Pre op for Hysterectomy

Hi, my name is Christina. I am a 36 year female that has been married at the tender age of 19, had one child (a boy) at the age of 22. All my life (since the age of 11), I have had terrible monthly cramps. They were so bad I would have to be out of school most of the days my period was on (it lasted 7 days!) Hot water bottles, hot tea and Midol would be my best friends those days. I was taken to a OB/Gyn and put on Ortho Novum (birth control) at the age of 13. I was told these would help the cramps. It didn't, so I was then put on what I was told was the strongest level they had at that time. It helped but I still suffered each month. I am now jumping to the present. I was a patient of this doctor all my life. About 2 years ago, I found a lump in my lower abdomen. The lump would get hard and it felt like it would move, I thought I was pregnant. I went to the doctor and he was not in, so I saw his partner for the doctor's visit. I told him about the lump and he told me it was just hormones, not to worry about it. I found out later that that particular day was his last day in the office! This year I was suffering from heart palpitations and I went to a heart specialist. He is an excellant doctor and he gave me a thorough exam. He felt the lump and said that it was not normal and he suggested a sonogram.
Well the sonogram found a large (grapefruit size) benign tumor (fibroid)with several smaller tumors. I was told I am the size of a 13 week pregnant woman. First my Ob/gyn suggested a myomectomy to just remove the fibroids and keep my fertility. On my second visit to him to fill out the surgery papers, he told me that I should have a hysterectomy because the myomectomy is more complicated to do than the hysterectomy???? I scheduled to have surgery on July 15. What should I do??? Any advice at this point would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for writing so much, I'm just scared. Thanks for listening!

Oh Chris you have had a pain filled life for quite some time. It is a big decision to go ahead with a hyst. I am 33 and have 2 children. Even though I knew that I wanted no more children it was still scary to make that final choice. The problem it seems with myomectomies is that it is more of a temporary solution and the fibroids can grow back. I've also noticed a lot of women who had bleeding problems after theirs. I have had a few complications since my hyst but would choose this road again if I had to. Discuss your fears with your doctor so that you will know what to expect. What type of hyst is he planning? Good luck as you travel this road. We're always here for you

Hi Christina... you might want to do a search on the internet re myomectomy surgery. My understanding is that it is an abdominal surgery, and the fibroids may grow back since you are not yet in menopause.

Go to bottom right on this screen and there is a medical search engine. Get smart about your symptoms and your options. Get 2-3 medical opinions, and make the right choice for YOU. Good luck!!

I also inquired as to whether my three fibroids could be removed by myomectomy and my doctor said that since they are in the muscle wall she considered it to be much more dangerous than the hysterectomy (primarily because of blood loss that would occur in trying to keep the uterus supplied with blood while removing the fibroids). She also said, the fibroids would most likely grow back. My fibroids are only 1 inch, and 1/2 inch on the other two so they are not huge, but I have my period every 22 days or so (I feel like I am having my period all the time ! And the stupid fibroids are preventing my uterine lining from expelling so it is very thick and crowded in that uterus of mine --yes it is enlarged). I am still waiting to see if the D&C/hysteroscopy give me any improvement in my cycles before I go further, but after consulting with the doctor and reading everything I can, it does not look like a myomectomy is a good choice for me. Keep reading and asking questions. I am so glad I found this board. It is a big help, isn't it ?

Sharon

Sharon is right, fibroids are stupid. And annoying. And sometimes downright ornery and create all sorts of stupid problems. Pain, excessive bleeding, bladder pressure, lower back pain, long periods. Been there, done it all.

When doc first recommended hyst I though "are you talking to me?" O my I was distraught.

Hit the net. Found hyster sites. Scared me to death. One in particular (which shall forever remain nameless) scared the pants off me.

Then I found hystersisters. Got a 1st, 2nd and 3rd second opin as well as one from my own GP. They all said just about what Twylla, Jennie, and Sharon said - depending on the size and location of the broids, you could experience more blood loss with a myoectomy. Also, these little suckers tend to grow back. Although I'm 48, and COULD be close to menopause, I didn't want to risk a second surgery.

On the other hand - did you ever want to have more children. Myoectomy, or another procedure called Uterine Artery Embolization could be an alternative if you want to preserve your ability to have children. (Actually, UAE doesn't have long-term studies regarding fertility post-procedure, but there are recorded cases of women becoming pregnant. See fibroidworld.com)

If you're wondering about that "moving" sensation, that's usually multiple broidies - seems they can grow and shrink, causing that feeling. Wanna see a photo? Go to fibroidcorner.com - but beware, they are NOT pretty.

Good luck! Keep posting. Let us know how you are doing!

Det. Dixie Tracy, Div of Fibroid Investigations

I have been told I need a hysterectomy for fibroids tumor/s. I have one that is the size of a grapefruit. I would rather not have a hysterectomy unless absolutely necessary. My mother had a myomectomy 35 years ago and had one large, and multiple small fibroids removed. To date she has had no reoccurrance. I am not sure that there is any perfect solution to this. There seems to be risks with all the choices we are offered (as fibriod sufferers). Hysterectomy seems, to me, to have a lot risks - a lot more than I am ready to deal with. From the research I have done on hysterectomy, we are at risk for experiencing one or maybe all of the following: a prolapsed bladder, prolapsed bowel, loss of sexual function and or sexual response, and even if we keep your overies, we may still be thrown into surgical menopause because the ovaries receive some of their blood supply from the uterus. Without adequate blood supply they die anyway. Even if the tumors come back, or new ones appear, it is usually at least seven years later, I believe. To me, that's seven extra years with all my body parts, and in seven years I will be a little closer to the average age of natural menopause. Maybe there will be other choices by then too. Just make sure your myomectomy is not your doctors first, if that is what you decide to do! You want someone who has had a lot of experience with this proceedure. You may also want to ask your dr how many myomectomies he had to convert into hysterectomies during myomectomy surgery.

Good Luck.

	Quote:
Originally posted by Christina Hi, my name is Christina. I am a 36 year female that has been married at the tender age of 19, had one child (a boy) at the age of 22. All my life (since the age of 11), I have had terrible monthly cramps. They were so bad I would have to be out of school most of the days my period was on (it lasted 7 days!) Hot water bottles, hot tea and Midol would be my best friends those days. I was taken to a OB/Gyn and put on Ortho Novum (birth control) at the age of 13. I was told these would help the cramps. It didn't, so I was then put on what I was told was the strongest level they had at that time. It helped but I still suffered each month. I am now jumping to the present. I was a patient of this doctor all my life. About 2 years ago, I found a lump in my lower abdomen. The lump would get hard and it felt like it would move, I thought I was pregnant. I went to the doctor and he was not in, so I saw his partner for the doctor's visit. I told him about the lump and he told me it was just hormones, not to worry about it. I found out later that that particular day was his last day in the office! This year I was suffering from heart palpitations and I went to a heart specialist. He is an excellant doctor and he gave me a thorough exam. He felt the lump and said that it was not normal and he suggested a sonogram. Well the sonogram found a large (grapefruit size) benign tumor (fibroid)with several smaller tumors. I was told I am the size of a 13 week pregnant woman. First my Ob/gyn suggested a myomectomy to just remove the fibroids and keep my fertility. On my second visit to him to fill out the surgery papers, he told me that I should have a hysterectomy because the myomectomy is more complicated to do than the hysterectomy???? I scheduled to have surgery on July 15. What should I do??? Any advice at this point would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for writing so much, I'm just scared. Thanks for listening!

I was typing my reply and my AOl shut down, so I don't know if my reply went out or not.

If not, I wrote: Thanks to everyone for their input and advice. I am so glad I found this website and have met so many wonderful and caring people.

I spoke with someone at my job and she told me she had 3 myomectomies and still did not get pregnant. She then had a hysterectomy. She told it was not so bad, she just got bored staying at home. She said that the hysterectomy was the best thing she could have done. She adopted a precious little boy and is very happy. She said she had a friend that was pregnant with a fibroid and had the baby!!

I met with my doctor on Monday and decided to have the hysterectomy, just removing the uterus but keeping everything else. I just want to be over this and move on with my life (without the monthly pain and aggravation).
I am scheduled to get a second opinion this week.

I will keep everyone posted!

How do I reply to the individual replies?? Any suggestions?

Again thanks to everyone and God Bless you all!!!

Chris

HI

When in doubt...getting a second or even a third opinion is not a bad idea.

Keep us posted.

Chris,

Sorry to hear about you menstrural history.

I had the heavy cramoing since day one almost also. On Ortho-Novum, highest dose also, but not as early as you did. I also failed to get relief from cramps.

You sound like you have made a decision based on a desire for a better quality of life. Getting a 2nd or 3rd opinionwould not be a bad idea.

Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

Hugs,

You are still quite young, and a hyst should be a last resort at your age. For me, I'm 52, and my fibroids are huge and are coming out on 8/14, along with the uterus which is nurturing them, and all the other stuff--ovaries, tubes, cervix...the works.

There is a lot of info on the web about this, and we have one chief investigator, Dixie Tracy, who has done a fabulous job of research. For me, the hyst is a non-decision...let's do it. But if I were you, I'd spend a bit of time in research. A hyst is irreversible. If it turns out you must have the hyst, at least you will know you have pursued all other avenues. Sometimes we must do what we must do.

Please keep us informed of your searches. Whatever you decide, we'll be here for you. This site is awesome and it has made me a very informed patient (but I am NOT patient). My doc rolled his eyes when I told him about this place. Some docs just want to keep us ignorant, but I told him a lot of what I knew, then he seemed OK with it all. If I am to give "informed consent" then I must be INFORMED. So must you be.

Hugs to you from Suzy Q
Tucson, Arizona
8/14 TAH/BSO and bladder fix by magic