Fibroids?

[beeb]

Well, after 12 years (I know, go ahead and yell!!) I went to the GYN for a checkup. I have to go back on Tuesday for an ultasound for Fibroids. I don't know what to think about this since this is something that I have never faced before. Reading up on it is just scary.

I'm hoping you guys can clue me in on what to expect.

Thanks,
Linda

[lalabella]

i just had something similar happen. My dr. is sending me for an ultrasound too, and did a biopsy. I was a bit surprised, and a little scared.

hopefully they will find that everything is fine with you ...

[beeb]

bella, I'll be sending you my prays too. (Kinda glad I have someone in the same boat as me. I think you understand what I mean, not glad you are feeling poorly, just glad to have someone to share this with).

Thinking about ya,
Linda

[Autuamnsprite]

I'm assuming you mean you have these in your breasts? My GYN said that mine have fybroids in them and it's perfectly normal, most women do. Mine are like, when I lose my weight, my breast won't be smaller, there are spots that feel very firm. She's never even suggested an ultrasound. I'm thinking you'll be ok, and not to worry. I'd guess your dr. is just taking a precaution. Good luck, and let us know. But, just in case, here's a

[NoMoreExcuses]

Fibroids are almost always benign growths in the uterus. They can remain small or grow larger. They may not cause a problem unless they get so big that they start causing pressure on other organs i.e. your bladder. They can also cause excessive bleeding during your period or between periods.
There are a few methods of treatment, but I chose to have a vaginal hysterectomy. I also had endometriosis and adenomyosis, so plenty of pain and irregular bleeding. BEST decision I ever made!!!!!

Just get lots of info so you can make informed decisions. You may not need any treatment at all!

P.S. I am a former GYN nurse and had my boss do the surgery. I then moved to Europe two weeks later.

[beeb]

The Gyn doc said my uterus was enlarged, I am very tender when she pushed in the area of my right ovary, and my periods are terrible, with big clots and massive bleeding the first 2 days, worse every other month lately. I am sooooo tired I can't stay awake more then 2 hours and I have a backache, off and on, cramps, etc. just as if I'm getting my period. Just got over TOM so...... Noticed this is happening more every other month and getting worse. Also notice TOM like problems when I ovulate.

Next time I'm coming back as a MAN!!!

Sonagram (spelling, sorry) tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully that will tell all.

Thanks for the support.
Linda

[NoMoreExcuses]

Let me know what you find out!

[CARBBABY]

My thoughts and prayers are with you, please let us know what the Dr. says.

[nobimbo]

If you need/decide to have anything done about your fibroids, I suggest you look into alternative treatments that are available to surgery. One is Uterine Artery Embolization, and it is very successful in most women who have had it. I have had two uterine artery embolization procedures, but unfortunately they didn't work for me. My situation was unusual though (I have very twisted uterine arteries and the procedure couldn't be completed), and I still highly recommend it for anyone who is having debilitating symptoms from their fibroids and who wishes to avoid major surgery.

Here are a couple of sites I recommend if you are interested in finding out more about UAE:

This site is a discussion board for women who have had or are considering UAE. There are a couple of doctors who hang out there who will answer questions as well:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/embo/

The most comprehensive site I know about UAE:

http://www.hopeforfibroids.org/justthefaqs.html

Here is a short explanation of the procedure from an article that was in the doc's column in my local paper a few months ago:

BY PAUL G. DONOHUE, M.D.
Jun 1, 2005


DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am only 38, but I have fibroids that have caused me to have such heavy menstrual periods that I am anemic. I take iron, but I lose blood faster than I build it up. My doctor says the fibroids should come out, and he suggests uterine artery embolization. What can you tell me about it? My mother says I should have regular surgery and not guinea-pig treatment. -- R.O.

ANSWER: Uterine artery embolization is not experimental surgery and definitely is not guinea-pig treatment. It's a clever way to treat fibroids without surgery. A catheter -- a soft tube like the kind used in heart catheterization -- is inserted into a leg artery and, from there, is inched upward into the artery that supplies the uterus with blood. When it reaches the point where smaller arteries branch off to feed the fibroid, the doctor releases beads made of gelatin or plastic. Those beads cause a clot to form in the artery supplying the fibroid. Deprived of its blood supply, the fibroid withers and dies. It is either sloughed off or absorbed by the body.

Uterine artery embolization has an admirable record. The success rate ranges from 80 percent to 95 percent. It usually requires only an overnight hospital stay. Women resume all their former activities in about a week.

The procedure does not affect a woman's hormone production.

Most treated women are still able to become pregnant after the procedure, but fertility cannot be guaranteed. It can't be guaranteed with many fibroid-removal procedures.

There are potential complications to uterine artery embolization. Infection is possible. So too is serious clot formation. In more than 20,000 UAE procedures conducted worldwide, there have been four reported deaths. That makes it a very safe procedure.

Not every woman and not every fibroid can be treated this way. Count yourself lucky.

The fibroid pamphlet reviews this very common condition and its treatments. Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue -- No. 1106, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6.75 Can. with the recipient's printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.
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Sounds like you need some iron supplements. Have your doc run a complete iron workup on you to see where you're at right now. I waited too long and by the time I had my anemia diagnosed I was severely anemic and it took a very long time to get my iron levels back to normal. My ferritin (iron stores) are still very low now, even after two years of prescription iron supplements (since I still have the fibroid I have continued heavy bleeding so that's to be expected I guess), but at least I'm not in anemia range anymore.

Linda

[beeb]

Bella,

What happened with your exam and ultrasound? I'm thinking about you everyday and hope all is well.

[lalabella]

Hi Linda
Thanks for thinking of me. I had an endometrial biopsy on friday, and I haven't heard any results yet, maybe today... and I've scheduled my ultrasound and it wont be until October 18. Seems so far away. How was your ultrasound? did you hear any results yet or anything?

My whole thing started with irregular bleeding (breakthrough bleeding on BCPs) and they just kind of ambushed me with "this may be something serious we need to do tests" and it all happened so fast... I just thought I would need a different BCP prescription... well it will be good to know if there's anything wrong, and good to know if everything is fine.

I really hope you are feeling alright and hear some news soon, and find the right treatment to make things easier on you!!! Being a woman can be so darn complicated...ugh...

hang in there, I'm thinking of you too...

[beeb]

Well, I did the ultrasound today, and the Tech was amazed at how big the fibroid was. He said the size of a large orange. My DH was there with me. He and I just looked at this dark mass in my uterus in amazement! I have not spoken to the Doc yet, probably not until Thursday or Friday, but from what the tech said, it looks like something that will have to come out, meaning taking my uterus out too. The point he made was if it was something that was not bothering me, we could leave it, but since I am having so much pain, cramping, etc. he thinks leaving it will not be a good idea. I am way pass the time to worry about babies, so....I feel crappy right now, in body and spirit. The great thing about it, he said that everything around the mass looked normal, no cancer looking things! Thank God and the Universe!!!

Well, I will know more later this week and will tell you than what will be happening. The part that sucks is I have my own business and if I don't work, I don't get paid! I just will have to trust God on this one.

Thanks for all the support, and Bella, please keep us informed on what is going on with you. Your are in my thoughts and prays everyday.

Linda

[lalabella]

OH Linda... that is so scary. an orange, wow... I am glad it looked pretty normal in there, but still, it sounds so intimidating! The dr. will know what your options are and hopefully things will go smoothly for you. I am SO sorry that you have to go through this.

I think you have the right attitude though, trust God and things will work out somehow... you will get through this! I'm sure your DH must be so worried about you as well. It is great that he is there to hold your hand. You are stronger than you think you are....

Thanks for coming to tell us the update. I will pray for you and please let us know how things are going. How are you handling the cramping? is it really slowing you down? Hopefully you can rest and take care of yourself. Be kind to yourself!

I will keep you posted if I hear anything from my dr. about my biopsy. I will keep you in my thoughts!

[totallyme]

This is my first post, lol. I am a lurker but this post really caught my interest because I just had a myomectomy to remove my fibroid tumor only. I kept my uterus because I feel like it has many functions besides just having babies. If I would have had to take it out for other reasons I would have. My fibroid was the size of a softball. I am going to try to include my story I posted on yahoo if it is not too long. I went for my post-op appt. today (12 days after surgery) and my doctor gave me pictures of the fibroid. I would like to share my experience with my myo on Sept. 9th. I was diagnosed with an enlarged uterus during my annual check up. I was sent for an ultra sound and they said I had an 11 cm fibroid. I had the classic symptoms of frequent urination, heavy bleeding with clots, bloating, fullness and soreness. I attributed all my symptoms to aging; I will be 45 next month. I wasn’t too familiar with fibroids so I did a lot of research on the net to decide what I would like to do. I decided I wanted a UFE. I have Tri-Care and my doctor said Tri-Care probably won’t cover it but he could send in a referral. I got excited because I was referred to a Radiologist thinking I had my foot in the door. But when the Radiologist asks for a MRI, Tri care said my primary care doctor would have to ask for it. They did an MRI and the MRI said my fibroid was 8.5 x 7.8 x 8.0 cm. My insurance approved of the MRI but not the UFE. My second choice was a Myo. After I gave it great thought I decided I would like a Myo over the UFE any way. This way I would get rid of the fibroid completely and my chances of getting another fibroid are slim since I only have one and I could start menopause any time. I was very frightened of major surgery. As the time got closer the more frightened I became but coming here helped a lot. I had major surgery when I had my gallbladder taken out 20 years ago but at that time I was in too much pain to be frightened. I was hoping for a lap but my doctor felt that he could do a better job because of the size and location(behind my uterus) if he did a bikini cut. I told my doctor I had a general for my gallbladder surgery and was very sick afterward so I had a spinal. Yes I was afraid of waking up during the surgery but they gave me something to relax me and the next thing I knew I was in recovery. The anesthesiologist checked on me the next morning and said I became restless and said I feel pressure but I don’t remember any of this and I am thinking it was just a state of mind because they told me I may feel pressure. When I woke up in the recovery I felt some pain but only for a minute because I was given morphine. The next thing I knew I was being taken to my room (it was around 4 pm, my surgery was at 1 pm). I slept only waking for moments at a time (family was in the room). I didn’t need any more pain medication. I woke up later in the night thinking this wasn’t near as bad as I thought. In the morning the nurse said I didn’t use any of my morphine pump but I thought I pressed it once or twice. I was sore but not in any great pain. During the night I felt nauseous but I think it was from not eating for so long. They gave me some saltines and grape juice and that helped. The next morning they took out my catheter and I felt like I needed to go to the restroom. I dreaded getting up the first time but it was not near as bad as I thought. I was up within one minute. I felt a little dizzy and nauseous again but it wasn’t bad. I ate a little breakfast. I thought I would get lucky and not get the dreaded gas everyone talked about but I did later that afternoon but it wasn’t as bad as I thought. They did give me something for the nauseous and the gas. I didn’t take much pain medication because I was sore but not in any great pain. I ate a little bit each meal, my appetite was not that good. On the second morning I was allowed to take a shower. I took my shower and did great. I walked around the room a bit getting my toothbrush and brushing my teeth, combing my hair etc……. I was doing great until I got back in bed and felt nauseous again. I think I overdid it a bit. I felt better in about 15 minutes after resting. The gas went away but returned that evening. The next day, Sunday I got to go home. I was dreading the ride home but it wasn’t bad at all. I had a pillow from home to hold on my stomach. Ask for extra pillows while in the hospital because I think that helped me a lot with comfort. When my back became sore from lying on it for so long I would prop my back up on one side with a pillow. My doctor said I did not have to have a bowel movement before leaving the hospital; I only needed to pass gas. This is my 8th day and the soreness has improved a lot. When I arrived home it hurt to get out of bed the first few days but I learned not to sit long on the bed to put my feet on the floor as soon as possible. I did a little walking around the house every day. I started doing light housekeeping yesterday. I think my diet and exercise contributed to my great recovery. About 3 years ago I did Atkins to lose weight but after getting to my desired weight in 3 months I started eating my own plan. I eat all the fruits and vegetables I desire. I avoid sugar and white flour. I eat whole grains, beans, and bran oatmeal. I also eat fat free yogurt because I feel like I get more calcium out of it than cheese with a lot less calories. I exercised almost everyday after finding out I had a fibroid thinking I could shrink it. I didn’t shrink it but it did shorten the duration of my period about 5 days and shortened the durations of the heavy days with clots. My incision is a thin line. My doctor said he sewed me on the inside. I can’t lift anything over 15 lbs. for 6 weeks. He said I could bust one of the stitches if I did. So far so good but of course I still worry about things like adhesions but anything we do in life is taking a risk. Getting in our cars is a risk. I hope everyone has a good experience like I did. Good luck to all who still have a myo in their future.

[beeb]

Thank you for the post. It was very enlightening and gives me hope that I won't have to have my uterus out. I hate the waiting and until I talk to Doc in the next few days, I am very nervous.

Well, I will post with what happens when I know, and thanks to you all for your kind words, understanding, knowledge and prays.


Linda

[buffedstuff]

Yea they wanted to take my uterus out many years ago when I was only 27.

[beeb]

Well, I went to another Doctor and she said the procedures I wanted to do would not work on my fibroid, just like my Doctor said. It seems to be inbedded in my uterus so far that if they try to cut it out I could bleed to death!!

So I am going to have a hysterectomy and will know when on Oct. 19th. I am very healthy, thanks for lc, and the Doctors say I should recover quickly.

Say a pray for me,
Linda

[LunaAshling]

beeb are they letting you keep your ovaries? That can delay the early onset menopause that happens when they remove everything at once.

[beeb]

I want to keep my ovaries if I can, but won't know until I talk to Doc on the 19th.

The waiting is the hardest part!!

[moonriver]

I just had a myomectomy on Sept 26th for 3 large fibroids. The largest was the size of a softball but oddly shaped and sat between my uterus and my bladder. The other two were racket ball size, one pressing on my uterus and one behind my left ovary. I also had gallstones so had my gallbladder out at the same time. The gallbladder was done laproscopically (through the belly button) but had to do the big slice (laparotomy) bikini line for the fibroids. I am still in my baggy sweat pants. I'm doing pretty well overall. Still a little swollen (or maybe just fatter ). I got to keep my uterus and all the girly parts. I had pain meds the the afternoon after (7:30 am surgery) and one that night, but none after that. I WAS sore, but I hate the way the meds make me feel so toughed it out.

My advice, yes, walking does help with the gas and will help you feel better in general, even though it's the last thing you might want to do. And baggy clothes are your friend. Have DH and/or Dchildren wait on you and don't try to be supermom and do to much too soon.



Good luck!!!