Esmya Tablets Fibroid Treatment

Hi Hoshi

You aren't imagining the Braxton hicks thing! The uterus is basically a bag of muscle and like all muscle it needs to contract and relax to keep healthy. We don't normally feel this except when the uterus enlarges as in pregnancy. So I guess if your uterus is enlarged with fibroids you are more likely to be aware of this feeling.

I get the muscle tightening feeling, I also get the flutter feeling alot (like when you feel your baby moving for the first time) I feel alot of movement and sometimes a popping feeling. I started my 3rd box today so I am over half way, although I have had to bring my appointment forward with my consultant because I feel like crap all the time. Tired, sick feeling, headaches, severe pelvic pain. So will be interesting to see what happens next

Very effective fibroid reduction with Ezmya, but very short lived.

I am 30 and have not had any children, I was diagnosed with a number of medium sized and one large (12cm) fibroids in Nov 2012, and following a hysteroscopy, prescribed Esmya 5mg for 3 months, with a view to seeing if it would reduce the size and negate the symptoms (heavy, long periods with abnormal bleeding, extreme tiredness and back pain and regular pain in the area of the fibroids).

After 3 months of treatment, all the medium sized fibroids disappeared and the large one reduced to 4cm.

2 months after finishing the treatment another scan has shown that the large fibroid has increased in size to 10cm and the others have not returned.

The side effects of the tablets were exactly as everyone has documented here and the adjustment after stopping the medication was just as bad if not worse. The hot flushes literally made me feel like I was losing my mind!

My consultant is now talking about alternative treatments including the coil but I have a massive aversion to synthetic hormones, and despite having no plans to in the near future would like to keep the option to have children in the future. Embolisation looks the most favourable next step, does anyone here have any experience of this?

Hi Jacjac,

in consideration of your young age, future pregnancy, and size of the fibroid, have you considered surgery ?

I have a big alien of 10 x9 cm, been on esmya for almost 2 months, and I have my surgery booked for june.

It will be a myomectomy.

Hi all

It has been very interesting reading your experiences. I didn't take the Esmya I was prescribed as I felt it was too close to my holiday - too risky in that I wasn't sure what the side effects would be. I was booked in for a hysterectomy on 23rd April for a 9cm fibroid and lots of smaller ones. To be honest I don't suffer too much - periods that last for about 5 days, first 3 days quite heavy, sometimes a niggly sort of pain but nothing a pill won't sort - am just worried this thing won't stop growing and may cause me huge problems??? Anyway the op was cancelled - so I am waiting for another date. I am absolutely terrified of having the op itself and the recovery etc. I was given the option of UFE or hysterectomy but felt a hysterectomy would sort problem. I am 45, have a son of nearly 24, my family is complete - my husband had a vasectomy about 10 years ago - so we had made that decision already. I too would like to hear stories of UFE - also hysterectomy stories. Am I making the right decision?????????????

Hi ladies

It's so helpful reading your experiences, as it is a big decision to try out a relatively new drug.

I was adamant I'd opt for embolisation as it seemed the best option, but I guess I'm hoping the Esmya will shrink the fibroids sufficiently (hopefully get rid of the smaller ones entirely) to at least buy me a bit of time before I decide which direction to go in the future, regarding the bigger ones, surgery or an alternative route?

I really don't want a hysterectomy and I'm scared any attempt at a Myomectomy could convert to an emergency hysterectomy :-/

I've researched UAE/UFE a lot and it also seems to have very positive results, and although it isn't without risks to future fertility, it does seem the better option as opposed to some.

I'm not 100% sure I want another child, but I feel I want to keep that option open to me if possible.

It's strange some of you have mentioned flutterings and contractions similar to Braxton Hicks, it was this (and a delayed period, plus a swollen tummy) that first had me seeing my GP in January. I was totally convinced I was pregnant, the tiredness, nausea at times, painful breasts etc and this funny feeling in my tummy.

I'm so undecided about my treatment... I know I'm probably as impatient as the next woman in wanting rid of these horrible fibroids but I need to feel comfortable with the course of treatment. I'll be so disappointed if the Esyma doesn't work and worst still if my largest fibroid grows, I can't imagine how some of you cope with them when they're 20wks+ size :-(

I'm still trying to get as much information as I possibly can as Esmya isn't available for a few more months, and my Consultant did say he'd happily refer me for UAE/UFE if I change my mind in the meantime.

Best wishes to you all

Beth

Hi All,

I am just over a week into my last pack of Esmya and have been experiencing back ache followed by light bleeding and period like pains. I was having light bleeding before I started the esmya but that stopped within a week of starting it and nothing since. I really would appreciate hearing if anyone else has had similar issues. I am really feeling a little disheartened as things seemed to be going well for the last month or so and now this!

Hi liberia1, well actually... Since I posted I saw my doc and he had booked me in for a myomectomy on June 12th. I'm fairly concerned that this will leave me unable to have children and not sure if I should wait until i actually want to have them to get the procedure done, as if the fibroids come back again, it will have been a waste of time!

I cannot understand why the medical profession has not got a better fix for this problem!

Hi Jacjac,

such a coincidence as I have also been booked in for my M on the 12th June! are you in London?

Anyway, I believe a M should not create any problems for maternity, I am 34 and like you never had a pregnancy, but I know many people who had normal pregnancies after M.

from our perspective as women and patients it looks a huge and scary thing to go through , but for surgeons it is a standards procedure, GOD bless them.

I have almost finished my second pack of Esmya, but my ALIEN does not want shrink, he is a vicious one :-) ;-) did you also gain kilos ? since I started I took 2 kilos and my diet has not changed at all.

be positive, I believe we are the best doctors of ourselves!

What a coincidence! Yes, I'm in London.

It seems all the info available online is just for scaremongering.

The esmyahas the biggest effect in the third month and few weeks after, but your lucky to be on it just before the op and yes, I did gain some weight but it came straight off after the meds finished.

Although prepare for really bad hot flushes in the weeks after too! That was the worst part for me!

I agree, positive thought is what I'm relying on to get through the next few weeks.

I am wondering if anyone has tried any diet supplements / detox to help shrink the fibroids?

Hi jacjac,

I tried a detox because one of the theories is that the liver may not be dealing with the oestrogen in your body effectively which causes a greater hormonal imbalance and the fibroids thrive on this! I cut out all caffeine and alcohol and I took milk thistle tablets, but it made no difference, the fibroid just kept on growing.

My myomectomy is booked for end of May and I am half way through my 2nd packet of Esmya tablets. No side effects, but the fibroid hasn't shrunk either.

Hello everybody,

It is very helpful to read the experiences of other women with the same problem like mine.

Thank you and I wish you will be fine and healthy.

Best wishes

Hi All, I have almost finished my second pack of Esmya and wanted to update you on how it's working for me. I don't think the fibroid is shrinking at all and am anxiously awaiting my appt. on June 10th to see exactly where I'm at. When I lie down and my bladder is full I can feel in protruding....does anyone else feel theirs? Mine is about a 6 cm intramural fibroid...yay me! I have been experiencing light spotting on and off for the last few weeks and have even had a few small clots pass but no heavy bleeding which is a God send. I was house bound when my periods came before starting Esmya so I'm relieved with the light bleeding although I never know when it's going to hit. Therefore, I have to be prepared at all times and carry supplies with me wherever I go. I have a headache most days but I just found out that I'm anemic so I'm not sure if it's the Esmya or the amemia that is causing them. Otherwise, I have had no adverse reactions to the medication and am hoping that the third month is even better. I wish you all great health and a happy ending to your life with fibroids!

Hi ladies, I have just typed out a long post and then lost it!!! Anyway try again, I started my period nearly 3 weeks ago, they have been getting heavier each month and more painful, went GP's twice, they just palmed me off, then last Sunday night after late shift at work, (luckily I work in UCC at local hospital) I started a heavy flow again but this time couldn't control or stop it so ended up in ambulance to City Hospital, where after a lot of blood loss I was diagnosed with large fibroid which is apparently trying to come through my cervix (lovely!) So I spent two nights in hospital and was told I will probably need hysterectomy, Ive completed my family so that's not a problem but the word hysterectomy is scary as hell! I started the Esmya yesterday so cant comment on side effects yet, also im on Norethisterone and tranexamic acid too for next 7 days, Im rattling at the moment! Im still bleeding, it did turn to watery discharge but last night started fresh bleeding again then went quite light although still there, I just want it to stop as I seem to have been bleeding forever!!! Anyway I will keep you all posted on whats happening, its really reassuring that Im not alone with this, Ali xx