Hysterectomy?

[StacyAnd]

I am 39, suffered with endo, infertility since age 20, I am at the end of my rope at this point.  I have been on birth control pills for the last 10 years with hope of controlling the growth of my endo.  I am still in pain, during intercourse, as well as everyday cramping, and lower back pain.  I talked to doctor and she suggested an abdominal hysterectomy.  Should I do this?  Will it really help??   I have tried lupron, and had two laprascopies with removal of adhesions as well as countless chocolate cysts.  Was told by fertility specialist after last lap that tubes are completly blocked as well as being tangled with my bowels.  Help

[ticked]

I totally can relate to you in every way on how this has robbed your life. I have never enjoyed sex whatsoever but since my surgery 4yrs ago I was good I finally was not in pain until now. I am so pissed off and angry.  

Where do you live, maybe I can try to help you find a good specialist?

You need a second opinion. Anyone that says its not possible to remove all the endo unless you do it abdominally is not skilled in this surgery and I wouldnt trust them to do it because they could cause more damage then good.

[StacyAnd]

The last lap was done 5 years ago by a fertility specialist, he removed the adhesions, but not the fallopian tubes, that was something we had not talked about and he did not feel comfortable doing it without my say so.  He told me at that point that I would not get pregnant without IVF, which we declined to do.  I was put on Seasonique wiith hope that the endo would quit growing.  I guess it just slowed it down.  Now I am having problems daily, cramps all of the time as well as terrible pain on right side.  My current OB/GYN told me that it just wasnt possible to remove all the endo unless she could do it abdominally.  I have seen so many differing opinions on this.  I am currently looking for another surgeon with hopes of doing the surgery laprascopically.  I have been to the two largest cities in my state and so far no luck. I feel for any woman who deals with endo,and their families cause they are surely affected by this to.  I feel that endo has stolen my life and I want it back.  It has taken my fertility, my sex life and now my day to day life.  I hope that I can resolve this soon.  

[ticked]

Stacy,

When your lap was done did they not remove the endo and scar tissue from the bowels and tubes?

I too have had some of the same issues and I told myself that by the time i was 35 i would have one done. Right now my uterus again is retroflex and anteverted, not sure how that is possible but thats what my U/S said.  I am almost positive that it is stuck or pushing back up against my bowels because of the issues I am having and the prior bowel surgeries and endo I have. My ovaries it stuck to the uterus as well.

I am sick of this. I hate the pain of having sex and I just want to take it out. I am going to my specialist soon and I will be asking for it.

I know that wont take away the endo but it will remove the uterus and ovary that keeps getting tangled.  Well at least that is my hope.  

Also that surgery CAN be done laprascopically, and if the endo wasnt removed off the bowels and tubes I would find someone who specializes in Endometriosis and has the skill to remove it all.

My surgeon is one of the best in the country as well he has trained different doctors all over the world.  He removed it all off my bowels. You have to be skilled to do it and if the doctor is saying that you need an open surgery then you dont want them to do it.

I am not sure what to say about the HRT's as right now I was put on premarin until I see my surgeon. The package clearly states if you have endo this can cause it to grow etc.  

Its all confusing and its like no matter what you do you cant win.

I have heard success stories for hysters with endo but then again I have also heard the nightmares.  

I am trying to make the same decision myself.

I am here if you need to talk :)

[StacyAnd]

Thanks for your help, the doctor wants to remove it all, uterus, tubes, ovaries and cervix.  She said it would not be possible to do it laprascopically, that it need to be abdominally.  I have heard that HRT after would make the endo grow back  But my doctor said I would need to do it for 6 motnhs to a year.  I just hope that doing this will make all the pain go away.  

[ku111]

I think you have to decide for you.  I had one at 32 yr. old and was just miserable for several months prior.  I felt sooo much better after the hysterectomy!  I didn't realize until after how much trouble a uterus and ovaries could cause.  Goodluck!

[domandcamismom]

I have heard that a hysterectomy will help the endo.  My doctor told me that it was the only thing that would keep it from coming back but that I am too young to have it done.  From what I understand is endo is a hormonal thing, so a hysterectomy could help but I guess the only guarantee that you won't have a reoccurance would be if they removed the ovaries as well.  My doctor did say that just a hysterectomy does cure it for a lot of women though.  Honestly, if I could do it right now I would.  I hope the info helps some for you, good luck hun!