Hysterectomy in your 30's?? & BRCA1 & 2 question

[2Tiggers]

Has any one had a ******l hysterctomy & oophorectomy(removal of ovarys) in your 30's? How did it go? Recovery? Was the medically induced menapause hard to deal with? Or, the other symptoms?

I would really appreciate your advice.

I am also wondering if anyone has taken the BRCA blood test. It has been recommended that I take it. I am torn about taking it or not.

Thanks!

 

[2Tiggers]

They took out the type of hysterectomy they want to do. I guess I can't say that on the boards. So, it is the one they would do if they don't do invasive abdominal surgery....get it?

 

[cheerforchelsea]

Yes I did have a complete hysterectomy at age 35 without the invasive abdominal surgery. I was given the option of removing ovaries or leaving them and I dediced to have them removed to avoid another possible surgery later. The recovery period was not bad and I was back to work in 5 weeks. I was on hormone pills for several years and now take an over the counter herbal supplement. I did have periods of night sweats for about a month after the surgery but by the time I went back to work I was over that. The surgery had to be the wisest decision I have ever made. I have no more migraines and no more pesky monthly problem. Good Luck!!

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

My younger daughter was born w/ special needs and through our journey to find out what was wrong w/ her we saw a geneticist (sp?). During out appt w/ him we found out that it was highly likely that we carried the gene b/c my grandfather had breast cancer. My mom and her siblings as well as some cousins have had the test done and so far about half of them have tested positive for the gene. My aunt, my moms younger sister, tested positive for the gene she turned 40 last year and she had the hysterectomy last year. If you have any questions let me know.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

You might want to post your questions on the Breast Cancer Survivors thread on the Community Board. Those ladies are wonderful and have a wealth of knowledge.

 

[Syd-MikesMom]

my Gyn Dr. recommended I have the BRCA1 & 2 test done. (I am 37)
Here's my family history:
my mom had gotten breast cancer @42,
her mom got breast cancer in her 60's, along with other aunts who got Breast cancer.
my husband & I discussed it and I ended up not taking the test.
here's why; we asked ourselves what would I do differently then I already am doing. I now have mammo's every year, and check myself monthly. there is nothing else I can do then do something radical like a double mast. (my mom had this when she was diagnosed its a long recovery) not something I was willing to do now. I don't know if this helps, but this was just my decision.

we were also afraid the insurance company (if they found out about the test)would reject any treatment down the road if I got B.C.

 

[crisi]

my Gyn Dr. recommended I have the BRCA1 & 2 test done. (I am 37)
Here's my family history:
my mom had gotten breast cancer @42,
her mom got breast cancer in her 60's, along with other aunts who got Breast cancer.
my husband & I discussed it and I ended up not taking the test.
here's why; we asked ourselves what would I do differently then I already am doing. I now have mammo's every year, and check myself monthly. there is nothing else I can do then do something radical like a double mast. (my mom had this when she was diagnosed its a long recovery) not something I was willing to do now. I don't know if this helps, but this was just my decision.

we were also afraid the insurance company (if they found out about the test)would reject any treatment down the road if I got B.C.

I think asking yourself what you would do differently if you knew is a good idea.

My sister had it done after she was dianosed with breast cancer. She didn't have the gene, so I didn't bother to get tested. (I have an aunt and cousin who also had breast cancer, but with the three women it was three different types so her chances of having the gene were very small - and mine are smaller still). But I WOULD have had the radical double had she, then I, been positive. And she would have had her remaining breast removed had she been positive (she regrets not having both breasts taken when they took one as it is).

However, every women makes these decisions on her own, some of us are far more attached to our breasts than others, some of us have much more stress or fear of the unknown, and some of us have more fear of the known. Any decision you make regarding testing, or what you would do if the test is positive, is ok.

 

[Pamlur]

I had that type of hysterectomy when I was 30, my best friend had it done the next year. I flew to Missouri (my dad was dying of cancer) 10 days later, never had any problems at all. I didn't go on hormone treatment for six years, never actually had hot flashes but did have night sweats for a few years. I stopped with the hormone treatment several years ago.

Never had the other test, there's no breast cancer in my extended family.

Edit to say my friend went back to work after 10 days; she was a bank branch manager so she sat most of the day.

 

[disfan07]

It was recommended to both me and my mom that we get the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 test for 2 reasons

One, we have a huge family history of breast cancer adn Two, we are ashkenazi jewish decent which also puts us at a higher risk

We both decided against it, my mom decided b/c she didnt want to know....she knows shes at risk and she doesnt want to know anymor ethan that.
I decided against it because of that AND because im only 19

My grandma had BC when she was in her 40s, shes 77 now
My great Aunt had BC when shes in her 40s too, shes 81 now
My moms cousin had BC when she was in her 30s, shes 52 now
My other great Aunt had BC when she was in her 50s, shes 85 now

My mom is 50 this year.....she has had 5 BC scares in the past 10 years
I'm 19, and ive already had 1 BC scare....this year

My mom and i both know that we are at a hugely increased risk....but we only think about that risk once a yr...when we have mammograms....not all year like we would if we knew we had the gene

What im saying is, the BRCA 1 adn BRCA 2 test....unless you plan on having the preventative treatment (both oopherectomy and double mastectomy) than i say dont have it done......thsi is where i say ignorance is bliss

 

[pednurse]

I had a vag hyst 4 years ago, at age 33. I had the option of leaving the ovaries, which I did. A wonderful resource that helped me greatly with all my questions at that time, both before the surgery & during recovery afterwards is hystersisters.com (tons of information as well as message boards like these where you will receive support from others who are going through or have already gone through what you are!). I suggest you check it out for a wealth of information & support. You can find all kinds of answers there.

 

[PrincessKell]

I had a complete hysterectomy at 25. They took everything. I was just going to post about the hystersisters.com website that the pp just talked about. They were great. Everyone has different recoveries times and issues. I did lots of research on that site, and asking TONS of questions to your drs will never hurt anything.

Please feel free to message me anytime.

 

[bushdianee]

I was 21 when I had a complete hysterectomy almost 30 years ago,but mine was abdominal. I had ovarian cancer- 2 tumors about 5lbs each. I also just recently had the BRAC1 & 2 test done because one of my sisters also had ovarian cancer but at age 43 and another sister is having health issues. Believe it or not we both tested negative so the other 2 sisters didn't have to be tested. the test is pretty expensive about $3400, my part was almost $600.
As for my recovery I wasn't able to take hormones so I just had to deal with the hot flashes and night sweats for a while. Eventually they went away.

 

[DisneyDreamer04]

Well, I dont know if it helps or not, but I am in the same boat you are, except my doc is saying I have a few years to decide(29). If I did the test, and it did test positive I would have them take it all. I have watched family members of mine die from Breast cancer, and I just could not ever have my family or my two dd's watch me go like that. Plus, that is like my biggest fear ever. Clearly, I have issues with it. I am thinking of the hyst, but no one the test? I dunno. Really, even if you do test - for the test, you can still develop cancer. I think that is what I read on my research. It has been a couple of months.. But I hope all goes well for whatever you decide.

 

[reservations4five]

I had a total hysterectomy/oophorectomy last year, mine was done abd. I was 31. I had struggled with the decision for about 5 years- had numerous d and c's and an ablation that failed. My endometriosis had gotten so bad it had wrapped around my intestines and I was in danger of a strangulated bowel. I do take HRT, My recovery was about 6 weeks, before I could go back to work, I am a nurse and I do some lifting.