I need some advice

I am 42 and have suffered with perimenopausal symptoms for about 4 or 5 years now increasing each year. I had a lot of problems with my periods when I was young with very severe cramps to the point of passing out. Things got better after being on BCP and then after my children came. Then the problems started back. This time with menstrual migraines, heavy bleeding with large pieces of tissue, depression, anxiety, anger - the typical mood swings but they are no longer just right before my period but 3 weeks out of the month. I literally have one good week a month. The rest I feel horrible and simply want to retreat into my shell and do nothing nor associate with anyone, however, I force myself to go out and do things.

The new doctor in the practice where I go sat and listened very intently to all of my complaints, then said let's do your exam and then talk. He did my exam and told me my uterus was retroverted.

After the exam we went back to his office and he proceeded to tell me that he thought we could try the medication route but since I had tried that before with adverse effects and not much relief he thought TAH/BSO might be the best resolution. He said that if he took my uterus and left the ovaries he would only help part of my problem and I would still have these terrible mood swings and all those feelings but if he took the ovaries too he could control this problem more evenly. I almost lept out of my seat to hug him. Finally, a doctor who understood I was going crazy dealing with all of this and was willing to help me find a solution.

I guess what I am asking is for some opinions in being 42 and having a TAH/BSO. I have been told by some not to do the BSO as it will throw me into early menopause but I don't know how that could be worse than thinking I have to try to live another 10 years in this shape, I will be in a nut house before then and without any family because I will have run them all off because they already think I am losing my mind.

Is the surgical menopause that bad compared to what I have been going through the last 4 to 5 years and it has gotten horribly and increasingly worse in the last year??

I need to hear from some of you who have had these same feelings and problems and opted to the TAH/BSO or just the TAH, was it the best thing you ever had done or the worst?

I hope I posted the right forum as I have just found this site this week and I am desperately looking for some input and advice. My surgery is scheduled for July 8.

I appreciate any thoughts and input. I guess I am just second guessing myself now that it is close to becoming a reality.

Hi dj13,

Welcome to Hyster Sisters!!

I'm so sorry that you have had so many years of pain, discomfort and emotional ups and downs. While I'm sorry that you are facing surgery, I am glad that you found us and posted to introduce yourself.

I still have my ovaries, so I can't give you any personal experience about surgical menopause, but wanted to suggest that you read some of the articles in our Hormone Jungle (click here).

Please also be sure to read our Pre-Op Hints (click here) and the Post-Op Hints (click here). They are full of great advice that will help you to prepare for your surgery and recovery.

I noticed that your surgery date is not in your profile - be sure to go into your control panel and add it so that you'll be on the calendar and will receive a special greeting from HS.

Keep on reading, researching and post any questions that you may have - we'll do our best to help.

's

Hi dj13 --

I was 45 when I had my TAH/BSO. My periods had been getting heavier for years -- I'd have severe cramps for a week before my period, have severe cramps and heavy flow during my period and pass huge clots (which I later found out was due to numerous large fibroids) and then the pain would continue for several days after my period actually ended. When I finally convinced my doc to do some tests an ultrasound showed the fibroids and a CT scan showed a cyst on my left ovary. My doc sent me to a gyn who recommended the hyst.

In my case the hyst was the best thing I ever did and I have wished many times that I had had it done sooner.

It was discovered during my surgery that I had a lot of endo and adeno. I was on very minimal hrt as per my gyn's instructions for the first 6 months after my hyst. At 6 months post-op I went on the .625 Premarin that I'm still on at the present time -- I'm over two years post op.

In my case the menopausal symptoms are manageable with the Premarin and a whole lot easier to deal with than the pain and bleeding I used to deal with. My quality of life is much better than it used to be. Many things got better -- I used to have many more headaches and other problems -- even the TMJ/Trigeminal Neuralgia I suffered with for years before my hsyt, and saw many specialists for, and had two surgeries for, improved so much after my hyst that I was able to go off the antidepressant I was on and cut the blood pressure med dosage (also prescribed for the TN) in half!

Please remember that this is my experience only and I'm not saying that this is how every woman who has had a hyst will feel, but in response to your question, yes for me it was the best thing that I ever did. I gained a little weight after my hyst but made an effort to eat a healthier diet (I've been an exerciser for years -- since way before my hyst) and I lost the weight I gained plus some extra pounds I needed to lose. I have felt better since my hsyt than I felt for many years before I had the surgery done.

Best of luck to you!

's
Ann
TAH/BSO 1/5/01

I am sitting here this morning, bloated, crampy, and back is aching. This is how I have been feeling for over a week now. I am dreading my period's arrival. I have been free of bleeding for about 4 weeks. Prior to this I had been pretty much bleeding for the better part of 3 months. The bleeding was not heavy for the most part, mostly like a light period. The doctor had prescribed me bcp which seemed to intensify all my problems. Four weeks ago, I had a bad few days with very heavy bleeding along with huge clots. The doctor put me on methprogesterone (sp) and after a few more days, the bleeding stopped. Now I sit here wondering what my body has in store for me in the upcomming days.

I have a d&c scheduled in a couple of weeks. The doctor will also do a hysteroscopy and endo biopsy. She was unable to do the endo biopsy in the office due to a fibroid blocking the cervix. I have already had ultrasounds which showed an enlarged uterus, many fibroids in the 4-6cm range.

Your post really spoke to me, because I have been having the same issues. I too have maybe 1 relatively good week a month. I was recently found to have hypothyroid, so I am know taking medicine for that. I am so tired of feeling crappy all the time. The doctor said that I should be prepared for the need for a hysterectomy. I know that depending on the diagnosis there are other options, but I read of many people ending up with the hysterectomy anyway. I cannot imagine what it is to live without feeling so yucky all the time. My fibroids must be placing pressure on my bladder, because I have been having problems with incontinence (wonderful), just another issue. I am 40 years old, so I have many years until menopause.

Sorry for the long post, and I wish you well.

Dianne

Well Dianne I am sorry you feel so bad and have had so many problems. I appreciate you sharing with me. I hope your procedures go well and they get things figured out to get you some relief and soon. I will find out tomorrow if my surgery has been approved by the ins. co. Amazing that the ins. co gets to decide if I am sick enough to have surgery when they have never laid eyes on me and my doctor thinks it is pertinent but they get to make the decision. Unreal!

Good luck