Going for a hysterectomy

Hi there...I had a complete hysterectomy at 24 years old due to severe menstrual pain and excessive bleeding.  My periods would all run into each other with only a few days in between and I was always anemic.  Birth control pills and hormones did not help.  I had four bleeding ovarian cysts removed before they decided to 'take it all out.'  One of my fibro books said this a symptom of the disease...dysmennorhea (spelling?).  I hated to have radical surgery done at such  an early age but I was always in and out of the hospital.  It eliminated that particular pain immediately and was a relief.  I am assuming they won't have to remove your ovaries like they did with me....hence no menopause.

I firmly believe this was one of my first fibro symptoms.

Donna

 

I have not had a hysterectomy but I just wanted to throw out another option. Endometrial ablation. I had an endo ablation about 3 years ago and it was the best choice I ever made. At that time, my periods were wacky - hardly bleeding and when I did it was brown blood but would come every two weeks or so. But the pain was unbearable! Omgoodness, was I in pain! It felt like someone was taking a red hot pry bar to my hips. I can not take hormones so my choices were limited. I chose not to have a hysterectomy. I now have been period free for 3 years.

I didn't know I had fibro at that time (recently diagnosed but have had it for about 15 years). During my periods, I would get so achy and headachy that I had a hard time functioning. Since the ablation, I still get PMS just not nearly as bad as before.

Red_34-We did discuss an ablation. He said that all the ablation would do is reduce or stop the bleeding but do nothing for the pain. Are you pain-free as well as period-free?

I loved my hysterectomy. I got so tired of the ovarian cysts (had first ovary removed when I was 21) bursting and bleeding in there, the periods from hell, all the hormone treatments that never worked we finally yanked the whole thing, last ovary and all, out and Thank God! I traded all my tampons for a fish tank :) They did it vaginally and it was an easier recovery than when they did the exploratory for the first ovarian cyst.

I was only 36 so I did go on hormone replacement and still am. I recently found out the hormones I was put on - Triple Estrogen so it's 3 kinds - was not bioavailable to me so for the last 18 years, I've had the hormones of an 80 yo woman which has had detrimental effects so if you choose replacement, please discuss this with your doc. My blood levels were always fine but I was not absorbing it. I'm on pure Estrace now and feel 100% better. Best of luck!

Thanks everyone. Yep, I'm done with kids, have two and actually couldn't have more without risking my health with my heart issues. Y'all are making me feel a lot better about this decision. I've asked my aunt to ask her friends for input if they have any, but so far I don't see any major reason not to have it done, especially if he's going to leave my ovary in. *big sigh of relief* Red_34-that's where I am, I'm just DONE. I'm so tired of it all but, truly, I feel if it wasn't for the fibro I'd probably try to stick it out. I'm glad you had good luck with your ablation! It's good to hear that there are alternatives that work.

Hi Evenkeel, I had my left tube and ovary out (incision like a c-section) due to infection.  Within a year I was back in the hospital to have everything including cervix out.  Back in through the same incision and I don't regret it at all. 

I did not have the painful periods but I got really, really sick when the infection hit.  I had it done when I was 39 and don't miss the periods one bit.

Nana is correct that Premarin (sp?) is made from the urine of pregnant mares that are kept prego and in a barn to collect the pee.  They don't give a rats butt about the foals.  There are major rescues for the "Premarin Foals".  I would never take it for that reason

Good Luck in whatever you decide!

I am a bleeding heart when it comes to animals, not by any means an animal activist or PETA person.   I help out with German Shepherd rescue when they need kennel space.  I have also had a few rescue horses here and I just feel so bad for those premarin foals, most are not healthy but some are and end up in homes thankfully

I had a complete hysterectomy years ago, due to fibroids causing a lot of pain. Already had my dtr and was not having any more (dh had already had vasectomy). I actually told my dr on the first visit, if he suggested a hysterectomy i was all for it. Since I sd that he did not put me through some tests he could have done after the dx. I tell anyone, best thing I ever had done. I hated having periods.

Just remember that hysterectomy is not a cure for endometriosis. Some women get relief from endo from a hyst but some don't. If a lot of your pain comes from your uterus, you will probably benefit. If the endo is mostly in places other than your uterus (like mine!) you may not get the relief you expect.

Many docs believe that if you remove the ovaries, the endo will "dry up." Studies have shown that this is not true. Again, some women find relief, some don't. The endo tissue produces estrogen. If your doc finds endo, you should try to avoid hormone replacement for as long as you can, many docs suggest you avoid hormones for at least 6 months. There is no magic number and I'm not aware of any real studies to show how long you should avoid hormones or even if it really helps.

Talk to your doc, see if he/she plans to remove all the endo they see or if they think it will "dry up." When endo is surgically removed at the time of the hyst, women have a much better long term outlook.

My worry is that once you have a hyst, docs will brush off any recurring pelvic pain. Too many say that after a hyst, a woman can't have endo. This makes diagnosis and treatment for later problems more difficult. I have friends that have had a hysterectomy and still had endo 10-20 years later. Others have found it to be the best decision they ever made.

I hope you find relief with this surgery. If your doc finds endo, and your pain returns even 10 years from now, remember that endo is still a possibility for you. I know too many women that have suffered after a hyst because their docs won't believe that they still have endo. Once they found a doc that believed them, they were able to have the endo removed and their pain treated.

(I know a lot of women with endo because I used to run a support group.)