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My fibroid experience

Posted , 4 users are following.

nickeylopez
nickeylopez

Hi guys just wanted to share my experience with you.  I  had fibroids for ten years.  They were huge ones.  My stomach grew to the size of a 9 month pregnancy.  They just grew and grew.  I had normal periods.  No excessive pain apart from feeling bloated and a little back discomfort.  It was very embarassing.  Many people thought I was pregnant.  I had to get a whole new wardrobe......was mentally and emotionally draining.  I am now 3 weeks post surgery. I was scheduled for a hysyerectomy but my gyno saved my uterus despite the soccer ball sized fibroid that was removed.  I havent felt any  surgery related pains to this day...no kidding.  I live in the USA but did the surgery in Jamaica because I knew that my doctor was one of the best in the field......and he is....i am feeling wonderful and just really happy that i have gotten over that nightmare.  

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • tracyh49
    tracyh49 nickeylopez

    Posted

    Hi nickeylopez,

    that sounds great that you have got your life back (it's how I see it anyway), I've been struggling for years since 2000, I was sterilised, and have had nothing but pains ever since, and all I ever got from the dr.s were, that I was fat, and overweight.  Trust me I'm not.  But I do look pregnant, with a constant achy pain in the lower tummy, some days I feel like I'm split in two.  I've had heavy bleedings, some that have been so bad, that I would go to bed with a tampon, 2 to 3 pads and a towel between my legs, because I could never go longer than an hour before changing the tampon.  My first heavy period, after being sterilised (which the dr.s deny is anything to do with it - I've now found a website where women who have been sterilised have had the same problem, 'ptls' but now they have discovered it, they don't wait as long as I have, as I have only just found out the reason for my being so ill over the years) was as big as a baby!  I had been bleeding all day non stop, finally took myself to A&E where they ignored me for 8 hours, this was the first of the heavy bleedings.  They have died down now, as I haven't had a period since April this year (I'm 49 and thinking it may be the menopause), and I'm waiting to have an ultrasound scan, and hysteroscopy to find out why, but have to wait until 18 September!  I truly hope they find something and end this misery and finally believe what I have been suffering from for so long.  Every day just seems to get worse, some days I can hardly walk for the pain in my back.  My parents constantly tell me I've put weight on, not very nice thing to say.  I really hope they find the reason why, then I can tell them off for being so horrible.

    • nickeylopez
      nickeylopez tracyh49

      Posted

      Sorry to hear about ur struggles.....I am actually 39. Most of the fibroid was on the outside of my uterus... and about 4 inside it.  so thats why i didnt have the bleeding and pain.  He actually took the fibroid in a bucket the next day to show me......i was shocked....that i had been housing that parasite for so long.
  • tracyh49
    tracyh49 nickeylopez

    Posted

    Oh my word!  Bet you feel so much lighter too now though?  I'm hoping the gynae is good and honest with me.  I will actually be able to see on a screen if there is anything there.  There has to be, to be feeling like this.  I actually feel like I'm carrying a baby.  Though I know I'm not as I've not been active since last year redface, and had the periods and with being sterilised (though I wondered sometimes if I was actually safe).  It's good to see that you have got rid of that parasite, reminds me of the film Alien, with the foreign body in them. eek  Your life must feel so much better.
    • nickeylopez
      nickeylopez tracyh49

      Posted

      This is my 3rd week being fibroid free and I feel so light.  My belly feels empty.  I keep feeling it to see if its tough or soft lol.....after carry it for so long its hard to wrap my mind around the fact that it is gone.  I keep looking at myself in the mirror...cuz i dont look pregnant anymore.  My gyno was totally honest with me about everything..... I was blessed to have been his patient.  He is the top gyno in Jamaica.  Whenever I visit Jamaica on Christmas or during summer I am bringing him a gift. lol
  • Elliveryas
    Elliveryas nickeylopez

    Posted

    Hi nickey, so glad to know your feeling better! Thanks so much for sharing your experience. What was the procedure the doctor performed to remove the fibroids & yet keep your uterus intack? Looking forward to your reply. TY
    • nickeylopez
      nickeylopez Elliveryas

      Posted

      It was an open myomectomy....I have an 8 inch vertical incision.  Most of the fibroids was in the upper abs.  It filled up my rib cage and was down to my bladder.  I didnt get any meds to shrink it.  I had asked my doctor about that.....but the things is it is very important to find a doctor with experience.  My doctor has over 30 years  experience as a gyno and surgeon...he wasnt perturbed by the size of the fibroid. I lost very little blood and didnt even receive blood after surgery.  He is the bomb!  Every person who has been his patient has only great things to say about him as a professional. He explained everything to me years ago when i found out i had it.  Even before and after the surgery...i know exactly what to expect and why he was giving me certain meds.  I am so so blessed to have found such a brilliant man...who actually care about the well being of his patients.
  • deanne2
    deanne2 nickeylopez

    Posted

    Hi nickeylopez,

    My experience sounds similar. I had a huge fibroid which was mostly on the outside of my uterus but was growing fairly rapidly. I did loads of research and found a gynaecologist with years of experience who was confident that he could remove it whilst leaving my uterus intact. Thankfully he did and I was 10 pounds lighter after surgery! It's over a year ago now and I am still amazed how much lighter and more comfortable I feel. I think I had just got used to having that lump inside me!!

    It does frustrate me that women are still having hysterectomies which in my opinion are often offered because the surgeon is inexperienced or lacks the skill to undertake more intricate surgery. I was lucky enough to be able to pay so I feel that I found the right person for the job. He removed the fibroid which was apparently around the size of a 28 week pregnancy via laparoscopic surgery, it took ages but he did it!

    I am older (49 at the time of surgery) so you may think that it was not so important to preserve my uterus, but there is not just the issue of child bearing to consider, what about the effects on your sex life and future continence - the long term effects of a hysterectomy are not always great, but the medics don't tend to mention that.

    • nickeylopez
      nickeylopez deanne2

      Posted

      Wow similar experiences huh......just like you i am 10 pounds and some ounces lighter.....its incredible how huge those tumors can grow.  My gyno mentioned to me that now i can have kids lol naw.......40 is no age to just be venturing into the world of kids....beside i have been pregnant for about 10 years lol so i am enjoying my empty uterus lol
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