Have you tried alternative therapies?

I have had heavy bleeding, pain and clotting for years. I have had 2 d&c's to remove polyps that keep coming back. I have also had laproscopic expolrative surgery to see what else could be causing my problems. I am going to be 44 this month. My oldest son will be 28 two days before my birthday (27th), my baby son is 21. My tubes were tied as soon as he came out. I did not consider or ask for alternative therapies as I want no more monthly cycles or bleeding, at all. Not reduced bleeding, not postponed cycles, I want to be done. I don't want to have to be constantly trying this or that to feel better. My question is, have other sisters tried the alternatives and with what result? I feel selfish sometimes for wanting the pain to stop and then I think, I have a long life ahead of me and this will help me enjoy it. Your thoughts, ladies, please.

I was diagnosed through diagnostic lap with adenomyosis, doc that did the lap was recomending a hyst and wanted to wait 3 months to see how things where, although he did not really explain what it was that was wrong and did not make sure I knew what it was called even, so I was unable to do research. I had already scheduled a 2nd opinion, this doc fully explained to me what adeno was and what opptions there are for adeno, not many when it is as far advanced as mine is. He really felt hyst was the best and only option for me, BUT wanted me to do some research and decide for myself as I will be 29 in Sept. I knew we were done having children, my DH had a VAS last year. After coming home and doing my own research, now that I knew what was going on, I decided that I did want the hyst but to keep both ovaries if possible(the lest one may have to go only 1/4 left because of cysts). Then that next weekend I had my period and Mon morning I called to schedule my surg, that last period confirmed it for me. I had wanted it done 7/19, it just didn't work out with the hospital, so Aug 16th is the day. Oddly enough I just realized that was the day 6 years ago we found out we were prego with DS, very weird!! DOn't know if this helps you at all with what you where asking, but I thought I would put it out there anyway. Ang

Hi Thatlilsewsew,

We have a message board titled "Hysterectomy Options and Alternatives". Here is their link:

https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/forumdisplay.php?f=4

You will likely get more response to this question in that forum.

s,
Kay

HI. I'm the same age as you. I will be 44 on Aug. 15th and that is the day of my scheduled TAH/BSO. My main problem is excessive bleeding that I'm tired of have it affect my active lifestyle. I don't have any children (by choice) and my husband just wants me to feel better so he's quite supportive. As for trying other alternatives...last year I tried hormone replacement therapy and all I did was bleed constantly. Needless to say I wasn't too happy with that treatment. I decided to try a different doctor this year and she had me do an internal/external ultrasound and did a uterus lining biopsy. Results were a small cyst on one ovary and a small fibroid in the uterus. We decided to try the NovaSure endometrial ablation. I went thru being put under and after she did a hysteroscopy she attempted to do the ablation but the NovaSure machine won't turn on (so to speak) if it detects an "open circuit" so as to not damage other organs. Well, of course it wouldn't turn on for me and she tried with a second end and the results were the same. So I woke up to her telling me she was very sorry but she couldn't do the procedure. Boy was I depressed! At my follow up appt. for the NovaSure attempt she wanted to try hormones for six months and I told her that I was tired of trying stuff and just wanted a hysterectomy for my birthday. She finally agreed but I really wasn't expecting it to be ON my birthday. My friend told me that this is one birthday I will never forget. ha ha

I had been dealing with heavy continous periods, large clots, and pelvic pain for the last five years. I am 44 also. I tried ablation in 2000, promising me "less" periods and it didn't work. Then I was put on birth control pills. The only thing the BC pills did for me was make me gain weight and keep my periods at 21 days apart. Last fall my gyno wanted to try an "internal" ultrasound and that is when they found my "fibroid family". He had told me my only option was a hysterectomy. Took me till this spring to agree to the surgery. I had a TVH on May 3rd (kept my ovaries). I can honestly say I haven't felt this good in a long, long time. I was terrified of surgery - never had anything but childbirth and the ablation procedure (which I was awake for). But, I am so glad I finally did it. My recovery was great and at 2 weeks post-op I was able to return to work. I feel like I've been given a new chance at life. The pain is gone.
I wish you gals the same success - it's soooo worth it.
Beams

Thanks for your replies, your replies are pretty much what I was thinking would happen and just don't want to be the guinea pig to finally feel better. I have friends who have had hysterectomies and they say the same thing as Beam, that they feel great and haven't felt this good in a long time. My surgery is July 14, TVH keeping ovaries, hopefully. I have to do heavy lifting at work as I am a clerk at the Post office, so I don't think I'll be back after 2 weeks, but who knows.

Thanks to all, you're great....

unfortunatly i suffered for several years (can you say denial) until i tried an abalation and then a a hyst. it is such a hard and personal decision. whatever you decide, gather as much information as you can and then, and only then, decide what is right for you. do not let anyone DH, or DR., mother , etc, tell you what is best for you. when you come to your decision you will know in your heart that you did not go into this surgery blind. a lot of soul serching is required to come to terms with a hyst.
hoping that you all will do what is best for you and your health

jane321