hysterectomy/RA | Arthritis Information

I was reading an old post/poll and noticed several of us have had hysterectomies. How many with RA have had a hysterectomy and how long before diagnosis of RA?

I had one (because of endometriosis) 13 years before RA

There is a type of endometriosis which is an auto-immune disease, as is RA. As we have seen with other auto-immune diseases, it is not uncommon to have more than one. A malfunctioning immune system can cause many problems. It would be interesting to find out if this is the cause of the hysterectomies.

I had JRA, my sister said I was dx when very young...mother never told me..........

I was dx with endometriosis at age 20 after years of severe menstral cramps that everyone said I was exaggerating about. One day my uterus fell, hard to believe but it did, so when I went in for a uterine suspension they found the endometriosis; I was just over 20. Within a year I became so ill and after some tests they realized the endometriosis was becoming more severe and by the time I was nearly 21, my cycle was 28 days on and very, very heavy and maybe if lucky 2 to 3 days off. WHen finally and I was very ill and could barely walk, I had to wait till I was 21 before the OB would do the surgery. As soon as I turned 21 I signed the paper and a total hysterectomy was performed.

When the Dr. got in there for the surgery he had to also take part of my bladder and part of my bowel because it was so widespread. I thank my lucky stars I had a great OB.

I am sure there is a connection between endometriosis and RA. I am just hoping in my lifetime they will find it.

jode

Interesting....I had a hysterectomy about about 26
years ago (when I was 22). It was because of
endomitriosis also. I have been diagnosed for about
1 1/2 years.

both my mother and I had endometriosis. Both of us now have
RA too. I was just dx with it at 39 had the hysterectomy at 37. My mother was dx about 10 years after her hysterectomy. Lupus also runs in my mother's family.

Jody

Interesting... For the last few years I have had nothing but female troubles. I am so ready for them to pull the plumbing on me! I don't know if I am coming or going with my cycle. Sometimes I bleed for a month, and sometimes its months before I do. How can anyone or anything bleed that long and not die?

I haven't been diagnosed with endimitiosis, then again haven't had a full check up by OBGYN in a while, but wouldn't surprise me if I were.

Lupus and RA are very rampid in my family - both sides!