Help! Questions Questions Questions!!!

Hello, I'm set to have surgery on December 17. However, I have a choice to make on whether or not to keep one ovary or have them all taken. Here is my dilema. Not only do I suffer from heavy painful periods since my last child (and I swear my tubal but doc says really that has nothing to do with it). They also found a cyst on one ovary (obviously the one they will be taking), but I also suffer from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder which they've been trying to treat for years to no avail. Since every female on my mother's side and father's side has suffered from either the ovarian, cervical, or uterine cancer (also breast cancer) and had hysterectomies...I'm ok with this surgery from that standpoint alone as my odds aren't lookin overly good in the cancer department. Here are my questions....do I want to keep want ovary and take the chance of 1. still having the PMDD symptoms and issues 2. take the chance of having another surgery yet? or...do I take it all to be safe? I'm scared to death of losing sexual desire as I am 32 years old and would like to remarry and am just hitting the prime of my life! I think that is my biggest fear. Everyone says it was the best thing that ever happened to them (having the hysterectomy) and others say their sex is better! Can someone help me?

So sorry to hear about all your problems, and I wish you the best in whatever you choose to do, but if I were to have all the problems and the family history that you do, I would not take the chance on leaving anything. I was also 32 when I had my hyst, I had them take everything for that simple reason, because I had so many problems for most of my adult life, and I knew if I were to leave anything something would go wrong with it. As far as the sex thing goes, nothing changed for me, they say sometimes it does, but if anything I believe mine is better now, it is pain free, which I never had before my surgery. I will pray for you, I know for some women it bothers them to have everything taken, but for me it was the best thing I have ever done..........good luck, I wish you the best, and I hope you have a happy holiday season!!!!!!

I have to agree, having a family history of cancer, I would think taking both ovaries out would be the best thing, then you won't have to worry about getting cancer. I heard that tbe sex drive goes away after that surgery, but then, I have a gf who had the operation, and she has a sex drive. Maybe they put you on hormones and it helps, I really don't know. I have a high sex drive now, so I'm hoping it does not go away once my surgery is done. I am having mine done sometime after X'mas, they have not given me my date yet. I'm glad to know that I am in good company though. I was feeling so alone with this hanging over my head. I am 53 years old, but, I have a 33 year old bf. I told him not to worry, I think everything will be ok as far as when we have sex again, well...I hope so.

Good luck with your surgery, I wish you the best. Try not to worry.

I think I'm just so afraid that I won't feel better and it isn't something I can take back. But I do know I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired all the time. Really now, I have one good week a month and such intense mood swings that it affects all my personal relationships... the fact that I'm so tired I can't get enough sleep, the fact that I just am not a happy person those weeks. The week of my period...the mood swings are gone, but replaced by the physical and excessive bleeding. Finally, the week after, I have a GREAT week. Laugh, enjoy life, consistent mood...only to be replaced at the end of the week by the doom and gloom of the crappy weeks I know are coming. They gave me lupron and that is a nitemare! I feel no better than I did, ok maybe a bit better. But you have to wonder if that really doesn't mess your system up. I don't know. I'm just afraid. I'm just worried the most about the hormones after and not getting them regulated and being in the same boat!

I'm concerned about the hormones too, I don't sleep well now, am restless, I hope the surgery corrects that. I guess we will both find out once we have our surgery how things will be. At least we have the support of everyone here to keep us going while we recuperate.

i had everything but an ovary, in the hope to not go into menopause, i started any way and now on hormones, i feel the best i have ever felt, i am on bio identical hormones from a compounding pharmacy. i do not have mood swings and feel even and great. i am now 4 1/2 months later having problems with the last ovary and will have to have it removed anyway. if you decide tha tyou want it all taken out, have your dr do a full hormone blood panel, and that way it will be easier to find the right hormones for you.
i wish i had just gone ahead and had everything taken out, what ever you decide i would have the blood panel done, as every woman should have a base line before they start menopause

It looks as though my surgery will be right after X'mas, around New Years, my doctor is looking to schedule that today, will get back to me. I can't wait 'til it is over with so I can get on with my life, get back to normal. I am nervous just thinking about it. I don't do well with any kind of pain, guess I'm a big baby when it comes to that.

Good luck lune...I will keep in touch with you. I think I've made my decision to have the other just taken out...and will request a blood panel be done beforehand. I was scared to death as my mother just had one...and she's very little help. I don't really have anyone to be around for me. My mother won't be there for me as she said she isn't going to waste money for a day-long seminar on that day...sooooooooo my dad is going to be there and we aren't close at all...ironically my ex husband has been my steel rod on this one and he will be there with me. Also, my g-friend had one in her 20's and she told me today she was taking me and hangin around all day b/c she knows what it is like and those men don't! Thank goodness for friends! I really hope this helps...I honestly am looking forward to a PMS free life. Even this lupron shot I don't think was strong enough as I'm bleeding, having cramps, headaches, and moodiness YUCK!

	Quote:
if you decide that you want it all taken out, have your dr do a full hormone blood panel, and that way it will be easier to find the right hormones for you.

Actually having a hormonal panel done pre hyst is probably not very useful. For one thing, some of our problems are probably due to hormonal imbalances, so I don't think we would want to duplicate those levels. Second, everything changes once the ovaries are removed. The levels we were at pre hyst are not necessarily what will be right for us afterwards.

It's a good thought in theory, but one that really isn't practical in reality.