Hysterectomy question

NurseFirst · May 3, 2005

Hello all. I am getting ready to have a hysterectomy and wanted some input from any of you who have had one. I'm only 34 but I've been dealing with several female issues for about 4 years and since I'm done having children my GYN suggested this route. I will have both ovaries as well as my uterus taken out. What has been your experience? I look forward to my pain being relieved and no more periods but wonder what other issues I will have to deal with now. My dr. has already stated that I would be put on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. I've been reading up on all of this but still would really appreciate some feedback. Thanks in advance!

Boy, I hope Brian doesn't mind me recommending a website:

http://www.hystersisters.com

Awesome website. The community support was very helpful to me when I was approaching my TAH.

NurseFirst

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · May 3, 2005

Totally agree with the site that NurseFirst recommended.

I had a hysterectomy back in 2002. That site was a true blessing!!!

EarthChild1130 · May 3, 2005

I had my TAH/BSO in 2000 at the ripe young age of 23 after several years of endometriosis/PCOS and failed attempts at conception, and I was VERY relieved to finally have it done!

I was very happy to have a doctor that was not only willing to answer my questions, but encouraged me to ASK!

I have had no problems other than absolutely NO sex drive, which is now being helped along with monthly injections of estradiol/testosterone after trying the pills we could think of...that's seriously been the only problem I've had...

I guess another factor in your recovery would be if you're having a lady partsl vs. abdominal hysterectomy, because things are different for each one.

Good luck! :)

Sis123 · May 4, 2005

Ooops. Sorry for the dup.

DDRN4me · May 4, 2005

i had a vag hyst in 200o, 3 weeks after my graduation from ADN program and 3 days after i passed my boards. was back to work in 3 weeks .My life has been so much better , no more pain or being cooped up and feeling miserable. i do still have my ovaries, so cant answer the hrt questions. just know it was the best thing i ever did for myself after 20 years!

Sis123 · May 4, 2005

Hi Nurse34,

I will have both ovaries as well as my uterus taken out. What has been your experience?

When I had my TAH/BSO, life began anew. One with no more pain etc.

I look forward to my pain being relieved and no more periods but wonder what other issues I will have to deal with now.

Some people do have negative effects from the surgery, so this is a risk, but I think tiny one. Of course I feel this way because I didn't have any. Your mileage may vary.

My dr. has already stated that I would be put on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

I like the Vivelle dot. Works great, but more expensive than premarin. No pregnant mares caged up for my sake, though, and I like that.

I've been reading up on all of this but still would really appreciate some feedback. Also, I'm getting ready to start school this summer and have a husband that works offshore so timing is very important. Is there something that the dr. can do to either make me start my cycle early or delay it all together? Thanks in advance!

Perhaps I am not understanding what you are asking here. If you have a TAH/BSO you will not have another period again, so no "timing" required. If you are planning to attend summer quarter and I assume fall quarter, what you might do is have your surgery right after your final exam for summer quarter and recuperate during your break. This may or may not be enough time to recover, but for sure you won't be able to have and then recover from major surgery if you are in the middle of a quarter!

Hope this helps. Good luck and do check out the hystersister's site. It's very very good, lots and lots of info.

jdkaos · May 5, 2005

I also had a hyst. last summer, at the age of 33. It is the best thing I have ever done. I did leave my ovaries, but now am having problems with reoccuring cysts. My Dr. and I are now debating about wether to take out the ovaries, or go on birth control. The wat I look at it is either way I ma on hormones so let's just take them out.

BadBird, BSN, RN · May 5, 2005

Some helpful hints: take your stool softener twice a day, do not drink any carbonated beverages (gas pains are the worst!), get lots of rest. Good luck to you.

CathRN · May 5, 2005

I was 32 when I finally gave up and had my hyst. I still have one ovary, so I can't answer about the HRT. I feel so much better now, I wish I would have had it done sooner. I had mine done lady partslly, and was back at work within 4 weeks. It ahs truly been a blessing, I don't remember any side effects mentioned earlier, I just remember being sore for a while, and most of all no more periods, no pain, no constant bleeding. Good luck and keep up posted.

Maine Critical Care · Sep 26, 2006

I had mine last May by laparoscopic approach. They left my ovaries, tubes and cervix. I feel like a million bucks except for the fatigue. I had adenomyosis and was in pain 3 out of 4 weeks per month for about 15 years. Norco every three hours, vomiting with pain etc. To think I delayed due to fear of anesthesia. Go figure, thats an ICU nurse for you. I went home the next day, pain lasted 2 weeks (like a bad period) but then all is well.

I like keeping my ovaries since they will let me have a slow menopause. My pre hyster hot flashes have now gone! Also I didn't lose my libido (my husband is glad) and am healthier than I have been for a long time since I'm not in pain all the time.

wooh, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2006

I only wish I'd found the hystersisters site prior to my surgery instead of during my recovery. I'd have been able to plan better! Everything you ever wanted to know from the gals that have been there!!