Considering hysterectomy

**Vonnie** · 10-03-2004, 01:30 PM

I've approached the age when my cycle blurrs into one long month of bleeding. I could probably handle that if it didn't cause my IC to flare. I will have spasms, shooting pains, and dull constant pain. During the "actual week" I spend a day or two in bed with a hot pad and eat ibuprofen like it is candy. My IC goes nuts!
Two years ago I asked my OB/GYN if she would do a hysterectomy. She said NO, that she didn't want to do anything to further aggravate my bladder.
Over the past two years she has tried other methods to stop the bleeding without any success. I even underwent uterine ablation in March. It didn't work for me, at all. My bleeding is now less predictible. I just always plan on it happening.
Now that we have tried everything she is aggreeable about performing the hysterectomy.
So here is my question... Has anyone out there found relief of their IC from having a hysterectomy?
What is better to lessen IC pain, a partial where the cervix is left intact or total where the uterus and cervix are removed? Is it better to have it removed vaginally or through the abdomen?
I will discuss this with my doc but she doesn't have the perspective we do. I need to hear from others who can identify with me.
In general, has anyone had experience with having a hysterectomy since being diagnosed with IC?
Any insight is greatly appreciated.

_____
Vonnie

**Babs RN** · 10-03-2004, 03:00 PM

I had an abdominal hystro and was diagnosed with IC after.

***ICNDonna*** · 10-03-2004, 04:01 PM

I developed IC following an abdominal hysterectomy.

Donna

**Katrina** · 10-03-2004, 11:05 PM

Hysterectomy hurt my IC!!! My research said that both were possible...hurt or help. I would expect that abdominal would be worse on the bladder...that is what mine was. There are meds that can keep you from having your period....have you tried them:? My hysterectomy was full and abdominal and hurt my IC! You could do a search in the
Other Related Conditions section....I am sure questions have been asked there in the past.
Ibiprophen is acidic.....you should probably try a different pain reliever.

Feel free to contact me if you want. A hysterectomy to treat IC is a huge risk....have you tried Lupron?

((((((hugs)))))))

**tigger_gal** · 10-04-2004, 02:18 AM

My mom also has IC.. she keeps telling me I need to get one.. she said that it really helped alot, because nothing was there to squish her bladder..
still wondering about that.....
Brat

**lalarainbow** · 10-04-2004, 03:31 AM

Hi,
I had a abdominal hysterectomy with verticle incision..kept ovaries though!
I had a burch sling for bladder done at the same time.. I was dignosed with IC 16 months later!! You might want to check out www.hystersisters.com which is much like this IC site.
~~Pam~~

**Vonnie** · 10-05-2004, 01:19 PM

Thanks everyone for your responses.

Well the idea of hysterectomy is getting less appealing.

I certainly don't want my IC to get worse. Maybe my GYN's first instinct was right.
So if Ibuprofen is acidic what other anti-inflammatory is ok to take? Ibuprofen is the only medication that has ever worked on my cramps. It takes 3-4 ibuprofen every 6 hours to get through the day.
Hormones are not good for me because of the lupus symptoms I have. They get worse with hormones. It's always something.
I am so tired...

**Mel53H** · 10-05-2004, 03:15 PM

I know one thing, it was the best thing I have ever done was to have a hysterectomy. I always had a very hard time with my periods and stuff. It was VERY nice not to have to put up with the pain and the heavy bleeding that I had to put up with.BUT, that was just me. Everybody is different.

Just my humble opinion.

Mel53H

**Katrina** · 10-05-2004, 05:04 PM

http://www.ic-network.com/askthemd/june00.html#61

http://www.ic-network.com/forum/show...5&page=2&pp=15

I am not sure many people use anti inflammatories to treat pain of IC. I wish I could help you. I did a search of anti inflammatories...you can do that too....

Black Cohosh (cimicifuga racemosa) not good for me since has similar effects to the hormone estrogen. Is used as a sedative and to relieve menstrual cramps. May have anti inflammatory effects. Avoid large doses.

Good luck

**sacausa** · 10-05-2004, 05:25 PM

I use bextra as an anti-inflammatory.

**Jean12** · 10-06-2004, 12:35 AM

I just had a hysterectomy 6 weeks ago today. I was having trouble with heavy bleeding and pain. At first we thought it was fibroids and tried hormone treatments. They didn't work well. This had been going on for several years with worsening symptoms. All month long I was in pain and could never distinguish what the real source was. Was it IC, IB, gyno? The hysterectomy helped considerably with gyno pain. I can now cough and sneeze without peeing my pants (when not in a bad flare), my back pain is gone and my insides generally feel better. I had a full abdominal because my uterus was too large from the tumors (it turned out I had adenomyosis, not fibroids) to safely perform a vaginal or laporoscopy assisted vaginal. I did go into a major flare after the surgery. I was still in the hospital, the day after surgery when it began. I made them take the cath out and the IV. I was peeing evey five minutes with the drip going and it was a royal pain in the you know what to be dragging that IV pole with me to the bathroom and having to call the nurses every five minutes. Believe it or not most of the nursing staff had never heard of IC and the two that had heard of it had no idea that it could be treated. I had to throw a temper tantrum and insist that my uro be called to consult. He came and started meds, but for whatever reason wouldn't agree to do an instillation right then and there. I was too out of it to argue or ask why I had to wait a week.

Anyway the flare is getting under control, I'm not in full remission but with the meds I'm feeling much better. I think, for me the hysterectomy was the best thing I did. It didn't make my IC worse, it caused a flare. As a side note, I asked the uro if in the future I needed abdominal surgery if there were any studies on how to treat women with IC preoperativey. He said that there were no studies done to indicate that there was anything to help, but did say that if it is a planned surgery it wouldn't hurt to come in pre-operatively and have a series of DMSO done. It won't hurt you and could possibly help. I don't have a great uro team and there are no others within a 50 mile radius. I'd be interested to see what some of you who have the benefit of some really knowledgable uro's have to say on the pre-surgery studies.

Jean