Hot flashes - flushes - night sweats post op

[Richenda]

Hi everyone,

I had an almighty hot flash session last night, ten days post op. Fortunately I realised what it was so tried to remain calm but it was a humdinger: sweating, heat, then chills (no temp before anyone tries to digress this  ). It took about an hour for my HR to return to normal after it!

It's ten days post op and I have to wait another few weeks for my blood tests and six weeks until my Endo appointment. I know this subject has been discussed at various times before but I was wondering if anyone has any useful tips about how to avoid them or any other thoughts / comments / shared experiences? I know I can't discuss doses but for evident post op reasons I've only resumed estrogen slowly and lightly.

much love to all
xxx

[Mariah]

This area should help you get the help you need from those who have experienced it. It won't be long before I'm experiencing exactly what you are now. I'm sure others will be able to help you in the here and now though. Hugs
Mariah

[Dena]

Welcome to womanhood and been there, done that. There wasn't much I could do other that putting blankets on and taking them off. Fanning myself when warm and waiting for them to end. It's better when the weather is cooler because you can open your jacket but in the summer it can be pretty uncomfortable. They will stop by themselves after about 2 or 3 years but HRT should end them pretty fast.

[Richenda]

Awww thank you Dena and to Mariah for moving this to the correct place.

I was fine last night which might coincide with being allowed to increase the HRT a notch. It's encouraging that the HRT should control it.



x

[BeverlyAnn]

HRT should help it.  I had an orchi on April 26 and didn't start HRT until June 2.  The month in between and a week or so after starting HRT were horrible but I noticed after 10 days or so of HRT, they were fading and now are gone.

[Serenation]

congrats on surgery,  I had a really horrible flashes afterwards, think they made me wait 2 weeks to go back on hrt. I still get mild ones nowdays even though my levels are right. No advice other than ring endo and get back on hrt asap

[AnonyMs]

It's ten days post op and I have to wait another few weeks for my blood tests and six weeks until my Endo appointment. I know this subject has been discussed at various times before but I was wondering if anyone has any useful tips about how to avoid them or any other thoughts / comments / shared experiences? I know I can't discuss doses but for evident post op reasons I've only resumed estrogen slowly and lightly.

I'm not sure I understand. Its the surgeon who wanted you to stop HRT, but your waiting for an endo? Doesn't the surgeon tell you when you can restart your normal HRT? I've heard of people restarting normal HRT shortly after getting out of hospital from SRS. What does your surgeon say?

[Mariah]

Normally yes the surgeon tells you and even in my SRS preoperative packet he says when to stop. However in some cases like mine, I also received instructions in regards to when to stop HRT from the Endo in regards to my upcoming SRS. The information for Meltzer in my case is 2 weeks on each side, but sometimes Meltzer gives permission after surgery before two weeks. However, my endo had stated 2 to 3 weeks before and after, but that is also taking into account i'm on injections and where the cycle happens to land. So it may have something to do with the delivery method of the HRT they are on.  I'm sure there must be a reason why their endo is having them wait longer. Hugs
Mariah

I'm not sure I understand. Its the surgeon who wanted you to stop HRT, but your waiting for an endo? Doesn't the surgeon tell you when you can restart your normal HRT? I've heard of people restarting normal HRT shortly after getting out of hospital from SRS. What does your surgeon say?

[Serenation]

AnonyMs my information package said how long to stop before and start afterwards, but because you might be on completely different meds and dosages post op it's best to get things balanced again by an endo. Though I'd rang mine up beforehand, got the scripts got the pills and had them ready. Recovery is annoying enough without getting sick from no hormones.

[AnonyMs]

<Moderator's Edit>

I've read quite a few times that Suporn typically tells post-op patients they can restart while they are still in Thailand, and they won't be asking their endo then. I shouldn't think it would even occur to many.


Text removed because it read like advice to a potential medical procedure. Even if a member is a doctor, we do not allow advice for someone that is not their patient.

[DawnOday]

Hi everyone,

I had an almighty hot flash session last night, ten days post op. Fortunately I realised what it was so tried to remain calm but it was a humdinger: sweating, heat, then chills (no temp before anyone tries to digress this  ). It took about an hour for my HR to return to normal after it!

It's ten days post op and I have to wait another few weeks for my blood tests and six weeks until my Endo appointment. I know this subject has been discussed at various times before but I was wondering if anyone has any useful tips about how to avoid them or any other thoughts / comments / shared experiences? I know I can't discuss doses but for evident post op reasons I've only resumed estrogen slowly and lightly.

much love to all
xxx

I suspect it is your bodies fight or flight reaction to the trauma of surgery. When I went to surgery for my heart. they had to bring in fans to cool me down. It lasted about a week but took a day to kick in. Basically I woke up the next day in a pool of sweat.

[Jacqueline]

I suspect it is your bodies fight or flight reaction to the trauma of surgery. When I went to surgery for my heart. they had to bring in fans to cool me down. It lasted about a week but took a day to kick in. Basically I woke up the next day in a pool of sweat.

Dawn,

I believe it is quite common after SRS to experience hot flashes for a couple of reasons. Having been off HRT for a bit of time prior and post surgery, ones body loses the estrogen that was there. After surger the testes are no longer making sex hormones. Much like a cis woman whose body stops producing estrogen and goes into menopause, a trans woman post op may well go through a similar experience until HRT is continued.

Warmly

Joanna

[KrisAvery1969]

I had to stop E 14 days out.
I was allowed to take my AA and Progesterone all the way until the night before surgery.
My surgeon allowed for resumption of HRT at the first post-op appointment. 

Let met tell you, I hit the injection hard and it still took 3-4 more days for those hot flashes to subside.  I didn't feel right until another week rolled around and I got another good dose of E. 

For me, the bigger of the two problems seemed to be the emotional turmoil caused by the ENDING of T in my system. I totally underestimated this.  I figured that it was the same as blocking it. Wrong. So very and incredibly wrong I was.

It's a bit ironic that I had to have a revision surgery only two days after my first post-op appointment and therefore taking my first shot.  Not a word was said about me being loaded up on E.  Hmm.

I am starting to really wonder about the inconsistency among all the healthcare providers around the world regarding stopping and restarting HRT surrounding GRS.

[Violet]

I am 18 days post op, but just woke up soaked in sweat! My Doctor allowed me to restart Estradiol 5 days after the surgery so I guess my level is back up. I really haven't had a good night's sleep yet, but I nap during the day. It's 1 am and looks like another sleepless night.

[EllenJ2003]

As you probably guessed by now, the hot flashes and night sweats are from major hormonal changes.  It takes a few weeks for them to really go away - IIRC it took about 3 or 4 weeks for them to stop after I had my Orchi back in 2001.  I don't recall the night sweats being as bad when I went off of hormones for my SRS in late 2003 (but then again, it wasn't as major of a hormonal change, as saying bye-bye to the two major producers of testosterone when I had my Orchi  [T blockers like spironolactone, etc. are not 100% effective at blocking all male hormones, so an Orchi is like a sudden cessation of ye olde T]).

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

I am 18 days post op, but just woke up soaked in sweat! My Doctor allowed me to restart Estradiol 5 days after the surgery so I guess my level is back up. I really haven't had a good night's sleep yet, but I nap during the day. It's 1 am and looks like another sleepless night.

I suspect the oestradiol is still accumulating in your body as hot sweats are normally linked to low levels of the sex hormone.

[Violet]

I do too because I woke up at 4 AM this morning with a little less sweating compared to the previous night. I'll keep updating here.

My dose is with transdermal patches. I use 2 of the 0.1mg patches twice a week. Felt like a good level Pre-Op and since I already had the Orchiectomy last November nothing should have changed from having my recent SRS, but I will call my endo today. Thank you for replying. Will keep everyone posted. ♥

I suspect the oestradiol is still accumulating in your body as hot sweats are normally linked to low levels of the sex hormone.

[Zumbagirl]

Been there, done that. I know what the hot flashes feel like and I wouldn't want to go back. But I suffered through it all the same as you did. When I was back on hormones literally less than a day after I resumed the hot flashes simply disappeared. The end is in sight.

[Violet]

I think my hot flashes have gone away finally! Took about 16 days after re-starting Estradiol patches. Of course, I will have to see how tonight goes to make sure! LOL Thanks everybody! It will be nice to not have to change bed sheets every day! LOL

Been there, done that. I know what the hot flashes feel like and I wouldn't want to go back. But I suffered through it all the same as you did. When I was back on hormones literally less than a day after I resumed the hot flashes simply disappeared. The end is in sight.