Hello all, I never thought I'd ever have a need for a hysterectomy. I'm 47 years old, unmarried and never had children. My periods have been bad, long, heavy painful, but not as bad as some of the ones I've read on this site. In February 2010 I was hospitalized for severe anemia. Many tests were performed to see if I was bleeding internally since my numbers were 7.7 and should have been at least at 12. I refused a transfusion instead, the fed me iron through my IV to bring my levels up. The released me when my levels got to 10.
I was referred to a GYN and HE told me there was no need for a period at my age, especially if I wasn't going to have children. He offered the ablation, but after thorough reading I said no to that. It wasn't a guarantee and I just didn't like the idea of "buring the lining of my uterus". So I asked about other options and he suggested a partial.
We scheduled the surgery for July, but for some reason that didn't happen. I was planning a cruise for September so I really didn't want to do it while I was gone. So my dr suggested the depro vera shot to stop my periods.....that way I could enjoy my cruise and reschedule the surgery for when I returned. I got the shot on Aug 4. I had a month free of FLO. However, September 5th I began spotting. This wasn't unsual according to all I'd read. But by September 19th (the day my cruise began), I had a full blown heavy period, complete with cramps and clots. The first 3 days of my 7 day cruise were spent in bed with the worst period EVER.
I couldn't use a tampon because it was so painful. Thankfully, I'd stopped at the drug store prior to getting on the ship to get more pads and tampons. I only had panty liners because I wasn't supposed to be having a period. In addition to the cramps and clotting, day and night, I had an unusual pain that felt like my uterus was about to FALL OUT. Everytime I stood up, I had to brace my self because I really thought something would drop out of me. The clots were so bad and so big, I was sure I was having a miscarraige.
I called my dr (ship to shore $$$$) and there was nothing he could do but tell me to have the hysterectomy. I went to the ship hospital and they gave me motrin 800. My friend's mom had a vicodon and gave me half of that to take the edge off. I bled for the entire week. When I return on Sep 26 I still bled. Today, November 22 I am still bleeding.
I went to new dr for a 2nd opinion on November 4th. SHE said the words I'd been waiting to hear......"Let's first stop the bleeding). She put me on bc pills and told me to take 2 a day for 6 days then go to one a day. The bleeding stopped on day 3 or 4. When i went to one a day, it started again only not very heavy. I'm still taking one per day, and the bleeding continues. It's a light bleed but at least once a day i get a rush feeling and then a huge clot.
My story is not as bad as others on this site, so I was still unsure of what to do. I do have at lease one fibroyd and many small ones. I'm going to have the LSH I ( hope that's the correct accronym)....basically its the lapraroscopic keeping my ovaries and cervix. I'm a chicken when it comes to pain but I hate waking to blood every day. I have no energy and I'm miserable.
I did want children ....but NEVER without a husband and since that didn't happen, the children never did. I have a large loving and support family base and I don't have to pay college tuition for any of my nieces or nephews, but I do get to spoil them and send them home to their parentts. I sometimes cry that I will never be able to have children. My option is being taking away on Dec 6 aat 1:30 pm.
This site has been soooooo imformative and helpful. I'm here daily reading the success stories. I'm sure I'll feel like a new woman when this is over. The waiting is really really getting to me, however. I will keep you abreast of how things go and I'm excited that I will never use a pad or a tampon, or heating pad, or dark clothes, or those monthly pain pills ever again. 2 weeks and couting.....I'm almost there.
Counting down to Dec 6
Please let us know how it goes. Best wishes!!
