Sometimes it pays to question surgery | Arthritis Information

A year or so ago (I think maybe 2) it was suggested that I have surgery for carpal tunnel symptoms. I wanted to wait a bit longer and use my wrist splint (it took 3 months I think of almost 24 hours on) Sure enough the total numbess and tingling I had been having disappeared.

Then in December I had an edometrial biopsy (had been having abnormal bleeding) and was told I had hyperplasia and that I should have a hysterectomy. I decided that I wanted to wait until after my daughter's wedding (plus I just wasn't so sure about the surgery)and so it was suggested to me to come back after the wedding for another biopsy. The results were totally different now. It showed no hyperplasia just a benign polyp. So now I'm told that there is no need for surgery. I am to go back in three months to let my doctor know how my periods have been during the next few months. My doctor thinks the reason for the bleeding was just age (peri menopausal) related. Since the bleeding has stopped (haven't had a period in a few months) I've been having terrible hot flashes and night sweats. Sounds hormonal to me.

I know that some surgeries simply need to be done, but these two situations of mine really made me glad I waited a bit before going ahead right away.

Glad to hear it all worked out for the good for you. Hope your next visit is a good one as well.

Good for you Kelstev.... sometimes I think we are too quick when in distress to opt for surgery.

I have two stories... one with a good surgery ending.. and another where I opted out.

The good surgery is the glaucoma I just had taken care of in both eyes... It was do a 5 minute laser surgical procedure OR put drops (additional drops from the 2 kinds I already do) into my eyes for the rest of my life....... 5 minute surgery 2X .. no recovery time at all.. I could see immediately as well as before.... no vision loss...

My opt out of surgery was in 1992 when I double herniated my L5 disc. (spluged out both sides... bad stuff .. pushing on sciatica and unable to walk) Orthopedic surgeon told me I had two options... surgery to shave off the bulging parts followed by PT.. or, PT to handle the issue w/ muscle toning and better shape........ umm..Opted for door #2 and have not had much of an issue (twinges here and there is all) for all these 17 years .

Surgery isn't always the best option.....

Im glad you waited.. the hysterectomy would have been major abdominal surgery and long recovery period of about 6 weeks.. no fun!!

I was DX'd w/ carpel in the late 90's and it was never suggested that I was a candidate for surgery "yet" .... I too used my braces, especially to sleep...and it works great w/ again only twinges of discomfort.

Count yourself very lucky lady!!

If it's elective surgery, then a second and sometimes a third opinion should be done. That's been the recommendation in the U.S. for many years. Most insurance companys will pay for a second opinion, it saves them money in the long run if it turns out you don't need surgery. Many times it pays to wait, sometimes it doesn't.

Like Babs, I had L5 herniate and I waited it out for 3 months. The disk blew and left the compartment pressing on my sciatica. I had to have a decompression and was thankful to have it done. My surgeon ended up spending several hours cleaning RA debris and nodules from my spinal cord. I had just been diagnosed with a severe onset of RA with positive labs. I had negative labs for years but damage to my spine was ocurring. I know that many of you have been told that RA doesn't affect the spine and I'm here to tell you it does. I have the surgical report and lab report to prove it.

Always get a second opinion if there are any questions. Too many surgeons are only too happy to perform hysterectomies. It's one of the most abused surgeries. Lindy