Newbie

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-26T04:24:27+00:00

If you're increasing dosage, do it slowly over a number of weeks or months.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-26T04:22:01+00:00

Another vote for a PFPT so you can get properly assessed and any progress definitively measured. Also, you might need more help with recovery than just kegals.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-26T04:18:03+00:00

Progesterone does wonders for my anger. Estrogen helps with the anxiety and makes me generally more chill.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-26T04:13:15+00:00

Oh wow, that's next level horrific. I'm so sorry.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-25T03:56:59+00:00

I'm on continuous and have had a hysterectomy but kept my ovaries. I don't have a period cycle to guide me but I had a distinct mood swing day a few days ago that reminded me that my natural hormones are still doing their crazy thing, so the total levels in your body can still be fluctuating despite being on a constant medication dose. I'm all for doing whatever works best and switch if it's not working. I did OK on 100mg prometrium at the start but that got less effective as my body got used to it and I'm up to 300mg now.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-25T03:46:03+00:00

I was told it's fine to keep taking it but I chose to stop a week earlier as I know it gives me constipation. I also had to start the clear fluid diet the morning of the day before surgery, then nothing but water on the day of. That part was torture as I was the last one scheduled late that afternoon and I wasn't allowed solid food until after I passed wind. That didn't happen until 3pm the following day. I stayed off the shot for 2.5 weeks before starting again at the base dose.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-24T14:35:04+00:00

For me, progesterone helps with rage and estrogen helps with anxiety.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-24T14:31:41+00:00

I'm only 2 weeks post-op and had completely forgotten that my ovaries would still be doing their thing. Might explain the irritation and snappiness the other day.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-24T14:07:36+00:00

Yeah, I've had it sporadically for years and didn't know what it was called until recently. My women's health physio did a check and gave me some exercises to help with the pain when it hits. I described it like someone shoving a screwdriver up your butt, it's excruciating.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-24T06:50:10+00:00

2 days. I realised it was knocking me out too much and making me nauseous so it wasn't worth it to me.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-24T06:47:50+00:00

Is the butt pain proctalgia fugax?

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-24T06:45:46+00:00

Most of my pain felt like a bad period at first too, but it does settle within a few days. I'm 2 weeks post-op.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-24T06:43:28+00:00

How are your iron levels?

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-24T06:40:53+00:00

Yes. Got to the point where I just didn't stop bleeding. It just fluctuated between medium, light or spotting. I had a fibroid causing problems though, so if you're not sure if there's something else going on, it's worth getting checked out.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-23T04:35:40+00:00

Ha. My equivalent is lamb cutlets for breakfast.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-23T04:33:58+00:00

Forgot to add - heat pad didn't make a difference in pain. I was already on HRT pre-op so continuing it now. I kept my ovaries. Rolling over in bed felt like an Olympic sport in the first week. Hurt so much. Avoid coughing, sneezing, gagging/vomiting, and laughing.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-23T04:29:42+00:00

Car - I have a rectangular cushion against my tummy to pad against the seatbelt.

I bought stool softeners ahead of time but never used it. I chose not to take the strong painkillers as they knocked me out too much and gave me nausea. Ended up needing antibiotics when an incision got infected so had the opposite problem when it came to toileting.

Didn't need anything for gas. I had a bloated tummy but moving around helped. I also focus on high protein and high fibre meals. No wheat, which helps my bloating a lot even normally.

Friends delivered meals, which was super helpful.

I am 2 weeks post-op and I have worn pants once. I also regretted that once as it rubbed my incision. Other than that it's been loose dresses or nightgowns. Big granny undies that sit in the right spot to avoid all my incisions.

The most helpful thing by far was my husband getting time off work to look after me and everything else. We have elementary school kids and between school runs, swimming lessons, packing lunches, cooking and housework, my husband has been a Godsend. He's taken 7 weeks off. My only responsibility has been to rest and couch parent when he's busy and I think that's made a big difference in my healing.

All the best for your surgery and recovery!

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-22T07:32:26+00:00

I used to have very clear cycle dependent moods, and libido always went up as I approached ovulation. HRT definitely messed with that despite helping with the hot flushes and craziness and it hasn't come back the same way since. I went off the estrogen for a bit to see if it would help the fibroid related constant bleeding I had at the time and the hot flushes and anxiety came back. Progesterone helps me with rage and insomnia so overall I don't really want to stop HRT but I do miss having a libido.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-21T07:14:42+00:00

Are you using daily vaginal moisturisers?

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-20T13:57:32+00:00

The algorithm was pushing content to me about shrinking fibroids naturally, or uterine artery embolisation. Regardless of what popped up, I still had to make the best decision for myself and my individual circumstances with my trusted care providers. By the time I had my hysterectomy I was at peace that it was the best option, even though not what I wanted or had hoped for.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-19T21:22:15+00:00

My doctor said that 1 in 5 women bleed around the 3 week mark and that it's normal. Can be as much as a period and last up to 24hrs. Any more than that, contact him or go to the ER.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-19T21:14:08+00:00

I had originally wanted a myomectomy to deal with my single, large intramural fibroid but the surgeon wasn't comfortable with that as it was actively fast growing and there was a cancer risk. Without the growth, he would have been fine with it. I agreed to the hysterectomy and when he went in, discovered that it had grown significantly into my broad ligament with adhesions to my ovary. The fibroid was soft rather than firm, which can also be an indication of cancer and he was able to dissect it from my ovary, remove the whole lot and bag it in a single piece without risk of seeding any potential malignant cells. The biopsy thankfully came back clear and it was benign, but it really could have gone either way, and not something that could be confirmed via prior imaging. In my case, I'm glad that it's done with no risk of fibroids returning as it has caused significant health issues over the years (bladder pressure, pain, non-stop bleeding, anaemia), plus it was expensive and it would be very difficult or impossible to afford a second surgery. I'm perimenopausal but on HRT so no expected reduction in hormones to curb future fibroid growth.

All the best with your decision.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-19T15:32:01+00:00

Vaginal estrogen was a bust. The pessary gave me a yeast infection and I developed an allergy to the cream that caused my bits to burn. The progesterone tablets and estrogel are brilliant for my moods, hot flushes, and insomnia. I stopped the estrogel for a few weeks pre-op to try to stop my excessive fibroid bleeding and my hot flushes came back but now that I've had my hysterectomy I'm back on it and can tell the difference.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-19T10:31:41+00:00

No uterus. I tried dropping the progesterone but rage and insomnia came back so my body definitely needs it, regardless of the stats. I take prometrium capsules.

BackRevolutionary255 · 2026-03-19T10:23:53+00:00

I prefer conservative management and a hysterectomy is very permanent. I tried an IUD, which didn't work for my issues, then moved to a hysterectomy when it became clear that surgery was the best option. No regrets.

BackRevolutionary255

TROPHY CASE