Mood fluctuations pre-/post- surgery

[eneill7]

For about 3 months up until my surgery (11/15/08), my PMS was just out of control.  I normally have an emotional time with it but these bouts were just through the roof.  I didn't think too much of it but I kept thinking that maybe it was due to other stresses in my life amplifying my hormonal state.  About 2 weeks ago, I went in to my doctor's for what I thought was appendicitis and lo and behold, it was a 9 cm dermoid cyst.  There was another one on my left side and that was removed, too.  My original equipment (ovaries) stayed with me and I'm quite happy about this since I was warned that the right one would almost certainly have to be removed.  Anyway, my question is:  did anyone else feel like a raging hormone towards the peak of their cyst's existence or is this something else?  I felt like I was ready to jump out of my skin at any moment and other times I felt depressed for no reason at all.  Certainly felt along the lines of what pregnant women might experience.  I haven't been in to see my gynecologist since my surgery and I have a lot of questions that I couldn't ask before the surgery because of a) didn't know if they were relevant and b) didn't have time because of the urgency of the surgery (lot of pain).  Can someone relate to all of this?  Does anyone have any feedback about their experiences with emotional ups and downs while living with the cysts?  Did anyone have depression post-surgery?  I would greatly appreciate any medical expertise passed on or sympathetic reassurance that all of this will pass.  Unfortunately, part of my irrationality caused a long-term relationship to end and I just don't know how to begin to explain this kind of thing to him (especially since we aren't on speaking terms.... so upsetting.... ).  

[eneill7]

I love the resilience of women.  Thank you all so much for your empathy, sympathy, and helping me understand why I have felt so unstable.  My partner didn't know what was going on at the time -- I broke off the relationship in a fit of irritability and snap judgment.  I wasn't even aware of the cysts until about a month afterwards so I'm working on making amends with myself about it all and he can take the apology as he wishes.  We can only hold ourselves accountable for so much, especially when there are unrevealed/underground issues going on.  Thank you all again and again -- positive thoughts, warmth, and light...

[Valkyree]

I am sorry to hear about your story... some men just don't get it... I guess I can understand why they wouldn't, I mean it's hard to even explain what surgical menopause feels like, but if they can't support you through something like this, it's better off to know now and find someone who would be.

I had an ER visit mid-August due to excruciating pain... turned out I had two 10cm dermoid cysts that took over my ovaries. I had my tubes and ovaries and cysts removed.. they left everything else because I guess I have lots of scar tissue in there (not sure what from)...

anyway, after I had the surgery I realized just how much the cysts were affecting me... I had started noticing PMS symptoms a few months before they found the cysts, which I didn't really have before... always had an easy time with my periods.. then BIG mood swings, no concentration, no patience... CRABBY! I just figured maybe I was going into pre-menopause since I am 45 years old, and maybe that was the start of it... Now, since the surgery I am dealing with surgical menopause which *knock on wood* seems to be finally evening itself out or something... the flashes are hot and the night sweats are there and yes... I get crabby very easily, which is just not me, but hopefully that will all taper off soon... My leg pain and numbness is gone now, which I always attributed to extra weight in my belly or maybe a back problem... I can actually stand or walk for very long periods of time now... Been a tough year for me... lost my dog, had major surgery and now last week, lost my job. But, I am very lucky to have supportive people around me and I'm working on a game plan for my future this week.

Hope you are all well!!

[Tracey72]

I was up and down beofre my surgery.  I would cry at the slightest thing I was really quite pathetic.  Also my hair fell out in clumps and I went really spotty so I guess my hormones were all over the place.  I was up and down in my moods too.

After surgery I am no longer crying , but still spotty and still losing hair but I am also putting that down to the enormous stress my body has been under for the last year or so
I ma feeling a b it depressed due to the fact I a lonely and bored being off work but also I dont want to go back to work and that is geting me down.
Plus the last two night I have had trouble sleeping as my back and legs are really hurting in bed.

Sorry to hear about your relationship and hope things are resolved for you soon

Tracey xx

[vallieanne]

I didn't really have any mood problems with my cysts before my surgery on Oct.4, both ovaries and tubes were removed due to a Brenner tumor on one and an endometrioma with mucinous components on the other, but I was already in menopause by the time they came out.. they were there from before that..
I did have a lot of pms type physical symptoms that have gone away now since I have no estrogen anymore..which made me irritable in general.
Also, for about a week or two after the surgery I started having nightmares, which I always get when I have any kind of anesthesia, and I was felt depressed for about a month... now I feel better even with no hormone replacement therapy.
In my case the doctor told me the tumor and the cyst were producing hormones, which was giving me the pms symptoms.. and the loss of the ovaries even after menopause caused a hormonal adjustment to my body as well...
I'm sorry for your relationship problems but it seems like if someone knew that you were going through all this stuff they might want to be a little more patient and wait to see how you were doing after the surgery... I don't know how old you or your partner are, but maybe it's just due to a lack of maturity.. which can be the case at any age in some people.
take care,
Valerie