|
Re: Hysterectomy
From: E. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon Jul 27 23:23:50 2009
I would like to second this sentiment.
A hysterectomy is a 'forever' treatment. Unlike drugs, you can't just
stop it and go back to your normal hormone levels.
If I were you, I would try any and all treatments I could, including
accupressure, accupuncture, topical progesterone, muscle relaxants, and
diet modification.
It is very hard to get treated by gyns for endo after a hysterectomy
because the majority do not believe endo occurs after a hysterectomy. So
you may want to think about your treatment options if the endo does
recur.
If you have ever been on Lupron, you will get a glimpse as to what
complete menopause does to your body. The hot flashes, vaginal dryness,
weight gain, mood swings, etc. can be just as devastating as endo is.
I support your decision to have a hysterectomy if you have truly come to
the end of your rope, however, I really think I would talk to your
doctor and find out what his treatment plan would be in case the endo
came back.
At Mon, 27 Jul 2009, Pam wrote:
>
>Hi Erica and Maura,
>
>I don't want to cause you to go through additional agonizing, but I feel
>that before you get a hysterectomy you owe it to yourself to try any
>altern
y can. You are both so young I would hate
>to see you getting a hysterectomy that that age.
>Let me tell you a little about my story. I didn't realize I had endo
>until I could not get pregnant. I had pain, but thought it was
>"normal". While seeing a reproductive endocrinologist and going through
>surgeries, etc. I decided to try some alternatives while also using
>conventional medicine. I started with a massage 1/wk and did this for 2
>1/2 yrs. It made me realize how completely stressed out I was, I guess
>I knew it, but didn't consciously acknowledge it. I still didn't have
>any luck with getting pregnant, but I was feeling a little better. I
>read in a magazine how acupuncture could help with infertility and with
>endo. I decided to try it. After about 6 mo of weekly visits I had
>another surgery. The Dr. noted that the endometrioma on my ovary was
>actually at the point of falling off! I got pregnant shortly after that
>surgery, but continued with the acupuncture for
>rough
>pregnancy).
>I'm not saying that acupunture or other alternatives are the answer for
>you, but before a hysterectomy, try it.
>You also may want to know that research done by the Endometriosis
>Association says that only 41% of women said that getting a hysterectomy
>was a success in getting rid of endo and endo pain. In the book
>"Endometriosis" by Mary Lou Ballweg and the Endometriosis Association, I
>finally read what they mentioned as a cause of endo. Toxins. So you
>may also want to follow their sugguestions on getting rid of all of the
>toxins that you can (diet, environment, etc.). They give some specific
>suggestions.
>Good luck to you. Endo really sucks, and it is so hard when most people
>just can't relate.
>
>At Fri, 24 Jul 2009, Maura wrote:
>>
>>Hi Erica! My name is Maura and I am 26 and have been suffering from
>>severe endo for 5 long years. I also am going to go through with a
>>hysterectomy. Maybe we can help each other. It is not an easy decision
>>to make and not an easy surgery to cope with physi
tionally.
>>I have exhausted my other options (even traveled to he CEC for surgery)
>>and believe that this may help with the majority of my symptoms. Though
>>I have always thought I would have children of my own someday after
>>years of constant thinking I now realize that any child I bring into my
>>household (blood related or not) will be loved as my own. It took me a
>>long time to get to his point and I feel I have mentally aged incredibly
>>in the last 5 years but life is too good to be suffering.
>>
>>--
>>Maura
>>25 and married
>>Severe Endo (5 surgeries so far)
>>Chronic Pelvic/Back Pain
>>right ovary removed...
>>
|
|
![[ endo@obgyn.net ]](../../images/endo_at_obgyn.gif)