Has anyone here had a hysterectomy?, or known someone who has

[danahas4monkeys]

I'd like to hear from people other than my MIL what it was like when you had it done age wise how was recovery was it recent or years ago? I am 31 and I have 4 great kids. I have very very heavy periods to the point I dont leave the house unless its absolutely necessary I am so tired I can barely function during AF time and with 4 kids its pretty hard to just lay around on the couch. I've seen the doctor many many times and have tried many many birth control pills and nothing works so since we're done with having babies my doctor suggested what I had already decided on, a hysterectomy I see her again the 26th she wanted me to take a month and really think about it because of my age. I have done nothing but think and I know this is the way to go. The only problem I'm running into is my doctor wants to leave the ovaries for now since I am so young and I want them removed, reason being I have a very very strong history of breast cancer in my family and have been seeing the specialist at OSU medical center and their genetics team and they recommended having the ovaries removed to reduce the chances of ovarian cancer. So both doctors are discussing things to see what will be done I just dont want to have the surgery and then have to have another one later to remove the ovaries, I am having genetic testing done to see if I carry the breast cancer gene. My mother and her sister were both diagnosed very young my aunt was 34 and lived till she was 41 and my mom was 41 and passed away in April of this year at the age of 51 I just dont want to take any chances. Anyway sorry this turned into a novel I'd just like to hear from anyone with any info.

Thanks


Dana

[Maddie&EthansMom]

Dana, I know LisaR just had one not too long ago. Maybe she will see this. I can't remember exactly how old she is, but I know it's somewhere close to your age.

That's a hard decision to make.

[luvbug00]

No experience but i hope you get the information you seek

[amymom]

I think you ought to look at this website:
Heavy Periods?

I had an ablation done, but not a hysterectomy. But I am older than you. Hopefully Lisa will see this. But read some of this website.

[danahas4monkeys]

[A&A'smommy]

My mom had it done when she was 47, my MIL had it done when she was probably around 45, and my SIL got it done right after she turned 26 because she had severe medical problems after having children, and it resolved all of her problems. My mothers Dr. recommended getting her overies removed also because she had a background of cancer cells and ovarian cancer is VERY hard to detect until it is too late after you have had a hysterectomy.

So if you have ever had problems or if there is a family history of cancer cells or cancer, you should probably have them removed.

Good luck with your choice!

This post has been edited by alyssa'smommy on Sep 18 2007, 07:15 AM

[Mommy2Isabella]

No experience it was recommended that I get one after the baby is born but we are pretty sure we aren't going to. Hope you find answers!!

[danahas4monkeys]

Thanks, it was recommended I get the ovaries out too because I do have a strong family history of cancer my mom and her sister both were young when diagnosed and fairly young when they passed away so I want to take all precautions I can I need to be alive for my kids, I'm also considering the bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction should the tests come back that I carry the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene. We think my mom may have had the testing done earlier this year before she passed away if so that will tell us alot. I know it seems drastic to some and its not for everyone but if it keeps me alive so I can see my kids grow then I'll do whatever it takes, after all its just a uterus and boobs right, I wanted a boob job anyways! And no I am not taking this lightly I have done nothing but think about all of this just ask Aimee, this is something very serious and important and for my kids!

[lisar]

I had mine done 8 months ago. I was 27 when it was done. Recovery was the exact same as having a c-section. I am not sure if you had c-sections. Thats only if they cut you open. If they do it vaginally then the recovery is MUCH quicker. My best friend had hers done vaginally and she was a birthday party the day she got out of the hospital. I was on the couch for a week at least.
I highly reccomend you leave your ovaries here is my resoning why: Both of my great aunts got breast cancer due to the hormone pills they were on. My grandmother didnt get it she was the lucky one. One of my aunts died and the other is in remission. I opted to keep my ovaries mainly cause of my age. If they take them out now it could do more damage in the long run. I say keep them but make the best decision you know how.

Let me know if you want any more detailed explanations or just wanna talk in general about it. Feel free to PM if you want.

[Maddie&EthansMom]

I would also advice against taking an HRT, Dana. Since you have breast cancer genes it would likely speed it up. My mother got breast cancer from her HRT (thus the reason I don't take bcp)