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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!

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279 Replies

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  • Dede54133
    Dede54133 nora71815

    Posted

    I had my UAE on Thursday 11/30 the procedure went well and had a wonderful IV pain pump to control the pain. I did have an overnight stay being discharged Fri 12/1 with Percocet and ibuprofen 800mg and nausea pills. Needless to say I went to the emergency about 11pm that night due to the terrible pain that the meds did not control. Emergency gave me another Percocet when I got there and another 3 hours later and my pain subsided. I went home and day two was a better day. Day 3 intermittent labor pains throughout the day and night but now the ibuprofen is messing my stomach up and causing more pain. Day 4 much like day 3 but now the ibuprofen is now kicking my butt and dealing with two types of pains is not fun, I was miserable. I'm now on day 5, I've used all my Percocet so the doctor sent in a script for tramadol took me off the ibuprofen and now taking over the counter Aleve. In summary the tramadol only dulled the pain but do not take completely away, the Aleve works much better for my tummy so now I'm only dealing with my intermittent labor pains. Oh also I am taking a stool softener and milk of magnesia to make me go with strain also I did start my cycle the day of my procedure yea that sucked but it was not heavy and no bad clots, my cycle ended today which normally last 7-10 days. I do not regret having the procedure especially what we go through dealing with fibroids but I wish what was diffent and I will suggest to my doctor to better prepare us for pain mgmt possible a two-day hospital stay, in which the 2nd day we are taking the meds we go home with so they can monitor that process.

    I will keep you guys posted as the days go along. Wish me luck and the same back to you all.

    • LaToya_B
      LaToya_B Dede54133

      Posted

      I had this procedure on 11/15/17 and I am in total agreement with you.  I had a one night hospital stay but it should have been 2 days.  My pain meds did little, especially that first night at home!  Oh it was horrible.  I've never had a child but I imagine the pain has to be close to this.  Through my research, it appears the pain management aspect still needs improvement.

      I went back to work on day 5.  I was a little woozy but I made it.  Had intermittent pain but I used a heating pad and that made things better.  On day 10, the pain was gone completely but then came flu-like symptoms.  I had body aches, fever, congestion, sneezing, fatigue, etc.  That lasted up until a few days ago.

      I feel great now.  I can even see my myomectomy scar now, which was covered by my belly prior to the procedure.  My pants are way more comfy now too.

      I wish you the best of luck and would advise the use of a heating pad.

    • Dede54133
      Dede54133 LaToya_B

      Posted

      Hello LaToya B,

      I just started using a heating pad about 2 days ago and it doea provide a great comfort to my tummy and my back. With work my doctor put me out for two weeks and how things are going I may need it. I'm not sleeping well due to the pain wakes me so im not getting continuous reat or im up and down to the bathroom. I hope as with you on day 10 I'm pain FREE.

      Best wishes

  • kay72143
    kay72143 nora71815

    Posted

    I had my procedure on November 10th 2017. I will make my experience points short because a lot of them are similar so I don't want to sound repetitive. I had 3 fibroids. One was the size of "a babys head" (doctors words) I cannot remember the measurements. The other 2 were half that size. 

    I was having severe problems. Bleeding for two weeks, difficulty with urination and bowel movements, lots of pain and stomach size made me look 5-6 months pregnant. 

    The procedure was a breeze. Cramps started kicking in at the last 20 minutes of the procedure. They escalated from there. I was never so happy as when they finally got my morphine pump hooked up. They were also administering 2400 mg of ibuprofen a day and max dose of tylenol as well. I stayed overnight. I was warned about the pain but was surprised at how bad it was.

    I was able to get off the pump in the morning and was home resting by early afternoon. The pain was bad for about 2 days. For the next 14 days I experienced fantastic days. Like nothing ever happened. Those were the most difficult to behave with activity. I did experience night sweats and flu like symptoms. 

    I started bleeding three days after the procedure and that has been on and off ever since. It is not very much. WAY less than any period I have had in the past 3 years. Some days I have no bleeding or discharge what so ever and other days it's like a light period. I am not sure if that is typical or not. I have my follow up next week so I can ask all of my questions. 

    The abdominal pain is almost non existent. I just started noticing that I am getting up once or twice to go to the bathroom instead of 3 or 4. Bowel movements have returned to normal as well. Not sure if my tummy has shrunk or not, but that entire area just feels so much better than it did.

    I guess, at this point, one month later, my only concern is the regular bleeding and or light colored discharge. 

    I am happy this option was available to me. My original OBGYN played around so long with my condition that by the time I got a second opinion, a c-section hysterectomy was the only other choice. 

    I am so happy I found this discussion. I hope everyone is doing great. Have a very merry xmas and happy new year if I don't hear from anyone. 

    • Destin1
      Destin1 kay72143

      Posted

      First off I'm glad you had this procedure and feeling better. I had mines February of this year and still feeling better. My periods only last 2 days and they are very light. My stomach has went down since my uterus was about the size of a 20 weeks pregnancy smh. It has went down to half of that and my Obgyn thinks that's has far down it will go. Good luck.

  • sarah45493
    sarah45493 nora71815

    Posted

    Hi all. I have read all the comments on this procedure which I am due to have in 3 weeks and I am at the point of cancelling it. I'm having it for a condition called adenomyosis ( probably spelt wrong ). I have a 2 day stay in hospital afterwards but did not realise the level of pain that will follow the procedure and recovery time. I certainly do not want labour pains again. Didn't cope with them during childbirth and ended up having a epidural. Don't like the sound of all this whatsoever. Tried everything meds / Mirena etc and have been offered this procedure. Is there light at the end of the tunnel and is it worth it ? 

    • Destin1
      Destin1 sarah45493

      Posted

      Hi Sarah,

      I know the discussions on hete can be scary but everyone's experience is different. I'm glad I had the procedure and don't wish that type of pain on my worst enemy. With that said I should have made sure my pain meds was gonna be administered right after my procedure. My Dr was not available so they had to call the Dr on call and she was in surgery. I had my procedure in February and my stomach has went down and pain from my fibroids has went away. So I'm thankful for that but probably wouldn't do It again because I'm 50 and hopefully menopause will kick in. So I think if you are in a lot of pain now there is light at the end of the tunnel. Well It was for me. Good Luck!😀

    • vivienne34555
      vivienne34555 sarah45493

      Posted

      Hi Sarah

      Why are you thinking of cancelling it? surely if something that will help improve your symptoms and health why cancel it. If you have tried everything and they haven't worked then why not try embolisation. Nothing comes without pain and remember everybody is different.  You have had children, the pain is not that bad and you get medication to help you.  

    • sarah45493
      sarah45493 Destin1

      Posted

      Thank you.  I was contemplating living with the adenomyosis until menopause - I am 43.  I spoke to the sister in charge who was very good and has assured me pain meds will be administered during or after the surgery.  She was very re-assuring and has made arrangements for the 2 day stay.  Had stumbled onto this thread and was having a major wobble!  
    • sarah45493
      sarah45493 vivienne34555

      Posted

      Thank you.  I was contemplating living with the adenomyosis until menopause - I am 43.  I spoke to the sister in charge who was very good and has assured me pain meds will be administered during or after the surgery.  She was very re-assuring and has made arrangements for the 2 day stay.  Had stumbled onto this thread and was having a major wobble!  
    • Destin1
      Destin1 sarah45493

      Posted

      Well I'm glad you made the right decision for you. I hope you feel better .

  • chris50782
    chris50782 nora71815

    Posted

    Hi glad I found this discussion . I'm 14 days pre op. I never expected the procedure to be so painful after . I never felt anything for about half hour then I experienced severe cramping which didn't go away despite having a morphine drip I ate some food in the evening and it came back up that was the last thing I ate for 6 days the 6 days were spent in bed in pain sleeping sweating and taking codeine

  • sarah45493
    sarah45493 nora71815

    Posted

    I am so worried. Did the morphine not help at all ? And did the pain come and go or constant for 6 days pls ? How are you feeling now.  
    • vivienne34555
      vivienne34555 sarah45493

      Posted

      Your body, location of fibroids is different so never compare yourself to another woman and how they reacted to the procedure.
  • alexhinkle
    alexhinkle nora71815

    Posted

    I feel bad posting this but I feel like I must because after reading this I almost cancelled my procedure. There was pain the first night that was 100# manable by pain meds and the pump. The second day was fine with tge take home meds. I'm going to post my my protocol. Maybe these doctors weren't giving the right level of meds. I was so scared and admittedly milked it for two weeks. After the first day, The pain was no worst than mild cramps and lasted a couple of days. 

    • kristen17087
      kristen17087 alexhinkle

      Posted

      Hi as I read the stories I am terrified.  I am looking into this procedure because I was only given the choice of abdominal hysterectomy because I have one large fibroid and a bunch of smaller ones.  I am glad to hear the real stories of women actually experiencing this.  It seems with anything there are always tough recoveries.  I wish you the best in recovery It gives me hope to not have the surgery and try this alternative. 
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