Laparascomy (sp) vs. hysterectomy vs. just waiting for menopause - Hysterectomy Message Board

RBrown · 08-01-2005, 03:34 PM

I recently had a CT of the pelvis done, and it indicates, "1. Very large septated cystic mass in the pelvis most likely of ovarian origin." It is also dscribed as a large cystic mass in the pelvis, approximately 19 x 9 cm, containing septae, part of which are slightly thickened. This extends to both right and left sides. This appears to be separate from the uterus.

The CT also 2... "revealed two tiny hypodensities in the liver, too small to characterize." In another part of the report, they are described as incidental cysts.

My regular doctor ordered the CT...I had thought it was a hernia and hadn't really reacted quickly when it started to form two years ago.

The doctor thinks probably my OB-Gyn will recommend a hysterectomy...I'm 42. I would prefer the least invasive means, although I am close to menopause, and do you think laparascopy is feasible? What other alternatives are there. Which is best do you think? It seems like that's awfully big to pull out through my a tiny incision in my abdomen, but I'd prefer that.

Bottom line is, which is safest do you think? Would it be advisable to just wait until I'm post-menopausal? I do not have that heavy of a menstrual cycle, and I have pain only on the first or second days these times...my last one was extremely light, though I've had heavy flows for years? The doctors told my Mom to just wait when she had fibroids.

Then, again, it's only likely ovarian, though what else is in the uterus, except the uterus and ovaries, I don't know.

I also have been told to watch for the signs of lupus w/a positive ANA, a false syph, chronic ear infections (which may be related to my weird shaped nose or something), occasional rashing, and increasing allergies.

Faith_2 · 11-08-2005, 03:19 AM

Hi,
I am new here and just read this and although it's been posted for a while, I thought I would give my 2 cents worth about this.

If what you have isn't going to hurt you by waiting, I would let nature take it's coarse. I had to have a hysterectomy at 32, I had had the same Dr for 15 years and he gave me 3 months to prepare for it. I had tried for a very long time to have children, and found I had the worst case of Endometriosis that I could have [the week before the surgery]. It also meant I had to have another Dr. in there taking out a section of my intestines since it had spread there as well. I had surgery every 3 years like clockwork, could have had it sooner but I just dealt with the horrid pain and other stuff that went with it.

They took both ovaries, one was swollen pretty big and the husband even asked the Dr that worked on my intestines which was making it worse for me and the Dr told him he didn't see how I managed all these years with what he had seen and had read in my med records, but I wanted a child, two at first but then would settle for one after so many different proceedures with a fertility Dr. But he told the husband that I lived in pain most of the days, which I did. I guess since I didn't fall on the floor screaming blooding murder, it meant I wasn't really hurting. I remember the cold sweats and not being able to stay still it hurt so much and at the same time, thinking if would stay be still so it would calm down, but I couldn't. I was taking narcotics for the pain and was taking more than it called for and there were times that the pills didn't touch not one bit any of the pain. I am the type to keep my feelings inside and there were times that the tears would slip out it hurt so bad.

The moment I woke up in post op, I was sweating, and in a bad mood, menopause HIT RIGHT THEN!!!! Nothing gradual, it all hit at once and then it was getting to the hormone pills and finding the "right" one(s).

Like I said, if what you have will not hurt you in any way, I would wait. Let nature take it's course than to be slammed right into it. I was in the hospital longer and had the temperature in there below 60's F, with the husband having 2 or 3 blankets on him. I had sweat pouring off of me and was under a sheet that I kept trying to keep off of me but the husband kept putting it back on me.

He complained to the Dr about the room being so cold, and the Dr told him he wasn't the patient and had no idea what his wife was going through to leave things as they are. He did tell him to look at me and tell him (the Dr), if I looked comfortable, he had to say no, I looked terrible LOL!

I haven't read any of the other replies or know exactly what you are dealing with, but I do know that having a hysterectomy is harder when it's given at a early age of 32 like I was. But I was also hemmoraging at odd hours or days along with other issues that was causing me to miss work or at the Dr's office AGAIN among many other things.

Anyway, I hope this helps.
I will keep you in my prayers and hope all works out for you.
Faith2