57.5 yo & unsure on hysterectomy (fibroids)

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Originally Posted by WonderDee I have been there and done that. I choose the hysterectomy due to the pain the bleeding off and on. It is your decision to weigh your own option. It is going on 5 years now. I fought for 2 to 3 years with those tumors, (in the liner, outside the uterus, and in the uterus), bleeding, and pain. I did the UFE(on the right side) and 3 shots. My problem came back 6 months later on the other side. I put up with the pain for another 6 months with pain killers. Then one day I bend over to tie my shoe and when I set up all I saw was black spots and sweat pop up on my head and ran down my back. I made an appointment with the Gynecology doctor and she advises me on getting another UFE (Uterine Fibroid Embolization) on the left side or Hysterectomy. I chose the hysterectomy. I was just tired of the pain.

I so, totally understand! How are you feeling these days?

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Originally Posted by TennesseeNana I also had the unhappy option of undergoing multiple future biopsies to make sure cancer hadn't set into my uterus. My gyn sent me to oncology gyn and I am so glad I had a specialist. He said my cervix was closing due to regular menopausal changes (I'm 63) plus scarring from 2 LEEP procedures. Future biopsies couldn't be done without surgery. I chose to have a total hysterectomy on 12/3 and just be done with it. Pathology showed multiple ovarian cysts I had not suspected, plus plenty of uterine fibroids. My recovery is going well. I have no other medical issues except being overweight. Best wishes to you as you make your decision.

I think I'm drawing the same conclusions that you did. When I weigh up the odds, I can't believe I'll get through my 60s with this uterus anyway. Now it's just a question of ovaries, really...

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Originally Posted by Martha615 I, too, read that they would shrink or resolve or whatever...hmmm. Not enough is all I can say! I've had so many ultrasounds I'd be surprised if I had 20 in there, but I do know that, like you, I'm uncomfortable. I don't have pain during sex but I do have constant low back pain. My surgeon does do laparoscopic surgery and I will ask him about that today. I won't allow anyone to morcellate anything due to my age meaning I have a higher chance of cancer, but if they could do a smaller abdominal incision that would be nice. There are factors about this about which I'm not aware (not being a surgeon) but the surgeon I use definitely does a lot with laparoscopy. Not sure about deVinci because the hospital is quite small. the larger one near me is too full of Covid to have me right now if it's not an emergency. Trouble is, if it becomes an emergency I'd be transferred there and they are very stretched right now. So many troubles due to Covid! Thank yo so much for your reply!

I understand you not wanting to morcellate. With mine, everything was done inside a bag to make sure if there was cancer that it did not spread. But that being said, I had no reason to think that cancer was involved. Good luck with your decision and I hope you feel better soon.

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Originally Posted by Scooby1 I understand you not wanting to morcellate. With mine, everything was done inside a bag to make sure if there was cancer that it did not spread. But that being said, I had no reason to think that cancer was involved. Good luck with your decision and I hope you feel better soon.

yes, I've heard that there are ways to morcellate the fibroid safely! I will speak to my surgeon but I have a feeling that's not going to work for my particular case.

The big worry is getting Covid while in the hospital as the testing used gets false negatives all the time. I think that's my biggest worry right now!

Hi: I posted here a while back when considering having a hysterectomy and urology reconstruction. I have put it off because I am terrified. I am 78 years old with a very large heavy uterus and severe cystocele. I wish I had a hysterectomy years ago but was told my fibroids would shrink; they didn't. Now I have this problem, which is severe urinary retention which is getting worse. I am really terrified of being under anesthesia for at least 4 hours. I have heard stories (and done some research as well), about how anesthesia can affect the elderly brain (that may never recover). I talked to my surgeon today about options but he stated because my uterus is so large and heavy, and sitting right on top of my bladder, hysterectomy with urology reconstruction is the only surgical intervention that he can almost guarantee will solve my problems. I am sort of in denial so I just keep putting it off and my urinary retention just keeps getting worse. I can't just sit down and pee- I have to push down on my abdomen and bladder to make the urine come out and it does not come out all that well.

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Originally Posted by pharoah11 Hi: I posted here a while back when considering having a hysterectomy and urology reconstruction. I have put it off because I am terrified. I am 78 years old with a very large heavy uterus and severe cystocele. I wish I had a hysterectomy years ago but was told my fibroids would shrink; they didn't. Now I have this problem, which is severe urinary retention which is getting worse. I am really terrified of being under anesthesia for at least 4 hours. I have heard stories (and done some research as well), about how anesthesia can affect the elderly brain (that may never recover). I talked to my surgeon today about options but he stated because my uterus is so large and heavy, and sitting right on top of my bladder, hysterectomy with urology reconstruction is the only surgical intervention that he can almost guarantee will solve my problems. I am sort of in denial so I just keep putting it off and my urinary retention just keeps getting worse. I can't just sit down and pee- I have to push down on my abdomen and bladder to make the urine come out and it does not come out all that well.

Pharoah, I am so sorry. I can understand exactly what you are concerned about. It's all about mitigating risk, isn't it? I agree, too, that the Covid concerns are very worrying. Later today, I'll have a look at the studies about how anaesthesia affects the brain, particularly in older persons. Did you know that even a hysterectomy with ovaries removed before menopause (or possible during it) affects dementia? Yes, lots of studies to show that. So, you've kept hold of your ovaries which means that you've risked that experience. Whether you ought risk something with this next situation is not for me to say. However, I'd be happy to try to think about it with you.

I've decided to get the hysterectomy, in part because I'm so worried about cancer in my case (and with fair reason). If it comes back all clear I'll be very pleased.

More later, but just wanted to reply as soon as I saw your message. x

Hi again, Pharoah!

As promised, I had a look and yes I see what you're talking about. However, it appears that the cognitive decline is *usually* temporary. I suspect you have to balance the risk of not doing anything (which sounds like it has quite a number of risks...am thinking about your kidneys, for example!) and the risk of temporary cognitive decline or even, rarely, more long-lasting conditions of that type.

Here was a helpful article. You've probably read it, of course:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/a...gger-dementia/