Esmya Tablets Fibroid Treatment

Hi Mandy79780

Hope your bleeding has settled down a bit. Everyone seems to have different experiences with Esmya.

I had the most horrendous bleeding and clots for 2 weeks which my gynae warned could happen. She said it was your body's way of dumping hormones for a temporary menopause - like flipping a switch. When you stop taking them the switch flips back on and everything goes back to 'normal'. Then I had a approximately a month with no bleeding or very little bleeding.

Similar to that mentioned by Louisegaw above, slight pinky or clear discharge. Then I was getting random bleeds and huge clots until I finished the 3 month course. Generally speaking though it definitely reduced my blood loss in that time period. I guess it builds your red blood cells if it stops you losing so much blood and improves your anaemia prior to surgery.

I'm recovering from a hysterectomy which I had at the end of January. And although still sore and taking things easy I feel so so much better than I have done over the last 8 months or so. Its great not being anaemic, I was regularly haemorrhaging, passing large clots, fainting and having blood transfusions.

Its the beginning of the rest of my life

Hi Roro92

Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. As you say you are young to have to deal with fibroids. I know its difficult and scary for you right now, all I can suggest is that you arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can before seeing a gynae/consultant. Also ask if you can be referred for counselling so you can be supported through this difficult time as you will have some tough decisions to make.

A hysterectomy shouldn't be your first treatment option available. There are alternatives, however it depends on your symptoms, type and location of your fibroid. Read through some of the posts from the beginning of this thread as some people have managed to control their fibroids through diet or have used other treatment options such as uterine artery embolization, myomectomy (there are a few more options too). Research on the internet or library, forums, journals, websites. I've read many times during my research that women can still become pregnant after having a myomectomy. You still have options so don't give up yet and keep your chin up and start researching. The British Fibroid Trust is also a good site to read other people's fibroid stories (no forum though).

Good luck - big hugs x

Hi all

Just an update, might help someone, you never know! I am currently on week 8 of esmya, 4 more to go then I am due a scan to see if my fibroids have reduced in size at all.

So far I have had some pinky/brown discharge for a couple of weeks (prob weeks2/3), then I had what I assume to be a period on week 6, lasted around 6 days. Although a bit gutted as had hoped no periods for three months, it was a dream compared to what sort of periods I have been having. Had been bleeding after intercourse prior to esmya and this has stopped, plus when I lie flat I do think that my tummy isn't as swollen - but this could be psychological or wishful thinking I guess?? Will have to wait and see.

My consultant suggested hysterectomy as position and size of one fibroid rules out all other options (mirena, myomectomy). I wasn't keen on hysterectomy as I am a pathetic scaredy cat so my consultant suggested Esmya for 3 months then re-scan and to leave alone if shrunk at all, said it might buy me some time and then could consider taking again in a year or two (some studies in US are suggest this). I'm 42 and she warned me that I am likely to have at least another 10 years of these problems so I imagine hysterectomy will come up again in the future- need to get brave lol!

Good luck to everyone, remember too that people generally don't post online if they don't have any problems!!

Hi sporty chica

I am bleeding a bit more this evening but nothing like last night....so far

My stomach still aches a bit and my head.

I called the ward at the private hospital to see what they thought i should do but she said as i haven't been a patient on their ward yet she couldn't really advise me and i should talk to my GP

She did say they might be able to bring the operation forward but i have a holiday booked in may

I so want to be ok when i go away.

Would they put you on something else to help control the bleeding if is stayed bad?

I don't want to be like this for another 2 months

I am in the same boat as Louisegaw and sounds like our experiences are the same. Mine shrunk 1 cm after 3 months on esmya. and as my fibroid is so big, they are leaning towards hyst. On second course, almost done 2 months. Very little side effects, mainly just fatigue and some discharge. This time no headaches or shortness of breath. I too am hopeful will go down further. I think me and my doctor are looking at intermittent use as I think that's what current studies are also examining. On the board 'Canadian women with fibroids', one woman indicated that she had a myomectomy after esmya and the doctor found that it seemed as though the blood supply was diminishing and that the fibroid just seemed to pop out and he did not have to cauterize. So...it would be interesting to hear more doctors experiences of removing fibroids after esmya. Anyway, I know it's hard but stay hopeful. I think it's important to try to exhaust all your options before hysterectomy. I am stubborn and strongly believe and am hopeful that in this day of modern medicine there has to be or soon will be other options.

Hi Mandy79780

It's difficult to plan anything. The uncertainty is almost as difficult to manage as the reality, bet you cant wait for surgery!!

The only thing I can think of is tranaxamic acid which I took but they wouldn't let you take it for 2 weeks.

May be worth speaking to your GP about it, unless anyone else on this forum have any suggestions.

Hi sporty chica

You're right I can't wait for surgery I am nervous about it but then I am looking forward to it in a strange kind of way. I just want this to stop now. Not sure why I am worse at night time again, I will call my GP in the morning and see what I am supposed to do. I have taken norethisterone for upto 5 weeks before so it might be the answer when I go away. I didn't think I would be able to take other things. GP has said before you can't mix different hormones so she's never prescribed the tranaxamic acid for me.

Hi mandy79780

Norethisterone didn't work for me at all. I took it for 3 weeks and I bled heavily for only 2 hours per day with huge fist sized clots. I was fine with no bleeding or sign that I was bleeding for the remaining 22 hours of the day and this would happen at different times every day for the 3 weeks until I was switched to Esmya.

Tranexamic acid isn't a hormone its a drug which is used to reduce heavy bleeding/haemorrhaging and is sometimes used in combination with mefenamic acid; which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which also helps to reduce bleeding as well as good for pain relief. To a much lesser extent than tranexamic acid but can work well in combo. Tranexamic acid is usually only taken for four days.

Let us know what the doctor suggests you take.

good luck

Hi sporty chica

The doctor said I can take ferrus sulphate again to keep my iron level up. Only thing she had to say about the esmya today was the cost of it which I got for free.

I dropped my pre accessment paper in to the hospital and they got a very nice lady to come and talk to me.

She said they can't do laparoscopy procedure because I have fibroids so I will defo have to be bikini line.

She said if esmya doesn't work there are other things I can try. She put her hand on my arm when we finished talking and said I will be ok and see me soon. She said op could be brought forward but I font want to spoil the holiday for bf's sake.

I relied on norethisterone a lot taking it for 5 weeks at a time. They really need to warn you of what it's like to come off of though. I spent about 2 hours on the loo once. My partner at the time had to go shopping for me I just darednt move! The things we have to go through!!!

Again everyone keeps telling me how much better I will feel when it's done I just hope they are right.

Hi mandy79780, I had a full hysterectomy on 16th December 2013 because of fibroids. In my case, because of the position of the fibroids they also took my cervix. My ovaries and fallopian tubes were also taken because of my age.

Although I was still getting discomfort from the operation site, I can quite honestly say that within 3 weeks of the operation I was feeling so much better. You won't realise just how ill you have been with these fibroids until you have had the procedure.....I didn't!

I feel like I have my life back again and even though a hysterectomy for me was an absolute last resort, it is the best thing I have ever done.

You won't regret it xx

Hi essjaybee

Great to hear you are feeling better it is one long struggle I try to image what the difference will feel like.

They plan to leave my ovaries so hopefully that will keep me feeling ok until the big M!

I am a bit worried about getting back to work afterwards I make curtains etc and I'm constantly pressing against a table.

What I want the most is to be able to wear what I want like white jeans and dresses and not have to worry about leaking and flooding!

I am so pleased I found this site you are all so helpful and caring!

People show sympathy but can't really understand when they haven't been through this.

I agree with everything essjaybee has said, I had my uterus and ovaries removed at the end of January.

I forgot, until you mentioned it that I can now wear white and light coloured clothes. Still have a wardrobe full of black and baggy clothes!

Hugs and good luck xx