UFE Post Op update

Hi

Thank you for your feedback...so three months?? Wow...seems like a awhile but I will be patient. If you don't mind me asking, how large was your fibroid and how much did it shrink and by how many months did it take for you?? My fibroid was estimated at 17cm when I did my ultrasound and when I had my surgery booked four months later the doc said it was approx 20cm so it grew a bit. I'm anxious and eager to see how much mine will shrink and by what month. I know everyone's body is different but I'm just hopeful. And I'm slowly trying to move more everyday to get my circulation going again.

Hello,

My fibroids weren't as big as yours. The largest one was about the size of an apple, it was subserosal and was pressing on my bladder and could be felt and seen through my abdomen. Then I had 2 smaller peach sized fibroids inside my uterus and a another smaller one in the wall. I was planning to ask what size they were currently on the day of my procedure but I was too nervous and forgot.

The largest one shrank practically immediately because by the first week I couldn't feel it any more and my frequent urination, back ache, tenderness etc went away and I could wear my jeans again and button them up without feeling pain across my belly. I also lost a few inches off my waist and my first period was so much better, at first I didn't know it was my period.

So I know they shrank a lot but don't know by how much. I asked the specialist about the follow-up ultrasound but he said since my symptoms have improved, the procedure was successful so no need for another ultrasound :-(

My fatigue improved after the procedure also, because previously I could only stay awake for 4-5 hours, found it hard to concentrate at work, would start sweating profusely after mild exertion, and had erratic mood changes. After the procedure I was staying awake longer, but still falling asleep very early (7/8pm) and still sweating a little after light exercise. I went to doctor and voiced my concerns after 8 weeks and he ran a full set of blood tests. All came back fine, even my iron levels. He gave me some practical tips, like to continue doing short bursts of intense exercise daily. I continued my iron supplements for another 3 months even though he said I didn't need them anymore. Gradually I became more energetic but I would say it was 3 months when I started to feel completely normal. And now I am confident to be back to my normal busy and social activities without worrying about being exhausted or not being able to cope.

Your procedure was only about 4 weeks ago,so give it time. They say it could take up to 6 months for maximum shrinkage. The fibroids

Hi angel,

I wrote an update on my progress under Heather, please give it a read and so sorry about the delay in responding.  

Thank you so much for sharing your experience,  it's so nice to know I am not alone especially when my mind likes to play mind tricks and takes and emotional toll on me.

Hi babybear,

Glad you are going to the doctor today and hope they can put your mind to rest.

It's good you have seen some progress already. I found it helped to keep a diary of symptoms /concerns, to ensure I didn't forget anything at doctor's but also to see frequency of symptoms and if they were decreasing or increasing.

Let us know what doc says.

thats a great idea.  I haven't been doing that because I am always tired and just want to sleep.  I will write down in chronological order my progress and reread my many post as this site is more like my personal diary here.  I will definitely keep you guys in the loop.

thanks again for all your support.  its so nice to talk to people who understand what I am going through.  every time I talk to my family or friends about this, they automatically jump to "you should have just taken it out and gone through with the hysterectomy to get it over and done with".  

Hi Heather,

So sorry about the late response.

I feel like im slowly progressing by the day, however, still have daily groin tenderness especially at night when I'm trying to get ready for bed.  I still have a hard time finding a comfortable position while sleeping as I still toss and turn and have to wake up to go to the washroom multiple times per night.  I did notice I am not waking up as much and am able to retain more liquid before I have to go to the washroom so thats a plus.  I went to work and my co-workers noticed a slight decrease in the size of my stomach.  I'm convinced it's mostly due to a lack of appetite but when I touch my stomach area it does not feel as hard as it did pre op and feels like it is becoming slightly softer.  I was so concerned that I called up my gyno on friday and they were able to book me in tomorrow (monday).  im going to express to her my concerns to make sure I am on the right track.  I am not looking foward to the the next five months of "period cramp pains" however I do constantly remind myself pain is good because the fibroid is degenerating and dying.  I do have a brownish discharge daily but have no foul odour so I know I do not have and infection which is a plus.  It has been over a month since my last period so I am currently feeling the unknown and don't want a surprise while at work but am prepared at all times in case it does come.  I am curious to know the flow and how much it will improve by.  I have been trying to walk more and do more physical activiy but do become tired quite quickly.  I do sweat easily like you have mentioned.  I did not do a yoga class today but did sit in the infrared sauna and the feeling was so amazing, i went home and took a nap prior to my night shift.  so far heat has been my new love lately whether it be a heating pad or the sauna.  My upper thighs have started hurting recently over the last couple of day and was suggested that I may be low in magnesium.  I started my multivitamins today and fish oils so hope this will help.

Thank you so much for checking in with me.

Glad you are coming out of the other side. I too have a husband, Mother & phuysio saing just get it out. But I would like to try the UAE method rather than a hysterectomy, at least at first. Then if it does shrink then if I do have to have a hysterectomy then I am hopefully a better candidate for keyhole. So you are not on your own. I feel like all I ever seem to talk about & look up is what to do with the fibroid. I blame it for my bloatedness, lack of sex drive (maybe down to the Esmya & Zoladex), siatica, back pain, overweight & low iron. I totally believe its to blame for other medical issues & I have fluid retention thatnks to Esmya which I'm now on my second lot of after being on it a year ago & then Zoladex for 6 months now back on this until I see my consultant in September! I did see a radiologist locally, he said he'd try embolisation but for a fibroid the size of mine 12x13 he'd have expected bigger arteries so he gave it a 50/50 chance of success! He has been in the role a year, the other radiologist I saw a year ago retired but my gynocologist suggested the drug route first. So I tried it, twice & its not helped. I have taken steps (whilst waiting for my gynie appmnt) to get a referral to another radiologist for a second opinion. (Someone who has done a lot) But I have to wait to see if they will grant the funding to do that. If I was paying for it it's just under £10k in the uk. God's speed with your recovery. I hear people on here saying fish oils, vitamin D & Black Strap Molasses, but I'm not sure what each one does. x