u/Ok_Maybe3679

I’m a recent career-changer and have recently switched to a vet nurse/tech role after working in media and design for most of my career. I really love the vet clinic work and feel I have the aptitude to become a DVM and after returning to study to qualify I have just been offered a position in the DVM program at my local uni starting next year.

I know it will be a very challenging program both academically and time-wise, which I’ll need to balance and manage incredibly carefully as I have a young son (age 7).

My question is…am I being unrealistic/completely nuts for returning to full-time study at 40? I assume I will be one of if not the oldest person in my class. Am I too old to be a DVM if I graduate at age 44? Physically I’m pretty healthy but I know from vet nursing the industry takes a bit physical roll. Were there any 40+ year-olds in your DVM program and what advantages/disadvantages do you think my age might throw my way?

Has anyone else navigated having an unsupportive partner during hysterectomy recovery? I’d love to hear your advice for speaking up and advocating for yourself.

Not only did my husband not take me to or from the hospital (or visit while I was admitted), he’s also barely been home to help parent our extremely active son throughout my recovery. Both his mum and my mum very kindly came down to help me (which was wonderful) but it would have been nice to see my supposed partner doing any active parenting or caregiving.

He has a very stressful and high powered job, but this is a continuation of a pattern of behaviour of physical and emotional neglect. I also had to have heart surgery a couple of months ago and his response was “how are you going to get to the hospital?” rather than offer to take me. Pretty much the only thing he asked about my procedures was how long until I can do school pick-up/drive again.

Is it common for male partners to completely underestimate the fact that a hysterectomy is major surgery? Is it up to me to educate him? I really feel like I’ve been let down beyond the point of return here.

Howdy fellow speedy hearts! ♥️

I’m 4 days post-catheter ablation for SVT and feeling pretty good for the most part, however I have been noticing I’m a bit dizzy (more of a loopy/spacey sensation, not feeling faint or anything) and a bit breathless when walking just a short distance like just around the block.

Is this something worth mentioning to my EP, or have you found it’s pretty par for the course after an ablation?

Howdy fellow speedy hearts! ♥️

I’m 4 days post-catheter ablation for SVT and feeling pretty good for the most part, however I have been noticing I’m a bit dizzy (more of a loopy/spacey sensation, not feeling faint or anything) and a bit breathless when walking just a short distance like just around the block.

Is this something worth mentioning to my EP, or have you found it’s pretty par for the course after an ablation?

After years of chronic fatigue, heavy bleeding and iron deficiency I’ve finally had a scan confirming adenomyosis (plus suspected superficial endometriosis) and have an appointment with a gynaecological surgeon specialising in endo/adeno excision this week.

I’m going to request a hysterectomy (keeping ovaries - I’m turning 40 this year and think I’m already in perimenopause). I have this irrational fear that I’ll be denied the surgery or that surgery will be delayed. I think after years of dismissal from other medical professionals (and my own family at times) I’ve got real anxiety about not being taken seriously.

Is there anything you wish you’d brought up to your surgeon / gyno when first meeting them and broaching the subject of hysterectomy?

Thank you 🙏

After years of chronic fatigue, heavy bleeding and iron deficiency I’ve finally managed to have a scan confirming adenomyosis (along with suspected superficial endometriosis) and have an appointment with a gynaecological surgeon specialising in endo/adeno this week.

I’m going to request a hysterectomy (keeping ovaries - I’m turning 40 this year and think I’m already in perimenopause). I have this irrational fear that I’ll be denied the surgery or that surgery will be delayed. I think after years of dismissal from other medical professionals (and my own family at times) I’ve got real anxiety about being taken seriously.

These are the symptoms I’m dealing with:

- Very painful periods since age 14.
- Periods became extremely heavy after having my son, leading to iron deficiency and very low ferritin, requiring multiple iron infusions over the years.
- Need transexamic acid during menstruation in order to leave the house.
- Uterus always feels swollen and sore.
- Pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding/spotting with bowel movements.
- IBS-like symptoms often switching between severe constipation throughout the month and then diarrhoea when menstruating (was referred for a colonoscopy in 2025, findings were unremarkable).
- Weird “buzzing” or vibrating sensation in pelvic region, most noticeable at night in bed. Feels like a purring cat on my lap!
- Often have nerve-type pain near tailbone and left sacroiliac/hip area and sometimes in the left buttock and thigh.
- Pain during and after sex, plus spotting. Avoid sex due to pain and extreme fatigue, this is affecting my marriage.
- Extreme fatigue that has been increasing in severity in the last few years. This is my worst symptom and most disabling. Makes it impossible to work full time and I’m really struggling being the primary carer for my young son.
- Bloodwork has consistently showed signs of inflammation, but no obvious cause.
- Heart palpitations increased to the point of diagnosed arrhythmia (SVT) requiring a catheter ablation.
- Chronic migraine with aura and vestibular component.
- Constantly sick with colds, it’s like my immune system has given up.
- Have tried the Mirena IUD and progesterone-only BC at different times but had to stop due to awful side effects and poor mental health whenever I use synthetic progesterone. Mirena caused constant cramping and pain for years and eventually partially expelled itself. Slinda left me feeling suicidal.

- - - - -

Sorry for the long list. Is there anything you wish you’d brought up to your surgeon / gyno when broaching the subject of hysterectomy? Thank you 🙏

Just wondering for those who had adenomyosis and had a hysterectomy, did you find it improved your fatigue and brain fog at all in the long-term?

Extreme fatigue and brain fog are my most debilitating symptoms, plus systemic inflammation along with heavy bleeding during periods that means I need semi-frequent iron infusions.

Since being diagnosed with adenomyosis I’ve also developed chronic migraines with aura and a heart arrhythmia decided to join the party this year as well - unsure if they’re related or just a fun bonus 😅

I’m planning to yeet my uterus this year, so would love to hear any positive hysterectomy stories for adenomyosis sufferers - I’m so sick of feeling like a zombie living a half-life.

I’ve (40f) been collecting chronic health issues like they’re Pokémon (including adenomyosis and suspected superficial endometriosis, and most recently chronic migraines with visual disturbances and a heart arrhythmia that decided to join the party this year).

I’m not sure if the adeno/endo caused the other conditions or if they’re related in any way at all, just wanted to shout into the void that I’m fucking sick of this bullshit. I’d love to just have one day where I feel well. Hell, I’d settle for one day where I don’t feel like a fatigued husk of a human whose body and brain didn’t feel like a microwaved dog turd.

This is no way to live.

✨ End rant ✨

Hi everyone 👋. My doc has prescribed Pristiq (50mg) for treatment of major depressive disorder with anhedonia being one of my key symptoms. Nothing feels interesting or engaging and I have zero drive or motivation for pretty much anything. I’m also on Vyvanse for ADHD. I was previously on Lexapro which helped with anxiety, but seemed to be adding to my fatigue and general avolition/apathy.

I’ve been on Pristiq for about 3 weeks now and I think it’s helping my anxiety and I’m a little less lethargic but I’m not noticing much change with the anhedonia.

If you’ve experienced improvement with anhedonia on Pristiq, how long would you say it takes to start having an effect on this? I know I need to be patient, just worried I’ll be stuck in this flat, joyless state forever 😭