HELP! I'm freaking out..

I found this site yesterday, thank God! My surgery for a hyerstectomy w/ removal of ovaries is scheduled for Nov.30 2007 and I was reading up about taking or not take HRT and I'm all freaked out....I read about having the muscle/joint aches and hot flashes and everything....I thought I was coping ok, well I have my moments and I know every one responds differently but is it worth having the hysterectomy? I have been dealing with endo and polycystic ovarian syndrome. I've been on fertility drugs but my body didn't respond too well and then I had the surgeries and did the injections and now finally I'm having the surgery. I'm 28 and the pain I've been in is horrible, horrible, horrible! And the emotinal toll it has taken on me too, I feel like I've lost my mind. As you can see I'm rambling on here. If I'm 28 and will be going into surgical menopause, will I be dealing with that for the rest of my life? Is there an upside to all of this? Your input, support, advice is welcomed and much appreciated!!!!

Hi Angelwings!

I had a TAH on 10/17 and am going tomorrow for my 4 week post-op appointment. I had Endo, multiple fibroids, ovarian cysts, etc. I made the decision to have the surgery after the pain got so debilitating that I couldn't even think, much less function. I did Lupron (for 7 years), birth control, hormone-free diet, you name it, I tried it! Surgery was my last but best option.

My sister had pre-cancerous cells in her breast therefore my Dr. didn't want to put me on HRT for an extended period of time. He did, however, deem it wise to have me on it post surgery so that I could give my body a chance to get adjusted. Immediately after my surgery in the hospital I had hot flashes and night sweats. After 2 days they put me on the patch (Estradiol). As I said I am on my last one (but I'm getting the prescription renewed for another month, just in case. Maybe you could do HRT on a short term basis to ease you back into things.

Is there an upside to all of this? DEFINITELY. I had the "honor" of being on my period the day I had surgery. I think it was God's way of letting me know that my decision was the right one. In the recovery room, although I was in pain, my body felt "lighter" in the sense that I didn't feel weighed down by lethargy and discomfort from my period. The pain that I have experienced has been minimal (although this isn't the case for all) and localised to my abdomen and occasionally my back. For me this is more tolerable since I used to have everything below the waist (back, legs, feet, etc) hurt.

Once you are done, you will look back on it and realize that it is worth it. To get your life back again is something worth striving for. You won't even realize just how much you have been "working through" in enduring the pain for so long.

You will have a rough road ahead of you during your recovery period, but it is what we all have been going through. And as others have stated in other posts on the forums, we all will survive and be better off for this choice.

The best thing you can do for your self is to keep yourself calm, your body in relatively healthy shape (I had BP issues the week before because of worrying so much) and go into the surgery with full confidence that it will be the first day of the best part of your life!!!

Toni

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Tonikat Hi Angelwings! I had a TAH on 10/17 and am going tomorrow for my 4 week post-op appointment. I had Endo, multiple fibroids, ovarian cysts, etc. I made the decision to have the surgery after the pain got so debilitating that I couldn't even think, much less function. I did Lupron (for 7 years), birth control, hormone-free diet, you name it, I tried it! Surgery was my last but best option. My sister had pre-cancerous cells in her breast therefore my Dr. didn't want to put me on HRT for an extended period of time. He did, however, deem it wise to have me on it post surgery so that I could give my body a chance to get adjusted. Immediately after my surgery in the hospital I had hot flashes and night sweats. After 2 days they put me on the patch (Estradiol). As I said I am on my last one (but I'm getting the prescription renewed for another month, just in case. Maybe you could do HRT on a short term basis to ease you back into things. Is there an upside to all of this? DEFINITELY. I had the "honor" of being on my period the day I had surgery. I think it was God's way of letting me know that my decision was the right one. In the recovery room, although I was in pain, my body felt "lighter" in the sense that I didn't feel weighed down by lethargy and discomfort from my period. The pain that I have experienced has been minimal (although this isn't the case for all) and localised to my abdomen and occasionally my back. For me this is more tolerable since I used to have everything below the waist (back, legs, feet, etc) hurt. Once you are done, you will look back on it and realize that it is worth it. To get your life back again is something worth striving for. You won't even realize just how much you have been "working through" in enduring the pain for so long. You will have a rough road ahead of you during your recovery period, but it is what we all have been going through. And as others have stated in other posts on the forums, we all will survive and be better off for this choice. The best thing you can do for your self is to keep yourself calm, your body in relatively healthy shape (I had BP issues the week before because of worrying so much) and go into the surgery with full confidence that it will be the first day of the best part of your life!!! Toni

You made me cry, lol! Thank you for your kind words and encouragement, I sincerely appreciate it! I should be starting my period around my surgery date, so I will definitly say my prayers, and be thankful for all of you who are helping me thru this! I guess I never looked at my situation as enduring pain for so long, that I probably won't know how much I went thru until I really do start to feel good again! You have given hope and inspiration! Thank you for being you and sharing your experience with me!

I'm glad I made you feel better. This site is WONDERFUL for that. Please feel free to drop me a line anytime. I'm in Michigan also!

You'll here this a lot so take the next few words to heart: Pamper yourself!" You will need each and every day that you have coming to you to rest and feel better. Your body will take care of the rest!

The upside.... You get your life back!! and someone descibed it to me at work before that it keeps getting better and better and it does!!I celebrated my one year last week!!! I remember being in all the pain and frusteration before the surgery and no one truly "getting it" sweetie I get it and you are going for a incredible experience!! Recovery is tough and take it slower than slow but I GOT my life back and love it!!! Hats off to you all sisters!

Hi pirategrl, thank you and to all of the other sisters too! And congrats on your one year and feeling great! That is awesome and I know in a few short weeks I'll be on the other side (biting my nails). But I have to say, I just joined this site about 3 days ago and I am so glad I did! Much love and hugs to all of you!

Hi. I am about 3-1/2 weeks post op and had all the concerns that you did. HRT/No HRT scared the @$!@# out of me!!

I can honestly say that I do not for one minute regret my decision. I'm not sure at this point if I will take HRT or not. I had planned to, but haven't felt really "menopausal" (yet) so I'm waiting to see.......was waiting 3-6 months because of endo anyway........

It's normal to be scared, have doubts and questions. There are good reasons for someone so young to take HRT and many reasons (especially with endo) not to. Discuss all your concerns with your doctor and do lots of research. I did and it did make me feel better.

I am on the road to recovery, the pain from the hyst has been nothing compared to some of the pain I had pre-op......and I can't wait to be completely healed and enjoy a pain-free life!!! That is my wish for you too!!!

Take Care,
Christine

Well, I hate to be the nay sayer, but quite honestly, I would not recommend to anyone to have a hysterectomy if they do not have cancer.

I have regretted it because the replacement HRT can not duplicate what your body does and there are reasons to keep your uterus aside from having children.

If I had it to do over again, I would first go to a naturalist and see if there was a way to take care of myself in a way that could help. Of course, I'm older, and closer to menopause and would have only had to wait a short while to go through it naturally.

6andcounting has a good point - hysterectomy should not be entered into lightly, if you are cancer-free.

I personally, as well as many sisters here on this sight started having awful cycles at a very young age. For me it was when I was 13. No one would listen to me. I was given birth control pills at age 14 to control the bleeding, it helped some, but it was still heavy and painful. I was on prescription painkillers every month at the age of 16, until I got pregnant with my son at age 21. I had a couple of years relief after giving birth, but by the time my DS was two, the pain and horrendous bleeding started again. I tried everything from natural remedies and herbs to massage to continous birth control pills. I had surgeries to both diagnose and remove endometriosis and adhesions. I tried Lupron for 10 months after the last surgery when I was 30 years old, followed by over 5 years of continuous birth control - again. Two years ago, the symptoms slowly started to return, and then I started having trouble and pain with BM's. The endo and adhesions were heavy around my bladder and rectum. The worry was that it would adhere my rectum/bladder to my uterus. I did research and learned that some women end up having permanent damage to these organs in severe cases like mine and end up needing colostomy bags or catheters for the rest of their lives.

Aside from all of that, I've missed so much work. I've cut vacations short, left parties early or missed them altogether. I've left business meetings with blood gushing down my legs and spend countless days in bed with a heating pad, in tears. Am I thankful that I did not have cancer? Yes, of course. However, just because I don't have cancer doesn't mean I should suffer for the next 15 years (or possibly longer, as some menopausal women continue to have symptoms of endo or even fibroids and some other pelvic conditions). So I chose to have my hysterectomy. My doctor spent hours removing the endo and adhesions from my rectum and bladder. I was lucky that I have no permanent damage.

My point here is that cancer is not the only reason for women to have hysterectomies. Yes, I agree and acknowledge wholeheartedly that women's ovaries, uterus and cervix have other valuable functions to their bodies besides bearing children, I think one must make the best decision for their own lives, cancer or no cancer - without judgement of others.

6andcounting, I, like many of the sisters on this sight, spent many hours of anguish over my decision to have a hysterectomy. It was not easy to come to terms with. By the time the decision was made, my quality of life was so poor from chronic pain, I felt I no longer had a "choice". Not really anyway. Not if I wanted to enjoy life - which I do. For a sister to tell me in essence, that I should not have had a hysterectomy because I did not have cancer feels judgemental and hurtful. I'm sure that was not your intention, but please know that many of us here have struggled with our decisions......and have tried other options first.

Thanks for letting me vent the other side.

Good Luck to you all in your decisions and may you find peace with them, and relief, no matter what you decide for yourself.

Christine

Hi, Pain.

I'm so sorry you took my opinion personally. Angelwings is asking for input and I gave it based on my experience and others that I've heard personally through friends and on this site.

There's no reason for anyone to presume that I also did not weigh everything for years prior to coming to this decision, because I did. I 2nd guessed it the whole time prior and researched and researched. I thought I'd be like my Mom who had, took Premarin from day one forward, and never had a moment'[s problem or regret. I haven't had that exprience.

I'm simply voicing my opinion and certainly my having a different opinion from another doesn't make it either right or wrong...just different. It's not mean or judgmental.

I have not seen any benefit to having my surgery. No, I'm not bleeding to death every month any more...no, I'm not in that particular pain any more, but now I'm in a different pain and have different issues. I personally feel I just changed one set of symptoms for another set of symptoms.