Just found out I have fibroids-what to expect
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hello,
I just learned that I have several fibroids. fir many years I HAVE been treated for muscle strain and back pain in my lower back with bo relief- PT, CHIRO, muscle relaxers. I have gained a significant amount of weight that has been highly unusual for me. The pain in my lower back can be excruciating, and breathtaking. I had my gall bladder tested, I had a CAT SCAN, and nothing can be found. I then focused on my periods and when I did that, I realized I have been just brushing things aside, chalking it up to getting older, brushing off pain, but what I realized the pain was occuring during PMS/period. I discovered it is not normal to clot like I do and have periods as heavy as mine. I started to become incontinent and had some near misses- I cant always empty my bladder anymore. I have so much pressure on my bladder that I am up at night to go to the bathroom all night during my period. . I am weak and exhausted 2 weeks out of the month. Finally my DR. recommended an ultra sound. We found several fibroids- but my OBGYN consult was 2 months away. What can I expect? We will not be having anymore kids. Will there be options to give me relief? I feel as though these fibroids are causing me all these issues-if no most. Has anyone had an ablation? I really do not want to take birth control pills- I just want to be done with it all. Any advice would help! Thanks
0 likes, 16 replies
cindy6712 SimpsMarie
Posted
Hi Simps,
I did not have the same symptoms as you for the most part, but I did have 4 larger fibroids that were causing heavy bleeding during my periods (2 cm to 13 cm). My uterus was double its size (stomach appeared 5 months pregnant) and exercising was troublesome. I was unable to go anywhere for 2 full days during my periods as I needed to change a pad every hour on the hour most times. The exhaustion that I had daily was just not normal, but became normal routine to me.
I decided on the UFE (Uterine Fibroid Embolization), which shrinks the fibroids. I'm in my 50s and definitely not choosing to have kids again. Anyway, this procedure worked well for me as it not only alleviated the pain during exercise, but lessened my flow of blood during my periods, and now I am no longer anemic. For some people they stay in the hospital overnight, but I opted to go home after the 6 hours that I had to lie still after the procedure. I will say that in my case, I had a rough day because I needed to take the anti nausea meds, but no one said that I needed to eat something with that pill, so I was nauseous for the day. Oh another point that I'd like to make, if you choose this route, the cramping can be painful till about Day 3, but for me, I managed it with just Ibuprofen (and took when necessary for about 8 days). I walked the following day outside for 10 minutes and added about 5 more minutes a day because it helped with the cramps and great distraction (went with someone as I felt more comfortable). This procedure is done by a Radiologist not your Gynecologist.
I am still very happy that I went through this procedure back in 2017 as it brought life back into me.
Good luck with your choice and feeling better.
rosemary97383 cindy6712
Posted
Which of the hospital was UFE done.
cindy6712 rosemary97383
Posted
Rosemary, You should look into teaching hospitals as they seem to have some great radiologists (if you are in the U.S.A.).
SimpsMarie cindy6712
Posted
Thank you, for sharing your story. I understand what you mean when you say, it was not normal, but it was your normal. I too, have made these symptoms my normal. I thought, this is me getting older. But I have had enough and I cannot keep going through this until menopause decides to strike. I am so happy to hear that you feel this procedure brought life back into you. That is what I hope for. THANK YOU!
jay59548 cindy6712
Posted
thank you for sharing your experience with this.am also scheduled to to have this done this month because all the other alternatives are a No for me but what i want to find out is the staying still for 6 hours were you pain through out? did you eat afterwards and where was it done from was it your wrist or your groin area ? and post care how was your period aftterwards thank you once again
cindy6712 jay59548
Posted
Hi Jay,
When I was needing to stay still for 6 hours, I was in very little pain and really it was not tough since I was exhausted. The nurse pressed the button on the IV to give me some pain relief because unfortunately, my blood pressure shot up a little too high, but that was only once within 2-3 hours. Regarding the surgical portion, the radiologist made a very small incision in the groin, which is barely noticeable now. As for food, I was not hungry yet could have eaten anything light such as crackers w/peanut butter. Oh I had my period quite heavy on the day of the procedure, and once the procedure was done, my period was like staining that you get after a period. When the next period started, it was so light and the consequential ones, too. I have read on this site that some women have not been as lucky as I and have had some heavier results as well as a lot of pain. Everyone has a different level of tolerance for pain.
Good luck with your procedure! Hope you come back on to let us know how the procedure goes for you.
jay59548 cindy6712
Posted
thank you for your response. sure will come back and do the updating afterwards.i am positive it will work for me.my tolerance to pain is high as well which might not even be the case as long as this silly things are destroyed for life am good ...smiles
kimjon SimpsMarie
Posted
I suggest you put into a search engine "alternatives to hysterectomy" or “treatments for fibroids“. That’s what I did it’s how I found this group and you may have several options depending on the size of your fibroids. I have many of the same symptoms that you do I have one large fibroid 14 x 15 cm. I also choose UFE and I’m scheduled to have my procedure at the end of this month. i’m hoping it works as well as it did for Simps9206.
SimpsMarie kimjon
Posted
Thank you, for your suggestions. I wish for you, a successful procedure, and that you get back to being you, pain free! THANK YOU!
Guest SimpsMarie
Posted
i had this problem for many years, it was only last year that Dr said it may be fibroids. i had tests - found 11 fibroids; trialled medication to shrink them but these didnt work. Finally went for Hysterectomy last Sept. i can tell you that was the best decision i have made. wish i had done it earlier. i feel so much better physically & mentally.
SimpsMarie Guest
Posted
Thank you for sharing your story. My GM wanted me to try IUD AND i had already tried a birth control that I quit taking. I had side affects and issues with those. I went back to him and said, I've had enough- something is going on and pills and IUD is not what I need. I am so happy you found a solution that has given you your life back. THANK YOU for sharing!
kimjon SimpsMarie
Posted
I have to add in I didn’t intend to be anti-hysterectomy when you were saying what your choices were I was just assuming that they will say something to you about hysterectomy. Whatever you decide to do I fully support you.
SimpsMarie kimjon
Posted
Oh goodness, I did not take your statement to be anti anything. I genuinely appreciate any advice and to learn about other's experiences. Thank you for telling me to be open to all of my options and to be an advocates for my choices.
SimpsMarie
Posted
I certainly apologize for my typos in my first post. Thank you for all of these replies. All of your replies are so helpful as I take on fibroids. After years of trying physical therapy and money spent with chiropratic care, I was puzzled why nothing was helping. After I had my gallbaldder tested, as I had similar symptoms to gallbladder issues, my doctor told me to go lose some weight. Yes, I have put on weight, but I had never been a heavier person at all- my entire life- until I started having all of these other issues. I never tied together hormones- fibroids, anemia- thyroid- perhaps it all affects metabolism.? Like I said, I am weak and in so much pain for about 2 weeks each month- that I do not do anything. I am still young enough to be active and do sports and activities with my husband and kids, but I do not feel well.
I wish more questions were asked about my period during my annual physicals, other than, "when was your last period? " Unless I am naive, I had no idea these symptoms were not of normal periods. These things are not discussed in my circles, nor with my primary.. and if you do discuss more in your physical, you get charged extra. . I did ask for the medical team to send me the sizes and locations of the fibroids. Knowing now, where they are located, makes perfect sense to me as to why I have pain where I do, and when I do.
SimpsMarie
Posted
Hello,
I had my consultation. The only treatment option for me, based on location of fibroids, how many and sizes, is a( robotic) hysterectomy. They will not be removing ovaries. So it is not open or a full. I am scheduled OCT 10. Has anyone had a robotic outpatient hysterectomy??
THANKS