Esmya Tablets Fibroid Treatment

Hi Donna

Sorry to hear that you too are cursed with the dreaded fibroids. I have multiple fibroids of various sizes with endometriosis. I had severe anaemia from heavy and prolonged bleeding, so we are hoping for reduction of both fibroids and symptoms prior to possible full hysterectomy (still not decided yet, waiting to see what happens after 3 month course of tablets)

I have just completed the first pack of esmya which I started on first day of my cycle. Gynaecologist said my periods would probably stop whilst on tablets. I had no bleeding for first three weeks,

but bad cramps, sickness, alternating constipation and diarrhoea, headaches, dizziness and fatigue (feeling pretty rubbish really) I started very light bleeding in fourth week, now 7 days but nothing compared to previous very heavy bleeding for minimum 2 weeks at a time. Just started second pack of tablets today and hoping that I will feel much better than last month.

I think it just takes a while for your body to adjust to the hormone changes.

I hope everything settles down for you soon,

Julie

Hi, I have come across this website as I'm experiencing the same issue as most of you and needed someone to share my concern.

Im 42 and have an 8cm fibroid pressing on my bladder , I want one more child too, but the pain is getting worse and I'm feeling more ill day by day. Consultant has recommended Esmea and then to take out the fibroid but I have read this gives you high risk of womb cancer. I don't know what to do, I'm scared and just riddled with worry. Part of me saying just have a full hysterectomy as I'm fed up of the pain for the past 3 years. Can anyone make me feel better and have you had children of a fibroid removal? Thanks xx

Hi, I am on the last month of my second cycle of Esmya, I too suffered with the dizzy feelings, tiredness, heavy feelings etc but for me they did get less as time went on. The break in between cycles was tough and my period was very painful but bleeding was not bad (yet!). I have spotted all they way through but while on Esmya I definitely felt much better (not so fuzzy headed and could actually think!) and it gave me a break from the debilitating bleeding and pain I had been experiencing for the last few years. I personally have decided to have a hysterectomy because I want to get my life back and know that Esmya is only a temporary fix (but a very welcomed fix!).

I hope they help you, I think they are definitely worth trying. I was told they can only be used for four cycles (hence my decision to get rid!) I can't wait to get shot of these pesky fibroids, they have caused me problem for way too long!!

I wish you good luck, let us know how you get on.

Barb x

Thankyou Barb that as put my mind at rest. Anything is worth a try to get rid of these awful things I can't believe how many women on here suffer with this. After 8 years of suffering with these I'm hopeing that the tablets will help. I've only been taking them for 9 days

Hope your treatment goes well

Donna x

Hi Donna,

Wow, 8 years.....you are due a break! Being a woman is not much fun sometimes, if men suffered like this I can't help but think there would of be a complete cure by now.......but us complex women have to struggle on!

Keep your chin up, let's hope you feel well once the meds settle down. Have you any thoughts on what you plan to do if they do not help long term? I did try Provra (OMG, they really did not work for me!), can't have ablation (not sure of spelling) as uterus is too big and can't have removed as in muscle and consultant said difficult even if he removed most of them they would probably come back (eeeek, Dont want that!). At the ripe ole age of 51 if he could tell me I would start menopause within 6 months to a year I would stay on Esmya, but he can't and I have been waiting for 3 or 4 years already and showing no signs yet, how long is a piece of string......could be chatting about this still in 5 to 10 years time!Lol .....nope, not for me, just want it to stop!

Fingers crossed for all us women having to muddle through this, let's hope for clarity in our decisions to lead us onto a healthy life......just seems a long road but worth it when we get there hey!

Barb x

Exactly the same I'm 51 in June and have no sign of going through the menopause. I also have very large uterus and was told years ago that if they did a hysterectomy I could have a bad bleed due to size and position of fiboriods this scared me st the time so just sufferd in silence until a few months ago when could take the horrendous bleeding anymore and my iron count was very low. it's the thought of an operation that worries me just keeping fingers crossed that these tablets work.

Donna x

Oh bless, we do end up poking up with it because if like me I felt like I was making a fuss! The pain got too much, the bleeding (with clots thrown in for good measure!), periods that lasted 10 days, then 10 days off......then flipping back on again!! It all got too much and I passed out, pain in back, felt like I was dragging round rocks in my tummy, pelvic pain (the list goes on, so awful but I do know having read some stories on here that make my toes curl.....I am not doing too bad) .....then when my hair started falling out due to anemia I thought enough was enough, I really needed to dig my heels in and get something done! Bad enough looking like I was pregnant, but being bald too was not going to happen!! Esmya did stop all of that thank goodness!! I am terrified of having an option to be honest (what if I feel worse after? 😬 but at the same time I am terrified of feeling like this.......I am not living my life normally at all, dictated by dates all the time, booking holiday so they are on "good weeks"!

Sorry, I am rambling......have not really spoken about this much so nice to pour it out......just writing it down feels a bit better somehow!

Take care, fingers crossed for you.

Barb x

Hi i also have fibroids - one is 8cm and the others are smaller - i only found out last year when i had a coil fitted to help with my heavy bleeding ( that didnt work). I started taking Esmya three months ago and omg its given me a new lease of life - i had headaches for the first two weeks but nothing since then - i havent bled at all since i started taking them and its been sooooo good not to have to take a change of clothes just in case or not go somewhere incase i cant get to a toilet - i have 4 days left on this course and am dreading what may happen - i would happily stay on these tablets up to menapause if they would let me - i have just turned 46  - good luck.

Hi Barb

How are things going for you? Have you got a date for your hysterectomy yet?

I had appointment with gynae on Wednesday for review. I have just finished 3 months on the Esmya and have had such awful side effects all the way through. Admittedly Like you I was having 10 days ok then 10 days really heavy bleeding with cramping, huge clots, anaemia and hair falling out (can see scalp very easily now) so agreed to meds as it was a bad time, and I had to be at the hospital as much as possible with my dad, who sadly passed away last month after a 2 year battle following a massive stroke, So it had been a particularly bad time all round. My son (autistic) is really struggling to cope but I have been really unwell myself which is not helping the situation as I now have an awful lot to do with finances/house clearance etc. I have been unable to do anything too physical as I can hardly even stand up some days (today being one of them - in absolute agony)

I have had problems every single day on Esmya: Sick, dizzy, horrendous abdominal cramps, in the toilet every half hour with bladder and bowel urgency, back pain, headaches - generally feeling awful every day.

Gynaecologist still says full hysterectomy, but cannot fit me in until at least Oct/November time.

She has changed meds to Zoladex implant, which I need to get done every 28 days at GP surgery. So far, no change in symptoms and had a really bad day mainly lying down again, which I had at beginning of Esmya. A bit concerned that symptoms will not improve but got at least another 24 days before the effects wear off if no improvement. Cancelled all my plans for my birthday tomorrow as I feel so awful, so all in all I am not having the best of times.

Anyone out there have any experience of Zoladex implant, I am hoping there is some light at the end of the tunnel and I start to feel ok soon - got a lot to do before school holidays and my son is at home all the time.

Sorry to witter, just lying on the bed watching everyone jumping around having fun (and even wearing white trousers) at Glastonbury thinking ........ wouldn't it be nice to be able to do that !

Julie x

Hi

Just an update - my doctor prescribed another three month course of Esmya - I haven't had a two month break - it is so good - have had no bleeding at all since Feb and would stay on these tablets if I could - I don't have any pain or bleeding and can live a normal life again - tummy still bloated but that's not really a problem conpared to how it was before - hope you are all getting on ok with the tablets and wish you all the very best X

Oh wow, I wonder if I could ask to not have a break......that would be amazing!!

x

Oh Julie, really sounds like you are going through it at the moment, and will this all on top of it all sounds really rough!! Sorry for the loss of your Dad, grief can knock you for six, really hard to recover, but one day at a time and time will hopefully help heal. I also lost my dad a couple of months ago, we were not very close (he lived in USA) but still very sad, my siblings over there are wading through the minefield of house, bank accounts etc.....rather glad I do not have to be too involved!

I hope things improve for you and Zoladex helps, have seen any improvement yet? I have no experience with this implant but have fingers crossed for you. I also hope your son finds the strength to cope, I understand how hard it will be for him when life routine changes, it really hits hard but I hope in time it becomes easier for you both.

I have not been given a date yet for my hysterectomy, but they said it won't be until Aug or Sept so know I will definitely have to start third course of Esmya, I am on the break and am bracing myself for the inevitable awful period from hell (if last time is any indication) but hey, this time might be better! I am still wishing for my menopause to kick in (mother nature is not playing ball) but no sign yet!!

Let me know how you are getting on, I really hope to start to feel better soon.....and we both get to jump around in white trousers soon 😂

Barb xx

Hi, I finally decided to take esmay, first week terrible head aches and dizziness but now nothing. I have had no period but I still have my back pain. The tummy is flatter . I have now been told I have a big uterus and wtth many fibroids, one is 11cm. I have to take tablet for a total of six months.

I just they will all shrink and give me my life back. Has anyone taken this tablet and then not any opp? How long to they take to grow back? I really don't know what will happen when my treatment finishes as my consultant said it my choice.

Hi Barb

I have had the absolute week from hell with extreme stomach cramps and back pain, constant sickness and diahorrea, hair falling out in handfuls which is really scary, can't even stand up and no real sleep, just pass out every now and again from the pain.

Phoned hospital to speak to gynaecologist yesterday to explain what is going on and threw up again whilst I was speaking to her (bucket to the ready), I asked if the implant can be removed as it will continue working for another 3 weeks and do not want to feel like this the whole time. Can't even keep water down, so unable to even get any pain relief. She said NOT the implant but rather withdrawal symptoms of Esmya but not likely, until I explained what I went through the first 2 weeks and then stomach cramps for the whole 3 months but nothing like this. She suggested taking HRT which should act as an antidote (?) to the side effects.

Not really sure I want to take anything else and maybe now the heavy bleeding wasn't as bad as I at least got 10 days where I felt relatively 'normal' in myself.

She has given me an appointment for End of October for a review, but she still expects me to get the implant every 28 days at GP surgery which simulates full menopause and then take HRT to counteract the sweats, flushes and other delightful symptoms.

I felt so bad yesterday I nearly took myself off to A&E to get some iv fluids and pain relief but can't run the risk of being admitted because there is no-one to take care of my son, which is why I explained I can't have the op in the first place.

Can't even think about the house etc for my dad as I have to do that all y myself which is impossible at the moment.

What a nightmare!

I definitely want to come back in the next life as a man !

Oh crikey, that sounds bloody awful! I wonder if there is something in the Zoladex that had an antagonistic effect with Esmya, the reason I say this is it sounds very similar to how I felt when I went from Provera to Esmya (nothing should bleed that much and still be alive lol) and that was the reason I was given......if that is the case the good news is it will get better as the Esmya gets out of your system, it took mine about three weeks but it slowly got better, I really hope it is the same for you!! You can't go on like this, it sounds like a nightmare! Is there any one who can have your son for a weekend to give you a bit of a break to get some rest? As for stuff with your dad, that can be put on hold for now, you need to concentrate on getting yourself well.

I have had exactly the same thought as you on more than one occasion, should I of left it all alone, but know it was getting worse over time so hope that that was not a real long term option!!

I really hope it settles down for you......and yes.....definitely a man next time!! 😂

I am here for a chat whenever you need one......it's good to talk (am I showing my age!).

Barb xx

I have wrote twice on here but no one seems to want to soeak to me. May be have the wrong site.

This is to SAM.... If I try to reply to your posts it doesn't work. I have tried twice. The type comes up all greyed out and the system says I need to enter content when I click on the REPLY button, So there is a technical error perhaps with your log in. IT doesnt happen if I reply to others like this one. I hope you see it 

I am trying again Sam I think it might be working now. I couldn't reply to your posts. There was one about Eysma I tried last night . Everything I typed got thrown out as if I hadn't typed it, I will try again. x 

Hi SAM - There is a technical error on your post below, I have tried again to reply in it, and it will not work. Hopefully you will see this answer.  I have taken Esmya and then not had an op. Of course we are all different. I took 6 months worth but with a 2 month gap in the middle ( as recommended, so you have 1 period).. I am now just over a year since last tablet and still have improvements. Mine are small but lots of them - intramural types. I just go by symptoms. My periods are still lighter and shorter and I dont have pelvic pain that I had before esmya.  I do also have a 5 cm submucosal one. Any way for me esmya has helped but we are all different. You never know if just getting some size reduction on the fibroid may help with things. (Best to take the tablet in the evening before bed, so you can sleep through the main tiredness side effects).  Good luck. Check out your post 13 hours ago there is a technical error.  x  

Hi SAM - There is a technical error on your post below, I have tried again to reply in it, and it will not work. Hopefully you will see this answer.  I have taken Esmya and then not had an op. Of course we are all different. I took 6 months worth but with a 2 month gap in the middle ( as recommended, so you have 1 period).. I am now just over a year since last tablet and still have improvements. Mine are small but lots of them - intramural types. I just go by symptoms. My periods are still lighter and shorter and I dont have pelvic pain that I had before esmya.  I do also have a 5 cm submucosal one. Any way for me esmya has helped but we are all different. You never know if just getting some size reduction on the fibroid may help with things. (Best to take the tablet in the evening before bed, so you can sleep through the main tiredness side effects).  Good luck. Check out your post 13 hours ago there is a technical error.  x  

Hi Julie,

How are you getting on? Any improvement yet?

I have spent yesterday at hospital, was in agony....now given morphine so although feeling very weird (don't like the feeling tbh) it has taken the edge off! I have got date of 17th Aug for op......can't wait!! Would you believe it has come through for date I am on holiday (what are the chances of that) so have got to cancel that!!

Hope you are feeling a bit better and meds have settled down.

Take care

Barb x

Hi Barb,

I'm still alive and kicking, albeit with a bit of screaming along the way. Lol

Second week a slight improvement as now only feeling sick with fuzzy head, but still got bladder and vowel problems

but still got bad cramps and leg pain

Hi Barb

Sorry you are in so much pain, I hope the morphine helps soon. Typical that the date for your op clashes with your holiday. Will you be able to change the booking without losing your deposit? Hope so, it will give you something positive to look forward to after the op and recovery.

I'm still not convinced about having the op, but the drugs have completely taken over my life and made me feel a whole lot worse. Slight improvement this week and not being sick, but still have all the other horrid side effects and unable to get out of the house.

Due to get a second Zoladex implant on 19th but haven't made an appointment with GP yet, so need to decide in next couple of

days. She also said I will need to take tribolone (HRT) to stop the fierce hot flushes and night sweats caused by the implants. So the implant blocks both oestrogen and progesterone production, which causes medical menopause and HRT to reduce side effects and protect against osteoporosis, but increases risk of breast and ovarian cancer, so still another long list of side effects.

It is awful that these drugs that are supposed to make symptoms better, can actually make things worse.

I'm hoping I feel better very soon as I have a very important meeting at school on Thursday and I haven't been outside the house for last 2 weeks and it is a 45 minute drive (no toilet and very bumpy roads!)

Take care and speak soon

Julie

Hi Shell,

Thanks for your reply to me.

I went to see the consultant two weeks ago, he has told me to take the tablet for a further 3 months but mentioned no break in between. I'm going to verify this as quip rightly it states that there should be a break in between. However, I still have chronic back ache in the morning and a massive tummy. But no side effects. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this like me but the treatment worked? My fibroids seem to be still large as I can feel them. On my 3 month next week.

Hi Sam, It may be worth checking the leaflet that comes in the box of tablets. I'm sure it used to say on there about the break of 1 period/ 2 months. It seems people are told different things from what I read on here. I'd just check the leaflet as sometimes Drs do forget to say things ocassionally. (Is that what you mean by quip? - the leaflet ) If you take the breaks I think it is helping for when taking eysma over a longer period. It maybe that there is a build up in system so a short break can be taken. I can still feel the fibroids too under the skin. Not sure what age you are, but as I am not too far off menopause so I hope to get by till then. I don't think eysma will get totally rid but it can reduce size and have effects on symptoms.  Many women have fibroids and don't know. It is just tissue and muscle I believe. Good that you have no side effects now, It is mainly the first week as you have said and then eases off. Just have to see how it goes after your next 3 months. I wish you good luck.      

Hi Barbara

Just wanted to send best wishes for tomorrow, hope all goes well and you have a speedy recovery. 

I am going for 3rd Zoladex implant this afternoon. Slightly better than Esmya but still getting pain and light bleeding every day plus occasional sickness and bowel and bladder problems. At least I can get out of bed at the moment and even manage a bit of gardening in short bursts so an improvement.

Thinking of you

Julie xx

Thanks Julie, I appreciate the good wishes, it is funny but I feel quite calm at the moment, just changing sheets on beds, cleaning like a mad person so when I come home the house will feel all fresh! It sounds like you have improved a bit, I hope to continues to get even better for you. How are you coping with the summer hols, is your son doing ok?

I will contact you after to let you know how it went, don't suppose I will tip top for awhile, but hope this is a giant leap in the right direction!!

Take care, catch up again soon

Barb

xx

I tried Esmya and had to stop because I could not cope with the side effects. I was desperate seeing that I lost a lot of blood during my periods from fibroids and it was ongoing for more than 15 years. I have had to take blood transfusions. Since I could not cope with esmya I went for MrgFUS in Frankfurt and the fibroids were burnt off. It is non invasive and i left the hospital the same day. Presently, I know the procedure exists in other countries