Hello everyone,
Can anyone please give me their opinions and experiences of having a hysterectomy, either good or bad?
I've always had heavy periods but the last couple of years have been a nigthmare (recently getting very bad) and am just embarking on tests to see why. Got scan tomorrow to look for fibroids and whatever other nasty things could be causing it! I realise this could be the onset of the menopause but the thought of having to put up with this any longer is getting me down, it's really ruling my life. Just had a horrible holiday spent not more than 100 yard from the loo all week!!
I know it's early days but I've really been considering the possibility of having this op. I'm 47 and definitely don't want anymore kids.
Any views would be much apprieciated, thanks.
I haven't had the op, but my mum has.
As part of her breast cancer treatment they put her on some long-term tablets, but these tablets would exacerbate her fibroid problems so they decided to go for an hysterectomy.
When she had the operation she was very run down from her radiotherapy treatment and suffering from major headaches almost constantly - I was ever so worried that it'd be too much for her system. However, surgery was a success, and despite a few hiccoughs in terms of her temperature and headaches, she was allowed home earlier than usual!
What I'm slowly getting to, is the fact that she says it's the best thing that she's EVER done! At 52 and still menstruating heavily with mid-cycle fibroid bleeds, it's been so liberating for her to just get on with life.
She did have some pain in the next 6-10 weeks, but I think this was worsened by being run down and too damned inependant for her own good! They say to take it easy, but mum doesn't know the meaning of those words, and I think she suffered because of it. As far as I could tell, the pain was more twinge-y than a constant ache, but I'm sure they give you suitable painkillers to deal with this.
No driving, no lifting etc - it'd play havoc with an active lifestyle!
It's a big decision to make, and not one to be rushed, but I can honestly say that my mum's never looked back! In fact she's been trying for 20 years to get them to do it, but it's only now that they'd allow it!
Good luck,
Sarah x
Had my op at the age of 36 due to a number of factors, great to miss the monthlies, but on the other hand took a HRT tablet every day, at the time I was told it was necessary but I did change the HRT and could only take a few of them anyway so ran out of HRT to try, thankfully the one I ended up on never featured in any of the HRT scares.
A few years ago, I decided to stop the HRT, I did it gradually and for the last year and half havent taken any but I do take a mulit-vit plus an extra tablet which is a good all rounder (forgot the name now it all comes in one box!), in addition I use a blend of oils to support me through the menopause and I dont suffer with flushes at all, my weight is coming back under control and I feel very well.
As for the op itself, I was told to rest, rest and rest more, my son was very young which meant that was a little difficult. Most women are out of hospital quite quickly but I spent 4 weeks there as there were complications.
I came out of hospital just before Christmas. I couldn't lift the kettle even to put a little water in it to make one mug of coffee! I had no strength at all, my husband had to cook christmas dinner whilst I sat on a chair and gave instructions, I ate my dinner still in my dressing gown and then went to bed! It is one of those vivid memories. Gradually my strength came back and I could do more and more.
The decision to have the op was due to medical grounds and events sort of over took me, I was sore, sort of an ache, if you over do it you hurt even more, so it did take time to heal and it was a good few weeks before I could drive.
Go and have a good chat to your GP.
Take care
Fudge
Thanks very much to those who answered my post. After reading other posts on here about hysterecomy there aren't any really that have said it's not worth it in the end. I know the recovery period can be quite long but it seems the benefits are worth it especially if they can leave your ovaries intact.
I had my scan and no firbroids or cysts were found, all was normal except for the lining of my uterus was still thick even after 50 days of bleeding,,,,great!!! Seems like once it starts (period) it doesn't know when to stop!! Hormones then. 🙁
One other alternative for me would be the mirena coil but not many women seem to get on with it and it seems to me that it can cause more problems than I have already and the thought of having that fitted while bleeding and in pain,,,,,well I'd rather give birth 10 times.
It's not something I'm going to rush into but just wanted to get someone elses opinions. Thanks again.
Hi Susan. WHat did you decide to do in th end?
I had the Mirena fitted in 2007 due to heavy periods. I was told that my uterus had prolapsed a bit and I had fibroids. But the bleeding was the main problem and I was in a bad point in my life to have a hysterectomy, so I opted for the coil. It did what they said it would and on the whole I am happy. But my prolapse has got worse and my bladder is affected also (I am NOT blaming the coil for this). I think I will have to have the op soon and wondered how you got on, if you had it.
Good evening ladies not sure if this is of any use to you but thought I would post just in case. I had similar problems for a few years. Heavy bleeding that was having a terrible impact on my life. I did not have fibroids and had a mirena coil several years ago that didn't quite work out. However my GP recommended a day surgery op MEA (microwave Endimetrial Ablation) I had this op about 2 years ago when I was 45 and it completely changed my life. My period is now very light and none of the awful cramps and other probs associated with the heavy bleeding.
Had slight pain similar to period pain for about two days after (managed with a few paracetomol) then no other symptoms. Might not be for everyone but I thought it was worth a try before opting for a hysterectomy. Hope this is of help to someone.
Linda x
I'm a fresh newbie.
Howdy, you guys! I'm a fresh newbie in this forum.
I would definitely have tried the Ablation. My friend has had it done and she is very happy with it. But my problem is more geographical.... -everything is going south.. 🙁
Hi Ibelieve i know the feeling. the only thing that is going upwards is my life insurance and the cost of covering the grey:003:
Linda
Given up on covering THAT. Actually I began going grey at 21 and it is now a smashing silver. I am thrilled with it and if it began to go dark I would be rather put out, LOL!
Go for it! Love the freedom. The pain was far less than I'd been having every month. As in any surgery, the first week you have to take it easy but then you should start feeling much better by week two. Wish I'd had it done years earlier.