uterine fibroid embolization

[imperialqueen]

Could anyone who has had this procedure advise me if it was successful please?

Also, how long did you wait for the procedure? Thanks.

I had it. It was a waste of time. My fibroid was so big the shrinkage was minimal and then it just got a blood supply from somewhere else and started growing again, ending up even bigger that it was before I went for it. I waited about a year. I really really wished I’d just pushed for a hysterectomy. The UFE took about a year and a half from diagnosis and then the hysterectomy took another two and a half years to get.

I had one about 4 years ago. I had 1 very large fibroid and a few slightly smaller ones, which caused heavy, painful periods.

It was a success and it sorted the period issues. I really didn’t enjoy the op - I was awake with just a local and was in a lot of pain for a few days after. I was also very tired for about 3 weeks after. The consultant said they might grow back so I might need it doing again. I wouldn’t have it done a second , but I’m glad I had it done.

I think I waited about 4 or 5 months , but that was pre covid

Feel free to dm me if you’ve got any questions

I had it done just over 2 years ago. At first i didn't think it had been successful as I was still having quite heavy bleeding and when I went for a follow-up with my gynae Consultant several months later he said my uterus had only shrunk by 20% and was still somewhat larger than normal. I then tried the mini-pill for a few months but that made me bleed all the time. Came off that and after a few months the bleeding has actually settled down to more normal levels. My cycle is still a bit all over the place - thought that might be settling down as I had two 28 day cycles in a row but then last month it was 23 with 9 days of lighter bleeding....but i'm 45 so putting that down to peri-menopause.
I'd definitely give UAE a go, the procedure itself wasn't particularly pleasant and I felt worse for the next 24 hours than I did after major surgery and a 4hr GA but after that the recovery was pretty swift. I got signed off work for 2 and a bit weeks and felt like a fraud by the last week!
I went privately (thanks to works medical cover) so can't comment on wait times but pre-covid it took 26 weeks just to get an initial appointment with NHS Gynae consultancy and they had another 26 week wait for a hysteroscopy investigation. Start to finish for consultation, MRI, hysteroscopy and UAE took just over 3 months (including 2 weeks over Xmas / NY) going private.

Thanks so much for the replies. I am panicking a bit about the procedure because I am a wuss and would happily take a general anaesthetic for every procedure going.

I had ivf many years ago and don't really have any memories of the egg retrieval. I am presuming I will be given a similar sedative.

I have the mirena which didn't stop me pouring of blood so now I am also on the mini pill plus the mirena and I am nearly 52. Apparently the fibroid is still very big. Think I have more than one. I would love a hysterectomy but have been told i cant have one because I have had 4 c sections.

Maybe by the time I get the procedure the fibroid will have shrunk due to the menopause. Which I have no idea if I am through because I don't have a period now because of the mini pill.

Thanks again it is good to know how long others have waited.

ShandaLear - sorry to hear UFE didn't work for you, though pleased you got the hysterectomy.

I ended up with a blood transfusion and was then put into a chemical menopause (think they had to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible) then given the mirena which didn't work and then the mini pill with the mirena. Have put up with break through bleeding, (clots etc) so now 4 years later I am being offerred UFE.

I had the same issue with the mirena, it made the bleeding even heavier!!

Thanks emmathedilemma - what pain relief were you given after the procedure? I am getting very anxious about it now although think it might be some time away.

I can't remember what they gave me, I had a bucket load of pills before the procedure and then whatever they kept giving me afterwards. I had a paracetamol drip when I got back to the ward as I was in so much pain. I think I felt worse because I went in first thing in the morning to have my pre-op stuff done on the same day (hospital was an hour away and it all got arranged quite quickly so they didn't bother doing it as a separate appointment) but that meant I didn't have anything to eat after breakfast time and hardly anything to drink, then my procedure was early afternoon and I think I managed a couple of biscuits at supper time without throwing up. I didn't sleep too badly that evening but was feeling the lack of food and water by the next morning. In hindsight I think they really should have put me on a drip that evening as I was throwing up water and hadn't drunk all day. oh, and then the painkillers made me constipated (probably also not helped by the lack of fluids for 24hrs) so that was a fun couple of days!!