Gp wants me to have Hysterectomy..?? 8 years of Zoladex and 40 years old ...does anyone have advice.......?

[Lfd72]

[Impatient]

It depends where the eno is and what they mean by a hysterectomy. Are they leaving your ovaries inside to continue to help prevent osteo and heart problems or are they coming out too?

After 8 years of zoladex i doubt it makes much difference now, as the drug will have done just as much damage as having a TAH would do.

it would certainly be cheaper on the NHS for have your bits removed than for them to pay £600 a month for the zoladex until you reach menopause age.

It's hard to give advice when we don't know what surgeries you've had or what your intentons or ambitions are.

[Lfd72 in reply to Impatient]

Thank you for this. Its questions like these that i need to ask my consultant. My gp was a little harsh as he...... Stated 'youve obviously chisen not to have children , i think you should contact your private consultant and get a TH'

Im seeing him in the next week or so..... But its just been playing on my mind.

Thank you

[Cloudyrain]

My advice is to ask to see a good consultant - a GP is not qualified to say you need a hyst. If you're on zolodex I'm guessing you already have a regular consultant - what have they said? When was your last lap? I agree with Impatienf too - the type of hyst, aftercare, and where your endo is, are all important things that need considering before you make a decision.

Good luck hon x

[Lfd72 in reply to Cloudyrain]

Thank you....... See my reply to impatient.....

My last LP was about 9 years ago ..... Its mild endo in relation to how much but as we all know this never equates to the pain suffered. I know my bowl is ok.... But bladder and ovaries not too good. Zoladex only thing thats kept me sane and allowed me to have a normal life.

My consultant is lovely and i know he will help....... My GP has just scrambled my head

Thank you

[LittleMissManx Moderator]

Hi Impatient.

Before I had my hysterectomy I tried various options available such as the pill, Mirena, excision surgery etc. When the hormone injections worked well for me -I had Prostap not Zoladex but it has the same effect- my consultant was happy to proceed with a hyst as the outcome would mean a pain free future for me. Plus for yourself it will save time in not having the injections at the surgery/hospital etc.

However I am two years post-op and am sorry to say I dont feel as good as I did when on the prostap injections. I had another lap 8 weeks ago to see what was going on and the gynae found endometriosis on one side plus ovarian remnant tissue on the other. Either of these findings may explain the pain. I have my follow-up appointment next week and I am going to ask about the possibility of trying prostap again. I know in theory I shouldnt need it but something is causing the pain and discomfort.

Many ladies think a hysterectomy will be an end to their endo problems and my post isnt meant to be too disheartening but its a true opinion of how I currently am. If you need any other info please ask

[stevieflp]

Hi - your GP is unlikely to be an actual endo expert. You need to ask to be referred to an endo specialist surgeon (not a general gynae consultant). Too often endo gets lumped in with 'women's problems' and in reality it is a condition in itself that can cause problems not just of the uterus (adenomyosis when it is in the actual muscle of the uterus) - but more commonly it affects the outside of the uterus and affects the outside of other organs and peritoneal space - therefore it is not strictly 'gynae'. A hysterectomy will help the pain if you suffer from really heavy menstrual bleeding (which can have many causes not necessarily endo) or have adenomyosis. Where the endo is elsewhere in the pelvic cavity, a hysterectomy will do little to get rid of that. The endo itself needs to be excised.

I too was told to have a hysterectomy by a private gynae consultant who advertised as endo being one of her specialisms. In truth it was a string to her bow rather than a particular specialism (which was hysterectomies!). I had endo everywhere. I got myself referred to a specialist endo consultant surgeon. Had total radical excision of the peritoneum (thereby avoiding menopause enducing temporary drugs, avoided a hysterectomy and avoided losing my ovaries). That was 2 years ago and those past two years have been completely endo pain free. Who knows if it will ever return but it was well worth it and all done keyhole.

Please just make sure you see a real endo specialist surgeon rather than someone who dabbles in endo amongst other things. There are specialist endo centres.

The other thing to bear in mind is that, although I know how debilitating and life changing it is to deal with the pain, you can take your time to come to the right decision about your treatment and what feels best to you rather than be steam-rollered into something you are not comfortable with.

All very best wishes

[stevieflp]

Sorry, I think I would also like to add that the important thing I learnt through my trials and confusion over getting treatment is that, what you get offered is dependent upon the specialism and level of experience of the consultant that you see. I know that goes without saying. I cant help thinking that ladies with severe endo, or bad symptoms from minor endo, who get told there is nothing further that can be done, get offered pain management rather than any real help - just are not seeing someone who is of the right experience. They should be referring ladies onto an endo specialist centre.