tiggerlady Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I wonder if I could have your votes on this one please ladies. I went to see my consultant last week 'cos the last ditch attempt of hydrathermal ablation hasnt worked very well She then agreed to do a hysterectomy ,saying piously that 'most women want to avoid major surgery..'Lord knows what Ive been doing for the past 3 years then! Anyway, she gave me a prescription for these as she couldnt understand why I hadnt tried them as theyre usually the first port of call..not all the stuff Ive had done already! Are they good as a long term alrternative as I have a feeling the surgery isnt going to be the best choice as Im self employed and times is 'ard as it is.. The waitlist is 8-12 weeks..willl this be enough to tell whether itll work, and how would you rate it overall please.Am 51 this summer,so how far away is the finish of all this palaver?? Im really in a bit of a stew over it all..but I know the forum is a good place for advice..(much better than a husband ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Can't really give any advice but just wanted to say I've been taking this stuff for the last 2 periods so I'll be interested in any replies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Transxamic acid didn't work for me, but the Mirena Coil I then had instead of hysterectomy has been brilliant - there is another thread on here about that - a number of people have had brilliant results with the Mirena - so I would certainly recommend that - they have been working for me for 7 years very sucessfully! Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiggerlady Posted February 22, 2009 Author Share Posted February 22, 2009 Thanks TAJ,have already had one..it fell out and I didnt even notice ..then followed scans and d'n'c just to make sure it wasnt still there!Honestly...where did they think it had gone??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Am 51 this summer,so how far away is the finish of all this palaver?? I'm lucky to have never had many problems so can't help there but I'm presuming that all this stops when periods stop? hence the above part of your questions?......mine stopped when I was just one month short of being 53, so you could still have a couple of years. Don't know if that will be much help to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Thanks TAJ,have already had one..it fell out and I didnt even notice ..then followed scans and d'n'c just to make sure it wasnt still there!Honestly...where did they think it had gone??? You may laugh but they have been known to migrate through the wall of the uterus and end up in some pretty strange places! (it is very rare though, thankfully!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I find them useful, they relax smooth muscle and the uterus is smooth muscle. Considering mirena coil as I've got a small fibroid and ovarian cysts. joys of being a girl eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 if it works for you Tranexamic acid is fine to use long term (only for first 4 days of a period) we use it a lot for young ladies who have painful heavy bleeding in their teens & early 20s often in conjunction with Ponstan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Am 51 this summer,so how far away is the finish of all this palaver?? I'm lucky to have never had many problems so can't help there but I'm presuming that all this stops when periods stop? hence the above part of your questions?......mine stopped when I was just one month short of being 53, so you could still have a couple of years. Don't know if that will be much help to you. I was also exactly 53 when it all stopped except for this polyp 2 years later!! - but presume its much and such for most of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 It didn't work for me, but the hysterectomy is the best thing I've ever done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Poor you I do know what you're going through. Have you asked your GP to do a menopause test ? It won't tell you how far away from the menopause you are but if there are signs of significantly dropping hormone levels and you can manage on the Tranexamic acid then the decision is easier. If there's no indication of dropping hormone levels it may be far enough away to go for a more drastic soln (although that is complicated by being self employed). If your gp won't test you can buy them cheaply off the internet just google menopause test. There is medication that can induce the menopause, I know someone who was prescribed that for period problems and they regret going down that route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 worked well for me but as a migraineur that was a down side. got the Merena & never looked back untoil now, coming to end of it's usefulness AND got hot flushes now too Have a friend who had a Merena & it hasn't helpd ast all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Tiggerlady. Can I ask if you've tried a mirena coil or a different type of ablation? Did they not offer to give you a mirena at the same time as your ablation? Also have they tried you on Northesterone??? Transemic/mefamemic acid may help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiggerlady Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 Yes Quickcluck I have had a mirena but it fell out in 2nd month..had the same problem with the normal coil a few years back.I told them it wasnt likely to stay in,but would they listen..NO! Only hydrathermal ablation was offered to me..no mention of any other being available... I have asked about a hormone test but was told they arent reliable enough to count on . All through this business I have felt that Ive been fobbed off..try this,then try that,probably because of my age..No-one WANTS to go for surgery like this, but I feel that I am wasting what could be the best years..grown up kids and no parents to worry about yet. I really dont know which way to go,but if the tablets dont work I will be reeeeely cross It does impact on my life quite a bit as I cant work for more than an hour at a time before having to come home etc etc etc I also get migraine associated with rapid drop in hormone levels at the time, so am now concerned if the tablets are going to affect that now after Sandyhas3chucks said about it At least if I have the op it will all be sorted,including the risk of any more polyps growing that may or maynot turn nasty..I am probably a bit more worried as my Mum died of cancer when she was 42. Sorry for the long post but you guys are a real blessing..thanks.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Well I'd say you've nothing to lose trying the pills for a few months... The northesterone not used too much for hormone levels, but works on the same theory as the mirena my giving you only progesterone, which in turn works on the uterus and prevents/lessens any bleeding. It's sometimes given before an ablation along with prostap to put the uterus into 'shock' and stop the bleeding. Northesterone can be used on a more long term basis..... it's the same as the mini pill if you used that after you'd had a baby if breast feeding.... If you feel the a hysterectomy is the way to go for you, you should find out which type they think is best suited to you..... They prefer you to wait as long as possible because of the possible effects on other parts of your body (bladder/bowel)... but if your life is a nightmare you've everything to gain!!! You can always PM me if you want any info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 At least with the op thats this thing finished with altogether and you will have peace so really its to weigh up whether its worth it or not. From what you say then I would go for it - I had still probs recently with polyps so a hysterectomy would have sorted me out too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I was prescribed them last year when I was really struggling with my periods, I found that they helped to take the edge off things and they're good because you don't have to take them all the time, just when you feel you need them. I was told to take three doses, but two was plenty for me. Anyway, as I'm only young my periods are a bit random, for ages they were really heavy, but now they're quite light and managable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Well, they tried everything with me (my problems were different from yours) including soem botched surgery. They wanted to try a Mirena despite me telling them that they'd not get one in (the consultant had examined me and told me that before); they insisted on trying, which was rather messy. I can only say that they finally sorted it out when I got really fed up and told them to pee or get off the pot - they whipped it out last summer and I was back to normal fitness levels within 2 months and no ill effects Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 I struggled for years, with TA and then had D&C had been very anaemic a number of times (off work as I couldnt walk up the stairs without getting light headed and my muscles didnt seem to work) my husbands work paid for me to see consultant privatly, he was horrified by my story and suggested doing hysterectomy although he did explain the other options. To be honest was in a bit of a state by then, my periods were running my life so opted for hysterectomy......best decision in my case.......that was 7 years ago been on HRT since, I was feeling better within days of the op!!!! Hope you get sorted soon, remember its you that lives with it NOT the person you are consulting, although they will give advice and explain your options Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 This is just my personal opinion but I get the impression that GP's and the like would rather fob women off with "try this for six months" etc just to get us to the point of menopause, rather than go down the costlier option of hysterectomy. I imagine in the long run with all things considered the hysterectomy may actually be cheaper and healthier for most women who need it and definitely gives a better quality of life. My own feeling is if one's gyno parts are misbehaving before the menopause, what's to stop them doing so afterwards and then you are in the position of wasting time pre menopause only to have to have it all removed post menopause My own mother had a hysterectomy at the age of 40 and has never looked back. I am in a similar position to a lot of you on here and have had nothing but trouble for the last 5 years, as medication begins to fail. I would happily have had it all whipped out at 33 Now I understand the earliest preferred age for hysterectomy is 45 (not too many years away for me ) so I will be making a nuisance of myself this year at the doctors' *gets off soapbox* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 this has been a fascinating thread! I took Tranexamic acid for about 6 months and was so depressed on it that i had to come off' I didn't even connect the depression to the medication but my GP spotted it when I went to her wailing and moping and assuming I'd need antidepressants. She said this med can have that affect so took me off it with almost immediate improvement. I'd rather suffer the consequences of not taking it than taking it! The other interesting discussion point on here is about hysterectomies. I've been threatened with one for years and I've fought it off each time, assuming they were horrible ops foisted upon women by lazy gynae types - but you are reporting that they aren't that bad... remarkable and interesting I've heard about lots of nasty side effects (Woman's Hour listener ) from hysterectomies so have avoided and had other ops instead (not that they have been a picnic ). I had yet another gynae op this summer for prolapses and was told then I'd probably need a hysterectomy 'sometime soon'. I'd be grateful to hear the full side of this - pros and cons of hysterectomies- reckon it needs another thread? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bev Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Just to let you know that I was taking Tranexamic Acid for approximately 10 years. It worked brilliantly for about the first 8 years and then didnt do much. At the end of my tether I read a few articles on Mirena Coils and then went to see my GP asking if I could have one. I have had that now for about 3 years and find it brilliant (although I did have a period most of the first year, bleeding about 20 days each month!) but the last two years have been great. I am a migraine sufferer and have those for about 3 days a month although they have not been as bad since I have had the coil. (Im sure if men had periods we would have had a "cure" to this by now!!). I think it is worth you trying tranexamic before going down the surgery route. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Laurie, Claire; I am very happy with the outcome of my hysterectomy after all the years of messing around with doctors, inconclusive tests, invasive exams.... I still have my ovaries (what's left of them, but that's a whole other story!) PM me if you want to chat.... I can let you have my phone number if it's easier to talk about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 This is just my personal opinion but I get the impression that GP's and the like would rather fob women off with "try this for six months" etc just to get us to the point of menopause, rather than go down the costlier option of hysterectomy. I said much the same to one of the GP's that I also knew socially (so more inclined to be honest with me) after I'd had my hysterectomy. There was a very long pause then she said you're right that's what we've been told to do I'm another who has been so happy with the hysterectomy option, my only regret is I didn't have it done earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 This is just my personal opinion but I get the impression that GP's and the like would rather fob women off with "try this for six months" etc just to get us to the point of menopause, rather than go down the costlier option of hysterectomy. I said much the same to one of the GP's that I also knew socially (so more inclined to be honest with me) after I'd had my hysterectomy. There was a very long pause then she said you're right that's what we've been told to do I'm another who has been so happy with the hysterectomy option, my only regret is I didn't have it done earlier. Humph, thought so I must have lead a sheltered life, I've not heard any scary stories about bowel/bladder problems (or any other problems come to that), post hysterectomy What sort of things are supposed to go wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
