hysterectomy and rheumatoid arthritis

Hi,

I will be having an abdominal hysterectomy on Feb. 27. Ovaries also. I am 53 years old and have had Rheumatoid Arthritis for about 10 years. I am on Medicine for that and have to get off of 2 of them for about 3 weeks before. I will be staying on Prednisone. If there is anyone with somewhat the same experience, I would like to hear from you. I am nervous about this whole thing. Dr. Feels that I am in menopause. Have only had one 3 week bout of bleeding since Dec. of 06. had to have a biopsy and D&C because of that and that's the reason for the hysterectomy. Any info on how anyone did with any transition. I really don't want to go on harmones, but Doc said depending on how I feel, I might need some to get through the first few years than I could wean off.
Thanks for any info
Sylviaann

Hi SylviaAnn,

I don't have RA but I'm disabled from an incomplete spinal cord injury and asked CROWD for information. They were pretty helpful. I also have tons of links relating to women with disabilities. Send me a private message if you want any of them.

Here's the link for CROWD: http://www.bcm.edu/crowd/

Maybe other RA support websites can be of help as well.

Roberta

Hi!

I have inflammatory arthritis which doc feels will morph to RA at any time. Have had it for five years. I have to go off my meds also, plaquenil sulfamethazole and mobic. not so excited by that thought only hope I have enough built up to hold me. I have a TAH on march 10. My rheumatologist met with me so I know he will be ready for the dreaded flare up that I get when my body is taxed once surgery is over. I am also doing some heavy duty accupuncture before to get ready. You? Have you consulted with your rheumi? Nice to know someone else will understand as we travel through this~!

I don't have RA..I have AS- Ankylosing Spondylitis which is similar to RA but more affects the spine (and I'm diabetic) but for the AS I did have to stop taking my meds before my hysterectomy, but only a week out. I'm now 14 days post-op and haven't had any problems with a flare up or anything. I didn't resume my daily meds for the AS until I was done with the pain meds which was about 6 days out. Now I'm back to taking all my regular meds for the AS and my diabetes and all has been good. I think the pain meds took away the pain for any and all discomforts I was having from everything...lol