Hysterectomy or Uterine artery embolisation?

[hulabalooo]

I have a 9cm fibroid and have seen gynachologist who has told me my options are either a hysterectomy or embolisation. I am 44 and worrying myself silly - and I mean worried! I'm not sure what to do. I have been told that if I go for the hysterectomy option I can take Esmya for up to 3 months to help shrink the fibroid. If I do have a hysterectomy it would be an incision. Would love to hear views on hysterectomy/embolisation and also Esmya (as I understand this is relatively new drug). Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a TAH and BSO in November, for extensive Endo and growing ovarian cysts.

I was terrified too and almost cancelled, I cancelled the first offer of a bed in October and nearly did the second time but pulled myself together and stopped thinking the worst!

I was in for three days and in all honesty it wasn't nearly half as bad as I thought it would be although the hospital food was rank.

It wasn't easy at home to start with but my ds's are teenagers and dh was a fantastic support, a week later I was on my feet and pottering around the house and by Christmas I was back to normal albeit with no lifting or housework.

It was the best thing I've done with regard to my health but I didn't realise it until after the surgery.

Thanks Sugarice that is reassuring. I have a brilliant dh and ds and know they will do all they can whatever I choose.

It's being in pain and not being able to do things which I find scary - how unbearable is the pain? How long do I need painkillers? Does it make DTD different
I have read recovery is around 8 weeks? I work as a secretary in a high school - am guessing I could be back at work soon after 6/8 wks or am I being optimistic?

Take the Esmya. Seriously. I started taking it a month ago, I was a little short tempered for a couple of days and wake up at 6 am because I'm warm but that's it. The fibroids have gone down a great deal so it's worth it. They all suggest a hysterectomy at first, it's crazy. You should only do this if it's the right thing for you and your family. I was thinking about having them embolised but I'm not going to bother now as they seem a lot smaller. I have three which were 8,7 and 6 cm. I can tell that they are a lot smaller than this now but I don't know how small without a scan. My stomach looked as though I was 5 months pregnant but it's almost flat now.

I don't know too much about Esmya. Do periods stop whilst on the medication? I am going on holiday when my period is due which could be an absolute nightmare.
Will the fibroids grown back when you stop taking the medication? I was under the impression I could only take esmya if I opted for a hysterectomy, not embolisation?

It does something to your hormones. It does stop periods (yay!), mine are like niagra and last for weeks but I haven't had one this month. They are still conducting research but the Gynae did say that there's no evidence of them regrowing after 6 months (was a 6 month trial I think so they don't know yet). Patients can take Esmya for either procedure as it reduces the risk of bleeding. I can give you the details of my consultant if you want to see him. He's ace!

Side effects can be different for each patient though, but generally are supposed to cause menopausal type symptoms (hot flushes, mood swings). I didn't get the mood swings.

Hi hulabaloo

The pain was controlled by one of those probes that sat on my finger and I pressed a button for a shot of morphine, I had this for 24 hours but it made me very sick so had anti sickness injections too.

I was up on my feet on day2 and walking to the loo ,I just took paracetamol as I was worried about anything else making me sick again.

I wouldn't describe the pain as unbearable at any point but I do have a high pain threshold anyway, the worst pain I had during my stay was when they pulled my drain out, that did hurt for about 10 seconds but ouch!

I took painkillers for a headache which I couldn't shift for about 4 days then it suddenly cleared. No pain after that, just the odd pulling sensation when I emptied my bladder.

Sex was back by 6 weeks ,I had my cervix out too so the stories about less than satisfactory sex after that were rubbish! .

I'd aim for 3 months off to fully recover and go back to work after that.

I'm not on HRT but take a really good supplement, I do get hot flushes and an occasional night sweat but nothing that isn't manageable.