Attn hysterectomy ladies

[Pastamom]

Had a partial abut 8 years ago at 33. I have not regretted it since. had lots of bleeding, cysts and cramps.

Do have dryness but there are things for that.

Still have some tenderness and bloating when "that time" is coming, but nothing compared to before.

DO NOT MISS my monthly friend at all...

I had about 1 week of pain, then things started to get back to normal.

 

[AmazingGrace]

I'm subbing for this thread because i'm heading in that direction. I'm getting an endometrial biopsy done on Monday and we're hoping to set a date for a hyster. i'll have more details after monday.

 

[mhsjax]

This was a quality of life decision for me because I needed to get my body of the pill due to blood pressure issues. My doctor was willing to do the procedure because off the pill I have all kinds of issues which is why I had to go on it in the first place. Vicious cycle.



For me, (I understand everyone is different) my libido increased off the pill. A side effect my husband appreciates. The dryness comes and goes throughout the month.

I thought I was the only one that had that particular problem with the pill. Turns out a lot of women do, seems they just don't talk about it. It was funny, my Dr asked me if I was on birth control after the birth of my 2nd child. I told him no, he asked if I wanted the pill. I told him that I would try something else maybe because If I was on the pill, then I didn't need the pill. He looked at me very confused, I told him that if he put me on the pill, there would be no need for it, because I wouldn't have sex on the pill. Had ZERO interest in it. lol

 

[ElizK]

I had a hysterectomy back in September for endometriosis and adenomyosis. One ovary and the cervix remains. Surgery was done laparoscopically, and the recovery was easy. I had 6 weeks off of work, but could have easily gone back after 4.

A day or so after the surgery I started having major hot flashes and night sweats. It was really bad, and it took me by surprise. I specifically wanted that ovary so that I wouldn't have any of that (I had just turned 41). They stopped about 8-9 weeks after the surgery. Life was great!! Until about 4 weeks ago... hot flashes again. Can't sleep. Having 10-12 per day. I had to start hormones yesterday. I hope they kick in fast, because I'm going to spontaneously combust. Once I get these under control I'm sure I'll be glad I had the surgery, but right now I'm not so glad. I traded 15 days a month of misery for misery 24/7.

 

[LindaG4458]

I have been using something that might be useful to the ladies with symptoms from diminished hormones. I am postmenopausal. My doctor has been treating me with hormonal implants. The implants are about the size of a grain of rice and custom formulated according to results of blood testing. The are inserted into a buttock. Each implant lasts about three months. They offer continuous exposure and enable levels to be constant. They contain estrogen and testosterone; progesterone is provided in pill form.

I felt so much better with these implants! Unfortunately we are returning to northern NH next week until next January. The closest practioner to get another is in NY! I will have to use oral medication until then.

Following is the site where you can find out if there is a practitioner near you:
http://www.sottopellelife.com/index-2.html

 

[mickeysmate65]

I was just talking with my Mom about this tonight..... I'm 45yo - had a total abdominal hysterectomy (incl both ovaries) 10-12yrs ago because of recurring ovarian cyst and "heavy" bleeding. I had pain for 2 years before the surgery - I couldn't take it any more and said "schedule it." So much so that I had the surgery on my birthday - Happy Birthday to me!

Best decision I ever made but I can't say I felt that way from about 5 to 7 months post-op. My initial recovery was fine except a few hot flashes while we adjusted HRT. Initially was placed on a patch but 5 months out I found myself crying, depressed and having "panic attacks" when I had to go to work. I never missed work but the anxiety was gripping. Really strange for me. Finally called my GYN - she initially added testosterone to my regime. ALso added an antidepressant but I hated that worse than the testorone-induced hair growth! About 2 months after all of this started I went on Premarin only and a 'mind over matter' approach - since then no issues. We just had to find the right medication/dose.

About 4 years ago my Premarin dose was reduced - I tried to do it cold-turkey but that didn't work so I switched to a gradual reduction. I expect this summer my dose will be reduced again - I said 'no' last summer b/c I had just started a new job and didn't want to deal with the changes at the same time.

I only tell you this so you can be prepared and manage what you may experience. Our bodies are used to a certain hormonal level and taking one or both ovaries changes that - only it forgets to tell our brain. We are programmed to experience hormonal shifts and menopause - it's in our DNA. Even though my dosage hasn't changed, I've picked up weight this year, my sleep patterns are beginning to change, and my libido & dryness are improving - my body prob thinks its time for early stages of menopause.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[2Eskiedogs]

I had my abdominal hysterectomy last July, at 41 yrs. old. I had extremely heavy flo, was considering ablation. Only to find when I had my biopsy, I had abnormal cells. I did go on a megastrol(sp?) to hopefully burn those cells out, only to find 10 months later they were still there. That is when I decided to have my surgery.

I have two boys, but emotionally I wasn't prepared for letting the dream go of having another child. It was hard.

My surgery was on July 2nd, by the afternoon, the nurse had me up and walking. I kept my ovaries, and cervix. Was not prepared for hot flashes that first night in the hospital. The dr assured me that my ovaries were sluggish from surgery. I went home on the 4th of July and didn't take anymore pain medication. Not that I didn't have pain, I had a headache and fogginess that the pain pills seem to give me. Once I switched to tylenol, no more headace or fogginess. I had to sleep on the couch sitting up, because my bed was too high for me to get to, without pulling on my stitches - I should have borrowed my brother's lazyboy chair, that would have been a lot more comfy.

I think I recovered faster because I was up and walking. My pathology results were that I had uterine cancer. It made me wish that I would have done this several years earlier.

 

[LindyN]

Total hyst at age 40--everything out, laparoscopically. Great surgeon, and I was in WalMart two days later. (Anemic because of a lot of blood loss, but heck, I could walk!)
Went back and forth on the ovaries, but I had a lot of problems with cysts and the doc told me he would leave them, but most likely he's be back in within two years to take them. Since I was mostly paying for the surgery through deductibles and copays, I decided to just have everything taken out. No "cancer catchers" in my lower body either. (Tubes, uterus, ovaries, cervix all gone.)

Don't regret the surgery one second and biopsy afterwards showed adenomyosis. Supposed to take Estrogen daily but I may remember to take it three times a week. Have never, ever, had a hot flash. I can tell if I need more Estrogen as I get a mentally foggy and start feeling overwhelmed. Estrogen is really a great thing and I just feel a whole lot better when I take it as prescribed. I tried the patch but I have a problem with adhesives and rashes, so it was not going to work for me.

Only thing I wish I got control over early was exercise and weight, as I've picked up some pounds since the surgery. I'm not going to blame estrogen and a hyst--it has more to do with sitting at a desk for 12+ hours a day and lack of activity. Probably what I need to do is take my pill every day and get away from this computer for some exercise.

Good luck!

 

[Polyluvr]

I'm subbing for this thread because i'm heading in that direction. I'm getting an endometrial biopsy done on Monday and we're hoping to set a date for a hyster. i'll have more details after monday.

OMG! I am also having an Endo Bx on Tues am. She tried to do it on Tues after an ultrasound; but my "parts" weren't cooperating- so- now to have some lidocaine injected so she can get a sample. I definetly have to have a
hyster though! I am really looking forward to it; times of the month are horrible and so anemic; just a nightmare. My probs started after having a tubal ligation 5 years ago.

Good luck to you Grace!!

 

[iwrbnd]

I have been using something that might be useful to the ladies with symptoms from diminished hormones. I am postmenopausal. My doctor has been treating me with hormonal implants. The implants are about the size of a grain of rice and custom formulated according to results of blood testing. The are inserted into a buttock. Each implant lasts about three months. They offer continuous exposure and enable levels to be constant. They contain estrogen and testosterone; progesterone is provided in pill form.

I felt so much better with these implants! Unfortunately we are returning to northern NH next week until next January. The closest practioner to get another is in NY! I will have to use oral medication until then.

Following is the site where you can find out if there is a practitioner near you:
http://www.sottopellelife.com/index-2.html

I would love to look into this. I know I felt so much better "mentally" before my hyster!

 

[disykat]

This was a quality of life decision for me because I needed to get my body of the pill due to blood pressure issues. My doctor was willing to do the procedure because off the pill I have all kinds of issues which is why I had to go on it in the first place. Vicious cycle.

You were lucky IMO! I had to go off the pill because of blood pressure at 37 and spent 7 years on a rollercoaster of trying hormones etc. trying to "fix" my periods until my fibroids got large enough to be considered a medical reason for a hysterectomy.

 

[Sadie Chez]

First off I highly recomend this site even if you've already had a hysterectomy there is so much great advice for before and after: www.hystersisters.com

I'm 44 and last December I had a partial abdominal hysterectomy, I was able to keep my cervix and left ovary, which helped with a faster recovery. Well so they say, I felt like it took a long time. The reason for the hyst was severe endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibriod tumors, enlarged uterus, overian cysts which included the tubes, and lastly because of the damage from the tumors I had bladder repair with a sling. Phew!! Of course different women have different experiences with recovery depending on what they have done and the extent of damage that has to be repaired. Thats where the Hyster Sister site is so helpful, it gives you a way to gage what you will need to have done and recovery time based on what they went through.

Now the surgery itself was hard, allot of pain and discomfort so it's best to be prepared for that, recovery was long and hard because of type of surg and problems being taken care of. They tell you for this type of surgery you will have six weeks of recovery, what they didn't say was you feel like crap for six weeks then s..l..o..w..l..y start to get better. Oh and the first two weeks were just awlfull sooo much pain.

But once past those first six weeks, wow life is so much better. Now four months later I am so happy I had this done my only regret is I waited so long to take care of this problem I wouldn't hesitate to do it again even knowing, yeah this is going to hurt and life is going to be hard for a couple of months, but compare 2 months with your whole life being just sucky because it revolves around this problem which affected everything.

Last week I went hiking with the kids over spring break, I did have the occasional shaky legs and had to work hard to keep up, but I was marching up hills jumping over tree limbs, rocks and everything else with no problems. I couldn't have done that last year.

To sum things up do your research first, the Hyster Sister is just great I can't say enough about it. But if the quality of your sisters life is affected get a good doctor and do what needs to be done.

 

[TerriP]

I was surprised to see someone who said they had it as a quality of life decison. Do Drs. really do that?

Mine did. After struggling with endo since I was 13, having a hyst was the only option left to me. At 31 and with no children, I went to my gyno (who had been my gyno since I was 13) and told her I was done with this and just wanted a total hyst. She told me to wait six months...really think on it and be absolutely certain. If I still felt the same way, she would do it. Six months to the day I sat down with her again and told her I was certain. She advised against a total and suggested I keep my ovaries to avoid hormone replacement since I was only 31 and still years away from menopause. I agreed. The.Best.Thing I have ever done for myself. It was a complete quality of life decision and it was completely right for me.

 

[Belle1962]

Just had a TAH on March 24. Still home (which leaves lots of time for the DIS). I didn't have anywhere near the pain I thought I would, I still have most of my pain meds and other than a LOT (and I mean a LOT--I look ready to drop triplets some nights) of bloating I am doing obnoxiously great!!!! I was told the bloating is normal and am using everything--miralex, senokot, Roloads multi symptom, eating fiber, etc to try to keep it down. My dr. says it is from the intestines having to rearrange themselves now that I have that "empty" space for them to fill and I am apparently a "slow mover". I went for an external ultrasound on Wed and they couldn't do it--I was "too full" for a good picture--

Anyway--steri strips came off today I have lost ten pounds but that's because I wasn't eating--so to solve the "other issue" I have to start eating more---nothing can come out if nothing went in-LOL, I am driving for short trips, and walking. I hear the key to everything is walking. I can't use my treadmill yet--when i say walk I mean more like a leisurely stroll but it is walking.

Best things I have used (I live by myself but my sister was here for the first two weeks and my son and DIL stop by every day): #1:a grabber/claw to pick up things I drop from the floor or reach things in my cabinet, #2--BODY PILLOW!!!!! so many uses--propping in bed to read/work puzzles, lean on when laying on my side, my library card!!!!!!!, soduku books, upgraded my cable for 6 weeks so I get more channels and on demand movies; bought underwear one size too big--with the bloating that has helped a lot, bought the er um "older ladies" pants with the all elastic waistband--again a size larger for the bloat and SLIP ON shoes!!!!!!; paper products so I don't have to worry about bending to the dishwasher, tucks wipes, rolaids, miralex and senokot.

Best of luck. Let us know how you are doing.