Surgery and MC - a woman's question

fudette · Post by **fudette** » Mon May 09, 2011 6:10 pm

Hello All!

I'm just hoping for some advise and maybe some encouragement since I'm so nervous now. I am scheduled for surgery 5/31 and am feeling very nervous and anxious about it.

Since it's easier to explain the details here on line than in person I'll tell you that I'm getting a hysterectomy. After years of deliberation and my dr. saying that it's the one thing that will help, I've finally scheduled it. The main reason is because if you are a woman and have what I call the doubles (pain from MC and endometriosis and fibroids); it's not a good situation and I'm hoping for some kind of relief. I'm just wondering if anyone else has gone through this. One thing I'm worried about is having stomach pains from the MC and being in the midst of a flare up. I've been pretty good so far with d only a few times a week since starting entocort and a gf diet. My MC really seems to "kick it up a notch" during my cycle.

Has anyone else gone through this?

Thanks!

Laura

dgshelton · Post by **dgshelton** » Mon May 09, 2011 7:01 pm

Hi, Laura- I've been through a hysterectomy a little over 3 years ago. It was the best thing I've ever done. I always got big time D with my period. I had really heavy periods with lots of cramping. Are you having it endoscopically or are they going in through your abdomen? They had to go through my abdomen because I had c-sections with both my children. I was given pain medication, which actually helps with the D, so I wasn't in much pain at all. I know surgery can be very scary, but it sounds like with all the pain you've endured from the endometriosis, you'll be glad you did it.

Best of luck!

Hugs,

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Tue May 10, 2011 4:50 am

Morning Laura,

Hang in there it will get better after the hysterectomy. I was in the throes of CC - it was at the very pinnacle of the disease - when I developed a fast growing fibroid and had to undergo a hysterectomy. Things were rougher for a bit but it was the best thing I could have done. The fibroid was the size of a football and grew within 3 months. Just take it easy after the surgery and mind what the doctor says. You should come out of this just fine and if children were not in your future, it will definitely give you a new sense of freedom.

Love, Maggie

Mags · Post by **Mags** » Tue May 10, 2011 6:58 am

Laura--

I would not be surprised if this were a common problem. My cycles usually cause D and a lot of pain and problems, so much so that my doc is planning a hysterectomy for me at 40. I am interested to see what the responses to your question will be.

Love,

Mags

fudette · Post by **fudette** » Tue May 10, 2011 7:03 am

Thanks for the encouragement!

I am having a laproscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy, which should be an easier recovery and home the same day. You're right about the pain medication. I have a script for percocet from my gyn and it definitely helps with the LC pain, too. I just don't like taking it when I'm at work and I'd much rather feel better without the help of narcotics. Like I said, when I have the "doubles" I can barely function and to know that I won't have to have to put up with that once it's done will certainly be a blessing.

I'm glad to see that you both are saying it's helped you which is exactly what I'm hoping!

Laura

TooManyHats · Post by **TooManyHats** » Tue May 10, 2011 11:34 am

Oddly enough, I never had problems with my period and pain. When my Obstetrician told me early labor was like a bad period, I had no idea what that was like.

irisheyes13 · Post by **irisheyes13** » Tue May 10, 2011 1:18 pm

Laura,

I personally have not had experience with a hysterectomy so I'm not much help but I wanted chime in and send lots of positive vibes your way. I would imagine that you will feel much better after the initial procedure is over. Every women I know who suffered prior to their hysterectomy always seems to do so much better afterward. Since the procedure is going to be performed laparoscopically, you will have an easier time post operatively.

I have fibroids as well and can attest to the horrible double whammy of pain from the cramping during my cycle and MC most definitely flairs during that time with the D and cramping always at their worst during that week. You will only have the MC to contend with afterwards (that's enough!) and as Denise mentioned, the narcotics for the pain should help keep MC at a simmer or if you're lucky, shut it down completely for a while.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Celie · Post by **Celie** » Wed May 11, 2011 10:42 am

I had my hysterectomy before MC, but it was the best move I could have made. I feel a lot better without having to deal with the cramps and bleeding.

I cant take HRT, so I kept my ovaries. I am glad I did. I have never regretted my decision to "get it over with."

I wish you the very best!

Celie[/u]

fudette · Post by **fudette** » Wed May 11, 2011 7:46 pm

Thanks everyone for your support! I'm glad to hear that you all are pretty much glad that you did it. I know I will be too once it's done! Now I just have to see if I can survive my husband's cooking while I recuperate! God bless the man, he's wonderful but cooking is not his strong point!

Laura

tired of it all · Post by **tired of it all** » Wed May 11, 2011 8:08 pm

Hi Laura-

I had mine done Oct. 1998, vaginally & never ever regretted it! My GYN MD said "oh it's like having bad cramps afterward"...ahhh not quite! But it really isn't all that bad. It takes awhile to recover totally but you will be so glad that you did this. I also would have D with my periods & the most horrible pain. So GOOD RIDDANCE to the uterus. I will be thinking of you & wishing you the best. You'll be fine!

Karen

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Wed May 11, 2011 8:54 pm

I have had digestion issues pretty much my whole life. I also have quite bad poly cystic ovarian disease.

In my mid twenties i realised that my body could not cope with the stress of both conditions namely the digestion reactions to the fluctuations of hormones. Digestion issues would be 3 times worse when hormonal situations were occuring. my bowel has been adhered to my left ovary for at least 14 years.

For over 12 years I have used the implant (in my arm) to 'block' or 'even out' the ups and downs of the hormones and allow my body to cope with the digestion issues.

a bit like my motto with MC - there is no right way or wrong way there is yoru way. the decisions we make about our health and how we manage MC has to factor in any health conditions and we do have phyiscal, emotional and mental limits, MC doesnt allow us to push beyond those barriers.
any procedure or surgery is stressful to the body, make sure you nurture yourself and give yourself plenty of time to heal.

if your hubby's cooking will be an issue, do a cook up of staples before the op!

take care

kate_ce1995 · Post by **kate_ce1995** » Thu May 19, 2011 4:24 pm

I had a hysterectomy 5 years ago, about 4 years after my MC diagnosis. I too had endometriosis and fibroids which almost caused me to bleed to death. I can only say I have SO much more energy now than I did pre-surgery! Sounds like you should be in and out of the hospital quickly, but make sure to talk to the hospital about your meds, and desire for gf food. I was surprised to find out that not only did they not know I took an antidepressant despite asking if I took any meds (and I was in for 2 days post surgery because it was abdominal surgery and complicated because of all the adhesions I had) and the nutritionist really had no idea what gf foods were. I did okay, and didn't take any narcotics after I got home from the hospital...just ibuprofen (which can be a no no for us MC folks).

Good luck with your surgery. I'm sure yuou'll be happy you went through it after it's all over.
Katy

fudette · Post by **fudette** » Mon May 30, 2011 6:59 am

Okay - tomorrow is the big day for the surgery! I haven't been on here in probably more than a week since I was so busy getting everything done at work in readiness for my absence. I'm feeling more nervous now because I found out I have to be in the hospital for 2 days afterwards and who likes that! When the nurse called me to ask the usual million questions she asked if I had a special diet. I told her I'm on a gluten free diet and she said at first the cafeteria said they didn't have that (?!) and then called back and said they do. Needless to say I'll be packing a bit of food and my husband will go to a cafe nearby in the city (Baltimore) that is totally gluten free - Sweet Sin - they make the most delicious food, you don't feel like you're missing anything! I don't think I feel comfortable now to chance it with the hospital food after that exchange except for some obvious choices. I have been feeling pretty good lately with the entocort with only a couple of days with issues.

Anyway today I'll spend getting my room in the house ready for when I get home. I've done some shopping so my husband should have a relatively easy time preparing food for me.

I will say that it is so good to see that the general opinion is everyone is glad that they had this done. I won't have to put up with having the "doubles" with pain from MC and female issues. I figure in about a month I'll be glad I had it done, too! Thanks for all your support!!

Laura

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Mon May 30, 2011 8:39 am

Laura,

Best of luck with the surgery itself, and a speedy recovery. I'll be thinking about you tomorrow. Be patient with yourself if your energy doesn't bounce back quite as fast as you expect... (that's also my advice to myself, more days than not!). I'm sure you're right that you'll soon be glad to have this behind you.

You sound well prepared, too - good for you. I think it's great you'll have such tasty treats in the hospital. I think *everyone* - special diet or no - should bring food to the hospital. Aside from the awful quality, you can miss a meal if you're out of the room for a procedure, or if you're sleeping. It's not unusual for someone to have a tray brought in, and then removed, without them ever taking a bite - some people need assistance with eating, and don't get it, others may just be sleeping or recovering. Meanwhile, you'll be enjoying special treats!

All my best,

Sara

Post by **tex** » Mon May 30, 2011 9:09 am

Laura wrote:I don't think I feel comfortable now to chance it with the hospital food after that exchange except for some obvious choices. I have been feeling pretty good lately with the entocort with only a couple of days with issues.

You're wise to take those precautions. I've been through a post-surgical recovery period in a major teaching hospital here in Texas a couple of times in the past 5 or 6 years, and I can tell you from experience that they still have their training wheels on, when it comes to catering to special diet needs. The problem is that they use "food service" supplies, rather than making everything from scratch, and if you are lucky, (as I was), they'll send their head dietitian to your room to work out the details of what you can eat, and what you cannot eat. They can usually tell you if a food item contains gluten, casein, soy, etc., but be very careful with those little prepackaged condiments that they always provide, because most of them contain an ingredient list as long as your arm, and the print is so small that you almost need a magnifying glass to read it. I found that many/most of them contain either gluten, or casein, or soy, or some combination of them. Also note that sugar is verboten in most hospitals, so that all the sweeteners offered are artificial, (usually aspartame), and many/most of us here cannot tolerate artificial sweeteners.

Having your husband available to bring meals in can be a huge asset, also, because many/most of the dietitians at hospitals seem to feel that "gluten-free" means salad, fruit, etc., (in some cases, that's probably because that's the only GF items that they have available).

That was a problem for me, since I couldn't handle salads, (fiber), at the time. Besides, after surgery, a patient needs protein for healing, and fiber is not exactly loaded with protein. I couldn't even have eggs for breakfast, because they didn't even stock eggs, (they only had a prepackaged dried scrambled egg mix available, and it contained gluten). I suppose that eggs are too unhealthy in a hospital , because of all the protein and cholesterol, doncha know.

All the cereal contained gluten, of course, and they only had milk to add to it. Because of that, my breakfasts were always pretty light, (mostly apple juice, since the other fruit juices were too high in citric acid for me to tolerate). Fortunately, they had plain chicken breast available, and baked fish, that were safe, along with a couple of vegetables, and/or steamed rice, so my other meals were much more filling.

Best of luck with your surgery, and I hope your recovery is speedy, and as painless as possible.

Tex