Need Advice

Hi, I am new to this site and in need of advice on how to proceed with making the decision for hysterectomy. I have had abnormal bleeding off and on for 2 years. My cycles start and continue without stopping for over 30 days at a time. All tests came back negative for any major problems. I am tired of this and absolutely do not want to take any medications/hormones. I am scheduled for a Tuesday Dr. visit and need advice on making the decision. I have run out of options and am confused as to what type of surgery I should get. I am 45 . Please help!!
Thanks so much.

For me it was a quality of life issue. I started having heavy bleeding. The last time it was 44 days and extremely terrifyingly heavy for most of it. It threw me into severe anemia and scared me totally.

I did not respond to hormone therapy to stop the bleeding.

I was given a choice of ablation or hyst. I chose hyst, TAH/BSO because I also have a septated cyst. An ablation, if it works, only takes the symptom of bleeding away and many women have to have ablations done repeatedly or end up having to have a hyst anyway. I never want to go through again what I went through in those 44 days of terror.

As far as the type of surgery, your doctor will need to determine whether you are a candidate for certain procedures. Depends on what they have to do when they get in there.

ConnieW

((((hugs)))))))) AND WELCOME to the site. Mate i gaurentee that this site will be one you will become addicted to. I am now over one year post and I have to say having my Hyst was the best thing I ever did for my health. Quality of life is so so important and i now have it. The support here pre and post is just mind blowing with someone ALWAYS willing to jump to your side and give help, listen give a hug, a smile and so much more.
You have a BIG decision to make. it is one that should not be made lightly, but with alot of thought and research etc.
First and really important, you must have a great DR. One that you feel totally comfortable with, onw who advises and gives a unbiast opinion, who is willing to help you reach the right decision, not push you in any way.
Your bleeding does in no way seem normal and i can so understand why you now feel that Hyst is an option. Read alot here, pop into chat and talk to others who will be many that have been in your shoes and will give their honest opinions.
This decision has to be YOURS. YOU must feel comfortable with whatever you decide and hun if it feels right in your heart then follow that. I, in your place would also be thinking of a Hyst.
I can say that I have not felt better, no more bleeding, pain backache. I have one ovary which is working well and have had very little in the way of PMT LOL.I am happy that I had my hyst, I had a wonderful Dr and so much support from so many now friends who I met on this site. Hun if a Hyst is what you want then go for it. Just be comfortable with your decision, think hard and read alot here but in the end it is your decision. Good luck with it and please let us know what you decide. Hugs and remember we are here for you. Hugs Vicki

I suffered for 10 yrs sleeping in a recliner day/night for days each month because of heavy bleeding. In Dec. I had an emergency gallbladder surgery and discovered I was dangerously anemic on the borderline for transfusion. That was my wake-up call, I allowed myself to become physically drained, I had missed out on important family moments and I knew it was time. I cried in the Drs. office setting up the appt. but in my heart I knew I couldn't live this way anymore. I'm 2 1/2 wk post-op and feel great, I'm having a terrific recovery and I'm happy with the surgery I chose.
This is a huge decision! One to be made after lots of researching and soul searching. Only you can know if its time. Welcome to the site

This was how I decided a hyst was right for me. After a couple of years of heavy periods, cramping and large clots, I talked to my Internal Medicine Dr about my periods. He referred me to gyn. The first one I went to was such an arrogant individual. He tried low dose BCP, which didn't help, then he wanted to try Depo Provera, but I told him I didn't want the shot because I had heard about some bad side effects some of my friends had with this, but I willingly tried oral progesterone. What a disaster! I had non-stop bleeding, a constant headache, high blood pressure and my brain turned to mush, I couldn't concentrate on anything! The only good thing about the oral progesterone was that I had no appetite and lost some weight. The final clincher for me to seek a second opinion was when the first gyn dr. told me that I had to decide which was worse, heavy periods or bleeding a little bit each day. He also told me that I was not a candidate for ablation therapy, D&C or hysterectomy because my uterus is severely retroflexed. I went to another doctor who told me that since I had failed not only one but two types of hormone therapy, that she thought I have adenomyosis. She also explained that she agreed with the first gyn about ablation therapy and D&C, but not about the hysterectomy and if I wanted to have a hyst, she would do it. She told me I had two options, putting up with heavy periods until menopause or hysterectomy. I decided on the hyst.

I understand how you feel. I found a doctor (very easily) that would not take my ovaries unless they were diseased. I had a TAH (kept one ovary) over two years ago and I have *not* needed hormone threapy (no hotflases, etc). I was 42 when I had it and now 44...one of the best things that ever happened to me! No more pain and mess! My energy levels soared after my surgery. The only other thing I was conserned about was not being put "under" for the surgery. And the doctor laughed at me when I told him I wanted two things: (1) keep my ovaries and (2) to do it with a spinal and he said he had done over 2000 of these surgeries over the years and for patient comfort he does them by spinal (and) he never takes ovaries unless they need to be removed because healthy ovaries still provide the needed hormones.

If you feel as bad as I did (pain and mess) with less and less energy - I would talk to my doctor about keeping your ovaries and see what he/she says. Even after 50 -- they contribute.

Lots and Lots of hugs...

Many thanks to all of you for the response to my plea for help in
my decision for a possible hyst. I go for my consult on 3/11/03 to find out all the possibilities and options. I will advise you of the
outcome afterward.
Many thanks for the support. I am SO glad I found you!!
Love and hugs to you all.

((lpenguin)),
As someone else stated, most of the time, this surgery is done for quality of life issues....pls educate yourself on all the possible side-effects & risks this surgery, as any surgery, can carry..
Here is some good info I have on Dysfuntional Uterine Bleeding that might be of some help when discussing options/concerns with your Dr

http://www.familydoctor.org/handouts/470.html

Progesterone for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding:

http://12.31.13.84/library/healthgui...p?HWID=aa76650

Oral contraceptives for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding:

http://12.31.13.84/library/healthgui...p?HWID=aa76693

Dilation and curettage (D and C) for dysfunctional uterine bleeding:
http://12.31.13.84/library/healthgui...p?HWID=aa82541
Danazol for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding:
http://12.31.13.84/library/healthgui...p?HWID=aa76747
http://www.estronaut.com/a/dysfuncti...e_bleeding.htm

http://www.womens-health.com/gyn_health/gyn_md_dub.html


ALTERNATIVES TO HYSTERECTOMY:

Hysterectomy and Alternatives:
Ob Gyn.net - http://www.obgyn.net/ah/ah.asp

gynalternatives.com: http://www.gynalternatives.com/index.htm

endometrialablation.com: http://www.endometrialablation.com

Alternative to Hysterectomy http://www.althysterectomy.org/utprolapse.htm

Depo-Provera: Blessing or Curse?:http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0...l?tw=wn20010619

http://womenshealth.about.com/librar...y/aa110199.htm

http://www.gynalternatives.com/hysterec.htm

http://health.discovery.com/centers...sterectomy.html

bleeding, dyspareunia:
http://www.moffitt.usf.edu/clinical/gyno/faqs.htm

Additional Resources for Patients and Patient Advocates:
http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/patresrc.html

Pain assessment:
http://www.medbroadcast.com/health_t...assessment.asp

Gynecologic laparoscopy versus laparotomy: http://www.orgyn.com/news/2002/week_...c_laparosc.asp

Quality of life impacted by posthysterectomy fatigue:
http://www.orgyn.com/news/2002/week_..._life_impa.asp

Hysterectomy increases risk of urge incontinence:
http://www.orgyn.com/news/2002/week_...my_increas.asp

http://www.biomedgate.com/web/Medici...Endocrinology/
http://my.webmd.com/content/pages/4/1661_50310.htm

Outcomes Similar After Total, Partial Hysterectomy: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/n...ory_10040.html
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/m...terectomy.html
http://www.vagisil.com/frame_general_surgical.html
http://www.estronaut.com/a/hysterect...ternatives.htm

Reducing Complications At Laparoscopic Hysterectomy:
http://www.reproductivecenter.com/reducing.html
http://www.lucanus.co.nz/Ops.htm#Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

Supracervical hysterectomy versus total abdominal:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6874/2/1/abstract

Nerve-sparing Hysterectomy:
http://www.newshe.com/articles/hysterectomy_3.shtml

If you are facing surgery:
http://www.gynsecondopinion.com/surgery.htm
http://health.discovery.com/converge...y/surgery.html

When deciding if or not to retain Ovaries, some things to consider~
Surgical Menopause:
http://www.hormonejungle.com/privacy.htm
http://www.hormonejungle.com/
http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/surgicalmenopause/
http://www.surgimenopause.com/
http://www.helioshealth.com/menopause/surgical.html
http://www.menopausehysterectomy.com/Menopause.htm
http://health.yahoo.com/health/encyc.../000894/0.html
http://www.project-aware.org/Experience/premature.shtml
http://webmd.lycos.com/content/article/1680.50792
http://my.webmd.com/content/dmk/dmk_article_5963052
http://members.tripod.com/fiona_51/faq.html
http://www.surgimenopause.com/NoFrames/surgi_4.html
https://www.hystersisters.com/surg.php
[HRT: The Whole Story:
http://health.discovery.com/centers/...hrt_whole.html

The role of ovarian hormones upon brain:
http://www.bbsonline.org/Preprints/O...bbs.fitch.html

Old Ovaries-still of value?
https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...threadid=10987

Retaining The Cervix at the time of Hysterectomy:
http://www.icsoffice.org/publication...RS/QOL/319.htm

Understanding Hysterectomy-Dr. Susan Tannenbaum
http://www.uhmc.com/tgynst02.htm

Should I Keep My Ovaries?
http://drn4u.com/keepovaries.htm

Before You Have A Hysterectomy:
http://womenshealth.miningco.com/cs/...sterectomy.htm

What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You: Knowledge Is Power In A Doctor/Patient Relationship:
http://www.obgyn.net/displayarticle....ort/comfort006

Learn about Menstrual Disorders:
http://www.menstrual-disorders.com/

http://beckysingleton.com/doctor5.htm

Questions to Prepare for_Surgery:
http://www.nypirg.org/health/surgery.html

Adenomyosis Disease Profile:
http://www.wdxcyber.com/dxppn011.htm

The Presurgical Diagnosis of Diffuse Adenomyosis:
http://www.obgyn.net/eago/art04.htm

Treatment of Constant Vaginal Bleeding:
http://www.wdxcyber.com/nbleed15.htm

Good Luck with your research & decision Pls let us know how your upcoming consult goes
(((hugs)))