Looking for any help with a BIG decision! (children mentioned)

Hello all! New to the site but I am 28 and have been dealing with Endo since I was 19. Back then I had one son and was told I would never have kids again and might as well have a hyst to avoid dealing with all the problems to come. I declined and got another opinion. Good thing I did. I now have another son, who took a long time to concieve but glad I did not listen to the first Dr. Well, it is almost 10 years and 7 laps later and I am still fighting it. Every lap reveals that the endo has spread to a few other areas of my body. I am kind of between a rock and a hard place. My dr who I love and trust wants to stop doing the laps and do a hyst. I am done having children, but am not nuts about the idea of having a hyst so young. Then either going thorugh menopause or taking estrogen for so many years. Of course no one around me gets what I am going through and thinks it's an easy decision to make. Why live in pain when it's sooo easy to get rid of it? I don't see it that way. I see it as a very emotional decision that only others in my shoes can help with. I am seeing my Dr. again this week to make a FINAL decision. I need help?? Are any of you around my age that have been put in this situation? I am tired of missing work and getting shots all the time and just being in pain in general. I have a low tolerance for meds and therefore cannot take pain meds except for bed time, so that barely helps me through my days at work and with the kids. There are days when it is so hard to get out of bed! But at the same time I am tired of having surgery every one to two years for only a few months of relief. I am tired a lot, and I think my endo has a lot to do with that. I think I am not only physically tired but emotionally tired and maybe struggling with depression a bit. Any help or advise or just stories similar to mine would be great.

I am sorry you have been dealing with endo for so many years and have had to have so many surgeries.

I had my hyst when I was 25, and thankfully I had had two children by then. Unfortunately, there are actually many of us on the site who have had our hysts in our 20's, way to young to be dealing with such a major, life affecting surgery.

Do you have an endometriosis specialist? If not, I would strongly recommend at least consulting with one prior to making your final decision. And as with any major surgery, it is wise to seek at least a second medical opinion about what might be best for you!

Unfortunately, there is no cure for endo, not even a hyst. So you do want the most skilled doctor you can find. The more endo that is removed, hopefully the better you will be.

Have you and your doctor talked about whether or not you should keep your ovaries? Because of my age, medical history, and family medical history I kept both of my ovaries. This does mean my own hormones are feeding the endo that was left on my bowel walls and any endo that went undetected and was left behind. But it was the right choice for me.

Our hormones aid in the health of so much of our body such as our heart, bones, skin, and eyes, but the estrogen also feeds endo. So it is also very important to see a doctor who is knowledgeable regarding endo and HRT before making your final decision.

We have many Endometriosis Resources you can read through to learn as much as you can about endo. The more you know, the better able you are to make the best decision for you!

I wish you the very best and hope you find help and support here on the site! Keep us posted as to what you decide! s

I went through the same thing. When I was initally diagnosed with endo, my (then) doc told me I would never have children. He put me on Lupron which was great for me. No periods for 6 months!! Shortly after that, I did have a son. Battled endo with several laps and adhesion surgeries. The last one my uterus and colon had fused togther. After that one, I told myself if I had to have another surgery, this would be it. So I had TAH and the found I was already fused (it had been a year). Was able to clean up the ovaries enough to keep them, but may have to have them out down the road if the adhesion cause pain again.
Very glad I had my hysterectomy, as I was so tired of surgeries and pain. I was done having children, so it made the decsion a little easier. Feel like I am in control again, at least for awhile!

Mookie,



I am 29 years old!!

This last dr i went to I explained to him my history. He scheduled me for a Hysterectomy right than. Told me 7 years was long enough to deal w/ the pain every day. He didnt even talk about doing a Lap to find out if it was in my uterus. He said "you have your family, yours tubes are tied, you dont need your uterus anymore its just going to cause problems if we dont take it out since your already in that much pain. "

So im having a hysterectomy on Sept 4th. I cant believe it all happened so fast. This dr was so amazing. He talked to me and listened truly listened.

Im having a Total Abdominal Hyst. He said the Horomone Replacement Therapy he uses work great for most all women he sees. He uses the Natural ones.

I know how you feel though. Although I am feeling releived to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel, meaning a Pain Free Tunnel. I feel much better.

I have 2 kid as well. Plus I have 6 dogs.Soon my husband is going to be going back to a boat(he is in the Coast guard) and I cant be in pain when he is gone. Now he is here to help out. So that is why I decided I needed to have this done. Cuz if i dont do it now It will be at least 3 years before I could maybe even think about having it done since hubby will be gone 3-6 months at a time.
Right now he is here to help me out.

If your in severe pain and its keeping you from enjoying your children, or taking care of them I say that should be your answer just as long as your done having children of course.
Its not an easy decission. ANd I know some women do deal w/ a hysterectomy post op as well as others. But for me. Im willing to take that chance of possibly being pain free. Even if there is a possibility of it coming back.

Good luck on your decision.

SYD

Mookie,
I hope you made a decision that best suites you and if you did choose a hysterectomy I'm quite sure you made a GREAT decision. I was told when I was 21 I wouldn't be able to have children for the same reason and more. I have 3 children and I finally had my hysterectomy almost six weeks ago. I know it's still early, but I already know I made the best decision. You can't suffer all the time. There's a reason God created doctors and hysterectomys. I'm 26 years old and they were only going to do a partial, but my endo was so bad they had to take everything. I would much rather deal with hot flashes, being cold (as I have been) or crying a lot than with all the pain. I hope things go well for you!!!
God Bless.

Hi,
I am 28 and had a complete hyst for the same reason you are considering. I was 19 when I had my 1st surgery and was told I would never have children. At that time the dr wanted to do a complete hyst but I was to young. Thank goodness I did not because 3 kids later I could not imagine what it would be like. After I stopped nursing that last baby the pain was back within 2 months and so severe that I was missing work and miserable. After the 3rd dr told me at the beginning of this July that a complete hyst was my best option I finally agreed but I feel way to young to be at this place in my life and I have more questions now than I had before but I do feel that I made the right choice for myself and my family.

Krista