OT - health decision made

Well hello everyone!  Happy New Year!  Life is still wonderful here in WI!  My Lamar and I went out for NY Eve!  Great music!  I was the DD as I don't care to drink anymore (wls kind of wrecked the fruity drinks...too sugary!)  Anyway, we had a blast!

On to my reason for the post....

I've had to switch gynolcologist's due to insurance changes.  I've been dealing with PCOS, adhesions and heavy irregular bleeding for nearly 10 years now.  NOTHING we've tried in the past decade has done any good at all or given any relief to the daily pain.  So, I see the new doctor will all my records and reviews them all, does an exam, talks to me for an hour and gives me his opinion.

He believes that my uterus is riddled with adenomyosis.  Its hard to explain, so if you're curious check out webmd.  And all of my past doctors attempts to alleviate the effects of this haven't worked, so we've (me, the dr and Lamar) made the decision to remove the culprit.  I am finally ready for this after trying all other options...I was really hung up about it (keeping the uterus - you know just in case) but am ready to move on with my life without the daily pain and aggrivation.

I'm nervous (hate needles and surgery) but also excited.  I'll finally not have this daily pain to deal with and feel more like exercising!  I know the belly and back pain I have every day is my biggest reason for not doing it now...even walking is rough going most days.  And by the time I'm home from work, take care of home responsibilities its all I can do to walk the dog.

Anyway, I go back mid Feb for another couple little tests and then we schedule for March!!!!

Has anyone else had this Adenomyosis stuff?  Has anyone else had a hysterectomy (leaving the ovaries intact)?

Miss you all!  Happy New Year once again!  Tina

Hey Tina! Good to see you post!

Well, I think you've done everything you could to try and avoid the hysterectomy but in the end, choosing life over ill health (in any respect) always wins IMO!

Can you still get a period if you have an ovary? hmmm. I swear I've heard that somewhere but I never took an anatomy class so not sure. If there's any chance, I say go for the complete!

Best of luck to you - don't be nervous - just be happy you're going to get your life back!

I had a hysterectomy 12 years ago due to a huge fibroid-- best decision I made!  I had my ovaries removed at the time; looking back, I would have kept them.  I did go through instant menopause, but am all over it now!  (and no, you can't get a period without a uterus!)

Hey Tina ~

I had a hystericalectomy this past September and kept my ovaries.  It was the best decision I ever made..!!  Why wait til March..?  Git r done!!

I had my hysterectomy 12 years ago and have loved it.  Was my 40th birthday present!!!  I had my ovaries left in tact, but after a year they stopped working any way so went into menopause (which is normal).  But having the ovaries puts you into normal menopause rather than instant menopause.  I've been on hormone therapy since then and that area is the least of my worries. 

Mine was endometriosis, not your adenomyosis so no experience for you.  But at least you won't have to deal with the adhesion's and scar tissue which endometriosis can produce.  Are they doing your hysterectomy vaginally?  Way less recovery time!!!!  No incision!!!

Ask the doctor to remove the ovaries if there is ovarian cancer any where in your family!!!  Otherwise let them keep producing estrogen for you!!!!

Amy -- no periods unless you have a uterus.  Just ovulation and the body absorbs the egg released.

Good Luck --

I just had a hysterectomy on 12/17/08.  I'm already thrilled!  I had it done laporoscopically, and the recovery has been really fast.  I'm feeling great now, and it was just 2 weeks ago that I had it done.  I did have them take the ovaries, for a variety of reasons, and I'm using an estrogen patch.  It's working well so far, and my doc thinks I won't get hot flashes, etc. since I haven't started them yet - I guess they're supposed to start right away with my type of surgery.  Good luck to you!

I had endometriosis and was riddled with adhesion's.. not sure if its like that but I did have a hyser and left one ovary.  Best thing I ever did!

Hope the best for you!

I had a whole mess of BIG fibroids, and my periods were HELLACIOUS for most of my reproductive life!  And yes, exercising was a drag, because no matter where I might have been in my cycle, within 5-10 minutes of starting any kind of exercise, I would begin bleeding like crazy.  I will not bother with details here, but trust me, it sucked rocks.

I had my hysterectomy open, left the ovaries in tact, in February of 2002, and I'm STILL hard pressed to try to decide which operation was better for me - the hysterectomy or WLS!  As far as I'm concerned, they BOTH saved my life AND sanity! 

(hush, Elena...)

As for monthlies now?  I do feel 'em - a twinge when the lil' egg is released.  It lasts about 10 minutes now, as opposed to having disabling CRAMPS for DAYS prior to the H.  And I'm pretty sure I get the PMS stuff - 'cuz I've always clammed up when those hormone induced emotional waves would hit, and I still do it now.  I just don't have the proof in the - uh, well, panties.  (sorry...)

Don't be afraid, Tina.  Just do it - and enjoy NEVER AGAIN having to buy those feminine products!!

I had a hysterectomy abt 18 months ago due to endometriosis and having 2 other surgeries with no relief to the pain. I had the ovaries taken as well because i had a cyst the size of a grapefruit and said i was done!! I took percocet and vicodin daily. Haven't had a pain pill or pain since!! Best thing i ever did!! Recovery was not painful at all!! I did go immediately into menopause and take hormones for that now but it beats misery!! Good luck and i agree with the others. Get r done!!

Here's another up side to this!  I did the math on how much I'm spending on birth control pills (to attempt to help the bleeding) and feminie hygiene products, and co-pays on doctor appointments.....

I'll be saving  over $600 per year!