Carol -

I'd like to reinforce the importance of finding the right doctor, even if he or she eventually says the same thing. When my periods reached the point that I had 3-5 days a month without heavy bleeding, I knew I had to do something. When I went to discuss it with my OB-GYN and asked about fibroidectomies, he said something like "oh, you've been reading those women's magazines, haven't you?" I answered politely and never went back (would possibly have been more useful if I'd discussed how unhelpful that remark was, but I was younger then). I ended up having a hysterectomy (too many fibroids and future children weren't an issue), but I was comfortable knowing that my new doctor had considered the alternatives and that she removed only what was essential (I still have my cervix, and had itsy-bitsy periods every month for years afterwards - useful to help me know where my hormones were in the cycle). During the 6 weeks I was required to be out of work, Charlie and I went (with my doctor's blessing) to the Caribbean for the first time - swimming in that warm water and knowing I wouldn't suddenly have an embarrassing incident was WONDERFUL! It was years ago and theories have changed - I was on Lupron (sp?) for a couple of months to force me into menopause temporarily so I could get unanemic enough to self-donate blood before surgery (didn't need it, but useful just in case). Like some of the other folks, I'm much better now than I was before. I think I'm in menopause now (harder to tell, but I'm pretty sure) and there have been some changes but they've been gradual and we've found ways to adapt (and my Crohn's disease is better! - though maybe that's not related). PM me if you have any questions - but it was years ago and much of my info is out of date.
   - JudyB