Decision time- possible hysterectomy

[rosefaeries]

A little history first. I have uterine fibroid tumors. My doctor put me on hormon therapy which I did not respond to. The pain has only gotten worse over the past few months. When I have a period, I pass a lot of clots and feel like I am having labor pains. Ok now, I have an appointment tomorrow for a histo sonogram to find out if I have polyps that are causing me to bleed so heavily. The doctor wants me to think ablout having a hysterectomy because I haven't responded to the hormone treatments for the fibroid tumors.(To be exact, my periods have gotten worse. ) I also have severe back pain with my periods due to the fibroid tumors. I have been losing about a week a month due to pain. I can function well enough to drag my self through work. Anything beyond that, forget it.

I have been trying to weigh the pros and cons of having the hysterectomy. But all I can think is "hysterectomy????" I already have had all the kids I am planning on having.

Any input or questions to ask the doctor would be greatly appreciated. My appointment is tomorrow 12 pm pst. I know this is short notice for asking for input, but I could use a view point or many viewpoints not so close to the issue.

[AnnaFaerie]

I had my hysterectomy over 3 years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. I had suffered for years with back pain and was using a cane to walk. I can walk without a cane now. I still have back pain, but nothing like it used to be.

I have never regretted having the surgery.

[Escarlata]

I had mine in 1996 after suffering for a year with very heavy, long periods (the last was 32 days). It was, as said, the best decision I ever made.

I was lucky in being able to have the surgery vaginally, rather than with an incision. It made the recovery much speedier. A friend had hers this past December. Though the procedure could not be done vaginally due to fibroid tumors, her doctor used a new instrument (still in the training stage at our hospital) which wraps the organs to protect them rather than moving them forcefully out of the way. The doctor described it as "saran wrap". I don't have any other details on that device, but she and her doctor feel that it shortened her recovery by 2/3s.

Good luck with your appointment tomorrow.

Escarlata

[Bronya]

I had one when I was 31 (back in 1981) due to extreme endometriosis. My Dr was able to leave an ovary in hopes that some estrogen would aborb into my system. It worked for a while but then I ended up having to take the shots and then on to HRT to get thru the hot flashes etc. I had to have the bikini incision and recovery was very quick. LIfe was 150% better after it, especially sex, as there was no more pain.Also no more periods :bananada:

[Mum Tarts]

I had a hysterectomy in 1996 and after suffering years with leg pains and back pain and having to wash the sheets out every other night during "that time" I had a d&c and that didnt work, so finally the dr said the "h" word and I jumped at it.
I have never regretted it and every time I go by the "pads isle I go .na, na, na, na, na :lol:

[Keeley135]

I recently heard a local doctor on the radio talking about a new procedure that can be done out patient as an alternative to hystorectomy (sp?) I think it basically was cauterizing the uterine lining, don't know if that would help with fibroids, but it might be worth asking about. Good luck!!

[Mairi the Herbwench]

My sister had one years ago due to fibroids and she says it was the best decision she ever made. The outpatient treatment is (probably) utine ablation, and it still requires a need for birth control. There is a newer form of hysterectomy called laparoscopic hysterectomy (http://www.gynsecondopinion.com/hysterectomy.htm) which has a much faster healing time and is worth looking into - it may not be possible depending on how large the fibroids are.

I'm facing this perhaps this year - I go back for another ultrasound in June to see if there is any growth - so far I haven't had side effects, but I'm on a progestin only pill which pretty much eliminates periods.

Good luck - every woman I've ever talked to has said it was one of the best moves she made!

[Brigid]

My mom had a hers done a little over two years ago, and along with it she had the fibroid that was the size of an eight month old fetus. she has been soo happy and cheerful ever since and has been steadily losing weight. the hormone therepy prior to the surgery didn't help my mom any either. her advice for people in the same situation is do it.

[rosefaeries]

Thank you for the input. I will be having the hysterectomy in either late may or early june. I need to find someone to take my boys for a few days first. The test went ok. At least I wasn't screaming in pain like I was with the biopsy. Sigh. Better to get this done while I still have insurance and before those infernal things get any bigger. I want to be climbing Smith Rocks by this time next year. lol

[rosefaeries]

My operation is scheduled for June 13. Only date I had someone to watch my kids. SIgh I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 am. Groan. I have a ride home from the hospital but not to it. Now my stomach is doing flip flops. I know it is a good thing to get this done. (I am tired of being in the equivalent of low grade labor all month long)

[MacKahlia]

Well, I have no helpful words or advice... but I can offer hope and hugs... hang in there! I'll send happy healing thoughts your way dear!
:grouphug:

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

Swift healing, easy surgery, as little pain as possible with the whole thing (before & after) and lots of love! :grouphug: :meow: :smooch: :grouphug:

[Isabelle Fawkes]

A little history first. I have uterine fibroid tumors. My doctor put me on hormon therapy which I did not respond to. The pain has only gotten worse over the past few months. When I have a period, I pass a lot of clots and feel like I am having labor pains. Ok now, I have an appointment tomorrow for a histo sonogram to find out if I have polyps that are causing me to bleed so heavily. The doctor wants me to think ablout having a hysterectomy because I haven't responded to the hormone treatments for the fibroid tumors.(To be exact, my periods have gotten worse. ) I also have severe back pain with my periods due to the fibroid tumors. I have been losing about a week a month due to pain. I can function well enough to drag my self through work. Anything beyond that, forget it.

I have been trying to weigh the pros and cons of having the hysterectomy. But all I can think is "hysterectomy????" I already have had all the kids I am planning on having.

Any input or questions to ask the doctor would be greatly appreciated. My appointment is tomorrow 12 pm pst. I know this is short notice for asking for input, but I could use a view point or many viewpoints not so close to the issue.

My only question is....Have you gotten a second opinion??? If you have been suffering from these symptoms for a while, would it really hurt (no pun intended) to seak the advice of another professional (or two)?

Once the operation is completed, you are looking at a life-long treatment of hormonal therapy to keep your body in sync. Will you respond agreeably to this treatment? Ask about the side effects of taking these drugs on a long term basis and what you may be facing in the near and distanct future! Not to mention will your insurance pay for the long term expense?

I am not trying to scare you, and yet this is a difficult position to be in. Do a little research on your own and make an educated decision based on your findings!

I hope everything works out for you. I will be sending you good karma and best wishes in all your endeavors!

Let us know how things work out for you,
Isabelle Fawkes

[Absinthe d'Accalia]

Rosefaeries - I PM'd you with some info about this. I hope you find it helpful. :grouphug:

[Buxom Wench]

I had one when I was 30 (back in 1993) due to extreme endometriosis.
I had back pain, "labor pains", nausea, THE WORKS.
The only reason I found out about the endometriosis was because my Rogue and I were thinking of having a child together (we each had 2 from previous marriages) and after a LAPAROSCOPY, my doctor said I could have my tubal reversed but if I did get pregnant, I would probably only carry through the first trimester because of all the scarring. He equated it to this: think of your abdomen as a bowl of jello and your organs as fruit in the jello. That's what my insides were like. The endo was literally strangling my uterus.

REGRETS: NOT A ONE
PROS: Much happier, almost totally pain free, still have 1 1/2 ovaries, NO HRT, .... the list goes on & on.

Whatever you decide, I'll be sending good thoughts and warm hugs your way. :grouphug:

[SquishiWench]

I had a total "bikini incision" hysterectomy in 2002 when I was 35. Uterus, ovaries, tubes, and my cervix all came out. Had a bladder "pick me up" as well. I had been having all kinds of problems that started when I was 14. Suffered for many years...finally having months and months of periods where I had maybe two days OFF and the rest on, in a month...talk about horrid... Anyway...it was the best thing I've ever done, I don't regret it one bit. Totally changed my life in all ways that are good. This was the 'last straw' deal...everything else had been tried. I had had my tubes tied years earlier, had all the kids I could handle, so that wasn't a huge issue for me. Was the difference between night and day. I got put on hormones, because of my age, but I developed a, what I consider, relatively minor heart problem a year or so later, and my cardiologist took me off the hormones. It was odd though, to go in the hospital with pms and come out with menopause. lol The surgery hurt, I won't deny that...but then so did 2 c-sections followed by a natural delivery. I got a morphine drip after the hysterectomy though :thumbsup: I did develop pneumonia while in the hospital...but I was a heavy smoker, so that was pretty much my fault. It does take a while to heal...and you're sore and achey for some time...but being out of the constant pain I had been in prior to the surgery made it bearable. The only thing I would change, if I could, would be to have had it done earlier....(and maybe be able to take that morphine drip home....no..pretend I didn't say that).

I wish you the best of luck with your health!

~Squish~

[Wolves Lady]

There are other surgical alternatives to fibroid treatment besides hysterectomy. Have you discussed them at all with your Dr?

My mother had her hysterectomy for a different reason when she was 34, and she said it was horrible until they managed to regulate her hormones and get her body stabilized - over two years - her Dr. threw her into "instant menopause", and she did not respond well to the treatments afterwords. She battled depression, mood swings, and fatigue.

If you have not already done so, check out www.nuff.org for surgical alternative to remove firbroids. It is quite possibel you will have a hysterectomy a be fine, but you should be aware of alternatives.