Anyone here have a hysterectomy?

[ticktock]

I have had pain etc. for the last 6-7 years. I am only 34, never thought I would find a doc that would give my a hyster. Went to a specialist today recommended by my gyn, and he said I'll have my girl call you with the dates!!!

I came home in a daze, went to a hyster site to see how everything goes and found alot of women with bowel problems after their hyster. Now I'm scared. I think I'd rather go through hell for a week or so every month than have bathroom issues everyday for ever. Any advice???

 

[antmaril]

I don't know your diagnosis, but I had a complete hysterectomy 14 years ago at age 41 and I have not had any bowel issues since my surgery. Since you mention a specialist, I assume you are getting a second opinion.

I haven't experienced any negative issues resulting from my hysterectomy and I don't have any regrets about having the surgery.

Good luck!

 

[Feralpeg]

I had a complete hysterectomy in 2002. I was 50 at the time. I've not had any bowel problems. The only problems I have are hot flashes and that is because I cannot take any type of hormone replacement due to a prior incidence of breast cancer.

 

[Ladybugsy]

I had a complete hysterectomy in 2003. Best move I ever made. I was spending 3 days a month in bed and using a super plus tampon every 15 minutes (TMI, I'm sorry)

Recently, I did start having bowel problems, but I can't imagine its due to the hysterectomy. Evidently I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Pain in the butt, but at least manageable. Something my horrible periods were NOT.

 

[Hollyann]

I had a hysterectomy at 29. I had bowel problems in the beginning - constipation - but it seemed to work itself out. Like many of the other posters (on this thread and others) I have to say the long-term results have been wonderful! Let us know how things work out and good luck.

 

[RUDisney]

Have you tried the Mirena IUD?

One of my friends said that she has no cramping and no bleeding, at all, since she started using it. She's raved so much that I've made an appointment to talk to my dr about it, too.

IMO, if this would help with pain and bleeding, it would be much better than a hysterectomy. I'd only do that as a last resort. If that's what it is for you and you've tried everything else, then I'd definitely do it, but I'd try less invasive measures first... and that kind of sounds like what you're looking for.

 

[clutter]

Why the rush to a hysterectomy? Can you take bcp's? Why not just supress your cycle for a few years. It was very unconventional when I started back in 1984, but all of the doctors I've had through the years have been thrilled that I haven't had to have the surgery. And now with all the research done for seasonale, medical thinking is leaning towards supression. I did have to start having periods when I wanted to try to get pg, but within a year, it was percocet level pain. I don't smoke, so even through I've over 35, my docs would rather have me supress than cut up. Works for me!

 

[poohandwendy]

I have had pain etc. for the last 6-7 years. I am only 34, never thought I would find a doc that would give my a hyster. Went to a specialist today recommended by my gyn, and he said I'll have my girl call you with the dates!!!

I came home in a daze, went to a hyster site to see how everything goes and found alot of women with bowel problems after their hyster. Now I'm scared. I think I'd rather go through hell for a week or so every month than have bathroom issues everyday for ever. Any advice???

I think I know what website you went to, a large one...hyster sisters? great site and tons of great info. But, it can be very scary reading the horror stories. I am also looking to having a hysterectomy eventually due to issues that are not going to get better, but I am just deaing with it until I have had enough, LOL. (no, the pill would not help me. They are not menstrual related issues)

If you end up having a hysterectomy, please try to remember that many people who stay on medical message boards after their procedure are there because they are having continued problems. That does NOT mean they reflect the norm. Most people who didn't have problems usually move on because they really are not caught up in that aspect of their life any more. So, you have no idea how many (countless) people had perfectly normal procedures with great outcomes. Poeple tend to talk about what went wrong more than what went right, kwim? Just try to keep that in perspective.

Either way, good luck to you and I hope everything goes well if you end up having it done. My bottom line is always to get a great doctor and a great hospital. That just makes the odds better.

 

[judi]

I had my hysterectomy in Jan of this year. I'm 44, 43 at the time. Didn't have any problems with the bowels. I did drink tons of water and did a lot of walking after surgery. I would do this again in a heartbeat. If any questions feel free to ask. Hystersisters is a great site to visit but take what is said with a grain of salt. As someone said you usually just hear the worst that is happening to the women, there are many many women who have had no problems what so ever.

 

[MorganLeFey]

I think I know what website you went to, a large one...hyster sisters? great site and tons of great info. But, it can be very scary reading the horror stories. I am also looking to having a hysterectomy eventually due to issues that are not going to get better, but I am just deaing with it until I have had enough, LOL. (no, the pill would not help me. They are not menstrual related issues)

If you end up having a hysterectomy, please try to remember that many people who stay on medical message boards after their procedure are there because they are having continued problems. That does NOT mean they reflect the norm. Most people who didn't have problems usually move on because they really are not caught up in that aspect of their life any more. So, you have no idea how many (countless) people had perfectly normal procedures with great outcomes. Poeple tend to talk about what went wrong more than what went right, kwim? Just try to keep that in perspective.

Either way, good luck to you and I hope everything goes well if you end up having it done. My bottom line is always to get a great doctor and a great hospital. That just makes the odds better.

you're right. I'm a member at hystersisters. I had to have surgery because I had cancer. I found that while I was contemplating surgery, and while I was undergoing treatment, I was visiting the board often. now that I am post-surgery and post-treatment,and feeling healthy, I don't go to the board so often.

I had a very easy recovery from the surgery.

 

[Disney Doll]

My then 50 year old neighbor had one a couple of years ago and had a textbook perfect recovery.

Do what the doctors and nurses tell you, get up and move post-op and you won't get constipated.

 

[JESW]

If you don't want to go the route of a hysterectomy, you may want to try a Novasure endometrial ablation first. (hope I spelled everything correctly..)

I had one in June due to bad pain, not heavy bleeding. It was day surgery and I was in and out in a matter of hours. Recovery wasn't so bad, but I could *feel* it for about two weeks, tho not so bad. TMI ALERT: I barely bleed now, but I still get the cramping so I am not sure what my next move will be. I am 46.

Jill

 

[TEENEE]

I had a hyster in Dec 2004. I have not regretted it for one minute. My ovaries were fine so my doc saw no reason to remove them, which I am grateful for. I totally agree with what poohandwendy said about the bad news on message boards. I too went on hystersisters daily until I had my surgery. After the surgery I stopped going on that board because I no longer had a need for it. I've been on other medical message boards when things were going on with my dd. Once her problem was resolved I stopped going on those boards too. Those boards are great for info but don't let them scare you.

 

[ticktock]

Thanks for the info everyone! Its good to know I'm not alone (though I'd not wish this on anyone!) Hystersisters was the site that got my feathers ruffled, though I do tend to be that person who has the ongoing problems so I'm afraid I'll be one of those poor souls that are still on their a year latter scareing all the newbies with my horror stories.

I have tried numerous things for the pain, laproscopy, the pill etc.. Nothing really works for me. My new doc seems to think I have adenomyosis which is like endo, but in the muscles of the uterus itself, not outside like the endo which is why a hyster is the only permanent option.

I'm just afraid the cure will be worse than the disease.

All of you with weak stomachs might want to skip the rest of this post .

Ladybugsy I started having "IBS" symptoms years ago, not constipation, just unbelievable cramping (much worse than my periods) and you know (wow this thread is gross, sorry guys) after every thing was "cleared out" I would pass bloody mucus (and the post continues to get worse). The docs did test after test and could find nothing. They told me I had IBS (which isn't actually a disease, it just means you have a certain set of symptoms and they don't know what causes them) and treated me like I was a silly house wife with a bad case of the vapours .

Finally I was at my GP for my yearly and he suggested I avoid gluten. I'd never tried that since I'd been tested for celiacs, but I did it anyway out of desperation. It seemed to work! I didn't know about gluten free breads and such so just ate veggies, meat, rice etc. for awhile. And most of my symptoms stopped. Later I bought some gluten free breads and COOKIES but when I ate them I began to feel bad again. The only thing in everything I ate that made me sick was SOY.

So while I don't feel 100% all the time, as long as I avoid soy I don't end up in bed for a month wishing I could just die and get it over with. It is VERY hard to avoid soy though since it is in so many products now. It's in baked goods to replace the eggs, chocolate as an emulsifier, spaghetti sauce to replace olive oil etc..etc..etc.. And of course everyone remembers the great uproar when McDonalds changed the oil that they made their fries in, yes the new oil is soy .

And by the way soy isn't actually good for you, I have an article somewhere in my computer that has results from real labs from Berkley to Columbia saying that soy isn't the panacea that Archer Daniels Midland wants us all to believe it is. If anyones intrested I'll try to find it.

 

[Poohnatic]

If you don't want to go the route of a hysterectomy, you may want to try a Novasure endometrial ablation first. (hope I spelled everything correctly..)

I had one in June due to bad pain, not heavy bleeding. It was day surgery and I was in and out in a matter of hours. Recovery wasn't so bad, but I could *feel* it for about two weeks, tho not so bad. TMI ALERT: I barely bleed now, but I still get the cramping so I am not sure what my next move will be. I am 46.

Jill

I second this. I had mine in March mostly for bleeding/clotting. No cramping here, and not enough of a period to use anything for. Gotta figure out who to give the huge costco box of feminine products to!

Suzanne

 

[DznyFan]

I'm a 2 year total abdom hyster vet, due to endo. I have developed diverticulosis, but gastro problems run in my family anyway. There are gastro problems I had prior to the surgery that I no longer have *pfffft*.
The other things that I am happy to report are better are that I no longer have nasty hormonal migraines every month, and of course the cramps and all is gone!! I don't miss the headaches, let me tell you!

 

[klynn]

I am 44yo and just had a TAH 4 weeks ago. I'm having a great recovery and no bowel problems. My only regret is waiting so long to have it done.

 

[disykat]

I guess I'll reply to this one too! I'll second the posts about hyster sisters. They were a great support to me after my operation because I was having a tough time. The people that need that support are the people that aren't able to get out and about. IRL, everyone I knew that had a hysterectomy had an easy time of it, so I relied on hearing from others that were struggling to know that my experience was normal. As others have said, people that are easily going back to real life are not hanging around on message boards looking for support!

Do NOT read the post op boards before surgery! I was surprised that it took me so long (about 8 weeks) to feel recovered since my c-sections had relatively easy recoveries. However, even though I felt like recovery was tougher than I expected I am THRILLED that I did it. I literally feel like skipping down the street sometimes because I feel so much better than I have for several years.

I think it's a crapshoot. You might have an easy recovery, you might not. Be prepared for whatever happens and you'll do fine. You'll probably have bowel issues for a few days or even a few weeks, but I haven't really heard of having lasting issues. It wasn't being talked about when I was at hystersisters - and I visited regularly for 2 months - maybe you just opened up a particularly scary thread.

 

[FreshTressa]

I have the merina IUD right now and it has cured all the symptoms....except now I have horrible acne and weight gain. I can't win!

I'm 33 and doc said I could get a hysterectomy if I wanted. It is funny to read this tonight cuz I spent all night over at hystersisters and got all freaked out reading the sexual side effects posts.

Now I'm leaning more towards the ablation. I think I will try that first.

 

[Longsx3]

I had a complete hyster in Jan 2002 at the ripe old age of 32! By that point I had multiple abdominal surgeries due to dermoid cysts, the surgery before my hyster the Dr knicked my bowel because the adhesions were so bad and I spent 6 weeks in the hospital. I then developed another cyst as we were contemplating IVF at that point my Dr said another pregnancy was out of the question and said that rather than continuing with the cyst removals it was in my best interest to have a hyster. At the time We had wanted another baby but we had already been trying for 2 yrs so it in all likely hood it wasn't happening and there was concern as to whether or not I could deliver safely so I went with the Hyster. I have to say that I have felt better in the last 4yrs than I did the 5yrs prior to my surgery. I took estrogen for the few years via the patch, I have problems with pills, but then it seemed the quality of the patch deteriorated and it would not stay adhered the entire week so I just quit taking it. I feel fine!

If you have any questions feel free to PM me