Large fibroid and lower back pain - resolved after hysterectomy?

[IsletsOfLangerhans]

Hello.

I'm looking for other people's experience when it comes to hysterectomies to remove a large (small melon sized) fibroid. I'd say that one of my worst symptoms with fibroids is chronic lower back pain, which has been ongoing for 5-6 years. Worse when standing still, better when on the move. It's reminiscent of the type of back pain I had when pregnant. I also have a retroverted uterus, which may or may not be relevant. However, my gynaecologist is not convinced that the pain is caused by the fibroid and puts it down 'something else'. After the usual 'let's see if you reach menopause and it shrinks' way of dealing with it, he is finally suggesting that hysterectomy is the best option as the fibroid has carried on growing. Has anyone else been in this situation, had the hysterectomy and the pain disappears? Or am I going to be disappointed....

I'm in the same boat as you, I had a hysteroscopy a few months ago as gynae had hoped to remove fibroid that way but unfortunately he couldn't as it's in the wall of my uterus. So I had a new Mirena coil put in at same time and the results of the hysteroscopy showed I had acute inflammation of the uterus and I was put on an intensive course of antibiotics. All was great for about 3 months but the back pain is back again along with tenderness in the lower part of my stomach and I can feel the fibroid ,as if it's pressing again something inside. But I was told at my last gynae appointment that all is fine and it must be a bladder or bowel issue. And was told the same as you 'Wait till menopause and itll shrink'.
Since that appointment I've got worse with back and pelvic pain, it's worse when I'm sitting or standing for any period but I get some relief when I'm moving around. I've made an appointment for the gp in a few weeks as that's the earliest I can get so will see what she says. I'm beginning to think that a hysterectomy might be the better option as I'm not sure if I can continue like this for another few years until menopause. So I'm sorry I don't have an answer regarding hysterectomy but I'd be interested in hearing any replies too.
Oh and my fibroid is almost 8cm having grown from 2 cm in 4 years.

Serious back pain with a condition that happens to people in their 70’s so no longer menstruating as the biggest cop out ever.

Big stomach now that pretty looks much like I’m heavily pregnant.

Do not want to live like this any longer. I don’t understand how people have polps removed that cause no problems/un aware their there yet people with Fibroids go through hell and back.

Sorry to hear that there are others going through this too - it certainly feels like getting fobbed off is the norm. At least I feel like I’m getting somewhere now that a hysterectomy is being discussed seriously, but I’ll have to wait 12 months as it’s non-urgent. And that’s after 6 years of being made to wait to ‘see what happens naturally’ 😬

I'm 6 months post hysterectomy (fibroid) and am free of hip pain that no one connected with my condition. A melon-sized fibroid is going to mess with your body. No question.

Had a hysterectomy due to large fibroid causing unbelievable blood loss.
Hip and lower back pain resolved

Oh I'm sorry to hear this. I was also a 'let's wait and see' hysterectomy candidate (also a melon!) Eventually, after monitoring by the gynae, back and forth, tablets to 'shrink' it (it didn't) etc, I made an appointment with another GP in the practice - a woman - and said I can't live like this anymore. I was in pain, horrible dragging feeling, just really limited my daily activity.

She agreed that I had waited long enough and advocated for me for the surgery route. I got a cancellation so didn't have to wait too long. You might too. It was the best thing I ever did.

The hip pain is interesting - I've had that too, but also dismissed as being nothing to do with the fibroid....

I think all of your helpful comments have helped me to make my mind up - time to get rid of the 'melon' once and for all!

Yes, my hip pain resolved after hysterectomy (had multiple large fibroids and was bleeding heavily, to the point of having hospital admissions). I’d been told that my hip pain was due to being overweight. Turns out it was due to having an uterus the size of a six-month pregnancy.

in case you’re worried about the operation, OP, I found it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I’d imagined - the pain in the week or so after the op was more discomfort than anything, and by 8 weeks after the surgery I was feeling better than I’d done in years. Unfortunately I ended up having to pay to have it privately as things were so bad that I was at the point of having to give up my career and the NHS waiting list was 18 months (and it had taken years just to get on the waiting list).

Just a quick update - I went back to see the gynaecologist (requested an earlier than scheduled appointment) and I’m on the list for a non-urgent hysterectomy next year. Will be a 6-9 month wait, but relieved I’ve got the ball rolling. Thanks again for everyone’s replies with their experiences, it really helped!

Has your gynaecologist not discussed any other options?

You might for instance be suitable for embolisation - a much less drastic option, but one which can also completely resolve fibroid issues.

I'm glad you're on the list OP. I have adenomyosis, and get a lot of pain. I also have a polyp - they remove these because they can become cancerous. They also cause bleeding (I have this). I also had a late menopause, so that's a risk factor for endometrial cancer. Have the op booked in for January to have the polyp removed and an endometrial biopsy. I'm going to have a Mirena fitted at the same time, as this 'may' help with the adenomyosis. Hope so. Sucks to be a woman 😞

I had a melon sized fibroid and it had a profound impact on my health.
Awful back pain, horrific heavy periods, I looked 6 months pregnant but also horribly thin and pale.
I had a hysterectomy and it was life changing. I feel for anyone going through what I did now, I had mine a decade ago, my referrals were rapid and I waited a matter of weeks to have my op.
I hope all of you that are suffering get the help you need soon 🤞