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BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions?
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BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: GUEST,CarolC Date: 26 Feb 05 - 12:25 PM By the way, I forgot to do this before... I wan't to thank everyone who has posted to this thread. Your posts are very helpful to me. I really am looking for as much information about as many different experiences as possible, so I'm definitely getting a lot out of all of your posts. I will be sending PMs to all those who have offered as time permits. dianavan, I admit to having a little chuckle when I read this part of your first post, "you will feel like you have been hit by a truck". The reason being that I pretty much always feel like I've been hit by at least one truck. Sometimes more than one. But that's also because of many other issues besides the "female" type ones. WYSIWYG, I'm not sure I can do the supplements in Dr. Northrup's book because of my food allergies. I'm guessing her regimen includes a lot of vitamin B6, to which I am quite allergic. Can you tell me (before I buy the book) whether or not B6 is an important part of her supplement program? (Incidently, I am also unable to take any multiple vitamin supplements because I have not yet found any that don't contain significant amounts of B6. Another problem is finding other supplements that are not derived from corn, to which I am also very allergic.) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: dianavan Date: 26 Feb 05 - 11:25 AM Carol - My previous statement regarding recovery may have been misleading. I was actually up and walking the next day (they make you do it) and home in three days. I was unable to return to work for two weeks. It took about 6 weeks to recover physically and I had no problems with scarring. They made a bikini incision and you can't see it unless I point it out. When I said 6 months, I meant that it took that long to adjust to the loss of my uterus. For me it was a grieving process and a process of accepting the fact that I was no longer in the child-bearing category. Once I accepted my new body, I was just fine and never looked back. Do your exercises! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: wysiwyg Date: 26 Feb 05 - 11:09 AM PMS may lessen (or change in some other way) because the uterine estrogen is out of the picture, but you have to see how your own body takes it all. The whole endocrine system is so inter-related that any change in it is like taking out one part of a Swiss watch. The good news tho is that the body adjusts itself to the change. An affected area of function -- because it's interrelated-- is going to be the adrenal system. It gets worn out coping with all this physically, with PMS, with anemia, and with the worries about it all. I used Christiane Northrup's formula for that. Six months on her supplement program (in Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, per SRS link above), and you start to feel like you're getting back in the game. That book is a must-have for women! ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: CarolC Date: 26 Feb 05 - 10:45 AM Thanks Johnne. I sent you a PM. I also am curious about what happens to the PMS if there is no longer a noticable cycle. In other words, if you have ovaries and you get PMS, but you don't (ahem) bleed, does the PMS ever go away? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: iamjohnne Date: 26 Feb 05 - 09:47 AM Carol, If you don't trust the doctor, get another opinion. My fibroids did not shrink after menopause, although most do. That was why I kept putting off the surgery. But mine became threatening when my hemoglobin went from 10 which is low anyway, to seven in less than two weeks. I don't know about removing just the fibroids. My doctor tried with just a D&C and hysteroscopy but that did not resolve the issue. Talk to another doctor if you are not sure. It is after all your body that they are talking about. Johnne |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: CarolC Date: 26 Feb 05 - 09:32 AM LOL. Ibuprophen, .gargoyle, not acetaminophen. It's the only thing that works. My situation is kind of weird, I think. I've been having symptoms for years... bad ones, too (chronic anemia, heavy everything, lots of pain, etc. and I'm sure I've had fibroids for many years), but the doctors never said anything about surgery. But this last doctor visit, while palpating my abdomen, the doctor said my uterus felt rather large and he ordered an ultra-sound, which did show the presence of fibroids. Dr. hasn't told me how large they are or anything, but he thinks they may be too large for the vaginal hysterectomy. He just automatically suggested the hysterectomy (leaving in the ovaries) without even mentioning the possibility of other procedures. I was the one who brought them up. He said if I were a member of his family, he would recommend the procedure. A big part of his reasoning seemed to be that if I didn't have a uterus or a cervix, I wouldn't ever have to worry about getting cancer of those parts. He also said I might begin to experience the very symptoms I've been experiencing for many years, as though this would be a new thing for me (he didn't seem to realize I've been having quite severe ones for years, even though I've told him), but which lately seem to have been getting much less severe. Cycles are shortening... 15 to 23 days instead of 30 to 33, but everything else has been becoming a lot easier to tolerate over the last several months. (Less pain, less heavy everything, etc.). I must admit, I'm not at all happy about the idea of losing those particular body parts. I appreciate them and the jobs they do. The Dr. seemed to think hysterectomies are without any side issues and the only sensible alternative. He never even mentined the possibility of waiting until menopause to see if they would shrink (I'm 49... I might not have to wait all that long to find out). He even suggested that they would be likely to continue to grow after menopause. The Mayo Clinic website says they are more likely to shrink after menopause than to grow. I'm finding myself feeling distrustful of this doctor, even though I have been quite pleased with him in the past. I'm thinking about the sonic scalpel procedure to remove just the fibroids as a possibility. Does anyone know if that carries any significant risks? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 26 Feb 05 - 03:02 AM When they rip-out your claim to FEMALE And while they are down there;
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: rich-joy Date: 26 Feb 05 - 01:14 AM yeah, good info - thanks Brucie! Cheers! R-J |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: Peace Date: 26 Feb 05 - 12:53 AM About 3/4 way down the page. Site worth reading what pertains. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: rich-joy Date: 26 Feb 05 - 12:40 AM I am led to believe that the USA leads the world in the number of scalpel-happy surgeons, who make more bucks by ripping out women's insides at the drop-of-a-hat and with about as much consideration to the after-effects as if they were speying a cat. As you may conclude, I am NOT a lover of hospitals or doctors!! I therefore decided to "sit it out" with my fibroids. But then, I am one of the "luckier" ones, because my symptoms did not include really heavy periods and lots of pain. "Just" the weight gain, some pressure on bladder and bowel, some loss of libido and some sexual discomfort, tiredness, backache - and that permanently-pregnant feeling when trying to tie your shoelaces or do the housework!!! OK, all that sounds bad enough when considering "quality of Life" issues, but to me, with all I had read of the Hysterectomy Horrors, it felt like the best decision. If you don't have a innate fear and distrust of hospitals, you may be quite OK. However, I did have an MRI scan, as the largest of my fibroids was fairly big (10x15x12) - just to ensure that there was no evidence of cancer. If I could have afforded it, a few years ago I would have had a UAE : Uterine Artery Embolisation - but the proceedure was regarded as relatively "new" in Oz and would have cost me a minimum of A$7000.oo - and I had nothing like that figure to spend!!! When I was first diagnosed, there seemed to be little information on Fibroids, in Oz - in fact, most women I spoke to were unaware of such a thing!! Now there is a stack of info on the wondrous Internet and many books are available. e.g. "FIBROIDS : the Complete Guide to Taking Charge of Your Physical, Emotional and Sexual Well-Being" by Johanna Skilling. Marlowe & Co, NY, 2000 There are also websites where (similar to Mudcat), you can discuss every aspect with other women in your situation ... Meanwhile, at almost 54 years, I take Chinese herbs, have acupuncture, don't WALK nearly as much as I should to get that circulation going!, try to release the issues that may have contributed to this uterine congestion in the first place - and wait for the end of Menopause when they are supposed to shrink anyway!! But I have to admit, Life With Fibroids can get a trife Teejus!! Cheers! R-J |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: iamjohnne Date: 25 Feb 05 - 11:56 PM Attn: any fellas that just don't want to know--this gets detailed. I can speak from personal (and recent) experience on this one. For the past several years I had been experienceing very heavy and painful cycles. Very heavy. One day last spring I was at work, stood up and it was as if I was pregnant and my water broke. I flooded, it was embarrassing and just plain yucky. I finally went to the doctor. I was put on hormones and went through a battery of tests. I had an ultrasound done that showed I had a 9cm. fibroid tumor. I fiddled around and didn't do anything about it because miraculously I had stopped bleeding. Then between Christmas and Thanksgiving I started what seemed like a normal cycle. Bear in mind now, I am 55. It is time for the change to have taken place. The bleeding became heavier and heavier. And I was getting weaker and weaker. I thought I was tired because of the holidays, what with working and shopping and all the hulabaloo that goes along with the Seasons. Then one the day after Christmas I was so exhausted when I came home from work I just slept. Until time to go to work on Monday. I called in because I just couldn't make it.( I had perfect attendance for a year until then). The next day was just as bad. I finally wound up at the ER. My hemoglobin was 10. I was given iron and referred to an OB/GYN who did a D&C and hysteroscopy on New Years Eve. I thought all was well. I felt better for a week, then started bleeding again. This time it was more than heavy. It was awful, again to the ER. My hemoglobin got down to 7. The Dr. ordered 2 blood transfusions and performed a complete hysterectomy, including ovaries and tubes the next day. I am recovering, After a month I am finally getting some energy, my hemoglobin was 11 last week at the doctors. I go back to work March 16. Now for my opinion. Go ahead and get the whole nine yards, you and Rob are not planning a family, get it done. I feel so much better than I have in several years. Johnne C. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: katlaughing Date: 25 Feb 05 - 11:25 PM The only drawback I experienced with a vaginal hysterectomy was scar tissue which had to be cauterised a couple of times a few years later; otherwise Rog and I both would have become celibate! I concluded that the doc I went to did a lousy job, though, based on what others had to say when I moved east and went to them. I was back to work, although only half-days and only at my desk, not out selling, about 2 weeks after, but total recovery took about a month. Also, even if you keep your ovaries, you can still have early onset menopause. I went through it around 40 yrs. old. I used motherwort and dandelion root tinctures as well as hawthorne berry tincture for my heart. Good luck, kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: SINSULL Date: 25 Feb 05 - 09:50 PM Re: recovery. It varies person to person. I had one day of intense discomfort in the hospital - the day after the surgery. I took no pain killers after that. Day Three I was depressed to tears. Then every day I felt better and better. I was sent home on Day Four at my request and with the doctor's approval. After two weeks of recovery I felt well enough to go back to work but the doctor said "No!!!!". The anesthesia took about six weeks to get completely out of my system. Things tasted funny and I was weary about 2PM. Keep in mind that I was so anemic that blood transfusions were recommended. So once I stopped bleeding I healed quickly and felt stronger and healthier than I had in years. My scar is virtually invisible. But I did have some pain around the area of the incision for years afterwards. I was told it was scar tissue. Ask a lot of questions, Carol. And if you don't like the answers or the attitude, find another doctor. Investigate your options. New methods have reduced the pain as well as the time in the hospital. Should you go ahead with the surgery, walk as soon and as often s you can. Do the breathing exercises. Drink fluids. When I had my surgery done, the women who whined about the pain and didn't do the recommended walking took twice as long to get released. Last, have a private nurse with you after your surgery. I didn't and I regretted it. It is reassuring to have someone nearby if only tp put your meals (broth) within reach. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 25 Feb 05 - 09:01 PM Vaginal surgery (at least for the hysterectomy) an option that is available as long as you're in the "normal" range weight-wise. Recuperation is easier and faster. I think laparoscopy is quite a viable way to approach endometrial surgery--that's the little holes in a couple of points on your abdomen and a tool of some sort inserted through the back of your navel. I agree about HRT--avoid the synthetic and horse urine stuff. You can get bioidentical if you need it. Mine is compounded and the hormones come from Mexican yam. If you end up with a hysterectomy but keep your ovaries, then that isn't a concern. If you lose your ovaries, that's one less cancer worry down the road. I find the writings and lectures by Christiane Northrup very helpful. Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom is a good reference text, and she has several others out since that one. If this is something in which you have some time to make decisions, then I think your best bet is to get two or three doctor's opinions. Don't see a little cluster of doctors who practice together, but get some good word-of-mouth recommendations and see what you can learn in your region. If you have films or other diagnostic media from tests so far, be sure to get copies and take them with you to the other doctors. That will save a lot of time and testing dollars. Good luck, and PM if you want more particular information regarding hysterectomy done vaginally. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: dianavan Date: 25 Feb 05 - 08:35 PM Depends on how old you are, whether you want more children and alot of other factors. Leave the ovaries if possible. Be prepared for an early onset of menopause. Avoid synthetic hormone replacements. Its not as easy as the medical profession makes it sound. If you have a hysterectomy you will feel like you have been hit by a truck and it takes about six months to recover. You also go through some head changes. On the other hand, it sure is nice not to deal with that monthly cycle and not to worry about birth control. If you PM me, I can get real specific. I had a hysterectomy in 1984. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: John MacKenzie Date: 25 Feb 05 - 06:24 PM All I as a mere man know is that it's better to keep your ovaries if they're healthy, an ex of mine had her womb and ovaries removed ,and went through an accelerated menopause, and boy did she suffer. HRT can help but apparently it isn't recommended long term. Hope that helps a bit. Giok |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: katlaughing Date: 25 Feb 05 - 05:40 PM I wasn't given a choice at 26. Had a hysterectomy. Looking back on it, I wish I'd had access to better medical care. The biggest problem I had with it is wieght gain and the docs denying that it was in any way related to the surgery. I was later part of a woman's thesis on just that subject; the findings indicated a high degree of weight gain after hysterectomies. I would highly recommend you get Susan Weed's books, "Child-bearing Years, the Wise Woman Way" and "Menopausal Years, the Wise Woman Way." Neither are strictly for the title subject and they overlap a good bit. Lots of short bits on least invasive to most invasive treatments for a variety of maladies. Susan's right about listening to your womb. See what "she" has to tell you. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: sue exhull Date: 25 Feb 05 - 03:12 PM Hi, I had a hysterectomy (with removal of ovaries) when I was 37, due to Endometriosis(or however you spell it) they tried to burn a lot of it off , and removed a ovarian cyst 18 months previous to that, only to find it did no good, in fact in got worse, I did say on first op. if it looked like it would have to be repeated, wouldnt they just go ahead with hysterectomy, but they said I was too young???? Anyway, end result was the Hysterectomy, and I havent regretted it one bit (hated the hospital bit tho) I admit at that stage I didnt have a lot of choice but it was the best thing to do. Hope this helps |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: wysiwyg Date: 25 Feb 05 - 03:03 PM Just don't do "ablation." It's bad news-- burning the uterine lining out. Picture a dead planet turned inside out, to carry around inside. The uterus secretes estrogen, itself, along with the ovaries. Some women have found that premature loss of the uterus, even if the ovaries were left intact, causes a real problem. Others have had it taken out and blessed the day they did it for the rest of their lives. Some women have found that depending on the type and location and growth rate of one or more fibroids, they're best left alone. They also can grow for a bit, cause pain, and then quit growing and be entirely unfelt and cause no concern In other words it's a crapshoot, and everyone and every doc has their own experiences and opinions. The middle of the road approach seems to be, leave it in as long as you can telerate it, then have it out when the other options don't work anymore. I am sure that is most convenient for the doc. Unfortunately the inconvenience and discomfiort with that part of the body often turns into a near-hatred of that part of one's self-- a war. When docs capitalize on this (IMO) it's a war crime. So love your uterus, and have a long chat with it (over time) in a loving fashion, like it was your aged, much-loved mum or auntie. See what it wants, and see what you can do to give that to it. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: gnu Date: 25 Feb 05 - 03:03 PM The big H, even if the hormone replacement is an issue, as it is amongst doctors. Why? The little F doesn't get rid of them completely and you may be back to square one before you know it. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: SINSULL Date: 25 Feb 05 - 03:00 PM My information is almost ancient, Carol, but it used to be that fibroidectomies were done on women who hoped to become pregnant. There were no guarantees given that enough of the womb would be left for a pregnancy or that scarring wouldn't occur and prevent carrying to term. However, I have several friends who underwent the procedure and had healthy babies. Hysterectomy with or without removal of the ovaries is no fun. I tried all other options before agreeing to one and have never regretted it. It gave me my life back. Chronic anemia is no fun either. |
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Subject: BS: Hysterectomy vs Fibroidectomy: Opinions? From: CarolC Date: 25 Feb 05 - 02:39 PM Got any? (Opinions, that is... ) |
