Update to my Good Vibes thread

[SilverMirth]

So in the past three weeks I have been having Dr. Appointments. First appointment -- General annual exam. During the external exam where the dr. was pushing on my abdomen I started crying because it hurt so bad... he apologized several time for making me cry. Pap smear was normal yippee.

Next appointment was a full pelvic ultrasound. Yup that was loads of fun. Embarrassed the technician. She was using the internal ultrasound probe and she kept asking if I was ok. After about the third time the imp that occasionaly takes control of my mouth blurted out..."look I have had 3 kids and my husband is much larger than that probe so I'm fine can we just hurry this up"
End result of the ultra sounds were that there was some fibroid tissue but everything else looked fine.

Today was an endometrial biopsy. I asked SK to come along. The doctor told me that I would be cramping and it would be painful. For once the doctor was right. SK had duty and I don't even want to think about what he had to do to/for who in order to have a couple of hours off. He did stay in the waiting room. For some reason he didn't want to be in the room:lol:.
I'll have the results from the biopsy in a week. It was really good that SK was there because I was really dizzy and shaky for a good hour and then really sleepy afterwards.

The doctor is leaning towards a diagnosis of adenomyosis. It means that the glands that are usually lost during a cycle are actually being absorbed into the uterine muscle.

My options are:
1) hysterectomy (only way to have a definitive diagnosis of adenomyosis). Problem with that is: with my size it is very risky but it would take care of all the problems I am having.

2) endometrial ablation: the dr would go in and microwave the inside of my uterus. it would solve the problems but I don't know. The thought of having part of my body cooked is a little unnerving.

3) Birth control hormones: This would be used to give me as few periods in a year as possible and control the bleeding.

So my question is anyone been through any of this before? Anyone have
had either of the first two procedures done? Any thoughts or words of advice?
Thanks.

[Dizz]

Ouch. Well I would avoid the hysto if I could. That would possibly throw you into early menopause or major hormonal changes. Microwaving, well it sounds relatively minor, but get a second opinion. The BC treatment: if it's Depo-provera, it is well known for stopping periods, but can cause weight gain. Check the side effects.

If it were me, I think I'd choose the nuker. I've been on the pill for 10 years and I'm glad my hubby got Ved. The pill made more hormonal changes than I wanted, sex drive, mood whatever.

[Pansy Faye]

Can't give any help here, but for me surgery is just not an option I like, but being cooked up like Sunday dinner doesn't sounda ll that great either and drugs, yeah, well so many things can go wrong with that.

If it was me, I'd have the hysterectomy, even though I avoid surgery like the plague. But the 'get it out, and get rid of it' would sound pretty good. You need to make the choice that's best for you and your family. If hysties are being done laproscopically now, and I believe they are now, then I'd opt for that. You and Speed need to sit down and go over the options carefully with the dr and make a desicion to fit your life.

Best of luck no matter which way you go. I'll be thinking of you and sending good vibes.

[RaevynCait]

I'm thinking that someone I know had the microwave thing, and she said it was awful and she wished she'd gone with the hystorectomy... lemme shoot her an email and see if I can pass her info to you in a PM

[rosefaeries]

I am glad that Speed Knight was there for you when you had the biopsy done.

I have had a hysterectomy. (I had it because of uterine fibroid tumors.) I still have my ovaries. My uterus was removed vaginally. You will need to discuss your options with your doctor. The only way having a hysterectomy throw you into early menopause is if you have a complete one. That is where they take ovaries and all.

I would recommend doing a internet search to see what your options may be, and then discuss them with your doctor.

[renren]

I had cysts within the uterine walls,so I had a hysterectomy,and I think it was well worth it. Try to find a Doc that will do it laprocopically, or at least partially,if that's what you decide.(what I had done was a LAVH, or Lap. Assisted vaginal hysterectomy.)
If you're looking for the least invasive and fewest risks , I *think* it sounds like the Ablution sounds the best along those lines,IMHO.

Mostly, It's what's best for you!

Hope this helps!

[ladyleggs]

I had a complete hysto 2 yrs ago because of fibroid tumors. Havent regretted a thing. Dont miss the massive bleeding periods, cramps or anything. Yes, I am having to take hormone therapy until I am 50, that kinda worries me, but at least every month I am not agonizing over a period that last almost 2 weeks.

[La Femme Meow]

I had the complete hysterectomy to remove 15 pounds of fibroid tumors. Instant menopause! *rotfl* And one enormous scar! (Not typical, just because of humungous tumor.) Dropped four pant sizes in one morning! :-D

Don't regret it for a minute. Instant menopause not bad at all, nothing compared to what friends have experienced with the real thing. Had a couple of emotional days in the first week but after they got the hormones adjusted everything was fine. Did have the occasional hot flash but nothing had to handle.

Despite large incision and literally hundreds of stitches and staples, I was back to a normal life within a very few weeks, driving and everything. (This is not recommended by doctors but I didn't have a choice.) The only complication was an allergic reaction to an antibiotic.

I found there was an invisible sisterhood of women who have had hysterectomies who seem to know you are or are about to be one of them. Mention you are going to have surgery, without saying what kind, and a neighbor or nurse or whomever will say "Are you going to have a hysterectomy? I had one myself and everything was fine. You'll be OK." In the first days, when you are tender, and pause before a heavy door or stepping off a curb, a woman you don't know will stop to help you. "Had surgery?" she'll ask. "I did too, let me help you."

The microwave thing sounds kinda scary but I am not familiar with the procedure. Just check all your options and then check them again. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a private message.

Good luck and good vibes heading towards you and SK.

[SpeedKnight]

So, I had to do a little research for myself here. Work for me is hectic these days, and I really don't want SM going under the knife only to have to deal with our 3 hellions while I'm off slaving for the man. I'm certain I can get some time off, but I dunno if they'll give me leave enough to be around to help.

Anyway, I found this:
http://www.ivf.com/eablate.html
I'm now a wiser person. It seems odd to me, though, that it takes so long before the procedure's effectiveness can be determined.

SM just informed me that her mom has suggested the hysto. As much of a pig as it'll make me sound like, I have my own questions about that and how it'll affect SM's libido. I like her libido the way it is, and I'd prefer it not go down. :) *ducks for cover*


Truthfully, all this shit worries the piss out of me. Let's see... Jocelyn's birth: almost lost both of them. The DNC from the miscarriage... I do believe that didn't go terribly well. The tubal... yeah, almost lost her there. I need my wife.

[LadyLaura]

I don't have experience with either of these procedures, but my advice to you is to DEFINATELY get a second opinion before deciding on either one. Maybe even a THIRD opinion if the first two don't agree. This is a very important decision, and I would want a very clear diagnosis and a couple of opinions from specialists before choosing.

[SpeedKnight]

I don't have experience with either of these procedures, but my advice to you is to DEFINATELY get a second opinion before deciding on either one. Maybe even a THIRD opinion if the first two don't agree. This is a very important decision, and I would want a very clear diagnosis and a couple of opinions from specialists before choosing.

Here in lies the problem with being military and having Uncle Sam covering our medical bills. Unless we take on the extra expenses ourselves, there's not much room for getting multiple opinions. Monetarily, we're in no position to do that.

[LadyLaura]

That is truly unfair. There is no way you can get a second opinion from someone else who is in the military medical system? *shakes head* I am ashamed at the way we take care of our military personnel. Even our tight-fisted insurance companies generally want second opinions, even though the motive is only to determine whether procedures are truly necessary. All I can say is best of luck, do the most research possible, talk to as many people as possible, to try to make the best decision you can.

[lavender r dragon]

That is truly unfair. There is no way you can get a second opinion from someone else who is in the military medical system?

i know when i was a miliary brat, my parents would set up an appointment at bethsada's pediatric (or adolscent, as the case may be) clinic and who ever was on duty is who we saw (we didn't have a set dr), which i would suppose would make it harder to arrange a second opinion.

if its a smaller hospital, maybe they have a set dr., but they may not have any others to get a second opion from

[SpeedKnight]

The military clinic here has next to nothing to offer. Almost everything is outsourced to civilian quacks, which means endless paper trails to deal with the financial end. Getting authorization for the FIRST opinion is a drama and a half... imagine how multiple opinions go.

[SHpepperKat]

First off, the best of luck to you both. The decision you have to ,make isnt going to be an easy one. I would suggest that you check with the nearest medical school and see if there is anyone there who can help you find out more info on the pros and cons of each option. If there isn't one close, you can also try the AMA http://www.ama-assn.org/ and see if there are publications about each procedure that are available for the general public. By that I mean that are not written in medical jargon. That might also help you to make the decision. I hope things work out for you and know that you will make the best decision possible. One other thing. Make a list of all the questions that you might have on the effects of each procedure and take it to the next appointment. That way you can be sure to remember everything.

[ladyleggs]

as far as libido, mine actually INCREASED after the surgery. You are suppose to wait 6 before have intercourse, I couldnt stand it no longer than 3 weeks. And to this day, 2 years after, my libido is going full force. I love it.............

[SpeedKnight]

as far as libido, mine actually INCREASED after the surgery. You are suppose to wait 6 before have intercourse, I couldnt stand it no longer than 3 weeks. And to this day, 2 years after, my libido is going full force. I love it.............

I can definately handle an increase. :)

Thanks.

[Saucy Ria]

I had my hystro one year ago......... I do not regret it for one minute. Of course, I had a critical care nurse at my bedside to help with all questions but I also found an amazing website that was of enormous help. www.hystersisters.com check it out. I can't think of a single issue I had or even dreamed of that they don't cover with knowledge, humor and compassion. As for the instant menopause........ it can be a b*tch, but one year free of the nightmares my period brought is well worth it!!