Well I don’t have cancer and the organs they removed from me were cancer free too which is the most fantastic news.
So why do I feel a bit low and unhappy?
Surgical menopause, that’s why.
I had my ovaries removed during the operation (the ovaries are responsible for the production of hormones which cause PMDD) and this means that I was thrown into menopause overnight.
I have started my HRT again but it takes a while for the blood levels to even out and due to previous reactions to HRT, I have to take it slowly. It’s a fine balancing act which I am only too happy to spend some time doing, but in the meantime, my body is crying out for oestrogen. I am having hot flushes, headaches, night sweats, joint pain and extreme tiredness which are all well known menopausal symptoms. I am also having mood swings (swinging between happy, sad, angry and more, rapid style) which is all down to hormonal imbalances. It seems unfair that I have spent my life suffering because of the hormones that my body produced and now I am suffering because of the hormones I am putting back in to try and have a healthy life.
I need oestrogen to protect my bones and heart as I have gone through the menopause at a young age. Swings and roundabouts. Every time I catch myself feeling low I try and turn my thoughts into happy ones but I’m finding it hard as I am still tired from the surgery.
I also may be overdoing it slightly due to the time of year.
I LOVE Christmas. I love everything about it and have been getting ready for months for it. So I am going to go and try and cheer up and enjoy this special season. I will be back in the new year to continue my blog and now that the operation is over and done with, I’ll try and get back to the original subject, PMDD.
In the meantime, all that’s left for me to say is Merry Christmas and I wish you all the very best for a happy and healthy new year.
J W
Jennie is 35 and works part time as a nurse and part time as a property developer. She also studies with the Open University for a degree in psychology. She lives in Glasgow with her partner and 2 cats. Jennie has been a sufferer of Premenstrual Dysphoric disorder (PMDD) for many years and spent a large period of time under the care of mental health professionals. It turns out what she really needed was the care of a gynaecologist. Following her correct diagnosis and successful treatment, Jennie has made it her aim to spread the word far and wide about the disorder that isn't recognised for what it is. She aims to educate health professionals in general medicine and psychiatry as well as raise the profile of the charity which saved her life; NAPS (The National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome) www.pms.org.uk. Jennie is also spending time contacting politicians in the UK to try and raise awareness of PMS and PMDD and contributing to the inclusion of PMDD in the ICD-11 due to be published in 2015. While not working or writing letters and emails, Jennie likes cooking, Gardening, DIY and being outdoors either on her bike or hill walking somewhere beautiful.
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