Private Operation - Hysterectomy

Ted_Hutchinson

Luis wrote:

Whilst I am here - does anyone know any tips for Hot Flushes? I cannot have HRT (due to the injections), and seem tospend my life putting on and taking off layers of clothing, opening and closing windows, and throwing the duvet on and off. I am trying Evening Primrose Oil, to no real effect. Luis.

The health forum rules precludes the giving of medical advice so the following links to the latest research may be interesting but I am sure you appreciate that being Male I don't understand these matters and not being medically qualified, I wouldn't be able to comment either.

You may find the following research papers useful

[size=+1]Drug-herb interactions with herbal medicines for menopause.[/size][size=+1] is short and to the point that you can safely proceed with any that take your fancy.
[/size]
[size=+1]Women and omega-3 Fatty acids.[/size][size=+1]includes the following
[/size]There is also some evidence that supplementation with omega-3 FA might help to prevent preeclampsia, postpartum depression, menopausal problems, postmenopausal osteoporosis, and breast cancer.

Pilot evaluation of black cohosh for the treatment of hot flashes in women.concludes Black cohosh appeared to reduce hot flashes and had a low toxicity.
[size=+1]Phytoestrogens for treatment of menopausal symptoms: a systematic review.[/size][size=+1] concludes [/size]The available evidence suggests that phytoestrogens available as soy foods, soy extracts, and red clover extracts do not improve hot flushes or other menopausal symptoms.

Effect of oral gamolenic acid from evening primrose oil on menopausal flushing. concludes Gamolenic acid offers no benefit over placebo in treating menopausal flushing.

There is an active forum at Netdoctor where these issues can be discussed without infringing the forum rules.

Edit. The above research paper dismissing the effect of phytoestrogens on menopausal problems shouldn't be considered in isolation as this one Protective role of n-3 lipids and soy protein in osteoporosis. starts by acknowledgingIt is well established that bone loss due to estrogen deficiency after menopause is greater in women consuming higher quantities of animal protein than in women consuming vegetable protein, particularly soy protein.

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jaybee

I had a hysterectomy at about your age (I was 29). It was 31 years ago and I know things have changed a lot since then. For me it was the only option available (and I'd had cancer as well). Afraid I can't advise on costs as things have gone up so much since then :eek: but I know that some private hospitals do Fixed Price surgery which can sometimes be a bit cheaper.

Having children was never an option for me (no IVF then). It's something we had to learn to live with in those days (don't I sound old!!!). Like you, I was never obsesive about having kids. There has never been a shortage of children in my life thanks to my friends who went down that path. Very nice when you can give them back at the end of the day! Also good when you want to see kids films and the parents don't want to go!!! Also your life can be the envy of your child-burdened friends - more money (?!), holidays, whatever you want to do.

One thing, though - do make sure that they offer you plenty of after care. Nowadays they know that an early hysterectomy can cause osteoporosis. I'm sure that the advice would be given anyway, but it's worth checking.

One thing I'm sure of - it's the best thing I ever did. Oh the joys of womanhood

Do let us know how you're doing.

Glad

Luis
sorry to hear of all your problems and your unsympathetic treatment from medical staff,
I read in your posts on coin counting that you have a OH, so hope I'm not being presumptious here, presumably he agrees with you on not wanting children together so it may be a good idea to take him along to the appointment, a united front may get a better result, and also sad as it is some people do take more notice when confronted by a man,

vanoonoo

I'm not an expert in this and have no direct personal experience but I have a hunch that you will need a referral from a standard (NHS) practitioner to be accepted by BUPA style consultants if you wish to keep the costs level. If that doesnt happen you are entering a dark world of unregulated medical practice (as i understand it). I dont know what sort of budget you have for this but it may be worth investigating going abroad for the procedure. i am afraid I cant provide links but I know it is possible to get medical treatment abroad. I really sympathise with your situation and urge you to seek further medical advice and demand a second opinion. you are entitled to it and shouldnt have to feel a s though your health, both mental and physical is at risk through procrastination of professionals. with regard to your employer and the amount of time off you have had - contact the personnel department and explain the problem to them - that way you have been preemptive and they are informed, rather than them having to be reactive after the event. good luck

IvanOpinion

A bit of history (cut very short). DW suffered badly from a condition known as polycystic ovaries. She also had an operation to cut away 'abnormal cells' during which they forgot to give her an anaesthetic. Since we desperately wanted to have children the doctors fought and fought to give DW half a chance and she had several ectopic (sp?) pregnancies with the usual and expected end game. In the end she was left with about 1/3 of one ovary and 1/2 the other - following a sequence of about 14 operaitons in less than 18 months. She was in significant and continual pain due to adhesions and some other condition (inflammation of some tissues ... peri-something-itis). The doctors had talked on several occasions about a hysterectomy and thought it would solve all problems - except allowing us to have kids. One night she haemorraged and I made a mad dash to get her to hospital and, since DW was going in and out of consciousness, I had to give permission for the doctors to give her a full hysterectomy just to give her a fighting chance at survival. She was only 31/32 (ish) and I still wonder on many an occasion if it was the right decision and if DW has truly forgiven me !!!

Anyway the main point is that having the operation was not the panacea that the doctors thought that it might be. For a period of about 3 years her body rejected any form of HRT, the worst being the injectable tablet that caused her significant problems. Even today they have just about got her hormone levels to the 'barely readable' stage using a very high dosage patch. She knows that this is increasing her risk of heart disease, various cancers and is likely going to cause her osteoperosis (sp?) in later life. At the minute she is suffering from chronic back pain (controlled through very strong painkillers) which the doctors do not appear to be able to determine the cause of - personally I think it is caused by her HRT. Owing to the hormonal imbalances in her body she does have various other problems including bouts of depression, migraines etc. etc.

Therefore, think very carefully ... there is no going back after the hysterectomy and you may find that changes to your hormone levels could cause (amongst other things) very maternal instincts to set in .... which could drive you into a depression.

Ivan

Luis

Thank you every one again -

Ted - busy reading links and investigating now!

Glad - yes I do have a OH, and do take him with me when I can, bless him though he gets terribly bewildered by all this - so he is great and tolerant and forgiving and wonderful (but mum really does know best).

Vanoonoo - thanks - will look into this if the April appt goes wrong (fingers crossed). And big lol at your sig.

Jaybee - thanks for your hopeful comments x

Ivan - thanks for your words of caution, very wise. Actually re: hormonal inbalances - they were worse before I started this injection. I didn't really realise unil I was talking to the radiographer at hosp today, but the last 3 months I have been on the injection have been the most emotionally stable 3 months of my life hmmmmm.......

Also Ivan - LOVE your sig lol.

Fingers crossed for April (may have to raid the OH's coin jar if not)

Luis x

Savvy_Sue

Ivan, what a heart-wrenching decision that must have been. But you could not have made any other.

Luis, yes, be aware of potential problems and ask about them. But my understanding is that in 'the good old days' they used to remove ovaries along with everything else, on the grounds that none of it was any use without a womb. However, they then realised that this did cause a lot of other problems, because of the lack of hormones. If yours have to come out along with the rest of it, then there could well be ongoing problems. But if you're left with any function in them, that may help.

nearlyrich

Savvy_Sue wrote:

my understanding is that in 'the good old days' they used to remove ovaries along with everything else, on the grounds that none of it was any use without a womb. However, they then realised that this did cause a lot of other problems, because of the lack of hormones. If yours have to come out along with the rest of it, then there could well be ongoing problems. But if you're left with any function in them, that may help.

I was left with just one ovary as my problem didn't involve them, and to be honest apart from immediatly after the op when I had about 3 to 5 days of hot flushes and highly emotional outbreaks I have not had any hormonal symptoms since. (Coming up 9 years) I have put some weight on and it's harder to shift than before but I know it was right for me.