Hyster or Lupron

I have endo, I have had a ruptured cyst, I have had "kidney" pain for 24 days & counting, I am in constant discomfort. Do I really need a full hyster or has anyone had luck with Lupron? I did have 1 Lupron shot after a lap & was pain free for 8 months. I also could have been pain free because the lap went so well. I have a lap scheduled but a hyster costs the same I I need it too. I don't want the down time after a hyster, that's why I am contemplating it so hard. I am 28. My hubby had a vast 4 1/2 years ago & we have 3 children so that's not an issue. Has anyone had pain reduction for long periods with Lupron? Thanks :o) Please tell me your stories about endo & over coming it.

[ticked]

i have heard that even if you do have a hyster, most likely the pain will still be there.  I havent experienced that myself but that is what i have heard.

[needshelp]

Jenbeth,
I tried the shots, the pills, the lap surgeries, it only stopped the pain temporarily. It always returned sooner than the dr's said it would and always came back worse due to the scar tissue the surgeries left. Thats why i finally gave in to the hyster. I'm now 5 wks post op and feel better than i have since i was a teen. I also have another good friend that had a hyster back in March for endo,she might be able to help you out some as well. She had more surgeries than i did for her endo. Just email me at ***@**** anytime you need to talk sweetie. I wish i had someone to talk to all those yrs i suffered and didn't know what to do.

[needshelp]

i heard that as well before my hyster, it is only 5-10% of women that still have issues after surgery, and that is if they have to go on hormone pills

[needshelp]

I don't mean to sound rude here, but have you lived in constant pain for yrs and been told that, the only option you have is to keep undergoing surgery every few yrs which is going to leave even more scar tissue to cause pain? I am only 32 and looking back now when i had my lap surgery in 2000 I wish to god my dr had done the hyster then. I put mine off almost to long due to hearing all the horror stories about hyster surgery at such a young age.I am now 5 wks post op and feel better now than i have in 17 yrs.

[AnotherKatie]

My opinion... a hysterectomy at age 28 is far too young... and your symptoms do not warrant it.  Your uterus supports your other organs, and produces hormones (yes the uterus too) ... and you have a long life ahead of you still.  Also, although they would leave your ovaries at your age, they actually usually fail quite soon after, without the connection with the uterus and then you are faced with having to go on hormones for years.  I have had a hysterectomy.  It sucks.  Try anything else first.  Believe it or not, try some bio identical progesterone cream.  It's worth a try.  You could try searching and posting on the ovarian cancer open forum... it's not all cancer patients, it's lots of women with Lupron questions, etc.
Best wishes...

[AnotherKatie]

I understand what you are saying but what I am saying is that hysterectomy is not necesarily a panacea for what ails you.  It may not be the correct solution.  There is no going back, or trying anything else.  You are only 5 weeks post op for heavens sake!  The ramifications of your surgery may be (and WILL be) many, many years down the road!  
Educate yourselves before making such a drastic decision.  Removal of the organs in question should only be done as a last step.  
You may feel differently in a few years.  You may not.
Do you realize that you have an increased risk for dementia, heart disease and bone lose?  No artificial hormone replacement is as perfect as the one you were born with...
Whatever you decide, just research it very thoroughly.  Try to persue balancing your hormones first.
Good luck.

[needshelp]

Thanks Katie,
I did my research for yrs, looked at all the possibilities and everything. I am an RN so i know all to well what the possibilities are. It just irritates me there are so many horror stories about hysters. For some there are no other options. Some people are willing to chance side effects yrs down the road to get rid of being in daily pain.

[AnotherKatie]

I am glad that it seems to have worked for you (so far).  The reason there are so many horror stories... is... because there are horror stories!!!  You don't have to be irritated about it.  Everyone is different.  

Doctors don't always tell their patients everything that is involved with this very major surgery.  Surgical menopause is very severe. Some hormonal effects if the ovaries are removed include hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, irritability, depression, loss of libido, headaches, loss of muscle tone, vaginal dryness, etc.  Doesn't sound like much if you say it fast I guess, but, even insomnia can be very debilitating.  If the ovaries are left in, as I mentioned before, they often fail within a year or two anyway.  There is also of course the increased risk of bladder and rectal prolapse.
Just don't be too hasty to have it done...

[JenBeth]

Thanks ladies for both sides :o) I would love to have the hyster because I am in constant discomfort but I just can not afford it right now. The down time, loss of wages, the procedure. I was pain free for 8 months with only 1 shot of Lupron. I lost a little hair & gained a little weight but it was worth it. I am gonna talk to my Dr. after my next cycle (5 days!!!!!) because depending on how bad it kills me, I will have to make a decision then, no matter the cost. Thanks again!

[needshelp]

Sorry for the back and forth debate. i just personally know how you feel and why you are considering it. It really does come down to doing your own research, talking in depth with your dr and making it your decision. If you ever need me just email me at ***@****. Best of luck in whatever you decide is the right choice for you.