Chemical menopause with a stoma

Walking into my appointment in December I had a game plan and my biggest supporter with me to hash out what was finally discussed at my MDT between gynae, colorectal, gastro & rheumatologist.

To then find out that things had been missed during that meeting led to my husband raising his voice and me bursting into tears because, quite frankly I have had enough. I’ve been on bed rest and some pretty heavy duty medication since June and its been one hell of a 8 month period.

Another MDT is being held and my amazing gynae consultant has backed my gastro and colorectal surgeon into a corner. I’m still waiting for that outcome.

Alongside 2 decades with Crohn’s disease I also have endometriosis , the scar tissue from that and all my abdominal surgeries has led to scar tissue breaching my cervix down into my vaginal canal as well as mass adhesions in my pelvis.

I’ve also developed a peritoneal inclusion cyst that has happily filled all the spaces in my abdomen as well as sitting on top of my uterus that has tilted back when I had my proctectomy surgery. All of this has left me in a lot of pain and the only way to cure said pain is to remove the whole lot.

Given my unique complex insides they are all pointing fingers as to who’s to blame for the pain.

Gynea decided that Zoladex infusions would back the reluctant team into sorting out Buddy as he believes that Buddy is the main reason for the pain alongside the stoma blockages and the pulling on my adhesions when my bladder empties and my stoma purges.

Since starting the Zoladex it’s been confirmed that the pain is still at a level 10 so it’s definitely the cyst that’s causing about 80% of my cramps, stabbing pains and like something is jumping on my internal reproductive organs.

It’s now been confirmed that I’m definitely having the hysterectomy by April. It’s as if they drain the cyst whilst I’m open or remove it all so I can do the long recovery without worrying about a second surgery.

Side effects

The side effects from the zoladex have been something else. A phone call with my GP went along the lines of it being brutal but you’ve managed this far without HRT , let’s get to month 3 first . I have to admit it’s been horrid but not as horrible as having 3 week long menstrual bleeding with spotting in-between, I’ve already saved some pennies without needing bulk amounts of sanitary towels.

Head and chest feels like it’s on fire with mass amounts of sweating
Fatigue, sleeping 16 hrs a day or struggling to keep my eyes open
Insomnia, not being able to sleep because of the lack of hormones
Bone aches
Manic Moods, crying, being rather harsh in conversations, highs and lows- I’m on sertraline to help with this
Incredibly watery output
Having to hold down my baseplate longer when applying as my skin seems to be changing

I start month 3 in February, they’ve said hitting instant Menopause after the hysterectomy will be easier than the Zoladex but I won’t know until I start that journey after the removal of my womb.

Thankfully my barrier rings and barrier spray are helping with the increased output and protecting my skin.

Have you tried Zoladex? Have you had a hysterectomy? How did you find Menopause?

At the moment I am trying to avoid HRT due to the female side having had breast or bowel cancer after Menopause.

As always

Many thanks for reading

Louise | @crohnsfighting Xx