My New Year has just started - yippee

[pinkpig2009]

Hi Everyone

This will be hard to believe but finally after 17 years of suffering with Endo I am pain free.

I had my hysterectomy Wednesday last and except for the discomfort of the wound I am feeling really good, I was sent home on Thursday teatime. The dull throbbing ache that has been part of my life constantly for over 2 years has now gone. The only pain relief I am taking is paracetamol and ibruprofen which compared to how I was just over a week ago when I was taking 8 cocodamol aday as well as ibruprofen the difference is amazing. I had a laser surgery 3 years ago but the Endo had come back, there was a significant amount of scar tissue and luckily none of my organs had fused together. There was also new growth of Endo.

I had a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy - which I still can't say. I feel so much better in myself it is unbelievable. I know that I have a long recovery and getting my head round what I can and can't do is slightly frustrating as I am used to being active and just getting up and doing what I wanted now, I have to ask for most things to be done. Luckily I have a very supportive partner.

I know that a hysterectomy is not the answer for everyone but I had exhausted every possible option including alternative medicines, the endo diet and every option my GP & Gynae suggested. Yes I will go straight into the menopause but that is something we all face at some point in life. I have also had to make the painful decision not to have children which, was not an easy decision to make but I couldn't continue having Endo dictating my life to me. For so long I have not been able to make any plans as I didn't know if I would be well enough to enjoy myself. Now I can plan holidays and also my 40th birthday next month. Once fully recovered I will be able to ride my mountain bike again which I haven't done for ages as it was always so uncomfy to do so for long periods of time. I will also be able to ride my motorbike again, get out and use it properly not just for going backwards and forwards to work.

I was lucky to have a very supportive Gynae who understood what I wanted and she supported me in making that decision.

Good luck to everyone out there that is still fighting this terrible disease.

Sue xx

[ginger83]

Hi Sue,

I'm really pleased you're feeling so good and very best wishes for the rest of your recovery! I'm currently waiting for my date for my hysterectomy to come through the post x

[jalo69]

Hello Sue FANTASTIC!! I am really happy to hear that making such a difficult choice has given you freedom of this god awful disease and that you can now go forward without hestitation. Well done. I too am waiting for a confimation date to have a hysterectomy. Im 43 now and seeing your story has enlightened my spirits about having this done. Bring it on!! lol. Oh and an early Happy Birthday to You :)) One question if you dont mind me asking,re. the menopause are you taking anything for this or are the waiting for things to happen. Havent really been given alot of info regarding this ! thankyou Jx :))

[pinkpig2009 in reply to jalo69]

Hi J. I am going to see my GP this week to discuss what HRT options are available. It it has been suggested that I have either patches or cream. I will let you know how I get on.x

[KarenlovesKermit]

I just wanted to say how lovely it is to have read your post. I am in the same boat as you. My endo is that bad I am having to take morphine. I'm facing the stress of disciplinary over my absence from work too and I have pain 24 hours a day, every day and have no life. I am desperate for a child and I am 40 in Sept. I'm seeing the fertility clinic soon, but don't know how much longer I can continue. I've read that a hysterectomy and removal of ovaries doesn't always sort the pain out and so I would love to hear how you are in the future. Good luck to you xxx

[KarenlovesKermit]

Ps didn't mean that to read that your surgery won't be successful as it will be x

[pinkpig2009 in reply to KarenlovesKermit]

Hi K. Not a problem and having the op which is a 95% success rate worked for me. My consultant gave me 3 months to think about my decision and I knew it was the right thing for me. Once I had the date I didn't want anything to get in the way of having it done. I did a lot of research and spoke to loads of people that had been go my position and that reassured me that I was doing the right thing.x

[Allieline]

Really pleased to hear you are feeling so well. It's a decision I will once again be a facing I suspect after my Gynae appointment this week. A number of people have mentioned making that horrendously painful decision not to have children. I went a slightly different route after much heartache and adopted a beautiful baby. It may be an alternative solution for some. For me it was the best decision of my life. Take care and speedy recovery.

[Margo45]

Dear Sue, I'm so very pleased for you and thank you so much for putting your good news and positive story on here for the rest of us to have some hope. I am due the same thing on 27 March but keep getting terrible collywobbles. I am worried about the hrt, dr says he is going to put me on Livial and im also worried about my joints as when I was put into false menopause with zolodex injections, I could hardly move due to stiff and painful joints. I also wonder about bladder problems due to the op. did you have your op by c section or vaginally (if you don't mind me asking?). All in all I'm just worried! All the best to you and hope you have a speedy recovery. Sarah xx

[pinkpig2009]

Hi Sarah. I had my op done by incision. 9" long and 21 clips. I have not had any problems and like you my nerves kept getting go the way, I remained positive. When I come round from my op I made sure I drank plenty of fluids. I did have a catheter in for about 18 hours after the op and once that was out I was up and about and sent home after 1 night in hospital. I am managing my pain using paracetamol and ibruprofen.