Ovarian cysts, surgery, GA and all the rest!

[soundsgreektome]

I am 48, Bad shooting abdominal pain during period on three occasions so referred to gynae, ultra sound. Showed up kidney stones, both ovaries have 6cm cysts on them. Ca125 reading of 166, taken on day or period though. Trapped wind, erratic bowels. A general constant back ache. Offered removal of both ovaries and Fallopian tubes and lots of other hormone and less invasive treatments. Opted for mini pill, due to being absolutely petrified of having a general anaesthetic, and thinking I’d manage till menopause. Waiting for gp to sort mini pill this week and in the meantime I received a letter from urology asking me to attend a CT re the now query kidney stone. Rang GP this morning and said I was scared, all these symptoms going on. He told me straight, get rid of the ovaries, I’ll never stop worrying while I know they are changing, and all bowel issues and acheyness are probably related to these endometriosis cysts. Kidney stones - he said were probably unrelated and loads of people have them and shouldn’t worry, and I’m sure they don’t cause me the pain. He offered me a stool test for my own peace of mind, to rule out blood in stools. Going to take mini pill, and have rung gynae today to ask for full hysterectomy. I feel relieved that I’ve made the decision, but I am petrified. Can anyone who has been in the same position advise me? Anyone else with the same symptoms?

Not sure if this will help but I had an Ovarian cyst removed about three years ago. GA. No ill effects apart from feeling woozier for longer than I had expected. All worked out fine.

I've had a couple of GAs and honestly, you won't know anything about it! The anesthetists have been lovely (literally the best hospital staff i've ever encountered) and if you're really anxious they might be able to give you something beforehand to relax you. You don't really even feel yourself drifting off, one minute you're awake and the next minute you're waking up in another room. It's great!
If you're going in hospital then take one of those sleep eye masks and a set of ear plugs. The heat, noise and light was the worst thing about it! I just wanted to get home to my own quiet bed.
I think you just have to accept the fact that you'll go in feeling fairly ok and come out feeling rough but it's short term pain for long term gain. Get yourself some trashy mags and wallow in daytime tv for a few days!

If you are going to have your ovaries removed, you do need to talk through hormonal replacement which you should start soon afterwards.

There are too many posts here from women who do not have that conversation with their surgeons.

You will be plunged into surgical menopause which is no picnic.

As you are still just 48 and a few years off the age of the average menopause, it's quite important you use HRT for a few years to age 51-ish at least for bone and heart protection.

I sometimes think GPs and other drs are very quick to suggest whipping out ovaries when it can end up with a load more issues to sort out.

Good luck with it if you are going ahead.

Thank you all for giving me good advice. @JinglingHellsBells the gynaecologist has already discussed HRT with me, so hopefully this shouldn’t be an issue. But I will definitely mention it now, I was a bit skeptical, but will look into it, thank you!

This is a leaflet and it's really informative.

Good luck with the op.

d2931px9t312xa.cloudfront.net/menopausedoctor/files/information/540/Surgical%20Menopause.pdf

@JinglingHellsBells that’s so helpful! Thank you!