It’s impossible to determine just exactly how I developed Adenomyosis. Many women apparently don’t have the symptoms that I had, when my normal cycle changed. Most often Adenomyosis isn’t diagnosed as easily as I was. My testing only required a Pelvic Ultrasound and an Endometrial Biopsy. Many times Adenomyosis requires MRI’s and often this problem isn’t diagnosed until after a hysterectomy.
I did have two cesarean-section babies a little over one year apart in 1983 and 1984. Following the birth of my second child I developed Pelvic Inflammatory Disease which required intensive antibiotics to clear up. In 2000 my husband and I considered Invetro Fertilzation as a possible option to add children to our family. It was found that I had uterus polyps and I had two Hysteroscopy surgeries to remove them. During the second surgery there was an “emergency” situation and my blood oxygen levels dropped into the 80’s. I was told that it could have been a small tear in my uterus, or a bleeding blood vessel.
Logic would tell me this condition started after the IVF attempts, and the surgery to remove the polyps. But, after my research I can’t be sure I wasn’t always predisposed to this condition or that it didn’t start when the c-sections took place. What is clear is that there wasn’t anything I could have done to prevent or avoid this situation.
Prior to my doctor appointment where I would be given my “Surgical Options” I did a lot of research. To me surgery is always the last resort for a problem I have. I learned several things about a woman who is suffering with Adenomyosis.
- 1- If there is a lot of pain, heaving bleeding and prolonged periods some hormone therapy might be helpful.
- 2- Some doctors have been able to remove parts of the uterus that have been damaged by the lining growing into the muscle. But, this is only marginally effective.
- 3- A woman who isn’t interested in having more children (because nearly every woman with Adenomyosis has had a baby) and is a long way from menopause may find hysterectomy as the best solution.
During my research I was able to find some pictures of a uterus with Adenomyosis and they graphically showed what happens to the uterus. Basically, in my non-medical terms it looks like a body-building uterus with big muscles built up–bulging out in random spots.
This may explain why my uterus feels like an 8-week pregnancy and is enlarged and hardened. I also experience sever pain, never know when I will spot and can feel a hard rock in my belly! Before, I even made it to the appointment where my surgical options were given to me, I was planning for a hysterectomy!
So next week, I will be going in to have a hysterectomy. I was ready for laparoscopy surgery as I had when my appendix was removed, but found out that following a C-section a hysterectomy will be done via the old C-section incision. Apparently, this gives the doctor the opportunity to “clean” up the C-Section scar(s) and make things look a little prettier than it did following the delivery of 10-pound babies!
I will be writing some Blogs about getting ready for my surgery and how I am getting prepared before, during and after.
Other Blogs In This Series Adenomyosis My Story:
- When Normal is Different
- Pelvic Ultrasound and Endometrial Biopsy
- Advance Planning Before Mom Has Surgery: Home and Family
Related Blogs:
Anna Glendenning is a Families.com Insurance and Guest Blogger. Read her Blogs at: http://members.families.com/happymomanna/blog