very confused and lost
Posted , 10 users are following.
I am 64 My knowledge is just common. I strongly believe in the body being whole. I am struggling with yes or no to a hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy for my dermoid cyst on one of my ovaries the right handside one.I would very much like to hear from anyone about my concern. My operation is for the 30th of August 2016 (next Tuesday). I am not in pain at all but was told that the cyst is the size of a baby's head. I have asked the doctor to perform a bikini cut and remove only the cyst and maybe with the ovarie but he is reluctant to do a sub-amblical midline laparotomy. I am thinking of cancelling the operation if he dose not agree to my request. I do not know if I am doing the right thing. I have a knee problem apart from that I am quite healthy no health problems or medications stronger than paracetamol. Apprfeciate your replies
0 likes, 61 replies
sheri44006 top00104
Posted
I am 51 and had both ovaries a cyst and both tubes removed last year and a d&c and don't miss any of them. Love not worrying about ovarian cancer and I wasn't using any of it anyway. I was done with three tiny incisions and recovery was super easy
top00104 sheri44006
Posted
I hace one cyst and the surgeon wants to remove my uterus the whole works. I wish they suggested treatment like yours which would have not made me wonder if it was for my well being or for organ examination I am glad for you but for me it's maybe because of its size
top00104 sheri44006
Posted
sheri44006 top00104
Posted
JanieMac top00104
Posted
I can understand your concerns. It does sound like the dermoid needs to be removed, and it will have damaged your ovary (I would imagine) beyond repair but why do they want to do a hysterectomy? That would be my main question to them. I had a 9x9cm dermoid removed plus ovary (as it was so damaged) but no-one mentioned a hysterectomy and I was 55 at the time.
top00104 JanieMac
Posted
This I questioned the surgeon and he said it is for my safety the risk of whatever that may spread but he tokd me that it was not cancer so I really don't understand why a hysterectomy. Unless there is something that he isnt telling
top00104 JanieMac
Posted
sheri44006 top00104
Posted
top00104 sheri44006
Posted
I dont understand myself I am not suffering at all and the GP found I quote (something not normal) after manually examaning my stomach, sent me off for a scan then decided surgery. If I have problems I would feel it, wont I? I Have a knee problem and I maybe a little over weight, dont see the GP often I have a medical certificate for my knee every three months and the strongers medication I take is paracetamol. Thats my medical history.
justfromerica top00104
Posted
Did they send you for more bloodwork at all?
My cyst is 99% benign but they sent me for additional bloodwork and if they had suspected anything from that bloodwork, like the possibility of malignancy or borderline malignancy etc, they would be removing the cyst whole and probably all my reproductive organs as a precaution. My bloodwork all came back normal though.
My only thinking would be they found something "off" in bloodwork they may want to remove more organs as a precaution. Not to scare you or anything, just generally curious if that would be the reason or not.
top00104 sheri44006
Posted
aged-too-fast top00104
Posted
You are right to question this. And the problem is that you have no control once you are under anesthesia. I've been in your shoes and wish every day that I had listened to my inner voice and sought out a new gyn / surgeon. I would probably still be intact.
A surgeon who has good cystectomy skills should be able to cut the cyst away from your ovary and save your ovary. The ovaries produce hormones our whole lives and removal of any part of the "reproductive" system (even one ovary) can permanently disrupt the entire endocrine system (the ovaries are endocrine glands). There should be absolutely no reason to remove your uterus based on what you've said.
I cannot stress enough how my life has been shattered by the removal of my organs. Not only have I aged at breakneck speed, my bladder and bowels have never worked normally since. I have zero sexual desire and orgasms are disappointing if/when they happen. The severing of the pelvis' support structures / uterine ligaments has destroyed my figure and is the source of back and hip problems. I've lost my zest for life and have to force myself to do things every day. I've even lost the strong bonds with my husband and children. HRT helps with the classic menopausal symptoms but this is much more severe than natural menopause. I don't even think "surgical menopause" is an apt label.
Numerous studies show that removal of the ovaries does more harm than good when done for benign conditions. Of course, the younger one is at the time of surgery, the more harmful it is. But why lose any part(s) if it isn't necessary?
Best of luck getting care that restores your health versus causing a whole new set of problems.
top00104 aged-too-fast
Posted
Fairy28 aged-too-fast
Posted
I agree with evrything you've said here. Im in a similar situation to you and my body is a mess physically and mentally. Also surgical menopause phrase totally underestimates the severity of how disruptive this whole mess is. Second opinion definatley before any action 😥
aged-too-fast Fairy28
Posted
Lou - I'm sorry you're also suffering. How long ago and at what age was your surgery?
Fairy28 aged-too-fast
Posted
Hi there, I had a hysterectomy when I was 30, ( 24 years ago ) leaving one ovary. Due to large 20 x 20 cyst I had that removed with an oophorectomy - it will be 3 years in October and it's been hell ever since. Although saying that the hot flushes are not as bad I have to say BUT so many other things have happened , so many other problems. Nightmare 😥
aged-too-fast Fairy28
Posted
Nightmare is spot-on! It's a travesty that our organs are treated as disposable. Why is that true of women's organs but not men's?!
aged-too-fast Fairy28
Posted
Forgot to ask - Are you on HRT? If so, maybe it's not the "best fit" for you. I was a complete "basket case" for 1-1/2 years post-op because the estrogen patch I was on was not giving me enough or consistent enough estrogen. And since HRT is so individual and most doctors are pretty clueless, I had to figure this out myself. Talk about adding "insult to injury!"
Fairy28 aged-too-fast
Posted
You are so so right on all levels. I feel like ive been castrated - nothing left , all ripped out and left to deal with the crap left over. Although I guess life saving BUT I often wonder if there was another way, I wanted to cling on to that last ovary for dear life for obvious reasons but it's gone ! .......No im absoloutley not on HRT - my consultant was ' happy ' for me to go on oestrogen only but that meant regular mammograms and checks , he explained the risks so I thought ' no thanks havnt I been through enough '. Are you still on oestrogen? How are you feeling in yourself ? ..... Ive actually just started counselling due to mega anxiety / health anxiety, panic attacks on the list goes on ! 😁
bobbysgirl Fairy28
Posted
I sometimes think our cats get better treatment from the vet, than we do from our doctors!
Fairy28 bobbysgirl
Posted
Hi and yes I agree with that too ! Hope you doing ok 😉
sheri44006 aged-too-fast
Posted
aged-too-fast Fairy28
Posted
Lou - Castrated is the proper term although never used by the medical community because we'd say "NO WAY." It wasn't life-saving for me because there was no cancer or other reason to remove my parts. I know your cyst was huge so it may not have been possible to save your remaining ovary which is a shame. The appalling thing is that my surgeon waited for the results of the frozen section. Even though it was benign he proceeded to rip out the rest of my organs. One reason I stress to push for cystectomy when possible is that not only can removal of one ovary impair hormone production, you are in a bad situation if something happens to the other one down the road.
Studies have shown that estrogen does not increase risk of breast cancer but estrogen plus progestin does. So I don't understand the mandate to get mammograms if taking estrogen. Estrogen can make breasts more dense so mammograms can be more difficult to read.
Yes, I am still on estrogen with no plans to stop taking it...afraid what will ensue since my symptoms were so severe when I wasn't getting enough. I am WAY more functional than I was when I wasn't getting adequate estrogen but I don't have the basic joy and zest / endorphins I took for granted and motivation is lacking. I could not even listen to music or read books for a couple years post-op because I couldn't enjoy them. Getting enough estrogen did bring me out of a deep black hole of depression, no anti-depressant needed. Keeping busy helps keep the sadness and regret at bay but they are never far from the surface.
It's good you've started counselling. I went through a bit myself because I had to work through the awful betrayal by my gyn of 20 years. Plus I had to find a way to stop the ruminating and forgive myself for not listening to my inner voice. I went through a number of therapists because some just weren't helpful. Ironically, the most helpful one was the youngest and was still working on her clinical hours to get licensed.
Best of luck to you. Please keep me updated on how you're doing.