cycles have been rough mentally. While I do not have even a quarter of the physical symptoms I had pre-op, the mental symptoms have intensified to the point that I had to begin taking 20 mg of Prozac during my Hell Week and Phantom Period Week. I became suicidal in July and it was time to add another tool to my toolbox for being able to deal with this disorder. I only have to take the medicine half the month and it has helped IMMENSELY. I have not been suicidal since beginning Prozac but I can tell that if I did not have it in my body, I would have fallen off that dark edge during the last few cycles.
My hot flashes seem to be getting more frequent and intense over the last week. If this trend continues, I will be contacting my compound pharmacist for some bioidentical hormones to help with them.
In spite of my worsening mental PMDD symptoms and menopausal symptoms, I still am so glad I had the surgery. My life has done a 180 degree shift so that now I am not sick with sinus infections and asthma flares every 3 weeks, and I get to have a life again. My life is still MUCH BETTER compaired to where I was a year ago, all thanks to the surgery.
Ten months post-op, Day 6 of my Phantom Cycle, February 27, 2019
I have not updated this blog in quite some time but I have good news to share. My hormone cycling has improved to the point that I know the end of it will probably be happening this year. The mood swings and agression from PMDD have lessened to the point of only having 24 or 48 hours of symptoms about every 3rd month instead of days or weeks of it monthly like it was before. My hot flashes have also lessened so that most days, I do not have a hot flash at all. I am still taking only the Flash Fighter supplements and will continue to do so until the flashes have stopped completely. The PMDD joint pain, body aches, brain fog, muscle cramps, and fatigue has not hit me since last fall. It has been a wonderful improvement. Just to be able to remember a word when I'm taking to somebody is such a great thing and I am so grateful for the improvement.
The anxiety is still sometimes worse than what my Prozac can alleviate and I am exercising, using my light therapy box to help with my Seasonal Affective Disorder, and doing all sorts of thing to try to calm down the anxiety when it gets bad. I have been suicidal a couple of times since last July but I distract my brain by watching funny movies or YouTube videos until it stops. I really need my state to make medical marijuana legal and we are working on a petition to get it on the ballot in 2020.
My asthma flared up at Christmas when I contracted a brutal respiratory virus then after packing and sorting through 40 years of office stuff in February, it flared up again. Both of those were inevitable and not hormone related but due to external forces. My blood pressure and weight continues to improve and I have a bike now that I can ride whenever the days get longer. It is so nice to have the energy to do things after work. My cholesterol has improved but is still a few points too high so I have begun taking Fish Oil supplements to see if that helps. I have also cut back on the amount of meat I am eating each day.
I am waiting patiently for the last emotional symptoms to stop but I see measurable improvement every month so there is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm holding on until the point and I am still so happy I chose to have the surgery.
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