LAVH: Went to Doc today... having LAVH in 12 days!

Before my first office visit to my new GYN I wrote this letter, it's kind of like my history and what is happening to me. I did this because when I went to my family doctor for this same pain I left there aggravated at myself for forgetting alot of my symptoms. My symptoms started at least 2 years ago and have progressively gotten worse...especially within the last 6 months. Here is the letter I gave to my new GYN today:

My mom had hysterectomy at the age of 32. She had endometriosis & fibroids.

My surgical history:
Had C-section in 1988 2 weeks before Baby was born I started swelling up, had an IVP (allergic to iodine during that procedure) he was blocking my ureters and I had to have a J-stent hooked into my kidney to drain it ... right one was blocked almost 95 percent. I think the other one was blocked some too but don't know if they put a stent in that one. 51 hours of labor... dialated 2 cm. throughout whole time.. finally took him c-section.

Medical history:
I have a Hiatal Hernia
I've had one mammogram, it was fine.
I get paps about every 5 years. They're always normal. I've only had one sexual partner, my husband, and we waited till our wedding night. We've been married 26 1/2 years.

Now...
Periods are 26 - 29 days apart. Lasts 4 to 6 days, Heavy, clots, cramping and some serious pain jabs, lower back aches. But ibuprofen or Naproxen 550 takes care of the cramping. I have to take it constantly during period.

I normally have 1 BM everyday to every other day until around 12 to 13 days after first day of period I have about 3 BM's a day and start passing a lot of gas freely ..for a day or two.

Then on day 14 to 17 seems like everything shuts down...I get heartburn, intestines start gurgling...then comes horrible pain, bloating...BAD constipation..pain/cramps in my uterus area and right and left of it, pain and pressure in my rectum sometimes, Lower back & Kidney area pain, down my legs ache and even my tailbone is sore. Barely can pass any gas but when I do it helps the pain alittle. I feel like I have to pee alot to relieve pain, but don't really pee a big volume. During these nine days seems like I'm alittle incontinent as when I get done urinating I stand up and feel alittle drip or two come out. I can barely have a BM and it hurts to pass it. I suffer through this for almost exactly 9 days then I have about 3 days where I'm finally passing gas like crazy, getting back to normal BM's & pain subsides slowly .... But during this time (about 5 days worth) my breasts are really sore from the armpit to center of breast. Then I start my period, and the period cramping and jabbing pain take over. I wear overnight pad and 2 pair of black shorts to sleep in for when it comes through. It's like this for at least 2 to 3 days... period last about 4 to 6 days.

During the 9 days of Torture a month, pain comes and goes throughout the day, and comes on like labor pains, then eases off. They usually last around 20 to 30 minutes. If I wake up in the night to use the restroom these pains will usually start and I sit on the toilet alot trying to pass gas or something to relieve it, I usually have to lay on the couch until the pain goes away so I don't wake my husband. I've taken 4 ibuprofens at a time per doctor's orders... did nothing for the pain. I have tried Gas X, Peppermint oil, charcoal caplets, they don't work.

Dr. ordered a transvaginal & abdominal ultrasound and thyroid check for some of my symptoms. Also gave me a pap test. Pap normal, thyroid normal. Ultra sound shows 2 fibroids, cyst on right ovary and uterus is tipped back.

He then prescribed me Naproxen 550 to take 2 times a day, don't help at all with the pain. They do help with my menstral pain but was real expensive so I had them reduce the dose to 500 mg. because I could get them for $4.00 at Walmart.

He then prescribed me Librax for intestinal cramps....don't help

He put me on Fluoxetine 20mg. for pain and anxiety (I'm not depressed, however looking forward to this crap every month ain't a joy ride neither) Fluoxetine definitely helped with my anxiety attacks (rapid heartrate out of nowhere), and it seemed to help a little at first with my 9 days, but not any more. If I can get fixed I would like to quit the fluoxetine. I don't like having to take pills daily.

He also prescribed me Lasix for pitting edema... I get this pretty bad in my legs during this time and during my period, and off an on throughout the month.

I do take fiber throughout these episodes.... Equate fiber therapy (fibercon) about 4 to 6 pills a day spread out... also metamucil powder 2 TBS a day on some of the days. I also have to take 2 senna laxatives a day when I notice I haven't BM'd for a couple days. This stuff helps alittle but the cramping and trying to pass a BM is still difficult.

With all these problems I'm 99.9 percent sure I'm Perimenopausal too. I have about 47 of about 60 symptoms. No libido, fatigue, growing hair where I don't want it, Losing it where I want to keep it, anxiety, hot flashes, along with alot of other symptoms I can't remember. I have had some pain/discomfort during intercourse, have to use lubrication pain is up high like at cervix. There is only 1 to 2 weeks a month that I'm able to have sex. My husband is so understanding.

I quit smoking on January 1st. of this year.. smoked for 24 years.

I've gained about 50 pounds in 18 months.... want to be back in a size 12. I'd even be happy with 14.. I'm just so wore out.. fatigued.. I even take naps in the day time which I always thought was a waist of time.

I just want my life back... this has been going on for 2 years or more, I can't tough it out no more, it's getting worse and and doing it quickly since my October ultrasound. I was trying to make it to menopause and was hoping it would all go away on its own after that. It's hard to plan for anything because I don't know when I'll be hurting. I would love to be able to keep our grandbabies more on the weekends but that is impossible with the pain. Being at work is getting impossible too during this time...and I only work 3 days a week.

I will start hurting again on February 12th to the 15th.

My New GYN had me do my second transvaginal ultrasound 2 days ago before my first appt. with her (which was this morning at 9).

I think writing your symptoms out will help you tremendously... It did me... She examined me and scheduled me for a LAVH for Feb. 23rd.. THAT'S 12 DAYS AWAY!!!!!! I'm so excited and scared at the same time. I have a feeling they will find endometriosis while there in there.
I'm sooo looking forward to getting this over with and praying that this fixes my problems! I will be having my pain when I go into surgery.

Vikki

I certainly hope that you will feel so much better once this is all over. The hysterectomy is certainly not that bad (at least for me) and with all you've been facing, it can't be as bad as all that. Thanks for sharing and the best of luck to you!

Good for you! Writing it all down was a great way to be sure not to forget anything. I have not had endometriosis- I have heard that IF it is in there, this MAY not resolve that issue. However, I can certainly speak for the fibroids as I had an extremely large fibroid and uterus that cause daily bleeding and the need to urinate every 15-30 min during the day and several times per night. Those issues were instantly resolved after my LAVH!!!! I have gone over a week now with no pad at all and that is a first for me in several months.

I hope you have the same wonderful result!

Amy
LAVH- 1/31/2011

Thank you so much ladies.... I know if I have endo it may not be over, but I'm having them take everything LAVH/BSO which will help alittle. I know estrogen fuels it. I definitely need some relief, and I pray to God this takes care of it. I know the one fibroid i have is on the back of my uterus which is also tilted backwards and is pressing on my bowels, then I have a fibroid on the front too. I am super excited and scared!

stressed 1_2,

I had my surgery last june 23 because I too, had a fibroid on the back of my uterus which was extremely tipped backed and also prolapsing. Also had cysts on my ovary. I had gone to the dr because I all of a sudden had a terrible problem with constipation that I never had before. I also felt pressure and thought I had a rectocele. Did your dr. say that the tipped uterus is definitely pressing on your bowels? (just curious) My dr. never confirmed the fact that the uterus was causing the constipation. Gastroenterologist said it wasn't. I believe it was. My periods had never been on much of a regular schedule but had begun to be more irregular and more painful. Anywhere from 20 to 30 days apart and from 2 to 4 days.
I had just begun having problems last March. Sometimes struggle with deciding so quickly to have surgery (the surgical menopause part). But........
This is the 8th month that I have been period free -- no more backache, no more having plans and "aunt flo" showing up to ruin it all.
Just some advice -- I took Miralax every other day for the first several weeks after surgery. I think it is common to have problems with constipation after surgery anyway. Also, drink lots of water. Wishing you the best. Don't do too much too soon. Just think how great you'll feel by summer!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranae01 stressed 1_2, I had my surgery last june 23 because I too, had a fibroid on the back of my uterus which was extremely tipped backed and also prolapsing. Also had cysts on my ovary. I had gone to the dr because I all of a sudden had a terrible problem with constipation that I never had before. I also felt pressure and thought I had a rectocele. Did your dr. say that the tipped uterus is definitely pressing on your bowels? (just curious) My dr. never confirmed the fact that the uterus was causing the constipation. Gastroenterologist said it wasn't. I believe it was. My periods had never been on much of a regular schedule but had begun to be more irregular and more painful. Anywhere from 20 to 30 days apart and from 2 to 4 days. I had just begun having problems last March. Sometimes struggle with deciding so quickly to have surgery (the surgical menopause part). But........ This is the 8th month that I have been period free -- no more backache, no more having plans and "aunt flo" showing up to ruin it all. Just some advice -- I took Miralax every other day for the first several weeks after surgery. I think it is common to have problems with constipation after surgery anyway. Also, drink lots of water. Wishing you the best. Don't do too much too soon. Just think how great you'll feel by summer!

Thank you for the info... I will go buy some Miralax . Yes my gynocologist said the tipped uterus with fibroids could cause me constipation. And the fact of it weighing down on my bladder too causes me to have to pee alot. Are you using the bathroom fine now? And did you have alot of gas and gas pain with your problem too? Thank you for replying.

Vikki,

I'm glad you found us!

I'm sorry you are having all these problems and are faced with a hysterectomy so soon. You barely have time to let it all sink in.

Have you been offered any alternatives to hysterectomy? Have you tried any progesterone for your perimenopause symptoms for example? I had lots of your symptoms before my hyster and was offered several options including hormones but turned them down. I wish I would have given them a try early on. I know now it wouldn't have 'cured' my adenomyosis but I think it would have made me feel much better. Have you been offered Lupron? It can shrink your fibroids and maybe get you through until menopause. It's not for everyone but I was pleased with how it helped me. These are just two of several alternatives I was offered. There are many more.

Hysterectomy is major surgery and should be your last option. Fibroids and perimenopause can both be treated with more conservative methods. I'm not trying to talk you out of your surgery. I just want to make sure you are aware of all your options. Please check out Hystersister's Alternatives section. You are obviously having problems that need to be addressed and my heart goes out to you but please make sure you are fully aware of all your choices.

You are wise to ask questions, please continue to do so. Second and third opinions are a great idea when major surgery is involved.

Best wishes, keep us posted.

[quote=Pattypat;3400193] Vikki,

I'm glad you found us!

I'm sorry you are having all these problems and are faced with a hysterectomy so soon. You barely have time to let it all sink in.

Have you been offered any alternatives to hysterectomy? Have you tried any progesterone for your perimenopause symptoms for example? I had lots of your symptoms before my hyster and was offered several options including hormones but turned them down. I wish I would have given them a try early on. I know now it wouldn't have 'cured' my adenomyosis but I think it would have made me feel much better. Have you been offered Lupron? It can shrink your fibroids and maybe get you through until menopause. It's not for everyone but I was pleased with how it helped me. These are just two of several alternatives I was offered. There are many more.

Hysterectomy is major surgery and should be your last option. Fibroids and perimenopause can both be treated with more conservative methods. I'm not trying to talk you out of your surgery. I just want to make sure you are aware of all your options. Please check out Hystersister's Alternatives section. You are obviously having problems that need to be addressed and my heart goes out to you but please make sure you are fully aware of all your choices.

You are wise to ask questions, please continue to do so. Second and third opinions are a great idea when major surgery is involved.

Best wishes,keep us posted.



Patty,

Hi, I understand about your concerns, I've already tried progesterone and am alergic to the topical version of it. I don't want lupron or birth control pills (worried about blood clotting). Plus It is possible I have endometriosis. Truthfully I want the hysterectomy and am tickled that they are getting me in this soon. I also will try to make it afterwards without any hrt. I'm already having hot flashes and some other perimenopausal symptoms.... we'll see how bad it gets. The pain I'm going through (which is right now) is too much to live with. I've tried to deal with this for 2 years trying different things and I'm done. I've hung on this long fighting to keep my "extra parts" and now I'm begging them to take them. I'm suppose to be enjoying my 40's... but they have been nothing but pain that gets worse and worse every year... and now every month. I do thank you so much for your concern though. God Bless you!

Hi Vikki,

Thanks for the update. I just wanted to make sure you are aware of your options.

I'm glad you're well-informed.

Wow, for the most part that is me! I've just turned 40 and first diagnosed with peri-menopause at 34yrs, my periods tho were only 21days apart and pain was almost constant, being allergic to everything bar paracetomol I just vomit my way through it all. When I was diagnosed with Peri I was offered they hyst there and then but we wanted to complete our family and went onto ivf and now we're finally ready to end it all (I hope lol). We're not sure yet whether hes going to take my ovaries, in a way I hope he does but then I'm not sure I'm ready for everything else, but have been given no guarantees that if they leave them I wouldnt have to have them out a later date!

We're actually having our surgery on the same day.

xx