Pain Question

[NY_Princess]

Hi everyone, I have a question. I have been having this really bad pain in my lower pelvis and it's now in my vaginal area. It feels like a lot of pressure pushing down on my pelvis like when giving birth. Has anyone experienced this? Even the labia area is hurting now. I also forgot to mention to my gyn/onc that I have had a pink mucous discharge 1 to 2 times daily since my period ended last week. I am trying to be positive about things, it's just very hard with all these strange symptoms that I never had just appearing last month. I won't know about my true ultrasound results until about the first week in January since the holidays will probably slow things down. I am scheduled for a f/u with my gyn/onc on Jan 8th and he's going to do another ca-125 then also. I am also nervous about the hysterectomy now, I went to that hystersister website and there is soooo much there it's kind of scary. I guess I will have to wait and see with the doc says, he told me he would determine if I can keep my left ovary after he got the results of the U/S. Thanks for listening and for all your support, you are all wonderful women and I am so glad I found this forum, it really helps.
Hillary

[Fiveft4]

Wow...you have had one tough year. I am so sorry to hear about your husband. I hope you have a strong support network because it's at times like these when you truly will need the help of others' around you. Wondering if the cysts are cancer is what each of us goes through and it is terrifying. And, we know the only sure way of knowing what they are is to surgically remove them. So, once these things are found in us we're pretty much pressed against the wall on what to do...and that is never comfortable. I had adenomyosis in my uterus and it was very painful. I didn't have endo.  Now that everything is gone I won't have to worry about cancer again.

You are understandably scared about the surgery...it isn't a fun thing to go through and you especially know that because you've already had 5. Just continue to walk down the path day by day, gather the information from your doctors and test results, and by the time you reach surgery there will be a peace about it because you realize sometimes the necessary isn't always easy.

I do hope you have good loving people around you. Don't be hard on yourself regarding the holiday spirit...you've been through so much and it will take time to heal. Take care and stay in touch.  Sharon

[NY_Princess]

Lucky you, wish I was going to Cancun, haven't really had a great year for vacations. My husband passed away 7 months ago, he was only 38, he was in an accident. I'm only 42. Can't even say that sex hurts since I haven't had much, just have constant pain. Yes, I have cysts in both ovaries, have had in the left for over two months that haven't gone away and the right one now is septated, which the nurse said will not go away now so it has to be removed. I also have adenomyosis which is causing the utering pain and some endo. Well, I have a very high sex drive and am very concerned...my husband and I had a great sex life and I was seeing someone for a while and the sex was great with him too. Just worried about the orgasms being different. But from what I hear, everyone is different. I still don't know if dr is going to remove the left ovary or not, waiting on the official results of the ultrasound I had on Wednesday, but the holidays will slow things down. I had my tubes tied in March so worrying about being pregnant wasn't an issue and with the new guy we used a condom too. Never really had too much pain, only sometimes with husband depending on positions. I try not to think about all of this, then I start thinking and can't get it out of my head, the thought that I have to have the surgery scares me, not the actual procedure, I have had 5 surgerys and have been fine with everything. Just all the issues and the stress and not knowing if there is cancer or not. I have been trying to keep busy with my two boys, they are wonderful kids and I know they will help me and no matter what we will be ok. Have a wonderful holiday Sharon, I'm having a hard time this year getting into the spirit after my husbands death, but have to do it for my youngest, he's only 6. But most of the time I am a positive person, so I just try to think happy things. Hillary

[Fiveft4]

When I had my uterus removed years ago I was afraid it would change my sex life, and it did - for the better! I had no idea the level of constant pain I had endured for so long because it was all I knew. Orgasms were just as good, in fact I would say it had a positive impact on a number of levels - no pain and no fear of pregnancy. I had 3 children so it wasn't a problem on that level. It was quite liberating!

That was when I was 28. Now I am 47 and just had both ovaries and tubes removed two weeks ago due to cysts. My biggest concern is the impact it will have on my sex drive. I've never had a problem in the past, and I am not willing to say goodbye to that part of my life, so I will do whatever I can to get myself on track as quickly as possible. It's only been 2 weeks so I haven't had the opportunity to try things out, but in 2 weeks we're heading to Cancun for 11 days and I think that will be a good time to get back in the saddle again! I have an appointment with my regular doctor next Friday and plan to discuss all of these issues with her and arm myself with information and options so I'll know where to turn when or if my symptoms require intervention. I plan to nip any problem in the bud! 47 is the new 27!!!

Do you have cysts? Is that why you're having the hysto? Best wishes to you...it is scary...and it does help coming here and talking with ladies who have traveled this path before us :-) Have a wonderful Christmas and know there are many women here who truly care about you and what you are going through and are here when you feel the need.

Peace to you, Princess.   Sharon

[Lynn63]

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband......that must be really difficult for you.  People I know who have had a hysterectomy also said it helped with their issues and none of them felt 'less complete as a woman' as some people try to make it sound on some of those sites.  This site is amazing... it is good to hear other people going through similar experiences and sharing to help each other out!  Take care and keep us posted! :)

[NY_Princess]

Thanks, makes me feel a little better. I had my US at the regular gyn office so they have to send it off the the radiologist to read so I think that's why it takes so long. I don't know if I have pain during sex because I haven't had any in a few months. My husband passed away and I had been seeing someone but not anymore, so don't know. I am very concerned about that though, but maybe it will be good for me, my friends tell me I like sex too much, lol. But seriously, if it changed things, I would deal with it, but I really hope it doesn't. I had my tubes tied in March and I have two kids too and I'm 42 now so I really don't need my female parts anymore. I guess I just want to be sure it's the answer to the problems...but I know a few people that have had it done and they said it works for the pain. Thanks for the advice and support. Happy holidays. Hillary

[Lynn63]

I can only relate to the pain in lower pelvis.  Mine is caused by cysts on and beside my ovary.  I am going to have both ovaries (and cysts) removed in January.  I had a partial hysterectomy (they left my ovaries in) at age 30 and from my experience it was all positive.  I believe the website you mentioned is one that I looked at once and I can see why it would scare you.  I want to post there that my experience was all positive since they seem to scare people half to death!  It did not affect me emotionally or my sex drive.  In my case it was better because at the time sex was painful due to uterine prolapse.  I had already had 2 children so it wasn't as upsetting that I would not be able to have more.  As for removing the ovaries....if they have to remove both it may take awhile to figure out the right hormone therapy for you but once they do you should feel fine.  I would suggest you call your gyn/onc early this morning and let the nurse know of the other symptoms that you forgot to tell him.  She can let the doctor know of your concerns and hopefully you won't be stressed over the holidays.  It wouldn't hurt to ask if they know the results of the ultrasound yet either....I'm not sure when you had it done, but I work at an imaging facility and our goal is for the final report to be faxed to referring doctor within 24-48 hours.
Hang in there and try to relax and enjoy Christmas!