Hysterectomy & Fibroids HELP

[Melisa1]

I visited my OB today for routine exam and he discovered fibroids (rather large). I have to have a ultrasound next week and he has already suggested a hysteretomy. I am 39, married - no children and don't plan on having any. Has anyone had this done, any advice??? I am a little concerned obviously.
Thanks!

 

[Darcy03231]

I have two friends who suffered with fibroads for years and tried everything to avoid having a hysterectomy. Both fooled around with various treatments for a couple of years before finally having the hysterctomy. Both said they wished they'd just done it in the beginning as they felt so much better after having it.

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

Had a total hysterectomy on April 15th this year. I am 38 years old. BEST thing I ever did. I tried various things for years and I can't even begin to explain how much better I feel. I still have my ovaries so menopause isn't an issue.

I had an abdominal incision, was out of work for 4 weeks. Spent 2 nights in the hospital. Was up moving the next day. So worth it.

Best of luck to you .

 

[java]

I have fibroids and am interesting in hearing how it goes for you. My office has not suggested hysterectomy for me though- kind of like a grin and bear it kind.
Good luck to you.
My Sil had one about 3 years ago and she is very happy she did it.

 

[SamIAm21]

Now see I have two large (6cm and 8cm) fibroids and my Dr. said that unless I am having problems with them, pain, bad periods, etc., that there is no reason to perform a hysterectomy. She said at the very most, she'd rather perform NovaSure on me than a hysterectomy and I'm nearly 44 and most definitely done on the child-bearing front.

If you aren't having trouble, maybe you should get a second opinion.

 

[Melisa1]

Thanks!

What is NovaSure?

 

[SamIAm21]

Forgive me if I spell this wrong... endometrial ablation. It would basically remove the lining of the uterus and that very well could "starve" the fibroids which would ultimately shrink down to nothing.

http://www.novasure.com/irregular-period/heavy-menstrual-bleeding.cfm

 

[NMAmy]

I have fibroids and am interesting in hearing how it goes for you. My office has not suggested hysterectomy for me though- kind of like a grin and bear it kind.
Good luck to you.
My Sil had one about 3 years ago and she is very happy she did it.

I have gotten the same advice from my doctor. She did give me a prescription for extra strength ibuprofen which helps with the pain (which was excruciating but is now manageable.) She also told me that since I'm fast approaching menopause that they will shrink at that time. I never thought I'd say this but Come on, menopause!

I do think I'd get a second opinion, OP, before going ahead with a hysterectomy.

 

[Kirby]

I think that you should have a second opinion if they are not causing you any trouble. I am 51 and had a hysterectomy this summer due to fibroids. I won't go into all the details but they were causing problems.

 

[Dalton5]

Had the same problem at 39. Had the hysterectomy. It was the best thing I have ever done. No more walking doubled over for 5 days every month or taking birth control pills non-stop (I was on a continuous cycle with no week off to prevent my period).

Make sure to talk to your doctor about all of your concerns. You need to do what is right for you.

 

[cabanafrau]

I had a partial hysterectomy due to fibroids at 34 (kept my ovaries). Doc tried to stall the inevitable, but they were a problem & I was already done birthing babies, so I was ready. Fibroids were in agreement with my timetable, much to my doc's regret.

Abdominal incision, very easy recovery, absolutely zero regrets!

 

[ANTSS2001]

I visited my OB today for routine exam and he discovered fibroids (rather large). I have to have a ultrasound next week and he has already suggested a hysteretomy. I am 39, married - no children and don't plan on having any. Has anyone had this done, any advice??? I am a little concerned obviously.
Thanks!

Hello... I was on the same boat as you were last year.. I was 37 and had large mass of fibroid... no kids and not married... at 1st I said I am old.. I dont need to wish for kids anymore plus I have nieces and nephew... so when I sat down with my doctor... he explained that since it is quiet some time before maneupause that we need to find an alternative method.. the ablation... novasure... etc methods were out of the discussion since mine are about 15 lbs. I had the myomectomy and it has been a year now since my C section look alike procedure and I have beem fine.... if there's anything I can help you answer your question please feel free to PM me... I felt the same way and did the same way... 1st impulse was post here and ask who had gone through the same situation and very thankful I did ... I got so much help from fellow diser... Again dont hesitate to PM if there is anything I can help you or answer you....

 

[TEENEE]

Been there done that. I had several smaller fibroids. My doc felt that if he just removed the fibroids my uterus would have looked like hamburger. My best option was a partial hyster. It's been almost 4 years and I don't regret it. I don't heal very quickly, that was the harderst part for me. It was about 10 months before I really felt good again. I bounced back quickly after having both of my kids but with surgerical type things my body takes it's time recovering.

If you're not having pain or exessive bleeding I would leave it alone. It's not hurting anything to leave them in there.

 

[JimB.]

endometrial ablation.

My DW just had this done a couple of months ago. Results have been very positive so far & it was not nearly as invasive as a hysterectomy.

 

[Melisa1]

Thanks to all of you!!!!! I knew I could count of my fellow diser's for help!
I guess I will wait and see what the untrasound shows next Tuesday, I am sure I will be back to update this post.

 

[Pixiedust34]

This is a timely post for me! I'm scheduled for a pelvic sonogram 1st thing tomorrow morning. I'm 39 y.o., am an adoptive mom, and our family is complete so fertility isn't an issue; however, I'm scared of what they might find. I'm hoping that all will be OK and that I don't need a surgery of any kind. Prayers and pixie dust are appreciated. : )

OP, if you want, I'll check back and/or will PM you to let you know how my sonogram goes so you might know what to expect for yours. We're in the same boat age-wise and having no biological kids. All the best to you!

 

[friendofgusgus]

I had an endometrial ablation in December and it did help a lot - but, frankly, I would have preferred the hysterectomy. I was 39 at the time (since turned 40 - yikes!) Mine were causing LOTS of problems, though, on a more-than-once-monthly basis.

My MD (not the PCP, but the specialist) did tell me that if they had not been causing so many problems, he would have left them alone until they did.

Have you had the ultrasound before? If not, you might want to know what it's all about so you're not surprised when you get there. Feel free to PM me if you need more info...

Good luck!

 

[Melisa1]

This is a timely post for me! I'm scheduled for a pelvic sonogram 1st thing tomorrow morning. I'm 39 y.o., am an adoptive mom, and our family is complete so fertility isn't an issue; however, I'm scared of what they might find. I'm hoping that all will be OK and that I don't need a surgery of any kind. Prayers and pixie dust are appreciated. : )

OP, if you want, I'll check back and/or will PM you to let you know how my sonogram goes so you might know what to expect for yours. We're in the same boat age-wise and having no biological kids. All the best to you!

Yes, Please let me know how it goes! Feel free to PM me! Prayers and Pixie dust out to you!!!!

 

[Melisa1]

I had an endometrial ablation in December and it did help a lot - but, frankly, I would have preferred the hysterectomy. I was 39 at the time (since turned 40 - yikes!) Mine were causing LOTS of problems, though, on a more-than-once-monthly basis.

My MD (not the PCP, but the specialist) did tell me that if they had not been causing so many problems, he would have left them alone until they did.

Have you had the ultrasound before? If not, you might want to know what it's all about so you're not surprised when you get there. Feel free to PM me if you need more info...

Good luck!

I have no idea what to expect, I am sending you a PM!

 

[Took]

Had a total hysterectomy on April 15th this year. I am 38 years old. BEST thing I ever did. I tried various things for years and I can't even begin to explain how much better I feel. I still have my ovaries so menopause isn't an issue.

I had an abdominal incision, was out of work for 4 weeks. Spent 2 nights in the hospital. Was up moving the next day. So worth it.

Best of luck to you .

Same here, as I posted on another thread today, too. Fibroids and two chocolate cysts. Years of discomfort and then the TAH. Best thing I could have done. I'm thrilled to be done with it all and free of the "monthly visitor." BTW, I was 43 when I had the TAH. I had two other surgeries before (including a myomectomy 13 years ago). Wish I had just done the TAH then. I am on ERT (a patch).

Good luck!