Has Anyone Had a Good Outcome After a Hysterectomy? Posted: 01-30-06 10:28am
I was told that I needed a hysterectomy
about 3 weeks ago. I got a second
opinion, which was the same. Since then,
I have been reading a lot. I haven't
read of anyone who was happy with their
outcome.
I have severe endometriosis, enlarge
uterus with fibroids and multiple
adhesions. I have severe pelvic and
lower back pain, extremely heavy periods,
my hemoglobin was 7 (normal should be
12-14). I am so tired all of the time.
But, from what I have read, it's worse
after the hyst.
I am worried about a lot, but to be
honest. I like my hormones. I enjoy
sex and it is a large part of my
relationship. Is there anyone who has a
normal sex life after a hysterectomy??
Has anyone tried different hormones? Has
anyone tried testosterone? If so, what
were the outcome?
I am close to changing my mind and living
with the pain and fatigue.
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hotty
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 07 Nov 2005 Posts: 261 Location: texas
Hi Posted: 01-30-06 12:03pm
My name is mary, I just found out friday
that I need a hysterectomy as well,
therfore I didnt enjoy sex, im basicly
falling out you could say. Im scared to
but I guess its for the best, but I wont
need to take harmone pills though, hes
leaving my overies in, is your overies
alright? This is a new thing for me
because I always had my periods, it
sounds like you are having the most
problems with your female organs , but im
telling you if you dont have this done, it
will only get worse. Im feeling what you
are, I dont want my uterus pulled through
my virgina, but if I dont get it done my
problem could end up into a bigger
problem, my mother had endometreosis ,so
she had to have one done too, so they say
if your mother has had problems then your
daughter has a 30%chance to have it too,
both of my kids weighed ten pounds when
they were born so thats what started the
whole thing with me, , well good luck on
the decision that you make , and I will
keep you in mind, and pm me any time you
like ok, my screen name is hotty.
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Kia
Supporter
Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 6594 Location: Planet Tampaxia,
Posted: 01-30-06 15:38pm
Ok the reason for not reading about good
experiences is that the people who have
problem free surgury - go away and get on
with their lives as if nothing happened.
Only the people with problems seek
answers.
So for most people they have a few weeks
of discomfort - go back to work, gradually
build up exercise and lifting and are
never heard of again.
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sandyallen
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Feb 2004 Posts: 4580
Posted: 01-30-06 16:17pm
Hi there! I have had a lot of surgeries
in my time and the best by far is my
complete hysterectomy! No more periods!
Cancer free for four years! I do
still have to goin and have a pap once a
year to make sure the cancer has not
retuned but it has been great for me!
Good luck to you!
Keep us posted.
Think positive!
|
not ready 4 this
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 3
Posted: 01-30-06 19:19pm
Thanks for the replies. I am just really
getting cold feet.
I wish you luck mary and congrats to sandy
for the success.
What are some views on hrt, especially
testosterone?
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kitcat26
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 5 Location: tx
Posted: 01-31-06 15:03pm
I am 26 yrs old and had a total
hysterectomy oct of 2004....
At my age I did not want it but the pain
and the chances of my ever conceiving made
the choice clear......I had it done and
sometimes when I look at my 2 1/2 yr old
miracle baby I wish I didnt have to have
the surgery so I could give her a brother
or sister....But I with I didnt have to
have the surgery is what im
saying..............In other words....Yes
it may sadden me but im am finally pain
free...And havent been to the er in a
while .....I feel sooooooooo much better
besides my other problems but I had a
wonderful experience...........
My mother too had the surgery and here is
a tip...Ask about having an epideral once
you are out.....My mother had it and it
was much easier for her than me....Pain
wise .......Her pain was controlled a lot
better....She was numb upon waking from
surgery and was hooked up to her pain pump
and once the numbness wore off she started
pushing her pain button for her
meds.......Her dr was nice and left her
hooked to her pump until the second day
(day she left) where it was much diff than
my situation....So it is very very very
important to discuss how your dr plans on
controlling the pain after
surgery....Remember you are paying him/her
to do their job and you must make this
clear on how you plan on being treated or
you can always find a willing dr
hope I have helped in any way possible
any other questions feel free to ask
me....Another very very very helpful
website that got me thru the hysterectomy
was a site called hystersisters.Com it got
me thru it and after it
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Kia
Supporter
Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 6594 Location: Planet Tampaxia,
Posted: 01-31-06 15:50pm
Just be aware that a morphine pump isn't
the answer to everyone.
Morphine does *not* help pain for me in
the slightest all it does is make me
violently sick - not something you want to
be doing after major abdominal surgury.
Even though I had made this clear I was
still hooked up to a morphine pump and I
was admonished like a naughty child when I
refused to use it....
Mind you my surgury was rather unusual
anyway.
Yes, i've had a hysterectomy (oct 2004)
which was during my pregnancy (18 1/2
weeks - uterus ruptured) and after all
that I still have a uterus.
No i'm not mistaken and yes my doctor
thought I was nuts until I eventually
persuaded them to do an u/s and proved
them wrong lol
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kitcat26
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 5 Location: tx
Posted: 01-31-06 20:23pm
You are right kia.....My mother is very
very very sensitive to pain meds so I told
her to make sure they gave her nausea meds
with her pain meds ... Everyone is very
different in how they respond to
medication.........They didnt get my pain
under control until about 8 hrs of painful
complaining..........Once the pain is
ahead of you it is very hard to get it
under control........And because each of
us are very different it is very important
to make it clear to our doctors what we
expect and know what they expect before
surgery
|
Kia
Supporter
Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 6594 Location: Planet Tampaxia,
Posted: 02-01-06 04:21am
Oh heck yes - too right.
Although for me personally I deal better
with "big pain" without meds.
Little pain and I am a complete wimp but
proper pain and I seem to cope better
lol.
I know I am unusal but the nausea meds
actually make me sicker and I totally
confused the ward sister because my feet
swell up when they are cold not when they
are hot lol
|
not ready 4 this
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 3
Posted: 02-01-06 15:45pm
Thanks for taking time to reply kia and
kitty.
I am not so much worried about the actual
surgeryand pain. I know it is going to
hurt really, really bad. I also know
that I will heal. What I am terrified
of, is what I will live with after.
Did either of you have your ovaries
removed also? Are you on hormone
replacement? Kitty...Two years later,
are you still having problems? Do you
feel bad, is your sex life ok. I don't
mean to be personal, but I like being a
female with all of my hormones and most
things that go with it.
I met with my dr today and told him I had
backed out. He knows how much pain I
have been having. I sleep with a heating
pad, I was thinking of getting
another...One for my back and one for my
stomach. He said he doesn't want me to
do anything that I don't want to do and
that he would treat me with all the other
alternatives he can...But he also said he
felt like I was putting off the
inevidable. That I would have to have
one within 2 years.
So why put up the pain and fatigue until
then. I don't know why I am so afraid.
:(
|
kitcat26
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 5 Location: tx
Posted: 02-01-06 18:32pm
Well me and my mother both did not have
our ovaries removed....
Remember each person is different .....
My ovaries went into shock at first and
this is common due to the surgery so I had
some hot flashes for a week and then that
went away....My sex life is the same as in
there isnt much of one but that is not
because of the surgery ... That is due to
my two yr old and work that keeps my mind
off of that subject ha!
Just keep in mind that everyone is
different and have this surgery for
different reasons....My reason was
pain....After having my daughter I felt as
though I never stopped having contractions
and this went on for a yr before anything
got done and I feel sooooooooooo much
better now.....
But that is my story ....
Remember that they do not have to take
your ovaries unless there is good reason
to do so .... And in that case it would
be in your best interest to do so.......
As much as you should trust your doctor,
you must first trust yourself and your
thoughts on this subject........
If this surgery is going to happen anyhow,
I would go ahead and get it over with so
you can adjust...The younger you are the
easier it is in recovering
just make sure your doctor has gone over
all options of surgery
.........Ok I notice you too have
pain.......Trust me, im soooooooo thankful
I had the surgery .... I may not be able
to give my daughter a sister or brother
but I can be a better mother to her now
that I am pain free....
You must decide if you can live with the
pain or not.....It is your decision and
yours alone.....
Good luck to you and I hope you keep us
posted on whatever decision you make
:wink:
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Kia
Supporter
Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 6594 Location: Planet Tampaxia,
Posted: 02-02-06 05:48am
I have kept my ovary that they could see -
they think I have the other but they can't
find it!??!
I also had a double uterus - although my
surgeon failed to notice that.
The ruptured uterus was removed. I
carried on having a "normal" menstrual
cycle and when I told my surgeon he said I
was making it up.
That went on for 9 months until I finally
talked them into an u/s and they found
that yes I do have a uterus and thats when
they found I must have had a double
uterus.
I have pics of my removed uterus so I know
they did do that lol.
Unfortunately, assuming I had the usual
one uterus my surgeon removed the healthy
tube. The possible remaining tube is
either blocked or malformed - they
suspect.
I had various post operative problems, but
I won't worry you with them.
Even with my problems we resumed our sex
life at about 6 weeks and to be honest
neither myself or my oh can tell the
difference.
Sex is the same and orgasms are the same.
|
notsosure
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 08 Sep 2005 Posts: 5 Location: michigan
Hysterectomy Posted: 02-05-06 22:32pm
My girlfriend finally had her ovaries
removed about 6 weeks ago, and this was
to prevent ovarian cancer. She had
breast cancer 4 years ago and it was
suggested she have this done if she wanted
to reduce the chance of cancer returning.
At first the "whole" quality of life
issue would not leave her mind. The hot
flashes,mood swings,dryness and loss of
libido was all in her mind. We both new
what she was in for, even though every
body is different. With the cancer she
had previously she cannot take any hormone
replacements. She is currently taking a
anti-depressent that is suppose to help
with the hot flashes and mood swings,
however they don't help with vaginal
dryness or the loss of libido, in which
she is experiencing. We had a great sex
life prior to the surgery and it was a
very important part of our relationship,
now its just wait and see. The oral sex
is ok,but it's just not the same, you just
don't feel connected. But the most
important part is that she has a greater
chance of survival because she will be
much healthier.
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Kia
Supporter
Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 6594 Location: Planet Tampaxia,
Posted: 02-06-06 15:43pm
Vaginal dryness is so easily remedied.
There are plenty of lubes on the market.
Just find a water based one that she feels
comfortable with and lube is not only for
during sex.
She can use as required through out the
day/night to make her confortable -
although she may want to use it sparingly
until she finds out how much she needs to
be comfortable.
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anonymouse
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 10
Posted: 02-24-06 21:20pm
I had a vaginal hysterectomy in may of
last year. I can honestly say it was the
best thing i've ever done for myself.
For seven years I struggled with
endometriosis and adenomyosis. That
meant daily pain and it got worse with
time. I had many laparoscopies, but
nothing ever helped.
Fortunately I was able to keep one ovary,
so I have had absolutely no hormonal
effects. And because I had the surgery
vaginally I have no scar. As for sex,
it's better than ever because i'm no
longer in pain.
Good luck to you. If at all possible,
keep one or both of your ovaries. Don't
let them talk you into having them
removed. That's where all of the scary
stories come from, the hormonal crap.
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Deedee1431
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Elgin,Illinois
My Honest Opion Posted: 03-09-06 02:52am
Do not let them take you ovaries.
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Kia
Supporter
Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 6594 Location: Planet Tampaxia,
Posted: 03-09-06 07:43am
Deedee I know you think that sounds like
good advice and in many cases is.
But saying do not let them take the
ovaries could be wrong for many people.
Discuss this at length with your doctor if
you are going to have a hysterectomy.
If your hyst is because of severe
endometriosis or risk of ovarian cancer,
then removal of the ovaries may be the
best course of action for you.
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anonymouse
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 10
Posted: 03-09-06 08:10am
kia_breizzze
wrote:
if your hyst is because of
severe endometriosis or risk of ovarian
cancer, then removal of the ovaries may be
the best course of action for
you.
i had endometriosis and I kept mine. The
ovaries should only be removed as a last
resort. Otherwise a perfectly healthy
woman will be thrown into menopause and
worse.
Don't let them take the ovaries unless you
are ready to dry up and be done with it.
Google beverly johnson's story about her
hysterectomy. It's a lot of stuff that
they don't tell women.
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Kia
Supporter
Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 6594 Location: Planet Tampaxia,
Posted: 03-09-06 13:25pm
If you hyst is because of severe
endometriosis, (not just the fact that you
had a bit of endo), but if that is the key
reason for your hyst then it makes more
sense to remove the ovaries as you will be
at risk of having continuing endo problems
as severe endo is likely to invade the
ovaries anyway.
Yes removal of the ovaries will cause the
menopause.
However, if you are only keeping your
ovaries to delay meopuase for what might
only be a couple of years, yet have risk
of ovarian cancer etc then it makes more
sense to remove them otherwise you are
just going to subject yourself to another
surgury at best a couple years down the
line.
I kept my ovaries when I had my hemi-hyst
because I was a) only 25 and b) had no
history of any pelvic infection/disease,
no endo and no other complications.
(my hyst was because a rudimentary horn
ruptured - the one part was removed
leaving behind an almost "normal" uterus.
However, my incompetant surgeon failed to
notice this and also removed my "good"
tube)
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Chickky
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 1 Location: Ontario
Hyserectomy Posted: 03-13-06 00:48am
I am 32 and I had a hysterectomy over a
year ago, well let me tell you that it was
the best thing that has ever happened to
me, I have had three c-sections prior,
plus major reconstructive surgery on my
uretuer as well, I had a small amount of
expected complications, but nothing that
wasn't taken into account before the
surgery. With the right Dr. You should
feel completely at ease with the whole
precedure before they even start. I had
severe endometriosis, I was bleeding non
stop for 90 days full flow, when they
finally decided that because I had two
beautiful children, and had my tubes tied
for 7 years that it would be the best
thing to eliminate my problems. I have
had the best sex ever since, I thought
that sex was suppose to hurt, guess
what....I doesn't!! Please talk to your
doctor, and if your not comfortable, then
find a new doctor, because with the right
medical team, the precedure is not nearly
as bad as it seems. Oh and make sure they
don't take your overies if they don't have
to. It will save you a lot of hassle with
hormones.
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