Re: Hysterectomy or Myomectomy?

[Guest guest]

Hi

You said youre 44, do you have any children?

I am 38 and dont have any children and seem to be in the same

situation as you are with a decision to be made.

, Melbourne Australia

> I would like the collective wisdom and opinions of the women here.

I am 44 and have

> several fibroids including one that is 20 cm. I had a shot of GNH-

agonist (Zolodex) a few

> weeks ago to shrink the fibroids and to build my blood up for

surgery. My gynocologist is

> recommending a partial hysterectomy. He said there wouldn't be

much uterus left to save

> after a myomectomy unless they shrink a lot.

>

> I want to know if the women on this board think that a hysterectomy

is sometimes

> indicated for fibroids. I don't want to have more than one

surgery, and I'm afraid the

> fibroids could come back.

>

> Has the Zolodex limited my options? Have women used it before

myomectomies?

>

> Does anyone have recommendations for surgeons in Portland, Oregon?

>

> Thanks,

> in The Dalles

[Guest guest]

Hi &

I'm in the same situation and will see my doctor next month on the 12th that

will be the day to give my doctor my decision. I'm 41 years old and want no

more children however this is a very big decision for me and it is driving me

crazy. I do not want to lose my uterus but my doctor informed me that since I

have multiple fibroid and a very large fibroid which was 14 inches on my last

Ultrasound 3 month ago, and will have another one this Friday. My doctor

informed me that large fibroid could bleed very much. Please let me know what

you will decide and why. This is already the second doctor I'm seeing because

the first one wanted to do a hyst and since I was scared he told me to come back

when I'm ready. I'm seeing now a female gyno hoping she will understand my

concerns more.

Thanks, Renata

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Sorry that I could not assist you. But I sincerey wish you got some

help from this board. It is sad when I post mine don't get much

feedback. But anyway, I guess it may mean people do not have answer

to my question.

Pray the best for you.

Li

> > I want to know if the women on this board think that a

> >hysterectomy is sometimes indicated for fibroids.

> >I don't want to have more than one surgery, and I'm afraid the

> >fibroids could come back.

[Guest guest]

Hiya

I had an abdominal myomectomy myself, but uterine artery

emboliation might be worth considering, depending upon your

suitability. Sometimes people have UAE and then a

myomectomy. In fact, I think that's how the value of UAE as a

treatment was first discovered.

Carla Dionne's book 'Sex, Lies and the Truth about Uterine

Fibroids' would be an informative good read if you don't already

have a copy.

I remember one of the case stories in the blue cover book on

Fibroids from the Melbourne Fibroids clinic suggested that there

are occasions when it will come down to a hysterectomy for the

fibroids.

Remember to check when books were written (and by who!), to

make sure the information is up to date.

>

After my myomectomy I felt that I could cope with going through

that experience again, as my recovery was a breeze. Still, it

varies from person to person. Bleeding wasn't a problem for me,

but I know someone that had a bad time with their myomectomy

recovery (Not in the UK or USA).

I don't know the address but there's bound to be a link to.....the

hyster sisters site. Worth a look.

I don't know which is the best choice for you. I would ask the

doctor what he thinks about problems such as bleeding. Have a

look at the very recent post about what the medical panel said on

the subject of patient choices and risks.

Aztek

[Guest guest]

Hiya

I had an abdominal myomectomy myself, but uterine artery

emboliation might be worth considering, depending upon your

suitability. Sometimes people have UAE and then a

myomectomy. In fact, I think that's how the value of UAE as a

treatment was first discovered.

Carla Dionne's book 'Sex, Lies and the Truth about Uterine

Fibroids' would be an informative good read if you don't already

have a copy.

I remember one of the case stories in the blue cover book on

Fibroids from the Melbourne Fibroids clinic suggested that there

are occasions when it will come down to a hysterectomy for the

fibroids.

Remember to check when books were written (and by who!), to

make sure the information is up to date.

>

After my myomectomy I felt that I could cope with going through

that experience again, as my recovery was a breeze. Still, it

varies from person to person. Bleeding wasn't a problem for me,

but I know someone that had a bad time with their myomectomy

recovery (Not in the UK or USA).

I don't know the address but there's bound to be a link to.....the

hyster sisters site. Worth a look.

I don't know which is the best choice for you. I would ask the

doctor what he thinks about problems such as bleeding. Have a

look at the very recent post about what the medical panel said on

the subject of patient choices and risks.

Aztek

[Guest guest]

,

This is definitely a decision that is a personal one.

But it needs to be made with all the information you

can gather on fibroids. This list is a such a wealth

of information. Books to read, doctors who know and

are skilled with dealing with fibroids and women who

have been there and are still there.

You will hear that if your doctor is only recommending

hysterectomy than he probably isn't skilled in doing a

myo. My personal opinion is that is true. I'm 48 and

was told by two (the first gyn being a women) (the

second a man) who were both around my age that for my

submucosal fibroids that I would need a hysterectomy.

I have one child and have my tubes tied but I didn't

want to lose my uterus as I believe that it is the

fibroid that is the problem not the uterus.

I've learned from this list that there are doctors who

do believe this and will try everything to preserve

the uterus. I found an RE who was able to remove my

fibroids by doing a hysterscopic resection (myo) which

I had not heard of until I joined this group. A simple

procedure done vaginally with no recovery time. I am

not afraid of these fibroids growing back because my

RE removed them. I may have other fibroids grow and

may need more surgery until I reach menopause (which

isn't always a guarantee that my future fibroids if I

develop them will disappear or not give me problems).

I had been scared into thinking that hysterectomy was

my only option from these doctors. I was told you

don't need it anymore, you're done with " it " , why are

you so negative about having a hysterectomy.

It's mine, it's healthy and it also provides support

for other nerves and organs in my body. Why if I could

try and preserve this healthy part of my body would I

want to lose it. Of course if it was found that there

was cancer or such a problem (as a few women have

experienced here on the list) then that is what was

needed. I know I wanted to exhaust all my options

first before I had to make the decision of removing my

uterus. You can never go back.

Finding the right doctor who is skilled in myo and

weighing the pro's and con's of both surgery's (they

both are major surgery's) and then making a decision.

Be informed and educated about both myo and

hysterectomy. I was lucky that I found this list and

became educated before I made that decision. It gave

me the gums-ion to go on to another doctor and insist

on the kind of treatment that was right for me. I hope

you find the same.

Good Luck,

Diane

--- markmary2001 markmary2001@...> wrote:

> I would like the collective wisdom and opinions of

> the women here. I am 44 and have

> several fibroids including one that is 20 cm. I had

> a shot of GNH-agonist (Zolodex) a few

> weeks ago to shrink the fibroids and to build my

> blood up for surgery. My gynocologist is

> recommending a partial hysterectomy. He said there

> wouldn't be much uterus left to save

> after a myomectomy unless they shrink a lot.

>

> I want to know if the women on this board think that

> a hysterectomy is sometimes

> indicated for fibroids. I don't want to have more

> than one surgery, and I'm afraid the

> fibroids could come back.

>

> Has the Zolodex limited my options? Have women used

> it before myomectomies?

>

> Does anyone have recommendations for surgeons in

> Portland, Oregon?

>

> Thanks,

> in The Dalles

[Guest guest]

, women have had multiple fibroids removed and still have their

uterus intact. One member of this group, Roma, had 46 fibroids

removed in a myomectomy, and she still has her uterus. Also at your

age your are LESS likely to grow new fibroids than a younger woman.

In fact the incidence of all women developing new symptomatic

fibroids that require future surgery is something like 20%. You

should also look into the possibility of UAE. OHSU in Portland has

an Interventional Radiology center that performs UAE. However you

would have to have had the Zolodex out of your system for before you

could have that procedure.

> I would like the collective wisdom and opinions of the women

here. I am 44 and have

> several fibroids including one that is 20 cm. I had a shot of GNH-

agonist (Zolodex) a few

> weeks ago to shrink the fibroids and to build my blood up for

surgery. My gynocologist is

> recommending a partial hysterectomy.

[Guest guest]

You wrote:

>I want to know if the women on this board think that a hysterectomy is

>sometimes

>indicated for fibroids. I don't want to have more than one surgery, and

>I'm afraid the

>fibroids could come back.

As other list members have said, your uterus serves more functions than

just child-bearing, so I think it's best to keep your uterus as long as

possible. The only conditions under which I'd choose to have a

hysterectomy are if there was excessive bleeding during my myomectomy or if

I had a malignant tumor in my uterus.

I'm very leery of the medical community's tendency to recommend

life-altering procedures even though not enough information is available

about the long-term consequences of those procedures. As this article

mentions, there are many unanswered questions about the effects of

hysterectomies.

Sexless After Surgery?

Women, Doctors Say Hysterectomies May Be Detrimental to Sexual Health

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/2020/Living/2020_Hysterectomy030822.html

>Has the Zolodex limited my options? Have women used it before myomectomies?

Unfortunately, I don't know anything about Zolodex.

>Does anyone have recommendations for surgeons in Portland, Oregon?

I had my myomectomy in Mass., so I can't personally recommend any

gynecologists in your area. However, here are some resources that might help:

Letitia Wetterauer has compiled a list of doctors based on recommendations

posted in fibroid newsgroups that she has participated in:

http://www.public.iastate.edu/~lkwetter/Docs.html

The database at

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/uterinefibroids/database lists some

doctors that members of the Uterine Fibroids group have discussed. The

doctors listed in the database are not necessarily listed because they're

referrals; you should read the related posts to see what members had to say

about the doctors.

Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Hi and everyone who replied to this discussion

I have now had two opinions from two lady gyno's

I have 3 x 1cm, 1 x 4cm & an 8cm fibroid, no pain just heavy bleeding.

The first one suggested a hyster and maybe a myo but explained that

10-15% of myo's turn into emergency hyster's (this is in Australia)

Does anyone know how many in US turn into hysters?

I am 38 no children and 95% sure I dont want any but not 100% sure

If I was 100% sure I would have a hyster imediately as the thought of

no more periods thrills me no end. Because I'm not sure I would like

to leave my options open, so the second gyno has reffered me onto a

specialist who only deals with fibroids in Melbourne.

Unfortunately the Melbourne Fibroid Clinic as mentioned in Carol's

book has closed. I tried to ge in contact with them straight away

and was advised they have finished.

I see the sub-specialist as he is called on the 15th march so I have

a little wait.

Sometimes I just want to bury my head in the sand and hope all this

will go away.

Good luck in making a decision

My gynocologist is recommending a partial hysterectomy.

He said there wouldn't be much uterus left to save

after a myomectomy unless they shrink a lot.

I want to know if the women on this board think that a hysterectomy

is sometimes indicated for fibroids.

[Guest guest]

Hi and everyone who replied to this discussion

I have now had two opinions from two lady gyno's

I have 3 x 1cm, 1 x 4cm & an 8cm fibroid, no pain just heavy bleeding.

The first one suggested a hyster and maybe a myo but explained that

10-15% of myo's turn into emergency hyster's (this is in Australia)

Does anyone know how many in US turn into hysters?

I am 38 no children and 95% sure I dont want any but not 100% sure

If I was 100% sure I would have a hyster imediately as the thought of

no more periods thrills me no end. Because I'm not sure I would like

to leave my options open, so the second gyno has reffered me onto a

specialist who only deals with fibroids in Melbourne.

Unfortunately the Melbourne Fibroid Clinic as mentioned in Carol's

book has closed. I tried to ge in contact with them straight away

and was advised they have finished.

I see the sub-specialist as he is called on the 15th march so I have

a little wait.

Sometimes I just want to bury my head in the sand and hope all this

will go away.

Good luck in making a decision

My gynocologist is recommending a partial hysterectomy.

He said there wouldn't be much uterus left to save

after a myomectomy unless they shrink a lot.

I want to know if the women on this board think that a hysterectomy

is sometimes indicated for fibroids.

[Guest guest]

Hi and everyone who replied to this discussion

I have now had two opinions from two lady gyno's

I have 3 x 1cm, 1 x 4cm & an 8cm fibroid, no pain just heavy bleeding.

The first one suggested a hyster and maybe a myo but explained that

10-15% of myo's turn into emergency hyster's (this is in Australia)

Does anyone know how many in US turn into hysters?

I am 38 no children and 95% sure I dont want any but not 100% sure

If I was 100% sure I would have a hyster imediately as the thought of

no more periods thrills me no end. Because I'm not sure I would like

to leave my options open, so the second gyno has reffered me onto a

specialist who only deals with fibroids in Melbourne.

Unfortunately the Melbourne Fibroid Clinic as mentioned in Carol's

book has closed. I tried to ge in contact with them straight away

and was advised they have finished.

I see the sub-specialist as he is called on the 15th march so I have

a little wait.

Sometimes I just want to bury my head in the sand and hope all this

will go away.

Good luck in making a decision

My gynocologist is recommending a partial hysterectomy.

He said there wouldn't be much uterus left to save

after a myomectomy unless they shrink a lot.

I want to know if the women on this board think that a hysterectomy

is sometimes indicated for fibroids.

[Guest guest]

> The first one suggested a hyster and maybe a myo but explained that

> 10-15% of myo's turn into emergency hyster's (this is in Australia)

> Does anyone know how many in US turn into hysters?

My doctor (in the US) told me that the official average is 1-5% of

myos convert to hysterectomies during surgery. His opinion is that

the real number is higher but I don't know what he bases that on.

My ultrasounds seemed to also show two-three fibroids, one 10 cm and

the others 5-7 cm., and I was able to have a myo fine. It turned out

to be one very very large fibroid (25 cm) and the surgery was

uncomplicated. I also was first urged to have a hysterectomy and then

found myself a doctor who could do a myo. I am 48. You are quite

young to consider a hysterectomy.

Sunny

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sunny

I will keep this board posted as to my further appointment on the

15th march

> > The first one suggested a hyster and maybe a myo but explained

that

> > 10-15% of myo's turn into emergency hyster's (this is in

Australia)

> > Does anyone know how many in US turn into hysters?

>

> My doctor (in the US) told me that the official average is 1-5% of

> myos convert to hysterectomies during surgery. His opinion is that

> the real number is higher but I don't know what he bases that on.

>

> My ultrasounds seemed to also show two-three fibroids, one 10 cm

and

> the others 5-7 cm., and I was able to have a myo fine. It turned

out

> to be one very very large fibroid (25 cm) and the surgery was

> uncomplicated. I also was first urged to have a hysterectomy and

then

> found myself a doctor who could do a myo. I am 48. You are quite

> young to consider a hysterectomy.

>

> Sunny