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Fibroids, Esmya and Diet..

Posted , 11 users are following.

LizzieBe
LizzieBe

Hello ladies

I've been reading bits and pieces on here about fibroids and esmya, and I'd like to hear from anyone who has had a recent experience of the medication, or anyone who could give feedback from their experiences.

I'm 34 and have been diagnosed with 2 fibroids - one 7cm and the other 11cm. I've been prescribed esmya, and I am on my second month now and will return to the doctors after three months of taking it where they will scan me again. I suffered side effects the first few weeks - dizziness, feeling sick in the mornings and tiredness, but that does seem to have subsided now.

I'd like the fibroids removed really, but I don't think they want to operate on me as I already had one huge fibroid removed 5 years ago - that one was 18cm.. so operating again on these ones would probably put my fertility at further risk etc.. but the fibroids can really petrude some days and be uncomfortable so I'm just hoping they do shrink.

Will this medication significantly shrink my fibroids..? Or is it variable from one person to the next? Also, has anyone experimented with their diet to promote shrinking their fibroids? I'm trying all sorts and have now literally gone vegan and wheat free. I hear that flaxseeds and maca powder are good too so adding these to my smoothies.

Thanks for reading..any comments welcome.. x

0 likes, 21 replies

21 Replies

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  • farida2
    farida2 LizzieBe

    Posted

    Hello Lizziebe, I have been having Esmya since May last year, my fibroid hasn't shrunk, it is the same size so far 11x 9. I stoped Esmya about a week a ago, I started my period again. I had some sideffects at the begining and like headaches and nausia. I have turned vegan since May last year and this is helping a lot with all the simptoms and especially the bloating, but my fibroid hasn't shrunk! I will have an ultra sound in February to see after stopping Esmya what will happen to the size of the fibriod. 

    • LizzieBe
      LizzieBe farida2

      Posted

      Hello farida2

      I'm sorry to hear your fibroid appears to be so persistent and the esmya hasn't made a difference. It seems everyone has a different result with it. Do you think they will operate to remove the fibroid? My period has continued as normal this month whilst on esmya, but maybe they will stop if I were to take esmya long term. I agree that a vegan diet helps with the bloating. x

    • farida2
      farida2 LizzieBe

      Posted

      Hi LissieBe, I  think I will remove mine eventually, but I am not ready psychologically yet! 
  • glen_pen
    glen_pen LizzieBe

    Posted

    Hi Lizzie

    I am on my third course of Esmya now. I started on them in February 16. I had same side effects on first course but they subsided. I see my gynaecologist every 3 months for reviews. I was scanned end of October and pleased to say that most of my smaller fibroids had shrivelled away and the largest one shrunk from 11cm down to 5cm. My gynaecologist is trying to avoid hysterectomy as I am 52 and peri menopause. I had suffered with terrible heavy periods and clotting but taking thismedication has given me my life back. So my advice to you is persevere with the side effects, it does get easier and hopefully the Esmya will produce good results xx

  • christine65130
    christine65130 LizzieBe

    Posted

    Hi Lizzie, I have been taking Esmya off and on for the last 3 years, I should be in menopause now at 59 but my fibroids keep growing back and causing bleeding. Each time I have taken Esmya it has reduced the fibroids significantly, but it seems to be different for each person. I have just  lasted 7 months between courses and really thought the fibroids had gone, but at least one seems to have grown back. So I have now started Esmya again. I had bad headaches for the first week, but other than that I am OK. I take It at night, which seems to reduce the dizziness.

    Regarding diet, I have not found that any change is effective. I used to take flaxseeds all the time, but since reading conflicting reports as to whether, being phytonoestrogens, they actually make things worse I have stopped. I do take milk thistle and DIM capsules which seem to really help with the bleeding. Hope that Esmya works for you x

    • maisie05
      maisie05 christine65130

      Posted

      Hi Christine

      I used to drink soya milk until recently thinking that I was replacing lost oestrogen with natural plant phyto oestrogens. And eat seeds etc. for this reason and other health benefits. Also the womens multi vit I take has soy isoflavones and flax extract. I am beginning to think these may be feeding my fibroids and your comment has made me think I should stop taking them for now. I don't have large fibroids but they make me bleed heavily each month. I'm 58 and like you think I should be near menopause by now.  It's worth a try stopping the soy and flax products for now I guess anyway. Thank you. Best wishes to all

    • maisie05
      maisie05

      Posted

      I also bought a book, eat to beat menopause. this has lots of phytoestrogens in the ingredients. I believed that fibroids shrink after menopause but now I'm thinking I've been keeping them alive! Trying to deal with menopause symptoms will have to wait while I still have the fibroids.

  • 2011
    2011 LizzieBe

    Posted

    Hi LizzieBe,

    I'm similar age to you with one large fibroid. I've been on Esmya for a few months now. Unfortunately my recent ultrasound has shown no change in the size of the fibroid.

    Esmya has however given me a bit of my life back by managing my symptoms, so it's been good for me.

    Everyone responds differently though so don't give up hope!

    • LizzieBe
      LizzieBe 2011

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply. Has there been any discussion to have yours removed?
    • 2011
      2011 LizzieBe

      Posted

      Yes myomectomy was on the cards but I'm undecided just now as I don't have a family yet. I know there's a risk of partial/full hysterectomy if any complications arise during surgery and I don't want the option taken from me.

  • john12400
    john12400 LizzieBe

    Posted

    Fibroids don't shrink from medications or herbs. You will eventually have to get a ufe or hysterectomy. But I'm not a doctor. Just from experience and research.

    • glen_pen
      glen_pen john12400

      Posted

      Hi John

      I think you will find if u research a little more that fibroids do infact shrink and shrivel away after the menopause as there are no hormones to sustain them.

    • john12400
      john12400

      Posted

      Yes I know that they shrink after menopause but I think that women who are in their 30s with large fibroids only have a few options if they want them out and herbs and meds won't do the trick. I think that the ufe is the best option and women can still get pregnant? My wife got that and in 7 days was back in the gym.

    • UFE27
      UFE27 john12400

      Posted

      Myomectomy is usually the recommended route for those who still want to have children and to preserve their fertility, not UFE. Research shows that there are still questions about the possible affects on womens fertility, so most gynaecologist would not recommend it to those seeking to have children.
    • LizzieBe
      LizzieBe UFE27

      Posted

      Hello UFE27. Thanks for your reply. The worry is that I've already had one myomectomy about 5 years ago to remove a huge fibroid that was about 18cm - I basically looked pregnant, and there was no question about having that one removed as it was so big and caused a lot of discomfort etc. My worry now is that if they operate again, my womb will have further scarring and possibly further damage the wall etc, and so may effect fertility further. I think that's why they have prescribed me with esmya in the first instance..to try protect fertility as much as possible. I just really hope they shrink..if only temporarily, so that my options remain open a little longer.. 

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