Fibroids - myomectomy - Here I go again

Well it's been a year since my 2nd mymomectomy, now I have 3 fibroids and adenomysis. I've been bleeding since August none stop. I am comtemplating a hysterectomy. I've been reading sites on adenomysis and the only cure is a hysterectomy.

I would love to talk for awhile before I make this decision.

Hi

I have been fighting hysterectomy for adenomyosis for years... and I am now giving in. I'm now 40, and even if I wanted another child (I have one 19 year old) I would be afraid to be pregnant with this uterus of mine. It just gets worse and worse... I have been hospitalized for pain no less than 5 times in the last two years, and last time even when pumped with morphine in the IV I could feel pain. It is BRUTAL. Plus I bleed and clot like ... I don't know what.

I don't know what advice to offer you... whether you've considered the Mirena IUD which is really the only other option but which I don't think will work for me and I'm too scared to try because women with advanced adenomyosis usually still have the pain even with the Mirena.

What are the factors that are holding you back from a hyst? Have you considered the different kinds? And leaving your ovaries and possibly your cervix?

I'm not saying you should have one... if there were any other way I wouldn't.

Anyway, we're here for you.


Steph

Hi Steph,

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm 40 with 2 girls, not sure if we want to try for a boy (80% chance not). I had that IUD and the fibroids just push it towards the cervix, almost out.

I have the clots also, now the bleeding is starting to slow down, the pain is increasing.

I'm thinking about the hysterectomy, leaving the ovaries.
I think I just want to talk it out.

To be honest, I'm not sure if you have heard this before but I feel emotionally connected to my uterus and I feel I will be sad with if it's gone but at the same time I go days without even thinking about it

Thanks for listening

Elsie

Spoke to soon, just started bleeding again

Oh, I am very emotionally attached to my uterus even despite the horror it causes me! My periods that send me to the hospital are akin to being in hell. I can't imagine worse pain. But still... so I hear you. I really do! In fact, I even cancelled my hyst last June because I couldn't deal with the emotional attachment. But, for me, it is ruining my chance to live a full life. I can't work full time, can't apply for new jobs, can't travel unless its just for two weeks when I'm not on my period, spend 4 days at a time in bed in pain... so that's why I can't see any other option at this point.

It is a really hard decision to make for most women.

One thing I plan to do is have a 'going away party' for my uterus and invite close women friends. Like a ritual to say goodbye to that part of my life. And my gyn has promised to give me a picture of my uterus. It sounds weird (and she even laughed and said I was weird, but in a nice way), but it is a *big* deal, and we have rituals for most other things in life (except getting our periods, but some cultures have rituals for that to, and it makes sense to me!)

And my husband is super supportive and loving and says he will love me just as much without my uterus.

I dunno. Its a hard one! and it takes alot of processing.

Have you ever tried Traditional Chinese medicine? I find the herbs do help a little. Not enough for me to prevent the surgery but the doctors will also help me prepare my body for the surgery and recover afterwards.

I'm sure the other women here will chime in soon and help you through this, whatever you decide.

Steph

((Elsie))

I think you are wise to take your time with your decision! It is a big one and an irreversible one!

Have you had a second opinion about your options? Sometimes other physicians will have additional suggestions you might want to consider.

Feel free to browse through our Resource Database to learn all you can about your diagnoses!

Thank you for your reply. You are right, I did receive another opinion and this doc said the same thing (hysterectomy). We also talked about Lupron and all the other options. My husband and I need to discuss if we are done having children. I have 2 girls now and I'm 39. I think the writing is on the wall for me. Yes, I will take my time with this decision.