Esmya Tablets Fibroid Treatment

I completely understand what you're going through alison171. My periods prevented me from leaving the house (I had two a month) and nothing, even the tranexamic aid, would control it. I was on the pill which didn't help much either but I had to go off the pill in order to start Esmya and my second day was terrifying. I was in the bathroon every 5 minutes absolutely flooding for about 3 hours until it finally slowed down. I was on vacation in Prague and had no idea what I was going to do if it didn't stop! The second day of Esmya was better and so on until about the 9th day when everything finally came to an end. Give the Esmya time and even though I've had a few break throughs it is Heaven compared to what I was going through. I think in the end I'll end up having some type of procedure done but for now I'm living my life semi-normally. Hang in there and I wish you the best.

Hi all,

just found this forum and all your shared experiences are very helpful. I had no idea how common fibroids are! I am 42 and do not want any more children, but started experiencing increasingly painful, heavy periods about 12 years ago after my 2nd daughter was born. They were not eased or regulated by the pill, as they had been previously. 3 years ago I could feel a small lump in my abdomen when lying in bed - I eventually got it checked out and was diagnosed with a fibroid/ fibroids after ultra sound.I was not informed of its size, or whether there was more than one. I was referred to a gynae consultant who, after a 3 hour wait gave me 5 minutes and on my scan results offered me a myomectomy, which he didn't recommend, a hysterectomy, or do nothing! I went away, looked it all up online and decided a hysterectomy was a bit drastic (also I am petrified of having an op - even though I am a qualified nurse!).

3 years later, my periods are a bit erratic, as in I never know exactly when they are going to happen, wheras they used to be very regular. And, although less painful, the first 2 days can be hell as they are so heavy and I try to avoid going anywhere without a spare change of trousers, unless I know I can get to a toilet easily. I use the biggest tampons and towels, but feel an awful 'dragging' feeling and tend to pass big clots, but only for 2 days.

On reading some of your experiences, this isn't that bad, but now the small lump in my abdomen is huge and ever present. I haven't put on any weight, and am generally quite slim, except for my stomach, and I look and feel bloated and pregnant. Now when I lie down I can feel my uterus extends above my belly button. And yes ,Melzy, first thing in the morning my abdomen is even more swollen with a full bladder and looks totally distorted. Certain times of the month, my abdomen, over my lump, is tender on pressure or if I lean anything against it.

I sort of feel I am making a fuss, but it is hard to plan family days out and holidays as I can't regulate my periods, and my self image is awful. Athough they fit, I cannot wear my old clothes as they make me look pregnant and I only wear loose fitting tops that cover my belly. I no longer let my husband or daughters see me get dressed as I feel embarrassed about the size of my belly.

I had never heard of ESMYA until today, but it doesn't sound like it works with eveyone, and Im not sure about those side effects. I suppose I will just have to stop coming up with excuses not to have that hysterectomy.

Sorry, but how is it I don't know what UAE/ UFE is/are??? I 'm pretty certain that the only choices I was given 3 years ago were myomectomy, hysterectomy, or do nothing.

I so know how you ladies feel with heavy periods, I usually have 48 hrs of pain and heavy bleeding every month, cant go anywhere and always pray I wont be working on those days! Its hard as we all have periods Im sure other women think oh just get on with it, but they don't realise how heavy and painful they are? Im going to Italy in just over 5 weeks so hope the esmya will have kicked in by then, the SHO said I shouldn't have a period while Im on them, but Im out of faith with what the medics say what should actually happen and they are usually men! I must say that the nurses at the hospital in the gynae ward were amazing and really helped me bless them I was in a right state, Ive never seen so much blood and literally thought I was actually going to bleed to death!!!! Definitely come back as man in next life x

Started my 1st esmya 5mg tablet today. I have a 7cm by 6cm fibroid plus a smaller one. I am 51yrs old still having periods last one very heavy 5wks later I have started my period yesterday-heavy again. So just by chance I was 2nd day into my period when I got tablets as it was not mentioned to me as a 'starting' date.

I will be having a hysterectomy in 4mths time so I was quite concerned when I read max time to take tabs for was 3mths

It was good to read on here that after 3mths when I stop taking esmya my fibroids will not grow in that month before my op.

Think I will ring on Mon anyway just to relay this concern

In the meantime-hope this is my last period and that the pain in my sides goes away soon and that I stop running to the loo!

Hi Christine,

You can take Esmya longer then 3 months, but they say ideally no longer then 6 months. I saw my consultant yesterday and my Esmya is being prescribed for another 3 months. I am no longer having a hysterectomy I am now being refered to another specialist consultant in a different county, and I am now having embolisation. Although now I am a little confused because after coming home and googling what this involves, my consultant told me it would stop my periods all together, yet the internet says different. I didnt want to be signed off for 12 weeks as I would miss alot of my course, where as embolisation is only about 2 weeks signed off.

Hi littlemissme,

I wonder how your consultant knows this. I read it is a 'black diamond' drug. No trails have been done for use longer than 3mths.

I will be having a Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy ,my consultant did tell me he may have to cut if it all dosn't go to plan. APPARENTLY I will feel find after 2weeks!

I will also have both ovaries removed-that way I will never get ovarian cancer,I won't be needing them anymore anyway.

Just wondering why you are waiting another 3mths?

I did point out to them that all of the reports about it have always said 3 months, but the consultant assured me its fine. I personally think it's more about the cost then anything, because it is not cheap at all. May not be taking it for 3 months for sure it depends when I get to see the new consultant. After having a hysterectomy it is 8-12 weeks you are signed off, so I dont see why they have said you will feel fine after 2 weeks They are continuing me on Esmya as it is too risky for me to start bleeding again, I was losing 1 unit of blood a day before, had to be admitted into hospital and have blood transfusions and I had been bleeding continuous for 4 months.

As I have said before, my fibroid grew back in about. 6 weeks after Esmya and only shrunk in the third month. I think that taking it longer would be the optimum solution if you can handle the side effects.

Since reading many of the posts on here I cancelled my myomectomy as I think they will probably get come back again anyway and it seems like a fairly intense operation! Guess its just a case of wait and see if the symptoms calm down a bit!

Also I tried the milk thistle and pineapple enzymes and things as well as detox etc and it was a total waste of time! There must be something that is causing so many women to get this condition.

Hi christine193, I was somewhat alarmed when I read that you feel that by having a total hysterectomy it will prevent you from ever having ovarian cancer. I think if that were the case ovarian cancer would be prventable and doctors would recommend that all we have our ovaries removed after our child bearing years. Unfortunately that isn't the case. Primary Peritoneal Cancer is a rare yet very aggressive form of cancer that affects between 2,000-10,000 women a year. I'm not telling you this to scare you but I wanted you to know so that you are sure to continue your yearly exams and to not ignore the symptoms if you were ever unfortunate enough to have them. My sister is a 5 year ovarian cancer survivor and we have been through so much with her. This was some of the information that we were given we she was first diagnosed so I am glad to be able to pass it on to you.

Best of luck to you on your laparoscopic surgery. Please post your results so those of us that may need to do it in the future know what we can expect!

@ jacjacI have just read your post 30th April. This certainly a concern for me-that the larger one would grow back. If i count in weeks rather than mths then 12wks treatment brings me to 2nd Aug. My operation is planned for after 8th Sept (family plans make me not want to do it sooner). So means 5+weeks between stopping esmya and having hysterectomy.

I am also thinking taking it longer may be best.

Side effects? menopause symptons?

@ melzyr

I am so glad your sister has been able to survive ovarian cancer.

Can I please ask you what are the yearly exams-I don't get yearly exams.I live in N.Ireland. . Do you mean smear tests that are done every 3yrs?

If I get my ovaries out I will not get ovarian cancer. Primary Peritoneal Cancer I may/may not get along with any other cancer I may/may not get I suppose.

@ littlemissme---that must be so hard to cope with all that blood loss. I am hoping I am now having my last period-not that I have much to complain about just last couple really heavy including this one-but at 51yrs of age I think I am just thinking lets just get on with this menopause-I am not knowing quite what to expect!

But YES --looked it up ' you tube 'Total Laparoscopic hysterectomy includind removing ovaries----patient back to work after 2weeks.

The worst symptoms I had we're nausea, dizziness, extreme fatigue and hot flushes to the point of nearly going crazy, as well as pretty much all of the other ones on the leaflet at some point or another to some extent! It worth saying I had a number of smaller ones that have disappeared completely from what I understand and they haven't come back so they might not be guaranteed to come back.