New & Overwhelmed

Well. . .I don't even know where to start. Since my Dr. recommended a hysterectomy, I feel like a cow being shuffled through a chute. . .just something that I should accept and get on with. And it isn't really my Dr. who has made me feel this way. He is a VERY caring and fantastically skilled MD, and he does stop and take the time to thoroughly discuss any and all of my concerns with total patience and empathy. But in between these brief sessions, he and his staff are very hurried (he talks FAST, but I know it's just his nature) and always difficult to get ahold of, so I often feel like I'm imposing on their time. Being a nurse, myself, who has worked in different Dr.'s offices, I always find myself taking up that emotional slack with the, "I know how busy they are," attitude, which I really shouldn't do. Anyway. . .

I'm 39 years old, I have 1 grown child (yep, I started early, too), and I'm scheduled for a hysterectomy on 5-3-07. I've had heavy, irregular bleeding with clots for several months now. Examinations revealed at least 1 fibroid, a "mildly hetrogeneous myometrium" (an abnormality in the uterine muscle due to bleeding into it), an 18mm endometrium (almost 4x thicker than it should be) and a 29mm simple cyst on my left ovary. No cancer whatsoever is suspected to date. I was told that a D&C probably wouldn't do any good, and since I have no intentions of having any more children, a hysterectomy would be my most practical option. The laprascopic procedure I'm supposed to have will take out only the uterus. . .leaving the cervix and both ovaries (unless he happens to find either or both of them to be GROSSLY diseased when he gets in there, which is highly unlikely) as well as all of the connective tissues in the pelvic floor. I'm really hoping to get some feedback from others on this message board who have had this same procedure. My questions are: Have you experienced any negative long-term effects? If so, what? Or have the results been nothing but 100% positive for you?

Now. . .being a nurse, myself. . .I shouldn't have to ask this question, but it's been so long since I've visited the subject that I don't remember all of the details. . . Exactly what hormones does the UTERUS, itself, produce, and what influences do they have (other than those related to child bearing)? On other websites, I have read that these (unnamed) hormones are not produced by the ovaries, and once they are lost, sexual desire and gratification are significantly decreased forever.

I worry that I'm just blindly doing what I'm told is best. I wonder if I should cancel the hysterectomy and demand to schedule a D&C instead. However, my mother experienced this exact same thing when she was in her early 40s, and she had a D&C, but it didn't resolve her situation at all. She ended up having a hysterectomy anyway.

Thanks to everyone who responds!

Welcome!!
There is alot of info on this forum. You came to the right place
I cannot answer all your questions. I can say for myself, the sex has been great!! No problems post op at all. In fact it is better than before, no pain.
I am sure others will respond to you soon.
Only you can make the decision if this is right for you at this time. All here will give you the support you need in whatever you decide.


June

Thank you so much! I'm so glad to finally talk to someone who's really "been there, done that" and to know that the light at the end of the tunnel isn't a train. HAHA!

WhoaNelly,
Howdy! Me not being a nurse (can you come take care of me until you have yours done? ) all I can tell you is what I have *i think* I have learned from here. The hormones you may be referring to, and someone will correct me if I'm wrong, are produced in the ovaries. IF you're not having them removed, I would think your sex life would hopefully pretty much be the same. And since you're keeping your cervix, that would be a plus as far as some are concerned (more support, etc).
I can only speak from personal experience and D&C's, along with ablations did not work for me long term. It can't hurt to get a second opinion if you still are having questions. Heck, get 3 or 4 opinions if necessary. There are so many wonderful sisters on here not to mention tons of info that I would suggest spending a good few days browsing the site and really reading everything you can find. Bottom line, you have to make the decision that you feel the most comfortable with. We're all here for you. Giant from someone 5 days away from the castle!

Hi WhoaNelly...welcome to the site. I'm having a LAVH in July due to adenomyosis. I read that the uterus produces hormones that help increase orgasim because it normally contracts during the orgasim itself. After having a hysterectomy, the uterus is obviously not there to contract but many state that the orgasim is different but just as pleasurable. Although, I did read about all of the prolapse difficulties that happen after the surgery... Now I'm freaking out a little more... I think every experience is different, depending on your body. I hope your surgery goes well!! If you find out anymore info. let me know!!

Hi WhoaNelly,

It sounds like you are scheduled for a LSH (Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy) from your description. I had the same surgery type. I kept my cervix and ovaries with the surgery. I had two small hip incisions and a belly button incision. No vaginal work was done. A LSH is a less invasive hyst.

I too was done with childbearing at 46 so a hyst was a good option for me also.

If anything, it sounds like your Dr. is well trained. Laparoscopic hysts require additional medical training and not all Drs can do the surgery type.

I am still very pleased with my LSH results. It is nice now to have a quality of life *without* heavy periods, fibroid pressure 24/7 and bladder incontinence. Not to mention the tiredness I had all the time with fibroids.

Sending best wishes. We Hyster Sisters are here to help if we can.

Mary

WhoaNelly, I know the way you are feeling because I felt exactly that way before my surgery and I am also a nurse. I am only about 1 1/2 weeks post-op, but I am very glad I had this done. I had a tah/bso for what turned out to be early cancer, but I was angry at how "pushed" I felt to have the procedure done. I am doing very well at this point, in fact much better than I expected to feel. You asked a good question about what hormones the uterus produces. I should know, but I don't off the top of my head. That will be a good thing for me to research while I am off.

While I was deciding whether or not to have the hysterectomy a lot of other stressful things were going on in my life at the same time. I spent time reading through different posts on this web site and made use of the search function to try and find some answers to some of my concerns/questions. I couldn't get past the thought that this surgery was a bad idea at the time because of all the stress I was going through, but I was being so strongly encouraged to have it and not wait for 6-12 months like I wanted. I talked to a counselor at our Employee Assistance Program at work. He told me to make sure I was ready to do this if I was going to do it, and otherwise to do myself a favor and wait. That was good advice and helped me not feel so pressured by the physicians encouraging me to have it done now. I went ahead and did it because I wanted to. I am happy with the decision I made, but I am a little apprehensive about the possible long-term complications. That probably comes from what we see in our jobs as nurses. I hope that you give yourself the time to come to the right decision for yourself about whether or not you should have the hysterectomy done. If you have time, maybe you can research the threads in this web site about hysterectomy alternatives and help to satisfy yourself that this hysterectomy either is or is not the right decision for you. Good Luck to you while you are making your decision!

I am SO GLAD to hear from everyone!!! Mary, you really did my heart good there. Yes, I must say, my Dr. really is TOPS. He was the very 1st in this area (Savannah, GA) to do LSHs, and now he teaches it other surgeons. . . .Not to mention that he delivered my son almost 21 years ago when he was just starting out here. Jillian, I think that you and I have been reading the same stuff. I've been pondering the same points about orgasm. About prolapses: As my Dr. told me, keeping the connective tissues in your pelvic floor (those that support your ovaries, etc.) and your cervix is the best prevention. I hope that is a possibility for you, too. Thinking of you, mrs0323, as you'll be stormin' the castle in only 5 days! CHARRRRGE!!! You go girl.

Delighted to meet you all!

I know how you feel.I just had LSH done about ten days ago and I am glad I decided to go with this.I had so many doubths about what is the right thing to do.
I had so much trouble with my fibroids...heavy bleeding and pain....I had myomectomy and D&C done in November last year, five months prior my LSH, and had another fibroid and all my symptoms back within two months after the procedure...
Hopefuly my LSH will work better.

Whoanelly - if you have any additional concerns, I would suggest, and I know many of the sisters would agree, get a second opinion. I also trust my dr greatly, but it was her that suggested I get a second opinion. And I did, and afterwards, I felt better knowing that even a fresh pair of eyes could see the same problems I had going on. Best wishes to you.
God Bless.