Been diagnosed with fibroids

[magichamster]

That's it really. Referred for a scan after going to a GP with heavy periods, which confirmed the fibroids. The GP then refered me on to the consultant who I saw last week. He gave me loads of options for treatment, and I forgot to ask the obvious question of what would you suggest.

He offered me everything from tablets to control the bleeding to a full hysterectomy. I'm 39 and although I probably won't have any more children, I'm not sure I want to put a definite end to that.

I've got another appointment in Feb.

I wondered if anyone else who had been diagnosed with fibroids would like to share their experiences with me! Thanks!

Anyone...?

My sister had one at 55 and was still on the pill. She had it operated on and stopped the pill, and had none since., 10 years on.

If you have several, perhaps that's the reason they suggested a Hysterectomy.

no, not several, just one huge one apparently

Were you offered uterine embolization as an option? Far less invasive as a procedure and quite effective. Not suitable for everyone though - I think it depends on the exact position of your fibroid.

I've had embolisation and a hysterectomy. If I can help at all then feel free to pm me.

i got diagnosed in May with fibroids, one mega one of 32cm! I have been treated since July, when I saw the consultant, I have had prostap injections monthly to shrink it, I've been monitored over the months and its gone down to about 14cm now, which in terms of pregnancy is about 16 weeks size. I am having a hysterectomy on 17th December. I cant wait.

to be fair to consultant I went in ready to fight for hysterectomy but didn't have to. I was having constant heavy periods and size of the fibroid was causing so much pain, and he just agreed, but made me wait so that its small enough to get out through a bikini incision.

what was decided when you saw dr?, are you taking any medication or are you just waiting till you see him again and taking time to make your decisions.

if you have any questions I can answer I will if I can.

Thank you for your responses. I feel a bit of a fraud now! Mine measured 8cm at the scan in October and the gp couldn't feel anything in my tummy. The consultant could though and let me feel it too, so I think it has grown.

The consultant offered loads of different options. What's the embolism like? Does it hurt? Is it a GA? Is it just a day procedure?

Thanks again

www.drpaulcrowe.com/pages/default.aspx

Have a look at this website - it really does explain it well.

No GA - but you are sedated (and not remotely aware of what is happening!). It is quite painful afterwards but you are given your own morphine pump to control and this really does help. Normally you stay in overnight.

Within a couple of days you are feeling pretty much ok! I had a couple of weeks off work but it varies.

I'm suffering from fibroids and am having a hysteroscopy and ablation on FRIDAY!!!! Really hope it will stop the horribly heavy periods etc. Will report back when I'm home.
I'm having the op under GA and as a day case. I've been told to expect to feel 'uncomfortable'

i had a hysteroscopy 3 years ago it worked for the periods for 2 years but had no impact on the fibroid which just kept growing. you will feel very uncomfortable and bloated for a good few weeks.windeeze are your friend to ease the gas that they pump into you. good luck for Friday.

I'd a hysterectomy for "too many and too deep" fibroids a few years ago, worst part was being an invalid for months, unable to drive for 6 weeks etc. Friend had similar op this year, although she was offered lots of alter-natives she took consultant's advice, now wonders why she went through so much when un-necessary. Good luck.

I'm 48 yrs and have two fibroids (both the size of a tangerine apparently!) Suffered hideously heavy bleeding and pain which caused endless problems. It was so severe that I was out of action for over two weeks every month.

I was offered a Mirena coil to control it but after discussing the options with my gyn/ob (and mainly because of position of fibroids) we've plumped for a very low dose pill to control it (the pill also controls very bad migraines so double benefit) and although it's not ideal taking hormones at my age (I'm overweight too); I feel absolutely brilliant on it and it has transformed my life.

Going for regular scans to keep situation under review though.

Good luck today Doglover!!

Hope you find the right solution for you Magichamster

Thank you so much for your help! Doglover - I hope all went well. When I saw the Dr he went though all the different options - pill, coil, ablation, embolization, hysterectomy and a few others I can't remember the name of. I'm thinking along the lines of the embolisation at the moment, so I'm going to do my research and go back with a bit more info in feb.

I was diagnosed with fibroids in early 2010 after going to my doctor about my increasingly heavy and long periods. I was referred to a consultant who diagnosed two fibroids, one the size of an orange and one the size of a grapefruit. I was eventually put on the waiting list to have a myomectomy, where only the fibroids are removed, and the uterus is left intact and fully functioning. While I was on the waiting list for the operation the bleeding got worse and worse to the extent that I was bleeding constantly from one period to the next. I was put on steroids and progesterone to try to control the bleeding, but nothing worked and I eventually became so severely anaemic that I had to have a blood transfusion. It was a huge relief when the date for my operation came round in December 2010. The surgeons had planned to do keyhole surgery to remove the fibroids, but when they did the hysteroscopy (where they put a camera into the womb via the cervix) at the beginning of the surgery they saw that my uterus was full of blood, so decided to open me up instead of doing keyhole surgery. They did this by making an incision in my bikini line, just like they do for a caesarean section. The surgery was a success, and when my periods returned afterwards they were light and only 4 days long - such a huge relief!! I'd happily recommend a myomectomy to anyone with fibroids. Good luck!