Fibroids and impending myomectomy, what to expect?

[StrawberryTot]

I’m 34 now and since I started my period 20 years ago they have been a nightmare, I’ve been going to and fro with the doctors since before I could remember. I’ve tried every single thing under the sun to help but they literally rule my life.

For up to 7 days a week every month, everything I do revolves around them. I can’t work, walk, or function. I spew, bleed clumps, cramp. I’m a mess. Sorry for tmi.

Finally after going through every pill going, natural remedy I was diagnosed with fibroids. After discussion with the doctor she is leaning towards a myomectomy, initially I was offered a hysterectomy but I really don’t want to go down that path.

I’ve agreed, but after research I’m shitting myself, I don’t know if I’ll cope. The procedure, the recovery time etc. I just can’t help but think I’ve made the wrong decision.

I have so much going on, I’ve applied for a new job but currently work full time, I have 2 DC at home, I’m moving in with my partner this summer, I get married in October. I just don’t see how I can factor this in but also I can’t cope with epic shitness that is my period every month.

Please can someone that’s done it, just help me to not feel as scared of it, tell me it’s not as bad and totally worth it. As right now I don’t know what is the right choice.

Have a look on the British fibroid trust website, they have pretty good advice. Also make sure they've considered other options. They might not all be suitable as it depends where your fibroids are and how large, how they treat them. Mine have been referred for uterine artery embolisation which is none surgical and hence much quicker recovery time, and also doesn't require a general anaesthetic. I also had the nhs consultant pushing some pills that you take to shrink them (I pushed back on this as everyone I take, particularly hormonal stuff I always get all the side effects possible).

Hi, I had a myomectomy two years ago and glad I did. Do you want to know a bit more about the procedure? I had a pre- surgery assessment and MRI, then had a 10 week wait for surgery. It was supposed to be laparascopic (key hole) and day surgery, but ended up being slightly more complicated - long story, but the MRI showed growths on one ovary so they removed that too - the surgery converted from key hole to open and a stay overnight (just one night). It WAS painful for the first 24 hours (I had pain in my shoulders from the gas they use during surgery), then the pain gradually dwindled and I was back at work after 3 weeks. I have a small scar similar to a c-section scar. The main issue was I couldn’t lift my heavy toddler for those 3 weeks, but other than that I don’t regret it at all. Hope this helps!