Question:
Women & Post Op Hormone/Chemical changes
I am wondering if anyone knows exactly what happens to women post op?? I notice that there are women that experience extreme mood swings, cycle changes, etc. that just gets explained as estrogen released with weight loss. I am experiencing problems even after the weight loss has stopped. Does anyone know what else changes?? (FSH, LH, Prolactin or other chemical imbalances) It seems that this problem is frequent but put off by many surgeons (mine acts like she's never heard these symptoms from any of her 1000's of patients). I am wondering what I can do to look into this problem & maybe help others with the same problems. Of course all of us have cycle changes right after surgery. I also have the extreme mood swings, bouts of increased underarm odor (Yuck...I know..I have to wash 5 or 6 times a day till it finally clears up), occasional car sickness, and many other "real" symptoms that don't just occur in my head. While my PCP is very attentive & listens to me (I'm a lab tech so he usually takes me seriously), I am his first WLS patient & he is learning from my experience. Does anyone have any feedback?? — Kathy K. (posted on May 13, 2004)
May 12, 2004
I am going through the exact same thing, i was hospitalized for a day with
excessive menstural bleeding and my TSH was really low. My free T3's &
T4's are messed up and was taking Synthroid. I to work at a doctors office
and they are stummped with what to do with me and where i need to go next
with this. I am going to see a OB/GYN this month and have more testing
done. Good luck to you. You are not alone, hang in there!!!
— roxxyblue72
May 12, 2004
While my peroid issues have been corrected with the pill, I too have
experienced odor changes. Men's deorderant though seems to solve the
problem. I haven't really had mood swings (any more than normal). And car
sickness! Oh God! Its terrible! Never had it before, but now I get it all
the time!!!!!!!! I haven't mentioned any of this to my doctors simply
because I didn't think it had anything to do with surgery!
— Renee B.
May 13, 2004
I've got lingering problems, even though I'm 19 months out and done loosing
(for the most part). However, my problem is that I do not get periods at
all. I also somehow do not ovulate any more. I'm seeing a endocrinologist
who specializes in fertitlty. All tests seem to indicate that homrone
levers are 'normal', but yet, her I sit with no periods (which was never a
problem pre-wls)and no ovulation naturally. No one seems to be able to
explain this or give me any resonable course of action. So, if you figure
something out, lease let me know. I'm very curious. Oh- one more
thing...in preparation for surgery I started Depo provera. I took three
shots, then stopped. I haven't taken any BC in over one year. Anybody
else have a common experience???
— LMCLILLY
May 13, 2004
My surgeon explained that our hormones are attached to fat cells. We have
taken a "balance" and whacked the heck out of it, sending into a
topsy, turvy woeld. I haven't had my period since 2 weeks after surgery,
but then again, I'm not trying to find it again either. I'm 53 and more
than ready for menopause.
— Gail G.
May 13, 2004
My period lightened up significantly the first few months post-op. Then, I
started taking the Depo shot. I had taken it pre-surgery and it stopped my
period totally. This time, post-op, I bled for 3 months. Now I'm off that
and on the OrthoEvra, and my bleeding has stopped. It's weird. Mood
changes? I think you owe me royalties for using MY word in a sentence! :) I
have the most extreme mood swings. I get annoyed very easily, then sad,
then I'm in a great mood, then I'm grouchy...it goes on and on. I can't
quite get control over my emotions and it's frustrating! I don't know why
this is going on. If someone has some answers, I'd be really interested in
hearing them, too.
— jenn_jenn
May 13, 2004
Hi! I am currently 7 months post op and had gone through menopause 4 years
ago. However,after having surgery, while my periods didn't return, the mood
swings and hot flashes and night sweats are back witha vengeance. My poor
DH deserves a medal of honor for putting up with it again. I was totally
unprepared for it, as I was no longer flowing and never stopped to think it
would affect me that way. I am hoping as the weight loss slows it will get
better as well. LeeAnn 300/203/150 10/14/03
— doglover
May 13, 2004
OMG! I am 18 mos post op, could this be my problem? I am having the same
things, night sweats, (I am only 40) and I have been on antidepressants, I
went to my doc. with depression issues. Now I went to a naturalpath, my
labs look good, but then I was like, okay then whats wrong with me?? I am
on Depo, and starting to have periods, never did before on it! I am
getting off of it, but yes, my hormones are out of whack. Hummmmm
— Leah G.
May 13, 2004
I would like to share this with you. This is just my experience. I have
been taking NATURAL hormones for 6 or so months now. I am doing wonderfully
with them. I have not had the RNY surgery yet. My date is May 24th. I take
Tri-estrogen, progesterone, and testerone compounded especially for me. I
take it as a vaginal suppository at bedtime, every night. I have them
compounded for me by a pharmacy that specializes in compounds. I only have
to pay my generic copay, so they are not expensive. I may or may not have
to make some adjustments on the dosage after the surgery. We are going to
use the same dosage and see how I feel. This stuff is wonderful! And to
those who would say the studies say, ect, these are not the synthetic ones
that were used in the studies that produced higher rates of cancer. My GYN
has helped me with the prescription, dosage, support ect. If your in the KC
area, I use Starks Pharmacy, and they would be able to educate you on them,
should you wish to know about them. They also can mail prescriptions. But
there are other places that do compounding. Try to find one that will work
with you and your history and symptoms. My pharmacist knows more about the
dosing and that part more so than my GYN. Because that is how you tell what
dose is right for you, by how you feel. I would not give mine up for
anything. I had a complete hysterectomy in Aug 2002. Tried all different
things, thats why I can say with complete certainty, this is 100% for me.
Hope I have helped.
— Candy M.
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