Post-UFE experience from a DrPatient

Thank you for sharing your experience. It's odd that so far I've only read difficulties with ufe

Do you think if you had elected to do a myectomy it would have been easier?

It sounds like you are in the smaller percentage of women who need longer to recover. I will share my experience, which, according to my IR who is one of the top in the US and pioneered this procedure for fibroids 30 years ago, is more common. But there is a bell curve, and perhaps you are on the right side of it. Most women feel fine in a week but for some it takes two. The fatigue can last a month.

I was given a list of meds to purchase and pick up at the pharmacy prior to my procedure. These included Colace, Milk of Magnesia, a prescription antacid, zofran, Advil, Tylenol, Naproxen, gas x, and opioid painkillers. I was given a long list on when and why to take them.

During the procedure, I had epidural anesthesia for the first 12 hours. That covered the pain extremely well. I took no opioids whatsoever via iv or orally. Once released from hospital the day after my procedure, i was very comfortable alternating Advil and Tylenol and never took the opioid. I took my stool softeners and only needed the zofran once.

It is VERY common for the pain to sneak up around day 3. This was my experience, but again was easily managed with one Naproxen and then I went back to the Advil and Tylenol the next day.

The worst pain I experienced was the gas pain following the procedure. About a week later. But this was easily managed with gas x.

My IR was very specific and said that I was to drink a glass of water for every hour of the day I was awake. This keeps the post embolization syndrome at bay and helps with bowels. Also, I was instructed to use a heating pad on my uterus DAILY for the first three months. This helps the body to break down the fibroid and aids in hyaline degeneration as well as relieving pain.

Your experience, all things considered, certainly doesn't sound terrible. Much better than recovery from a hysterectomy or c-section. I'm glad it will help you to relate and be more sympathetic to patients, though. Honestly this week you should start to feel more yourself.

I was driving two days later and back to my normal life by day 4-5. I had no restrictions other than no lifting with my left arm for two weeks as I had a transradial approach rather than through my groin. It was a faster easier recovery but is a fairly new approach for ufe.

I hope you feel better soon. Get that heating pad going if you haven't already.

Oh- I will add that at my 4 month MRI, my 12 cm fibroid was down to 7. I had my 6 month MRI recently but haven't got the results yet.

I am fortunate as my UFE experience was not bad. I had my ufe in October 2016. I returned to work after 3-weeks. My pain started after day 3 but I started feeling better by the end of the 2nd week. I saw weight loss and no bloating immediately. I've had no subsequent pain and no period since.

I had thoughts of regret while experiencing the pain but once I was out of pain and had no complications I was glad I went through the procedure because in my opinion, I micro invasive procedure is better than a surgical procedure and that's the route I will go every time if presented with a choice. My primary care physician is of the same opinion. I think UFE should be considered if a woman is a candidate. If it doesn't work then one can then look into the other surgical options available.

I do hope you're feeling better and I pray you have a speedy recovery.

Oh I would absolutely choose this over surgery anytime. Like I said Im under 30 and would like to have kids so will choose the mininally invasive option first.

I am aware my situation is one of the 'rough' ones which is exactly why I wanted to share. Id read so many success stories like Beth0810 and initially only took a week off work. Completely silly in hindsight. I am not a big person and I have very large fibroids pretty much occupying my entire pelvis. So my body didnt react well at all.

Vera 92363, I've been advised I'll likely need an interval myomectomy in a 6months to 1yr so this was done to reduce size.

I do have heat packs! Those things are a life-saver!

I am currently outside for the first time since procedure. Enjoying the sunshine in the park. So I'm optimistic! :-)

t is not easy for the body to get rid of necrotic tissues this large.

Please be patient. You will feel better soon.

Mine also presses on my bowels. I've done nothing medically yet.

Did you look into MRgFUS ?

I'm told I'm not a candidate for it.

I would be concerned w that initial inflammation causing further bowel obstruction on me.

Currently, I often have to press on perineum, so I can have bm.

What remedy would I have if became bowel occlusion post UAE? Transvaginal myomectomy ? Abdominal myomectomy ?

There is an embolization material that dissolves in days. Maybe this to minimize blood loss during trans vag myomectomy.

What about Radiofrequency laparotomy invented by Dr. Lee?

First,

My apologies for your terrible experience. Here, I am thinking my experience was far worst than any woman before. My husband & I researched the UFE procedure here in Atlanta Georgia. Decided to go with a local physician here that advertised heavily to the African American community, let's call him Dr. "L".

During the consultation with Dr. L a LOT was left out. Previously, I chose the myomectomy which worked wonders....I should have stuck with it.

My UFE caused MAJOR issues:

1). The pain was much more severe after the UFE, unlike the myomectomy.

2). I too experience the dizziness, constipation, and to add sometimes delusional.

3). My average weight was typically, 145 to 150.

4). After the UFE, my weight is 165 to 170.

5). Increased from a size 8 to 12.

6). My age group is 40-45.

7). Also, my abdomen GREW as if I am pregnant.

8). Ladies stay way from the UFE & Dr. L.

DrPatient, thank you for sharing your story. Others keep mentioning weight gain after UFE. Have you also experienced this? What is it due to? For background, I'm 50 and scheduled to have a UFE in two months... Many thanks in advance.