Do I need to have a hyst. - Hysterectomy Message Board

leann615 · 09-20-2005, 07:31 AM

I went to a gynocoligist back in March for problems with my period. I am a 35 year old who has 2 children, and had a tubal in 1994. My periods are so heavy and I hurt so bad I can't hardly deal with it. The dr did a biopsy on my uterous and did an ultrasound on my ovaries. Well that came back ok. He then checked my gall bladder, at this time they found a tumor on my rt kidney. I had to have my kidney removed in May, the tumor was cancer, he said he got all of the cancer out.
I am still having a hard time with my period, it is so heavy. I have alot of blood clots that pass while on it. I can't go anywhere while on it because it always gets on my clothes.My dr wants me to go on the pill to try and help it. Ireally don't want to take the pill because of cancer risk. I want to have a hyst. but he acts like no way!!! I cant have anymore kids so why do I need to keep going through this pain. Should I try to find a female dr who may understand more???

sunnydaze1 · 09-20-2005, 12:55 PM

Have you looked into having an ablation? I would try that first (in fact I did, and I couldn't have one) rather than go right for a hysterectomy.

Lil'Pea · 09-20-2005, 09:21 PM

Two things...I don't understand why your doctor would be so adamant with the information you just gave us. Maybe you should get a second opinion?

Also, if you have an hysterectomy and they take your ovaries too, you will need to be on hormones which also increases your risk of certain cancers. So keep that in mind when you are making your decision. Sometimes, even if you don't get your ovaries out you still need hormones depending on how your body adjusts. Some women lose ovarian function after hysterctomy, while others maintain full function. Do some research, get a second opinion, and then move forward with whatever your decision may be.

Has your doctor mentioned adenomyosis? Two of the main symptoms are heavy bleeding and severe cramping. I just had a total abdominal hyst one week ago for severe cramping and afterward it was discovered that I had this condition. Just something to ask your doc about!

Good luck!

ktee_uk · 09-26-2005, 03:56 AM

hi leann

Sorry to hear you are having such a bad time. Doctors sometimes underestimate just how debilitating bad periods can be. I had quite a few years where my doctors just seemed to drag it out longer by trying different bcp's, coils, etc. I did end up having a TAH like Lil'Pea. However I am glad that I tried all the alternatives before deciding on the invasive surgery.

I would say in your case there are 3 issues to deal with.
1. Excessive bleeding
2. Pain
3. Cancer risk

These are the three things to concentrate on with your doctor (and yes, get a 2nd opinion, he/she may take a different angle on things).

Keep a chart or diary of your periods and how they affect you. This is what I ended up doing. For example, on the week before my period I would always start getting pain and spotting and I documented this each day. When I had my period I would note how many pads I got through and whether or not they were saturated, half sat or spotted. I also noted what type of pain, how many pain killers I took and whether or not I was sick or fainted and whether or not I was able to do any work.
In other words, present the facts as they are. It will also make you feel in control of the situation. I did this for nearly a year and you could clearly see that my symptoms were getting a lot worse so the docs had to do something.

I was also in a similar positon to sunnydaze, I had a 2nd opinion to see if an ablation would be a better alternative but unfortunately this was not for me due to other medical reasons. But the gyno did say that whilst it will normally help most women with excessive bleeding probs, it will not resolve the pain issue. I have also read many reports that show evidence that a good proportion of women who have ablation do end up having further treatment/hysterectomy. However, it may delay it long enough until you are of menopausal age in which case your bleeding/pain probs should be resolved/reduced. Ablation will not resolve pain/bleeding from endometriosis or adenomyosis.

The hrt issue or bcp issue needs to be discussed further. There are natural forms of hrt which I have read posts about so this may be an option for you too.

There is a lot to think about isnt there. Feel free to post further. There are a lot of women in similar circumstances here on the boards who can offer great help and advice.

good luck
ktee