Fibroid and Cyst - feeing anxious

[troubleatmill2011]

I was diagnosed with an 8cm fibroid and 4cm Ovarian cyst last Friday by Ultrasound. Was told by consultant radiologist that not sinister and referred me back to my GP. Just been to GP and he was pretty clueless to be honest, I've come away feeling very anxious and upset. He was like oooo that's big you'll need to see a Gynae. Is that standard practise? What will happen at my Gynae appointment? Anyone have experience of what happens at the first appointment following a diagnosis? The GP said also looks benign and not sinister so why am I panicking and getting upset I'm feeling very uncertain and the GP has not helped by making me feel it's a massive deal.

It's unlikely that anything major will happen if you see a gynae.
They may have a feel (internal) to check the positioning of the fibroid and ask if it gives you any trouble, if it's pressing anywhere, or if it makes your periods heavy. Cysts are usually left alone if they are under 5cm and yours is.

Fibroids can be removed but the only people I've known who have had this done have had massive ones- like oranges or bigger.

Depends why you went to the GP in the first place- are these causing you problems?

Yes heavier and more painful periods. Although this month I came on late so guessing irregular coming under that list of symptoms now. I do get some feeling of heaviness which id always put down to being overweight but seems this is a fibroid / cyst symptom!

Bump anyone else going through similar?

I doubt the cyst is causing that feeling. Mine was that size (just under 4cm) and I didn't know I had one. a fibroid of 2 inches across ought not to make you feel heavy.

My fibroid gIves me awful symptoms, including nausea, bladder discomfort, constipation, anaemia, pelvic pain and heavy flooding periods as well as that heavy dragging sensation as well as feeling generally ill. I've also had lots of vaginal symptoms.
I dont think mine is particularly large as it is being resected, but it is positioned awkwardly, which means my body goes into shock when I have a period as it is trying g to get rid of it.
My gynae tests have included ultrasound, pelvic exam, endometrialbiospy, hysteroscopy, and mri.
My options for treatment were a hysterectomy or resection, because of old scar tissue and adhesions they want to avoid hysterectomy of possible.
There are other treatments such as the mirena and the gynae will be able to decide the right treatment with you. You will get sorted, try not too worry!

Hello, I have a similar sized fibroid and agree that the best course of action is to ask for a referral to a gynaecologist. There are lots of different options for treatment including medication, Mirena coil, ablation or hysterectomy and you need to see a specialist who can look at your individual case and advise on which may or may not be appropriate. It will also depend on your age and whether you are planning on having more children.

Please ask for the referral to a gynae - the first appointment will just be a discussion and it's best to get the ball rolling as soon as possible.

Thanks Luna, I have an appointment a week on Tuesday with a Gynae. Feel anxious about but know I need to face it head on. Just don't want an operation unnecessarily I guess. But like you said there are other options.

What treatment options you get depends where it is, whether you want (more) children and what trouble it is causing you.

I guess you read the NHS site and other stuff so you know all this?

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Fibroids/Pages/Treatment.aspx is a good place to start if you haven't researched this already.

8cm diameter is about the size of an orange.

Thanks Jupiter, i'm 42 and don't want any more children. But likewise would like to avoid surgery. I suffer with heavy, long periods and cramping so would rather manage these symptoms and avoid surgery. I just hope my gynae won't convince to have an op if I don't want one. As long as it's not detrimental to my health I want to tackle the symptoms. Size of an orange sounds big

UFE is a non-surgical option which might be applicable, depending on location

Yes I have been that mentioned, I'll keep that in mind for sure

The best way forward is to see a gynaecologist. They'll advise you.
If you end up being pointed down the UFE route, the procedure is done by a radiologist. So, it goes like this:-
Referral to Gynae
Ultrasound ordered (if not already done)
Referral to radiologist
Suitability for UFE established by questionnaire and consultation and further tests
Blood test to make sure can do MRI (kidney function related)
MRI
Appointment for UFE made
1-5 days in hospital, depending upon need for morphine
Rest for about a week - a fortnight
Hopefully, it works and you get a 50% reduction in the size of the fibroid.

However, the risks are:-

1. Early onset menopause
2. Infection leading to urgent hysterectomy
3. none of the first two, but the fibroids starts growing again fed by oestrogen.

I don't think there are any good answers to this. Whatever path you choose / is chosen for you, every option is a compromise.

Mine is the same size as yours. I've been sorely tempted to just leave it and do nothing, but it is pressing on things already and it will only keep growing, so I'm currently scheduled for UFE.

I was offered UFE too. My case is complicated though by the fact that my Mirena has been pushed out of place by the growing fibroid and in addition to the embolization, i'd need a hysteroscopy under general anaesthetic to remove it. So two procedures. My fibroid was diagnosed 3 years ago when it was half the size it is now, and I remember how dreadful the symptoms were at that point. So a 50% reduction which is achieved in 60% of cases doesn't really resolve the problems for me either.

So long story short, I'm booked for a hysterectomy. Not looking forward to the recovery from surgery either, but it's a final solution. No more periods EVER and no more smears!!

Hi All

I'm new on here. I don't normally write on sites but these forums helped me a lot when I was suffering and I'd like to share my experience.

I suffered for two years with heavy bleeding. For the first 6 to 8 months I noticed my periods getting heavier. I felt like my tummy was getting larger slightly but put that down to maybe me not getting enough exercise. I started aerobics but i could only last 10 mins as i felt so much pain in my body. It was when i went for a routine blood test that the GP told me my Hb was under 5, and she said i needed a blood transfusion. I'd obviously lost a lot of blood due to the heavy bleeding. Quite quickly I was diagnosed with a fibroid. I was referred to a gynacologist who performed an internal vaginal scan. At that point it measured around 4cm. But my symptoms were quite bad. My bleeding was so bad i couldn't leave the house.
She then advised Esmya tablets which I took for 3 months to shrink the fibroid. It puts you in a state of menopause. Those 3 months were the best, not having any bleeding.
After the 3 months the fibroid had only shrunk a little. She then said I could either have a myomectomy or just wait and see.
As i didn't want surgery, i said i will wait and see. My heavy bleeding returned and it got worse. I then went to a homeopathic and tried homeopathic tablets for 6 months. My bleeding just got worse. I now looked like i was 7 months pregnant. it was pressing on my bladder, my spine. I was so uncomfortable. I ended up in A&E twice to stop the bleeding. It was like being cut in half with a chainsaw. As i was on full dose of iron tablets as well for like the whole year i had really bad constipation aswell.
I put off going to the gynae as i didn't want surgery which i kept telling her as I'd already had 2 c-sections. My friend then mentioned UFE a non invasive treatment.
So I went back to the Gynae who did another vigilant scan and the fibroid had grown massively. She said i would need surgery. I then said, No. I want UFE, and this is the radiologist I want. She seemed surprised. She then referred me to that radiologist but at the same time, she said 'I may change my mind and come back to her as it doesn't always work'
I went to the radiologist. Felt comfortable in the consultation and the following week after having my MRI scan, I had the UFE.
The actual procedure was only 30 - 45 mins. I was sedated. Didn't feel a thing. He spoke to me throughout. It actually felt quite nice!
After the procedure I was on morphine and stayed the night. That night i had bad cramps and nausea. the following morning cramps had gone. I went home but the nausea lasted another 20 hrs but the anti sickness tablets helped. apart from bad constipation that was it. it did take a week for me to feel back to normal. my following period was very light. About 4 months later I started getting discharge and feeling feverish. That lasted 3 days then I expelled the fibroid! It was huge. It was quite satisfying!
9 months after I had another followup MRI scan and i have no fibroid. It has completely gone. My life has changed so much. My period are so light its unbelievable. My tummy has shrunk back to normal. I am so active now with no symptoms.

I was annoyed that my gynae had not recommended this procedure to me. I feel like i I've wasted a year of my life. I wish I had this done sooner.
I think the skill of the radiologist performing the UFE makes a difference aswell.

I hope my experience will help someone.

Faiza