Total hysterectomy [Archive] - MoneySavingExpert.com Forums

Bossyboots

28-10-2006, 11:16 AM

This is a difficult one to answer without over stepping the lines of giving health advice.

I haven't had one myself but belong to a menopause group where a number of the ladies have had this done and it has tipped them straight into menopause with high level symptoms. Have you discussed this with your consultant and considered what treatment (if any) you would want considered if you find you could not cope with the symptoms you will get.

I think it was wigginsmum who had a hysterectomy a short while ago and although she was off work for six weeks, during that time she posted on here about decorating her hallway!

aurora borealis

28-10-2006, 11:20 AM

Yes true, the thread might get locked :o

Well I'm between a rock and a hard place here with my current situation and the alternatives.

Hmm, I could do with some housework time :D

candygirl

28-10-2006, 11:26 AM

go on www.hystersisters.com for more info as this thread is bound to get locked!!its an american site and is brill for advice on hysterectomys:beer: :beer:

whatamess

28-10-2006, 11:44 AM

Hi abs, I had one for pcos so lost ovaries too.
Went straight on to hrt and have been on it for 7 years now but new doc is trying to get me to stop taking it.:eek:

If keeping your ovaries you will probably go into peri-menopause but if you suffer a lot its worth considering having the procedure done.

aurora borealis

28-10-2006, 11:56 AM

I would be having my ovaries removed as well.
In for a penny, and all that :)

L D N

28-10-2006, 12:04 PM

Haven't had one myself but remember when Mum had hers. She was due to go straight onto HRT patches after the op but the hospital had run out! Went 3 days without them and it was like visiting the exorcist in hospital. Might be worth a) checking with the doctor that treatment will definitely be available and b) warning family that you won't be yourself for a bit!!!

Soon as she went on them was much better but did swap to tablets as didn't get on with them which is a shame as I understand they are best option.

Recovery time was a while, not being able to lift a kettle etc. for a good six weeks.

The HRT has given her a very defined figure (hourglass) if you want something on the positive side to look forward to.

L

whatamess

28-10-2006, 12:13 PM

I would be having my ovaries removed as well.
In for a penny, and all that :)

For me it was the best thing I did they chucked an implant in at the same time initially. Then I went on to premarin, yes its an artificial form of oestrogen but the doc gave me a different one to try which just wasnt the same.

Without the hrt I am a psycho, mood swings, sweats, forgetful, unable to think straight.

Also start putting weight on around the midrift immediatley giving me the square look.

Becles

28-10-2006, 2:43 PM

They took my Mam's womb and ovaries out. She went straight onto HRT and is fine. She's 55 now and still active and young looking - sometimes gets mistaken for being my boys mother!

The thing that bothered her most was she always wanted 3 babies, but had to have the hysterectomy for medical reasons. She got depressed about not being able to have another baby, and would get tearful when other people had babies. Part of the reason was that both me and my brother were c-sections, so she'd never been through a vaginal delivery and felt she'd missed out. She attended the birth of my two boys who were natural births, so that helped heal that wound for her.

Just thought I'd tell you in case you have any desire for more babies and it might hit you harder than you think afterwards.

CCStar

28-10-2006, 3:46 PM

I would be having my ovaries removed as well.
In for a penny, and all that :)

I would too - I had my womb out and my ovaries out later = 2 surgeries and retaining mine was a big mistake due to having severe endometriosis which gave me further complications.

I don't have HRT as I had too much oestrogen anyway

CCStar

28-10-2006, 3:52 PM

I'm trying to decide whether to go ahead.
For the ladies that have...

Can you please share your experiences. I'd like to know, especially...

How long will I be off work? (that's the moneysaving bit ;) )
How does it affect mood long term?
Anything else that might affect me.

Thank you :)
In a word or two

Get the lot out!

My first operation kept me off for about 6-8 weeks but I wasn't working anyway but felt fine after 8 weeks and drove at 6 weeks after my check up. My husband's health insurance paid for it. It was a much easier operation to recover from.

My mood wasn't different as I still got severe PMS, which was one of the reasons for the op. If I had had ovaries out, I would have been better off all round. I had an HRT patch to see if it would help with the PMS but it was worst thing I had tbh. My moods got worse and I felt really tired and grumpy. Not a good thing with a child and husband.

I got my ovaries out after 12 more years, which I had to pay for going private, NHS is a joke up here for non-urgent ops. They thought it was a routine removal but my endometriosis had really upset my innards and needed a more serious operation to deal with it.

Had I got my ovaries out with the womb, I would have saved myself money, another operation and 12 more years of hormone imbalance which did affect my moods and innards.

CCStar

28-10-2006, 3:55 PM

go on www.hystersisters.com for more info as this thread is bound to get locked!!its an american site and is brill for advice on hysterectomys:beer: :beer:
I used that site when I had my second op.

None of this was around in 1992 when I had my first op.

CCStar

28-10-2006, 3:57 PM

Becles

28-10-2006, 5:42 PM

Getting over abdominal surgery is easier than getting over a natural birth

I'm surprised at that as I thought it would be the other way round.

I can recall being quite poorly after having my appendix out. I lay about for a good few days afterwards, then had to do things carefully for a few weeks, avoiding heavy work.

After the natural birth of my boys I was back up and on my feet straight away. It was only a few days after my eldest was born that I finished some wallpapering and laid a carpet. He was born early and arrived in the middle of some decorating I was doing!

jo_b

28-10-2006, 5:47 PM

I'm How long will I be off work? (that's the moneysaving bit ;) )

My mother (in her mid-fifties) had a hysterectomy and is currently in her twelth week off work! :eek:

She does do a job that involves lifting and handling so, obviously, that's a factor in how long she has needed to be off work. :confused:

aurora borealis

28-10-2006, 6:24 PM

I don't have HRT as I had too much oestrogen anyway

Do your hormone levels get measured then?

Bogof_Babe

28-10-2006, 6:45 PM

Best thing I ever did. My gynae was thinking of leaving the cervix but I said no I want it all dealt with now, so it was. A blessed relief after 12 years of impossible periods and crippling pain.

I was out of action for about a fortnight, but by 17 days I was walking short distances like from the car park into town, and by 23 days I cooked Christmas dinner for four.

Have truly never looked back. Am on oestrogen only HRT but have cut down to one every six days. The only occasional symptom is feeling hot at night, but it is by no means a major problem.

Best of luck whatever you decide. In my case a total hysterectomy was the start of the rest of my life.

inkie

28-10-2006, 6:55 PM

With regard to the time off work - it depends upon what 'work' is - some a colleague of mine (a nurse) had 6 months off due to the nature of work (moving and handling etc)

nearlyrich

28-10-2006, 6:55 PM

I had the op at 35 due to a few problems including endometriosis and abnormal smears, I had 3 months off work, it was a desk job but quite stressfull. I had what seemed like an instant menopause, hot flushes the works and I was quite teary in hospital I was also really tired for weeks I just laid on the sofa most days. The surgeon left an ovary but I think it's packed in now after 10 years. I struggle a bit with my weight now but overall I would say it was a good plan for me I used to have a really tough time each month and it was like a massive release.

I hope you get sorted out soon, it's something hat you have to decide for yourself but if you have any questions I am happy to answer just PM me.

Claudie

28-10-2006, 7:28 PM

Hi again :smiley:

I too had a full hysterectomy, I was about 40 - I asked to keep an ovary as I was quite young and I didn't want to hit menopause full on but without boring you with details of my medical history, I couldn't keep them.

I describe my op as the best of times and the worst of times. I don't regret a single minute of it and am thrilled to this day that years of agony are over, to those of you who have experienced that you know what I mean!

But my recovery was so much harder than I expected - I had a 4 year old at home to look after and no family to help out, it was exhausting. I was told to rest but how do you rest with a small child?

I managed HRT for a few months but had extreme reactions and had to stop taking it cold turkey - I had severe night sweats and mood swings and crying jags, loss of interest, the lot. I can remember a colleague telling me pre op that recovery could take 6 months or more and I cynically thought to myself "well that's your wife" - I cringe with embaressment thinking about that as it took me at least a year to get back on my feet and feeling like my old self, and my health has never been the same. It has improved my standard of life tenfold if not more practically, but I am always ill now with something or other. Hystersisters is a brilliant web site for info and support - I highly recommend it.

But back to the moneysaving side - I found this site about the same time as my op - I didn't realise that I could claim on my mortgage protection while I was off on sick leave. DH didn't have any annual leave so he couldn't take time off work (he managed about 5 days when I first came home but that was unpaid). Naively I thought I needed to be disabled to claim; I ended up being off work for nearly 4 months so that was a huge help.

I don't want it to sound all negative as it really has improved my standard of living but it was hard mentally, physically and emotionally and I really wish I had been given far more real advice pre - op.

janb5

28-10-2006, 7:45 PM

I had a vaginal hysterectomy a month ago( uterus and cervix) I was recommended this site www.hysterectomy-asssociation.org.uk by some kind person on this site. Really worth having a look,lots of people on there willing to share their experiences and this will allay your fears .

As for me I am recovering really well although the tendency is to do too much! I certainly wont miss heavy periods and smears!

Savvy_Sue

29-10-2006, 1:06 AM

I think it depends how they whip it out. I think in theory that if they can do it vaginally that recovery might be quicker than if you have an abdominal scar. And also if they can use keyhole surgery then recovery should be quicker than if they need to do a full incision. so ask how they're planning to proceed!

CCStar

30-10-2006, 10:43 PM

Do your hormone levels get measured then?
Yes I have had blood tests which detected the imbalance

CCStar

30-10-2006, 10:44 PM

With regard to the time off work - it depends upon what 'work' is - some a colleague of mine (a nurse) had 6 months off due to the nature of work (moving and handling etc)
Yes I didn't do that much lifting etc, so able to resume normal life fairly soon. My first op was quicker to get over than my second one.

beachbeth

06-11-2006, 6:04 PM

aurora borealis

06-11-2006, 6:08 PM

I have very bad pms (I have been in tears nearly all day today!) which includes headaches, feeling sick, period pain, feeling irritated, aggressive, angry, tearful and unable to concentrate properly. I am seriously considering having a hysterectomy. A neighbour had it done because of pms too and says she's never looked back. She said as long as I have my ovaries out the pms will stop. I am a bit worried about some of the comments on here about the instant menopause and its associated symptoms though. My pms is bad enough to go ahead though. Will I be treated better if I go private? I will remortgage if need be to pay for it! I can't stand to have this monthly business any longer! :(
Exactly!
That's me to a T except I get gloomy rather than irritable.

Now, today and for the next week or so I am absolutely fine - normal. I'm dreading the week after that though :eek: It is nearly unbearable :(

Claudie

06-11-2006, 7:23 PM

Beachbeth I totally sympathise with the PMS - I had that as well as a host of medical problems.

With regards to those PMS symptoms you describe - I had those post hysterectomy for a long time, menopause is a shift in your hormones as is PMS. IMHO an instant menopause is like PMS times 100 but as I no longer had monthly cycles I had no pattern to the moods - it was all the time :o It took me almost a year to get my hormones balanced, but everyone is different. I imagine just as childbirth is different for every woman - so is a hysterectomy; but it's one of those things you don't know until it happens to you personally but for me it certainly didn't solve my PMS issues.

There is a new PMS support site

http://www.pms.org.uk/Menstrual+Diary

with some great information about charting. This is a really good tool for a conversation with your Practice Nurse or GP about what treatment may be best for you.

From a money saving pov there are some really good natural alternatives to try and there are some good tips on that as well.

I had private medical cover but it still took many months to get from the GP to the Consultant's recommendation to the op.

Whatever you decide good luck and remember you don't have to suffer alone - there are people out here/there to help!

Claudie

06-11-2006, 7:33 PM

Oh and I meant to add I certainly don't regret my op for a minute - I had a host of other v complicated issues that were cleared up and I now feel fab. A stone heavier but fab LOL

beachbeth

06-11-2006, 10:05 PM

an instant menopause is like PMS times 100 but as I no longer had monthly cycles I had no pattern to the moods - it was all the time :o

This is what worries me. At the moment I control my pms with the pill. I can decide when I am going to suffer from it and can decide that it wont happen at Christmas/birthdays/holidays etc.

If I have a hysterectomy and still have symptoms I won't have any control. :(

CCStar

06-11-2006, 11:26 PM

This is what worries me. At the moment I control my pms with the pill. I can decide when I am going to suffer from it and can decide that it wont happen at Christmas/birthdays/holidays etc.

If I have a hysterectomy and still have symptoms I won't have any control. :(
I was the opposite, I had permanent PMS etc on the pill and I don't have it at all now. Just normal moods and frustrations

CCStar

06-11-2006, 11:40 PM

I have very bad pms (I have been in tears nearly all day today!) which includes headaches, feeling sick, period pain, feeling irritated, aggressive, angry, tearful and unable to concentrate properly. I am seriously considering having a hysterectomy. A neighbour had it done because of pms too and says she's never looked back. She said as long as I have my ovaries out the pms will stop. I am a bit worried about some of the comments on here about the instant menopause and its associated symptoms though. My pms is bad enough to go ahead though. Will I be treated better if I go private? I will remortgage if need be to pay for it! I can't stand to have this monthly business any longer! :(
You sound just like I did.

I only wish I had had my ovaries out in the first place. It was nice to be without periods and worries over contraception but still got PMS due to endometriosis and it caused me no end of trouble.

I had my ovaries out nearly two years ago and if I am in menopause, it is a breeze compared to my PMS/PMDD.

Claudie

07-11-2006, 8:14 AM

You sound just like I did.

I had my ovaries out nearly two years ago and if I am in menopause, it is a breeze compared to my PMS/PMDD.

CCStar if you don't mind me asking - are you taking any form of HRT? I was told that with a full hysterectomy you are automatically menopausal as your ovaries are gone...I was taking HRT for a few months but had some reactions but I imagine that would help ease any adverse PMS type sympoms.

I wish I had to save the money I no longer spend on girlie stuff!

beachbeth

07-11-2006, 8:26 AM

I just can't decide whether to go ahead or not. Every woman's experience is different. A neighbour of mine had bad pms which was cured by having a hysterectomy, including removal of ovaries and she said "go for it. I would recommend it!" but Im so worried it will just make things worse and that I will feel awful all the time instead of just monthly!

Claudie

07-11-2006, 4:21 PM

beachbeth I don't think you would feel awful all the time and I don't want to mislead you into thinking it is just awful, nor did I want to scare you....I just wish someone had been more honest with me about what to expect in case things did go differently for me. I was up and walking the day after my c section and I imagined this op would be no different but it was.

I really suggest a good chat with your practice nurse - talk about your own situation and make a choice that best suits you and your family circumstances.

pavlovs_dog

07-11-2006, 5:57 PM

all you poor ladies with pms - have you tried oil of evening primrose? i hear its very good

Happy Bunny

07-11-2006, 10:12 PM

I went in for a vaginal hystrectomy last year, for very heavy periods and severe pain which meant I was having time off work.
I also had a prolapse

I had a spinal so I was awake, the specialist came round to my "top end" and said my womb was too big to get out that way, so could she do a repair.

It was called a "Manchester Repair" and involved shortening the bits holding my womb up, to correct the prolapse and taking away my cervix, but creating a new one into which they fitted a Merina coil (thats not the correct spelling)
She explained also, that leaving the womb in place means you don't create a space for your bladder to fall into at a later date!

I was off work 6 weeks as I do fairly heavy work, but was doing all sorts at home and felt great, only slightly uncomfortable.
I've never looked back, no periods, no prolapse and no mood problems

aurora borealis

07-11-2006, 10:14 PM

I'm still happy :) ... watch this space!

Claudie

08-11-2006, 8:36 AM

That sounds great Happy Bunny - I haven't heard of that. I can see why you would be a happy bunny now :smiley:

There is a local Consultant receiving a lot of press for doing ablation and clinics for women with menstrual problems - certainly worth a read imo

http://archive.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/2004/5/11/117897.html

There was a more recent article following on from this one and interviewing the woman who has had the procedure..I can't ind it at the moment but if I do I will post it later. He has been having a high success rate.

beachbeth

08-11-2006, 9:24 AM

all you poor ladies with pms - have you tried oil of evening primrose? i hear its very good

If anyone else suggests Evening Primrose oil or Vitamin B6 I will smash my head up the wall (Im suffering with PMS at the moment so you can see where Im coming from!!!!)

These sort of 'treatments' just do not work. They made no difference whatsoever to me and I have since read that there have actually been no clinical trials to prove that they have any affect. So people suggest them as a way of dealing with pms and yet no one actually knows whether they are any use. To me its like putting a sticking plaster on a severed leg!!!

However, Pavlovs_dog, thanks for the suggestion and please don't take my reply as a personal attack!

aurora borealis

08-11-2006, 12:25 PM

I was advised to try Agnus Castus or cyclical Prozac :eek:
I haven't so far.

...... still happy today :D :D :D

pavlovs_dog

08-11-2006, 9:21 PM

If anyone else suggests Evening Primrose oil or Vitamin B6 I will smash my head up the wall (Im suffering with PMS at the moment so you can see where Im coming from!!!!)

These sort of 'treatments' just do not work. They made no difference whatsoever to me and I have since read that there have actually been no clinical trials to prove that they have any affect. So people suggest them as a way of dealing with pms and yet no one actually knows whether they are any use. To me its like putting a sticking plaster on a severed leg!!!

However, Pavlovs_dog, thanks for the suggestion and please don't take my reply as a personal attack!

none offence taken AB. as you can probably guess, given my age i have absolutely no experience of this yet, and am lucky to have trouble free periods (menopause? :eek: ive go so much to look forward too :rolleyes: :D )

OoEP is one of those suggestions that is frequently bandied about in womens mags etc. again with vitamin B6. sorry it doesnt work for you.. back to the chocolate drawing board eh? :rotfl:

the only other things i can think of to suggest would be to make sure you get enough magnesium and potassium.. im sure ive read they 'help' too. oh and someone on OS (was it GR?) mention that lots of lentils are good (rich in iron, to replace what you lose), followed by orange juice to aid absorption.

glad you're happy (for the time being at least) and i hope you sort something out :grouphug:

aurora borealis

08-11-2006, 9:24 PM

Nooooooooooooo!!!

Pavlova cake, that wasn't me! Read back ;)

I'm not PMT at the moment :) :) :)

pavlovs_dog

08-11-2006, 9:38 PM

note to self - must pay more attention :o :eek: :D

beachbeth

09-11-2006, 11:25 AM

none offence taken AB.

the only other things i can think of to suggest would be to make sure you get enough magnesium and potassium.. im sure ive read they 'help' too. oh and someone on OS (was it GR?) mention that lots of lentils are good (rich in iron, to replace what you lose), followed by orange juice to aid absorption

It was me who's suffering not AB!

Thanks for the advice re lentils. Its funny because Im about to look for some recipes for lentils and if you are right about the iron then they will do me and my youngest daughter good because she suffers the same as me!

aurora borealis

09-11-2006, 2:20 PM

I just received my agnus castus in the post so I'll start today.

I'm a bit on the turn today- nothing major so far ;)

Mrs pbradley936

09-11-2006, 2:38 PM

I was going to have a hysterectomy but Consultant said to try Mirena coil first to see if that would work. It did and so I still have my womb. My problem was extremely heavy bleeding and flooding. Now I get only stains to let me know I am on and would not need anything more than a pantie liner.

When we were talking about it the Consultant told me that not everyone was a candidate for a virginal hysterectomy but that if you were the recovery was much quicker.

beachbeth

09-11-2006, 4:28 PM

When we were talking about it the Consultant told me that not everyone was a candidate for a virginal hysterectomy but that if you were the recovery was much quicker.

Correct me if Im wrong but I think if you have your ovaries removed then you have to be cut open (don't know the proper term!).Don't think they can get at everything vaginally!

Mrs pbradley936

09-11-2006, 6:14 PM

Correct me if Im wrong but I think if you have your ovaries removed then you have to be cut open (don't know the proper term!).Don't think they can get at everything vaginally!

That may be what he meant

CCStar

10-11-2006, 12:12 PM

all you poor ladies with pms - have you tried oil of evening primrose? i hear its very good

It might be OK if the PMS is mild but it never touched mine

CCStar

10-11-2006, 12:16 PM

CCStar if you don't mind me asking - are you taking any form of HRT? I was told that with a full hysterectomy you are automatically menopausal as your ovaries are gone...I was taking HRT for a few months but had some reactions but I imagine that would help ease any adverse PMS type sympoms.

I wish I had to save the money I no longer spend on girlie stuff!
I don't take HRT as I had severe endometreosis caused by too much oestrogen as I kept my ovaries. HRT would aggravate it. My moods are much more normal too for the first time in 30 years, except for 15 months spanning pregnancy and breast feeding.

I took HRT when I just had my womb out and my moods went haywire.

CCStar

10-11-2006, 12:19 PM

Correct me if Im wrong but I think if you have your ovaries removed then you have to be cut open (don't know the proper term!).Don't think they can get at everything vaginally!
Usually you are cut to remove womb and/or ovaries. Usually if the womb is prolapsed, it can be removed vaginally.

I have been cut open twice and didn't find it too bad recovering, compared to giving birth vaginally. The only benefit was being able to drive sooner. I imagine the vaginal method would need time to recover too.

beachbeth

10-11-2006, 1:14 PM

Apparently you recover much quicker if you have it done vaginally because there are no scars in your abdomen to heal. I couldn't have it done this way because my ovaries would have to be removed to get rid of my pms.

beachbeth

10-11-2006, 1:16 PM

It might be OK if the PMS is mild but it never touched mine

I read an article written by a doctor who said there is absolutely no medical evidence whatsoever that EPO and vitamin B6 help with pms. It is dished out to women or recommended to them and when the women don't come back and complain they assume it must have worked :confused:

Claudie

10-11-2006, 8:42 PM

For all of you with hormone issues - I have just posted a hormonal letter (well guide) on the Fuuny Money thread. I'm not really sure of the rules re jokes but thought that was the safest place for it!

aurora borealis

12-11-2006, 7:06 PM

Started the Agnus Castus today .... still happy :)

Claudie

12-11-2006, 8:15 PM

I don't take HRT as I had severe endometreosis caused by too much oestrogen as I kept my ovaries. HRT would aggravate it. My moods are much more normal too for the first time in 30 years, except for 15 months spanning pregnancy and breast feeding.

I took HRT when I just had my womb out and my moods went haywire.

That was one of the reasons I stopped HRT - my endo was coming back! Awful thought....it's a minefield..

And good luck Aurura - let us know how you get on.

aurora borealis

14-11-2006, 6:38 PM

:eek: :eek: :eek:

and so it begins :(

furrypig

14-11-2006, 6:47 PM

Hi

Just wanted to say I started a similar thread about a year ago as I was approaching my hysterectomy date. Didn't find many people had been through it here then.

Anyway I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy, stayed in hospital one night only was off work about 6 weeks, partly due to the fact i got an infection plus I work as a nurse and it is quite busy!

I found the hystersisters site brilliant, you get replies really quickly and ladies from all over the world share their knowledge on there with you. You can log on before surgery and ask questions even if you think they sound silly! I found it really useful and went on months before my hysterectomy, then went on quite a bit before my surgery and I felt I met lots of friends post op who had been through the same as me and I could talk to them better than anyone else!

Overall each of us is an individual and exactly how the same condition with the same operation turns out can really vary. I had a great experience overall and feel so much better for it (I have my ovaries as wasn't considered old enough to whip them out, which has been fine for me!).

I wish you luck with making the decision and please look at the web sites as there are so many people there who have been through it all it hopefully will help you.

Thinking of you and do pm if you wnat to ask anything else about it in private!!

p.s Also the hysterectomy association is useful and I did go on there too.