Scared ! Fibroids or cancer?
Posted , 6 users are following.
just needing to vent as i'm so scared heres my story, if it sounds familiar please feel free to pipe up and share your experiences. I'm a 37 year old female 3 children the youngest is 9 . i have suffered with constipation on and off for years and have had many children in my class ask if i'm pregnant (cheeky) i get bloated often it comes and goes , this past July i lay on my stomach and could feel a lump ,its to the right of my abdomen i just brushed it off then as i was very constipated. While on holiday when stood by the edge of the pool with my stomach against the side i felt it again, as soon as i got home i booked an appointment with doctors, i had my smear test with the nurse who struggled to get into my cervix and commented on alot of discharge present? Results from smear and swabs came back clear! was told by doctor to take senna for 2 weeks and to come back if things don't improve...they didn't! Away went back to doctors they felt the lump/mass and have referred me for an urgent scan! They did not even say what it could be and im so very very scared ! my periods can be irregular but are not heavy, they have become more clotty recently? no abnormal bleeding between periods but i do suffer with heavy feeling in uterus by the end of the day and a sharp pain off and on on the opposite side by left ovary? I suppose i'm scared because of the obvious lump but also the urgent referral and the doctor not saying what it was ! apologies for long post just looking for some suggestions and experiences, many thanks!
0 likes, 8 replies
Libra787 jenbob1234
Posted
My first fibroid (pre-diagnosis) was referred to as an 'abdominal mass' and I also had an urgent referral for a scan. Pretty terrifying at the time.
I didn't have any symptoms like heavy bleeding (that fun came with later fibroids) - just the lump in my lower abdomen (mostly noticeable when I lay on my back) - which I ignored for months. Then on holiday, getting a massage and the masseuse urged me to get it checked out.
Try not to worry. The terminology seems scary but if your smear and swabs are clear - hold on to that positive.
Wish you all the best xx
jenbob1234 Libra787
Posted
thank you for replying! I am terrified and me googling doesn't help . Its funny that you find these things when relaxing, i suppose our busy lives help us take our mind off our niggles !? Im hoping to find out more this week with blood test results due tomorrow.
thank you for your positivity x
SingingSoxFan jenbob1234
Posted
My fibroid was discovered during a routine pelvic exam. The NP was feeling around and exclaimed "wow! your uterus is huge!! Are you sure you aren't pregnant?" I was on the pill at the time and said I was pretty sure i wasn't, so she said "well, you have a mass in your uterus." She did and said nothing to calm me down. she only made a referral for an ultrasound. I was terrified. The whole thing was handled so poorly. I'm sure in her mind it was no big deal, but she seemed to forget I was a human being with no medical background.
The ultrasound confirmed the fibroid a few days later. That was about 6 years ago. It was 6cm when it was discovered and over the years, it has grown to about 7.5cm. Though Idid not symptoms at the time of my diagnosis, my periods have become very heavy in the last few years. I'm scheduled for UFE this coming Wednesday. I'm nervous, but excited to finally be doing something about it.
jenbob1234 SingingSoxFan
Posted
Thank you for sharing your experience, honestly with the doctor not saying much really has freaked me out more and i didn't find her reassuring at all ! wishing you lots of luck and a speedy recovery wednesday xxx
sarah81110 jenbob1234
Posted
,Try not to worry, have they spoken to you about referring to see a gynaecologist , who are better at dealing with such things. To be honest, I have not experienced what you have gone through, but you have every right to ask see a gynaecologist and explain plainly what is going on.
Your cervical smear and swabs are fine - so please hold on to your positive thoughts on this!!
The very best of luck , keep sharing!!
jenbob1234 sarah81110
Posted
thank you ! ive been referred to a specialist? thats all i know, i've booked back in to see her as after a day on my feet i feel like i'm about to give birth and do not know if i can wait 3 weeks for scan so thinking of going private, just got to cross my legs and see !! thank you for replying xx
laura08802 jenbob1234
Posted
i was fairly symptom free and had an "abdominal mass" found during a routine pelvic exam and they also struggled with the smear test. id had constipation on and off i thought was down to diet, plus clotty periods that had gradually worsen over many years so had become normal to me. id also had a comment during a massage in thailand about if i was sure i wasnt pregnant, that id brushed off as her being rude about my plump belly!
The doctor who found the fibroids freaked me out a bit because he seemed quite shaken when he found it, he could do with practicing his bedside manner.
I was referred quickly to a gynocologist who was much better and more reassuring and an MRI confirmed it was a couple of large fibroids (19 & 11cm). I had my myomectomy a couple of years ago and then realised how many aches and pains i'd been tolerating that were down to the fibroids.
I hope that you quickly get to the right specialist who can clarify and reassure you. It's good that they are taking it seriously, so try not to worry unduly. And remember google is not your friend with these situations, however i found this forum invaluable throughout my fibroid journey and recommend it to friends going through similar. good luck & keep us posted!
Trulychosen1 jenbob1234
Posted
I have been diagnosed with a large fibroid 11cm. I have experienced back pains until i am unable to walk straight at times. I am also losing plenty weight/mass. I am also hypertensive and pre menopausal. Has anyone loss weight going through menopause? I am sweating most of the times even in air condition.
I am advised by the doctors to have a hysterectomy because i am 51 years old. I would like to know if any had that procedure and how are you recuperating or is there still any pain.