Hysterectomy after endometrial ablation

[flyqueen30]

Hi...I had an endometrial ablation and tubal ligation exactly 2 years ago.  I was "ok" for about 6 months after the procedure but then I started noticing big changes with my body.  First, was the weight gain (15 pounds within the six months post-ablation) and a very swollen belly that made me look pregnant.  Then, I noticed when I should be having a period the flow was gone but I was having incredibly painful cramps, especially in my lower back.  It has only gotten worse over the years, the lower back pain, and now it is at the point where it hurts everyday, all day long to no relief.  Excruciating pain in my lower back, just like menstrual or labor pains. I feel like my back is just broken.

I have read how many ladies have had problems after their ablation with pain and abdominal swelling and had to get hysterectomies to find relief.  My question is, for anyone that has had a hysterectomy after ablation, did it help?  Did your pain and cramps subside/stop?  Do you feel like your life is back to normal now with the hysterectomy?  Please, I look forward to any comments or suggestions on this.  I am at the end of my rope.

[juliette222]

I had a total Hysterectomy about 1 year ago. I didn't have a choice at the time because a large abdominal tumor had formed (which went undiagnosed for several months due to the chronic pain I experienced from Fibroids--so, I was constantly told I only had fibroids). Although, I had been through 2--TWO-- Myomectomies (both performed through traditional surgery--I had too many to have them removed by any other method), the Fibroids kept returning. I never planned on having children so becoming pregnant was not an issue. Basically, I wanted to keep my uterus. In retrospect, I do wish I would have had the Hysterectomy from the start. I was told the chances of new fibroids returning was low--this however was not the case--if your body produces high levels of Estrogen, The fibroids are likely to return. Once the Abdominal tumor was discovered it had to be removed immediately. During surgery, the Surgeon was unable to seperate the tumor from my uterus so they had to remove it. Additionally, they had to remove both ovaries (one had a small tumor and the other had become attached to the large abdominal tumor). Since the surgery, I have not felt well and been in pain. I have constant cramping, I can not eat and I have lost over 20 pounds. I am on estradial patch. My hormone levels are fine and they are trying to locate the source of the problem now. It's not necessarily the Hysterectomy I would not have again, it;s rather any surgery at all. I would have done the Hysterectomy at the start had I known the truth about the fibroids. It's after the first surgery that my problems began.For those asking for advice above, the best advice I can give is to go to a knowledgeable Physician re natural hormone replacement therapy. I know many people who are much happier after their hysterectomies because their Doctors are knowledgeable in the field of natural hormonal replacement therapy.  People need to remember that sometimes after surgery--any surgery--things just aren't the same. They haven't been for me since the first Myomectomy--which I regret--and that was 10 years ago.

[old_before_my_time]

I'm sorry you ended up with a hysterectomy too that's caused constant cramping and excessive weight loss.

As far as HRT, I've found that expertise doesn't matter that much because HRT is very individual. What works for one woman can be a disaster for another. It's been 11 years since my hysterectomy and HRT is no match for our bodies' own ovarian hormones that we'd have our whole lives for free. As such, HT (hormone therapy) is a more appropriate term since we cannot "replace" what our ovaries produced.

Gynecologists are not forthcoming about the life long functions of the uterus and ovaries. The ovaries make primarily testosterone and other androgens after menopause yet there's no FDA approved testosterone for women.

Our uterus is essential for pelvic organ and skeletal integrity as well as ovarian hormone production and sexual function.

[ipurr2]

I had a hysterectomy for endometriosis and I regret it...agree with old_before_my_time...the hysterectomy is the surgery that keeps on giving...not in a good way...I so regret it!

I too have had my organs glue together (frozen pelvis) thanks to endometriosis...I have been in the endo nightmare for 25+ years. and it's another that just keeps giving and not in a good way...I have since dealt with everything prolapsing (vaginal vault, bladder, colon, small intestines) have had 8 surgeries in my pelvis...Now have interstim device, am heading in for more surgery Oct 9th...and guess what...I am still in pain every day...it's different pain then I had when I had my female organs but it's still hard to function and I also have now been in menopause for 11 years and should really just be entering it...I have the thin skin and not just down there...it changes you...for women who let their ovaries go it's more severe...but even those who keep their ovaries are at risk for MANY new health issues and the ovaries usually quit 5 years before they should because they have to cut nerves and blood supply to take out the uterus...and let's see...if you enjoy sex...well you may be lucky and be ok...for me...sex/orgasms...gone...before I had pain with sex so it was still hard, but I could at least have a nice orgasm...now...most of the time...I can't get it and it still hurts...and I have to take bio-identical hrt that doesn't work as well as my ovaries did even as diseased as they were they worked better for free and now I pay for the hrt that doesn't work very well...it's something that if I had a do over...I would RUN away from ANY Dr. who recommended hysterectomy!
Only you can make this very hard choice...but please weigh it all VERY carefully...I regret it!

[old_before_my_time]

Have you had an ultrasound to see if you have blood trapped in your uterus? If the cervix is scarred shut / stenotic then the blood cannot escape. But it can also be trapped behind the scarred uterine lining which can cause pain. Some women have gotten relief from post-ablation syndrome by having an in-office procedure to stent the cervix and allow the blood to escape.

I had a hysterectomy 9 years ago and really regret it.

[Lunderwood]

I'm at the end of my rope with my lower abdominal cramping and back pain. Has your hysterectomy helped? I sure hope so.  I've always been against having one, but I will do Anything to get rid of this constant pain.

Would love to know your outcome.  Was your hysterectomy vaginal? I'm opting for that to help decrease chance of scar tissue.
Thanks for any feedback

[old_before_my_time]

Wow, you sure have been through a lot! I am sorry that you are still suffering from pain. So many women continue to suffer with endometriosis pain after having a hysterectomy. That disease is really tough to manage. I hope you find something that gives you relief!

[LadyKD]

Hi,

Where do I begin??? I've had 12 major operations over the last 14 years, all gyane related. My first was when I was 22, I had a massive ovarian cyst which contained cancer. I've since had ops for ectopic pregnancies, womb ablation, subtotal hysterectomy (31 yrs old, 6 months after ablation). During my hysterectomy my surgeon had to separate my uterus from my bowel, bladder, cervix and ovary. Everything was stuck together due to scar tissue/pelvic adhesions. My surgeon believed that the pelvic adhesions were the cause of the horrific pain I was experiencing. I was fine for approx 3 years after my hysterectomy when the cramping and back pain returned with a vengeance. I was refereed to a surgeon who specializes in removing pelvic adhesion via key hole surgery. Had this op in 2010 and felt like a new woman after a 3 week recovery period...no cramping or back pain and a fantastic quality of life!!! Fast forward 18 months later and the pain was back. not as server, but still debilitating. I was given drugs for endometriosis as my surgeon was concerned about having to perform yet more surgery, this didn't work. I had more key hole surgery performed 3 weeks ago. My ovary, bladder and cervix were had stuck together again and my appendix was also covered in scar tissue, so the surgeon removed this too. 19 days later, the cramps and back pain is back, I'm so tired of this :( x

[old_before_my_time]

Have you been checked by a doctor (preferably not the one who did the ablation) to see if your cervix is stenotic from the procedure itself or the loss of hormones? If it is then you could have blood trapped in your uterus which can cause debilitating pain. Some women who have had ablations have a procedure periodically to dilate their cervix to allow the blood to escape.

I had a hysterectomy 8 years ago and I would describe it as the surgery that just keeps on giving (problem after problem). Of course, if nothing works to give you relief from this post ablation syndrome pain then you may have no other choice.

Best of luck to you!

[mkovack]

I have the EXACT same story. Just wondering if you ended up getting a hysterectomy, and if that helped. Anyone???
I have a hysterectomy scheduled for September 4th, and am in terrible back pain and constant cramps and bladder is not emptying properly. Even my bowels are sluggish. I am terrified to wait until September 4, thinking that this is just going to be worse by then because every day gets worse. Please respond!! My life is so unmanageable right now. All kinds of bloating, i cannot hold up my posture properly. I cannot think about anything else, etc... I would really like to know what happened to you (to everyone on this post!!)

[sandraleecoop]

I'm having the exact same problems you are having.  Did you have the hysterectomy?  I don't know what to do.  I did have a diagnostic lapr. done on 10/19/12.  My doctor found that my uterus was fused to my abdomen.  She cut my uterus off my abdomen, then looked around to make sure my bowls were in tact, and nothing else was out of the ordinary.  My first two days out of surgery I felt amazing.  My stomach went down, my back, and leg pains were gone.  I didn't feel like I was seven months pregnant anymore.  But that was short lived.  Here I am six days from surgery, and I feel like I did before going in.  I'm wondering if my cervix is sealed, and fluid is backing up in my uterus, or I have adenomyosis that makes the uterus swell with each cycle that comes along.  I don't bleed, but go through all the physical stuff, but ten times worse.  I feel swollen most days, with a constant back ache.  I also have issues emptying my bladder when I'm swollen.  It's only after my cycle (I get about 3-4 days) I get a release, like my bladder is emptying properly.  It's an aweful feeling.  Has anyone else felt like this too?  And if so, what did you do about it?  I'm desperate.....Thanks, Sandy

[Brandywinne]

Dont do it and if you decide to then leave the estrogen making ovaries. I regret mine.

[remar]

I did have a hysterectomy. It was because of severe endometreosis though. Have you been back to your Gyno to tell him/her what's going on? It must be horrible having the back pain every day. I wish I could give you more advice but, only your Dr can tell you what's best.