Is this normal? Hard bit in abdomen and pain when pressed

[CheddarGorgeous]

I'm 48 and I know I have fibroids, just for background.

I have a very hard bit above my pubic bone, feels like an apple sitting in my insides. The right side hurts if I press on it.

Does everyone have this? Is it just a normal part of the body? Is it something to do with fibroids (which weren't big enough to worry the doctor two years ago when I had a scan)? Sorry for complete ignorance.

Otherwise I'm fit and healthy.

I dont have anything hard in that area, and nothing that hurts any more than being prodded anywhere else hurts, iyswim.
I'd see the GP if you can.

See the Gp. Shouldn’t be anything hard in that area and nothing should hurt when pushed.

It's so torturous seeing a GP these days and I don't want to waste their time.

I had the same symptoms before I went for my scan which showed fibroids but apart from treating my anaemia the GP didn't seem worried.

If you have fibroids how quickly do they grow and how often do you have to get them checked?

I have a fibroid I can feel, more like a stone from a mango than apple !

At certain times of the month I can feel it more although it never hurts.

I’ve not had it checked since I was last pregnant over 15 years ago - I didn’t think you needed to ?

I’m hoping as I approach the menopause it will shrink.

If you are worried don’t take some randomers advice off the Internet, go see your GP. I know it’s a pain at the moment but it is really the only way to allay your fears

Definitely get it checked out. I had a fibroid the size of an orange and had it removed last year. So they definitely can grow quite big. I was never made to feel like I was wasting anyone's time. It was taken seriously and I was given an MRI to check not cancerous, which luckily it wasnt. Definitely go to your GP.

I noticed a large firm mass in my lower abdomen last year when I lost weight. It moved up and down depending on whether I was lying down or standing up. Got it checked out at GP and had ultrasound. I have a multiple fibroids one of which is the size of a lemon but through the muscle and fat feels like a melon.
I was referred because it was causing problems with sciatica, but before I was seen I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was put on anastrozole, an estrogen blocker, and after six weeks I have noticed a massive reduction I the size of the fibroids. I looked up uses for anastrozole and one of its unlicensed uses is for fibroids. Hopefully once I have finished BC treatment they will be small enough to have keyhole hysterectomy.

Are you taking HRT? Mine appeared after I started taking estrogen. I’m now banned from taking HRT because my breast cancer is estrogen positive.

@Angrymum22 no HRT.

I saw a GP today who said it was most likely a fibroid that has grown. I have an urgent referral to gynae so should get a scan in the next 2/3 weeks.

Glad you’ve been seen. It was large fibroids when I had this.

Had an ultrasound scan yesterday, abdominal and transvaginal. There's definitely something there and it's larger than 8cm (my doctor estimated 12cm) which is apparently the largest size that the US can see.

So I'm going to be referred for an MRI next, hopefully this side of Christmas.

@HonorHiding what happened with yours?

@CheddarGorgeous I had 2 attempts to remove the fibroids conservatively (myomectomy) but eventually a hysterectomy

Thanks @HonorHiding. What a nightmare.

I'm still assuming it's fibroids so am fairly relaxed, but I want to get rid of them. I don't like the idea of large and growing lumps in my insides!

I got my letter from the hospital today, I've been referred to gynaecology and the current outpatient waiting time is 37 weeks. I could cry.

What a blow having to wait so long now after such a rapid response to start with. There's some comfort to be had in knowing that it's not life threateningly urgent, but it's frustrating nonetheless.

Is going private an option for you?

@PleaseReferToMeAsBritneySpears it looks like it could be up to £8k to treat privately. That's a lot of money to me. I don't know if I could justify it. I've just paid £3k for my daughter's braces because her NHS orthodontist appointments were so delayed due to covid but apart from the worry and some mild side effects (feeling like I need to pee all the time, terrible periods) I'm don't know if I'm in £8k's worth of unhappiness. I might change my mind!

Totally understand. I wouldn't be able to afford 8k either. Hope it flies by and your symptoms don't get worse

Well I still have over 7 months to wait until I get seen by a consultant and I swear the thing is getting bigger. I look about 5 months pregnant 🙄 and it's not all down to Christmas overindulgence.

Need to plan a "fibroid wardrobe", maybe I'll pop over to Style and Beauty for some tips...

Oh, and the outpatient appointment waiting time has increased from 37 weeks to 41 weeks. Brilliant. Fucking brilliant.

@CheddarGorgeous

Well I still have over 7 months to wait until I get seen by a consultant and I swear the thing is getting bigger. I look about 5 months pregnant 🙄 and it's not all down to Christmas overindulgence.

Need to plan a "fibroid wardrobe", maybe I'll pop over to Style and Beauty for some tips...

I'd go back and push to be seen quicker if you think it's getting bigger? The worst they can do is say no

Thanks @sofakingcool the waiting list situation is so dire I can't imagine I can up my own priority.

I'm going to go on a pretty strict diet. I was at least 1/2 stone over my ideal weight and now this bellymelon is making me feel so fat and frumpy.

OP i had small fibroids that ended up as one large fibroid over 8cm.
I could feel this when pressing down from abdomen.
My periods were terrible and I had to have blood transfusions.
I was put on waiting list for hysterectomy, but the situation could not wait and I ended up going private. I am in UK and the cost was £6100.

I am really sorry you are having to deal with this and also the waiting list.

Can you get just the MRI done privately for now? The GP could refer you for that, or for a Gynae consultant private appointment if that needs to be done first. You don't have to commit to pay for the whole treatment privately. There are also places you can just book an MRI and report yourself, without the need for any referral at all.

At least that way, you will know for sure that it's a fibroid and that waiting for removal on the NHS isn't detrimental to your health. If it's anything which needs dealing with urgently, they can refer you back into the NHS at that point and you should get it dealt with urgently there.

A private pelvic MRI might be £300-£800 depending on where you have it done, consultant appointment (if you need to do that first) maybe £150-£200. Anyway, it's a lot less than £6-8K for some peace of mind if you can afford it.

Thanks @Blackopal, I am now on the pill for the first time in nearly 20 years and that's helped with the horrendous periods.

@anywinewilldonow I would go private for an MRI if I thought it might speed things up, but I'm not sure it will. It's 99% a fibroid and I know how big it is because I can feel it! Screening for ovarian cancer was clear.

I'm just going to have to live with with my lumpy tummy mango for the next year until it's my turn to be seen.

Glad the pill is helping you.
Also, wanted to mention that when I was put on the waiting list they said at least a year and I was classes as urgent (below women with cancer).

I had my op privately, but they forgot to take me off NHS list and I actually got a call after 7 months to book me in. Hopefully, it's sooner for you too.