Fibroid embolization experiences

I am only about a month out of the procedure and I had a similar sized uterus to you with 25 fibroids.  3 of them large 7-12 cm.  So far, I would definitely recommend this procedure and it is FAR less invasive and produces far less complications for you.  I would seek the best IR doc in your area or even go to one out of your area if you can afford it.  Look at Stanford's website for Uterine fibroid embolism.  They have some great videos that describe the procedure and the outcomes in detail.  Best of luck to you.

UFE procedure done two years ago .   For me I can honestly say it’s getting better. It took a while for me to see any kind of change after the procedure was done. It took about one year to notice any Difference. I was getting a little bit scared that the procedure did not work. But what I realize is that everyone’s body responds differently To the procedure. I literally thought after the procedure I was going to see change and that didn’t happen. I was still having heavy heavy periods clotting everything was still the same.

At the time I thought the procedure did not work and got depressed and really didn’t have a life because of my periods were Still heavy and horrible.

I can honestly say two years later for Me today and my body there has been a huge change. Before UFE Uterine fibroid embolization procedure my period lasted 7 to 10 days Of hell!!!!

And now as of a few days ago My period Lasted for a day and a half. I usually spot on day one then day two I have a full period that’s easy to handle. It can get a little heavy sometimes but it’s not as bad as it used to be. I do get swollen feet and back hurt all the symptoms but I notice if I take a Midol or two the symptoms disappear and I can get through the day.  Also after two years and dealing with this is that after My period There seems to be A lot of cramping and no period.   

This I can handle I will take an ibuprofen and it usually goes away within hours. I can honestly say I’m very very happy that I got the procedure Done for me it has been a long journey and Still have a ways to go.

But I sure do thank God that I went through with this because it has honestly changed my life. I can deal with the cramps I’m very happy with the day and a half periodsI get today.

 One thing you should realize is that it does take time and don’t get discouraged like I did you have to keep positive and know that Everything will work out. 

 As for my gynecologist the only thing he kept recommending was to get a hysterectomy and friends that I know of who have went down that road specifically said don’t do it .I will inherit new problems that I don’t want.

 I wanted to keep my uterus I did not want to inherit new problems by removing it so I did my research and got in contact with the right doctors to perform UFE. 

As for the surgery it took them 45 minutes right after surgery I was in pain pain pain it was like having the worst cramps you’ve ever had in your life thank God they gave me some very very strong pain pills that eventually numbed everything.

They kept me overnight just to monitor everything and released me the next day. Once I got home I did feel nauseous and that night had pretty bad cramps and each day got better I would say it took about for me one week and I felt like I was back to normal. 

I thought my First period after surgery was going to be light and normal but like I stated it was the same and it took quite a bit of time to finally get to where I am now it’s been two years And I am happy I went through it. The fibroids have shrunk and are still shrinking I feel like as time goes on and they continue to shrink my period gets Lighter and shorter And will completely stop I am 42 years old.

Look everyone’s body responds differently to procedures done whatever you get done whatever you do just know it’s gonna take some time and make sure you stay positive

I had UAE (or UFE, as it sometime's called) in December 2015. Like you, my uterus was the size of a 5-month pregnancy because of multiple fibroids. One 10cm was pushing on my urethra. I endured five years of feeling like I had to pee all the time and getting constant UTIs because my bladder wasn't emptying. I got up four or five times a night because of my bladder, so I was not getting quality sleep. Because my symptoms were mostly bladder-related, my doctors kept treating that, e.g. lots of antibiotics.

When it got to the point where I could no longer pee without self-catheterising, I went to a private doctor, who said UFE would help. Long story short, it didn't. My fibroids shrank 50% in less than six months, but I did not have any reduction in my symptoms. One doctor told me it's all about location, not necessarily size, with fibroids.

So, in July 2016, I had a hysterectomy, which I had tried to avoid throughout this whole ordeal.

Since the day of the surgery, I have felt like a new person. I am back to normal. I am in the minority on this forum, it seems, as I am not anti-hysterectomy. I just wish I had done it sooner. I was 46 when I had the UFE and the hysterectomy. I don't have kids and my husband and I clearly didn't plan to in the future. But, I didn't want to give up my lady parts. I sobbed uncontrollably the night before my surgery. I kept my ovaries and have not had any problems (just had blood tests last month and no menopause at all). I thought not having a period every month would be weird, but I was wrong. It's heaven! My periods had become quite heavy and more frequent, with lots of clots. I had a few accidents. I do not miss that one bit. And, it is nice to know that I won't ever have uterine or cervical cancer (two less things to worry about!).

I will say that having the UFE wasn't a total waste for me. It shrunk the fibroids enough that I was able to have my hysterectomy laproscopically. I was up and jogging (my favourite form of exercise, too) a month later. The UFE was more painful and involved than my hysterectomy.

I have a good friend who had UFE about a year before me who had complete success with her procedure. Her fibroids weren't as large as mine and her primary complaint was near-constant bleeding. So, no one can tell you for sure if it's going to work for you or not.

It's not an easy decision, I know. Talk to your doctors, but don't let them decide for you. And, take what you read on a forum like this with a grain of salt. It's nice to hear others' experiences, but everyone is different and in a different situation.

Best of luck to you!

Thank you for sharing your experience.  I wanted to ask if you had any prolapse of the uterus or bladder prior to your hysterectomy?   Also, I wanted to ask if you had any mesh put in during your hysterectomy surgery?  One reason I'm hesitant to have hysterectomy is because I've read that if you have a prolapse, then you are more at risk for other organs prolapsing after hysterectomy.  Not sure if this happens often, but I was worried this would happen.  I'm so torn as to what to do.. part of me just would rather have the hysterectomy and be done with all this then try UAE and it not give me the results I would like and end up having the hysterectomy anyhow.  If I did have hysterectomy now, dr said he would have to make C section like incision in my abdomen due to the size of the uterus.

Just had mine done in November loving my results and actually lost weight as well wasn't trying to but have been maintain n keeping it off the best decision I could have made period lasted one day in December and haven't had one yet for January

No, I didn't have any prolapse before or post surgery. I also didn't have any mesh put in. I honestly have had no problems whatsoever. My bladder was a bit jittery for a couple of months -- although NOTHING like I suffered from with the fibroids. My doctor said the bladder is sensitive and it could take it a while to calm down after so many years of trauma. He was right.

I wonder if my experience would work for you -- have the UFE and if it doesn't help your symptoms, then perhaps it will at least shrink the fibroids enough to enable you to have the much less invasive laproscopic hysterectomy?

I know it's a very tough decision. You just want to feel better now, but you also don't want to go through any unnecessary procedures (and pain!).

After reading  your initial response to my post, I actually thought about trying the UAE and just see if it would help. I've been doing some research and it seems that I've only got 2 choices... UAE or hysterectomy.  If I had a hysterectomy I would be leaving everything except the uterus, but because the uterus is so large, dr said it most likely would need to be removed through abdominal incision.  I wasn't happy hearing that, as I have never had a full incision due to surgery.  I also, like you, am not thrilled with losing a lady part.  I'm sure I would never even know its gone, should i have it removed, but just the thought of it seemed weird..  But what I have been going through for the past year or so with all these symptoms, at times I felt like I just wanted it removed so I can have quality of life back.  But I'm strongly leaning toward trying the UAE and see what happens.  Worst case, it doesn't give me the relief I need and perhaps like in your case, things will shrink enough to have uterus removed lapo..  Also, do you know if there are any effects that come about later on after UAE from the particles that they inject into the blood vessels to block the blood from getting to uterus?  And, was the pain really bad after UAE?  I'm a bit worried about that and wondered if you had to stay in hospital a night or so after UAE?  Thanks so much for your response..