Surgical Menopause is there a difference - Menopause Message Board

serenityelf · 10-02-2003, 09:12 AM

If you've had your ovaries removed, in my case because of ovarian cancer, do the symptoms of menopause follow the same path as natural menopause. I was put on HRT to stop the harsh onslaught of menopause (my doctor's words), but I had to go off the treatment 6 months ago. The symptoms are now raging and I'm wondering if they'll ever end because of the loss of my ovaries and how the progression will be. Please help - if you've had a surigical removal. Also, how long will this phase of our lives last? AND how will we feel afterward? My mother said all she had was hot flashes, no mood swings (I remember differently) and that she can't understand why I am having all these symptoms or why I got ovarian cancer -- it's not from her side. I feel so quilty now or weak because I'm having a ton of symptoms and for having had the darn cancer. I hate that; my family does not show weakness -- even during my cancer thing; I was chin up never discussed my feelings. I feel like I've let myself and my family down by my body's weakness. Can anyone relate? Thanks.

Geneva1 · 10-05-2003, 02:21 PM

Serenityelf,

No one really knows why some of us get cancer, some do not, and no one can predict it. It's not always hereditary either! I'm sorry to hear that your family has a hard time showing "weakness". I strongly believe that we should express our feelings and pain. If you hold it all inside, you will explode somewhere. If you can't share it with your family, please talk to your friends, or use this board to vent your feelings. That's what it is here for, and we will listen to you!

I'm 44, and in perimenopause. Not surgical, mine is natural, so I can only tell you what I've read or heard. Maybe someone else will chime in, that is in surgical menopause, and can give you first hand advice. But what I have heard, is that they are the same, only forced menopause starts after surgery, that it can be years before your natural menopause would of occurred. The symptoms are the same. How old are you? I was on HRT too, but could not take it. There are so many alternatives you can try, but the trick is, finding what works for you. Talk to your Dr, have your hormone levels checked, spend time on this board reading what others are trying, don't give up! There are ways to deal with it. Think about what you have just come through! You have survived cancer! And you call that WEAK? Sounds just the opposite too me. That is a blessing in itself! BRAVO to you for staying "chin up" through this whole ordeal, but you should be discussing your feelings. It's unhealthy to hold it all inside. Why on earth should you feel like you have "let yourself and your family down"? Because you're human? I do know that feeling is normal though, and it WILL pass. My Mother had breast cancer (and survived it!), and at first she had that guilty feeling too. Just keep telling yourself...you were lucky to find out you had cancer before it got too far, you're still here to talk about it, and you have your whole life ahead of you now. Be proud of yourself, you were strong, and handled it with grace.

Geneva

ssMarilyn · 10-05-2003, 02:30 PM

Menopause, be it natural or surgical, is the same as someone coming off a drug addiction. Your body has to adapt itself to the abrupt absence of estrogen and all the other hormones that helped keep it running smoothly. Surely there is something the doc can give you to make it more tolerable?

Marilyn

serenityelf · 10-05-2003, 02:35 PM

Thank you for your thoughful response; it helped a great deal. I had the cancer for 8 years until they found it at 38 and stayed on the HRT until about a year ago for 7 years. My doctor did not want me to quit it, he wanted me on it for life. My level for estrogen is nonexistent as they also removed in a radical procedure 20 - 30 of the surrounding tissue. He said I would never produce even the small amount that women produce who have not had the radical removal or the slightly larger amount that remains when you have a natural menopause, so he says it is not necessary to check my apparently nonexistent levels. He did suggest an herbal estrogen supplement and soy milk which has helped. I can handle the symptoms that's not really my question, I was just curious if because I will always have zero output of estrogen if the symptoms will ever end. Thank you again; it was good to talk.

Geneva1 · 10-05-2003, 02:56 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by serenityelf:
I can handle the symptoms that's not really my question, I was just curious if because I will always have zero output of estrogen if the symptoms will ever end.

Good question! My sister has had a full hysterectomy, takes no hormones, and currently has no symptoms. She was given hormone therapy for 5-6 years, stopped taking them, and is fine. She eats alot of foods that contain phytoestrogens, but who knows if that is enough? I would guess that your symptoms will end, just like anyone that has had a hyst, but that's just a guess! Just curious, why did you stop taking the hormones? And if you can handle the symptoms, you are indeed strong as heck! Sorry I haven't been much help!

Geneva

[This message has been edited by Geneva1 (edited 10-05-2003).]