1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Uterine Fibroids

Post Fibroid Embolisation

Posted , 102 users are following.

nora71815
nora71815

If my experience can help I would like to share this to other sufferers of fibroid. 

Having decided not to try for a family after having had 4  failed IVF's, I just like my life back without pain, bleeding & generally miserable every month.

I have ticked all the boxes that my gynae suggested pills, Zoladex, hysteroscopy-failed mirena or not even had it despite undergoing most uncomfortable impromptu procedure.

I cannot fault any of the staff who dealt and performed my procedure, they were excellent.

However, soon after the procedure my pain was not managed properly & I was in agony. I suggest that premedication of Voltarol, paracetamol @ anti emetics should be in place. Then as soon as the procedure is completed a bolus of 10 mg Morphine from the PCA should be initiated.

Diet wise eat less & high fibre to avoid abdominal discomfort.

Rest is vital. 

The first week was I called 'a week of pain'.. The cramping was severe and round the clock pain killers, had to take 'oromorp' prescription.

Second week, things are getting better but constantly tired. 

Third week, cramping started & slightly bleeding still very uncomfortable, guess this is my normal cycle time & already showing signs of fibroid shredding.

I'm still in this week of recovery and hoping that with what I have gone through the result is good in three months time.

UFE is less invasive but should be treated as having had major procedure because whilst there is no open wound, things are all happening inside you and only you can feel the pain!

8 likes, 279 replies

279 Replies

Prev Next
  • christi3000
    christi3000 nora71815

    Posted

    Mine is 3 months. I go next month actually. A year seems like a long time.
  • anita99765
    anita99765 nora71815

    Posted

    I'm hoping someone still reads this. Got back from my consultant yesterday who said that my fibroid is far too big for hysterectomy 23cm... yes... a proper beast.  I have 5 smaller and one beast.  They are referring me for embolization asap in the UK and I'm quite tolerant of pain but it looks like you ladies have been through the mill on the pain.  I'm thinking 2 weeks off work and I'll be ok but I'm wondering if any of you had a fibroid as large as mine? My consultant has told me it is quite rare but not unheard of.

    • christi3000
      christi3000 anita99765

      Posted

      Hi Anita,

      Don't be put off by the posting about pain by other's on this site. I have a high tolerance for pain and it really wasn't unbearable. It's really the cramping and trapped gas and it isn't mind boggling break you half pain. It is bearable and the procedure is work it. I actually felt like I could go back to work 5 days later and I did. I was just fine. Just make sure you go to a radiologist who know what they're doing and pace yourself. I had huge fibroids. 3 the size of a grapefruit and some that varied in side from a plum to a quarter. My stomach looked pregnant. I have 2 months post and my stomach has gone down, I have lost weight, and my hair that was thinning from the anemia, has began to grow like mad!!

    • christi3000
      christi3000 anita99765

      Posted

      Hi Anita,

      **REPOST (has so many typos in the last one)

      Don't be put off by the posting about pain by others on this site. I have a high tolerance for pain and it really wasn't unbearable. It's really the cramping and trapped gas that you deal with. It isn't mind boggling, break you half, pain. It is bearable and the procedure is worth it. I actually felt like I could go back to work 5 days later and I did. I was just fine. Just make sure you go to a radiologist who knows what they're doing and pace yourself. I had huge fibroids. 3 the size of a grapefruit and some that varied in side from a plum to a quarter. My stomach looked pregnant. I am 2 months post procedure and I fell great!!! My stomach has gone down, I have lost weight, and my hair that was thinning from the anemia, has began to grow like mad!! There is some cramping from time to time after my period and I was told this is fibroid degeneration which is the fibroid dying. But it is not bad at all!

  • nicole_61788
    nicole_61788 nora71815

    Posted

    Just finding out about this site so happy that I’ve found a form to discuss my concerns and questions about fibroids.So my back story is I got the ufe procedure done 2014 at age 37 my fibroids caused my stomach to be very large and frequent urination and difficulty to have a bowl movement however no heavy bleeding or pain my cycle was not problematic in that regard however the other symptoms did cause me worry so I went through with the procedure now here’s my issues I had the procedure September 2014 for three months after had a regular period January,February and March of the following year 2015 had no period at all My period resumed by April by then I was 38 however they where very light lasting 3 days at max and 2 days at minimum every 30 days like clockwork until about June July of 2016 Then my period started coming about every 25-28 days now with the period changes I’m starting to experience what I think are mini hot flashes fast forward to now 2017 my cycle went back to every 30 days for the last few months however this month no signs of my cycle coming the 30 day mark has passed and just minimal spotting now with all the research I’ve done about ufe and menopause I’m starting to question if this procedure has caused me to start peri menopause early as I’m just coming up on my 41st birthday. And I’ve read that peri menopause can start as early as your late 30s but I did not have any problems with the timing of my cycle or these mini hot flashes until after the procedure and have also read that usual menopause age is 45-52 and that women usually follow the menopause age of their mother which for my mother was 50.My question is have anyone experienced early menopause from this procedure because I’m so afraid that this may be the case for myself 
    • Sheila12345
      Sheila12345 nicole_61788

      Posted

      Hi Nicole, 

      I feel Ike after UFE I was put into perimenopause as well. I had mine in March and since then I've had more hot flashes and night sweats. Unbearable that I'm considering HRT. But that wasn't it also, I haven't had my period in almost two months now which I think is unusual. I've become extremely dry out of the blue now. My dr said I still should have my periods. I took a blood test last week and she said my estrogen was low and believed I'm in perimenopause. But like you I felt the procedure put me in an early menopause. 

    • nicole_61788
      nicole_61788 Sheila12345

      Posted

      Hello Sheila so glad that you responded.Sorry to hear about your situation.I am so upset with myself that I didn’t do in-depth research about this procedure before hand just as you I have also become dry among all the other symptoms that I’m having if you don’t mind me asking what is your age because I feel like menopause and this procedure is relative to age.Like you my period stopped for a few months after then resumed after but was very light along with all these other symptoms I haven’t taken any blood test as of yet but I will on my up coming doctors visit.This whole situation has made me so depressed because I am not even married yet and at an age where peri menopause or menopause should be something I should be worrying about and when I do all this reading up on ufe there’s just not enough information about this subject and what is available online just doesn’t match up with my age.You said you might try hrt please give me more information about that because this whole situation has me really really down.
    • Sheila12345
      Sheila12345 nicole_61788

      Posted

      Hi Nicole, 

      I am 43. I  started noticing that my stomach was growing because of fibroids at age 42. So when I was 43 is when I had the procedure. I have most of your symptoms too. I am a little depressed about my symptoms too but I do not regret doing the UFE. It was the best procedure for me to shrink my fibroids. I didn't want to do anything else and I knew other people who did it and they were happy with it. 

      Curious to see what happens with my period since I haven't had it in 2 mths. Did your period  come back naturally or was it induced by a pill ? 

      I am meeting with my dr in a few weeks to discuss HRT and see if it is the best option for me. I will def let you know what happens and what she says. 

      There will be better days than others so keep your head up. 😊

    • nicole_61788
      nicole_61788 Sheila12345

      Posted

      Hi Sheila    

      Thanks for the encouraging words. Yes my period resumed naturally I had my regular period September,October,November and December of 2014 it wasn’t until Jan,Feb, and March of the following year where I had no period at all Then when it resumed in April it was very light and would last 3 days max accompanied with all these other symptoms that I mentioned...My period was never painful or heavy the fibroids just made my stomach abnormally large frequent urination and difficulties having a bowl movement. If I had done more research knowing that I could possibly be put on the fast track to what I think is menopause peri menopause at an earlier age than normal then I would have chosen myomectomy over UFE.

      Looking forward to any information you receive on HRT

      You stay encouraged as well🙂🙂     

    • Sheila12345
      Sheila12345 nicole_61788

      Posted

      Nicole,

      With all the research I did on fibroids and UFE, I never read anything about putting us in early menopause if we did the procedure. I understand how you feel. We just have to deal with our symptoms the best we can. Thank you for sharing your experience. It was very helpful. Will let you know what my dr says about HRT. 🙂

    • vivienne34555
      vivienne34555 nicole_61788

      Posted

      Hi Nicole

      The sister who looks after the embolisation at the hospital where I had mine was very clear that menopause can happen as I did my research too. I found the information in a pdf document on the internet from a top NHS hospital in London with a top Gynaecology doctor mentioned it too. Sadly women's bodies change internally and externally beyond our control. I had my embolisation 11 months ago and my body has change. No hot sweats. My last period was like a tap had been opened for four days. Then it was very light. I noticed that the clots discharging some where small like pin heads others quiet big...they are the fibroids breaking up. I had initially spoke to the Sister a couple of months after my procedure and she told me that's what they were. I spinner have them out than in. At least I know my procedure is working. Every woman's body is different -size of the fibroids and where they are located depends on the results of the procedure. My periods have been fairly regularly since the procedure.i don't regret having it. I am now able to lead a normal life and actually wore a pair of white trousers this summer!

  • Cynt
    Cynt nora71815

    Posted

    This is the worst pain ever. Im having major back and abdominal pain. It has been four days i was told pain should be up to 5 days but mostly 3. Omg im tired of being loopy from the meds
    • Destin1
      Destin1 Cynt

      Posted

      My worst pain was right after procedure. I had bad condtipation pains when I went home, but that got better when I would walk and when I had my first bowell movement.
    • Sheila12345
      Sheila12345 Cynt

      Posted

      Did you do the Uterine Fibroid Embolization? If so, Hang in there. First week is the pain and constipation by second week pain will be gone but you will feel very tired and weak. By third week you will be your normal self and have your energy back.  

      Take care of yourself and hopefully you have someone around when you need something. Feel better. It will be worth it knowing your fibroids will shrink and scar off. 

    • vivienne34555
      vivienne34555 Cynt

      Posted

      Yes the pain is bad.  No procedure is easy.  Hang in there.  Embolisation is not a walk in the park, bu the results are wonderful
Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.