Questions & Concerns???

CAN ANYONE HELP ME???? I was diagnosed w/endometriosis when I was 15 years old. I was on birth control for 9years, I had intermittent pain for about 6months, my OBGYN sent me to a specialist. I had a laproscoptomy on 6/5/03. I had my 10th lupron shot 3/5/04. Through the entire lupron process I have had chronic pain and spotting. My specialist now told me that I should consider a hysterectomy, but I am scared. I am only 24years old, but I want to be out of pain and have a normal life again. I have a dr appt tomorrow to decide exactly what will be done and when. Is life different after the surgery? Is your sex life the same? Is there any questions I should ask before? And for anyone that has had surgery already what can I expect?
I am sooooooooo glad I found this website because this is a very trying time for me, I was put on prozac which I dont feel is helping. Is it normal to feel depressed?
Thanks in advance........

Yes, my dear, you are so normal. A hyst is major surgery and should not be taken lightly. I am 50 and could not imagine going thru this at your age. Read everything you can, ask all the questions you can. Write all your questions down and take it with you when you talk to your doctor. At your age I would absolutly question everything. Hang in there and ask ask ask.
There are many sisters here that would be glad to help with all your questions. Take advantage of the support here. We will be there for you.
God bless
P

Dear Cas,
I hope I can help a little bit! First of all, it is normal to be depressed and confused while you're deciding whether to have hysterectomy surgery. Prozac takes a little while -- at least a week, to begin to have an effect on depression. When did you start taking it?

Some good news about being on an antidepressant if you decide to have your ovaries removed as well -- antidepressants help many people with the mood-related symptoms of menopause. For instance, I've been on an antidepressant for a couple of years -- way before the surgery -- and I'm not having any mood-related problems. (If you have your ovaries removed, you will go through surgical menopause.)

Not everyone has ovaries removed with a hysterectomy. Some people keep both, and some keep just one, and some (like me) have both removed. This is something you should put on your list to discuss with your doctor.

Yes, do make yourself a written list of questions, and take it with you to the appointment. Leave space (and bring a pen) so you can jot down the answers while you're discussing everything, and bring extra paper for notes. I took a little notebook with me. Even if you have a great memory, it's a lot of information to take in at once.

Here are a few suggestions for your list:
-- ask whether the surgeon can do the hysterectomy using a laparoscope. The benefits of laparascopic surgery include minimal scarring and often a shorter recovery time. Some conditions and body types require that the surgeon performs an abdominal hysterectomy instead. This leaves a larger scar, but the actual surgery takes less time (which can be a benefit if you've ever had a problem with anesthesia).

--ask how long he or she expects your stay in the hospital to be

-- ask absolutely anything, even if you think it's a "silly question."

-- ask if you can have a telephone consulation after this appointment, in case you have more questions that you didn't think of at the time. (My surgeon's nurse gave me her direct line, and anything she couldn't answer she referred to the doctor and called me back later.)

Is life different after the surgery?
I'm still recovering, but it is such a relief for me not to have my period! Before my surgery, I was bleeding almost all month, every month, sometimes with big scary clots. No More!

I hope this helps a little.
Best wishes,
=e

Thanks to all for the advice, anything and everything helps me at this point....
I have jotted down a few questions.

How long will surgery take?
What all will be removed?
Adomnial incision? Vaginal?
How long will I be in the hospital?
How long on bed rest?
Any meds I need to stop taking prior to surgery?
Do I need to start taking a vitamin?
What meds will I be on in the hospital? At home for pain?
Will I wake up in alot of pain?
Will I keep my appedix?
Will I have a catheder(not sure of spelling)?
If ovaries removed when will I start HRT?
If I keep 1 ovary how long will it take to work post-op?
Will I need prep before surgery..(shave, enema, etc...)?
When can I drive?
How long off work?
What weight will I be able to lift once I am home?

If anyone has anything additional please let me know or if anyone can give me an insight to these questions......Thanks I am soooo glad to have support.....

Hi,

Let's see if I can help with some of your questions.

How long will surgery take? Really depends on what is being done, my TAH/BSO lasted a little over 2 hrs. (everything was removed)

What all will be removed? Only your doctor will be able to answer this one.

Adomnial incision? Vaginal? TAH=abdominal incision w/either a bikini cut just above the pubic bone or a vertical cut below the belly button down to pubic bone.

How long will I be in the hospital? TAH 2 to 5 days is normal/ TVH outpatient to overnight.

How long on bed rest? Straight bed rest is very rare, they want you up and walking to be able to expell your gas and get things moving again.

Any meds I need to stop taking prior to surgery? The doc will give you a list of what you can and can not take and when to stop meds if needed.

Do I need to start taking a vitamin? Ask your doc, also ask if you need to take iron pills.

What meds will I be on in the hospital? At home for pain? Again, it will depend on your doc and your history.

Will I wake up in alot of pain? You might, but I didn't. In fact I was never in pain once I woke up in recovery, they still pumped me with meds though.

Will I keep my appedix? Probably, I did.

Will I have a catheder(not sure of spelling)? If you have a TAH you most certainly will but don't worry, you will be very glad you don't have to get up right after surgery. No getting out of bed while on a pain pump.

If ovaries removed when will I start HRT? Ask your doc, I started mine the day after my op.

If I keep 1 ovary how long will it take to work post-op? Everyone is different so no one can give you an answer for sure.

Will I need prep before surgery..(shave, enema, etc...)? Most of us do have pre-op orders, just make sure you follow YOUR doc's orders to the T and no one elses.

When can I drive? This will be up to your doc but not usually until you are able to forcefully slam on a break pedal without pain.

How long off work? TAH 6 to 8 weeks/TVH can't remember.

What weight will I be able to lift once I am home? No more than a gallon of milk in most cases.

Hope this helps, I am 6 months post op and I for one have no regrets. I love the fact that I do not live life around my period any longer.

s
Donna

I want to thank all of you for your help/advice. I will be sure and post my surgery date after my appointment tomorrow. I cant believe I am so scared just to go to the doctor and ask some questions. Anyone else that wants to help me out it will be sooooooo greatly appreciated...Thanks