Something that just hit me... now I wonder

These are some of the best posts I've read at a time when I needed to really know if I made the right decision. I'm having a TAH BSO. I have a very large fibroid in the middle of my uterus and fibroids in the lining of my uterus, so when I have my period I bleed for what seems like forever. I get large blood clots. We are talking 6 inch or more blood clots. I get anemic, I have severe pain, my breasts are so painful it hurts to walk up the stairs. Oh, and the PMS has been so miserable all these years, along with the hot flashes. I'm 44 and will go into menopause soon anyway, so after talking to my dr. I decided to have everything out, even if my ovaries are healthy. My cervix is coming out too. And of course those miserable fibroids. My dr. said I could keep my ovaries and cervix, but weighing the good with the bad, I'd rather have them out at the same time.

My biggest decision was whether to leave my ovaries in or not. I have debated about this so long I'm tired of it. But my dr. told me that I would continue to have "mini" periods if the ovaries are left in. Also PMS and and breast tenderness. So, what is the sense of having a hysterectomy if I'm still going to have most of the same symptoms? I want to finally be free of them after 31 years. I've had enough of these crappy feelings. Who wants a "mini" period if the hysterectomy is supposed to get rid of all the bleeding and anemia. I know I'll go into surgical menopause, and that part kind of scares me. I know I'll have hot flashes. I'll probably go on short term hrt, but I'm told that it takes a while to find the right hormone and it doesn't work right away.

Well, I was on another website the other day. It made me think that I was making a big mistake by having a hysterectomy. People on that website are so dead set against hysterectomies for any reason and some said I was making a mistake by having a hyst just because I had fibroids and severe bleeding. One was telling me that her problems were solved by taking vitamin supplements. Others said there were other options. Well, I discussed those other options with my dr. and they weren't right for me. There were no guarantees with the other options I had. I want one surgery.

Of course there was no doubt the fibroid had to go. But I've read that when the cervix is left in, fibroids tend to come back. I don't want that again.

I guess what I'm asking is "Does anyone read these other posts on the other sites and what do you think of them?" According to some people on the other site, I'm having "radical" surgery for a minor problem. Does a hysterectomy for severe bleeding and anemia sound like I'm having radical surgery for a minor problem? I've had problems with my period my entire life. It always comes on time, but that's about it. They were telling me the horrors of surgical menopause.

I'm only 44 and want to have a good quality of life for however long I live. If I didn't have fibroids I wouldn't have the surgery, but who wants to bleed for 2 weeks out of every month and feel so tired that I can't get out of bed? Just curious as to what everyone else thinks about what people are saying about radical surgery for a "minor" problem. Thanks for letting me vent. They got me so confused. Any opinions?

I'm glad this thread is helping some other ladies out as well. This thought of PMS just hit me and I thought... I really need to check into this, even though I was pretty sure I knew the answer.

Luvs2Quit: I can tell you right now, I for one DO NOT think you are doing anything too radical. My mother would love to have a hysterectomy. She has your same problem. Large fibroids with tons and tons of clotted bleeding. But her doctor hasn't given her that as an option I don't think. She is luckily hitting her menopause phase and will hopefully be done within the next couple of years. She has longer stretches of time now between each period. She just turned 54. Jeez, if people think you are having a radical procedure for a minor problem they would certainly say the same for me. I don't even have any problems with my periods. In fact, my last visit to my GYN I was complaining about how my periods are too light!! I got off the pill after my tubal and my periods got lighter than they were even on the pill. I really only have one day of true bleeding, which is still light and more the consistency of snot than blood, and the rest is just mild spotting. It's rather annoying because it's too light for a tampon, considering it won't stay in, and really even too light for even the lightest pad. I could wear the same one all day long if I chose to. It drives me crazy. I have a grade II cystocele, rectocele and prolapsed uterus. The NP I saw said there are people who live with this condition for years. I have only had REAL problems with the bulging and bowel/bladder problems for just a week now. But you better believe I am READY to get it taken completely care of. Maybe I am a wuss. I don't see how anyone could live with this. My lower back has never hurt so bad in all my life. But I would bet there are many people who would consider a TVH for this problem to be too extreme. Not me! I say no one can make that decision but the person who actually has to make it. No one else knows what you are going through physically or emotionally as a result of your condition. I wouldn't listen to what anyone else has to say about it being too radical. You know what you need to do for you to make your situation better, and that's what's important. But that's just my 2 cents. :dance2:

Now I have another question too. What is this talk of "mini" periods? I have never heard of this. Of course I am pretty new to all of this so I haven't had too much time to learn all the little details (one of the reasons I love it here!!). I am having both my uterus and cervix removed. Will I still have these "mini" periods? Is it just spotting or what? If so, what bleeds or spots exactly? I'm a little confused now. Any help with clarification would be great.

GizmoCat: I'm not sure exactly where my parent's cat got it's name. They adopted him from a lady who ended up being allergic to him so he already had his name. He's a pure black Persian. Smoosh face! LOL He's a very friendly cat though. It's great to hear you don't get cramps anymore. You know what though, I'll actually be okay with the diarrhea. LOL I have such horrible constipation problems I always kind of looked forward to that anyway. But after I get this rectocele fixed I'm going to have to be extra careful. I'm not sure if I am even capable of having a movement without straining. I have long since forgotten how.

theragen,
I was extremely surprised to find this out, but my dr. told me, and I have read it on this website, that if your ovaries are still left in, you will still have "mini" periods. They will be light, but you will still have them because they will still be producing estrogen. I was kind of shocked when my dr. told me this. This is the last thing I want. But if you have ever had PMS symptoms, you''ll still have it if the ovaries are there. Apparently it doesn't matter if the uterus is gone or not. If you start a new thread, you will get more information about this than I can give you. But your body will continue to cycle. That's another reason I wanted my ovaries out. I've had enough bleeding. I don't even want "mini" periods.

Until I found this website, I had no idea either. Then my dr. told me this and I was reading posts about this same subject. So, it's almost like you've never really had a hysterectomy. Unless you don't mind liglht periods, which is sounds like you do. Wish I could give you more information. I don't understand it either, but it's true. The ovaries keep on ticking after the hyst unless there is something wrong with them. I hope this helps you.

Robin

Hyst took care of my flooding bleeding and the associated cramping of my body TRYING (but failing) to stanch the hemorrhaging. I also had the "runs" during bleeding so of course that's gone too.

I never had PMS symptoms. No mood swings, bloating, breast tenderness - nothing. I almost wish I had some indication that I am still ovulating and my ovaries are still functioning. Guess I'll just have to get a blood test.

RE: MINI PERIODS. I chose to keep my cervix to avoid the sutures and shortened vagina that comes with a vaginal cuff, and to help preserve sexual response, and to help prevent prolapse. Apparently cauterizing the cervix during surgery helps prevent mini-periods. My cervix was cauterized and I haven't shed a drop of blood vaginally since one day post-op. I only had one single fibroid posterior fundus so we weren't worried about fibroids growing on my cervix.

Yes I have been to those websites that make you think you're some kind of failure if you have a hyst. In fact I bought in to that idea and it nearly cost me my life.

jandybee,
I forgot all about the dr. telling me that they cauterize the cervix so that you don't bleed. She gave me so much information that day, that it was hard to take in all in at once. I know some people on here said they did have mini periods, but that they went away after a while.

I didn't know about the shortened vagina and vaginal cuff. Does that mean that sex will hurt if you have your cervix out? Also, you mentioned prolapse. What's the chances of that happening? I don't recall my dr. ever saying anything about that.

As for the rest of the boards, I'm not even going to pay attention to them anymore. I won't miss the PMS one bit. It's pretty bad each month. I won't miss the flooded periods, or the cramps that double me over, or the blood clots. The anemia will be gone. No more buying pads. I can't wear tampons. It hurts too much. The dr. said that the large fibroid was pressing against my bladder and other organs. I think I must run to the bathroom a dozen times a day, even at night too.

I guess the only thing I need to know about now is the possible prolapse. Does it happen often and do you need surgery for it?

Thanks for the information.

I'm having mild PMS symptoms - twinges in my back and some very light spotting. However, it's nothing to what it was before my operation, with horrible pelvic pain, IBS that went from bad to worse and breast tenderness that drove me mad - and they were all worsening, month on month. What I have now gives me the reassurance that my hormones are kicking in and to date at least, the surgery was a success. I've got rid of an ailing uterus, while keeping two healthy ovaries, which is exactly the outcome I wanted.

You have to go with your gut feeling. I had mine done within 4 weeks of my doc appt, but only after the lengthy specialist appointment and then an 1.5 hour one on one consultation with a clinical sister specializing in this area. I was able to ask tons of questions and get direct answers. I was offered many alternatives instead of the hysterectomy and it was MY choice to proceed. I used a private specialist who charged an arm and a leg, but you get what you pay for....I visited four different gyno's for different opinions over the past four years and I am very happy with my choice (both doc & op). I remember when I had my babies and I was having no end of trouble trying to breastfeed. If I had listened to the pro-active nursing mothers I was sourrounded by, my first child would have literally starved, as I produced NO milk whatsoever and had to 'comp' feed after each nursing feed - even after 9 days of feeding. So a beautiful nurse found me crying my heart out with this baby (I was still in hospital - I hadn't been allowed to go home) and she said "do you want to keep doing this?" and she told me that I'd be a great mum breastfeeding or not! From that second on I vowed that I would never let someone elses opinion rule my decisions. Nursing was not the answer for my two.
My point is, that had I followered everyone's advice, I'd have had a very underfed child and probably an even more stressed mother.
Therefore, if your life is affected by your periods as was mine, (and lets face it, you wouldn't be using this weblink if it wasn't) - make a decision that suits you - not anyone else.
So you go for it girl - a couple of months of recouperating to buy back a life will hopefully be worth it. xxxx