Aa
Highly considering a hysterectomy. Would it help?
Warning, a pretty lengthy post.
My name is Ash. I have bad endometriosis ( as well as severe fibromyalgia ) and have suffered from both for many years. I have tried many BC types which halts bleeding aside some spotting, but if I ever miss a nuva ring switch out, as I have to every 3 weeks without breaks, the endo flare is excruciating. Which used to not be so bad during my nuva ring use. Even aside this I have constant cramping anyway and pms symptoms 24/7. Which makes my fibro flares constant as well. And the weight from meds and hormones is so hard to shed, especially with the pain.
My skin always feels like it's crawling and I am always so moody. I have tried so many antidepressants and anxiety meds/mood stabilizers for years. It is so taxing on my mind and body. None work, make it worse. Or work for a very short time. I have constant insomnia and anemia. And have ongoing infections that required several uncomfortable procedures. I've also had 3 laps done but of course it grows back, and with webby Asherman's syndrome.
I used to want kids but everyone in my family is sick in some way. Mom has fibro and other issues, dad passed from heart attack, aunt died from cancer, cousin has endo, uncle died from a stroke, diabetes in others, mental disorders and so on and so on. And I was born with hip displasia and suffer from immune issues from birth. Also a slight chance I could get cancer due to issues.
I have no doubt some sickness would be passed on. As well as a possible miscarriage that I could mentally not handle. Aside the fact that with my fibro making me so weak ( was wheelchaired in July but now use a cane ) I am in no position to take care of a kid let alone myself. At this point I shower once a week due to how painful the water is on my skin and how draining it is. Aside my bad depression and anxiety and diabilitating mental state.
Basically I am SO sick of all the meds, the surgeries, expensive natural supplements that I can not afford monthly. And I am mentally suffering. It is a hard decision and I will go through more therapy. But so many have found relief. I heard black cohosh can help a lot with hot flashes during menopause as well. Which I can try to afford. My doctor says it would be better to take the whole thing away as my ovaries would keep producing the endo, and possible ongoing pms symptoms. I feel my anxiety is more hormone based at this point. And am so sick of all the pills, although I get sick if I'm on nothing at all.
The constant pain, the flares, the never ending pms and lack of sleep. I can't take it and feel like I'm stuck. I know I will probably mourn, I hear that is normal. A part of me is still hesitant, but I want to get better for me now. And as it is I hardly have any quality of life. I am in daily perpetual hell. Could this help? :(
My name is Ash. I have bad endometriosis ( as well as severe fibromyalgia ) and have suffered from both for many years. I have tried many BC types which halts bleeding aside some spotting, but if I ever miss a nuva ring switch out, as I have to every 3 weeks without breaks, the endo flare is excruciating. Which used to not be so bad during my nuva ring use. Even aside this I have constant cramping anyway and pms symptoms 24/7. Which makes my fibro flares constant as well. And the weight from meds and hormones is so hard to shed, especially with the pain.
My skin always feels like it's crawling and I am always so moody. I have tried so many antidepressants and anxiety meds/mood stabilizers for years. It is so taxing on my mind and body. None work, make it worse. Or work for a very short time. I have constant insomnia and anemia. And have ongoing infections that required several uncomfortable procedures. I've also had 3 laps done but of course it grows back, and with webby Asherman's syndrome.
I used to want kids but everyone in my family is sick in some way. Mom has fibro and other issues, dad passed from heart attack, aunt died from cancer, cousin has endo, uncle died from a stroke, diabetes in others, mental disorders and so on and so on. And I was born with hip displasia and suffer from immune issues from birth. Also a slight chance I could get cancer due to issues.
I have no doubt some sickness would be passed on. As well as a possible miscarriage that I could mentally not handle. Aside the fact that with my fibro making me so weak ( was wheelchaired in July but now use a cane ) I am in no position to take care of a kid let alone myself. At this point I shower once a week due to how painful the water is on my skin and how draining it is. Aside my bad depression and anxiety and diabilitating mental state.
Basically I am SO sick of all the meds, the surgeries, expensive natural supplements that I can not afford monthly. And I am mentally suffering. It is a hard decision and I will go through more therapy. But so many have found relief. I heard black cohosh can help a lot with hot flashes during menopause as well. Which I can try to afford. My doctor says it would be better to take the whole thing away as my ovaries would keep producing the endo, and possible ongoing pms symptoms. I feel my anxiety is more hormone based at this point. And am so sick of all the pills, although I get sick if I'm on nothing at all.
The constant pain, the flares, the never ending pms and lack of sleep. I can't take it and feel like I'm stuck. I know I will probably mourn, I hear that is normal. A part of me is still hesitant, but I want to get better for me now. And as it is I hardly have any quality of life. I am in daily perpetual hell. Could this help? :(
Sorry you are suffering, but you do sound like you need to have the hysterectomy at this point. I know you wanted children, but I am not sure if you would have the energy and strength to care for a child. I am guessing the pregnancy would be extreme on your body. There could also be a chance the child comes here with medical issues too then you would have to attend to your issues and your child's issues.
I had Endometriosis (a mild case) and Fibroids, so I decided to have a Hysterectomy. It helped me greatly. In your case I am not sure if the Fibro or the Endo is causing most of your woes. Fibro is not easy to treat.
Talk futher with you physician and make your decision carefully.
I had Endometriosis (a mild case) and Fibroids, so I decided to have a Hysterectomy. It helped me greatly. In your case I am not sure if the Fibro or the Endo is causing most of your woes. Fibro is not easy to treat.
Talk futher with you physician and make your decision carefully.
I am so sorry for all your suffering! You are in a really crappy position since there is no cure for endo...not even hysterectomy with ovary removal since endo lesions implant themselves throughout the pelvis. Some women get relief but it may only be temporary and some don't get relief.
I suppose you have already perused some of the endo websites? This one has a section about hysterectomy - http://www.endo-resolved.com/hysterectomy.html with a number of women's stories about endo after hysterectomy.
Since the uterus and ovaries have life long non-reproductive functions, you will be left with those problems on top of the endo issues. One of the long-term problems of having the uterus removed is loss of pelvic skeletal integrity because of all the ligaments that suspend the uterus and must be cut. Those are also the pelvis' support structures. So your spine, hips, and rib cage will gradually shift causing not only the big post-hysterectomy belly but also back and hip problems...probably not good for the existing hip dysplasia. Bladder and bowel problems are common too especially incontinence down the road since those organs fall without the uterus to hold them in place. Sexual dysfunction is also a common complaint (with or without ovary removal).
Numerous studies show increased health risks after the ovaries are removed since the ovaries are endocrine glands and produce much needed hormones a woman's whole life (that's right...they don't shut down at menopause). These studies can easily be found in PubMed and Google Scholar and similar sites. And there are some studies showing increased risk of thyroid and kidney (renal cell) cancer after hysterectomy (regardless if ovaries are removed).
I had a hysterectomy with ovary / gonad removal 10 years ago at age 49 and the after effects have been worse than I ever could have imagined. The depression quickly became so severe I did not want to go on. I went from looking a lot younger to MUCH older in just 4 months after surgery. I lost most of my hair and most of my skin volume causing my skin to sag and wrinkle and veins to "pop out."
And to add to that, I had severe "menopausal" symptoms rendering me almost non-functional. I also felt like I lost my heart and soul including my feelings of love for my husband and family...sort of makes sense since I was neutered. It became too much to leave the house and be out in public so I became a recluse except for going to work which I had to do...used to love being out and about and socializing but not any more.
Estrogen has helped the depression and menopausal symptoms (insomnia, poor body temp regulation / overheating, horrific memory, not being able to think clearly, etc.). My hair has never stopped falling out. And there doesn't appear to be any fix for my skin. :(
I know this sounds very "Debbie Downer" but you want to go into this "eyes wide open" so that if you decide to proceed you can at least say that you knew what can happen. Hope this helps!
I suppose you have already perused some of the endo websites? This one has a section about hysterectomy - http://www.endo-resolved.com/hysterectomy.html with a number of women's stories about endo after hysterectomy.
Since the uterus and ovaries have life long non-reproductive functions, you will be left with those problems on top of the endo issues. One of the long-term problems of having the uterus removed is loss of pelvic skeletal integrity because of all the ligaments that suspend the uterus and must be cut. Those are also the pelvis' support structures. So your spine, hips, and rib cage will gradually shift causing not only the big post-hysterectomy belly but also back and hip problems...probably not good for the existing hip dysplasia. Bladder and bowel problems are common too especially incontinence down the road since those organs fall without the uterus to hold them in place. Sexual dysfunction is also a common complaint (with or without ovary removal).
Numerous studies show increased health risks after the ovaries are removed since the ovaries are endocrine glands and produce much needed hormones a woman's whole life (that's right...they don't shut down at menopause). These studies can easily be found in PubMed and Google Scholar and similar sites. And there are some studies showing increased risk of thyroid and kidney (renal cell) cancer after hysterectomy (regardless if ovaries are removed).
I had a hysterectomy with ovary / gonad removal 10 years ago at age 49 and the after effects have been worse than I ever could have imagined. The depression quickly became so severe I did not want to go on. I went from looking a lot younger to MUCH older in just 4 months after surgery. I lost most of my hair and most of my skin volume causing my skin to sag and wrinkle and veins to "pop out."
And to add to that, I had severe "menopausal" symptoms rendering me almost non-functional. I also felt like I lost my heart and soul including my feelings of love for my husband and family...sort of makes sense since I was neutered. It became too much to leave the house and be out in public so I became a recluse except for going to work which I had to do...used to love being out and about and socializing but not any more.
Estrogen has helped the depression and menopausal symptoms (insomnia, poor body temp regulation / overheating, horrific memory, not being able to think clearly, etc.). My hair has never stopped falling out. And there doesn't appear to be any fix for my skin. :(
I know this sounds very "Debbie Downer" but you want to go into this "eyes wide open" so that if you decide to proceed you can at least say that you knew what can happen. Hope this helps!
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I had my Hyster at age 36 and didn't have a lot of problems afterwards. I think it depends on the age, existing medical problems, etc. Some women have had little to no problems afterwards and some have loads of problems afterwards. The chances of having loads of problems afterwards increases if everything is removed in my opinion.
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