Hi,

I had surgery at the end of Jan and am finding that my emotions seem to be at the more negative end of things quite easily.  I  work in the public sector so do worry about my job at the mo but am finding myself feeling feeling sad easiliy, weeping or falling into an emotional state.  Some colleagues at work have reported me for the way i supposedly talk to them and this is really confusing me as i dont know if its them, if i am being not as expected, if i am over reacting etc so thought i had best ask how others may have felt after their surgery. 

Are these moods in anyway related to surgery (ie normal and expected)? If not then guess i need to think about things but if they are then i'm going to have to try and keep my mouth shut and fingers off a keyboard as i dont want to be upsetting anyone.  Any idea how long these may hang around?

Ta

Nat

I'm not aware of such blues in the majority of cases, Nat. I think it may be time for a visit to your gender counselor to help you get back on track before it hurts your job performance.

Robyn

I don't want to appear to be interfering in an experience I haven't had, but I if you're not likely to be seeing your gender councellor soon, such as in a day or so, I strongly suggest you see your GP.

Post operative depression is very real. The reports from your work collegues suggest you has a problem. These problems are very treatable and you don't necessarily know you're affected.

Please see your GP.

Maybe also check your blood hormone balance. Its not unusual for people to have to tweak the standard postoperative dosages to produce the correct balance in their systems.

It can take a while before your hormones begin to regulate.  It took about six months for my moods to settle down.  I'm happy most, if not all, the time now.

Are you taking a Progestin or Progesterone at all? I found I used to get moody a lot before I started on a progestin. I'd rather a progesterone but they are not avail where I am :/
And yeah +1 for getting some blood work done, it could be that.

No progesterone for me

Muffin if you are in Oz, you can get pure progesterone from a compounding chemist even though it's not available here in pill form. Just ask your endo about it.  That's what I do and get it in these little candy lozenges that just dissolve in your mouth.

But yeah, progesterone worked well as a mood leveler for me too.  If it's really bad please check with your doctor, but the blues is normal after surgery and will pass as you adapt to your new life in your new body, it just takes a little time.

heya I have heard about this but it always sounded like it would be a hassle and expensive. I just googled it and found somewhere near by that does it so I'll look into it! it's also BHRT which I've been looking for for ages, I've even asked GPs about it and they should of know about compounding :/ ....................GPs... whatca gunna do *shrugs*.
But yeah I'll look into it for when I'm more recovered and able!
*happy* B)

I had major depression 3 months post op.  Was enough to trash my life. 

Progesterone -  I've been using Emerita Pro Gest - My blood tests turn out exactly the same as micronized and I feel better.  It's easily available with no prescript and helped somewhat with the mood swings.

I also struggled with post-op depression lasting about 2-3 months. I went off hormones 3 weeks in anticipation to surgery, and didn't restart for another 2 weeks after. I creamed me, emotionally. Also, the breast development that I had gotten over the course of 2-3 years seemed to disperse while I was off hormones. That, also, was very depressing.

For me, the inactivity, continuing dull pain and dilation schedule put me in a funk. Only as my strength regained, and I could get out for walks did I start to emerge from the depression pit. The fact that I had lost my family right before surgery also was a hit.

Hang in there, it does even out and get better. I suggest you keep a calender and journal your days. Put down when you have a high energy day, and when you have a low one. Also mark what you did each day of note. Eventually, you'll see that more and more days in a row will be high energy days. You might find yourself forgetting to journal your days. It's about that time that you'll find yourself well again.

Good luck!

Quote from: juliekins on May 31, 2011, 02:48:03 PM
I suggest you keep a calender and journal your days. Put down when you have a high energy day, and when you have a low one. Also mark what you did each day of note. Eventually, you'll see that more and more days in a row will be high energy days. You might find yourself forgetting to journal your days. It's about that time that you'll find yourself well again. [/i]

Excellant suggestion. Sometimes when in a deep funk, its hard to see the surface. This would allow you to see that it does get better.

I did have mood swings a bunch between starting cycling progesterone and re-figuring out my estrogen levels again. I found that the 10 days I am off P is when I get more down though.