Hysterectomy experiences?

[Crazyladee]

I'm 46 years old and after years of having major issues with my periods, the gynaecologist today has said a hysterectomy might be a good option for me. I definately do not want any more children.. DH and I decided this years ago when he had a vasectomy, but I'm a bit worried as I do know that a hysterectomy is a major operation.

Would anyone similar age/situation to me be able to share their experiences of having a hysterectomy?

I didn’t have a cancer issue , mine was very severe endometriosis and slow growing ovarian cysts , my surgeon couldn’t get me into theatre quickly enough .

Friend had one when she was 32 due to severe endometriosis. She has said to another friend who is having one for fibroids so large, she needs to catheterise herself to pee, that it will be initially painful, but, compared to not having one, it's just a couple of weeks and then the rest of her life will be changed for the better. She had her ovaries removed due to the endometriosis over them, did HRT and said her symptoms were just feeling a bit warm for a change, instead of freezing cold.

My mother (who was 48) was so glad to have the fibroids gone and to know they weren't malignant (they were only discovered during tests for agonising back pain, she'd had no symptoms and just got told they'd found a mass), claimed there was no post op pain at all for her TAH, compared to the repeated prolapse repairs and D&Cs she'd had about ten years before..

Another friend had one at age 37 for endometrial cancer. She also had her ovaries removed and, after a bit of weeping because she thought she would have liked another baby (hadn't got round to it in the 18 years since her DC was born, though), is happily on HRT and, more importantly, is still alive.

Compared to everybody else, I'm kind of hoping my insides just shrivel up and stop working with old age, as I was such a wimp over pain from a section, I really don't fancy it unless they offer to throw in a free tummy tuck whilst they're there in any case other than it being clearly lifesaving, when they can take the lot out with an industrial vacuum cleaner, for all I'd care.

Mine was extremely heavy periods too in the main, severe PMT too. It is more common than you think.
Interestingly, my mum had the same op at roughly the same age as me as did her mum.

Just thought I would come back and update my thread after seeing my consultant this morning.

So I've told them I do not want the thermal ablation and I want to go straight for a hysterectomy. I was fully prepared to be talked out of it but the consultant was very understanding and immediately said thats fine. We discussed which type of hysterectomy and it was decided that I will have my overies removed too.

The bad news is that I am now on an 8 month long waiting list but at least the right decision has been made!

That's really great news about the op OP. I think once you get to consultant stage they know you may have been in and out of GPs for ages and as someone else pointed out on here, hysterectomies are not a rare occurrence at all.

That's great news. It will be worth the wait, OP. I had one at 42 for fibroids and endo. It was the best thing I've ever done.

The post op pain was horrendous for about 36 hours, but after that it only hurt when I moved. I was back at work after 7 weeks. Mine was an abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo oophorectomy.

Even three years later, I still feel thankful whenever I remember the hell that was my periods. I rejoice every time I walk past the san pro aisle in the supermarket.

Fingers crossed you get a cancellation and don't have to wait the full 8 months.

@Mrsarthurshappey

How did your hysterectomy go? Just noticed your op date was 21st March.

Hi crazy, thanks for asking . The op went well, I only had one night in hospital. My biggest problem in the days immediately afterwards was pooing. Or trying to poo. They gave me codeine when I was discharged and after a few days of regularly taking this and paracetamol I drastically cut down on the codeine as this was making the constipation worse. They gave me lactulose as well. Bladder and bowel movements are definitely different now compared to before the op but nothing I’m particularly worried about.

I was told before the op that in the days following it, blood would collect at the top of the vagina and I would eventually pass a clot. Vault haematoma is the medical name for this. Well, 12 days post op I’ll spare you the details but I did indeed pass this clot, which was very big, and lost a LOT of blood. I nearly passed out several times but eventually the bleeding stopped. I rang the gynae unit where I had the op (1.5 hours drive away) and they told me to go to their a&e. I was on my own at the time with DH at work an hour away in the wrong direction. No one else around to take me. I was lying on the sofa at this point and if I sat or stood up I’d start blacking out again so I had to ring 999. Paramedics were totally lovely and very worried about me, one went up to the bathroom and came back down cheerfully saying ‘looks like a murder scene up there!’, which did at least make me chuckle. Long story not particularly short, I lay in a&e for a few hours being monitored then eventually got wheeled off to gynae. Had a couple of thoroughly unpleasant exams, blood tests, swab taken, aaaand that was it! Sent home, red blood count fine so no need for transfusion, I guess because it was blood that had been slowly gathering for 12 days rather than an active bleed. They had no idea why I lost so much blood, it really should have been just a clot. I’ve got to have a scan but that will be 6-8 weeks. I’ve since read that sometimes these haematomas need draining surgically so I guess mine just drained itself and it was like a dam bursting. The whole thing was very surreal and totally traumatic! But now I know my vagina has a vault, and it can hold a lot of blood! One friend has taken to calling me bucket fanny which is just terrific

Blimey that was long! I hope that hasn’t freaked you out, I think it’s pretty unusual and I’m totally fine now

@therapistinatabard

No its not freaked me out! Thanks for sharing your experience!

Glad to hear youre now recovering okay. How long before you can drive/back to work?

I work from home as I foster care a lady with a learning disability. She's pretty dependant on me for lifts to and from her day activities and appointments, but other than washing her hair for her when she has a bath she can look after herself personal care wise. Just trying to prepare for how much time I'll be out of action.

Any regrets so far on having the operation?

Thanks again for those sharing their experiences.

I'm reassured to read everyone's stories which are all positive once recovered.

Tomorrow I’ll be 4 weeks post op and I think I’m probably ok to drive now, but I haven’t yet. I’m not back to work for another 2/3 weeks. I still get wiped out by the slightest thing, and the big bleed definitely set me back!

I had my hysterectomy at 38, I had fibroids, endometriosis, pain, heavy periods and the worst ever pmt symptoms.

Best thing I did, 5 years on, I didn't realise how much pain I had each month until I didn't have periods anymore. I too don't have to run to the loo all the time either which I think the fibroids were making me do. No mood swings like I had before either.

I'm glad you stuck with your decision and the Dr supports it, good luck xx