Christ, not again.

[fudge stripe cookays]

So some of you remember that I had emergency surgery last year for an endometrial condition (a "chocolate ovary" that burst and bled out). I'd never such horrible pain in my life!

In the meantime, I got diagnosed with MS, so the last year has been spent getting on Betaseron, beginning to adjust to my new life with a chronic illness, and bouncing back. I had just gotten back to Jenny Craig to knock off some of this weight I put on since last summer.

The OB/Gyn who performed the surgery put me on a very high dose birth control pill to shut down my other ovary completely, to keep it from creating this problem. However, I was laid off in september, and it was either pay for the Betaseron, or pay for the pill. And we all know which one won.

So the last two months I've been having steadily worse abdominal pains "that time of the month", and it's looking more and more like my endo has decided to become a problem once again.

Yesterday, I finally took two Darvon and lay down at 2:00 PM, and woke up at 2 AM.

I'm looking at a hysterectomy at 40. It's not like I was going to use these things anyway, it's just weird for me to consider.

[WestHoustonDem]

1. I'm so sorry you're going through this FSC!

:hug:

[fudge stripe cookays]

2. Thanks WHD!

How are you and Punkon Drugs enjoying the summer? Made it through the flooding OK?

Yes, it sure would be nice to have at least one day where I don't feel like complete crap, either from the endo or the MS. When I have a great day these days, I treasure it!

fsc

[WestHoustonDem]

3. I hear you

I was very ill a few years ago with Crohn's. I'm now in remission (as long as I remember to take my meds).

I've been really lucky this summer. I've been hired as the webmaster for a couple of state representative campaigns. Getting paid to work to help elect Democrats is awesome!

POD is starting a job at the local grocery store next week. :woohoo: I took her to the Pride festival yesterday and she had great time.

We always get through the flooding okay as long as we're home. We may get stuck in our little neighborhood, but our home has yet to be in danger of flooding.

Have you found a home for Bartok yet?

[fudge stripe cookays]

4. Not yet.....sigh....

I'm hoping to hear something back from the Chihuahua rescue this week to see if they've found him something with one of the nearby rescues. I also need to contact my friend Carol, who runs Tassie's Hope here in town.

He pooped on the rug AGAIN today. Oi. Back to the Chihuahua Gulag for him. Our guest bath is occupado for the time being!

fsc

[PDittie]

5. Feel better, pumpkin

You won't miss those ovaries one bit.

[fudge stripe cookays]

6. Thanks sweetie!

I get to lose the big honker too. But everybody tells me it's the best decision I'll ever make.

What are YOU doing in here? Everything OK?

fsc :hi:

[PDittie]

10. Fine, thank you.

(I was just snooping around...)

[REP]

7. Have They Considered Depo-Provera or Lupron?

I have cysts, too - not big enough to require surgery knock wood but if they get over a certain size, it may be considered (not with my latest PTT/APTT scores, though - I'd bleed to death!). Anyway, from my adventures in cyst-land, I learned that Depo-Provera is used to prevent them and so is Lupron. These are administered every 13 weeks, so easier on the pocket book... A surgical option for menorrhagia is uterine ablation, which I've had, which is also used to treat some forms of endometriosis and fibroid tumors. It leaves the uterus intact, but destorys the endometrium (and makes pregnancy super unlikely). They do have a failure rate, but it is much lower for women who have them at 40 and over.

I've had cysts rupture so I have an idea what you must go through. For some women, a hysto is the best thing ever; some women prefer to avoid it. If you aren't sure, be sure to ask about other options that might be appropriate.

That said, anecdotally, I know a lot of women who had either voluntary, non-therapeutic or therapeutic hystos and *every* *single* *one* of them not only had easy recoveries but are extremely happy they had it done. Whether they had it done just to be rid of the plumbing or because of a medical condition, none of these women have had any problems. It's a small sample, and it's anecdotal ... on the other hand, it is real-world reports from very very happy women!

Good luck, whatever works out to be the best way to deal with them!

[fudge stripe cookays]

8. Thanks.

I tried Depo-Provera a couple years ago and did NOT like it. I had problems with it too. I think this would be easier.

And when the doc assured me that all the surgeries my mom had to tack everything back up in there were more because she'd had kids, that made me feel better. She said those of us without rugrats don't have half the drooping problems moms do.

Yay.

[REP]

9. They can Also Take 'Em Out Through the Vagina

or laprascopically, since our uteruses are so much smaller than multiparas.

All my friends with hystos are childfree, too ... could be one reason why they were SO happy afterwards, no matter why they had it done! I know women who had them done in their 20s, 30s and 40s and again, anecdotes aren't studies or real data, but not a one of them had any problems of any (wink wink nudge nudge) kind. Just be sure not to lift anything heavier than a teacup for the first three weeks, and don't do any housework. Leisure is key to healing!

In the meantime, take some drugs and feel better.

[fudge stripe cookays]

11. Don't lift anything heavier than a teacup?

Hey, I do that NOW! :D

This should be easy!