Large fibroids

[KeepOnCleaning]

I'm not sure what my question is but I just need some support and stories from other women who may have experienced similar. I originally went to the GP a month or so ago after around 3 months continual stomach pains, and feeling a large mass in my stomach. Various scans and ultrasound and I have been diagnosed with several fibroids, the largest being approx 12cm. The GP said I must have had them for years before they started bothering me. However, it all feels very sudden to me. Maybe about 4 months ago I thought my periods were coming to an end as they were so light and infrequent (I'm 50). They've suddenly got much heavier the last few months. I have now been bleeding so heavily for the last 2 weeks that I'm anxious about leaving the house. I'm going away in a couple of weeks and I'm on the verge of cancelling it because I don't know how I'm going to cope with the journey and flight, as well as doing things while away. I have a gynae referral but the appointment isn't until October, and I don't know how I'm going to cope until then. I already have an appointment back at the GP to discuss what I can do in the meantime to cope, so I'm really just looking for reassurance that this is normal, and stories from similar experiences and if this is inevitably going to lead to a hysterectomy. I am at the stage that I will do whatever is required for the quickest possible solution. I can't trial things for months on end that may or may not make a difference, because this is seriously affecting my day to day life and mental health.

Hi all. I'm coming back to my original post as I've now had my gynae appointment. She has recommended a hysterectomy. She didn't offer any alternative due to the size of my fibroids (several, the largest of which is about 17x13cm and still growing). My stomach clearly looks 5/6 months pregnant and it's having a significant impact on my day to day life. It's likely to be scheduled for December and I need to decide if I want to keep my uterus or not, which she said I can just let her know on the day what my decision is.

Keep your uterus?
do you mean ovaries?

Yes, I meant ovaries!

@KeepOnCleaning I had one 18 months or so ago and haven't regretted it one bit. I initially wanted to keep my ovaries as no history of ovarian cancers in my family, but had them removed and actually glad I did, as if anything comes up in the future I don't need to go through that op again. I also had my cervix removed so no more smear tests.
My fiboids weren't huge, 5-7 cm I believe, but they and the polyps were causing very heavy periods, lots of flooding with huge clots and I was very anaemic.
Once my hrt was sorted, and I stopped taking the pills which I should have been told to stop (made me have full on awful pmt symptoms) I feel so much better, and the relief of not having any more bleeding is just wonderful!

I'm glad the appointment has gone well, and yes if they are that size and still growing, a hysterectomy is the best way forward. Ovaries are up to you, there's benefits for both but overall it doesn't make too much of a difference. Hopefully by late November to mid-December, they'll be gone and you can get on with recovery and none of the horrible symptoms will bother you every day.