Hi All!! I just found out I have a pretty good chance of getting a hysterectomy. I admit I haven't heard a lot of positive things about it unless a woman has had many problems from her uterus. About a month ago I blew up like a balloon...very bloated and a lot of pressure in my abdomen. The doctor told me my uterus is about the size of a 4 month pregnancy, and BOY DO I FEEL IT! I am not having any bleeding other than normal periods. I also was told from my test results that I have fluid in the uterine cavity which isn't good. So the doctor did an endometrial biopsy of the uterine lining. I have to wait for another week or so for the final results. I've been an absolute MESS. I'm worried to death about the surgery, the after effects, the horomone replacement. I've just got too much on my mind and it's really scaring me. I would greatly appreciate anyone who has had a total hysterectomy (uterus and ovaries removed) to reply and tell me your experiences and what I should expect. I am 47 and no longer have any use for my uterus but I have heard about so many problems when the ovaries are removed too. I'm scared of dramatic weight gain, aging quicker than normal, severe moodiness, bladder disfunction, loss of sexual desire and many other concerns. I'm afraid I'll never be the same.
Please calm me down!

Hi Shoostar..thought I'd give you a quick reply and relay my hyst experience. I am happy w/the outcome. I had mine at 35yrs old-3 1/2 mos after having twins. (nine days aft they were born I had my rt ovary and tube removed--found a tumor on it when I was 5 1/2 mos preg w/them) I bled for the enitre post partum time and had a history or ednomitriosis. They did a radical hyst--took it all--ovary, uterus, and cervix-to cut out any chance of cervical cancer in the future.

I went on HRT w/in a week of surgery and am so glad I did. I'm 40 1/2 so I've been on 5yrs. No sign of early aging, and I still have pap smears yearly. Straight up--I had some moodiness until the dosage was worked out-not too bad tho--but the night sweats were really bad--which I had until I got on HRT that week. I'd exchange them ANY DAY for a little moodiness(I think when I wasn't on HRT I was worse because of the night sweats!!!)

My hyst was a Vaginally Assisted Laparoscopy. In the hosp 2 days and the worst part for me was my lower back hurt when I woke up from surgery...but they took care of that w/the ol' morphine pump. Recovery at home was 6 weeks. I was told not to p/u anything heavier than 5lbs--and my babies only if I was sitting.
That's my experience...Hope it helped!! I know it's scary but it really isn't that bad. Try not to stress about it--and educate yourself as much as possible. It's the unknown that is frightening. You came to the right place for info!! Maybe others who have had good(or not so good) experiences can post for you too!! (how we love to tell our war stories!! :D )
Gina/Happy Elf

Gina,
I appreciate your reply. I can't begin to know how difficult having the surgery was for you, esp. right after having twins. you are a strong woman! :D I guess I am making a mountain out of a mole hill. I truly think I am educating myself too much... :eek: Too much info to take in at one time.
Thanks for sharing your experience!

I may not be much of a help but my sister had a hysterectomy. She was terrified also and she was 35. I had alot of question about it because I found out I had cervical cancer and I thought that one day I would have to take that route. She said she felt fine, she still felt sexual and things still worked normally down there. I agree with you "educating" yourself too much. I have done that with a lot of things. I also was pg with twins and purposely did NOT read up on C-sections because I knew I would be terrified. The surgery wasn't as bad as I even thought. I had one twin vaginal and one C-sec. I also didn't get in too much detail when I had cold knife conazation for my cervical cancer...I ended up getting the best sleep I ever had experienced and felt just fine. Quit reading everything and go with the flow ( no pun intended) Your body will adjust and your mood will go back. You will be your old self in no time. Good luck.

Shoostar - I'm in a similar situation - looking forward to getting rid of that bloated uterus. Did they say you had to get your ovaries out, and if so, whY?

Hi shoostar

I had a TAH (total abdominal) 5 weeks ago and am doing ok although still healing from the op. I will probably need another 4 weeks off work. My surgeon and I decided not to remove my ovaries unless he felt he needed to when he opened me up. Anyhow I still have them so I dont even have to consider HRT.

If they remove the ovaries it is called an oopherectomy and this is seperate to a total hysterectomy. Total hyster takes out uterus and cervix. Sub total hyster takes out uterus only.

If your probelms are related to the uterus only then maybe a sub total would be performed. Benefits are that the cervix wuld still be there to support your bladder and colon, reduced risk of dryness/libido. BTW I have not experienced the latter and I had my cervix removed. Downside is that you still need a smear test and you may get mini periods if enough of the uterus has not been removed.

hope this helps.
ktee

Kerry1,

My doctor didn't positively say I had to have my ovaries removed but since my first test came back with abnormal cells, she said if the endometrial biopsy comes back with abnormal cells ( which I am expecting it to, since first one did) then it could be precancerous and you should have your ovaries removed too, to prevent any further problems. Has your doctor told you something similar?

Soulcatcher, THANKS for your reply and I do appreciate your luck, I WILL NEED IT! I hope all is going well with you now. Shoostar

KTEE, YES, I have read about the different types of hysterectomy and none sounds good to me..lol. Anyway, I am assuming mine will be total. I hope you continue to recover with no problems. At least you don't have to worry about HRT. GOOD LUCK!

Hi Shoostar! You are not making a mountain out of a molehill!! It's real, it's your body and it's scary!! I was scared out of my socks before hand-but after all was said and done it really wasn't so bad. I wish I could have talked to someone about it ahead of time--heard good and bad stories so I knew what I could have expected.
I understand about reading too much--If you're concerned about info overload and overdoing it, ask your doc any ?'s you have and read up on that info only. I know it is overwhelming, but knowledge is power-and you need to be an active participant in your care. You should also ask how they want to do it--vaginally, abdominal or lap assisted vaginally. If you're having your ovaries out at the same time, you may hear the term *radical hysterectomy.* That means uterus,cervix and ovaries are removed. While oophorectomy does mean removal of the ovaries, the other term is all encompassing when referring to that type of hyster. (TAH is for uterus and cerix only) Kind of a shortcut for words.
Sending good thoughts and wished for your health...update when you can!!
Happyelf/gina

Hello all.

Happyelf: Not sure but maybe terminology is different over here in the UK but as I understand it there is big difference between radical, total and sub-total hysterectomies. Women with cancer of the cervix (neck of the womb) or uterus (womb) may be offered a radical hysterectomy. This is different from ‘simple’ hysterectomy because not only are the cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes removed, but also the upper third of the vagina and the tissues around the cervix. The pelvic lymph glands will also be removed at this time because the cancer can spread to these glands first. Ovaries may or may not be removed.

regards
ktee

THANKS, Gina, and I will keep you updated!

Ktee-You're right-there is a difference between them. UK may use the terminology different than the US-I don't know-but with my radical they took everything they could-thereby reducing the chances of cancer in the future.
I didn't have cancer of the uterus or cervix at that time, so maybe the US and UK differ there also. There are a lot of factors that go into the type of surgery-patients history, age, health, prognosis, insurance(they have a say also) etc... I don't know what your health system is like(NHS?) there. Hopefully you will continue to relax and recover well from your surgery-no matter what we call it!! Take care of yourself and don't do lift or do too much!
happyelf

Shoostar-- :wave:
Whatever your doctor calls your surgery, ask him to explain it and research it. There are so many variables from patient to patient-two ppl w/the exact same set of symptoms may have two entirely different procedures...I'm sure together you and s/he will make the right decision for your care. You're a smart girl-you came ot the boards looking for advice!! ;) Good luck and hope to hear from you when you find out....
H/E Gina

You said it exactly Gina! I am also VERY concerned about horomone replacement. I have heard so much controversy about it. I am definitely looking into the Bioidentical horomones. That is a very INDIVIDUAL thing. I'm expecting the worst...so maybe if it's not so bad, I will be pleasantly surprised...who knows! But if you or anyone else has any advice or suggestions about the "ALL NATURAL" way, I would greatly appreciate it. I am hearing success stories about the patch also...Climara patch?

Hey shoostar--my friend went the herbal route--I don't exactly what she does but whatever it is, it works well for her. I'm so jealous!! ;) I'll try to hook her up so she can post here for you.
LOOOOOOVE the PATCH! I am on Climara--0.1mg patch 1xweek. It's much better than the pills-for me anyway. No problem w/it falling off--shower, pool, and I don't have to remember to take it daily or I'm a witch!!! hee hee The pills are designed for your body to metabolize 1 every 24 hrs--mine would wear off at hr 18-19--and the headache would begin to come back. The patch is a continual release through the skin. I started on Premarin pills, and they helped a bit, but I wasn't sure what was surgery related and what wasn't-so I waited it out until a month or so later. Still, that was better than no Premarin. Gyn then switched me to something w/testosterone/estrogen in it--I didn't like that at all...made my skin break out. I was 35 at the time--so THAT was not an option!! lol so I went back to straight estrogen--all I really needed was a higher dose on a more continual basis...and as I said before--I LOVE it!! But I'm also a wimp and couldn't take the hot flashes, night sweats and headaches... :D so I took the easy way out. At that time I didn't have time for trial and error w/the herbal methods-I feared they'd take too long to work, or I wouldn't know what to take and I'd feel like that for another month or so. I didn't have the time to research it all, and unless it was in a Clifford the Big Red Dog book, I didn't know anything about it!!! haha JK But it is something I'm going to tk to my Gyn about when go in July. Hey-we can learn together!!
Anyway--I'll check w/my friend and let you know what she does. Whatever you decide to do, you're wise to educate yourself--and you'll make the right choice for you. (I don't know anyone on the bioidentical hormones...)

Have a great night and *rest* as much as you can--I know you need it!!
When I was going thru IVF before I got preg I went from a size 5 at bedtime to looking like I was 6mos preg at 7am...all from fluid-I was on bedrest 4days-not allowed to move except for bathroom breaks. I know it can be scary--and you have a lot going on besides the fluid-so take it easy, ok? Hope you're feeling better and not too overwhelmed by all the info. :)
TTYL - Gina

THANKS so much Gina!! You've already been a great help to me. I think you got me hooked already...on the patch. Yes, I will keep researching and getting as much info as I can from my doctor. I am normally a size 6 and I recently even lost 8 pounds so I was feeling great until all this came up. I always wake up more bloated than when I go to bed. I can barely fit into any of my pants now with this pregnant looking belly of mine. Oh well, I have to hold on to the thought of getting rid of this huge uterus and feeling like myself again...someday..haha! Keep me informed.

I had a TVH in February 2004, right before I turned 27. I can very honesty say I have never felt better. :) I was worried at first because I had heard so many things...like I would grow hair, get fat, etc. but none of that has happened. I weigh 100 lbs., have not had any moodiness, no abnormal hair growth, and my sex drive has not been affected in the slightest. I feel 100% better! I do take prempro daily, but a very small dose, and I have been just fine. Good luck! :wave:

Kimberly, I am glad to hear all went well for you with your surgery. Being at your young age of 27 and having a TVH is a PLUS with less problems and having a quicker recovery. As we age, we have more difficulties with the combination of menopause and age-related problems. I do love hearing success stories!! Continued Luck!!!

Hi
I am 39 years old and 3 weeks post hysterectomy. I had a Total Abdominal Hyst done on May 9th and I have NO REGRETS !

I had Endo, Adenomyosis, Adheasions, Severe Pelvic Congestion and chronic ovarian cysts.

My Uterus was the size of a softball, and looked like it went throgh 2 or 3 c-sections. I never had a c-sectin, and my ovaries were enlarged and they had cysts. He took everything out but my cervix. I am on a Estrogen Patch and I feel great !! I do seem to get night sweats the night before I have to change my patch. Yet I was getting these even before the surgery. I think my hormones were screwed up.

As for sex...I still have the urge, it hasn't changed !! It is great I have NO MORE PAIN !!!! I thought I would never feel like this again !!
If it comes down to it...have it done !! Believe me it is great feeling normal again !!

DJI, THAT'S GREAT that you're feeling so good only 3 weeks after a hysterectomy! I can understand how you would be feeling since you had so many problems previously. I, on the other hand, have had no problems whatsoever until suddenly in the beginning of May when my uterus enlarged. I don't have bleeding or pain...just bloating and pressure in my abdomen. So I am concerned with what post hysterectomy is going to bring me...good health or heartaches...guess that remains to be seen. Good luck with your continued recovery.

Hey shoostar!! :wave:
How are you feeling ? Hope you're doing ok--any decisions made yet? You'll make the right decision. I'm just sorry you have to make it-at all.
My friend's been gone on business and we've played phone tag...(the one who is on herbal supplements...) I didn't want you to think I forgot about you!! Hang in there, REST and update when you get a sec!!
Gina

THANKS SO MUCH Gina! I've been feeling OK, although I'm so frustrated my pants are so tight due to this bloated belly of mine. I go for my MRI test today and hopefully by this Thursday I will find out all of the final test results. I have mixed emotions about it. I DO and DON'T want to find out. But then I really just wanna get all this over with and behind me, so I need to be a big girl and get ready to face reality. It's really nice to see that a person you don't even personally know, is concerned for your well-being. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. I will keep in touch and let you know as soon as I know something. Take Care!!!

Shoostar--Will be thinking of you today with hopes that all will work out in your favor. :) :) :) Gina

Good Luck Shootstar !!

Gina & Djl, Thanks again guys!! I truly appreciate the support. I'll know what the future holds soon!

UPDATE for HYSTERECTOMY FEAR ...Hi :wave: Gina and all concerned!! I have some great news...at least for now. I worried myself terribly for nothing. All my tests came back normal. The biopsy and MRI was normal, believe it or not. I was very surprised. Apparently an ultrasound is not the best diagnostic tool since the doctors scared me to death after they read the results. The MRI showed a much clearer picture of my fibroids. I have 1 large and 3 smaller ones and a cyst on my left ovary which for now the doctor will check by ultrasound every 3 months to check for growth. So no hysterectomy in the too near future. However, I know I will need treatment or a surgery for the fibroids in the future because of my enlarged uterus. At times it's uncomfortable but lately the bloating doesn't seem as bad. All of your support and encouragement really helped me get through the waiting process. THANKS AGAIN GUYS!!!! :bouncing:

Good news shoostar !!!
But keep up with seeing the doc regarding those fibroids !!! And the cyst!!
Feel well !!

Hi Shoostar!! My post last night got lost--that's happened a few times now!!
So very happy your tests came back normal!! YIIIPPPEEE no hysterectomy!!!
You still need to rest and don't lift anything too heavy when your'e feeling really bloated...and I know you'll keep up your appts w/the dr. Now you can breathe a little easier...We'll keep our fingers crossed for no change in size!!

Just an FYI-even tho you don't need it for a while--My friend takes a lot of soy supplements for her symptoms...soy milk, soy protein, B-complex vitamins, and gensing. She seems happy w/the results...but I wanted a tried and true immediate remedy.

Are you feeling better physically after your dr visit? I'm sure you are mentally!! ;)
Take care--post when you feel up to it!!
Gina/HappyElf

Hi Gina :wave: ,
YESSSS, I am so relieved about all this. I know though that I may need surgery or some type of treatment in the future, unless they come out with something that shrinks fibroids. My sister has had 2 removed surgically in the past 5 years. Her doctor told her to get 'Myomin", which is all natural. After I have my ultrasound in 3 months, I am going to ask about a few treatments. I still get bloated :eek: , esp around my period, but I hate the feeling and I don't want to deal with this forever. Emotionally, I am feeling so much better!!! Thanks and keep in-touch!

Shoostar, I have been told I have had to have one for three years, and it is getting worst, leg pain. boated like crazy, bleeding

Kaysay9555,
Hi Kay :wave: Why have your doctors waited so long...3 yrs? I am getting rechecked in 2 months, and even if my fibroids haven't gotton any bigger, I want something done. The extreme bloating is hard to deal with.