Extremely heavy periods - hysterectomy? WWYD

[ReallyQuiteFazed]

My coil expelled itself (after 2 months of being in and unproblematic) in January - when it came out the bleeding was absolutely shocking and I actually took myself to hospital because I was so worried. Since then my periods have been extremely heavy and with loads of clots and more pain. Iron levels have been up and down as I've had two infusions whilst under private care. Current period is so bad today that I am considering going out to buy adult nappies just so I can move around freely. I was planning to go to see an exhibition but literally am afraid to sit down or sneeze in public. I'm already taking tranexamic acid and ibuprofen.

I think it is time to consider a hysterectomy, but I am quite scared as I am a stay at home mum and responsible for the house /school shopping / everything so that my husband can do his job. I'm just not sure how I will manage everything afterwards during the recovery period. Anyone else been in this position? My kids are both in their teens but super mature in their attitude around helping and seeing what needs to be done. I'm also really stressed about my weight going up without all the incidental movement that I do normally throughout the day, up and down the stairs, laundry, bike rides, walks. Guess I'm looking for some handholding And some stories of how it went for you.

You husband could take 2 weeks annual leave to help look after you and the house and mostly certainly the children can help as they are old enough.

@ReallyQuiteFazed look into and ask about endometrial ablation or trans cervical resection of the endometrium, which, as I understand it are basically the same thing which is the removal or partial removal of the LINING of the womb rather than the womb itself. It absolutely worked for me and is a much lesser procedure, long time ago I had it now but recovered in days.
There's lots of info online but it's all under individual trust's websites so rather than post a link I thought better you lok yourself and see what your own NHS trust says about it.
Best of luck. I, like you, felt completely overwhelmed by it, scared to leave the house etc.
Tranexamic acid didn't work for me and I was offered this next.

Your voice will still work to ensure that stuff gets done while in recovery. Might be a good experience for them all to see that what you do everyday smoothes their lives considerably.

That aside, I had a hysterectomy in April 2018 for similar reasons. I was in hospital for two days, off work for 5 weeks and 1 day (paperwork screw-up) and after 63 days I went back to cycling to work.

Best thing I ever did!!!

My only piece of advice - I had the surgery done as if I was having a Caesarean so have a scar along the width of my pubic bone but it’s rather handily covered by a fat tummy, which was already there!!! - take lactulose from around 2-4 days before the operation. It’s a stool softener (not a laxative) and it means there is no strain on any internal muscles. I had 30/500mg co-cosmo so the potential constipation for me was significant, doesn’t affect everyone but you don’t want to find you’re like me and suffer really badly AFTER the op.

Best thing I ever did. An ablation didn't work for me. It failed but I had to try it before a hysterectomy. My DC were primary age at the time and I relied on friends with the school run etc. Beyond the first 48 hours DH went back to work. You've older children so get them inside helping. Meal prep and fill your freezer. Rely on some ready meals or simple meals like pizza and garlic bread. Hello fresh might be an idea as they come with recipe cards and your kids could do those.

One thing I did book was a cleaner for 6 weeks. I could cope with just about everything bar a messy house. She was brilliant. Came twice a week and cleaned, changed sheets, put some laundry on and really helped out. Yes, DH could have done that by being at home but he was better off at work than hanging around all day.

I did put on a little weight but my appetite dropped as I wasn't that mobile for 6 weeks (my section scar was opened for my hysterectomy). It came off again as soon as I was more mobile. I believe they can do hysterectomy by key hole these days so recovery could be quick.

Oh and yes I agree, the constipation after was worse than the general
wound recovery.

Certainly consider ablation before hysterectomy. It doesn't always work but its been amazing for me and much less recovery etc

I had the same, and an ultrasound found polyps. I had these removed twice and each time it solved the problem for a year or two, so it would be worth asking for a scan first. (One removal was by general, the other by local).

The 2nd time, they found precancerous cells, so I had a full hysterectomy. It was by keyhole surgery and I was fine after a day, but it is so important not to bend over, strain, pick up heavy things, else you can hurt the stitches inside. You sound like you have good support for this e.g. you can go with family to supermarket but they would fill and unpack the trolley, carry bags etc. Also they would empty the dishwasher etc.

Also best thing I’ve ever done. I had an abdominal hysterectomy due to fibroids, in my 40s.

Recovery is tough but gets better after about 4 weeks.

Hi I was in a similar situation due to endometriosis alongside really bad adenomyosis.

I had an ablation under general and it has been life changing. I can use a panty liner now whereas before I couldn’t leave the bathroom, let alone the house.

It doesn’t work for everyone but the recovery time was really minimal so may be worth a shot. Much less recovery time than a lap.

I had horrific bleeding continuously for a couple of years so had a hysterectomy. Op at 4, home by lunchtime the next day, work 2 weeks later. You don't have young children so the house can still tick over while you recover. Everyone's story is different, but for me, best thing ever.