Still a Woman?
First off, I had to deal with feeling "less than" because I no longer have a uterus. Less than a woman, less desirable, less feminine, less than whole. I had to realize that I'm much more than a uterus, that I'm not defined by my fertility. This was challenging at first, but it all comes down to a quality of life issue. I realized that I could've gone another 10 years or more with my uterus, suffering day after day, but being "complete." Would that make me more of a woman? I think not.
I wasn't happy like that-- the pain, the mood swings, the constant bleeding. It was no way to live. So, now I've lost my uterus, but so what? I've also lost the pain and the bleeding. To me, it's a pretty good trade-off. I'm guessing yours was, too!
I would suggest that you take some time to think of the things you gave up by having surgery-- bleeding, pain, bloating, mood swings, risk of uterine cancer, fibroids, etc. Write it down so you can refer to it later. Now, write down the things you'll eventually gain-- more even moods, life without pain, freer social life (no planning things after your bleeding), more spontaneous sex life, etc. If you have a spouse and children, include the benefits to them as well-- they'll immediately see the beauty of a happier, healthier, more energetic you! See which list outweighs the other. Keep this list in a safe place-- you'll need to refer back to it often.
Deal With Any Deficiencies
You'll also want to deal with any hormonal deficiencies you have. Whether you have your ovaries or not, you could be showing signs of menopause. It's important to have your hormone levels checked, especially if you're experiencing hot flashes and night sweats. If possible, have a saliva test instead of the blood.
I've been taking Complete Balance for Menopause. There is an AM formula and a PM one, and it gave me almost immediate relief. Not only are my hot flashes gone, I'm also feeling happier and more energetic. I'm also using Pro-Gest, a natural progesterone cream.
In addition, I'm taking L-tyrosine and 5-HTP. This is because I show symptoms of a serotonin deficiency. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter largely responsible for feelings of calm, relaxation, and happiness. If you're deficient, you will feel anxious and irritable. As an added benefit, serotonin is responsible for feelings of sexual desire.
Please note that I'm not suggesting you take the same supplements I'm using. I'm not a doctor and I know nothing about your specific situation. I am suggesting that you check with your doctor. If your doctor isn't helpful, read books about hormone help. Pharmacists are also helpful.
The bottom line is relief is available. You may have to search for the answers, but the answers are out there.
There is life after hysterectomy... and it's good. Enjoy!
Thanks for the great blog, Misty! I really enjoyed all your posts. I found your blog by searching for LBP after hysterectomy surgery. I really related to a lot of what you said throughout your posts. I am almost 3 weeks post-op and just started having LBP earlier this week (probably partially due to doing too much on Christmas Eve), but it's reassuring to see that it's fairly common and temporary. I, too, jumped out of bed too quickly one night (nightmare, sleepwalking event) and worried if I did any internal damage (Doc says probably nothing to worry about) and I've had the burning sensation in the belly that you describe so well. Your blog is really informative and fun and positive. Like you said, we need to read positive information, not all the anti-hysterectomy stuff out there. I plan to check back often to see how you are progressing. Thanks for sharing your experiences.