ENDO Messages for September, 2008: Re: lap vs hysterectomy

Re: lap vs hysterectomy

From: bren (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon Sep 22 16:21:03 2008

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Hi Karen, I just had my 1st laparoscopy to look for endo after being "unofficially" diagnosed w/ endometriosis as well beforehand just like you w/ history & tests, etc. This is actually my 2nd lap, but my 1st one was back in 2003 to remove my appendix...I supposedly had appendicitis that the ER surgeon said it would've burst if I waited any longer after surgery, which is questionable today since I went into the ER 3rd day of having pain & my WBC level was normal when usually w/ appendicitis, it's supposed to be elevated. I'm wondering if it was endo/adhesions on my appendix back then that was causing it to look the way it did along w/ so much pain. My mom thought my pain was due to an ovarian cyst at first because she had problems too & had a hysterectomy when I was young. Anyways, I think you should first do the laparoscopy because the recovery isn't so bad if there aren't any complications. Getting a hysterectomy is a big surgery w/o any guarantees that your pain will completely be resolved if endo. because I heard of endometriosis growing back even if you have a hysterectomy since endo can grow & spread outside of your uterus to nearby organs/abdominal area. You are still really young & even though you don't want any children & married, you might regret having a hysterectomy especially if it doesn't relieve all your symptoms/pain and you have to take a hormone replacement pill everyday for the rest of your life. Your doctor might mention Lupron that pretty much puts your body into early menopause, but I heard many negative things about it. I too have heavy long periods & after having negative side effects from birth control pills, my doctor put me on depo provera pills (progesterone only 5mg) & after the 2nd month, my periods are lighter & shorter. I only take it 15 days after the 1st day of my period & take it for 15 days thereafter, stop, & w/in 48 hrs my period starts again. I don't know what kind of symptoms you have, but I have all sorts of symptoms & pain along w/ the sciatic nerve pain down my legs. I also had bladder discomfort/urinary urgency (IC symptoms) that did get better after the 2nd month on progesterone. The progesterone didn't fix all my problems such as the nerve pain I have, but it did help w/ my period & less cramps (I had severe cramps) & the IC symptoms. My period used to last 7-10 days & really heavy the first 3 days, but now I not only know exactly when I will start, but I only need a panty-liner for my period & it lasts only 3 days or so. It doesn't work right away..usually takes 2-3 months for it to start helping. It also did help my PMS/PMDD symptoms. I would definitely do the Lap first & avoid hysterectomy as much as possible. My doctor only mentioned a hysterectomy for diagnosing & treating adenomyosis, but not for endometriosis since like I said, endo grows outside of the uterus & can return after surgery (there's more success of endo not growing back w/ exision surgery rather than lasering/burning it) & adenomyosis is found deep in the muscles of your uterus which is why a hysterectomy would be needed to treat that. I really discourage you in getting a hysterectomy. Sorry so long, but thought any detailed info would help. My co-worker just got a hysterectomy through a laparoscopy only because during her period, she would bleed a large amount up to the point she couldn't even last a 30 minutes w/ a pad & this decision was made after trying every treatment possible to control her heavy period-it wasn't for endo or anything like that...she just had a problem w/ bledding too much during her periods.She is out from work until November, whereas I just had my lap last Thurs. & had permission to go back to work today (Mon), but decided to rest another day or 2 since I teach & am on my feet all day & kids just love to hug/squeeze you around your belly. =) So recovery from lap vs hysterectomy is a huge difference. Hope this helps.

At Mon, 22 Sep 2008, Karen wrote: >
>I am new to this site and I am looking for some advice/comfort from
>others going through the same thing. My doctors have unofficially
>diagnosed me with endometriosis and pcos. By unofficially I mean they
>look at blood work, symptoms, and various other test results and say
>that it what it is (basically short of a lap which I know is the only
>way to know 100% that it is endo). I am in severe pain, have
>unbelievably long (up to a month and half) and heavy periods and I just
>want to get out of the pain in one shot with a total hysterectomy and
>have them take everything. The only problem is that I am 26 and because
>of that the doctor doesn't want to do a total hyst but do a lap instead.
>I am happily married with one son and my husband and I agree that our
>family is complete (so much so that before this started with me he had
>gone to a pre-op for a vasectomy but had to put off the surgery because
>of this). My fear is that if they do a lap, I will still have problems
>and they will have to go in for a total hyst anyway and that means 2
>surgeries with 2 recoveries. Let me add that endo apparently runs in my
>family: grandmother, 2 of her 3 sisters, and their mother all went
>through numerous laps and all had to have total hysts in the end anyway;
>and my mother who, was able to avoid the painful side, had to go through
>numerous D&Cs to get pregnant. Should I just listen to the doctor and
>try the lap and then the hyst if needed or should I keep pushing to get
>him to do the total hyst that I want. Thank you in advance your
>responses.

--
Bren

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