Should I or Shouldn't I - Lengthy

I am new to the site and would like any information others would like to share in regards to my concerns. This is a long, but I wanted you to have a little background.

I have had fibroids for over ten years. I cannot remember when I did not have heavy bleeding, painful cramps,or spotting at least 14 or more days a month. I did not take the hormones prescribed to me over 7 years ago - fear and stupidity. I just started taking the hormone Provera, which did not make a difference until the third month.

My doctor has always told me it is up to me, although I do not have a life threatening situation, I do have a quality of life issue. During my check-up yesterday, he explained that my fibroid was as large as a baseball. He told me that we "would be too optimistic to believe that menopause would result in shrinkage, due to my age." ( I just turned 40) He explained that if I wanted to wait for the inevitable that was up to me; but he felt that I would need to have a hyster probably before I was 45. I completely trust the doctor. As a matter of fact a local columnist wrote about her hyster - found out she was his patient - which went extremely well according to her article.

My husband worries about my pain and bleeding and feels that I would possibly be a new woman after this - more energy, not have to go to the bathroom as much,etc. Therefore, he really supports the process.

I am going to make an appointment for us to meet with the Dr to discuss the issues. Any feedback or questions I should ask?

Hi Sassy, and welcome to Hystersisters. You've certainly come to the right place to get much needed support during the decision making process, and afterwards if you undergo your hyst.

This is something that you will have to decide for yourself. Not your husband, your family, your friends, your doctor...only you can make this choice. From what you've said, it sounds as if you have found a very competent and honest doctor, and that is the first step. I would guess that if you are like a lot of the ladies here, it depends on how much more you can (or are willing) to tolerate.

Research your options, see what other choices your doctor has to offer you, reach within yourself and find out what you really want. Are you prepared to go on hormone replacement? Is your quality of life low enough to go to the next level? A hysterectomy can be either a huge blessing, or a mistake depending on the situation, and no one can make that decision for you.

This is an excellent place to do your research...there are pull down menus on the home page, and you can search with all sorts of criteria to read posts that aren't showing up on the active boards. The chatroom is a great way to talk to ladies both pre and post op, and get different viewpoints.

Wishing you the best of luck whatever your decision may be, and welcome to Hystersisters - hope I helped a little!

Stacey

Dear Sassy,

I would encourage you to get 2 or 3 medical opinions before making a decision. My doc #2 had much more cutting & pasting in mind for me than doc #3 did.

Here are some links with more info about fibroids & the options for treatment:

http://www.fibroidcorner.com/
http://www.uterinefibroids.org/
http://www.thefibroidplace.com/
http://www.prevention.com/cda/feature/0,1204,2373.html

Get smart about your symptoms and your options, and make the best choice for YOU.

I am sending huge cyberhugs