Anyone with fibroid experiences?

[pumpastrotter]

Posted in health but no replies - so here we are.

The past couple of months I have been bleeding almost none stop, both heavily enough to bleed through a tampon and towel in the space of 2 hours, and light enough to just wear liners, and quite a bit of clotting. This has come from nowhere, before this my periods were very average and punctual. I'm also suffering from terrible cramping and back pain up to my shoulders. I am also feeling very 'heavy' around my belly, I haven't been peeing more than usual but it's much more uncomfortable when I'm full. Definitely not pregnant, and have been pregnant 3 times previously.

I finally had a doctors appointment last week and they gave me some tablets to stop the bleeding and I'm booked for further blood tests and a scan. The bleeding stopped for a day but I have been spotting over the weekend and since yesterday have had the awful cramping again with some heavier loss. The doctor mentioned fibroids when he was looking to book my scan, which do fit my symptoms to some degree. I was wondering whether anyone who has had them before can share their experiences with me? I'm aware there are plenty of other causes, but right now this or a hormone imbalance seem to be the most obvious answer.

I had suffered for years with horrific periods and eventually got sorted when I became severely anaemic.

I was diagnosed with a fibroid and had a resection, which got rid of the fibroid, but unfortunately didn't stop the bleeding issues, so I ended up having a hysterectomy.

There are several things to try before that stage though, such as mefenamic or tranexamic acid, mirena coil and progesterone tablets I think.

To be honest the hysterectomy was the best thing I've done, I love being free from monthly (or constant!) periods and the hormonal surges. I hope you get sorted soon, it can be miserable having awful periods.

I had very similar symptoms to yours, OP, from mid-2016 to mid-2017. I finally went to my GP after I had a 35-day extremely heavy period, and she referred me straight to the fast-track women's health clinic at our local hospital.

Having read all kinds of Mirena horror stories on Mumsnet over the years, I was extremely relieved I couldn't actually have a Mirena fitted because of the position of one of the fibroids, and because a previous TIA put me into the high-risk category.

Like fenneltea, I had a resection/endometrial ablation. I had one more truly awful elongated period about six weeks after the op, then nothing further - I think in my case, given I was already nearly 55, it sent the menopause into top gear. I've been trouble-free (and period-free!) for best part of 12 months now. It was certainly the right treatment for me.

@pumpastrotter sorry I didn't spot your thread in health otherwise I would have been on it faster than a ferret, going through similar so your ears tend to prick up a little bit when you see someone else in that situation!

I had quite a lot of fibroids without being the slightest bit aware they were there (twilight zone moment...body suddenly decided to do a spring clean so about 20 of them shot out in fast succession and I thought I was dying and thought 'where the fuck did you come from?') and have gone anaemic like fenneltea did.

Are you on norethisterone? I'm still at an early stage of diagnosis/treatment so don't know too much about it yet.

You're not alone though

Thank you for the support, ladies.

I had the mirena a couple of years ago and it was the worst thing I've ever put in my body - and that is saying a lot! I had all the bad side effects listed and more. I've been off hormonal contraception for just over a year and it seemed to be doing me the world of good until recently. I'm only 29 so a hysterectomy would be last resort. I was considering the copper coil for contraceptive purposes but that's now on hold, and the flooding I've experienced the past weeks has put me off.

I was given utovlan, the bleeding seems to have stopped again as of last night, but I still have the 'heaviness' and added tit-ache.

I had fibroids. Found them when my copper coil hung off one!!! Boak.

Left mine where they were. Had to have a couple of extra scans when I was pregnant to check they didnMt grow too much or get in the way. Second pregnancy they had gone!

I’ve since had an ablation but at 29 that might not be a plan for you.

Kxx

That's rough, @KatyN! My aunt had an ablation in her 30s, I remember wanting one when my teen periods were awful.

It's not definitely fibroids in all fairness, I'm leaning/hoping more towards an imbalance. Will hopefully have some answers soon