Fibroids...should I have a LSH?

I am new to this forum but I thought I needed some advice. So please help!

I just turned 30 and am diagnosed with multiple fibroids of all kinds and shapes but most of them are small. Here is my medical treatment history.

I have suffered from the usual fibroid symptoms...heavy bleeding, pain, bloating, serious decrease in quality of life. March of 04 I had a myomectomy which didn't help me very much. The doc was unable to remove all of them (reduction of 20%) so I was back to square one pretty quickly. I had some luck with BCP that summer but the symptoms returned in the fall and I pretty much was house ridden as my periods were ongoing with only short respites. I also suffered from serious anemia. I went for a consult with a doctor for a UFE and he said I was not a candidate. So I tried Lupron. That worked for some time but I just finished up my last shot and can already feel the return of the fibroids.

I have also been seeing a RE who recommended I have another myo which I canceled. I then went and saw a minimally invasive gyn who took a look and said I would be best served with a LSH as my uterus would look like swiss cheese after the fibroids were removed and would be difficult to repair.

So back to the beginning. I am only 30 and have no children. I should also mention I am in my 2nd year of a PhD program so stress is constant and I have fallen behind. However, I feel as though I am prepared to have a LSH. I haven't had the life I remember for several years and am always turning people down and sitting things out because of these darn fibroids. Not to mention a nasty case of panic attacks because I never know if I am going to make it to the next bathroom.

What should I do? Do you think I am making the right decision? By the way the surgery is scheduled for Friday. Any input would be great.

Thanks,
Becky

I really feel for you. This must be a difficult time for you, with all you have going on in your life.

My opinion, yes, you've done your best to keep your uterus, but it just isn't in the cards.

I can relate, though I was older when I went for my consult for a myomectomy. My doctor was confident that she could save my uterus, but because she believed most if not all of my fibrods were intermural (with the muscle wall), that she wouldn't be able to take all of them, just reduce the worst bulk. By not removing them all, she said that there was a good chance that they would return within 5 years.

I debated quite a bit and finally opted for a SAH. (Kept ovaries and cervix.) She thought that the size of the largest (the ultrasound pegged it at 6.5 cms, but it turned out to be 11 cms) would not fit through the small incisions. In fact, they ended up making my ab incision larger after they got in there - she said it started as a 4.5" incision and ended up as a 6.25" incision.

My recovery was slow, but pretty good. I have resumed hiking (no need to stick to the trails that have facilities!) and don't have to carry a purse anymore!

You've tried everything, you deserve to be able to get on with your bright future.

Take care.

Wow that is a hard decision for you to make.
You didn't mentioned if you wanted to have children or not. That may be a big factor in making this decision.

I had a LSH on April 15th because of multiple fibroids and adenomyosis. My uterus was 5x the normal size. I had back pain and heavy bleeding. I can honestly say the LSH was a great way to go. I went home the next day and never even took a pain pill. Went for my post op today and am cleared for all activities. Recovery was great-although I caution you not to overdo even though you may feel great on the outside.

Are you planning on keeping your ovaries?

Hope this helped a little bit for you. I have three children and am 49 so for me this was an easy decison.

Take care

We have definitely talked over and over again about having children. I think we decided we need to do what is best for me. Honestly, if I am even able to have children it is hard to make the decision when I am not even 50%. Adoption is definitely an option. I am planning on keeping my ovaries. The doctors haven't seen anything to think otherwise.

It sounds to me like you are an intelligent lady. You seemed to have put a ot of thought into this and I want to tell you to follow your heart. I have been a Foster Mom to over 26 children and there are so many out there in need of wonderful homes.

I know for me , I made the right decision on an LSH. The Dr was able to remove everything with this procedure, even though my uterus was so large. My symptoms are gone and I am at peace.

I wish you the best and I also wish you PEACE with this decision

Hi - I just had my 2 week follow up visit today for an LASH which was done on April 26th. Dr. said my uterus was 10x the normal size....and he was still able to do this totally laparoscopically.

My original doctor (of 11 years) told me I would HAVE to have a TAH....but he missed the mark in some other areas so I lost trust in him. Luckily, I found an excellent gyn surgeon who uses the laparoscopy. I suggest you research ALL your alternatives. If you can go with the totally laparoscopic, I highly recommend it. I have to remind myself that I've just had major surgery.

I will be going back to dr in 3 wks for my "final review". Like a previous poster, I knew my childbearing days were over so this decision was a fairly clearcut one.

Good luck to you.

Fibroids are SUCH a PITA!!! I have a 20+ year history of them...they were the reason I had to have cesarean deliveries (fibroid blocking the birth canal). I had 2 endometrial ablations to attempt to stem the heavy periods I had in the last few years, but the fibroids finally caused such severe hemmorhaging that I ended up in the emergency room--TWICE. After the second ER trip, I finally gave up and had a LAVH 3 days later. I was terribly anemic, miserable, depressed, and looked like he!!. The hysterectomy has given me a new life--one without fibroids.
You are an obviously intelligent woman and only you can make the choice about children...if adoption is an option for you, you simply must put your own health and well being first.

isewquilts

Hi Lilfish_24,

I also had a LSH for large fibroids. I am one year post op now and I am still very pleased with my surgery results.

I agree with the other ladies. You have done other alternatives that have worked for the short term and now it is time to look at the long term for yourself.

Here is a web site that briefly explains the LSH:

http://www.laparoscopicsupracervicalhysterectomy.com/

I was not a good candidate for a myomectomy or a UFE so I opted for the LSH, since I was a candidate. Have never looked back. It was the best ~quality of life~ decision I could make for myself. I had pelvic pressure 24/7, bladder incontinence and I was tired all the time. Now, I am fibroid free, no more periods and no more aunt flows.

Best wishes,

Mary