Hi all,
Over the last 3-4 weeks I had been getting worsening pain in my lower abdomen & I thought I could feel a lump. After a couple of trips to A&E I was finally seen by gynae who've told me I have a fibroid. It's 8cm, at the top (inside) my uterus so I'm told and about the size of a tennis ball.
The doctor I saw at emergency told me 'they usually leave these things alone' unless they're causing symptoms. I did wonder if she'd read my notes at this point, why would I be referred to gynae as an emergency if I wasn't having symptoms...but anyway...she told me they would give my stronger dose painkillers away at the moment and see me back at clinic in a couple of weeks to discuss my options & fertility. I was told that 'if my pain is a problem' that they could keep me but that they were reluctant to do anything surgical or invasive on me at the moment. I figured if that all I was going to do was sit in a hospital bed and be dosed with painkillers then I wasn't really getting anywhere. I agreed to go home and try and manage my pain on my own but I'm wondering if that was such a bright idea. I don't want to be a pain in the backside for them but every 3rd or 4th day the pain seems to return with a vengeance, I feel sick and have been unable to work, I've lost weight and is seems likely that this is the source of my anemia also. How sore do I need to be before it warrants some sort of intervention? Geez.
I know I must wait & see what they say at clinic but I am concerned re: fertility. I have been reading up information on fibroids and from some of the stuff I have read it seems like I would have issues concieving or carrying a child to term. Can anyone with a little more insight or experience tell me if this is correct?
The doctor also very briefly told me what my options might be. She said surgery may be risky since I want children as if they remove the fibroid and I bleed they will perform a hysterectomy. I'm concerned that since the fibroid seems so big that I might end up with this outcome if I opt for surgery.
I had also heard about UAE - but I've read that this too may cause damage and that your fertility is not guaranteed.
I know there are drugs too that can shrink the fibroid, I was told by the doctor that they put you into a 'false menopause'. My mother had early onset menopause at 38 (I'm 32) so I'm reluctant to mess about with this. I'm also not sure swapping fibroid pain and discomfort for menopause symptoms would be that much of an improvement anyway.
Any advice or insight?
Ask your GP to refer you to a specialist.
I have adenomyosis (basically, fibroids inside the uterine muscle itself) as well as a fibroid, and I'm taking norethisterone as oestrogen makes things worse. I'm still having periods, and the specialist and I agreed that it would be best to manage the problem this way as I'm 51 and the menopause can't be far off. It's the best thing I've done for years.
You may well have problems as far as having children go, and my advice to you for what it's worth is do it sooner than later, then you can go for more radical solutions. If the fibroid is amenable, you can get a myomectomy (basically shelling peas). This should preserve the uterus intact.
But my real message to you is that you don't have to suffer like this. I truly wish I'd have made more of a fuss before I did - I thought women naturally suffered as we got older. There are other options available to you, which A&E won't know about.
Oh and one last thing - my best friend had a hysterectomy, after suffering like this for 20 years. She was told after the op two things: the first, that there was in fact a cancer there which the hysterectomy had completely removed, and the second was that if she hadn't had the hysterectomy, she'd have been dead within a week as the fibroid was close to bursting which would have led to gross hemorrage (as she was already anemic that would not have been good).
Hi Tweet
I suspect that your symptoms are too far advanced for the advice that's being offered in the sites below. But I did some reading on women's health and remember seeing stuff on Fibroids, from a nutritional perspective. I agree that it is best to pursue orthodox approach (especially in light of what chrisrams has said).
Dr Marilyn Glenville is an orthodox medic, with a special interest in women's health. I have a lot of respect for her approach: [DLMURL] http://www.marilynglenville.com/general/fibroids.htm [/DLMURL]
I'm only adding this link beause I think that it bromelain is a good supplement for fibroids... and Dr Glenville doesn't mention it:
http://fibroidsupplements.com/
There are herbal remedies for treating fibroids. However, I think it's sensible to see a qualified herbalist should you wish to go down that route. Many herbs mimi sex hormones... and you may open a whole new kettle of fish if you self-prescribe:
http://www.herbalremedies.com/uterine.html
Good luck
Ava x
Hi Tweet, it's a dilemma isn't it because you don't want to have to put up with pain and you certainly don't want to continue with having the fibroid if it's really serious. However, if you end up having an hysterectomy, you obviously won't be able to have children. You don't say how old you are, but fertility may be an issue to consider.
You'd hope that the doctors at the hospital wouldn't dismiss your case if it was serious and maybe you need to ask some more questions. You could always go down the conventional route, without surgery (which they've not offered yet anyway)and also use some complementary medicine- acupuncture, homeopathy, nutritional therapy.....there are many that could help you.
Perhaps you need to find out as much info as you can, and then make a balanced decision. Many people live with fibroids and for some people they're not serious but I think you need to talk about it with the doctors more. HTH Hom
Hi Tweet
I've also suffered with fibroids and know how distressing it can be especially around fertility issues. There's another forum which you may find helpful - Fertility Friends - which has a section on fibroid problems.
http://www.fertilityfriends.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=101.0
There are ladies on there who have had fibroids and go on to have healthy babies.
Hope it all turns out okay for you.
Indigo xx
Hi Tweet
I suspect that your symptoms are too far advanced for the advice that's being offered in the sites below. But I did some reading on women's health and remember seeing stuff on Fibroids, from a nutritional perspective. I agree that it is best to pursue orthodox approach (especially in light of what chrisrams has said).
Dr Marilyn Glenville is an orthodox medic, with a special interest in women's health. I have a lot of respect for her approach: [DLMURL] http://www.marilynglenville.com/general/fibroids.htm [/DLMURL]
I'm only adding this link beause I think that it bromelain is a good supplement for fibroids... and Dr Glenville doesn't mention it:
http://fibroidsupplements.com/There are herbal remedies for treating fibroids. However, I think it's sensible to see a qualified herbalist should you wish to go down that route. Many herbs mimi sex hormones... and you may open a whole new kettle of fish if you self-prescribe:
http://www.herbalremedies.com/uterine.htmlGood luck
Ava x
Hi Tweet,
I think the advice on Dr Glenville's site looks very sensible. Excess oestrogen encourages growth of fibroids and oestrogen levels can be reduced by ensuring that your digestion is working effectively ie, regular bowel movements. This means drinking lots of water and keeping fibre levels up. Herbal approaches can be very effective. You can find your nearest qualified herbalist here www.nimh.org.uk.
i to suffer from fibroids( i have six) and the heavy periods and severe pain i have recently had the mirena coil fitted ... i really didnt want this at first but i must say i have never looked back since ... i no longer have periods and i am in no pain what so ever it doesnt suit every one but i would surely reccomend it speak to your g.p about it it's certainly changed my life .... good luck xxxxx