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[ichante]

Hi ladies,

In my last post I mentioned that I had been sent for an MRI to see if I was a good candidate for a procedure called MR Guided Therapy, which is meant to destroy the Fibroids.  Unfortunately, nothing came of this, because after the scan I was not offered an appointment by the specialist.  So now I am booked in for a hysterectomy in on 9th April. 90%  of me feels this is the right course of action because of the history of painful fibroids and severe perimenopausal symptoms, including depression that I have been suffering for the past 5 years. The other 10% of me is naturally apprehensive because I have never had a major operation.  I was advised to lose weight before my op as it would help to aid my recovery.  I am having a bikini line op because they are removing everything.  The gynaecologist said that he would put hormone implants into my arm to help with menopause symptoms.

I'm 51 and live with my two adult children who seem to be terrified on my behalf. Before my hormone problems, they have known me to be fit, healthy and full of life.  All the troubles have caused me to become depressed, anxious and spending long periods of time in bed.  I have not worked for 3 years and I have lost a lot of my ‘spark'.   I was put on HRT patches which helped with some of the symptoms and I have recently been diagnosed as having hypothyroidism, which I am also taking medication for.  I am now taking anti-depressants because of the increased anxiety as I wait for my op. They have helped me not ‘feel' as much but my bad day's are still very bad.  I know the op will eliminate a lot of my physical symptoms.  I look forward to not having heavy periods and constant month-long back ache, pelvic pain and monthly muscle ache and flu like symptoms.

I would really appreciate some advice and tips from anyone who has had the op.

Thanks
Ichante xx

[Taz2]

Hi Ichante - I am sure that your life will be so much improved once you have had the hyster. I wonder why your consultant is "taking everything" though? Do you know why you can't keep your ovaries as these continue to give out some oestrogen long after menopause. I am also wondering whether it would be better to have HRT in pill or patch form as if this doesn't agree with you then you can just stop using the patches or taking the pill but the implant is obviously there for a certain amount of time.

It's natural for your children to be worried about you but I am sure that they will be a tower of strength during your recovery.

Taz x 

[Trey]

I had a hyst at 32 due to large fibroids.  I kept ovaries as they have an important function and probably no pill or implant can fully duplicate.  Unless you have ovarian cysts I would question taking them.  Also I felt so much better following recovery of op, especially as to back ache.

The hypo thyroid should be corrected first and may radically change your hormone status as thyroid controls many hormone functions including ovary.  I would seriously see how you feel when thyroid corrected.  I had seven miscarriages due to low thyroid, undiagnosed.  What a waste.

Not trying to interfere, but feel these are serious issues.  I completely echo Taz as well. 

The depression may lift considerably when thyroid normalized as depression is often related to low thyroid.

Don't ever forget, it is your right to advocate for yourself.  And it is your duty.

The RN in me took over this post, but also it is so important to have the whole picture before making medical decisions.

Forgot to mention that fibroids often shrink after menopause.

[CLKD]

I had a polyp which disappeared at peri-menopause

My Gynae takes 'the lot' because ovarian cancer is a silent killer and he believes that he shouldn't 'go in' twice …. if ovaries are removed there isn't the necessity.

You can ring the Ward or the Consultant's Secretary with a list of queries ;-)

[Rowan]

Never never give up your ovaries unless it is a medical necessity.

[ichante]

Hi ladies, thanks for the replies,

I suppose I should have explained myself a little more.
I was diagnosed two years ago with PMDD (a severe form of PMS) and the closer I got to the menopause, the symptoms increased.
   
I had a horrendous time premenstrually, depression - severe mood swings and two weeks of complete hell after ovulation, I had suicidal thoughts every month. I was put on Evorel patches (started off at 25 and went up to 150 over the course of two years) and progesterone pessaries.  I had a bulky womb which included fibroids, which got bigger.  The HRT helped with the emotional symptoms especially the depression/anxiety and suicidal thoughts.  (I was even able to start volunteering once a week after not being able to leave the house for two years without being extremely anxious). The physical symptoms eased up but were ALL still there every single month.  The Gynae suggested I had decapeptyl injections to shut down my overies to see if things got better and they did.
My symptoms were connected to the two weeks after ovulation. I have a history of depression and understand now that there is a link between the drop in estrogen and serotonin levels.   The Gynae explained why I was having everything removed, which I have no problem with.  I think I can deal with the menopause symptoms - hot flushes etc, but the physical symptoms have been really terrible.

I have a pre-op appoitment on Friday and I am armed with a list of questions.

[Trey]

Wow, you have dealt with a lot.  This just goes to prove that it is so important to have a complete history and sounds like you are heading down the right path.  Best wishes for much improvement.

[ladybird52]

Hi Ichante, I had a sub total hysterectomy on 4th march and chose to keep cervix for various reasons but agreed to have ovaries removed as I am post meno and already taking hrt. In addition consultant talked me through pros of taking them at the same time is removal of future risk of ovarian cancer and possible post op adhesions. However you have to weigh up all the arguments according to your age as well and I would probably have kept them if I'd been younger.

I also had multiple fibroids but I can tell you that 4 weeks on I feel great and pelvis so much better now. I was also scared having had no previous surgery luckily but I felt really looked after in hospital and they really make sure you are not in pain afterwards. I had my op at 4.30 pm and was out of bed day after walking around! The weeks before are the worst but I am so pleased I went through it now and it wasn't half as bad as what I was expecting. I also had a bikini cut which has healed up nicely and I can hardly see it even after such a short time. Good luck

[ichante]

Hi Trey and Ladybird52,

Thank you so much for your warm words of encouragement. I feel so much better sharing my worries with ladies who have gone through similar experiences.
Yes I have had a lot going on at once.  As you both probably know cotton wool for brains, plus fuzzy thoughts, plus anxiety are all part and parcel of meno. I forgot to mention my history.  I do feel I am on the right path and try to remember the wise words of a great book I read - 'feel the fear and do it anyway'.  I had two 'fairly' easy births and am normally brave,but this is BIG so i'll allow myself the odd wobbly moment.

Ladybird52 I am so encouraged by the fact that you feel much better after your op.  I am 51 years old and have had my family (two wonderful children).  The pelvic pain is the worst and I look forward to getting my life back. The good thing I can say about the run up to my op is that once I started taking the anti-depressants (to cope with the extra anxiety), they gave me the extra oomph and I was determined to lose weight and get fit for the op. I have been exercising and eating better and have lost 4kg which I think is 9lbs. 
Thanks again for the good wishes - i'll keep you posted.

[Taz2]

Thanks for the explanation. I believe there are two other members on here with PMDD so a search might bring up posts on this.

Here's to a much happier future!

Taz x

[cherub0308]

Hi Ichante

I can relate to pmdd.  I have had the suicidal thoughts and the depression. am just continually given anti depressants . Like you the symptoms have got worse I also have fibroids

Have started taking estrogen too really in the hope it wo uld help with the depression. I have been on for two months. Started to feel better but since I started reducing the anti d's I felt bad again. Maybe I need to give the estrogen longer.

Wishing you all the best.

Cherub0308 x

[ichante]

Hi cherub0308,

The estrogren certainly made a difference, I truly believe it saved my sanity and ultimately my life.  I had always suffered with depression and PMS -  as I approached the menopause things just got worse.  I couldn't function at work and lost my job, was no longer functioning and became a recluse.  I started off with Evorel 25 patches and eventually over two years went up to 150.  I had glimpses of my old self and was even able to volunteer one day a week.

I also started back on anti-depressants in the run up to my operation because of the added anxiety.  The added estrogen and anti/d combination certainly helped me. 

I am now post op and do not regret it at all. 

There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Lots of love

Ichante