Partial Hysterectomy vs Not? (For Fibroid Pain)

Updated on March 03, 2015
K.M. asks from Frisco, TX
12 answers

I am 46 and being advised by GYN to have a partial hysterectomy (removal of everything with exception of ovaries so you can maintain hormones). I have been having severe fibroid pain for the past six months. This month I am pain free and just wondering if I cured myself; I have been taking apple cider vinegar (2 tbsp daily) for a couple of months now. Has anyone -- I know this sounds far fetched experienced anything similar. Many thanks!

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M.B.

answers from Austin on

I had problems with fibroids a number of years ago (maybe 10?) and was given the option of the hysterectomy, also....

I wasn't having the pain, but very heavy (and sustained) monthly bleeding... I did some research, and instead of a hysterectomy, I went for the Uterine Fibroid Embolization.

Much quicker recovery!

At any rate, do look into options.....

2 moms found this helpful

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M.S.

answers from Kansas City on

My personal opinion, if you are not having symptoms with using the vinegar, I would say, no surgery. "Natural" things are always better than medical intervention, if it works. I am a believer in alternative methods which have proven success. Surgery puts you at risk for all kinds of things and no matter what, your body won't be the same again.

As an RN, I know that intervention, whether medical or surgical is not always "optional" and is necessary for so many things, but the longer you can get by, the better. Surgery can put you at risk for complications of anesthesia, blood clots, adhesions, bleeding, infection and pain, etc.

In my opinion, IF you go the surgery route, I would say, have a complete hysterectomy, not leave the ovaries, at your age of 46, you are nearing menopausal age anyway. Removing the ovaries improves chance that you won't develop ovarian cancer down the road, especially if anyone genetically related to you has ovarian or breast cancer, which can be hormonally related.

In my oncology experience, I have seen several ovarian cancer patients who had "partial hysterectomies" to save the ovaries because their GYN talked them into it to stave off the effects of early menopause. Ovarian cancer is not a disease of the elderly, I know plenty of women who were diagnosed in their 20's and 30's.

Vinegar has many great purposes besides medicinal or cooking. Though I don't currently know the name of it, there is a great book about vinegar and it's uses.

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E.B.

answers from Beaumont on

Hats off to you for being proactive with your health! I'd have the doctor do a scan to compare with your previous ones to see if it's shrunk or what's going on before proceeding.

3 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

it may sound far-fetched, but i think it's great that you're taking safe, natural steps to take care of yourself. a partial hysterectomy may well be where you end up, but since you're pain-free at the moment, why not ride it out a little further and see?
ACV is amazing stuff!
khairete
S.

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T.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

I had fibroids that were very painful with lots of heavy bleeding. I had a partial hysterectomy 4 years ago and that was the best thing that every happened to me. I don't have to worry about periods any more nor the pain of fibroids coming back.

The surgery seems scary but I had the Da Vinci method at 10am and went home at 8:30pm that same day. I was given pain meds and stayed off work for 4 weeks. I could have gone back to work in 2 weeks but I told my doctor I wanted 4 weeks so she gave them to me. If you are cured that's great. Being minus a uterus and period is even better for me.

Getting a 2nd opinion is always a good idea. I didn't do that. I was tired of the pain and becoming anemic from heavy bleeding so I welcomed the hysterectomy. I hope everything works out the way you want it. Good luck!!!

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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi K.,

ACV is healing to the body and helps digest food. You are probably absorbing nutrition better. Not saying that that is all you need but it's definitely good for you, just in general.

Have you tried chiropractic care? Lower back subluxations can cause reproductive organ problems as well as digestive issues. (Any of those?) I work in a principled chiropractic office and have seen quite a few people save organs that doctors had recommended removing. When the brain has no interference communicating with the rest of the body, it's amazing how healthy the body can be. We all learned in elementary school that the brain controls everything. When we put two and two together, doesn't it make sense that it has to have a clear path for that communication? It would be worth it to try...once your parts are removed you can't put them back. If chiropractic doesn't work for you (which I'm sure it will) what have you lost?

Hope all goes well....
M.

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A.L.

answers from Las Vegas on

morning
I have DEFINITELY heard of women taking that to shrink their fibroids.. IF you go to earthclinic.com you see an article about fibroids and posting from women who have taken the cider... I too have fibroids and have wanted to avoid ANY type of surgery..... so read as much as you can.. they can be painful and even if you get surgery, they can grow back.. it's a temporary fix.. also.. since you have fibroids, the doctors don't tell you this until it happens, but with all the heavy bleeding you can become anemic (that is what happened to me) it can take sometime before it happens and an iron test can even show negative and yet, you are still anemic.. that's because your body will retrieve iron from your ferritin stores.. so have your doctor check both. also on that website. they talk about taking black strap molasses for anemia because it's so rich in iron (that's because it's roots go deep into the ground) anyway.. I have read tons of stuff on fibroids because the medical establishment has provided very little info for me.. one of the main things you can do is adjust your diet (tons of stuff on the net about that)
in my case.. I did try the cider, but didn't do it long enough.. however, I still think in some cases it can work.. additionally, what helps me the most is when I don't eat sugar or processed foods (basically any food that causes my insulin to rise) which in turn has an affect on the firboids.. also.. knowledge is key.. I chart my cycles EVERY month.. this way. I know what's ahead... example.. the fibroids get more uncomfortable mid-cycle .. as my uterus retains more fluid and up until the onset of my period, the pressure/cramping can get worse. but with the onset, the pressure goes away... the fibroids also affect my sciatic nerve ,let stretches and yoga poses help for that..
def try and stay away from surgery.. too many docs recommend it when IF you can bear it, the fibroids can become less problematic over time..
check out that website. it's interesting..

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T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I did not have your issue. I did have issues with my blood that kept me at the Dr being evaluated and outpatient procedures one too many for me.

12 yrs ago, I had complete hysterectomy including ovaries out and I've never felt better, or looked younger, enjoyed my life ( especially sex) for the better.

I had a choice for hysterectomy taking everything out. I know it's a touchy subject for some but for me it was the best. I did use HRT a few years afterwards, I no longer use HRT and don't have issues. My reasoning for taking ovaries was that it's harder to diagnose and treat ovarian cancers vs beast cancer.... Both are potential issues.

Since my surgery, my blood work is good. They finally ruled out leukemia!!!

You have to do what's best for you, best wishes.

I'm so glad I made my choice for complete hysterectomy, bikini line cut you can't see anymore!! So free and no pain. ( except for the freaking pneumonia I'm in bed with right now)

My surgery was at medical center Plano , Dr Rovner. FYI since you are in Frisco.

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M.C.

answers from Rockford on

The best way to know for sure if you still have the fibroids is a scan. I have uterine fibroids that are very large and have caused me pain, but I have not yet faced any treatment. You want to know for sure if you still have them because if they start to deteriorate and start passing, you will truly know what pain is! Warning! TMI follows: I had an incident a few years back where I had 11 days of heavy bleeding/clotting and ended up in the ER with severe pain. They almost had me in surgery for an appendectomy until the scan showed fibroids (8x normal size in my uterus) deteriorating and being discharged. I had huge clots coming out that were like long snakes. It was the worst pain ever. I have been hoping to put off a procedure, but it only continues monthly for me, so I am going to have to figure out something to do soon. I only have issues with heavy bleeding during 2 days of my period now, so it's been manageable. One option is to wait until menopause, but I don't know how long that will be and I'd like to be done with it all sooner rather than later. Good luck to you!

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S.W.

answers from Amarillo on

I had similar symptoms for several years and had several doctors prescribe different things to control the bleeding.

My last doctor read all of my medical history and prescribed a plan. I had very heavy bleeding and then I began to spot continuously monthly after he gave me a shot to stop the bleeding and it didn't surgery was scheduled. He explained that if I chose to keep my ovary (other removed many years ago) I might have to have surgery later on. I chose to have everything taken out. It was the best day of my life. Doctor said I looked better after surgery than I did prior to surgery -- no more dark circles under the eyes.

This surgery was 20 years ago. I have not missed the bleeding, the messed up clothing, the pain and discomfort, and using pads/tampons/depends or other items to keep the blood from showing through.

Every person has to make their decision and live with it. You know your body and what you can and cannot take and how long you want to do this.

My surgery was the bikini cut and it has not hindered me in any way. I had a friend have the Divinici and she wound up with problems and had to stay in the hospital the same amount of time as I did. We are both fine and happy.

the other S.

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S.Z.

answers from Reno on

I recently had my uterus and one ovary taken out. (I also had fibroids, and I'm done having children.) One ovary was left to provide me with hormones. It's like any other surgery - painful for a while, then better than it was before. I don't regret it a bit. I probably should have done it sooner.

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S.B.

answers from San Francisco on

I went through something like this a few years ago. A lot of pain, off and on. Everytime I'd get ready to schedule surgery, my sx would get better. I thought it was a sign from God! :)

Then, once it was so bad I missed a really special family event. I decided then and there, when I was alone at home, that I would take charge and scheduled the surgery with my doctor right away. She was able to do it using a camera above and take everything out of the vagina.

In hindsight, I regret not having done it a few years earlier. But doesn't matter, I don't live in fear of it coming back ever again!

If you're in the Bay Area, her name is Dr. Azad (www.elcaminowomen.com)

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