For JOANNE: Re: Hysterectomy or ?

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Joanne:

I can certainly empathize with the frustration you must be feeling about your

heavy bleeding. AND I can certainly understand why hysterectomy may be

something to seriously consider at this point.

HOWEVER, there's something missing in this picture. Specifically, a

diagnosis. Well, maybe not a diagnosis-- because we know you have dysfunctional

uterine

bleeding. But what about the CAUSE?

Unlike the vast majority of heavy bleeders on this list, YOUR bleeding cause,

Joanne is not so apparent.

Did you know there are NON-uterine causes of heavy or prolonged uterine

bleeding? Conditions that cause dysfunctional uterine bleeding that have nothing

to

do with any uterine pathology or uterine anatomic abnormality? Sure we all

know about fibroids, endometriosis, polyps and adenomyosis. Uterine stuff that

causes heavy bleeding.

But what about NON-uterine causes of prolonged uterine bleeding like thyroid

problems (extremely common) or Von Willebrand's or something else?

Has your doctor discussed and ruled out NON-uterine causes of your bleeding?

(For thyroid and Von Willebrand's, it's a matter of a few simple blood

tests--simple tests, but ones likely NOT to have been ordered by your doctor.)

The only uneasiness I have about YOU undergoing a hysterectomy at this point

is the possibility that NON-uterine problem may be causing the prolonged

bleeding. No sense undergoing surgery to remove the uterus-- if the uterus isn't

really the problem.

Somewhere in the archives there is information about " Reasons for Bleeding

that your Gynecologist Might Miss " or something along those lines. I know Carla

has posted info. on this very subject, and I also remember posting info. to

e about this topic, as well.

-Roma

In a message dated 5/29/2004 10:21:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

jowortman@... writes:

Annette:

I am making the same decision you are, but from a different

perspective.

I had a successful UAE for two medium sized fibroids in 2000. My

ultrasound was clear within 18 months, no more fibroids visible.

Those original fibroids were not subserosal.

At the end of 2002 I again had heavy bleeding, but because there was

no enlargement and no fibroids visible during hysteroscopy, I had a

thermal ablation.

I've just had my 3rd D&C and hysteroscopy, 18 months after that

ablation for periods that have become nonstop, although not

particularly heavy. My symptoms now are backache, constant dull

pelvic pain, and periods that don't end.

I have my followup visit from the D&C this week, and the doctor told

my husband as I was coming out of anesthesia: it's either wait it

out with the same bleeding pattern til menopause (I'm 47) or have a

hysterectomy. At this point, I wouldn't consider a myo because I

have no guarantee that the remaining uterine tissue wouldn't spawn

new fibroids. I am at peace with my decision to have a hysterectomy.

My mother is 79, had a partial abdominaml hyst at about age 44 with

NO problems whatsoever, for all these years. Never took HRT. Never

had a hot flash. I have positive expectations.

I would like to be free of this--although my bloodwork always comes

back just this side of anemic, I feel like I've lost years to

feeling dragged out, headachey, short of breath, and worn down. This

has been the plague of the decade for me. I want it to be over.

I feel that I gave the other, conservative options a try first, so

this is the right thing to do now.

Joanne