Re: Hysterectomy........I need to make a decision but need more info
From: Kay (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 26 May 1999 07:00:00 -0500 (CDT)
Leah,
You don't mention the word Prolapse, but it sounds to me like that is
what you are describing. I had a hysterectomy with A&P repair and a
bladder neck suspension when I was 35.
It made all the difference for me. I still have my ovaries and my
hormone levels were not effected by the loss of my uterus. I have been
told that there are a few reasons to get a hysterectomy that are truly
black and white...prolapse is one of them. I refer to myself as 'Super
Continent' now. Meaning that I need to sit and relax allowing my
bladder to 'release'. It is not something that bothers me at all, and
is certainly an improvement over incontinence.
I am concerned about your comment about lifting your disabled child. You
need to be sure your doctor is aware that this is an issue for you. I
am pretty sure that the 'sling' he was refering to is the method that
they use to suspend the bladder neck, it involves the tendons.
I hope that this helps you. If there is any more information I can
share (from a patient/mother point of view)please let me know. But
don't worry about the loss of the uterus and your hormones..
--
Kay
Tue, 25 May 1999, Leah wrote:
>
>I'm a 32 yo mother of 3 children by birth....parent to 5. I developed
>stress incontinence after my second baby.....then waited 7 years to have
>another child.
>
>This last pregnancy was terrible with preterm labor at 16 weeks, bedrest
>until 30 weeks, etc. During the last 6 weeks of the pregnancy I had to
>wear a pessary to support my pelvis. This made a big difference during
>the short periods of time I was allowed to stand. However, three years
>later I'm still having problems with incontinence. I have problems with
>leaking while I'm just walking or standing, not to mention laughing,
>caughing, sneezing, etc. I just recovered from pneumonia and I'll tell
>you that the forceful caughing caused MANY problems for me other than
>respitory!
>
>Last week I went in for an exam and told the doc I wanted to set a date
>for a tubal, and that I wanted to get my bladder fixed (silly me thought
>my BLADDER was the problem! LOL)He suggested (stongly I might add) that
>I have a partial hysterectomy done. He also mentioned another "sling"
>type proceedure, but I only 1/2 listened to it 'cuz the "H" word was
>echoing in my brain. I had an IVP done last week that was normal,and am
>sheduled for a catheter/dye test next week, all to rule out problems
>with the bladder.
>
>I'm really worried about having a partial hysterectomy at such a young
>age. I would love to get rid of the thing for birth control
>reasons...but to me that would not be a wise decision. The doc did
>point out that I've had several abnormal paps in the past, and that I'm
>in a high risk group for cervical cancer anyway.
>
>Is there something about a partial hyst. that I'm not aware of? Like
>what about hormonal changes, sexual activity (including interest of lack
>thereof because that's already a problem!)etc. I don't want to just
>jump into this thing, but I'm really tired of having to stop and cross
>my legs and bend in half when I sneeze. Picking up my disabled daughter
>is a big problem too....and one that I can't avoid anymore than I can
>avoid sneezing.
>
>--
>~Leah~ mom to boys 13, 12, 10, 10, girl 3
>
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