Surgery for endo 7 years post hysterectomy

Hello Sisters,


It has been some time since I have posted on here...

Had an uneventful TAH, BSO, kept cervix back in 2005. Took estrogen since this time...

Had major surgery on 1/30/13 to remove an endometrioma, bowel resection,, removal of cervix and posterior wall of vagina. What a mess. Made the hysterectomy seem like a walk in the park...I am cut from above my navel all the way down into-you can guess..I am still just reeling from it all.

This pelvic mass was actually discovered during a routine colonoscopy-there was in area of narrowing and the colon dr. followed up with a CT Scan of the pelvis...

Have been taken off all HRT,

Just wondering how common something like this is....anyone else??

Thanks!!

Common can be a misleading word. For instance, one day a woman posted that she had been diagnosed with adenomyosis, a rare condition. Well, here at HysterSisters.com, adenoyosis is a "common" condition and not rare at all!

Do women require further surgery for endometriosis post hysterectomy? Yep. Is it common? Depends on how you look at it, what the control group is, etc.

It was seven years after my own hysterectomy when I had another laparoscopy for endometriosis. I was aware at the time of my hysterectomy that a future surgery might be needed as my OB/GYN intentionally left endometriosis on my bowel walls. Thus, for me it wasn't a surprise.

I chose to see an endometriosis specialist for that last surgery. I again kept both of my ovaries so I have not been without estrogen. Your not using HRT is going to create some new health concerns you and your doctor will need to work through.

Do keep in mind, no estrogen does not mean no endometriosis and the risks of no estrogen may not be in your best interest. You may want to seek a second opinion about what is best for you and/or discuss with your doctor the possible health concerns menopause can bring so you can address them with alternative treatment options.

in there!

I totally agree on the estrogen issue and will discuss this with my GYN oncologist on my next visit.

I just do not feel good off of it, I know it is an adjustment period, but this and recovering from major surgery has just been terrible.

Not sleeping well due to night sweats, etc.

There are other options.

Thanks for your response...

Possibly you could use progesterone along with any estrogen with the hope that the progesterone would keep any endometriosis at bay.

There are also other alternative options women have been using off-label to help with symptoms including a blood pressure medication (Clonidine), some anti-depressants, and some anti-seizure meds including Neurontine. Additionally, there are medications and supplements specifically to address possible issues with your bones, heart, etc.

Here is an article you might find interesting; some of the options may work for you: Alternatives to the Use of Estrogen in Postmenopausal Women

in there! s

Sweet Pea, did you know that you had endo at the time of your hyst? I had my abdominal hyst in 2008, and a robotic surgery in 2010 to remove my cervix (w/fibroid) in 2010. Neither surgeon said anything about endo. I recently had a bowel resection due to diverticulitis and my surgeon found endo implants in the peritoneum. I was pretty shocked to get yet another dx at the age of 61! I've lived with severe pelvic pain for 5 years, and no matter what anyone does, or what cause they think they've found, it recurs. I'm so tired of hearing "IBS."

Now I'm wondering what part endo has played in all of this. I'm on a very low dose Vivelle patch and I guess it's time to part with it.

Yes, i lost my ovaries due to this....

I never imagined that it would return. I was on a high dose Vivelle Dot.

Most of what I have been researching is inconclusive about HRT and endo....

I have been miserable with might sweats.

I may have to go on a low dose....

Yes, I was convinced that all of my issues were due to IBS...

What a shock this all was.

Thanks for your reply..

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Sweet Pea in SC Most of what I have been researching is inconclusive about HRT and endo...

I don't know what information you have come across so far, but here are some articles and studies that you might find interesting:

Hormone replacement therapy in women with past history of endometriosis.

EMAS position statement: Managing the menopause in women with a past history of endometriosis.

Hormone therapy for endometriosis and surgical menopause.

Hormonal replacement therapy in surgical menopause with underlying endometriosis.

Postmenopausal endometriosis

From what I have gathered over the years, if a woman with endometriosis chooses to use HRT she should be using a combination of both estrogen and progesterone. On the other hand, I have read of some doctors who feel that endometriosis will not be affected low levels of estrogen. However, there are other variables to consider. Even if using a low dose, possibly your body is efficient when it comes to converting dietary cholesterol to progesterone, then to testosterone, and finally on to estrogen. If you have extra body weight especially around your waist, you may be producing and storing estrone and/or producing aromatase an enzyme responsible for producing estrogen. Here is an article about that:
What does aromatase have to do with my endometriosis?

Keep in there and do talk to your doctor about options for your hot flashes. There are a variety of choices available both hormonal and non-hormonal.