Need Hysterectomy but too young! (LONG)

I'm 33 years old. My periods have always been hell. The kind that put me to bed for days and put everyone around me through hell too. I take drugs just to make me sleep through the majority of my period. I cramp so bad that a lot of the time it takes my breath away. I ache all over and get headaches so bad that there's almost nothing that I wouldn't do just to get this overwith. I have four kids. The oldest is 18 and the youngest is almost 10. I can't see me wanting to have more at this point. I have been literally begging for YEARS to have my uterus (sp) out. No, honey you're too young. No honey, you don't know yet what you want. No honey you might want to have more children some day. I'm sick to death of No Honey! I have a 3.5 cm fibroid cyst INSIDE my uterus and a 2.5cm fibroid cyst on my left ovary. They can have that puppy too for all I'm concerned! I have sometimes three periods a month. They go on forever just to have another start in a couple of days. I am physically miserable. I am in jeporady of losing my job. I've been there for two months and have already taken three days off just for this and we're short handed as it is. My boss lady is really understanding, having went through the same thing herself but that can only go so far. She's gotta have somebody behind the register. Doc says that I can get the fibriods removed but they won't take the uterus out because I'm not old enough. I'm living a life of hell and somewhere along the line it became associated with my age???? What the? Who the? Why the? They can go in~repeatedly~mind you~ and take the fibroids out but assure me that they will grow back only to need removal again but they won't take my uterous because I'm not 35???? What does age have to do with it? From what I understand this is all from an insurance company stand point. I guess if I were to pay cash then hey I could have the necessary proceedure done, right? I do have an appointment with an OB/GYN tomorrow, gonna lay it all out for him and beg yet again.... will let ya know what's said. What do ya'll think? Getting off of my soap box, it's getting slippery up here!

Gayle, I think it's worth a second opinion. Jen PS- I know it sounds like they're motivated towards keeping your reproductive options open but maybe there's some hormonal reason to prolong the posession of your plumbing. I don't know. But I DO know men under 35 who have had vasectomies.

Find another doctor, preferably a FEMALE one!!! I had a total hysterectomy the same time I had WLS, and they both were blessings! If you have fibroids, you need the relief! Not to mention the fact that the bleeding will make you likely to be anemic, especially after WLS. If you work this right, you can get your TT at the same time as your hysterectomy and get both covered by insurance... Joy

If insurance is what's holding this up and there is nothing you can do to appeal it, you might check into what I think they call ablation. They essentially burn off a good layer of the inside of your uterus. It's almost like having a hysterectomy without actually having one. Apparently you no longer have periods and cannot have kids after. I can't remember who, but someone told me they had it done and were VERY happy with it.... Dina

Gayle, If you don't have luck with they OB/GYN today definitely go for a 2nd opinion. I know LOTS of women who have had hysterectomies in their early 30s. My GYN made me suffer for over 10 years ****il I was 49) before I had my hysterectomy. I really wish I had had the where-with-all at the time to put my foot down and see another doctor. Good luck!!! Hugs, Mo

Gayle, You have a right to be frustrated sound like to me. Who are you going to? I would sure find another Doc in the area. I am sure there is one here or in Vegas or even Kingman that would do your surgury. Good Luck. Marilyn, the Bearlady

Gayle, I see both sides of this. Having a hysterectomy does stop all the cramps, bleeding, etc., but it's not without other issues. You start aging prematurely after a hysterectomy because of the hormonal issues it creates. I had a hysterectomy at the age of 33 and although I wasn't happy at the time, I am now. Until you can get the hysterectomy, you might want to check into DepoProvera shots. That was the only thing that kept me from bleeding to death until I had the hysterectomy. I know that doctors are reluctant to remove the uterus and ovaries because both of them play a part in hormone production. Having them removed early can lead to another set of problems. Maybe talk to the doctor about leaving in the ovaries and just taking the uterus. Sometimes they don't like to remove all of it so early because essentially you have forced menopause and then have to go on hormone replacement therapy for at least a little while and that's a whole other issue. Even though I kept my ovaries, by the time I was 37, I'd been through menopause. Find another doctor and if nothing else, get a second opinion. Connie

Gayle, I really do believe what Connie says about the hysterectomy creating another group of problems, but I would keep looking for a doctor to not only do the surgery, but to make sure you have the proper medication afterwards to prevent the problems that Connie wrote about. I had my tubes tied at the age of 32, after the birth of my daughter. I had to sign a paper stating that I agreed to the fact that I will not be able to have children after the procedure and that I understood. Then...get this...MY HUSBAND also had to sign. That was 16 years ago. It is a shame for you to go through all that torture, especially knowing you don't want to have any more kids. I know plenty of doctors in Philadelphia (my hometown) that would do it, considering what you're going through. Good luck and I hope you get what you need.... Joan

Gayle, Keep pushing and get another opinion. I am now 39 and had a hysterectomy when I was 32. I had what sounds exactly identical to your symptoms. My Dr tried other options (provera pills, depo-provera shots, and birth control pills) and when nothing worked he said it was my last option and was more than willing to help me feel better. He removed my uterus and one ovary, and then this past December I had the 2nd ovary removed because a nonmalignant tumor had grown and encapsulated the bladder, some bowel, the ovary, and back muscles. I was put on estridiol patch right out of surgery to replace the estrogen, and stayed on it for 3 months and decided I was willing to see if I needed it for symptom control. I went off it and have had absolutely no problems. I understand there are risks with not having estrogen as well, but I am willing to work with those risks and keep them in check. My hysterectomy was the best surgery I have ever had done, well not the best, 2nd to wls. I became a whole new person after it and will shout from the roof tops "rip that dang thing out if you arent going to need it for reproduction anymore". Leaving one ovary might be a good option for you. If you want the name of a good Dr in Wisconsin let me know.....it would be well worth the drive! Best wishes and keep us posted Janelle