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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cindy lou on February 17, 2007, at 18:39:47
Hi,
I have posted on and off over the years. Briefly, my condition is depression and anxiety which is always there, and sometimes flares into a severe condition. I have been on several different meds and "cocktails" over the years.My depression seemed to start the minute I started puberty -- could be coincidental, I'm not sure. But I have had a horrible time wtih hormones -- severe PMS (to the point where I've been suicidal the week before my period, then fine the second day of my period), post-partum depression, etc.
I am 42 now, and scheduled for a hysterectomy due to a prolapsed bladder and uterus which cannot be fixed in other ways. My gyn, pdoc and I are wondering if it should be a "total" hysterectomy, with the ovaries removed. My gynecologist said that I "have been a victim of my hormones for too long" and my pdoc feels that hormones do play a major role in my depression, and the inability for meds to work for me.
In addition, I have had a few breast cancer scares, and removing the ovaries should reduce the risk of breast cancer.
My question is: does anyone know if removing my ovaries may help reduce the depression, fatigue, irritability, mood swings, etc. that I have had for 20+ years? Any experience out there? I know I will be thrown into "instant menopause" and I am not sure what that will involve emotionally. However, my gynecologist said it would be better for me than to go through peri-menopause, the three or so years before menopause when my hormones are roller coastering worse than they already are.
I could really use your opinions out there! Thank you!
cindy
Posted by Phillipa on February 17, 2007, at 21:50:03
In reply to Hysterectomy - help or hurt?, posted by cindy lou on February 17, 2007, at 18:39:47
Sorry for what's happening to you. I think or I know you will need hormone replacement theraphy. I'd opt for the most natural. May bioidentical hormone theraphy? Love Phillipa good luck keep us posted.
Posted by ronaldo on February 18, 2007, at 13:22:43
In reply to Re: Hysterectomy - help or hurt? » cindy lou, posted by Phillipa on February 17, 2007, at 21:50:03
> Sorry for what's happening to you. I think or I know you will need hormone replacement theraphy. I'd opt for the most natural. May bioidentical hormone theraphy? Love Phillipa good luck keep us posted.
I'm no expert - I am a man for a start but I know that HRT does not agree with everybody. My wife tried it and did not like it. I've heard tales of other women who did not get on with it.
The best thing to do is to ask the advice of your gynae. He should know. But going by what he said that you have been the victim of your hormones for too long it seems odd to introduce artificial hormones. But take no notice of me, I am a man and know very little of these things.
Hope it all works out for you.
ronaldo
Posted by cindy lou on February 18, 2007, at 15:48:35
In reply to Re: Hysterectomy - help or hurt?, posted by ronaldo on February 18, 2007, at 13:22:43
Thanks Phillipa and Ronaldo,
Ronaldo, your point makes good sense that if I've been a "victim of my hormones" I'd still be using hormones after the hysterectomy with the HRT. Perhaps the only benefit to that is that my doctor can add and subtract what's needed, whereas now I am just at the mercy of my body. My gynecologist is renowned for endocrinology and surgery, so I feel I am in good hands. Still, I am scared and have read many a horror story about life after menopause. So ALL comments are welcome!Thanks again,
cindy> > Sorry for what's happening to you. I think or I know you will need hormone replacement theraphy. I'd opt for the most natural. May bioidentical hormone theraphy? Love Phillipa good luck keep us posted.
>
> I'm no expert - I am a man for a start but I know that HRT does not agree with everybody. My wife tried it and did not like it. I've heard tales of other women who did not get on with it.
>
> The best thing to do is to ask the advice of your gynae. He should know. But going by what he said that you have been the victim of your hormones for too long it seems odd to introduce artificial hormones. But take no notice of me, I am a man and know very little of these things.
>
> Hope it all works out for you.
>
> ronaldo
>
>
Posted by Phillipa on February 18, 2007, at 19:19:53
In reply to Re: Hysterectomy - help or hurt? » ronaldo, posted by cindy lou on February 18, 2007, at 15:48:35
Oh then you are in good hands I'm sure she/he will run hormone tests on you and design a natural bioidential tx just for your body no one elses. Love Phillipa
Posted by Cecilia on February 19, 2007, at 21:47:06
In reply to Hysterectomy - help or hurt?, posted by cindy lou on February 17, 2007, at 18:39:47
My opinion- NO- don't let them take your ovaries. Your natural hormones are always going to be better than any artificial ones they can manufacture, and you continue to produce small amounts long after menopause. I'm betting you have a male doctor and that doctor would not let anyone take out his testicles and give him artificial hormones to straighten out his HIS hormones! Cecilia
Posted by Phillipa on February 19, 2007, at 22:17:21
In reply to Re: Hysterectomy - help or hurt?, posted by Cecilia on February 19, 2007, at 21:47:06
Good point too bad cindy didn't say ovaries too. Or does she have a choice? As she hasn't said what the conditions is might have to. Love Phillipa
Posted by Cecilia on February 20, 2007, at 2:34:39
In reply to Re: Hysterectomy - help or hurt? » Cecilia, posted by Phillipa on February 19, 2007, at 22:17:21
From Cindy's post it sounds like she DOES have a choice. Obviously it is her decision, but unless she has a strong family history of ovarian cancer, I would advice her to leave them in. Going into instant menopause is not going to help depression. Maybe get second opinions from other doctors, Cindy, and good luck. Cecilia
Posted by cindy lou on February 20, 2007, at 6:39:59
In reply to Re: Hysterectomy - help or hurt? » Phillipa, posted by Cecilia on February 20, 2007, at 2:34:39
Thank you SO much! Yes, I DO have a choice, which is what is so excruciating in making this decision. I am getting a second opinion today, and hopefully a third from a menopause specialist, if I am able to talk with him before the surgery date.
Basically, my ovaries are fine. I am having the hysterectomy due to a prolapsed bladder and uterus. The reasons my gyn suggests having the ovaries out are because of my HIGH risk of breast cancer (I just had a lumpectomy last week, and my mom had a mastectomy at age 47), AND because she thinks it would HELP the depression and anxiety that is most likely rooted in my hormonal upheavals every month (not to mention post-partum depression, etc.) By the way, my gyn. is a woman, and specializes in surgery and endocrinology.
I have heard mixed stories -- some say that women with hormonal trouble do BETTER after menoupause, others say no. I am open and happy to ANY advice out there! I will take it all to heart! My surgery is scheduled for March 5, and my pre-op appt. is this Friday!
THANK YOU!
cindy
> From Cindy's post it sounds like she DOES have a choice. Obviously it is her decision, but unless she has a strong family history of ovarian cancer, I would advice her to leave them in. Going into instant menopause is not going to help depression. Maybe get second opinions from other doctors, Cindy, and good luck. Cecilia
Posted by kerria on February 20, 2007, at 14:18:11
In reply to Hysterectomy - help or hurt?, posted by cindy lou on February 17, 2007, at 18:39:47
> Hi,
> I have posted on and off over the years. Briefly, my condition is depression and anxiety which is always there, and sometimes flares into a severe condition. I have been on several different meds and "cocktails" over the years.
>
> My depression seemed to start the minute I started puberty -- could be coincidental, I'm not sure. But I have had a horrible time wtih hormones -- severe PMS (to the point where I've been suicidal the week before my period, then fine the second day of my period), post-partum depression, etc.
>
> I am 42 now, and scheduled for a hysterectomy due to a prolapsed bladder and uterus which cannot be fixed in other ways. My gyn, pdoc and I are wondering if it should be a "total" hysterectomy, with the ovaries removed. My gynecologist said that I "have been a victim of my hormones for too long" and my pdoc feels that hormones do play a major role in my depression, and the inability for meds to work for me.
>
> In addition, I have had a few breast cancer scares, and removing the ovaries should reduce the risk of breast cancer.
>
> My question is: does anyone know if removing my ovaries may help reduce the depression, fatigue, irritability, mood swings, etc. that I have had for 20+ years? Any experience out there? I know I will be thrown into "instant menopause" and I am not sure what that will involve emotionally. However, my gynecologist said it would be better for me than to go through peri-menopause, the three or so years before menopause when my hormones are roller coastering worse than they already are.
>
> I could really use your opinions out there! Thank you!
>
> cindyHi Cindy,
It seems very very bad medicine to think that taking out body parts will help depression, emotions. i was ssso sorry when i was talked into getting my uterus removed because i had re-occuring ovarian cysts(which are normal each month but mine sometimes were painful - lasting two months). i also had prolapse but the hysterectomy didn't help that at all either.
Talk about throwing the baby out with the bath water! i almost died after the surgery from loss of blood and needed three pints. Afterwards i felt no better psychologically or physically at all and it was a very painful difficult recovery that lasted months. i believe that all of our organs are there for a purpose and that drs don't know everything yet. They shouldn't be so quick to put people through major surgery, risking their lives without reasonable reason. Also-who knows all of the benefits of keeping our organs intact if possible? It can help us far more than we know to leave our organs in and have bodies as natural as possible.
If you have a real reason such a cancer that has spread, etc maybe then it's worth the risk but i would find a better dr if i were you before you start taking his/her advice. i was sorry after letting myself be talked into having a hysterectomy - especially when they woke me up to tell me that i would die if i didn't receive the blood transfusions. i was angry later also for the painfully and long recovery and to find that i still had pain and emotional problems. There's a close connection between our bodies and minds, emotions. Putting our bodies through trauma of major surgery had a huge payback for me.
Best wishes on your healing Cindy,
kerria
Posted by cindy lou on February 20, 2007, at 14:44:12
In reply to Re: Hysterectomy - help or hurt?, posted by kerria on February 20, 2007, at 14:18:11
Dear Kerria,
I am so sorry to hear about the awful time you had with the hysterectomy! Can I ask, did you have your ovaries removed as well? Are you feeling better now?Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me, and again, I am sorry for the pain you went through.
cindy
> Hi Cindy,
>
> It seems very very bad medicine to think that taking out body parts will help depression, emotions. i was ssso sorry when i was talked into getting my uterus removed because i had re-occuring ovarian cysts(which are normal each month but mine sometimes were painful - lasting two months). i also had prolapse but the hysterectomy didn't help that at all either.
>
> Talk about throwing the baby out with the bath water! i almost died after the surgery from loss of blood and needed three pints. Afterwards i felt no better psychologically or physically at all and it was a very painful difficult recovery that lasted months. i believe that all of our organs are there for a purpose and that drs don't know everything yet. They shouldn't be so quick to put people through major surgery, risking their lives without reasonable reason. Also-who knows all of the benefits of keeping our organs intact if possible? It can help us far more than we know to leave our organs in and have bodies as natural as possible.
>
> If you have a real reason such a cancer that has spread, etc maybe then it's worth the risk but i would find a better dr if i were you before you start taking his/her advice. i was sorry after letting myself be talked into having a hysterectomy - especially when they woke me up to tell me that i would die if i didn't receive the blood transfusions. i was angry later also for the painfully and long recovery and to find that i still had pain and emotional problems. There's a close connection between our bodies and minds, emotions. Putting our bodies through trauma of major surgery had a huge payback for me.
>
> Best wishes on your healing Cindy,
> kerria
Posted by kerria on February 20, 2007, at 15:27:34
In reply to Re: Hysterectomy - help or hurt? » kerria, posted by cindy lou on February 20, 2007, at 14:44:12
The dr removed the ovary that kept getting the re-occuring cyst and he said i "would still be in pain if he didn't take out my uterus also." There was absolutely no reason for the major operation at all. It took a long time to recover and i don't know if you ever recover from having a missing uterus and the scar tissue and adhesions that that operation caused.
Recently i had surgery for pne (i had received from an injury - a fall while backpacking) and am having a very difficult recovery after complications- abcess, so much pain.
Who knows how much more stable my pelvic structures might have been if i didn't have the previous unneccessary surgery? i say "Keep what ever you can inside- who knows the importance of an of intact uterus andd we don't need the added scar tissue and risks that major surgery carries for reasons like "it might help... " hormones may be giving us problems" etc. How does taking a uterus out help? i know that i was in as much pain afterwards. It's still major surgery. It causes things like scar tissue and nerve damage. Some women have pudendal nerve entrapment because of having hysterectomies. You should look on the sites they have and read about the pain that they're in. A hysterectomy is nothing to have without really considering the negative impact that it can have.
Take care,
kerria
Posted by Cecilia on February 20, 2007, at 21:11:09
In reply to Re: Hysterectomy - help or hurt? » Cecilia, posted by cindy lou on February 20, 2007, at 6:39:59
I hope it works out ok for you, whatever you decide, Cindy Lou. I had a hysterectomy for fibroids when I was 46 and I think that was the right decision for me, afterwards I wished I'd had it done years earlier. But I definitely wouldn't have let them take my ovaries. My doctor asked in such a casual manner "do you want me to take your ovaries out?" like she was asking "do you want coffee or tea?" and I said NO NO NO. I was so scared that she would forget and take them anyway that I was tempted to write on my abdomen LEAVE THEM IN. Fortunately, she did leave them in, I'm 57 and I assume I must have gone through menopause but I've never had any menopausal symptoms. I've been depressed pretty much my whole life and I'm still depressed but I don't think my hormones have much to do with it. It may be different for you, but think about it VERY carefully. Remember that taking out your ovaries is not going to reduce your risk of breast cancer if you're getting HRT to replace the missing estrogen. And it's not just estrogen you're losing but progesterone, small amounts of testosterone that women also produce and probably other hormones we don't even know about. Cecilia
Posted by Cecilia on February 20, 2007, at 21:18:28
In reply to Re: Hysterectomy - help or hurt?, posted by kerria on February 20, 2007, at 15:27:34
Kerria, I'm sorry you've been through so much and glad you're feeling strong enough to post again. A lot of people have missed you both here and on the other site you post at. Did the surgery for PNE help at all or is too early to tell? I hope things start getting better for you soon. Cecilia.
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