PS''ers who have had to have hysterectomies......

[casondra16]

When I was 4 months pregnant with DD I found out I had moderate to high dysplasia. The OB/GYN decided it was severe enough to do a colposcopy while I was pregnant, and they were monitoring it very closely. Some of the cells turned cancerous and they ended up taking my DD at 31 weeks. I had both a cone biopsy and LEEP, and they were confident they removed all the cells. I was going to the gyno every 3 months for check-ups, and in June of 2009 it came back. After much discussion with my doctors, and my husband we decided health-wise it was best for me to have a hysterectomy (a month before my 27th birthday) and not have to worry about the cancer cells coming back ever again. They removed everything! I don''t take hormones because my mom, and two of my aunts have all had hormone positive breast cancer. I went from being a very non-emotional person to someone who can cry at the drop of a pin (and for absolutely no reason). My poor husband has got to the point if I go in the bathroom (I refuse to break down in front of my children), he knows that''s what I am doing. And if it''s just he and I, and I start crying, he will ask if he did something. When I say no, he goes back to whatever he was doing. There are some days, I literally feel like I am losing it. Is there anyone else out there going through the same thing? If so, how do you deal with it???

 

[lulu]

I had my hysterectomy in my late 40s and I had to do hormone replacement for a couple years and gradually wean off it. The sudden shock of it was just too much. My mom died of breast cancer so I got did get off of it.

But you're only 27! If your mom and aunt didn't have cancer until later in life I don't know if taking hormones when you are this young would really increase your risk. Have you consulted with a specialist about hrt? I would consider doing that. I don't think it's necessary for you to be so unhappy.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Sorry about your hysterectomy. My mom had one in her early 20s. She was dx with cancer (cervical?) and it was decided to just have everything taken out. She never was on any hormone replacement medications.

Everyone has such individual situations and possibly talking to a natural path to see about alternatives?

Best of luck.

 

[casondra16]

Lulu- My mom, and both aunts were in their 40''s when they were dx. Before moving ahead with the hysterectomy we talked about my inability to do hormone therapy. When I was 20, I had to have a lumpectomy in my R-breast. It started as a small mass that was found when I was 18, and I got it checked every 6 months. Then when I was pregnant with K, it grew to 4 cm. I had a c-section, so they waited until I was 7 weeks post-op and I had the lumpectomy. It ended up being beign, but was quite a scare. Then when I was 22, a month after my annual, I found a lump in my L-breast. They did a core biopsy on the mass and it was beign too. They re-checked it twice over the next year, and when I was 23 it had grown considerably (they..I had 2 consultants with different doctors... said due to my hormones), and was becoming painful, so I had it removed as well. I was 25 when I had the cone biopsy and LEEP when I was first diagnosed with cervical cancer. Then when it came back at 26, I had the hysterectomy. So, because of all these issues my doctors don''t feel it is best for me to try hormone therapy.


I don''t really consider myself ''unhappy'' or miserable; I actually feel very blessed. I have a VERY supportive husband who works alot so that I can be a SAHM, we have four amazing (little-all under age 7) kids, we are financially secure, we own two houses, have nice vehicles, etc. I really can''t complain, because we are extremely lucky. It''s just been a drastic life change to go from being somewhat of a dry person to crying for no reason.....AND the hot flashes. God love my family and friends who deal with wearing jackets/sweatshirts or covering up with blankets at my house because it feels like an ice box to everyone but me. I just wish I could find some vitamins/herbs/etc. Something natural that might help with the hormonal part of having a hysterectomy.

 

[DivaDiamond007]

Have you discussed this with your doctor or sought a second opinion? My mom had a total hysterectomy about 3 months ago and at first refused hormone replacement therapy due to a strong family history of cancer, but now she''s on estrogen because she was so miserable and uncomfortable.

 

[Pandora II]

My mother isn''t allowed HRT as she has had a breast tumour. My father is giving her acupuncture and it''s working well for her (he is qualified

).

 

[Allison D.]

My mom had similar concerns, and struggled for several years with unbearable symptoms.

She finally listened to reason from her doctor who said "people tend to think it''s either full-scream HRT or nothing at all. There are MANY options in between; there are several VERY low-dose options now that aren''t as impactful as the stuff the prior generation took."

Thankfully, my mom gave it a shot and it''s improved her quality of life tenfold. She''s on an extremely mild dosage, but it''s just enough to take the edge off her symptoms and make them manageable.

Might be worth talking to a doctor who specializes in this area.

 

[lulu]

16- have you been tested for BRCA 1and 2?

 

[casondra16]

Pandora- I''ve had 2 (both have been beign), but that is why my doctors feel HRT is not a good option for me. I might have to check into the accupuncture though. My mom used to have migraines until she had it done, and she said it worked wonders.

lulu-I haven''t had any of the genetic testing done. Two of my aunts did, and their test came back neg. I worry about it for my girls in the future though (they are 7, 5, an 2 now). My mom has had LEEP, and one tumor removed from her breast. Her younger sister also had cervical cancer in her 20''s, but they removed it and she actually had a baby in her mid-30''s. Then my mom''s two oldest sisters have had breast cancer with full mastectomies. The second to oldest one was cancer free for a year and is now going through chemo and radiation for a brain tumor they found a few months ago.

 

[lulu]

You''re right, with all that family cancer I''d be concerned too. If you had the genetic testing and it proved positive you might want to consider a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. If I were you I''d get tested-best to know and be able to plan.