Re: lap vs hysterectomy
From: anonymous (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon Sep 22 19:38:38 2008
I would do a lap first. If it is endo a hysterectomy will not cure your
pain unless all the endo is excised at the same time. Its possible you
have adenomyosis as well as it can cause heavy bleeding.
Hysterectomy will fix your heavy bleeding. I would do a lap with the
understanding of the endo being completely removed and if you wish a
hysterectomy it can be done laprascopic. He can remove your uterus
during your lap.
At Mon, 22 Sep 2008, bren wrote:
>
>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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