digestive symptoms from fibroids
Posted , 43 users are following.
Hi,
Both my GP and an ob/gyn insisted that my digestive distress is not coming from fibroids--I have five big ones, which are not painful in themselves. These doctors consider me "asymptomatic" even though I have to pee constantly, and I'm huge.
The digestion question is complicated:
I have a history of IBS--started way before I had fibroids--but it was under control for many years, no attacks. I knew what my triggers were, and mainly stayed out of trouble. In the past few years my IBS has gotten much worse, and I'm bloated and have cramps and not great bowel movments (incomplete evacuation) about half of the time. I was convinced that fibroids have worsened my IBS through pressure on the bowels. Both doctors deny this. Recently I read an article by DoctorOz saying that fibroids DO create digestive problems from the pressure. One of the tell tale signs is thin stools, which I definitely have.
So I would be very interested in hearing from other women with fibroids, as to whether they're having digestive symptoms they think are related to their fibroids. The only "Official" digestive symptom of fibroids I keep coming across is constipation--which is not my case. But I don't see how five large fibroids cannot have an effect on your bowels, which they are pressing against.
Even though I have two women doctors, I have been appalled at how they have not taken any of my symptoms seriously. "Watchful waiting" while the fibroids gorw and grow. I'm 55 and not menopausal and not wanting a hysterectomy but wanting to halt the growth and ideally shrink them. The doctors are not helping because they claim I'm "asymptomatic" but actually I'm in digestive distress about half the time (often preventing me from sleeping) which I feel is (not caused by but) made worse by fibroids.
Would love to hear from anyone who has wondered about similar things.
3 likes, 68 replies
corrijo71 Fibroidia
Posted
Hi there,
I completely understand. I was having a ton of issues with what I thought was IBS a few years ago. I did not have a history of it. I also would get heavy bleeding off and on during my periods. My Dr at that time kept saying it wasn't IBS and that is was gynecological, but she wasn't trying to help me. I finally got her to order an ultrasound. Nothing ever came of it, per the office. I wasn't feeling too confident with her. I needed to find a new on gun anyway. So, when I did, almost a year later, she looked at the ultrasound and said that the notes on it said I had a fibroid. So all that time I was never told there was anything there. I ended up having hysteroscopic myomectomy. My on gun said she didn't think my ins symptoms had anything to do with my fibroids. Same thing with me getting multiple UTIs. But until you just mentioned it, no one else ever confirmed it. Fast forward and I am on medical leave from just having laparoscopic myomectomy. I did have an extended period for a month from multiple and one large fibroid. If not for that extended bleed, I did not have the symptoms I had before and I would not have been approved for surgery again. I am trying to get pregnant and am in my 40's so I had other reasons for wanting it. Sorry I am blabbing. I would think that you should get a 2nd and maybe 3rd opinions.
corrijo71
Posted
wanda03851 Fibroidia
Posted
janis96322 Fibroidia
Posted
I'm 63 and was told I had IBS and I called doc and said mess don't work he ordered CT came back with not only 3 fibroids but mild fluid on outside and possible peritoneal nodules... going doc tomorrow.... it was only suggestive cancerous. I can not eat for when I do I get abdomen cramps and have to poop.... love to hear from others
anukriti16300 Fibroidia
Posted
I know it's been years since you posted this. I'm 32 unmarried but sexually active and from India. I have the same issue. I actually went to the hospital because I was experiencing some lower abdominal pain. The pain is intermittent, happens in different places every time and is not very much - its quite tolerable. But its there and so is a lot of gas, slightly thinner stools and each time I pass the gas or the stool - it makes the pain relieved to an extent. After a transvaginal ultra sound, the doctor said I have one large subserosal fibroid but those are "asymptomatic" so they cannot be causing the gas or the pain. Two gyn have said this.
It's weird how even the language they use is soooo similar and they absolutely refuse to acknowledge that the fibroid could have anything to do with the pain. Ultimately tired after having a hundred diagnostic tests done on me with no solution in sight, I personally have requested an MRI to check if the fibroid is pressing against my bowel or rectum. Let's hope they find some way to shrink or remove it, in case it is causing the problem.
chris50782 Fibroidia
Posted
freda58830 Fibroidia
Posted
I learned about the existance of my 11 cm fibroid on 10/10/19 following a tubal reversal. One hour I may have to pee every twenty minutes then the next not being able to. The same for my bowels. Currently I could poo through a screen without touching the wires. It's horrible!!! I have a high main tolerance and this gets me down sometime for a week at a time! Between back pain, bowel issues, bladder issues and sciatica issues it's been hell. I am seeing a specialist that understands my "issues" and we are currently discussing it's removal, thank God!
joshuapryce1987 Fibroidia
Posted
Sleeping will take you far into your recovery.