Have a hysterectomy or no??

kytylove

Need to know recommendation for a hysterectomy, my OB GYN is encouraging it, since my cancer was ER +, ovaries for sure, and uterus just because the break through bleeding that tamoxifen can cause would go away. I was super decisive throughout my treatment but for some reason I hesitate....the tamoxifen has kicked me into early menopause anyway, so they aren't really doing anything, we aren't planning on having any more children....but I know ovaries have known benefits for the heart, and cognition, but if I am already in menopause (sort of) does it still affect that, or have I already been affected? Anyone have it done and totally regret it? or has anyone had one and not had much of an affect? any advise,words of wisdom would be appreciated.

ShetlandPony

I think you are wise to ask questions. It sounds like you need more discussion with both your gynecologist and your oncologist. It isn't necessarily a small thing to have a total hysterectomy. I would inquire about possible complications from hysterectomy, such as prolapse or sexual dysfunction vs. your cancer risk. I would ask to know about all treatment options. What does your oncologist think about these surgeries for you? I have the impression that ob-gyns recommend surgery more than oncs do.

Absence of menstruation on Tamoxifen does not necessarily mean you are post-menopausal. The ovaries could be very actively producing estrogen. Or, if you were close to natural menopause, it may have nudged you there. Has your doctor verified that you are post-menopausal with blood tests for FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and E2 (estradiol)? Why would they remove your ovaries if you are post-menopausal? Do you have some particular genetic risk for ovarian or uterine problems? If you are pre-menopausal, what about removing the ovaries only, or shutting them down with lupron?

Castigame

hystrectomy is another drastic choice for sure. I really wanted to postpone mine as long as I could but it is coming for me in 5 days. Here is why at random order.

1. Really bad periods for about 5 yrs. Enough to pass out at work, and caused a trip to ER

2. mammo out of the blue turned BOOM bilateral- same place mammo for the last 10 plus yrs. I am 47 Highly ER pos BC

3. Mom had ovarian and then BC. I am pos her BC was ER pos bc she took premarin. She had graves disease before ovarian. I had hashimotos before BC so I see a similar enough pattern.

4, genetic test showed PTEN pos - thyroid cancer BC ovarian kidney cancer to name a few.

5. Chemopause showed def menopause level FSH and estradiol, I have no hot flashes. I even tried tamox for a few days no side effects from it, But I spotted from it when my last period was 04/02/17 my last preg test was 10/16/17.

6. I finally accepted that no child for me and buck stops w me re bad gene, this was really hard and I know I would struggle for the rest of my life.

7, I will do anything to stay alive to be a cantankerous wife so hyst here i come

kytylove

I cannot thank you enough for you sharing your stories......I am not sure what it is about this next step, as I was very decisive with everything so I am a bit thrown by not being this way on this....after another discussion with another oncologist who is also my dear friends husband he explained in great detail why I should get a hysterectomy......oncotype + age + ER positive = take it out...and I am good with it now.

MexicoHeather

Hi. I'm hanging out, 2 weeks since my TVH. At first, it was going to be just a BSO, then some other estrogen related stuff happened. The chemo put me into menopause, but I am happy to have the ovaries. God bless you, Kyty Love.

nightcrawler

I'm having a hyst on 11/8, but for me, there's no other option. I have severe endometriosis, and now that I can't take continuous bcp's anymore to control it, I'm debilitated every time I get my period. If they put me on tamoxifen, it would put the endometriosis on steroids; meanwhile, I can't take Lupron because of depression.

I just had a period this week, and I was reminded of exactly why I need this surgery. I'm anxious about it, but it has to be done. It really should have been done a long time ago.

Castigame

nightcrawler,

Wish you speedy recovery.

Imkopy2

I posted part of this message on another thread but it still applies. For those of you embarking on surgery soon, prayers for a healthy recovery, for those of you contemplating, I’d do it again if need be; after what I’ve been thru this was nothing

I just had a robotic, laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy and salpingo oophorectomy on 9/27. My BC was ER+, my onc really left it up to me because she said she could medically shut down my ovaries. In January 2017 I had a Lupron shot and went every 3 months even though I hadn't had a cycle since May 2016 when I started chemo. Even tho I was not BRCA 1 or 2 positive I did test positive for the CHEK2 mutation which out me at risk for BC not ovarian. After talking to my onc and ob/gyn I decided I wasn't going to take any chances and had my uterus and ovaries removed. I'm about 5 weeks out and I feel great. Since I hadn't had a cycle in over a year and by having the Lupron shots I already had the hot flash thing which since my surgery has actually decreased. I feel great and my recovery has been a breeze, I went back to work last week (my job isn't physically demanding) and I listen to my body. My choice was really based on the fact that I wanted to reduce my chance of reccurance as much as I could. I figured it's better to be proactive rather than reactive.

Michelle

Castigame

Shoulda coulda woulda really.

Post op Bloodloss is not even enough to use one pantiliner

Pain is localized. No serious need for painkillers. Took one toradol, three percocets. No tylenol. Left operating room Monday about 11am.

The first pee pee stung. Catheter I hated it. Took it out Monday afternoon. Came home Tuesday morning. No issue w #2

No severe depression about babies. Teeny bit of headache. Teeny bit of backpain. Teeny bit of insomnia. No fever no hot flashes.

Slow walk is a must. So far max walk at one time was about .3 mile.

Time to go on w my life. I hate surgeries. Hyst was surgery #7 this year. I see the blue sky and feel the breeze finally.