For JOANNE: Re: Hysterectomy or ?

[Guest guest]

My first round of DUB was from the original fibroids. After UAE, the

bleeding became normal again, as the fibroids shrunk.

My second round was DUB with no fibroids, and an endometrial

ablation broght bleeding back into line.

I see now that I left out a critical piece of information in my

hasty post: I have a new crop of fibroids. They are visible during a

hysteroscopy, which has never happened before.

My current round of prolonged but not heavy, clotty bleeding led to

a D&C with hysteroscopy during which fibroids were visually found in

the cavity for the first time.

My thyroid has been palpated for enlargement at every exam, and I

had an annual physical two months ago that included thyroid workup.

> 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@y... 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

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm wondering if a doctor can always find the cause of heavy bleeding. I was a

very heavy bleeder, was anemic, had all the usual workups including sonogram,

blood work for thyroid and hormones and never knew the cause. I had D&C's and

spent time in the ER a couple of times. All my bleeding ended when I had an

endometrial ablation. Now, five years later, I have these large fibroids

wreaking havoc as they press on my bladder and bowels, but at least I have no

bleeding!

Interestingly, my doctor (GP) thought my thyroid was enlarged recently and sent

me to an Endocrinologist. It is not enlarged but he ordered a genetic test for

thyroid cancer since my brother died from it.

Annette