Hysterectomy??

[Pipersong]

Was diagnosed with endometriosis at 18..now 42...seeing gynae in cple weeks with the offer of a hysterectomy... Will be a total one with the removal of ovaries... I just don't kno whether to go ahead.. Have tried all drug treatments.. Anyone had a hysterectomy and have any advice?

[ccsmith]

I’m about to have one 2/9/19. Been waiting nearly a year and reality is kicking in. I’m the same age and after research I’ve decided ovaries too as so many people struggle 1-2 years later if they leave it in. I’m having a bowel shave as well which scares me the most.

[Pipersong in reply to ccsmith]

Hope it goes well.. Good luck.. Would like to hear how u get on.. I think I wud be scheduled for later in the year.. Haven't heard of a bowel shave before...i have trouble there aswell.. Hope for a speedy recovery and success for you 🤞☺️

[ccsmith in reply to Pipersong]

Thank you I’ve got endometriosis nodules on my bowel so the shave them off. I’m sure I will post around the time. Hope your wait is not too long xx

[Hidden]

I am in same boat as you (41 and suffered since 16 - hoping for surgery towards end of year).

Have you tried a gnrh medication at all to see how you would feel post op? I’ve found it really helpful to test out the HRT balance and see if I could tolerate it. The side effects are pretty hard on some people so worth doing a trial run if possible. Need to give it a good 6 months to let things settle down but does give you a glimpse of a relatively pain free existence

Good luck

[Pipersong in reply to Hidden]

I tried the zoladex and hrt combination end of last year... Was pain free but has taken a while for things to settle down again with hormones.. Have been told there's not much more drug wise they can try so will see how my next appointment goes. 🤞

[Bettyheslop]

Hi Pipersong,

I had a hysterectomy 3 years ago when I was 36 although I did keep one ovary. I had endometriosis removed at the same time.

I had suffered with endometriosis since I was 13, I wish I had had a hysterectomy sooner but I wanted more kids, I tried for years with no luck so I should have gone for it sooner. (Luckily I had a couple of kids in my early 20s, I was infertile after about 25)

I was also diagnosed with adenomyosis, I felt like I was in labour for the majority of the time, I had severe heavy bleeding, I was using a night time sanitary towel and a child's nappy during my periods but I bled a little everyday.

It was a massive operation, I knew it would be as a I had had a laparoscopy a few months before and found my Fallopian tubes full of endometriosis, large endometria cysts, my ovary was stuck to my uterus, I was a mess.

Anyway I had a surgeon very experienced in endometriosis but even he wasn't prepared for the mess I was in. When they did it the operation took way longer than anticipated they had to find an extra surgeon in the middle of it as they found my appendix covered in endometriosis and stuck to my ovary which was stuck to my uterus which explained the extreme pain I was getting on my right side! So I had my appendix removed too. Basically my insides were just a big old tangled mess of endometriosis.

Unfortunately during surgery, they accidentally made a hole in my bladder which no one realised for a few days until I was at home and full of infection, I went back to hospital for 10 days and after loads of antibiotics and 2 months with a catheter everything was fine.

I don't want to worry you with my story, what I would like you to know is even with all of that I would choose to do it again in a second.

I have been pain free for the last 3 years, yay! It's so weird after being in pain all of that time.

For the first few months it would make me jump every time I went to the toilet as there was no blood, it was so odd after all of those years.

When I see sanitary products in the supermarket I always think woo hoo for me, no more of that.

Honestly having a hysterectomy was the best thing for me, I'm so glad I did it, it has completely changed my life. I had days when I couldn't leave the house as I was bleeding so much and in so much pain.

Only you can decide what is best for you, ask all of the questions you can.

Whatever you decide I hope all goes well for you.

Xx

[Pipersong in reply to Bettyheslop]

Thank you for sharing ur story with me... Glad ur no longer suffering and after all uve been through ur finally pain free.. Will enquire about possibilty of maybe keeping one ovary.. But will certainly take on board all the advice.. Thanx again xx