Getting a hysterectomy

[valeriedl]

I'm 34 and because of all the epilepsy meds I'm on and the seizures that I have I can't have children. I know it's really not good to be on birthcontroll for long periods of time either.

I've been asking my gyno for the last few years about having a hysterectomy and he keeps telling me that it's not a good thing to have done until you're in your mid to late 30's. I'm 34 now and I'll be going to my yearly visit in a few weeks and I'll be asking him about it again.

Can anyone give me any pros or cons about having it done? Anyone who's had one and how it's effected them. I know that you also have to take some meds after you've had one also.

Any information will be appericated, thanks.

[epileric]

Did you ask about having a tubal ligation instead of a full hysterectomy?

[Nakamova]

A hysterectomy is major surgery! If you're just looking for birth control, you could get an an IUD, or as Eric suggests, have your tubes tied.

[valeriedl]

I'm on depoprovara now. I went on that because the peirods that I would have were horrible.

They were always irregulator, very heavy and I would have horrible cramps, headaches and they would last forever. That's why my gyno suggested taking depoprovara so that I wouldn't have a period.

That's why I'm afraid if I get my tubes tied all these things would start again. I know that it is major surgery but I don't want any chance of getting pregnet either, which I know there is a small percent that you could get with getting my tubes tied. I'm on so much medication that I don't know what would happen if I had to go off any of it, or if I were to stay on it and what may happen to the baby.

Plus I don't think I'd beable to handle a child.

[Nakamova]

Don't rule out the IUD -- I'm on it and it works fine. You could look into the kind that has progesterone, it might help with the hormonal issues.

[valeriedl]

I would become extreamly emotioal also. I'd get to the point sometimes where I'd like to strangle someone. I'm like that on the keppra now so I could only imagine what the two would be like mixed together.

Thanks Nakamova, I'm going to do some reading up on that. If I have any questions would it be alright if I sent you some private messages so we could talk about it?

I'm on Depakote, Tegretol, Keppra and Lamictal. I also have a VNS. I want to know if it would work with taking all these meds also.

Also if there's anyone else out there that has one could you let me know too. I'd like to see how it works with other people. Send me a pm, I think I'd feel more comfortable talking about this in private, thanks.

[Nakamova]

Absolutely, feel free to PM me any time.

[Cint]

They were always irregulator, very heavy and I would have horrible cramps, headaches and they would last forever. That's why my gyno suggested taking depoprovara so that I wouldn't have a period.

That's why I'm afraid if I get my tubes tied all these things would start again. I know that it is major surgery but I don't want any chance of getting pregnet either, which I know there is a small percent that you could get with getting my tubes tied. I'm on so much medication that I don't know what would happen if I had to go off any of it, or if I were to stay on it and what may happen to the baby.

Hi Valerie,

After my two children were born, not only did my seizures start getting so out of control, so did my hormonal issues. My ob/gyn at the time kept telling me I was too young to be going through "the change", the mennorahagia in my early 30's, along with night sweats. Crazy, heavy periods that sometimes would last 10 days. Next time maybe 3 days.

For some women with epilepsy, hormonal problems goes with the territory.

I finally had a tubal ligation when I was certain I did not want any more children and haven't had hormonal problems. Are you sure you would want to have a hysterectomy instead?

I'm on Depakote, Tegretol, Keppra and Lamictal. I also have a VNS. I want to know if it would work with taking all these meds also.

That seem to me like an awful lot of drugs to be taking along with the VNS.

[valeriedl]

Thanks Cint,

We had a heck of a time just trying to get my seizures under control with the meds only, so that's when the neurologist suggested going on the VNS. It has helped alot with number of seizures I have a month and they aren't as long and as bad as they were before I got it.

He's hoping to wean me off some of the meds when he gets the VNS moved up.

[huskymom]

I had a hysterectomy when I was 35 (now I am almost 51). Gotta say, it was fantastic! Best thing I ever did. I, like you, had a lot of other issues. Clotting, month long periods, yada yada yada. Tried all of the other stuff, tubes ties, hormone shots weekly...you get the idea. I didn't realize how miserable I was until I had it done. Best of luck!

[nora]

I'm 34 and because of all the epilepsy meds I'm on and the seizures that I have I can't have children. I know it's really not good to be on birthcontroll for long periods of time either.

I've been asking my gyno for the last few years about having a hysterectomy and he keeps telling me that it's not a good thing to have done until you're in your mid to late 30's. I'm 34 now and I'll be going to my yearly visit in a few weeks and I'll be asking him about it again.

Can anyone give me any pros or cons about having it done? Anyone who's had one and how it's effected them. I know that you also have to take some meds after you've had one also.

Any information will be appericated, thanks.

A good place to start, to make a fully informed decision, is with information about the life long functions of the uterus. The uterus is a hormone responsive sex organ that provides structural support to the bladder and the bowel. To find out what takes up the space where the uterus had been, why the vagina is shortened and how much during hysterectomy, why there is diminished sensation in the vagina, labia and clitoris, watch the short video "Female Anatomy: the Functions of the Female Organs" at hersfoundation.org/anatomy.

[valeriedl]

Is there anyone else out there that's had one that I could ask some questions to?

Thanks alot.

[nora]

HERS networks women on a one to one basis. If you would like to hear from other women who have undergone hysterectomy you can go to HERS website and click on Woman to Woman Networking.