Update: 10 weeks later

As promised I am updating everyone with my progress since my hysterectomy 10 weeks ago.  I have posted ‘around town’ on other sites when I have been asked, but I wanted to keep all this info in one place too.

Ten weeks ago I had my hysterectomy, both ovaries removed, lapro/vaginally.  This site tells about everything I dealt with regards to my PMDD, physically and emotionally so if you haven’t read all of it, I recommend you do.

I am feeling great.  As of this week I am not only walking a couple of miles on the treadmill and outside w/ my Siberian Husky, I am now also running.

I haven’t had my period since the surgery, they told me a couple of weeks after surgery more than likely I would have a cycle, shedding the last of it, but fortunately, I haven’t.
So, that is 3 months without PMDD!  It is so awesome!

I started taking the Premarin straight from the hospital, but when I went in for my 6 wk follow up I explained that my sex drive seemed a bit low, or should I say- GONE!  That was a bummer since I was hoping for a huge difference since I was no longer in pain, instead it was worse.  Yes, I was nervous but I also told myself and my husband that I didn’t come this far to stop until I was living the life I wanted, deserved!  (I was also having major migraines. )

So, the doctor said migraines could be from too much estrogen and we needed to add a small dose of Testosterone to the picture- it worked!  So, as of now, the new HRT is working.  I’m not tricking myself into thinking this will be the final stop and that I won’t ever have to tweak it again, but I am positive as of now, and enjoying things day by day.

Physically, no pain- No more cramps, back pains, leg pains, etc…

Emotionally, no outbursts, raging, depression, etc…

I haven’t had any emotional problems such as not feeling like a Woman, or anything like that, I know some Women go through this, it just didn’t happen to me.  If anything I feel more like a Woman since I can have intimate moments with my husband w/o pain, raise my kids without having weeks of  getting quieter, and I don’t have to carry a heating pad around everywhere with my kids worried about Mommies health.

I am really happy that things have worked out this way.  I have been off my anti-depressant and Topamax since right before the surgery, and am doing great without them.  Really goes to show doctors that PMDD is real, the depression we go through during this time is not depression, but PMDD.

I will keep everyone updated as time goes on, whether it’s something good or bad, I will keep posting here.

7 wks post-op

I can’t believe it’s already been almost 7 wks since I had my hysterectomy!

Things are going great, a few tumbles, but nothing like what I used to live through.  I have made it thru 2 months of my used to be 2 wk hell, completely PMDD-free.  This is completely amazing to me!  I didn’t even realize it was ‘supposed’ to be my normal PMDD time, my husband just happened to ask me how I was feeling, he too was surprised that I was feeling so great.

I am having some hot flashes, but I had them before surgery too, not too bad, and they are quite quick.  I feel like my body is on fire and about 5-10 min later I cool down again.  When it happens at night it does become bothersome, but again, small price to pay in my opinion.

I do know that as time goes on some Women stop having these flashes, again, I had them before surgery so I’m not really sure yet what mine will be like with time.

No Pain!  No back pain, neck pain, leg pains, cramps, migraines, etc… No pain what-so-ever.  I was surprised it was gone so quickly especially since they found a lot of scaring during my surgery and I lost a lot of blood.  I assumed it would take more time for me to get back to ‘normal’, but it hasn’t.

I have been working out, walking outside w/ our Siberian Husky and walking the treadmill on a great incline w/ good speed since about 2.5-3 wks post surgery.  I am aware this is quicker than a lot of Women, however, I felt great, took it slow and didn’t have any problems.  Exercise is so important not only physically but emotionally IMO, so I wanted to get back to it ASAP.

Intimacy- Waited until my 6 wks so this is still new.  I was very scared of the possibility of pain but once again was so relieved to find I didn’t have any.  I am able to enjoy intimacy more, probably since my hormones were so out of whack before and I was always in pain.  It is still early, but so far I am positive it’s only going to get better with time.

Emotions- I haven’t lost my temper or felt that PMDD-hypersensitive feeling since surgery either.  Of course I have become annoyed with something since surgery, but it hasn’t gotten out of control like with PMDD.  I haven’t felt like it was too difficult to keep my emotions in tact.  I haven’t raged on my husband or children, and I have been off my meds since a little before surgery.  This to me is awesome.  I was prepared that I may need my anti-depressant after surgery.  I didn’t know if I was going to struggle with my emotions or anything else, but fortunately I am still med-free.

So, for now I have posting great news!

Again, I am NOT recommending a hysterectomy for everyone.  My results are just that, mine.  As you all know I had exhausted all other options and my life was being effected by PMDD in h0rrible ways.  This worked for me and for anyone who would like more info on it, I am sharing here, or you can email me.

I am still 100% pushing you guys to try and get your PMDD under control before you turn to any major surgery such as this.

Hope this helps and I pray that all of you are doing okay!

Post- Surgery

I had my surgery on Tuesday, 2/16. I am doing great, still a bit tired, but I am taking notes and going thru ideas as to what I have planned for this site.

I will be updating my Stefanie’s Journey with my journey about why I had to have a hysterectomy, what it entailed, where I am.

Surgery complete

For anyone keeping up, I had my hysterectomy on Tuesday, came home late afternoon Thursday.

I’m doing great, I think I was in so much pain before that surgery recovery really isn’t so bad. Of course I had an incredible doctor too :)

I will be posting soon, I am still checking the site and emails from my phone in the meantime.

Looks like my computer cleaning has done the trick so my laptop is now working great again, expect exciting things to come.

Under Stef’s Journey is where I will be updating about my recovery.

More info to come.

Stef Prose, PMDD Advocate

Surgery update

My laptop is heating up alot so that is who I am constantly replying by phone. It should be fixed soon and then I will get my posts moving quicker.

I did have my doc appt today since as most of u know I had to cancel the hysterectomy over the summer. Anyway, I go back on Monday to sign the paperwork and surgery is scheduled for Tuesday.

I can’t tell u how excited I am, nervous too of course.

I will keep replying by phone until the laptop is completely ‘safe’.

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