Posted , 37 users are following.
Hi!
I have a 6x6 cm fibroid which causes me heavy bleeding and pressure symptoms.
I will be seeing a doctor in two weeks to discuss treatment options as I refuse hysterectomy.
I'm 39 with no children.
I've been reading about embolization and would really like to get in touch with other women who have done this procedure. Has it worked for you? Has your bleeding (and life!) gone back to normal? Has your fibroid shrunk, if so by how much? How was the pain? Do you recommend embolization?
Looking forward to your replies!
Have a good day ladies!
3 likes, 89 replies
Michellestar87 asa93843
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asa93843 Michellestar87
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I think my fibroid is embedded in the muscle so I don't think a hysteroscopy is possible for me I'm afraid. :-/
Michellestar87 asa93843
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asa93843 Michellestar87
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have alot of bleeding especially for like 48 h. Then it gets better but after that follows a week of pink/brownish discharge. No fun at all.
I need to eat iron pills for a couple of days each month. I had iron defiency when the tested me last year. I hope to get rid of all of this soon, I'm sick and tired of it!
samantha59044 asa93843
Posted
Like you I'm 39 with no kids.
I was diagnosed last year with fibroids, 1x13cm and 1x5cm causing heavy periods to the point of being unable to leave the house due to flooding and suffering severe anemia.
I had an embolization Oct 19th last year and to date I would say that most of the pressure symptoms seem to have lessened in that I don't have to get put of bed to go to the toilet 3-4 x during the night.
My periods do seem lighter but are still a proper period. I suppose I expected them to be really light which was naive but I do feel a bit more confident leaving the house.
Before the procedure I would flood through both a tampon and pad even hour if not 30 mins now I change every couple/few hours.
Still early days and am due a follow up in April to see if they have stunk. I was advised that at the 6mnths mark the fibroids would have shrunk as much as possible.
As far as the procedure was concerned it wasn't painful due to the painkillers your given before and during.
Near the end of the procedure I did feel cramping like bad period pain which I advised the radiologist. I was given more morphine before returning to the ward where I had to stay still for 6 hrs.
The 6 hrs flew by to be honest I was so tired and wiped out it felt like hardly any time
One watch out I wansnt prepared for was when you are able to get put of bed make sure a nurse is there to help you. I couldn't reach my buzzer and was so dizzy and nauseous I nearly fell over.
On the nausea note I was so sick because of the morphine. I was fine when I was lying down but as soon as I sat up I threw up.
It takes approx 21hrs for the morphine to leave your system so be prepared for that. No one told me about that beforehand.
I was in overnight and got home the next afternoon. First night again some cramping so take the pain killers your given they will make you really sleepy. The first 3 to 4 days I slept allot bur after that it was just taking it easy.
I got slight cramping during the night for the first few weeks but really nit bad and now only very occasional during the night I get v.slight cramping.
I would recommend this as a first option without doubt. Other options for me where far too invasive and the recovery time much longer.
Fingers crossed they are still shrinking!
Good luck.
asa93843 samantha59044
Posted
I think, and hope, that I can deal with a week or two of pain and nausea if it means getting rid of how it is for me today.
murnaloo samantha59044
Posted
I hope your fibroids are continuing to shrink! Do you feel like you are continuing to improve? You said you had bladder problems - how long before you felt noticeably better with that? I'm six weeks post-UFE. Have had a few good days, but then the pressure and frequency return. I'm surprised at the ups and downs. Thought it'd be a slow, but steady, improvement.
My fingers are crossed mine are shrinking and my bladder can go back to normal.
samantha59044 murnaloo
Posted
I would say I've had steady improvements, nothing dramatic but a definite improvement.
I think my abdomen has shrunk a bit, I looked about 5 mnths pregnant before the embolization.
I am trying to eat more healthy and drink more water (new year resolution!) so it could be a combination of both. Also am still getting up during the night to go to the toilet but that could be all the water I'm drinking too (only once though compared to multiple times before the procedure)
I just wish there was a magic wand to get rid of them for good (not a hysterectomy!)
I hope you continue to improve, fingers crossed at the 6 month mark there will be a significant difference.
All the best, take care.
shell69386 asa93843
Posted
I think what type of fibroid you have makes a difference. As said below if it is a submucosal you might be able to have hysteroscopy but then the size of it may mean taking a temporary shrinker tablet such as esmya first.  I have had hysteroscopy but for a 2cm fibroid, but have not had embolization. I do wonder if that is available on the NHS in England. I am aware of it but it wasnt mentioned in my appointments. I have been taking esmya a tablet that can help shrink and that is newly licenced this year. It also stops periods  (in most cases ) for the three months you are on it. (So that can help if you have or have had low iron/anaemia ). I like you am interested in anything non surgical. I am keeping with intermittent use of esmya to manage at present. When you get to menopause they are supposed to shrink but we do not know what age that will be at, only an idea. You are further away than I am.  I have a 5.5 subserosal fibroid, on outside of uterus they do not tend to impact on the bleeding as much as the other two types of submucosal and intramural.  Good luck.  Â
asa93843 shell69386
Posted
I'm not sure what kind of fibroid I have. I think my previous gyno has been talking about it being embedded in the muscle.
I've read somewhere that fibroids only shrink by 10% when we reach menopaus. Does anyone else know if that's true?
shell69386 asa93843
Posted
shell69386
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asa93843 shell69386
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shell69386 asa93843
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patricia27802 shell69386
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Good luck whatever you decide
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