Can my fibroids be causing this pain???
Posted , 5 users are following.
So I am waiting for a hysterectomy due to large fibroids pressing on my bowel and back, but as I come up to a period (I'm on HRT that has a monthly bleed - much like the pill) I get this contant nagging ache on my right hand side lower abdomen - it's in the area where my appendix and right ovary would have been - but are not there as they were removed 20 years ago. If I take strong pain killers it goes - but as soon as it wears off the nagging pain starts again. If I lie on that side the pain becomes much more intense. It kind of wears off after I bleed. Anyone else experienced this? I'm wondering if as the uterus enlarges coming up for a bleed is it pressing on something else?. Thankfully I am at doctors tomorrow - so I will ask.
1 like, 29 replies
jane73929 Glennie68
Posted
Hi there... whilst I haven't had a hysterectomy, the pain you describe is exactly what I get every month. This month, I went back to the docs as my tummy was so huge and so sore. He said that it is everything building up and hormones. As soon as my period started so my pain in my right lower gradually eased. It is exactly by the appendix. Mine starts mid month and doesnt go until my period arrives. My fibroids haven't changed in size thank god but when my period is due... you would think so.
I hope this helps.... Jane x
Karmaway jane73929
Posted
Glennie68 jane73929
Posted
Hi Jane, aren't hormones pesky things! I do get a load of bloating myself as my fibroids are sitting on my bowel! I find as soon as I take the second half of my HRT this pain kicks in - whereas the rest of the month is back pain and bowel issues! What fun! I was just a little worried as the month was going on that these fibroids aren't pressing on the tubes down from my kidneys - I do need to go to the loo more urgently at these times.
Glad you replied :-)
heather34376 Glennie68
Posted
Hi Guys, I've been on meds for 2 years had a fibroid for 10 years was 11x12cm 2 years ago now 16x16cm pain on right side & bloating. Bloody awful things. I think I may try embolisation forst as I hae a young son who needs a bit of assistance, may buy me a bit of relief & time, but may just delay the enevitable, may be worth a try though.
Glennie68 heather34376
Posted
Hi Heather,
Give it a go - I would avoid major surgery if I could , but my fibroids are in a place that can't be easily reached! Have no measurements - but they are very large! Hope all goes well for you!
heather34376 Glennie68
Posted
Mine is lower posterior wall, I think its a difficult place too, typical!
x
Glennie68 heather34376
Posted
I would carefully consider whats best for you long term. Hopefully you have a good gynae and they can guide you in the right direction. Mine was honest and said open hysterectomy was the only way for me. I don't have any little people to see to and my hubs is a dab hand with a hoover!!!
jared21 heather34376
Posted
Hi there, I've had fibroids for at least the last 15 yrs and getting bigger as I got older! Had 3 large ones 10x14cm, 12x15cm and 14x19cm and loads of little ones. After going back and forth to GP and bleeding almost non stop for a year I was referred to gynaecologist (oh and I had a slightly hysterical breakdown at GP's due to the pain!) and had embolisation surgery in August 2016. Am now being referred back to gynaecologist as I'm once again in pain and spotting every few days for the last month! Am completely fed up and wished I had hysterectomy in the first place! My gynaecologist was a tad on the rude side and said I was too fat to have one and embolisation would be better. Was out of action for 4 weeks after it too!
Glennie68 jared21
Posted
Hi Jared,
Sounds like you have had a horrible experience! I have had good and bad consultant experiences - you can ask your GP to refer you somewhere else, I have done that myself in the past. I'm very lucky in that my large fibroids are not the bleedy type - and I have the joys of a compressed bowel - which basically means laxatives ahoy every day! I only found out I had fibroids when I was sent for an MRI for a very sore tail bone and toilet issues. I am quite happy to go for a hysterecomy - this is impacting on my day to day - and travel, which I love doing, is literally a pain in the bum if I don't dose up on painkillers. You sound like someone who needs to take control and get your life back! I hope you can find a good sympathetic consultant who will help you!
jared21 Glennie68
Posted
Hi Glennie, thank you for your kind words. My GP I see now is lovely and has been so sympathetic to the latest issues of this ongoing saga! And I am now finally taking my life back! The gynaecologist I will deal with once I get an appointment and am not taking no for an answer this time. Like you, mine does impact on my life and as I care for my father in law who has Alzheimer's I can no longer let it get in the way. With a 31 yr old son and a 19 yr old daughter I really don't think I want more kids so my new motto is "bring on the hysterectomy" 😀
heather34376 jared21
Posted
Oh my goodness, I struggle with one that is somewhere between 13cm & 16cm (MRI & CT differ) CT because of clots in urine, mainly before & after period but some mid cycle. You a 3 large ones you poor soul. I can totally understand the hysterical breakdown. I can't understand how they let them get this big without offering MRI guided ultra sound ablation. I am really upset now about it all. My medical file is so thick, I hate going to the doctors. I am really scared about the prospect of a hysterectomy because I have had a few blood scans showing sticky blood, when my Mum had a hip replacement a couple of years ago she got a DVT which turned into a PE & is lucky to still be here. My son is 9 & needs special attention. His Dad is away a lot. Thats why I kept thinking try embolisation. Did you not get any benefit at all from it? Did they reduce in size? Did they at least confirm they had stopped growing? Was there any benefit to under going the procedure? This is my grasping at straws rather considering embolisation rather than the fear I have around hysterectomy.