Please talk to me about fibroids - night waking/pains

[pastaofplenty]

Three months ago I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids - two either side (about 5cm) inside the womb.
I went to the doctors after pain and menstrual like cramps mid-cycle and a history of heavy bleeding (anemia too).
The scan revealed the fibroids and as yet I have not started any treatment.
I have had blood tests to check hormone levels to see if I am close enough to menopause to "wait and see" if they shrink (I am 46) - results are due for this next week.
However, the fibroids are increasingly starting to affect my life. I now wake in the night (ususally mid-cycle) with period-like pain and a real pressure on my bowel - slightly relieved if I go for a poo (sorry TMI!) I take ibruprofen to relieve the pain but I am shattered as I am awake for two/three hours in the night.
I also have what I can only describe as pins and needles or pressure on the nerve in my right leg - feels very odd and comes at the same time as the other pain. It is not a pain more a sensation of weakness/shuddering in my leg.
I'll make a doctor's appointment tomorrow to discuss and find out the hormone blood results but I feel like a hysterectomy may be my best option if I am not perimenopausal.
Has anyone experienced similar symptoms with fibroids?
If a hysterectomy is seen as the best course of action I won't be able to have one until October at the earliest (DH is working away) so I won't be able to have post-operative support etc.. I am happy to wait but wonder if there is anything that can relieve the symptons in the meantime.
I am not worried about the heavy bleeding and am already on iron supplements and pain relief but are there any other remedies that would stop this night pain?
Thanks

I have 2 and I'm having a myomectomy, booked in for August (ds has his GCSE's). I take cerazette which has reduced the bleeding by 95% (they also seem to have shrunk the fibroids a little too as I can now sleep through the night without needing the loo). You could do with finding out where they are as there's different things they can do. You don't need to have a hysterectomy, that should always be the last resort. I'd ask them to refer you to a neurologist about the loss of sensation in your leg though, just incase it's not connected with the fibroids.

Thanks LadySybil - I'll do that. Did you wake at night because of the pain or because you needed the loo - or both?

Just to go to the loo. I have 2 side by side (7cms each), both like mushrooms, one inside the wall of the uterus and a few tiny ones. The larger ones do sting and will hurt if I sleep in a certain way. I tend to sleep on my left as the one there doesn't stick out as much. Pop to your GP and ask them to stick you on the mini pill. It will help with the bleeding so it will sort the anaemia out. You'll feel a thousand times better

You can ask the gynae about embolising them. This is where they do a procedure to cut off their blood supply, making them shrink. You really don't need a hysterectomy unless this is right for you. Some women feel wonderful after, some have prolapses, depression, mood swings etc so it's really not the easy way to get rid of them. The gynaes do suggest this first and say it's the best option though so you do have to ask about the alternatives. There's medication which can sometimes shrink them now too so a hysterectomy is drastic given all of the alternatives. If that's what's right for you though, then that's what's important There isn't a quick way to get rid of them, but there's options.