Confused and Stressed

Hello Sisters,

I am 55 yrs old and post menopausal 2 yrs. I have a thickened endometrial wall with abnormal cells (Stage 1, I believe). I have had abnormal paps now for a couple of years and have been through colpo, biopsy, LEEP, D&C...and had some slight bleeding 11 months out from the D&C. With this last abnormal pap and the bleeding, my gyne said it was time to have a hyst and he would also take the one ovary I have as it has a cyst on it that has gotten larger. Well, that was last November. Due to health issues, one right after another, I havent been well enough to undergo the surgery. Last month I had a UCG for urinary incontinence and need a sling. I was transferred to my drs partner who does the urinary procedures. He seems to have a different opinion and I get the feeling he is leaving this decision up to me...which I hate because I am not a physician and I dont know what to do now. Do I forget the hyst and have paps every 3 months, which will be followed by biopsies, leeps, the whole cycle again, or do i get this all removed and be done with it once and for all??? This can all be very costly!! I dont have any bleeding but I do have some achey crampy feeling at times and just an overall blah feeling most days with lack of energy...but then again that could be something else. I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and have a CPAP now which I love, but am overweight and smoke - this could be why I feel so tired and sluggish maybe?? But then again, I have good days with energy and a smile... I am sooo confused!

Do I need a hysterectomy or not?????

Thanks!

Hi MrsZippy

You have one doc saying yes, and one saying no.

It looks like you have a lot of gyn issues. Maybe it would be helpful for you to seek out a 3rd medical opinion to help you decide.

I hope you are able to find the right answers soon. I am sending huge cyberhugs

Hi MrsZippy-welcome to the forum. I'm your same age and postmenopausal 4 years with occassional spotting, had 23mm endometrial strip on ultrasound, which led to a D&C in jan, from which I'm still bleeding. I've been on Prometrium (progesterone) for about 10 days now. I wanted a hyst. but doc said I'd have to try a more conservative approach first. Hence the Prometrium. But I did not have any hyperplasia with atypia as my pathology, just over stimulation from unopposed estrogen. I am also overweight so there are lots of fat cells pumping the estrogen out!!! LOL!!

I don't have any advice on surgery one way or the other, as I guess it's a very personal decision. Has your doctor suggested progesterone? For me personally I'd like to just have it and be done with it. I can't stand the waiting and followups. And they too (for me) get expensive. I guess you have to take your total health into consideration, you mentioned you smoke, are you a good candidate for anesthesia? All that factors into your decision. Time off from work, etc... For me I take care of my mom so this is actually a crummy time for me to have surgery, as I would have no one to help me.

Good luck with your decision. Whatever you decide do some research and ask lots of questions. <<<HUGS>>> Lynne

THIS STUFF IS VERY CONFUSING AND FRUSTRATING!! LOL!!