I've been diagnosed with fibroids, anyone else dealing with them, got rid of them and want to chat?

[Owllady]

I had another thread on here 're my heavy periods (they have always been heavy)
But I'd been having mid cycle bleeding, dragging pain, a bit of a swelling on the one side, bloating, tiredness
First gp said stress but I had full bloods and smear, all fine
6 months later no change so I was sent for a us and transv scan and I have a fibroid
It explains alot tbh. So it's a bit of a relief! But I wondered if there other to chat to 're this?
Have you had treatment etc?
I have been on mefanamic acid and tranexmic (sp)acid and gp has suggested mirena coil
I see her next week, I don't know whether to push for an ablation?
I'm 38 and my older children are teens and my little one is almost double figures, so fertility isn't an issue

[Namechanger2015]

I had this, the coil was v v bad for me and I ended up bleeding so much I had to go to a and e.

I had an endometrial ablation in Jan 2014 and haven't looked back. Periods stopped completely for about 15 mons and then came back much lighter. I lost the anaemia and lethargy I had suffered with for years. If you are certain you won't be having any more children it's a great option.

The op took around 20 min and I was tired but not sore the next day. By day 2 I was back at work and feeling normal.

[LadySlytherin24]

I'm 24 and I have been told o have fibroids. I posted a post a couple of days ago but noone replied. I have another scan at the radiology department in 25 days and then I have another gyni appointment in 4 months regarding the results

[Hensintheskirting]

Probably not useful for you OP, but maybe for Lady, I had them (2, one big and one small) diagnosed in my 20s and they've both shrivelled right down after having children (DSs are 5 and 2). They give me no jip now. I know they might come back in the future but hopefully not!

[JustPretending]

Suspect this might be me. Missed a period, def not pregnant, got period, been bleeding for over 20 days now. Knackered & a little uncomfortable on one side. Bloods all fine - awaiting an ultrasound appointment. I'm hoping to have another DC so coil / ablation not a problem. So fed up of bleeding...

[MsKite]

I've got them and can feel my enlarged womb I kept thinking someone will ask me if I'm pregnant. I would love them to disappear. Twatting things

[rosepetaltea]

Ive taken the esmya tablets and they have reduced from 10 cm to 2 cm in 3 months

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Do you know what size the fibroid is, ablation is only suitable for very small fibroids of less than 4 cm. Would think twice before having a Mirena inserted as well, its not a treatment for fibroids.

I also think this type of problem is well beyond your GPs remit and you should be referred to a gynaecologist if that has not already happened.

www.britishfibroidtrust.org.uk/whatis.php is a good website and has lots of info on it. I would further educate yourself re the various procedures, after all knowledge is power.

[LadySlytherin24]

I'm under a good gyni consultant. But tbh I just want to be able to have sex with my husband again 😂

[mumof2kiddos]

i have/had one. It caused me immense trouble although sizewise it wasnt so big. I had a myomectomy to remove the fibroid but within 2 months same problem resurfaced and with another tv-us a 2nd small fibroid (3cm) has been detected. So I am having this removed as well (7th July). I shall wait and watch if the periods return back as normal, otherwise I shall think of an ablation or mirena.

[MsKite]

I'm lucky in that mine don't cause me any pain or heavy periods. It's purely for cosmetic reasons that I would like to get rid of them. Does anyone know if this is likely to be something that I'd be able to get sorted? Or is it only if I was having heavy periods that it's be taken seriously? (I know I'm lucky to not be having problems btw and much sympathy to those who're not so lucky )

[LadySlytherin24]

Mskite they will only remove if they cause you pain or heavy periods.

[Owllady]

Mskite, I wouldn't normally say this, but could you lie?
Attila, thank you for the link. I don't know what the size was, the lady who did my scan is sending it the measurements to my GP, she may send me to a gynae, I don't know yet :(
I've been having symptoms for years and its only because of the mid cycle bleed it was taken in any seriously. I was also put off by the intrusive test but can I just say to people, the vaginal scan was FINE it wasn't uncomfortable at all and considering how intimate it is, I felt it was done in a dignified manner, so to anyone else worrying, please don't.

Lady that sounds tough :(

[Owllady]

Sorry, that post is full of grammatical errors. My kindle hates me :)

[MsKite]

Owllady, the thought had crossed my mind

[MsKite]

Or maybe I could do a lot of abdominal exercise to pull my uterus in a bit?? Sorry to all those who suffer with fibroids, I'm so shallow

[fortifiedwithtea]

I had a mirena fitted 12+ years ago at gynae out patient apt. Didn't have a choice. I was told give mirena a go now or waiting list for hysterectomy. For me its been a complete success, never had a period or even any spotting since.

Only grim thing is I never been brave enough to have the coil replaced every 5 years, it hurt so such putting it in. Doctor has told me this is a really bad infection risk. I've been going along with the if it ain't broke don't fix it mentality. I'm now 50 and probably in the menopause.

[LadySlytherin24]

Anyone know if there is any link to infertility? Me and my husband had been trying for a few years and nothing. We have one healthy son

[Slingcrump]

I'm 52 yrs and peri-menopausal. I have two fibroids, each the size of a small satsuma (one of which is embedded in the uterus wall). Basically, suffered truly hideous periods, pain, flooding and bloating for years (Live in continental Europe where I am being treated.)

Like you, I was offered the Mirena coil, but owing to my wierd uterus (divided and hanging backwards) they couldn't fit it properly.

So I was offered a very low dose pill that transformed my life! Although possibly not ideal at my age (although ob/gyn said some benefits outweigh some of the risks).

Obviously, I have my bp tracked regularly and regular internal ultrasounds to measure the thickness of the uterine wall and the size of the fibroids.

After several years of being on the low dose pill, we are at the point now, where in 10 months or so, my ob/gyn (after examination) will ask me to come off the pill, have one last period and then I hope to be going in to the menopause and be free of bleeding forever more.

I've had mixed responses though about whether fibroids continue to cause problems after the menopause or not. My ob/gyn says that in general, except in a few patients, they tend to shrink and not cause problems. I've friends who've said differently though!

Hope you can find a soluton that works for you! Fibroids are hideous!

[goldwrapped]

Hi OP. Sorry to hear you've been having trouble.
I've always struggled with heavy periods. Mirena coil made me feel horrible and didn't stop the bleeding although it did slow it down a bit.
Had an ablation 3 years ago; again slowed things down but still flooding every month. Had a scan earlier this year which showed several fibroids-consultant said I have a '12 week uterus'!! Tried another ablation but no real improvement.
So I'm now booked in for a hysterectomy. I'm only 44 so it feels a bit weird, but the consultant said it was my only remaining option. He's going to leave my ovaries. He described my womb as an unnecessary part of me that had served it's purpose and would only continue to negatively impact on my life.
Due to the size of the fibroids he doesn't know if he will be able to remove them with keyhole surgery or through the abdomen. I'm just excited to stop this eternal bleeding and get on with my life!
I hope you find a solution too xxx

[Tiggeryoubastard]

Had mine removed and had endometrial ablation about 18 month ago. I read all the horror stories but couldn't pull out as my life was too badly affected by my periods. I'm so glad I didn't! Best thing I ever did! Having very slight periods now, at 50, after none for 8 months, they're persistent little buggers, but would recommend it to anyone. Wasn't too painful afterwards and back to normal (but better) within days. All the best, OP.

[ChocolateHelps]

I'm 43. Had a 45cm fibroid removed in January. I refused the coil. All I've ever heard was women being told "give it 6 months for the coil to settle down ". I went from 12 days bleeding with mud cycle bleed at 15 days and ridiculously hear and flooding etc to back to 3 day long periods! Op was under general so I knew nothing about it and rather enjoyed feeling very sleepy for the whole week after!!

[ChocolateHelps]

4cm!! Not 45cm OMG can you imagine!!

[LadySlytherin24]

In some very strange way ladies your lucky. Because I am only 24 they will only take the fibroid out or tabs. No ablation or removal. So I am hoping these work for me. I am glad I'm not the only one going through this :)

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

Hi - I had mine taken out almost 2.5 years ago - they had to as they were huge and I looked 3 months pregnant all the time and was so so uncomfortable

I had an open abdominal myomectomy - it was 8 weeks recovery though - for sure

I have normal (heavy) periods now - but I do NOT miss them - before I used to wake and literally the first thing I did was to feel that grapefruit lump in my tummy

10000% get referred to gynae and be patient as it took me a year to have the surgery X

And they don't always affect fertility - I had 2 kids - but they did cause problems in pregnancy

[amarmai]

Tendency is for gynos to recommend a hysterectomy. I refused and excluded all estrogen affecting items from my life, includes soy and waited for them to shrink . Which they gradually did.