Recommended-Only 30

My dr recommended a hysterecetomy and soon for me.  I have endo and knew this day was coming but I am scared.  I want to do it because I am sick of the pain.  I have one child and have tried for another but it has not happened and I am okay with being done with that part of it.  I am just scared about what to expect after.  He said he would give me no hormones for the first 6 months and then start low dose estrogen after that.  Estrogen aggrevates the endo so it is best to starve it for 6 months to kill it off.  When I ask what to expect he just says most women in my shape feel great afterwards.  I was just wondering if some of you could give me your stories so I can have an idea of what to expect.  Thanks!

[Cherie762]

I had endo and andeomyosis, and my doctor started me on hormones 6 weeks post op,,I think 6 monts is too long..get another opinion. I wrote in my journal on my home page my hysterectomy story ypour more than welcome to read it..I have been CL here for a whil and answerd 1000 posts or more,,,stories vary from no pain and fabulous to horrid pain and wish they haddent had it done,....the truth for most lies somewhere in between....pain level is usually at a 9 for 1st few days...goes down to a 5 for nxt few weeks and by week 6 your feeling prettty good. Cherie

[Laney8463]

Hi there,
My doc too wanted me to wait 6 months to start the hormones. I too had severe endo amongst other things. My menopause symptoms were so bad, I started the hormones after 2 weeks. My endo came back full force. I still take hormones and don't ever want to give them up lol, but my dose of estrogen is low for the time being. I also am on progesterone and testosterone in an effort to kill off all the endo. Once they feel they have starved the endo, we will up my dose of estrogen. I felt so GREAT before they cut my dose down, but I am confident once it is up there again, I will feel great again.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Laney

[bamamom02]

I had a hysterectomy about 3 months ago for endometriosis/adenomyosis/chronic pelvic pain.  I'm 32 and I didn't want to have it but I had exhausted my non-surgical options and I was so tired of being in pain.

I had my ovaries removed as your ovaries produce the estrogen that feeds the endo but I was given hormone replacement therapy (HRT) immediately post-op:  I got to my room and my nurse placed an estrogen patch on me.  I honestly think 6 months is too long to wait for HRT.  I was told that the amount of estrogen in HRT wouldn't be enough to feed any endo that wasn't able to be removed unlike that from the ovaries.

For the first 8 weeks after surgery, I didn't feel all that great.  I did have some cramping but it is where my doctor stitched me back together.  I have had some rough hot flashes but since my HRT has been redone, that is pretty non-existent.  But as far as any pelvic pain, nothing at all.  This is the first time in 20 years I've not had pelvic pain so to me my surgery was worth it.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

all i can say is i i took the hormones and they caused me to have breast surgery and have my gall bladder removd because of hormones so if i was you i would try and do without them, take natural things . plus they can cause cancer and blood clots had friends that got theses , not all dose as you can see . guess you have to do what you feel is right , i wish i had knownmore about the hormones i would never took them, been off of them now for 10 years have no problems , yes hot flashes but i can live with them. good luck on what ever you do.

[mkseym]

Thanks to all.  I just feel this is such a scary decision.  HRT is so hard to decide what to do as it is truly dependant on an individual's response and case.  I am still in the deciding what to do phase.  I am going to research more into HRT before I decide.  I guess in the end I have to just make an educated decision and whatever happens-well I will deal with it as I made the best decision I could!  Thanks to all and any advise on HRT is greatly appreciated!!

[Cherie762]

Gm , Im up bright and early its 5 am here, honestly we didnt mean to frighten you off with an over load of opinions on hrt,,,heres the bottom line truth,,whats right for one person isnt for another you have to get the right combo for what your body needs and you will know when its right, its kinda hit or miss, your doctor should be able to guide you but honestly many of us women have had to do the oppisite and guide our doctors, Mary and Laney are very experienced with HRT . I got really lucky for now,,,I know that can and likely will change. But just dont lose hope its gonna happen for you , you will find the right combo or single hormone and you will feel better. I have zero menopausal symptoms I am 1 1/2 years post op and all I take is Vivelle an estrogen patch slp one on evey Wen and Sat. very easy. Hope you get as lucky,,,((hugs)) Cherie