prior to the problems caused by the fibroids and cysts I was generally pretty healthy - worked out, swam occasionally, had good sex
have always had a stressful job - but thrived on it - have always taken responsibility for all around me - I lost my father 19 years ago, so a certain amount of role reversal ensued with regard to my (pretty young) mother - tend to take charge and look after everyone - I worry about everything for everyone else!! I do all the accounts and admin for my brother's business, manage my boyfriends' finances and look after my mother's "paperwork". No complaints as far as this is concerned - I enjoy being the responsible one and putting everything into order and organising (probably a secret control freak!)
Had a very secure and tough job for many years - then we were acquired by a major group - who relocated us out of london - I decided that I was too old for 4 hours travelling every day - took a sabbatical
for 6 months and then joined my present company where I only work 4 days a week and travel 10 minutes to and from the office - thereby an instant reduction in stress!
My symptoms started at about the time I started this new job - which could not be more fun? Every month I would be in terrible pain for the first 3 days of my period and then last year despite all sorts of medical intervention (removal of smaller fibroids hysteriscopically and treatment with Zoladex to reduce the size) my periods started occuring every 15 days and my blood pressure began to swing erratically from very high to very low. My GP put me on the lowest dose of amlodipine to control the pressure, as all other remedies both natural and diet related failed to control it. Eventually after spending 3 days of our 10 day New year holiday in Greece in considerable pain - I sought the advice of my gynaecologist again. He sent me for ultrasound, MRI blood tests etc, as he suspected ovarian cancer, and put me on anti-inflamatory drugs.
These tests came back inconclusive, and the drugs made me feel awful, so after much discussion I decided that the only way was the op. We agreed prior to the op that dependent on what they found they would do a partial or total and I agreed. When they performed the op my insides were in such a state (although the cysts proved to be benign)with fibroids growing through the bowel and stomach that they performed a total hysterectomy.
As I said the post op care and healing was wonderful, I had a minor problem with a stitch that did not want to leave me and contracted the usual infection whilst in hospital so was placed on heavy duty anti biotics for 2 weeks which gave me the normal stomach problems. I have a 6" downwards offcentre scar which has not given me any problems (except when it itches when it is about to rain?)
I have had some cranial work this summer to relieve the pain in the arm and am continuing with my acupuncture on a weekly basis. I am on the smallest dose oestrogen patch and I do notice when I am nearing the changeover time.
Although my nearest and dearest have been wonderful and are very empathetic - and the dog loves sitting on the sofa at 3.30 am whilst I listen to music and practice my breathing - I would love to start feeling more like myself again if not as a 30 year old at least as a healthy 40 year old!