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Ladies, I don't know what to do about hysterectomy...

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/20/2011 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
My Gyn said today that I don't "have" to have the hysterectomy *for now*, since my periods have finally started getting better (after 2 years of heavy heavy bleeding).

I feel that I don't really want to have periods anymore since they've often given me trouble and I suffer enough with CD. I'm done having kids. Plus, docs are opening me up anyway for a resection...

I'm scheduled for both resection and uterus only hysterectomy. The problem is that I'm only 33 and I'm afraid of long-term side effects, since I'm still young. Gyn says there are little known side effects, especially because she will leave in the ovaries.

Any advice?
Posted 1/20/2011 5:10 AM (GMT 0)
I don't have any suggestions for you. But I will tell you my experience. My periods used to be extremely painful and I would practically pass out with the pain. This was years before I was diagnosed with crohn's. Hubby and I decided we did not want children...so sat down with the doctor to discuss a hysterectomy.

I was in my late 20's when I had it done. I was left with only one ovary, as the other one had a cyst on it...so they took the whole ovary instead of fussing with the cyst.

I was laid up for a bit, but the pain wasn't real bad. I was told I would go into instant menopause, but never really had a lot of symptoms of it and don't really know if I did or not.

Did I ever regret having it done? Absolutely not. It was such a relief to me. And I wasn't put on any hormone meds of any kind. My one ovary carried on with its job...no muss, no fuss.

Just wanted to let you know what my experience was, as I did have it done early in life. I read somewhere long ago that women who have hysterectomies develop lower back pain after a while. I have lower back pain...but crohn's does that anyway. And I know very few people who DON'T develop lower back pain as time goes on. LOL!

Either way you choose, I wish you the very best.
Posted 1/20/2011 6:47 AM (GMT 0)
I'd take the doc at her word and have it done if it were me. If you have the ovaries left then you won't have any hormone issues.

The fact that you are having abdominal surgery and can do both procedures at sounds wonderful to me.

Instead of two (should you need or decide to have a hysterectomy in the future) you get one: One painful recovery - one period of being laid up - one risk of wound infection - one round of terrible hospital food...

Patricia
Posted 1/20/2011 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
I had my hysterectomy at 36 and have never regretted it. I was so miserable 3 weeks out of every month with pms'y type crap, that it was a relief to finally be done with my monthly. I have been on 1 mg Estrace nightly since.

I preferred to have them take it all out as I had a friend who only had her uterus removed and she still suffered with PMS symptoms. I didn't want any of that, so told them take it all. I no longer have to worry about cervical or ovarian cancer and best of all, NO MORE PAPS!!

Hope that helps a little. Hugs!
Posted 1/20/2011 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Roni, have you tried any of the birth control pills or the depo provera shot? I am on the pill, and I must say they make my period a lot lighter and I don't really have any PMS - both of which were horrible for me pre-pill.

Also, they have those 3 month pills now - so you only have to deal with a period every 3 months. I know hormonal changes can play havoc with crohn's, I was wondering in the pills/depo were also bad that way.

Maybe you can give that a shot? My sister's mother-in-law had a full hysterectomy, and it took her a long time to recover from it in terms of getting her hormone replacement stuff right. Anyway, good luck! I hope you have a lasting remission.

((Hugs))
PV
Posted 1/20/2011 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not supposed to go on BC because of a mild heart issue. I tried progesterone only and it made my periods worse.
I thought about IUD or endometrial ablation, which I could try if I don't do the hysterectomy, but if there are no side effects, I'm leaning toward hysterectomy, I'm just a little afraid of ovarian failure or other side effects. I think it's a fairly small risk, though.
Posted 1/20/2011 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know if you've discussed this before, and if you have, just ignore me, I don't want to presume...but endometrial ablation?

www.mayoclinic.com/health/endometrial-ablation/MY01113

It can get rid of the heavy periods but not as invasive a procedure as the hysterectomy...and if it doesn't work you can still get the hysterectomy...anyhoo, just some thoughts...I know it's a newer type procedure...

Good luck on whatever you do...I wish you the best...
Posted 1/20/2011 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
I suffered with heavy, heavy bleeding for years. Doctors prescribed every treatment they could think of with no long term relief. I had my tubes tied at 31 so having more children was not the issue. I finally had my vaginal hysterectomy at 38. They left both ovaries so I did not have hormone issues until menopause.

Because the hysterectomy was performed vaginally, I was up and about the next day. I had lifting restrictions for 6 weeks but other than that, I was good to go. I NEVER regreted my decicion to have the hysterectomy. I only wish I had done it several years prior. It is a very personal decision.
Posted 1/21/2011 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
So far, it seems that e1 who had a partial hysterectomy isn't complaining, including some who had full.

I appreciate all your feedback. :-)
Posted 1/21/2011 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
Whatever you decide I wish you well with your surgery. Personally right now I've been dealing with bleeding and cyst issues since Sept. and the docs are very reluctant to even talk hysterectomy even though I'm pushing 50. If I could have one tomorrow I'd would! I'm thinking all the extra cycles I've had in the last few months are contributing to my CD issues right now.
Posted 1/21/2011 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
I had miserable periods starting in my early thirties. I was on birth control pills, the kind where you only get your period every 3 months. They helped a lot, but not entirely. In November of 2009 I had an ablation because I had fibroids and polyps. After that I was suppose to not get my period any more. Well, I'm one of the lucky ones who still gets there period, most of the time. Sometimes I just get really bad PMS, worse than before the ablation. I don't know why that is, possibly because I will skip months, or because I am 46 now. I'm still dealing with fibroids because they grew back. And my periods aren't all that much better. But, while the ablation was a relatively easy procedure, it still was a lot more recovery than I expected. It took me a full week to feel like myself again. The first 2 days were VERY crampy, and because I watch small children as my job, I was out of work for a week (No running around, lifting....) just easy activity afterward.

Overall, given your choices, the hysterectomy seems to be what you are leaning toward. Based on my experience with the ablation, I would have gone with the hysterectomy, in hindsight.
Posted 1/21/2011 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Roni, I understand your concerns.  I have the same ones.  I worry about all the possibles of after the surgery.  I am only 36 and they may take my ovaries as well.

I am so glad to hear that everyone seems to have had success and good reports from their's.

I know there is a little more risk having both surgeries done at once.  But for me it is better than having to do two suregries.  We have to have enough of those as Crohnies as it is. 

Crossing my fingers for you that everything goes well.

Tanya

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