Fibroid tumors, LSH, questions.........

So here is my story, sorry its so long.
The pain started in February, during ovulation, I had sharp pains for a few days, then I had alot of pain. Went to my doc, he did a ct scan and found a 4 cm ovarian cyst, which was bleeding. I went to see a gyno, he told me I could wait it out or have surgery. I went home for a few days and then the pain and pressure was so bad, I had the surgery to remove it. That was Valentines day of this year. About 6 weeks later, I was in pain again. I called him and he ordered an ultra sound. He didn't get back to me for 5 days after the ultra sound. Called me on the phone and said, your ovaries look good, you do have some fibroid tumors, but they are nothing to worry about. The pain you are having is from something else, you need to see a different doctor. What a jerk! He didn't even examine me, wouldn't give me any info on the tumors, nothing.

Well the pain subsided for almost a month, then started up again and bad. So I went to see my family practice doc who ordered another ultrasound. Another ovarian cyst, this time on the other side and 5 cm. So I went to another gyno and he put me on anti-inflammatory meds and bc pills, and to have another ultra sound and to see him in 6 weeks. He told me to call if the pain didn't significantly improve in 2 weeks. Well the meds I was on helped me cope with the pain, but it was still there. I had bad days and good days.

My ultrasound was Monday where they couldn't find the cyst. I'm thinking OK, why am I still in pain? My drs appt was Wednesday, and he told me that the fibroids were causing the pain, which makes more sense to me since the pain is lower. There are at least 9 tumors and at least 3 of them are golf ball size. So it sounds like the mass is quite large. He suspects possible Adenomyosis, but he said the only way to tell is during removal of the uterus. I do not have heavy bleeding or clotting, but my periods have been very painful since going off the pill 2 years ago.

So my options are ablation, which he says may not be successful because a few of them are below the surface.
Another is to cut off the blood supply, I forget what its called, but they can grow back.
And the third is a hysterectomy. He suggests the LSH hyster leaving the cervix. At my age, he wants to leave everything in there that he can. I'm only 33, but we are done having children.
I am leaning toward the LSH, for one thing I want something permanent so I don't have to go through this again. Also cost is a major factor. We have high deductable with our insurance and if I have to have someting done after the first of the year, we are in debt another $3000+ on top of the $3000+ we are making payments on now from my ovarian cystectomy.

So finally, my question is, does anyone know the long term effects of having a LSH? Hormones, sexuality, etc? Being 33, I am concerned about having to fight with hormones for the rest of my life. I have about 3 weeks to think about it. He wants to do a endometrial biopsy, and then make a decision then.

While waiting for someone to answer your question here, you might take a peek at a thread I started where several ladies posted about having an LSH: https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...d.php?t=338419

i had an lsh and my ovaries have been working fine..i dont need any hormones at at. it had no affect on my sex life either. i had a very easy recovery and life got back to normal very quickly. have you gotten a second opinon? that might help making the decision easier.

Hi 88JrLvr,

I agree with Dressedupinblue and you might get a 2nd opinion. I got two opinions myself and it helped me with my decision making.

I also had a LSH and kept my cervix and ovaries. My LSH is still one of the best things I ever did for my long term health. I would do it over again in a second to have the quality of life I have now without fibroids and heavy periods. I am (4) yrs. post-op now and my ovaries are still working great. I am not on any HRT.

Sending best wishes~

Mary

Your pain reminds me of how I felt this time last year. All the local doctors kept saying, "everything looks fine, I don't think the fibroids would be causing the pain." Fast forward -- adenomyosis is apparently QUITE painful! Like having bad menstrual cramps every single day! I opted for LSH (of course, I was 47) w/ BSO. I feel better today than when i WAS 33! I use Bioidentical hormone cream (finally have found balance, at least for today) I understand your frustration at wait wait wait! If you have a surgeon you trust, LSH is definitely the way to go if you're able.
I wish you the best!

Thanks everyone for your feedback!! I will definitely think about what each of you have said so far!