A new medical issue for me.

Kristin1031 · 02-22-2008, 06:07 PM

My prayers are with you Lady!! I had a hysterectomy at 35 and it was the best damn thing ever....LOL I hope everything is benign and you recover quickly......Hugz!

Longhorn · 02-22-2008, 07:00 PM

Thanks, Kristin!

I got a little emotional today. My symptoms seem to be a little worse and I needed to know at what point it could be serious enough to go to an ER. I called my doctor's office and got the recording for the nurse saying that if it was after 4, they wouldn't hear my message until the next day -- in this case, Monday. So I called the appointment desk hoping I could talk to a live person but I just got the run-around about how she couldn't give me medical advice and I needed to leave a message for the nurse and yes, she knew that the nurse wouldn't hear my message until Monday. Finally, I just said, "Fine, if I'm still around on Monday, I'll call back. Thanks!" and hung up.

My daughter called a little later and I was telling her about it when another call beeped in and it was the nurse! She was very sweet and helpful and I know what to watch for. She ended the call by saying, "We're always here for you."

I give them credit for making sure I heard from the nurse -- I just don't understand why she couldn't have done that in the first place, or take a message and have the nurse call me back, or tell me there's no one around to help me!

Anyway, I got over my little snit and I'm fine now. It would be a lot easier if I actually knew what was going on but that's always the case, isn't it?

Thanks for sharing your positive experience. I understand many women share your sentiment about the surgery!

hollyberries · 02-22-2008, 08:16 PM

Keep your chin up Longhorn! My thoughts and prayers are with you.

steph_co · 02-22-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortgal

I guess I'm so used to Dr's blaming everything overweight people get on their weight that I'm doing it to.

You know they say,well lose weight and your cholesterol will go down and then I have skinny friends with cholesterol problems, so it makes you wonder.

This is SO true. I had a heavy friend that ran a marathon and was in excellent health. I then had a stick-thin friend (possibly, maybe, just barely into the "normal" category rather than underweight) that had the worst problems with cholesterol and blood pressure. I was in the severely obese category (35-39 BMI) and had no problems with my heart. My BP was stellar.

Interesting how the health profession can jump to conclusions so easily when it comes to weight. YES, there is a greater propensity for health problems with added weight, but that isn't ALWAYS going to be the case. I've been lucky to not have any doctor comment on my weight. It probably would have been a Death Match at that point. LOL

LH - How stressful about the call into the nurse! I experienced severe bleeding with my miscarriage that scared me - I know how that can be. I am REALLY glad to hear that they got the nurse to call you back. It's crazy to have to go through that kind of stress when you're already stressed enough with the physical problem. I hope you get to have a calm, relaxing weekend.

Longhorn · 02-22-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollyberries

Keep your chin up Longhorn! My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thanks, Cindy! I took some more Tylenol and it helps me relax because I think about it less with less pain. :)

Longhorn · 02-22-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steph_co

This is SO true. I had a heavy friend that ran a marathon and was in excellent health. I then had a stick-thin friend (possibly, maybe, just barely into the "normal" category rather than underweight) that had the worst problems with cholesterol and blood pressure. I was in the severely obese category (35-39 BMI) and had no problems with my heart. My BP was stellar.

Interesting how the health profession can jump to conclusions so easily when it comes to weight. YES, there is a greater propensity for health problems with added weight, but that isn't ALWAYS going to be the case. I've been lucky to not have any doctor comment on my weight. It probably would have been a Death Match at that point. LOL

LH - How stressful about the call into the nurse! I experienced severe bleeding with my miscarriage that scared me - I know how that can be. I am REALLY glad to hear that they got the nurse to call you back. It's crazy to have to go through that kind of stress when you're already stressed enough with the physical problem. I hope you get to have a calm, relaxing weekend.

Thanks, Stephanie. I agree about the doctors and their attitudes. They get so little training in bariatrics, as confirmed by the doctor who did Khaliah Ali's surgery. He got banded himself but said he knew little about obesity when he was struggling with his own weight. In fact, they get very little training in nutrition in general! Some of them really buy into the "eat less and exercise more" solution to obesity.

I have lots of grading to do this weekend so I think I'll just hang out in my La-Z-Boy or maybe even in bed. I just hope these symptoms pass before I have to teach again on Monday. My husband is insisting I get to the doctor right away. I told him I got the first available appointment and even the worst diagnosis isn't going to be affected by a few days. But it's harder for him not to worry than me.

Thanks for your positive thoughts!

Momto1plus1 · 02-22-2008, 08:30 PM

Oh gosh girl!!! Keep us updated. I had a partial hysterectomy in 99. It was the best thing I have ever done. It has caused me to start into menopause a little early though. I thought that I would have had about 10 plus years.

Big Hugs!!!

Longhorn · 02-22-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momto1plus1

Oh gosh girl!!! Keep us updated. I had a partial hysterectomy in 99. It was the best thing I have ever done. It has caused me to start into menopause a little early though. I thought that I would have had about 10 plus years.

Big Hugs!!!

Thanks, Wendy! I'm due for menopause anyway so I'm mentally ready!

Sades · 02-23-2008, 03:12 PM

Sorry to hear about this Longhorn. I haven't had my period for at least 2 years. On of my sisters had to have a semi hysterectomy a few years ago. She seems fine now. I hope you don't have to go through it though. Keep us posted.

Foofy · 02-23-2008, 04:18 PM

Sorry for you troubles Longhorn. I will send positive energy your way. For what it's worth, I have friends who have had hysterectomies or ablations, and they were happy with the decisions they made. At least that seems to be an area where medical science is pretty good in solving problems. Also, you appear to be someone who gets on top of problems right away, rather than ignoring them for a long time. That's a good sign.

Your post made me realize that I am a few months late for both my mam and my pap. Thank you for the reminder. I will call my ob/gyn Monday. I am sure there are other women reading these messages who will also be reminded to get their essential check ups in. Your post may save lives. Fabulous! Best of luck next week!!!

Longhorn · 02-23-2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sades

Sorry to hear about this Longhorn. I haven't had my period for at least 2 years. On of my sisters had to have a semi hysterectomy a few years ago. She seems fine now. I hope you don't have to go through it though. Keep us posted.

Thanks, Sades. So I wonder how many people out there think getting a hysterectomy is the "easy way out?"

Oh, that's right -- medical intervention is okay as long as it's not bariatric surgery!

My mother, sister, and sister-in-law all had hysterectomies in their 30s or 40s. I'm the only one who went this far into menopause. I actually prefer being different!

Longhorn · 02-23-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foofy

Sorry for you troubles Longhorn. I will send positive energy your way. For what it's worth, I have friends who have had hysterectomies or ablations, and they were happy with the decisions they made. At least that seems to be an area where medical science is pretty good in solving problems. Also, you appear to be someone who gets on top of problems right away, rather than ignoring them for a long time. That's a good sign.

Your post made me realize that I am a few months late for both my mam and my pap. Thank you for the reminder. I will call my ob/gyn Monday. I am sure there are other women reading these messages who will also be reminded to get their essential check ups in. Your post may save lives. Fabulous! Best of luck next week!!!

Foofy, you're so sweet and encouraging! Thanks for your positive vibes! I feel kind of lucky that I was due for my annual exam because I really thought all of these symptoms were related to being perimenopausal. I wonder how long I might have gone on before I finally decided to see the doctor? I think we gals need more education on what is normal and what isn't at this stage of our lives!

You make a really good point! I'm glad I brought this up if it reminds us to get in for our annual exams and tests. I got a reminder card but I really need to mark my calendar each year, just in case! Thanks again!

Sades · 02-23-2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn

Thanks, Sades. So I wonder how many people out there think getting a hysterectomy is the "easy way out?"

Oh, that's right -- medical intervention is okay as long as it's not bariatric surgery!

My mother, sister, and sister-in-law all had hysterectomies in their 30s or 40s. I'm the only one who went this far into menopause. I actually prefer being different!

I'm still trying to work out when the "easy way out" kicks in !!

I just came back from my walk which I have been doing every day and trying to keep to a low calorie count... easy, I don't think so !

zippykat · 02-23-2008, 07:19 PM

Longhorn, I am really sorry to hear of your problems. Many years ago I was having very heavy periods and went to see my GYN. After a cursory exam he looked at me and said "Lose 100 lbs. and I'll do a hysterectomy" and walked out. I was hurt, stunned and embarrassed. I told my Internist and he sent me for a cone biopsy. It turns out I had endometrial cancer. I had a hysterectomy and 13 yrs. I am fine. I still can't believe that Dr. was willing to risk my life because he had a bias against overweight people. I complained to the head of the clinic and all he did was make the Dr. call and apologise. That was not what I wanted. Dr didn't even seem to understand what I was upset about. I'm sure things will go better for you And I will be thinking of you. I was banded 11-08-07 so we are a week apart! good luck. Love, Kathy

Longhorn · 02-23-2008, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sades

I'm still trying to work out when the "easy way out" kicks in !!

I just came back from my walk which I have been doing every day and trying to keep to a low calorie count... easy, I don't think so !

Good for you! My exercise program has gone down the drain the last few weeks. At least now I have an idea why I haven't had a lot of energy! But I'll get back to it when I get things cleared up! :biggrin2: