Hesterectomy endo for 20 plus years - Endometriosis UK

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Hesterectomy endo for 20 plus years

ray18 profile image
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It has been nearly a year since total Hesterectomy. I wanted too write this post too clear up a few facts, that I feel are not told too you when making this life changing choice. After suffering in pain for meny years I made the choice. I had everything remove overys and cervix. I was told that I should be back on my feet in 6 weeks. How very wrong was I. Ladys this is a major operation! It was at least 3 months before I could really do anything. Nearly a year on and I still have a swelling belly every day and the more I do the worse it is. Weight gain, menapause and tolet problems. I am not in pain anymore but I am uncomfortable every day. I work and go too gym but it's a struggle. I was on hrt for 3 months that helped but I had too stop taking it as it did not agree with me. My point is thay don't tell you it's takes a year plus for your inside's too heal and this is the message I wish too share. It is by no means easy. I was super fit before this and I wonder if I ever will be again. I will keep going and I am one very determined lady. If anyone is going through this too please share so that others can get the real truth about this life changing opp. Thanks

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ray18
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bighug profile image
bighug

Thank you for sharing, I had a total hysterectomy less than 6 months ago, I was 45 and my surgeon left my ovaries in, even tho they had endo on them he removed it from one but could only ablate it on the other to keep it healthy. Unfortunately my endo pain is back, my gp is great and has given me some painkillers whilst referring me back to the surgeon. I’ve got my appointment to see the surgeon again soon, but I’m now confused as to what to do, I know my options might be to keep taking painkillers, (but to be honest they don’t really work), try HRT, the contraceptive pill or have surgery again. Is there a difference in going through the menopause un naturally? My surgeon will probably say surgery, it’s going through the menopause straight away that’s scaring me. Any advice would be appreciated

ray18 profile image
ray18 in reply to bighug

Hi there sorry too hear you are struggling and I hope things have improved for you. My surgeon got my overys out were you still have them. so from what i understand endometriosis thrives on estrogen if overys are left you will still have some estrogen. can honestly say I would rather deal with the hot flushes menapause than the pain I was in but it is hard. I was on hrt for 3 months and it did not agree with me. I have been struggling with very bad flushes since I stopped . I have just started taking wild yam root a natural herb tablets the last few days and I am feeling beter but it's early days. However both hrt and wild yam root warnings premote that if you have endometriosis you should not take it. Everyone is different and the best people too help are doctors. What was not clear is why thay did not take your ovarys if thay were were the endo was?

bighug profile image
bighug in reply to ray18

Hi, thank you for the reply, it really helps to hear other’s stories. And I hope your journey with the menopause is quick and gets easier. I think my surgeon left my ovaries in because he was able to remove most of the endo, in the hope that I would be pain free until I do naturally go through the menopause, I guess I’m just not that lucky, so the oestrogen has made the endo come back sooner than we all hoped. My struggle is the decision to make, try controlling the pain (which isn’t easy they you say, I would rather be pain free,) or have my ovaries taken out and go into surgical menopause and try HRT, which has its problems too like you seem to have had. So hard to decide what’s best, will just have to see what my dr says and hope whatever we decide works. Have a good day, I hope the only hot flush you have is with this beautiful warm weather 😊

ray18 profile image
ray18 in reply to bighug

Thanks for responding. The problem with the hrt for me was it was upsetting a under line health problem nothing too do with endo. So you will probably be fine with hrt once thay have taken your overys. Witch going by what you said thay may as well have done. Bless you so now you have too go through all again. I will let you no how I get on with the wild yam root. Aparently it helps with osteoporosis too. I also take vitamins too help with bones. I have only had a few hot flushes the last couple of days I was having them constantly before. It takes about a few weeks for tablets too take full effect. Yes I can sit in the sun today comfortably. Last summer I could not bear it. Good luck keep me posted. It does help too share with people that understand how horrible this endometriosis really is. Happy Easter. Take care. Xx

bighug profile image
bighug in reply to ray18

Thanks, your message and advice has helped me think more about my options, I’ll keep you posted as to what I decide to do, fingers crossed the next 12 months will just get better, for both of us. Big hug x

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