24 yrs old w/ endo, told I need a LAVH - unsure (pregnancy mentioned)

Wow! How wonderful to be training for the Olympics. I hope you make it. Do you have a date for your surgery yet? I can relate to the doctor go round. Not fun.

I'm a runner, too, but not anywhere near your level of dedication. I'm having excision of endo and an LAVH for suspected adenomyosis soon with an endo specialist. I didn't see excision surgery in your list of things you've tried. It's really the only treatment that been shown to work in the long run. Even better, the surgeons who practice excision generally try to leave organs intact. Of course, the only cure for adeno is hysterectomy, but maybe if you were able to get the pain from the endo taken care of, there would be some options for decreasing your adeno symptoms so you could try for a baby. I've read that adeno doesn't affect your fertility or ability to carry a baby. I'm sending you hugs and prayers for the strength to make these difficult decisions.

Coming from someone close to your age I must say that you have to be 1000% sure this is the best/last option for you. The changes that happen to your mentality and body after such a major surgery can be very stressful to say the least. I know I did the right thing for me because I tried everything, the depo, the iud, about 15 different types of BCP's along with two D&C's/laps.

A few things to think about:

Are you going to be comfortable explaining to people for the next 25 years why your not having more babies? Believe, they ask and ask and ask and it can be very hard at times (at least for me)

Are you comfortable knowing that god forbid you and the DH split you will have to explain to any new partners why you can't have children? This has been a thought that has stuck in my mind since the surgery and to be honest, it bothers me at times.

Do you have a good support system or are you willing to see an outside source when things and emotions get rough? My "shrink" has been my saving grace many times since the sugery.

Have you thought about pain management to maybe give you some more time?

Take care and please to post about any questions.

Hang in there and take a long time to make this decision.

Hi encoreathletics!

My goes out to you and your situation! I was 23 when things started to go haywire for me and we had been discussing having another baby. Alas, that did not happen because of the GYN issues that led to my hysterectomy soon after my 25th birthday. I found out after the fact that I really should not have even been able to have the two children I do have so I try to be thankful for them even though we were planning to extend our family.

I, too, have endometriosis. I did have my first laparoscopy and hysterectomy with my local GYN who did a very good job surgically but he was not an endometriosis specialist so he was unable to remove all of the endo. Earlier this year I traveled to an endometriosis specialist for endometriosis excision and lysis of adhesions. He was wonderful and well worth the travel, high costs, time DH had to take off from work, etc. He has given me back my life as far as my pelvic region is concerned. I wish I had seen him years ago! Thus, before you make your final decision, I would suggest at least having your records reviewed by an endometriosis specialist and possiblye have a consult with one, even if it is a phone consult. Mine is superb!

A hysterectomy is a major surgery that is not without risks -- I know for a fact since I did have surgical complications that kept me in the hosptial for an extended stay, greatly lengthened my recovery, and very much compromised my health. A hysterectomy is also not a cure for endometriosis though it is a cure for adenomyosis. Thus, you need to carefully weigh all of your pros and cons before deciding what is right for you.

We do have an Endometriosis Support forum where you can ask any specific endometriosis questions. You can also read about what some of us have done as far as treatment options and how we are dealing with endometriosis both pre and post hysterectomy. You may also find it helpful to read through our Hyster Sisters' Endo/Adeno Resources.

You will definitely want to discuss your ovaries and hormone needs with a knowledgeable doctor before making a decision about whether or not to retain your ovaries or try HRT.

I know the decision is not an easy one and can be especially difficult for us who are young and not through adding to our families. Some women have found it very helpful to sit down with a counselor while making this decision so that might be something to consider.

I wish you all the best as you make the best decision for you. There are many ladies here on the site ready to lend an ear and offer a shoulder to cry on! So to your group! S

Well, i had a lap back in Oct, and it really just made things worse..... i felt good for about 2 weeks and then took a turn for the worse. I have been seeing a endo specialist along with my local Dr. both are great... yet nothing is working. Whst is endo excision? the same as a LAP? they removed a lot of endo back in oct... i'm just willing to try anything else before i go for the hyst.... i just don tknow if i'm ready, yet i want me life back ... i just dont know what to do...

Endometriosis can be removed via many different methods. Excision is when the endometriosis is removed completely rather than the top layer being cauterized, laser off, etc. Not very many surgies have the skills to excise endometriosis down to its core, so to speak. There are really only a few of them world wide and you can find the names of some of them at the top of this forum.

My GYN cauterized my endometriosis which is not the best method but was the method he was trained to use. With cauterization, endo can remain deeper in the tissue and then you can have scar tissue form over that endo creating even more problems. Also, with cauterization there are areas where it is too risky so endo can be left alone there as it was in my situation. My endometriosis specialist was able to excise all of the endometriosis so hopefully all of the endo is gone. You can read more about surgical techniques here: http://www.vitalcareinstitute.com/su...echniques.html. Doing a web search will also turn up a lot of information.

Keeping in there and searching for the right answers for you! Sending best wishes and s your way!

My DH and I have an appointment w/ my Dr. next wed. to discuss other options. I think I want to try another Lap before i go for the full hyst. if they are willing to give me that option....

My thoughts are.... You are a marathoner and a mom at a young age.
It is not a surprise that your body is reacting the way it is.

You might not want to hear this, but you might need to listen to your body if you don't want to end up with a hysto right now. Slow down, take it easy you don't have to look at everything in life like you have to hurry to the finish line. Please don't take this wrong, I just know from my own experiences that we are similar..

Take a deep breath and know you might need to slow down.. try the half marathon.... Deciding you are never going to have children again is not something you can decide this fast..GOOD LUCK!

i have run over 25 1/2 marathons in my running carreer... i am a marathoner, and now training for the 2012 olympic trials. It is the only thing that actually makes me feel good. I actually dont get more pain from running, believe it or not. It helps me cope too. If i had to stop running i would loose my mind. it's a family thing. My husband is a professional runner also, and we run with the kids in the double running stroller every night/morning. i haven't heard anything about excersize making things worse... or does it..?

I have no clue on that one (as for your question) I did not know that you were/are that elite of an athlete and I don't want you to think I know the answer. You know yourself better than I. I don't want you to loose the chance to be a mom because of this is all I was trying to say.

It was easy for me to make the decision to not "bear" anymore children when I was 27... I knew that later if I still wanted children I would/could adopt and be very thankful for it. Basically, I had peace knowing I would not have more children. But you don't sound like you are ready to make that decision yet.

And I don't want to see you loose sight over your dreams of the olympics either. But I know bleeding like you are, is not helping. Something has to change. Keep in touch and the best to you!!!