Wish someone could make this decision for me

I was diagnosed with Fibroid Tumors and was scheduled for an Endometrial Ablation which was supposed to take place yesterday 1-7. My Insurance took it upon themselves to cancel the surgery and schedule an appt. with another GYN instead. After seeing him yesterday in addition to the Fibroids I have an enlarged Uterus, he says Endometrial Ablation is not an option for me that I need a Partial Hysterectomy. I have had very HEAVY bleeding with mild pain for the last year or so, my periods are so heavy that I can fill a Tampon and overflow a pad in an hour. I have to wear both at the same time. I can feel quater size clots passing and can feel the heavy flow of blood. I have been embarrassed when standing in the garage with my husband and a few of his friends when out of nowhere here came the blood before I could do anything it managed to seap through my panties and splash onto the floor, I wanted to crawl into a hole, I felt embarrassed for my husband as well, he was so calm and cool about he just kind of scooted across it with a rag before anyone say it. REcently the pain has become much more severe, its still manageable, but I hate it I cant get comfortable at night I toss and turn all night long. My Uterus feels like a brick the pressure is very annoying, I feel 3 months pregnant. I dont know what questions I should have my Dr. yesterday I think I was in shock. I have 3 children and had a tubal after my son was born, I am prepared not to have a Uterus I think I am more afraid of the Surgery and the pain. Can anyone help me through this, what should I be asking my Dr? Is there another option for me, Hormonal therapy did not work for me I bled for 2 months straight and am now anemic.

Gretta, I had the type of heavy bleeding which you described. Your husband sounds like a real sweetheart. I like the way he handled your embarassing moment. He sounds like a keeper!

My most embarassing moment was bleeding through my silk pastel dress in church on Easter Sunday. I used overnight pads for years, and bled right through them. Being a woman can be such a challenge!

Ask your doctor if you have adenomyosis, which is an enlarged "boggy" uterus. If you do, the research I've done indicates that hysterectomy is the only cure for adenomyosis. Adenoymyosis was the major reason for my hysterectomy.

If you click on the link below, it will take you to a whole list of links which provide information about gynecological conditions and alternatives to hysterectomy. I hope this helps:
https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/ann...p?s=&forumid=4

Best wishes,
Helen

Helen,
I agree with you about my husband being a keeper, hes always been there for me and he always manages to keep me above water. I am going to be 37 this year and we have been together since I was 13, he is a true gift. when I first told him about the Endometrial Ablation I was a wreck, he calmed me down and said I would be fine and I felt better and was ready to do it. I have not told him about my appt yesterday, I dont know how to tell him. Yes I do have Adenomyosis, I take it this is a bad thing that will only get worse. I have to say that I found this website by pure accident I was searching for an easy answer to my decision and stumbled across Hyster Sisters, I have read alot of posts and everyone here is so awesome and supportive I think this is great. Reading the posts has made me a little more afraid of what I may be faced with but I am confident that my support is right here. Thank-you in advance.

Hi Gretta,

I'm with you on the "wish someone could make this decision for me." The heavy bleeding (I was in the bathroom like clockwork every 45 minutes before the ablation) is miserable!!!!!

I have had hysteroscopy, D & C, biopsies, polyps removed, ultrasounds, BCPs without success and then an ablation, successful in many ways with lightened bleeding, but I am now experiencing pain with my cycles that is truly slowing me down. I am beginning to fear each month and how the pain will affect my very active lifestyle...I teach first grade, teach 2 fitness classes per day, plus work out about another 2 hours on top of that...NUTS, I know! Lots of different problems have been diagnosed, but the options have run out. I just am afraid to commit to this surgery...it terrifies me!

This site has been a wealth of information. I wish I could offer you some insight, but I can only sympathize with your discomfort and understand your questions! I wish you all the best!

Hi Gretta!
I am 5 weeks post-op from a LAVH (11/28/03) for EXACTLY the same situation I was in. My dr thought my uterus was 12-14 week size, but turns out it was 14-16 and my large fibroid that looked to be the size of a grapefruit was the size of a football. I agonized about the surgery. I really just wanted to have the fibroid removed. My dr told me that I more than likely had more than one, and that we could remove it. However, I would be finding myself in surgery again and again for fibroid removal. I did hours of research. My main concern was my intimate relationship with my husband. I am 40 years old, have 2 teenagers (hubby had vasectomy 14 yrs ago) and just celebrated my 22nd anniversary. I also have a "keeper" and wanted to make sure Iwould be okay after. Luckily, my dr was patient enough to cut the fibroid in pieces so as not to cut my abdomen . I felt gread 2 days after surgery and was almost normal after 2 weeks. I did not keep my cervix and do not have any "dryness" (one of the things I was worried about as some women do have this without a cervix). I feel sooooo much better, without that pressure. I no longer have stress incontinence. As far as hormonally, I feel exactly the same, except no PMS. My surgery was absolutely the best decision I could have made. I just can't believe how much better I feel. Questions to ask: What type of surgery? (LAVH is the way to go), What is the deciding point for your dr between TAH and LAVH? What have his patient's experienced as far a complications/concerns after? If I were your wife or your sister what would you recommend for me?

This website has provided me with the vast majority of information I needed to make my decision. I wanted to know how I would be after. Keep asking and keep reading. Good luck to you!!!!!!!!!