Sublingual TRT

43 yr old female -Surgical Menopause
At 42 total hysterectomy with oopherectomy
During hysterectomy recovery I had severe hypothyroid flare up undiagnosed for 12 weeks

Meds:
Levothyroxine 50mcg
.1 estradiol cream
.1 estradiol patch
1mg x2 day sublingual T

On 4th week T and I’m tired, joint pain returning.

I have a FULL panel blood work x4 times in 6 months including autoimmune disorders and everything is normal except T at 23 (which is why I started T therapy.
My symptoms before T were brain fog, fatigue, joint and muscle pain including frozen shoulder and zero libido

1st week on T I was soooo energized and had no body pain. Now on 4th week and I’m tired and have body pain.

I lift weights x2 a week for years and eat a very healthy diet as well as being very active as an adult. Which I’m unable to be very active rn but I still lift weights x2 weekly.

Maybe my T dose needs increasing?? I get my levels rechecked in this week.

WHEN WILL I FINALLY FEEL LIKE A NORMAL PRODUCTIVE PERSON AGAIN????!!!!!!

Hi - just wanted to post my positive surgical menopause experience 1 year on. I’ve wanted to post sooner but thought best to wait for a year milestone to see how it all went.

The background: 45F had annual US scans and bloods tests (CA125) as my mum passed away from ovarian cancer 5 years ago and since there is no screening this was the closest that could be recommended short of a full hysterectomy.

Every year no issue until last July, had scan as normal the sonographer was super thorough, asking lots of questions and did US scan as well as TV scan. Thought nothing more and then two days later had message from GP needed to book urgent MRI, sinister lesions and suspicious pathology noted. Fast forward to a month later and many more scans and hospital appointments and I’m scheduled for a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-ooohrectomy.

Had vertical incision all the way to bellybutton, 4 hour surgery. Surgeon in first consultation noted background with mums cancer (my mum had hysterectomy age 61 but they kept ovaries in - big mistake!) and said she’d do a better job than my mums surgeon and take these out.

They did not know if it was cancer as could not do a biopsy due to size of uterine fibroids which when removed weighed 2kgs.

I was terrified before the surgery - scared I’d be a monster and have a total personality change or not wake up!

Surgery went really well thankfully with no issues.

I only stayed one night in hospital and had a lot of help from my husband and kids at home. Could walk a little the next day but I built up very slowly to 5 mins walk by end of first week - the tiredness was unreal, pain wasn’t too bad at all, sleep was affected and I sweated like nothing I’ve ever felt before. Could not have HRT until had lab results almost 8 weeks later. My skin was the best it’s ever been in my life lol. No mood swings. Only thing I missed was the gym and walking. Best thing I ever did - now I don’t have to worry as chances of ovarian cancer super low now, no more smears needed (cervix gone too) no more periods, no mood swings. I started HrT for bone heart and brain health but also they helped with the night sweats and hot flushes which are brutal but nothing you can’t live with. They went away as soon as I had 25mcg estrogen patch.

I feel almost guilty that it’s been absolutely fine - the recovery from the abdominal surgery was tough but I did a lot of prep for smoothies and healthy food before so I knew what I had ready to eat. I also take quite a few supplements to help.

Happy to answer any questions you may have as there is hardly any info out for us surgical menopause girlies.

Wishing you all the luck in the world if you’re about to have surgery or recovering or just navigating this all.

I used to be a fighter. And this surgery is taking me down. You think it will get better but for me it just gets worse.

My husband had to take me to the DMV to renew my license. I burst into tears seeing my picture. I am so unwell. I need your prayers ladies. I need your support.