Hello, opinions please

I have found your group while searching for answers online. I have been stronly encouraged to have a hysterectomy y my gyno. I go back to him on Wed with my decision. I was already to do this for years until they actually told me to do it. Now I am scared. I have had problems with fibroids and adhesions for years. My first adhesion surgery was 4 years ago. It was so bad they removed my right ovary and tube. I was suffering with chronic pelvic pain for yeas before that. Pain went away for a bit until about one year ago. Then started all over again. Took every otc med known and then finally went to md for help with pain. This started me on a 6 month cycle of all kinds of painkillers and mds. I told then from the beginning what it was and landed at an excellent gyno who did a laproscopic surgery and found more adhesions,several ovarian chocolate type cysts and uterine firboids. He took care of adhesions removed left tube and fought really hard to save my only ovary. Felt good for a few months and now I am back to the beginning, new symptom is constant bleding and very apinful and infrequent (lol) sex. He has said he feels it is time to remove the uterus, he is encourages that he can save the ovary. I have said countless times I wish they would take it all out but now I am super scared. Any advice?? I am sorry but talking to hubby really dosent help becasue he just dosent understand from a male point of view. Thanks in advance for any responses and i hope you all have a great day!

Making the decision to have any major operation is a difficult decision. But it sounds like you will benefit greatly from a hysterectomy. I had heavy periods for years and was tired most of the time. I had severe anemia from the blood loss every month. I ended up in the emergency room when the bleeding just wouldn't stop. I was given 6 units of blood and a date for my hysterectomy. Life is much better now! If you do a search for a post by amazin on 4-9-07 you can read the responses for others who feel the same way that you do. I hope all goes well for you!

Thanks so much for your reply. My decision is not so hard right now because I am in soo much pain. Plus my husband says just think of how much we will save on pads. LOL! I guess my real fear is the not knowing if the ovary will be saved and if he will be able to do the procedure vaginally. So many surprises. Not to mention the recovery time and time missed from work. They are very unerstanding and all of my girls there have really been great to cover my position. I am sure I will drive you guys crazy with my indecision until Wed. Sorry
Thanks again!

Hi Chyobabs,

Making the decision to have a hyst can be tough. We Hyster Sisters can understand.

I might suggest you ask your Dr. at your appointment next week what his *conversion* rate is from a vaginal to an abdominal hyst with a medical history similar to yours. Generally, Drs can give it in the number of surgeries performed in the last few years or in a % number. It might help to calm your nerves since you said you were worried he might not be able to do a laparoscopic hyst.

I had a laparoscopic hyst (LSH) for fibroids. (It was not done vaginally.) I am still really pleased with my surgery results. I hope you get your wish and you are a good candidate for a vaginal hyst.

Mary

Thanks for your reply. I will def ask him that question on Wed. I know what my decision is, I am going to do it but I never realized how attached I am to my uterus I guess(even though it gives me nothing but grief). I guess I am afraid I woudl be less "womanly" in my heart even though my brain knows that is not at all true. Another thing that has been increasingly worse is my emotional swings, jeez, laughing one second crying the next. Thanks so much for your help and kindness.

I can sympathize with you. I had my left ovary and tube removed more than twenty years ago with adhesions and endo. I have had problems throughout the past twenty years, but every time the "h" word was suggested, I ran. I went to a new GYN a few years back and last year started to add in heavier bleeding to the picture. He had to do a D&C and suggested a hysterectomy then. I declined politely. A few months later, I was in with more intense pelvic pain. I thought he would do a laparoscopy but instead he told me he wouldn't do that on a woman my age. I was mad, I was annoyed....but I listened. I am now more than ready to part with the pain, the periods and going on to living a life without periods! Good luck with your decision!

Hi!Thanks or your kind words and help. My quality of life ***** right now to be blunt. Periods at least 2 times a month(keeping pad companies in business I feel like)very heavy, giant clots(sorry), constant running to bathroom and being afraid to go anywhere. I never know when it is gonna pop up. Sex really dosent exist partially because I dont even sleep upstairs any more because I am up so often during the night with pain. Moods are a mess since I guess I have pms 2 weeks out of the month.Electric bill can no longer handle heating pad expenses ( lol) I work in an assisted living center with dementia/alzheimer patients. This requires all 8 hours on my feet, alot of lifting and helping some very large people move around. When I come home at night the pelvic pain is so bad. I have done the whole motrin/tylenol/aleve/pamprin etc thing. Nothing works. I am not a fan of painkillers (cant take the heavy ones). Ihave some tylenol 3 right now but it dosent help. Of course I wear scrubs and they ar white pants, so I guess I dont have to tell any of you all how that does right? I know this surgery is the best option, I am 99.99 percent sure of it, i think that little percent is fear of surgery (even though I have had 3 laps and 2 c sections) I hate that feeling right before they put you to sleep. I do have a great Doctor that I really trus and I have have had 2nd and 3rd opinions by the doctors my mom has workied for for 28 plus years. I guess I am just a big fraidy cat. I cant thank you all enough for your help. this site has really gave me alot of help. I hope you guys will stick with me through my crying and fear. Thanks so much
Colleen

Good luck to you with your surgery, I hope it goes great. We do have alot in common, hopefully life is soon to be better for both of us!!!!!
Colleen

I wish you well as you decide what is best for you! And I would encourage at least a second opinion before consenting to have a hyst.

You mentioned you have chocolate cysts. Have you been told you have endometriosis by chance? If so, this will change the picture somewhat. You may want to consult with an endometriosis specialist and you will want to be aware that a hyst is not a cure for endo.

Do not feel badly for being scared of having a hyst. It is a major, irreversible surgery that can have a huge impact on your physically and emotionally. And there are pros and cons to be considered so a healthy amount of fear helps you not rush into something you may end up regretting.

in there and many s to you!