Re: To Myo or Not to Myo?

[Guest guest]

Hi,

In a skilled surgeon's hands, bleeding isn't a problem. Many surgeons who do

myos would tell you this. Do you really believe that they don't have bleeding

problems with hyst patients? I would question the surgeon doing my surgery and I

did. He told me that for him it was simple surgery that he did several times a

week with no bleeding problems and no conversions to hyst. He also said it was

possible of course. What you are forgetting is that some patients would have

other medical problems that might contribute to bleeding. You're not comparing

apples to apples. Different people are going to be harder to operate on than

others. My doc didn't cut my muscles or mess with my intestines. They can do

this surgery and not cut muscle. Maybe you need a more experienced doc in myos.

What makes you think that a doctor would know the best option for you or any one

patient. What's the problem with a patient saying myo if that's what she wants?

It's her body. If I listened to the 3 docs who told me hyst, I would have never

got the myo that I wanted because I knew what was right for me. It's my body and

my choice, my money and my choice. I was NEVER given a choice of other

treatments. Everyone deserves to know all their choices. The truth was that none

of the docs who advised me to have a hyst could do a myo. Did they have my best

interest at heart (I don't think so) or their pockets? They didn't offer me any

help to find a doc who could do a myo. This makes me angry. I was told that when

I was in enough pain and lost enough blood, I'd come back begging for a hyst. Is

this caring or compassion? Not in my book? I'm not the only one on this list who

had this happen either. I found my own doc (a RE) in another state and got what

I wanted.

Most hysts are unneccessary (98%) so why are they doing them? Money is my guess.

I'm not interested in doing what is easy for the doctor. Gesh! Let them learn to

do a myo or refer you to someone who could do a UAE.

Think about it. Docs were percribing those weight loss drugs and then found out

the drug damaged hearts. My mom told me that years ago when X-rays first came

out, the docs were routinely using them to " look " at unborn babies. They never

would do that now. Things change. So where hyst was the only thing they did for

fibroids, surgery advanced and you got the option of a myo. Some docs don't want

to change, don't want to learn a new skill. The truth is that all doctors are

not " smart " . They are not all the same in their skill levels. My GP told me that

fibroids had nothing to do with anemia. He also knew I had anemia and failed to

tell me or treat it. The ER doc said I could have easily died. I learned about

anemia here on this group and how to treat it here. The ER doc said the smartest

thing I did was to listen and act on the information I found out here.

What I'm saying is don't listen to some panel of doctors discussing a fake

patient. I have to wonder if they planned to give this fake patient all her

options and tell her the adverse side to having a hyst too? When I was told

hyst, I was never told what having one might do to me in the future. Maybe this

patient wouldn't want to gamble her sex life or risk the other complications.

Myo can have complications too, any surgery can.

Maybe you only have one fibroid causing you problems. Maybe a UAE would work. If

the fibroid was in a certain location, maybe you could have a resection on just

the problem fibroid. Most fibroids don't cause a problem and no surgery is

needed for them. Most women don't know they have them.

Decide what YOU want. Don't let a doctor tell you or a panel of docs or 3 docs

who can't do a hyst. Do what you want.

I had my myo last Aug., I went home the next day and there's been a remarkable

change in my very extreame heavy bleeding. It works for me! Find what works for

you anf fight for your right to choose.

Ku

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandy,

Unfortunately there really is no easy answer, but you are doing the

right thing by researching all of your options in detail before

making a very important medical decision.

After reading your post, I would direct you to a book written by Dr.

Stanley West called " The Hysterectomy Hoax " . On page 97 he shows

diagrams of a myomectomy. The first picture is of a pitressin

injection. On page 98 Dr West says " Because of the Pitressin, there

should be little to no blood loss. " I realize this is only one

sentence in one book, but everytime I hear talk of excess blood loss

from myo, I think of the statement Dr. West made, and wonder how in

the world these other doctors wouldn't be knowledgeable about this.

I would certainly think it would be worth picking up the book at

your library and reading about it. As far as the part about doing

what the patient asks for rather than what is medically best, I have

to say I think this stems from doctors still taking the stand that

hysterectomy is what they were taught in medical school as the

solution to fibroids, so they stand by what they were taught. You

have to remember though that these are the same docs that are going

to deny a connection between heart disease and hysterectomy or

sexual dysfunction and hysterectomy. As far as Dr. goes, I

quote the last sentence in the paragraph " What are Fibroids " on page

19 from his book " A Gynecologist's Second Opinion " which

says " Hysterectomy should be the solution of last resort. "

What it really boils down to is you yourself making the decision as

to what you believe is best for you, not what the doctors think, but

what you think. You are the one who will live in your body for the

rest of your life, not the doctor. You are absolutely correct for

questioning everything 100 times over if that's what it takes for

you to decide what is best for you. This is not an easy journey by

any means. The fact that you are in your 50's and no longer

interested in fertility has no bearing on this whatsoever. If your

choice is to keep your uterus, you have as much right to do so as a

20 year old.

I would also add that if you haven't considered UFE, that is another

option you may want to look into. If you are close to menopause and

your symptoms are bearable, you may not need to do anything at all.

I hope this has helped to make your journey a little easier.

Take care,

Gerri

> Hi All-

> They had a panel of doctors at a major medical

> university and each gynecologist had a very different

> opinion about how to handle fibroids, as they were

> separately given the exact same case study (in terms

> of amount, size and location of fibroids) prior to the

> panel discussion, and each one came up with different

> responses of what advise they would give to their

> patients. They also spoke of how some doctors will do

> what the patient asks for even when they strongly

> believe it is not the best choice for their safety and

> well-being. They gave the example of women coming to

> certain doctors who are experienced in doing myos,

> asking for a myo and the doctor will perform the myo,

> because it is " WHAT THE PATIENT ASKS FOR " , rather then

> what is " MEDICALLY THE WISEST CHOICE. " They especially

> harped on how dangerous the excess bleeding aspect of

> a myo can be and that even the most adept myo surgeons

> have had massive bleeding episodes. As I sit on the

> precipice of whether to go the myo or hyst route, I am

> asking for feedback. I am in my fifties, so

> childbearing is no longer an issue. But I am confused,

> as I was leaning toward a myo, but now I am

> questioning the excess time that that requires in

> terms of being cut open, the bleeding from cutting

> into the muscle, the after-effects, etc. etc. I wonder

> if Dr. only reserves doing hysterectomies for

> those who have cancer. And whether he mostly does myos

> because he believes they are the best option or

> because it is what his patients come to him for. The

> doctor's on the panel seemed to strongly imply the

> latter. I am just trying to research this all as much

> as possible so I can make an educated and informed

> choice as to what route to go with my body. Would love

> any in-put!

> Thank You, Sandy

[Guest guest]

I guess your best answer would come from discussing it with the

gynaecologist surgeon you've got. You could go into the risks of

bleeding in your own case and what you said about patient's

influencing the treatment given and his own view on what's best in

your case.

This doctors panel story of going with the wrong decision is very

worrying.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

This is a great response regarding this subject. I have also recently been told

that a hysto (at 44years old) for one fibroid is the only solution, this coming

from a dr that is my age. When I asked her about the other alternatives, all she

could tell me is that you eventually have one and the other procedures are all

painful! and having a hysterectomy and out of work for 6 weeks is not???? I am

now onto a specialist in the field that will tell me what all of my options are,

and I know, that I will have choices.

Thanks for your honesty. Merryll

kukalaka kukalaka@...> wrote:

Hi,

In a skilled surgeon's hands, bleeding isn't a problem. Many surgeons who do

myos would tell you this. Do you really believe that they don't have bleeding

problems with hyst patients? I would question the surgeon doing my surgery and I

did. He told me that for him it was simple surgery that he did several times a

week with no bleeding problems and no conversions to hyst. He also said it was

possible of course. What you are forgetting is that some patients would have

other medical problems that might contribute to bleeding. You're not comparing

apples to apples. Different people are going to be harder to operate on than

others. My doc didn't cut my muscles or mess with my intestines. They can do

this surgery and not cut muscle. Maybe you need a more experienced doc in myos.

[Guest guest]

I concur with a few other posts and that I have the right to decide

what is best for my body. I too - at age 34- would have had a

hysterectomy if I had not continued to search for different opinions.

Remember a myo is a difficult and trickier surgery than a

hysterectomy. Not every gyn is a skilled surgeon -- so it makes sense

less skilled gyn would state a hysterectomy is the best option.

> Hi All-

> They had a panel of doctors at a major medical

> university and each gynecologist had a very different

> opinion about how to handle fibroids, as they were

> separately given the exact same case study (in terms

> of amount, size and location of fibroids) prior to the

> panel discussion, and each one came up with different

> responses of what advise they would give to their

> patients. They also spoke of how some doctors will do

> what the patient asks for even when they strongly

> believe it is not the best choice for their safety and

> well-being. They gave the example of women coming to

> certain doctors who are experienced in doing myos,

> asking for a myo and the doctor will perform the myo,

> because it is " WHAT THE PATIENT ASKS FOR " , rather then

> what is " MEDICALLY THE WISEST CHOICE. " They especially

> harped on how dangerous the excess bleeding aspect of

> a myo can be and that even the most adept myo surgeons

> have had massive bleeding episodes. As I sit on the

> precipice of whether to go the myo or hyst route, I am

> asking for feedback. I am in my fifties, so

> childbearing is no longer an issue. But I am confused,

> as I was leaning toward a myo, but now I am

> questioning the excess time that that requires in

> terms of being cut open, the bleeding from cutting

> into the muscle, the after-effects, etc. etc. I wonder

> if Dr. only reserves doing hysterectomies for

> those who have cancer. And whether he mostly does myos

> because he believes they are the best option or

> because it is what his patients come to him for. The

> doctor's on the panel seemed to strongly imply the

> latter. I am just trying to research this all as much

> as possible so I can make an educated and informed

> choice as to what route to go with my body. Would love

> any in-put!

> Thank You, Sandy

[Guest guest]

Hi,

A more accurate number would be 88%-92% of all hysterectomies are unnecessary. I

can't see how these numbers are less horrific. I know one woman who just got

told to have a hyst for 1 fibroid that is not giving her any symptoms. She was

not told about UAE, myo or even wait and see. You have to wonder what kind of

doctor would recommend this kind of surgery for a woman who says she feels fine.

Why also didn't he tell her ALL her options? There were other women saying their

ovaries and the cervex were being removed during hysts for fibroids. The doctors

reasoning, no more worries about ovarian cancer or cervical cancer! I find this

appauling. So, we could cut out our appendix, both breats, 1 lung, 1 kidney, our

spleen, our thyroid, our gallbladder and parts of other organs to lessen our

cancer risks. Does this make sense? Do you see men lining up to have their

testicals removed to lower ther chance of getting cancer? After they had all the

kids they wanted, what do they need them for

anyways? Why not just freeze some sperm and cut the testicals off early on and

forget waiting. Do you think you would get a line of men for this? I've never

heard a man say I'm going to have surgery to remove my testicals to lower my

chance of cancer and I have all the kids I want anyways. Yeah, sure! Why are

women treated different? When I hear a woman say I'm having a hyst because I'm

through having kids anyways and she's totally clueless of the possible negative

side effects (she was never told by her doctor) of this surgery, I want to

cringe. It's heartbreaking when it's a young woman who hasn't had any kids and

wants them badly. They are in the 88%-92% of unnecessary hysts. This is just

more than sad. Do you realize that the money spent on unnecessary hysts might be

better spent on research to avoid them. How many unnecessary hysts are

acceptable? This is my question.

http://www.kgrs.com/info/hysterectomies.htm

My RE said myo was a easy surgery and I'm glad it is for him. Maybe it's tricky

for docs who can't do it. All surgery is learned. Just because another doc can't

do a myo shouldn't mean that then hyst becomes the best surgery for his/her

patients. They still should inform their patients of all their options (and all

negative cosequences) and let them choose. My GP can't do surgery but he can

recommand others who can. For every surgery you need to pick the best skilled

surgeon that you can find.

This is about money too. Doctors making money. Who's paying for all this

unnecessary surgery? We all are. I'd like to see us all have more and better

options. The best being - turning off the defective gene that causes fibroids

with gene therapy. Where do you want your money to go?

Ku

[Guest guest]

A hysterectomy is easier than a myo for any surgeon. That was the

point. Not that it was the best option - just a statement of fact.

Not every gyn can perform a myo - I think that is a myth that exists

out there.

I agree there are many unnecessary hysterectomies and that it is

often the treatment of choice. Remember lobotomies (given mostly to

emotionally erractic women) were considered a good idea at one time.

A hysterectomy was recommended to me despite the fact I said I still

wanted children. I went through three gyns before finding one that

respected my desires.

However, when it comes to our uteruses each one of us has a right to

make the choice. Women need to take accountability for their health

as well and not expect someone else to look after their best

interest. If a physican does not want to have a conversation re: the

best options - find another. It is this type of action that will

begin to change how healthcare is currently delivered. Personally, I

look to medical school curriculums and the lack of focus on women's

health not necessarily individual physicians when I think of the poor

care many women receive. Not to say there are not quacks out there,

but that is true in any speciality. The second gyn I saw ran several

research studies for me on the impact of a Myo vs. a UAE to

fertility. So, not all physicians are horror stories.

FYI: a myo is more expensive than a hysterectomy. I checked the

charges and the cost. Remember the hospital bears the cost, insurance

and the individual pays the bill. Whether the physician fee is

greater for a hysterectomy - I don't know. Would be interesting to

know. The less hysterectomies performed in a hospital frees up the

money to go to other resources within the hospital. If we want our

money to go to more fibroid research - start letter writing. Support

organization's like NUFF. Stop lambasting the research currently

being done as being anti-women.

Finally, I would NOT trust a lawyer's website to report accurate

information. This is the anti hysterectomy progranda I believe was

referred to in earlier posts. It upsets me to be honest. I do not

want a hysterectomy - EVER, but that has to do with my feelings about

MY uterus. I also believe there is room for improving women's health

in this country. However, I believe in balanced and factual

information when making a decision. And, I believe in every person's

right and cabality in making a choice.

Sorry to rant, but the reference to a lawyer's website as a place to

find medical information made me mad. NO offense meant to any lawyers

on this listserve.