UFE experience with larger fibroids

Hi Jess,

First off, best of luck with the procedure!

I had the UFE procedure done many years after having my kids. I had similar pain or discomfort like you plus heavy bleeding during my periods and anemic because of it. The reason I chose this procedure was the non invasive side of it and that I was over 50.I exercise daily and my largest fibroid of 13 cm was causing pain in my stomach. It looked like a gremlin was about to make its way out every time I did a sit-up. Due to my Mom having had fibroids even after menopause, I decided to do something about mine prior to menopause even though I've read fibroids decrease in size after menopause. I was miserable and could not wait any longer.

I will say that the procedure did what I had hoped for...shrunk my fibroids, lessened the bleeding, made the anemia go away, and helped me to lead a better life. The pain, once home, for me was bearable with only the help of Ibuprofen for 5 days and then down to an occasional Ibuprofen for a week. I went for a 10 minute walk the following day and then as the week progressed managed to walk for longer periods of time. It helped with the cramping and my mindset. I will state one other thing that helped me aside from the support of family and friends, a guided meditation CD (or app) two weeks prior to the procedure every day. I realize that not everyone can get into meditation so easily, but truly helped to relax me and get me through each day. My only difficulty was that I was vomiting in the hospital after the procedure because (A) nurses did not tell me that I needed to eat food with the dose of anti nausea pill; and (B) the meds they used for the procedure nauseated me and a nurse pushed the pain button for me because apparently my heart beat was going higher.

I had a friend who had the UFE done as well, and hers was successful in shrinking her fibroids. She did attempt a myomectomy first and believe that more fibroids grew over x amount of years, so did the UFE procedure. No kids naturally for her (she wanted one).

I hope this helps somewhat.

Hi Jess, I had mine about 3 months ago this Saturday. I'll be going for my 1st MRI since the procedure. I have shared my experience in this forum. I must say the process of fibroids shrinking ie days and weeks after the procedure seems different for everyone sister. I feel so much better after several dramatic episodes of shrinking fibroids. But I have gathered the info below from reading people's experiences and maybe others can add to this observations :

1. It seems to depend on where in the uterus the fibroids are located. This seems to determine if you will expel it or it will dissolve through the body own mechanism
2. For most ladies there's a discharge and could become smelly seems to start happening at around week 4 going forward
3. It appears if a fibroid is about to be expelled, one experiences intense abdominal pain that could last up to days, if a dead fibroid is expelled, the smell stops too.
4. It is said women who have had vaginal deliveries expel the fibroids easiest if the fibroids are being expelled.
5. Some ladies have experienced heavy bleeding others have had lighter periods soon after the procedure.
6. The discharge seems to continue forever for some ladies. The discharge is usually brownish very watery.
7. I also read that its possible for fibroids to grow again after a few years after the procedure, I was so surprised by this.

Wishing you all the best Jess.

Hi Jess

Just wanted to add my input. I am now approaching 50. I had 3 very large fibroids and was told the procedure might not work for me as they were so large. I had heavy bleeding as well. I was keen to try out the UFE as although I have children I really did not to have a hysterectomy. Anyway had it done 2 years ago at St Marys in Paddington. For me the pain afterwards was really bad (and I have a high threshold for pain) for about 2 weeks and then it eased off. The heavy bleeding stopped immediately (although you do get light bleeding after the procedure). I am also suffering less headaches and urinary infections - which were constant before as the fibroids were pressing on my bladder. I would highly recommend the surgery. It took 2 years for me to lose the 6 month pregnant look. I now look approx 4 months pregnant which I can deal with. I might go down the hysterectomy route later if I have to, but I am so glad that I had the UFE done as it solved all the other issues. All I am left with now is some bulk, which although from a vanity point of view is not great when you do work out and still look 'fat', but I feel lighter, less moody, have very light periods so have more energy. Good luck with your operation. In my opinion you have nothing to lose.

Fudgecookie

Jess

I had the 6 month pregnant look because of the fibroids which I have had for many years. I was told to go by the 'watchful waiting' approach and as I wasnt complaining that much, they just grew bigger and bigger until I got to a point where I couldnt go via the keyhole surgery route. I was secretly hoping to have a flatish stomach about 6 months after the procedure but that was unrealistic. So they have shrunk considerably because of the UFE treatment considering the size and I am hoping when I hit menopause I will get a little more shrinkage. Like I said all the other symptoms that I had have disappeared so for that I (and my poor husband) are thankful!!

yeah same for me too i was avoid the mymectomy route so going for the UFE simply because it is less invasive as well. i think everyone body is different and may react differently but i am hoping this will be the end of mine too cos i have 4 and they are all intramural. lets brace ourselves at least it will be better than to live with this useless things that drains energy and feeds form the blood.

Dear Jess and Jay, wish you all the best in your procedure. Remember that the position of the fibroids may largely determine your experience after UFE,

We'll be here to walk the journey with you both.

🌸

hi Jess

you can read about my UFE below on a thread called " UFE (fibroid embolisation) in 4 days".

I am 4 and a half weeks postop. MRI shows the fibroids are dead. I had the lightest of periods! I am starting to have the foul smell some women mention here and I have expelled a tiny fragment of a broken fibroid. Apart from that all is well. I just have to be patient about shrinkage. Best of luck.