Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Tinks67 on March 23, 2013, 05:09:18 PM
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Hello - new today - wanting to know more about hysterectomy - mine in 4 weeks ..... eeek !!
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Hi Tinks - your name sounds familiar - have you been a member before? If so then welcome back and if not then :welcomemm:
There are quite a few members who have had hysters so I am sure they will soon be along to give advice. What are your reasons for needing one and are you keeping your ovaries?
Taz x
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Hi Taz
Wow you have an amazing memory - yes a member a while back but not logged in recently. Hyst because of a "dysfunctional" menopause and endometriosis, everything is going ...... been on hrt a year but no improvement sadly.
Just trying to get as much info as I can.
Tinks x
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Well I have a reason - one of my old boy (men) friends was called Tinks so it sort of stuck in my mind!!
As you are losing your ovaries you will obviously need HRT if you are to avoid the hot sweats and all the other things that go with surgical menopause. It sounds as if you have had a miserable time of it. Have you been on this site http://www.hysterectomy-association.org.uk/forums/ for information and possible support from others also waiting for their operations. They have a monthly club on the forum where all the members who are having their ops in the same month can swap notes.
Do you know where all of your endo is? I just ask because if any is left behind then HRT can keep it stimulated I believe.
Taz x
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Well its lovely you remember, whatever the reason :)
Majority of endo will be excised and removed thankfully ...... and yes have read it can be stimulated with hrt, which accounts for why the last 12 months have been so rubbish.
Thanks for the website, will defo take a look.
Tinks x
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I had hysterectomy in mid 30's due to constant pain and near continual bleeding. Kept ovaries for another 10 years though. I had ovarian cysts and fibroids. My recollection of it is that I was given HRT after hysterectomy, though some GPs at my surgery disagree.
Ask heaps of questions before your op. I was only in hospital for 2-3 days post op and suffered with my bowels for a while afterwards. Had to get an emergency doctor out the night I came home. I was in agony. Though it was nothing serious, we weren't wanting to take risks. Also ended up with a UTI. Not wanting to scare you, but nobody told me these things could happen. I got a PCA to use for pain post op. Brilliant stuff. Only needed for less than 24 hours, then onto oral pain relief.
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Hi Tinks I had a total hysterectomy (for ovarian cancer) almost two weeks ago. I am still very sore in the groin area so have to take pain killers on a regular basis. I had an epidural for post op pain but it wasn't 100% successful. My bowels still don't know if they are coming or going, I just hope they will settle down some time soon.
As for HRT etc. don't get me started on that as nobody even mentioned that I would be plunged into surgical menopause, thankfully I was already aware of that fact. The main symptom I'm having at the moment is night sweats, last night was a doozy! I'm not sure at the moment whether to go for HRT or not, it depends whether I have to have chemo or not, (I still don't know what stage my cancer is at). However, I was starting to experience VA when I was peri so may opt for vaginal oestrogen at some stage.
Good luck with the op, if you have any more questions (not matter how graphic!), just let me know. Take care.
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Hi cubagirl - thanks for the reply. Sorry you didn't have a great time. Things like that do scare me, but hoping for a life back after recovery. Been told l'll be in 3 nights. There are so many conflicting pieces of advise though, that's what's so confusing!
Tinks :)
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Hello babylon - so sorry to hear your story - fingers crossed all the cancer has been removed and you'll be back on top form very soon.
The pain relief is something that really worries me, my bowels are rubbish because of the endo anyway, so much to think about.
Thanks for your offer to, will take you up on that!
All the best to you
Tinks x
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To all today on this Palm Sunday I send my love and prayers
YIPPEEE time for us all will come around soon again yes yippeee
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If at all possible keep your ovaries, especially if having a hysterectomy before natural menopause.
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Ovaries are going too ......
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Tinks, I forgot to mention post op trapped wind which can be very painful. I tried the peppermint tea option but it made me nauseous. Try to walk as much as you can, as this will help to get things going.
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Hey babylon - I remember the trapped wind from 3 laps, not so great lol! Will give the peppermint tea a try, thanks :)
Tinks x
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I sucked heaps of polo mints as peppermint tea made me nauseous. Any peppermint would probably do though, depending on your preference.
I was probably rather naive when I got mine done, I was just so relieved to finally be rid of pain and bleeding. I'm talking some 22 years ago now. Wish this site had been around back then.
As BB says walk around as much as possible afterwards but no housework! :) Good excuse to have someone else do it for you for a while.
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Hey cubagirl,
Feeling rather naieve too, hence why I'm trying to get as much "real" info as possible. Books are all well and good but personal experience always better in my view. Housework will be taken care of and 16 yr old son will be heading towards exams, so being at home together is great, so no slacking on revision!!
Tinks x
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I had a hysterectomy at 44, due to endometrial cancer. I don't want to worry you (but you did ask for "real" info) it was the worst experience of my life. My dr told me I would experience surgical meno, but "don't worry, you'll be OK") Hmmm, I was not! I started having hot flushes in hospital, and by the time I went for my six week check I was having whole body on fire flushes about every hour, day and night. I had joint pain, insomnia,depression, you name it, I suffered with it. This went on for about another three months when I got myself referred to another consultant who was happy to give me hrt.
It's now 5 1/2 years later and I've just weaned myself off hrt and only having the odd hot flush late at night.
But everyone is different and you might be fine. I think what I went through was the worst case senario >:(
Hope all goes well for you. :foryou:
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Tinks - have they given a reason for removing the ovaries too? If not I would question that decision, if there is no medical reason perhaps you could ask them to be left if they are healthy. I had a vaginal hyster about 8 years ago and it might help to know I had no pain, :D
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I agree wholeheartedly to keep your ovaries, whether pre or post menopausal. Even if your ovaries are not 'reproductive', they serve many functions after menopause e.g bones and cardiovascular health. They still secrete androgens, one of which is testosterone, which may affect your sex drive. Your ovaries are protective. You still have low level oestrogen in your body. You can still take HRT with your ovaries if you need it, but if you have it all taken away, then you don't know how you may react to HRT. My sister researched her laproscopic hysterectomy fully. They had wanted to remove her ovaries, but her cancer risk was low, but she had a growth that they didn't know what it was til they opened her up. It turned out to be fibroids occluding the cervixShe took her research into the appointment. ok they were very surprised but she kept her ovaries, and she was really glad she did, becuase she felt no different after her op and did not require life long medication either. :) x
PS Magnesium trisilicate is the medication used to be given hospital after a laproscopy for wind pain radiating up to the shoulder tip.
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Oopherectomy is the terminology to remove ovaries (on wikipedia), look at long term risks and adverse reactions to having this done. Be aware also that HRT doesn't always reverse these risks. There should be no reason, for removing someones ovaries, especially when they are going through perimenopause, unless you have a risk of cancer. Some surgeons are more aware of current developments than others and it is good to be aware. I've research my operation, and I'm keeping my ovaries. You have a choice with this and don't have to do it. ;) x
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Tinks , article on Fox News in States which you can google - taken from a scientific journal which advises ladies to keep ovaries unless they are diseased. Report came out end of Feb. If your ovaries are healthy they will keep you well . While you would remove the risk of ovarian cancer you would increase the chances of other health issues. Article suggests the other issues far outweigh the chance of ovarian cancer - though huge sympathy to anyone on here who has it.
Taz - did you get my lengthy pm? :)
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Yes I did! Thank you. I will reply later on!
Taz x
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Thanks everyone for your messages and info - surgery now mid May so I have a little time yet to do more research.
Sending healing love and hugs to all.
Tinks xx