1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Uterine Fibroids

Are my symptoms typical of fibroids and what options are available

Posted , 9 users are following.

Belle101
Belle101

Hi to all, I'm new to this forum and relieved to find that there is support and unbiased information available. My situation is that I was diagnosed with multiple fibroids after an ultrasound 18 months ago. They weren't giving me too much bother at the time apart from slightly heavy periods. However, fast forward to six weeks ago and I had a very heavy period which basically didn't stop and I have essentially been bleeding non stop for almost six weeks now. My gp put me on Provera a synthetic progesterone to stop the bleeding, it helps a little but hasn't fully stopped. I'm awaiting a transfer vaginally ultrasound next week to see what's going on. I am extremely worried, firstly that it's nothing more sinister than fibroids and secondly if it is fibroids that I can be offered an option which will preserve fertility.

I would like to ask you ladies if this non stop continuous bleeding from one period to another is normal? Also I would really like to get some advice re best removal methods which will preserve my fertility? I have read that there is a new focused ultrasound treatment which is very successful. Has anyone had this and is it available in UK or Ireland? Other than this I have read that laparoscopic myomectomy is the only other option which is non invasive. I would love to hear from anyone who has had this.

Thanks for reading, look forward to hearing.

Belle101

0 likes, 29 replies

29 Replies

Prev
  • raffaela50396
    raffaela50396 Belle101

    Posted

    Dear Belle101,

    I have fibroids and have had my periods last a whole month. My hemotoligist told me that sometimes if you are low on iron, you will bleed more. So, I take 56 mg of iron a day and I also take 2,000 mg of fish oil a day as an anti-inflammatory. They have slowed the bleeding down to 5 days, only 2 of heavy bleeding. As far as shrinking, I do not know how to accomplish that successfully. Hope this helps. I do not have any pain and I am 48. Hoping for menopause soon.

  • millie99
    millie99 Belle101

    Posted

    Hi

    I am new to this forum as well.I am 50 and started my periods at a very early age and bled for weeks at a time and had a great deal of pain.In 2003 I was admitted to hospital with severe pain.It was discovered I had a large fibroid and had a myomectomy.After that I was fine,I had light periods which came every 28 days.Last year I started getting my periods all the time often lasting 7 weeks at a time,the bleeding was very heavy and the pain was so bad I was in bed all weekend.I had a scan and they found over 25 fibroids the largest was 5cm.I went to the doctor who referred me to a gynecologist.I opted to have a fibroid embolisation.It is now three weeks since I had it and am still in the same pain I had before I had the surgery.My stomach looks like I am 7 months pregnant. but have had no bleeding.I have to have a scan next month so am hoping the fibroids have started to shrink.The actual procedure was ok,you remain awake and are given morphine throughout the surgery which last one hour.If you want children I would have the myomectomy.

    Regards Millie

  • rosieposey
    rosieposey Belle101

    Posted

    Hi Belle, we're in a similar boat, so here's my 10-pence worth fyi.

    First, I just wanted to reassure you that irregular and extended bleeding is definitely one known side-effect of fibroids. I had exactly the same thing as you: non-stop bleeding which the doctor prescribed Provera for, then sent for an ultrasound (or rather, I demanded one). Anyway, the bleeding was shown to be because of problematic fibroids.

    Like you, keeping my fertility is important, as I haven't yet had children. I am going to be getting a myomectomy, however, my specialist has put me on Zoladex (another HRT like Esmya) in order to shrink them before I get a myomectomy. There are limited ways of dealing with fibroids if you want to keep fertility, because some things like UFE are not recommended, and I understand that MRI-guided ultrasound is still an unknown quantity as far as fertility is concerned.

    Esmya and Zoladex DO help shrink fibroids, but are both short-term solutions, because you cannot be kept on it indefinitely due to serious long-term side effects such as bone-density loss. They're generally prescribed in order to manage symptoms before surgery.

    I imagine you'll be offered a myomectomy, but depending on where and how big your fibroids are it'll be laparoscopic or laparotic. I'm going to have to have laparotic, which will be fairly major surgery. You might be asked if you want a hysterectomy, but you should not feel pressured to consider it as an option unless there is a serious malignancy which needs addressing (but that is VERY rare, so don't worry yourself needlessly by looking up the worst-case possibilities online, believe me, it's not worth it or necessary, wait to hear back your ultrasound results.)

    Finally, just want to reassure you that what you're going through is actually pretty common, so don't worry too much! Stress is bad for your health, and some people even think it plays a part in fibroid-growing hormone imbalance. (I don't know if it's true, but I DO believe stress is as bad for your mind and body as any illness). Like some other commenters here, I changed my diet to cut down and then out meat and dairy which are known to contain hormones. I have no idea if it'll help long-term, but I want to give my body the best chance to eventually have kids. Unfortunately fibroids can grow back after myomectomy, so I am trying to implement changes which are thought to help prevent hormone imbalance. So...yeah, that side of things is a personal choice, just do what you think is right for you.

    But as far as surgery, insist on hearing ALL the options, and get a second professional opinion if you're still feeling unsure.

    Sorry for the long reply, but I think we have lots of similarities in our cases, except I'm now nearly a year into this. Anyways, best of luck, and feel free to ask if you have any more questions.

    xox Rosie

    • Belle101
      Belle101 rosieposey

      Posted

      Hi Rosie, thank you so much for your very informative reply, it was very helpful. Yes, we do share a lot of similarities. I am hoping that I will be a candidate for myomectomy also, all will be revealed next Tuesday. Dreading it but also really want to get to the bottom of it at this stage. I've been bleeding non stop for almost six weeks now despite being on 5mg Provera which was helping ease it a little initially but not anymore. I actually contacted my gp this morning to see if maybe I need to go on a higher strength. I also have to get a smear test done to rule out any sinister cause but that can't be done until I'm finished bleeding for one week which I haven't had. I'm waiting for her to come back to me. I gather that both of the medications you mentioned put you into a temporary state of menopause which scares the life out of me. Have you been prescribed either? You're so right regarding stress, I'm trying to manage that a little better but it's difficult with everything up in the air at the moment.

      Xox

    • rosieposey
      rosieposey Belle101

      Posted

      Yes, I was put onto Zoladex, and I'm now up to nine months on it, as my fibroids are quite "complex" apparently. Generally you're not meant to go on HRT longer than about 6 months, but everyone's case is different. 

      I wonder if you can ask for tranexamic acid to help your bleeding. I was put on it at one point when I kept bleeding at the start of my Zoladex, and it cleared it up in a few days. Maybe you could ask about it? I'm pretty sure it's okay to take with Provera.

      Hopefully you won't need HRT and go straight to myo, but bear in mind that they may wish to shrink your fibroids first if they are close to a main artery or something like that.

      Everyone reacts differently to HRT, and for me the side effects were manageable. I had hot flushing for about 2 months, but that settled down after that, and I never had any of the severe mood swings and headaches etc that some people have. 

      I'm sure you'll be okay as far as ruling out anything more sinister. However, just know that, if there was a problem, it's best to catch it soon as possible. Most things are curable if caught earlier. Tbh, I had a "scare" --one of my fibroids degenerated which showed up weirdly on my MRI, and in the end I had to get a biopsy to rule out the worst case scenario. But in the end it turned out benign, as do most cases. I'm sure your bleeding is most likely simply your fibroids playing havoc with your insides. They're grrreat like that rolleyes

      Anyways, do ask your gp about the tranexamic acid. It worked for me, although of course everyone is a little different in how they react to various treatments.

      Nice to talk, and good luck with it all. Try to have a relaxing weekend and don't worry too much. I know it is very scary when you're just finding out about everything, but there are a heap of us out there, so you're not alone!! 

      Hugs, Rosie

    • Belle101
      Belle101 rosieposey

      Posted

      Thanks Rosie, I will look into the tranexamic acid, the continuous bleeding is very draining, pardon the pun here smile.

      I wish you well with all, great to talk.

      Belle xox

    • heather34376
      heather34376 Belle101

      Posted

      Ive had 6 months Esmya, didnt work, 6 months Zoladex didnt work, now just done 3 months of esmya again (to shrink Tranexamic acid does work to reduce bleeding but can cause clots so take for no longer than 4 days in your cycle at the beginning. I'm now considering UFE as mine is 12 x 13 cm with the view to a (hopefull) laprascopic hysterectomy if it shrinks & still causes problems after the procedure. Otherwise will have to be a open hysterectomy. Only thing with myomectomy is they can grow back & its like getting over a hsterectomy. But as far as I know myo, drug route, or ablation (heat by ultra sound/MRI/ or some places do cryo - google it - fibroids have to be under 10cm) are only ways if you still want babies x

       

    • Belle101
      Belle101 heather34376

      Posted

      Thanks for info Heather, cryo is an interesting option, I'll look into it. Only realising how many women are really suffering with these. I wish you the best whichever option you choose.

      Belle x

    • heather34376
      heather34376 Belle101

      Posted

      Hi Belle, Yes I looked into it & liked the sound of it being heated up & done in the MRI scanner, but seemingly under 10cm & cryo seems more of a USA treatment. We seem to be more pushed toward UAE x

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.