SAH: Surgery booked for 13th Aug (for adenomyosis and endo)

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this site. Your support is fantastic.
I've had painful periods since I was 13. I'm now 45. The duration of the pain became longer over the years - 8-9 days out of 26. An ultrasound showed probable adenomyosis. Then I tried D&C and Mirena and had pain almost all the time for 4 months. The Mirena was removed 10 days ago, resulting in heavy bleeding with flooding & clots, which has settled now to moderate bleeding. I still have pain almost all the time, anything from a mild backache to pain that sends me to bed despite the usual painkillers.
Moving around has always made the pain worse, as does anything that disturbs my uterus. Rest helps, slowly, but I can't rest all the time.
Now I'm scheduled on 13th Aug for SAH and rectocele repair. The surgeon will also check for endometriosis.
I'm at peace with having the surgery done. There aren't any other realistic options. I trust God to make me well again. I'm just hoping and praying for complete relief from pain following this surgery. I'd be keen to hear from anyone who's had a SAH for adenomyosis and to know how they are now.
Praying for others going through conditions like this where the pain is hidden. A few people close to me come close to understanding what it's like but most have no idea. Thanks for your support.

Hi pohutukawa -

I am sorry you have to have a hysterectomy, but glad you found this site. It does offer wonderful support.

Hopefully your surgery will solve your problems. I had surgery for a different reason than you, so I cannot answer your question. But, is your surgeon specialized in adeno or endo? My understanding from other posts I have read is that can be really important in dealing with these issues.

I am going to tweak your title a bit so that other women in similar situations may notice this thread and respond.

Thank you for that Marestail. Please note that the endo is only a possibility at this stage. Hopefully I don't have it.
I'm in New Zealand. Because the population is so much smaller here than in USA, gynaecologists tend to have a wider scope of practice.
My surgeon is one of the best and most experienced in my city and deals with adenomyosis and endometriosis a lot, as well as doing general gynaecology and obstetrics. A close family member has worked with him and says he's a superb surgeon and his patients hardly bleed! He's also very respectful, professional, listens and takes me seriously, so I'm happy with him.
Thank you for your encouragement.

Okay, sweetie. That sounds like he is a good surgeon for your issues - and it is great that you have information from family. And it is wonderful that you like your surgeon - I also think that is really important. I liked mine quite a bit.

Hi pohutukawa

I'm in Australia so waving to you! I also have likely adenomyosis and endo. At first they thought stage 4 endo but I think it repaired itself a little, as they only thought stage 2 during my lap and removal of the endo. Unfortunately it has done little for the pain during my period (though eliminated almost all my pain not during my period), and gradually it gets worse each month - to like this month I have trouble walking. I am up for surgery on Thursday 9th this week and I tell you I cannot wait. Bring it on, take it away. I'd manage it with the pill if I could, but I'm factor V leiden positive so can't take Oestrogen pills and can't take progrestorone either as I've had allergic reactions to them. So this is my last resort and I'm quite happy for them to take it all out. Interestingly the internal ultrasound showed nothing, so I went into surgery a little perplexed. But they think my uterus is diseased. Time will tell and in any case shall be glad to be rid of pain and periods forever and ever!

Will be thinking of you and hope your surgery goes well on the 13th, and I'll be looking for an update!

Cheers, Kat

I wish you the best and hope this surgery resolves what sound like years of debilitating pain. I can't offer any advice on your situation but just wanted to point out that if my surgery happens as currently planned, we'll be surgery sisters. I'm also scheduled on the 13th.

Hi Kat
Waving back across the Tasman!
So sorry you have this as well, and that you have trouble walking when you have your period. Must be really tough. Keep me posted as to how you get on. I'll be thinking of you too. Like you, I just want to get the op over with now and start to get better.
The combined pill never helped me. Nor the progesterone pill, nor Mirena. I believe the only definitive treatment for adenomyosis is hysterectomy. Yay, no more periods! And praying for both of us that it removes all our pain.
Take care & keep in touch.

My surgery date for LAVH was supposed to be a couple of weeks ago but got moved to tomorrow (August 6). My LAVH is scheduled the cause of adenomyosis. So i will try to submit an update. Just a week ahead of you. I had an ablation about four years ago which pretty much took away my bleeding (completely for the first year) and then just barely spotting, hardly enough to even wear one pad or tampon. The pain though has just increased and was coming back at least twice a month Some months i have has cramps every week. The labor-like cramps also frequently appear after exercise or sometimes sex. Not anxious to have a hysterectomy at 41, but definitely ready to be done with all this! I go in at 5:30am tomorrow....

Hi tjc1965
Thank you for your good wishes.
Hope all goes well with you for your surgery too. Let me know how you get on.

Hi wigster
So sorry you have adenomyosis too. I'm 45 and didn't really want a hysterectomy either, but I'm sure it's the best choice for me now.
My pain is also very much aggravated by exercise. Also by bowel motions (hurts afterwards) and sometimes by sex. It seems that anything that disturbs the uterus, including exercise is enough to make it cramp.
I'll be thinking of you. Hope all goes well. Do keep me posted.
Hopefully we'll all be celebrating the end of this pain in a few weeks time.