Hysterectomy on the cards

Hi Daisy Devon

Welcome to the Womb group.

I am sorry to hear of your previous breast cancer. It must be hard to find out that the tamoxifen has caused hyperplasia. 

I can understand why you found the hysteroscopy and polyp removal tough. It is very invasive and uncomfortable. I was lucky in that the CNS who did mine was really good but it is never a nice experience. I think the thing to remember is that it is very routine for them and although it is a private area of your body- to them it is something they see everyday. I am sorry that you are having flashbacks about the procedure. Is it anything in particular or just the whole thing?

I wonder if talking things through would help? I can recommend the Support Line or if picking up the phone feels difficult then you can connect with one of the nurses via online chat. It may also be something you could talk through generally with your practice nurse. 

I understand your feeling about the hysterectomy but for me it was a straightforward surgery, I had little pain and recovered quickly. It was done via key hole. Other than the hysteroscopy there were no intimate examinations involved with the hysterectomy and surgery. Everything other than the removal of the catheter post surgery was done whilst I was under anaesthetic. I do have regular examinations now due to having the cancer but these are done at a nurse clinic by s small team that I have got to know well. 

With some types of hyperplasia they can sometimes monitor you but the thing with this is that the monitoring would naturally involve further scans and possible repeat hysteroscopies. 

It is your body and your choice regarding treatment but what I would urge you to do is to talk through your worries and to make sure your decision is an informed on. I will pop some links that may help.

Endometrial Hyperplasia: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment (patient.info)

Hysterectomy - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

I hope this helps a bit but if there is anything more you want to ask or need then please do so.

Jane

Hi Daisy 

I am very sorry to hear of your diagnosis and the difficulties you have faced after your hysteroscopies. 

I am currently 4 weeks post op after having a laprascopic hysterectomy, I know not everyone will have the same experience but I cannot express enough how shocked I have felt with the recovery. It has been a fast and unproblematic. 

I was diagnosed stage 1, i have my appointment next week for final results from histology. I was offered hormonal therapy and recurrent hysteroscopies. For me I knew I couldn't do that due to CPTSD, it would be too stressful and very triggering. So I opted for the hhysterectomy.it was a difficult decision as I'm 34 and we wanted more children but long term regular investigation for me would have been a greater impact.

My advise would be to really consider the impacts of each option and what you can manage. Discuss this with your CPN and consultant, mine we're very supportive, but don't let them sway you, I found at the beginning because of my age they really promoted hormonal treatment but once they had the full picture this changed. 

Since having my hysterectomy I won't deny I am grieving but I also have this huge sense of relief that the dark cloud that was hanging over me has gone. 

I really do hope you make the best decision for you. 

Wishing you all the best. 

Hi Daisy Devon

I had a hysteroscopy in March.  After being referred on the 2WW, I was expecting to be told that I was a fraud after the ultra sound but instead was told my womb lining was too thick and that I needed a hysteroscopy. I had it there and then not having a clue what it was going to happen. Physical pain wise it was like a bad day at the dentist.  It was only the following day that the mental side hit me and how invasive the procedure felt to me.  In fact I had to drive a long distance that day and my head was in such a spin that I probably wasn't safe to be driving. 

I had my hysterectomy in May and went in concerned about what was going to happen (although I also just wanted what was growing inside me out).  My experience of surgery was very similar to jane2511's.  I went into surgery feeling dignified and came round feeling dignified and know nothing of the bit in between.    

Wishing you all the best.

Jo

I've really struggled with intimate examinations but age 65 have finally acknowledged that's who I am. I asked my GP for Diazepam for my initial exam for post menopausal bleeding this time, having struggled on 2 previous occasions some time ago. I take a card with a one sentence statement that I wrote to show staff and for the first time I've now asked for it to be added to my notes. I do this as I'm sometimes not able to verbalise this issue. That's just what I've come up with as a strategy for now. I will be having a hysterectomy in the next few weeks. Just wanted you to know you are not alone.