Ready but scared

Hi, I am a new member and in need of some help already. I am only 29 and I was told by my Gyn today that I should consider a hyster. I TOTALLY agree because I cannot deal with the pain anymore. I am afrad of becoming a percocet junkie. Vicoden doesn't really even help anymore. I am tired of taking pain killers to combat the intense and debilitating pain. I am not sure of the actual diagnoses he has given me.

Here is a little med background from just the past couple of years
1996 pregnancy = miscarriage
1997 tubal pregnancy = tube ruptured almost died.
1998 beginning of horribly painful periods
1999 lap to remove scar tissue.
2000 horribly painful periods again. To the degree I am on percocet for pain. Diagnosed with Polycystic ovaries.

I have only one tube left due to the rupture of the right tube in 1997. I have been on birth contro,l not helping with pain at all anymore. At one time it did but not anymore. He told me today about all the "adhesions" and that it is time to do the hyster since I have had problems for so long and I agree, but not sure of a few things:

1) Do I keep my ovaries that do not work right or produce the correct hormones or do I let them take them?
2) Is adhesions endo?
3) I have an intense family history of cancer, my mother is being tested for ovarian cancer on 10/1.
4) How long will I be in the hospital?
5) How many weeks recovery?
6) He wants to put me on a skin patch for estrogen? Does it work?
7) I am having problems with my colon, should I have it checked for endo?

To all who reply, thank you so much any advice is much appreciated..............Racquie

Hi, Rachel,
I am so glad you found us. Hopefully, we can help make your time as a a little less scary and maybe even a little bit fun. I know this site helped me tremendously ... funny thing was, my family and colleagues didn't want to talk about MY surgery 24 hours a day but it was kind on my mind all the time...

I can't answer all your questions but I'll tackle a couple:

Adhesions is a term for scar tissue that forms after traumatic events like surgery for that burst tube - it isn't endometriosis, which is the tissue that is supposed to be INSIDE the uterus growing in places outside the uterus;

My doctor took my ovaries out but she did it because I am over 50 and that is her usual routine - they are often shutting down by that time and, as it turned out, mine were shrunken and small. So it was probably a good decision for ME...everyone is different and that is a decision which will probably take some research on your part.

I am on an estrogen patch and it seems to be working great so far...and it hardly ever falls off, which I had worried about.

I am going to step back and let others add their knowledge and experience, too. I think you have a very good list of questions and I recommend you call your doctor's office right up and ask them! Some doctors will call you back; some will have you schedule an appointment. A lot of these questions would be answered at your pre-op appointment but I doubt you want to wait that long.

Again, welcome. Keep reading, posting and talking everything over with your doctor.

Hi Rachel,
I can only answer what I would do in your situation.
Given the fact that there is history of cancer, I woud yank those suckers. Just me, but I watched my sis-in-law go through cancer...it is very difficult. A lot more than just adjusting to hormones.
6-8 weeks for recovery. And 3-4 days in the hospital. usually three, but with all your adhesions, you might decide you want to rest a little more.
I will have my surgery on the 1st, so I will only say what friends are telling me about the patch. Some it has worked out fine for, others prefer a pill only because of dosage or convenience. But after finding the right combination of meds for them, or the right estrogen [there are so many], they are doing fine, and grateful they went this way.
Best of luck
It is going to be alright!
Love and hugs
PEanut

LindaJean and Joyneau,
Thank you for helping me with this. I am going to let him take my ut and both ovaries, not sure what else, if anything. I am just happy that he has finally given me the go ahead. So tired of living with pain and fatigue all the time.........Racquie

Hi there and God bless you! You have sure gone through alot a your tender young age. I also would let the doc have those ovaries in a heartbeat. Was deathly afraid of ovarian cancer myself, as it usually is not detected until it is way to late, according to what I have read. Since you are already having problems with your ovaries, I would'nt want to possibly need another surgery later to remove them. I'd get it over with in one shot. But this is just what I feel that I would do. You will hear all different opinions and the final decision will be, of course, up to you. It will all work out. Hormones would be secondary to me, especially with your history. Good luck to you, whatever your decision, you're soon to feel much better. Welcome to the site, it is wonderful. Try to spend some time in the chat room, lots of caring and helpful women for you to talk with. Take care. Sandy LAVH/BSO July 2, 2001

Hi Rachel Welcome to Hyster Sisters. I'm so happy you found us. This really is a wonderful place where you'll find lots and lots of support and information you can actually use.

Believe me, it is normal to scared and overwhelmed by this surgery: I had just turned 44 when I scheduled my surgery and I was a basket case!!! Thanks to this place, I was able to calm down by the time I had my surgery. The great thing is that waiting is the hardest part: our imagination is a lot more adept at torturing us than the hand of the doctor

You have many questions and I'll try to answer a few. Hopefully, someone else will come along and answer what we've missed, so far.

	Quote:
1) Do I keep my ovaries that do not work right or produce the correct hormones or do I let them take them? 3) I have an intense family history of cancer, my mother is being tested for ovarian cancer on 10/1.

When I scheduled my hyst, since I was 44, I was given the option of either keeping my ovaries or have them removed. Boy, that was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make!! On the one hand, we also have a huuuuge history of cancer in my family, including breast and ovarian cancer, on the other hand, there is an even bigger history of coronary disease

In the end, I opted to keep my healthy ovaries and I'm happy I did. BTW, my hormones were also off-balance before my surgery, due to the fibroids, but, after a period of adjustment, they now seem to be functionning normally. I guess that the one thing that finally helped me make my decision was the knowledge that oopherectomy is irreversible.

In the end, though, the decision to keep your ovaries or have them removed is yours alone, based on your doctor's recommendations. What is right for me, is not necessarily right for you.

	Quote:
4) How long will I be in the hospital? 5) How many weeks recovery?

The length of stay in the hospital depends on the type of surgery you're having, your doctor's/hospital's policies in this issues, your insurance company (if you live in the US) and your condition, both pre-op and post-op. From what I've seen on this site, hospital stay for a TAH is 3 to 4 nights, for a TVH 2 to 3 nights and for a LSH 1 to 2 nights.

Initial recovery from a TAH or TVH is 6 to 8 weeks and 4 to 6 weeks for a LSH. At that time, you will be released to s-l-o-w-l-y resume your regular activities.

	Quote:
7) I am having problems with my colon, should I have it checked for endo?

I think that it is always a good strategy to discuss ANYTHING dealing with your health with your doctor, especially since you are about to have major surgery.

Hope this helps.

The road to a hyst can be a long one. We'll be right here with you every step of the way.

Hi~ Thanks for the email! Now I remember---duh I feel so stupid!!!!
Hang in there girl! It is all going to work out and we are gonna feel a whole hecka lot better!
I gave in this morning and took a half of valium that dr gave me for nerves. I can't tell you what a relief it is! Jsut 1 mg and I am fiannnly calm enough to think straight!
I can't spell and am giggly but I am ok! I waited until the weekend before surgery to take any.....I am so grateful I have them., And I jsut know thta I will look back on this week and say---whay did I do that? This is so easy!
Nerves are nerves. And I am going to make it!
Love you!
Peanut