Hysterectomies

[metroames]

I am not asking for medical advice, but for experiences. :)

My menstral cycle has been wacked out since it started in adolesence, coming every 2-3 weeks or bleeding for weeks on end. I ended up on BC during my years in college and until my husband and I decided to have children to deal with it. Though I took it to help battle the anemia at the time, I absolutely hated being on BC and never want to go that route again.

Well, two kids later and still breastfeeding....my cycles have went back to coming every 2-3 weeks and it has increasinly been wearing on me. I had the flu in February and it literally pushed me over the edge. I lost my appetite, lost a lot of weight all the sudden, started getting a lot of dizzy spells and have been fighting fatigue in addition to all the hormonal issues ever since.

I went to the doctor a few months ago because I was afraid I was getting anemic again. He did a full blood work and it came back that I had something called smudge cells, which is an indicator for lukemia. I was sent to a specialist to rule that out and thank the Lord it came back negative! Evidently, I got the smudge cells from the 3 day fever when I had the flu.

So I ended up back at my family doctor. He said we need to watch my iron levels since they are low, but not in the clinical anemia range and he recommended the BC pill to fix my cycles. Two reasons I'm not going that route, I hated the feeling I had on the pill worse than off and also I'm still nursing.

Well, he basically said that if I'm unwilling to go the hormonal route, which he said I would probably have to be on until menopause, I'm probably looking at a hysterectormy. He is convinced that my cycles will just get worse once I'm done nursing and is concerned with anemia like I had in high school.

I don't have many women around me to talk to and the only one whose had a hysterctomy is my MIL. She claims it was a blessing! So, I'm looking for some experiences out there, because I'm sure that's the route I will eventually be taking after I'm done nursing. I want to know what to expect, and I'm wondering if my MIL's experience is normal.


Also, please pray for me as I deal with these horrendous raging hormones. This has been a particulary tough week. I know that I ovulated while menstrating last week and I'm just feeling very vulnerable, irratable and also lacking in clarity and discernment. I feel like I'm in a fog and I just want to go hide in a hole. Thank you for your prayers.

Amy

[Galoutofdixie]

Hi there! :hug

Sorry to hear that you're having these troubles. I haven't had a hysterectomy but have heard people say that this site. http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/ is one of the best on the web concerning hysterectomy and other things concerning women's health issues. They have lots of information and a forum where women discuss various treatments and give advice. They have health professionals there also that can answer questions.

Praying for you during this time, and asking the Lord to provide the answers you need and that you feel better real soon. :pray and another :hug

[Nikilyn]

You didn't mention if you ruled out all other medical possiblities? If your doctor is recomending a hysterectomy, I guess you have though. I think having a hysterectomy is a big decision. I took a biology for women class in college awhile back and learned that having a hysterectomy can push the body into early menopause. there is a lot there you might have to worry about. Also having a hysterectomy will only solve the problem with your periods, but if there are other hormonal problems it may not help. I think before deciding you should pay out some $$$$ and see an expensive specialist. Another idea, get your brain looked at. It influences alot in your body and maybe you have something too big or too small or overactive, then you could get a more specific med instead of BC.

[metroames]

You didn't mention if you ruled out all other medical possiblities? If your doctor is recomending a hysterectomy, I guess you have though. I think having a hysterectomy is a big decision. I took a biology for women class in college awhile back and learned that having a hysterectomy can push the body into early menopause. there is a lot there you might have to worry about. Also having a hysterectomy will only solve the problem with your periods, but if there are other hormonal problems it may not help. I think before deciding you should pay out some $$$$ and see an expensive specialist. Another idea, get your brain looked at. It influences alot in your body and maybe you have something too big or too small or overactive, then you could get a more specific med instead of BC.

Yeah, I'm sure I will get more thorough testing done before I get the surgery. But since my cycles have never been normal off the pill the doctor said he is pretty confident that to deal with it long term it will require hormones or surgery.

[metroames]

Hi there! :hug

Sorry to hear that you're having these troubles. I haven't had a hysterectomy but have heard people say that this site. http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/ is one of the best on the web concerning hysterectomy and other things concerning women's health issues. They have lots of information and a forum where women discuss various treatments and give advice. They have health professionals there also that can answer questions.

Praying for you during this time, and asking the Lord to provide the answers you need and that you feel better real soon. :pray and another :hug

Thanks for the website...I will bookmark it for when I make the decision. :)

[lisaann]

I've had one. I still have one ovary so I'm not in menopause yet. :yay All in all it was the best decision possible. I feel 100% better and no more periods! :party Be prepared for it to take at least a year, or more, for your body to get used to the idea of your uterus being gone.