I recently went to a new gynecologist to discuss my menstrual history and the idea of having a hysterectomy. She wants to do it December 15th.
I had one gynecologist tell me a few years ago I should have one with my history. At the time I wasn't ready and opted to do the Her Option Ablation to hopefully decrease my flow and frequency of my cycle.
I am 10 years out, I refused Tamoxifen, I had a tram-flap nightmare and have been under the knife with re-do's several times, so deciding I am ready to do this hysterectomy has taken some time.
I am HR/PR positive and BRCAI/II negative. My question is what do I do about the hormones? Do I keep my ovaries? I don't want to as my PMS is so out of control with migraines and other usual PMS symptoms.
I would really like to know what others have done in my situation.
Many kind thanks...
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BinVA Joined: May 2007 Posts: 1,690 |
Nov 7, 2009 05:31 pm
BinVA wrote:
Hi November, Good questions! I had a partial hysterectomy in my mid 30's because of heavy periods coming about every two weeks. It was done vaginally and my ovaries were left in. This was long before I got breast cancer. About 5 years later, I developed an 8 cm tortion cyst on my free floating ovaries. Long story short .. I had to have full abdominal surgery to have the mess cleaned up, and at that time, my ovaries were removed. Trust me .. you never want to have a cyst like this .. the pain was excruciating. After that surgery and my ovaries were removed, I went on HRT for about 6 years. Then I got breast cancer 2 1/2 years ago and the first thing the doc did was take away my hormones. My cancer was 100% er/pr positive, hr2 borderline. I had a small .7 mm IDC tumor with no nodes involved. After lumpectomy and rads, I tried Arimidex for a week .. then quit. Then I tried Tamoxifen for 6 weeks and quit. The only problem I had was the instant menopause when my cancer was discovered and my HRT was stopped. I did have hotflashes on the Arimdex and Tamoxifen. Our adrenal glands still manufacture estrogen after a total hysterectomy. I struggled for a long time with the decision to stop HT. The armidex and tamoxifen only changed my percentage for recurrence by about 3-6% .. and this was something I could live with. Since I did not want anymore children, the decision for the hysterectomy at 36 was a good choice for me. I didn't miss it at all. Then after my ovaries got messed up, I was so glad they were gone. The only problem was instant menopause at age 51. I'm used to it now at age 54. Let us know what you decide and how your doing. Bren |
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dlrcpa Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 446 |
Nov 13, 2009 05:18 pm
dlrcpa wrote:
Hi. I had a hysterectomy in Jan 2004 -- before my breast cancer was diagnosed in Sept 2004. It was sort of a one-two slam for 2004. I also had my ovaries out at that time and so it was instant menopause. Recovering from the hysterectomy was a long process. I got a lot of information and insight from the web site www.hystersisters.com Please go there and read some of the discussions and information. Please be prepared for all the after-effects. You still have some time to plan and get used to the idea. Mine was done on an emergency basis and I did not have time to think it over and get my brain wrapped around the after-effects. Feel free to PM me. Good luck. Donna in VA
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