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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/5/2002 9:12:19 AM Central Standard Time,

lmoschel@... writes:

> * Do you know where the fibroids are -- submucosal, intramural,

> subserosal?

>

>

I was given the location of the two in 1998 ( and I don't remember the exact

type but I think they may have been intramural) but this time the report was

quite vague. In 1998 the largest was on the left side, near my bladder and

the other on the right. This report said several intramural, subserosal and

possibly submucous (sp?) myomas...which indicates to me that it is

incomplete.

The recent ultrasound was both vaginal and abdominal. The technician typed

up the report and I do plan to ask for more specifics because they have a

picture.

Are you sure? I've read many women have had healthy pregnancies

with fibroids.

This is very true. My own mother had two children with fibroids--but they

weren't as large as mine. And she had me at 42. My first gyne said she

would only do the surgery if I was unable to conceive. This doctor says due

to the size of the fibroids I need to have the surgery because there is a

chance of miscarriage due to the fetus not having room to grow.

As for the gyne's statement that they are growing because I'm getting older I

don't buy it either. I really believe that our health conditions are based

on three things...diet, emotions and genetics. Genetics is the reason I have

the fibroids and I believe that both my diet and emotions have controlled the

symptoms and the size.

I do plan to call my former gyne as well as one of my Sorority sisters who is

a Board Certified Gynecologist who incorporates Holistic Medicine into her

practice (www.healthwellrest.com). Both are in another city, but a visit to

them is a lot cheaper than the surgery my insurance won't pay for.

As for the Liver Cleansing Diet the book by Cabot--available on

Amazon. Cabot also has a website--www.liverdoctor.com

You might also check out Sullivan's book A Path to Healing

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/5/2002 9:12:19 AM Central Standard Time,

lmoschel@... writes:

> * Do you know where the fibroids are -- submucosal, intramural,

> subserosal?

>

>

I was given the location of the two in 1998 ( and I don't remember the exact

type but I think they may have been intramural) but this time the report was

quite vague. In 1998 the largest was on the left side, near my bladder and

the other on the right. This report said several intramural, subserosal and

possibly submucous (sp?) myomas...which indicates to me that it is

incomplete.

The recent ultrasound was both vaginal and abdominal. The technician typed

up the report and I do plan to ask for more specifics because they have a

picture.

Are you sure? I've read many women have had healthy pregnancies

with fibroids.

This is very true. My own mother had two children with fibroids--but they

weren't as large as mine. And she had me at 42. My first gyne said she

would only do the surgery if I was unable to conceive. This doctor says due

to the size of the fibroids I need to have the surgery because there is a

chance of miscarriage due to the fetus not having room to grow.

As for the gyne's statement that they are growing because I'm getting older I

don't buy it either. I really believe that our health conditions are based

on three things...diet, emotions and genetics. Genetics is the reason I have

the fibroids and I believe that both my diet and emotions have controlled the

symptoms and the size.

I do plan to call my former gyne as well as one of my Sorority sisters who is

a Board Certified Gynecologist who incorporates Holistic Medicine into her

practice (www.healthwellrest.com). Both are in another city, but a visit to

them is a lot cheaper than the surgery my insurance won't pay for.

As for the Liver Cleansing Diet the book by Cabot--available on

Amazon. Cabot also has a website--www.liverdoctor.com

You might also check out Sullivan's book A Path to Healing

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/5/2002 9:12:19 AM Central Standard Time,

lmoschel@... writes:

> * Do you know where the fibroids are -- submucosal, intramural,

> subserosal?

>

>

I was given the location of the two in 1998 ( and I don't remember the exact

type but I think they may have been intramural) but this time the report was

quite vague. In 1998 the largest was on the left side, near my bladder and

the other on the right. This report said several intramural, subserosal and

possibly submucous (sp?) myomas...which indicates to me that it is

incomplete.

The recent ultrasound was both vaginal and abdominal. The technician typed

up the report and I do plan to ask for more specifics because they have a

picture.

Are you sure? I've read many women have had healthy pregnancies

with fibroids.

This is very true. My own mother had two children with fibroids--but they

weren't as large as mine. And she had me at 42. My first gyne said she

would only do the surgery if I was unable to conceive. This doctor says due

to the size of the fibroids I need to have the surgery because there is a

chance of miscarriage due to the fetus not having room to grow.

As for the gyne's statement that they are growing because I'm getting older I

don't buy it either. I really believe that our health conditions are based

on three things...diet, emotions and genetics. Genetics is the reason I have

the fibroids and I believe that both my diet and emotions have controlled the

symptoms and the size.

I do plan to call my former gyne as well as one of my Sorority sisters who is

a Board Certified Gynecologist who incorporates Holistic Medicine into her

practice (www.healthwellrest.com). Both are in another city, but a visit to

them is a lot cheaper than the surgery my insurance won't pay for.

As for the Liver Cleansing Diet the book by Cabot--available on

Amazon. Cabot also has a website--www.liverdoctor.com

You might also check out Sullivan's book A Path to Healing

[Guest guest]

>... an ultrasound was done and it revealed two myomas--one the size

of a navel orange and one the size of a plum.

* Do you know where the fibroids are -- submucosal, intramural,

subserosal?

>My lengthiest menstrual periods always came when I was in the

process of moving. The idea of it stresses me out.

*I have had changes too when under a lot of stress. I read somewhere

that it's possible stress can change your hormone balance.

> It seems though that the ultrasound that required that I drink

enormous amounts of water gave a clearer picture...or at least the

technican gave a clearer report.

>

* When I had my first ultrasound I had to have a full bladder. I

asked the techician why, and she said so the bladder would push the

intestines/colon back and out of the way. They often contain some

gas, and ultrasound waves don't pass through gas well.

With your latest ultrasound, did you have vaginal as well as

abdominal? They should have been able to give an idea of size and

location of the fibroids, or a reason why not.

> If I don't have the surgery and conceive it can result in a

miscarriage or other problems because the fibroids won't give the

fetus room to grow...

* Are you sure? I've read many women have had healthy pregnancies

with fibroids. Please see

http://www.fibroid.com/fibroid/chapter7.htm for some more info.

I've also read a few studies that said, *statistically*, only

submucosal fibroids impacted getting pregnant and had higher rates of

miscarriage. Sorry, don't have the links handy to those.

> When I asked the gynecologist questions regarding what contributed

to the growth of the myomas--diet, emotions, etc, BCP she said that

they were growing because I was getting older and that happens.

*Sounds like a cop-out answer to me.

> She said that it is no longer believed that the estrogen in BCP

contributed to fibroid growth.

* ????? Believed by whom? I haven't seen this anywhere yet.

Good luck with the diet and finding a gyn who will treat you properly.

Ellen

[Guest guest]

>... an ultrasound was done and it revealed two myomas--one the size

of a navel orange and one the size of a plum.

* Do you know where the fibroids are -- submucosal, intramural,

subserosal?

>My lengthiest menstrual periods always came when I was in the

process of moving. The idea of it stresses me out.

*I have had changes too when under a lot of stress. I read somewhere

that it's possible stress can change your hormone balance.

> It seems though that the ultrasound that required that I drink

enormous amounts of water gave a clearer picture...or at least the

technican gave a clearer report.

>

* When I had my first ultrasound I had to have a full bladder. I

asked the techician why, and she said so the bladder would push the

intestines/colon back and out of the way. They often contain some

gas, and ultrasound waves don't pass through gas well.

With your latest ultrasound, did you have vaginal as well as

abdominal? They should have been able to give an idea of size and

location of the fibroids, or a reason why not.

> If I don't have the surgery and conceive it can result in a

miscarriage or other problems because the fibroids won't give the

fetus room to grow...

* Are you sure? I've read many women have had healthy pregnancies

with fibroids. Please see

http://www.fibroid.com/fibroid/chapter7.htm for some more info.

I've also read a few studies that said, *statistically*, only

submucosal fibroids impacted getting pregnant and had higher rates of

miscarriage. Sorry, don't have the links handy to those.

> When I asked the gynecologist questions regarding what contributed

to the growth of the myomas--diet, emotions, etc, BCP she said that

they were growing because I was getting older and that happens.

*Sounds like a cop-out answer to me.

> She said that it is no longer believed that the estrogen in BCP

contributed to fibroid growth.

* ????? Believed by whom? I haven't seen this anywhere yet.

Good luck with the diet and finding a gyn who will treat you properly.

Ellen

[Guest guest]

>... an ultrasound was done and it revealed two myomas--one the size

of a navel orange and one the size of a plum.

* Do you know where the fibroids are -- submucosal, intramural,

subserosal?

>My lengthiest menstrual periods always came when I was in the

process of moving. The idea of it stresses me out.

*I have had changes too when under a lot of stress. I read somewhere

that it's possible stress can change your hormone balance.

> It seems though that the ultrasound that required that I drink

enormous amounts of water gave a clearer picture...or at least the

technican gave a clearer report.

>

* When I had my first ultrasound I had to have a full bladder. I

asked the techician why, and she said so the bladder would push the

intestines/colon back and out of the way. They often contain some

gas, and ultrasound waves don't pass through gas well.

With your latest ultrasound, did you have vaginal as well as

abdominal? They should have been able to give an idea of size and

location of the fibroids, or a reason why not.

> If I don't have the surgery and conceive it can result in a

miscarriage or other problems because the fibroids won't give the

fetus room to grow...

* Are you sure? I've read many women have had healthy pregnancies

with fibroids. Please see

http://www.fibroid.com/fibroid/chapter7.htm for some more info.

I've also read a few studies that said, *statistically*, only

submucosal fibroids impacted getting pregnant and had higher rates of

miscarriage. Sorry, don't have the links handy to those.

> When I asked the gynecologist questions regarding what contributed

to the growth of the myomas--diet, emotions, etc, BCP she said that

they were growing because I was getting older and that happens.

*Sounds like a cop-out answer to me.

> She said that it is no longer believed that the estrogen in BCP

contributed to fibroid growth.

* ????? Believed by whom? I haven't seen this anywhere yet.

Good luck with the diet and finding a gyn who will treat you properly.

Ellen

[Guest guest]

Re: ability to be pregnant with fibroid

I didn't even know I had fibroids until I became pregnant and they showed up in

a 7 week ultrasound. Yes, they did get larger during the pregnancy but they did

not seem to hamper the healthy development of my son who was born in excess of

12 pounds (no diabetes). I was 41 when I became pregnant. Hope this helps.

Irene Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download :

http://explorer.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Re: ability to be pregnant with fibroid

I didn't even know I had fibroids until I became pregnant and they showed up in

a 7 week ultrasound. Yes, they did get larger during the pregnancy but they did

not seem to hamper the healthy development of my son who was born in excess of

12 pounds (no diabetes). I was 41 when I became pregnant. Hope this helps.

Irene Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download :

http://explorer.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Please go for the second or even third opinion if you don't feel

comfortable with this doctor.

I have almost the same exact life story as yours. I never tried the

diet though....

After reading all the posts and consulting many resources I have

finally found a doctor that seems to know what he's doing and that I

feel very comfortable and have confidence in. He's the 4th doctor

I've been to.

> Let me first say how happy I was to learn of this listserv and

> support group.

>

> I'm a 32 year old single woman with no kids who has fibroids. I do

> desire to have children some day. My fibroids were first diagnosed

> in 1998 when I was 29 and under a great deal of stress in both my

> personal and professional life. At that time an ultrasound was

done

> and it revealed two myomas--one the size of a navel orange and one

> the size of a plum. They were symptomatic at the time of the

> diagnosis. I had heavy bleeding, irregular periods and lengthy

> periods--lasting as long as 14 or 19 days.

>

> Also at that time I made a choice (actually before the fibroid

> diagnosis) to eliminate dairy, pork, fast food, sugar and caffiene

> from my diet for better health. I lost weight very fast and I

> noticed that there were times when the fibroids were symptomatic

and

> times when they weren't. My lengthiest menstrual periods always

came

> when I was in the process of moving. The idea of it stresses me

out.

> After the move, the period was back to 6-7 days. After the first

> move (local) I was on day 14 of my period. I was terrified as my

> previous periods had been 3 days. I had a chiropractic alignment

for

> another health condition and my period stopped. I did not

experience

> any more irregular periods until the next move 6 months (national)

> later. In 1998 my gynecologist said there was no need to do

surgery

> at that time, and she would only do surgery if I were trying to

> conceive and couldn't.

>

> After my second move and leaving the job I found so stressful my

diet

> got out of whack. I began to eat more and more of those foods I

had

> previously eliminated for better health. Ultimately, the job

search

> and pursuit of my true dreams eventually caused more stress.

>

> Fast forward to Jan 2002. After my pap I was told by the Nurse

> Practioner that I needed to have an ultrasound immediately because

my

> uterus was at 14 weeks. I was also told that I must have really

bad

> cramps and a bunch of other things that were typical of people with

> my condition, but not true to me. I postponed the ultrasound until

> March because the earliest appointment I could get with the

> gynecologist was April 3 and it made sense to have a more current

> ultrasound. When I called for the results of this ultrasound they

> were quite vague. No number or size of individual myomas. I

noticed

> too that the procedure was a bit different as in 1998 in NC I was

> required to drink an enormous amount of water before the ultrasound

> and that wasn't required this time in Chicago. I wondered if the

> technology had changed or if it was a difference of locations. It

> seems though that the ultrasound that required that I drink

enormous

> amounts of water gave a clearer picture...or at least the technican

> gave a clearer report.

>

> I was quite disturbed when I saw the gynecologist yesterday. This

> was the first time I had seen her and she walked in the door,

without

> examining me and told me I needed to have surgery. Her bedside

> manner was less than desirable and she didn't apologize for the

delay-

> -she didn't come into the examination room until an hour and a half

> after my appointment time. And what disturbed me most is that in

> many ways I feel as if I am in a Catch 22 situation. If I don't

have

> the surgery and conceive it can result in a miscarriage or other

> problems because the fibroids won't give the fetus room to grow,

and

> if I have the surgery I could have scar tissue that will make me

> infertile.

>

> When I asked the gynecologist questions regarding what contributed

to

> the growth of the myomas--diet, emotions, etc, BCP she said that

they

> were growing because I was getting older and that happens. She

said

> that it is no longer believed that the estrogen in BCP contributed

to

> fibroid growth. She then told me to have my own blood drawn

because

> due to the size of the myomas (which weren't detailed on the

> ultrasound report)I would not be a candidate for laproscopic

surgery

> and I would loose a lot of blood and have to have my children via

> Caesarian section should I ever become pregnant. I thought it

> strange that the doctor asked absolutely nothing about me and

didn't

> examine me other than feeling the outside of my abdomen. It was

> quite distressing and a poor use of 2.5 hours of my time. She also

> told me to see a fertility specialist. I am not married and not

> trying to conceive at this time--so that made no sense to me. She

> did also tell me to get a second opinion.

>

> Prior to my gynecologist visit I made the decision to start a diet

> similar to the 1998 diet which I kept up for 9 months. I mean it

> can't hurt because I'll be eating healthier.

>

> If anyone is in the Chicago area and can recommend a gynecologist

> and/or fibroid specialist I would greatly appreciate it. The

> fibroids I am told are large, but I don't have irregular bleeding,

> heavy periods, cramps or lower back pain.

>

> --Trevy

[Guest guest]

Please go for the second or even third opinion if you don't feel

comfortable with this doctor.

I have almost the same exact life story as yours. I never tried the

diet though....

After reading all the posts and consulting many resources I have

finally found a doctor that seems to know what he's doing and that I

feel very comfortable and have confidence in. He's the 4th doctor

I've been to.

> Let me first say how happy I was to learn of this listserv and

> support group.

>

> I'm a 32 year old single woman with no kids who has fibroids. I do

> desire to have children some day. My fibroids were first diagnosed

> in 1998 when I was 29 and under a great deal of stress in both my

> personal and professional life. At that time an ultrasound was

done

> and it revealed two myomas--one the size of a navel orange and one

> the size of a plum. They were symptomatic at the time of the

> diagnosis. I had heavy bleeding, irregular periods and lengthy

> periods--lasting as long as 14 or 19 days.

>

> Also at that time I made a choice (actually before the fibroid

> diagnosis) to eliminate dairy, pork, fast food, sugar and caffiene

> from my diet for better health. I lost weight very fast and I

> noticed that there were times when the fibroids were symptomatic

and

> times when they weren't. My lengthiest menstrual periods always

came

> when I was in the process of moving. The idea of it stresses me

out.

> After the move, the period was back to 6-7 days. After the first

> move (local) I was on day 14 of my period. I was terrified as my

> previous periods had been 3 days. I had a chiropractic alignment

for

> another health condition and my period stopped. I did not

experience

> any more irregular periods until the next move 6 months (national)

> later. In 1998 my gynecologist said there was no need to do

surgery

> at that time, and she would only do surgery if I were trying to

> conceive and couldn't.

>

> After my second move and leaving the job I found so stressful my

diet

> got out of whack. I began to eat more and more of those foods I

had

> previously eliminated for better health. Ultimately, the job

search

> and pursuit of my true dreams eventually caused more stress.

>

> Fast forward to Jan 2002. After my pap I was told by the Nurse

> Practioner that I needed to have an ultrasound immediately because

my

> uterus was at 14 weeks. I was also told that I must have really

bad

> cramps and a bunch of other things that were typical of people with

> my condition, but not true to me. I postponed the ultrasound until

> March because the earliest appointment I could get with the

> gynecologist was April 3 and it made sense to have a more current

> ultrasound. When I called for the results of this ultrasound they

> were quite vague. No number or size of individual myomas. I

noticed

> too that the procedure was a bit different as in 1998 in NC I was

> required to drink an enormous amount of water before the ultrasound

> and that wasn't required this time in Chicago. I wondered if the

> technology had changed or if it was a difference of locations. It

> seems though that the ultrasound that required that I drink

enormous

> amounts of water gave a clearer picture...or at least the technican

> gave a clearer report.

>

> I was quite disturbed when I saw the gynecologist yesterday. This

> was the first time I had seen her and she walked in the door,

without

> examining me and told me I needed to have surgery. Her bedside

> manner was less than desirable and she didn't apologize for the

delay-

> -she didn't come into the examination room until an hour and a half

> after my appointment time. And what disturbed me most is that in

> many ways I feel as if I am in a Catch 22 situation. If I don't

have

> the surgery and conceive it can result in a miscarriage or other

> problems because the fibroids won't give the fetus room to grow,

and

> if I have the surgery I could have scar tissue that will make me

> infertile.

>

> When I asked the gynecologist questions regarding what contributed

to

> the growth of the myomas--diet, emotions, etc, BCP she said that

they

> were growing because I was getting older and that happens. She

said

> that it is no longer believed that the estrogen in BCP contributed

to

> fibroid growth. She then told me to have my own blood drawn

because

> due to the size of the myomas (which weren't detailed on the

> ultrasound report)I would not be a candidate for laproscopic

surgery

> and I would loose a lot of blood and have to have my children via

> Caesarian section should I ever become pregnant. I thought it

> strange that the doctor asked absolutely nothing about me and

didn't

> examine me other than feeling the outside of my abdomen. It was

> quite distressing and a poor use of 2.5 hours of my time. She also

> told me to see a fertility specialist. I am not married and not

> trying to conceive at this time--so that made no sense to me. She

> did also tell me to get a second opinion.

>

> Prior to my gynecologist visit I made the decision to start a diet

> similar to the 1998 diet which I kept up for 9 months. I mean it

> can't hurt because I'll be eating healthier.

>

> If anyone is in the Chicago area and can recommend a gynecologist

> and/or fibroid specialist I would greatly appreciate it. The

> fibroids I am told are large, but I don't have irregular bleeding,

> heavy periods, cramps or lower back pain.

>

> --Trevy

[Guest guest]

Please go for the second or even third opinion if you don't feel

comfortable with this doctor.

I have almost the same exact life story as yours. I never tried the

diet though....

After reading all the posts and consulting many resources I have

finally found a doctor that seems to know what he's doing and that I

feel very comfortable and have confidence in. He's the 4th doctor

I've been to.

> Let me first say how happy I was to learn of this listserv and

> support group.

>

> I'm a 32 year old single woman with no kids who has fibroids. I do

> desire to have children some day. My fibroids were first diagnosed

> in 1998 when I was 29 and under a great deal of stress in both my

> personal and professional life. At that time an ultrasound was

done

> and it revealed two myomas--one the size of a navel orange and one

> the size of a plum. They were symptomatic at the time of the

> diagnosis. I had heavy bleeding, irregular periods and lengthy

> periods--lasting as long as 14 or 19 days.

>

> Also at that time I made a choice (actually before the fibroid

> diagnosis) to eliminate dairy, pork, fast food, sugar and caffiene

> from my diet for better health. I lost weight very fast and I

> noticed that there were times when the fibroids were symptomatic

and

> times when they weren't. My lengthiest menstrual periods always

came

> when I was in the process of moving. The idea of it stresses me

out.

> After the move, the period was back to 6-7 days. After the first

> move (local) I was on day 14 of my period. I was terrified as my

> previous periods had been 3 days. I had a chiropractic alignment

for

> another health condition and my period stopped. I did not

experience

> any more irregular periods until the next move 6 months (national)

> later. In 1998 my gynecologist said there was no need to do

surgery

> at that time, and she would only do surgery if I were trying to

> conceive and couldn't.

>

> After my second move and leaving the job I found so stressful my

diet

> got out of whack. I began to eat more and more of those foods I

had

> previously eliminated for better health. Ultimately, the job

search

> and pursuit of my true dreams eventually caused more stress.

>

> Fast forward to Jan 2002. After my pap I was told by the Nurse

> Practioner that I needed to have an ultrasound immediately because

my

> uterus was at 14 weeks. I was also told that I must have really

bad

> cramps and a bunch of other things that were typical of people with

> my condition, but not true to me. I postponed the ultrasound until

> March because the earliest appointment I could get with the

> gynecologist was April 3 and it made sense to have a more current

> ultrasound. When I called for the results of this ultrasound they

> were quite vague. No number or size of individual myomas. I

noticed

> too that the procedure was a bit different as in 1998 in NC I was

> required to drink an enormous amount of water before the ultrasound

> and that wasn't required this time in Chicago. I wondered if the

> technology had changed or if it was a difference of locations. It

> seems though that the ultrasound that required that I drink

enormous

> amounts of water gave a clearer picture...or at least the technican

> gave a clearer report.

>

> I was quite disturbed when I saw the gynecologist yesterday. This

> was the first time I had seen her and she walked in the door,

without

> examining me and told me I needed to have surgery. Her bedside

> manner was less than desirable and she didn't apologize for the

delay-

> -she didn't come into the examination room until an hour and a half

> after my appointment time. And what disturbed me most is that in

> many ways I feel as if I am in a Catch 22 situation. If I don't

have

> the surgery and conceive it can result in a miscarriage or other

> problems because the fibroids won't give the fetus room to grow,

and

> if I have the surgery I could have scar tissue that will make me

> infertile.

>

> When I asked the gynecologist questions regarding what contributed

to

> the growth of the myomas--diet, emotions, etc, BCP she said that

they

> were growing because I was getting older and that happens. She

said

> that it is no longer believed that the estrogen in BCP contributed

to

> fibroid growth. She then told me to have my own blood drawn

because

> due to the size of the myomas (which weren't detailed on the

> ultrasound report)I would not be a candidate for laproscopic

surgery

> and I would loose a lot of blood and have to have my children via

> Caesarian section should I ever become pregnant. I thought it

> strange that the doctor asked absolutely nothing about me and

didn't

> examine me other than feeling the outside of my abdomen. It was

> quite distressing and a poor use of 2.5 hours of my time. She also

> told me to see a fertility specialist. I am not married and not

> trying to conceive at this time--so that made no sense to me. She

> did also tell me to get a second opinion.

>

> Prior to my gynecologist visit I made the decision to start a diet

> similar to the 1998 diet which I kept up for 9 months. I mean it

> can't hurt because I'll be eating healthier.

>

> If anyone is in the Chicago area and can recommend a gynecologist

> and/or fibroid specialist I would greatly appreciate it. The

> fibroids I am told are large, but I don't have irregular bleeding,

> heavy periods, cramps or lower back pain.

>

> --Trevy

[Guest guest]

For the woman who wrote:

If anyone is in the Chicago area and can recommend a

gynecologist

| and/or fibroid specialist I would greatly appreciate it.

The

| fibroids I am told are large, but I don't have irregular

bleeding,

| heavy periods, cramps or lower back pain. "

|

Well, I am in the Chicago area. I've been a vegetarian for

over 32 years and a vegan for the past 4 or 5. I have large

fibroids. Right now they are causing me great bloating but

no increased bleeding. I still get my period.

They may be due to unbalanced hormones, stress over my long

life of activism, genetics, who knows. I am actively trying

to find out what to do. Every day my belly is distended

with gas even though I am eating very carefully. It saps my

energy.

I too was told to have a hysterectomy and get my ovaries

removed. That's because doctors fear malpractice suits if

they leave the ovaries in. I am 56 and still menstruating.

No way am I going to have a hysterectomy unless my condition

is life threatening. I feel so sorry for all the women who

report all of the heavy bleeding and clots. I am lucky I

don't have that.

I am exploring alternatives at Healing Hands, a holistic

health center . This is not an ad for the

center. I am just responding to the woman who wrote the

post and asked about anyone in Chicago. I really don't know

what to do yet. I am still seaching.

My largest fibroid is 7.8 cm round. and I am bloated every

day. I normally have a slender build.

New to the Group

| Let me first say how happy I was to learn of this listserv

and

| support group.

|

| I'm a 32 year old single woman with no kids who has

fibroids. I do

| desire to have children some day. My fibroids were first

diagnosed

| in 1998 when I was 29 and under a great deal of stress in

both my

| personal and professional life. At that time an

ultrasound was done

| and it revealed two myomas--one the size of a navel orange

and one

| the size of a plum. They were symptomatic at the time of

the

| diagnosis. I had heavy bleeding, irregular periods and

lengthy

| periods--lasting as long as 14 or 19 days.

|

| Also at that time I made a choice (actually before the

fibroid

| diagnosis) to eliminate dairy, pork, fast food, sugar and

caffiene

| from my diet for better health. I lost weight very fast

and I

| noticed that there were times when the fibroids were

symptomatic and

| times when they weren't. My lengthiest menstrual periods

always came

| when I was in the process of moving. The idea of it

stresses me out.

| After the move, the period was back to 6-7 days. After

the first

| move (local) I was on day 14 of my period. I was

terrified as my

| previous periods had been 3 days. I had a chiropractic

alignment for

| another health condition and my period stopped. I did not

experience

| any more irregular periods until the next move 6 months

(national)

| later. In 1998 my gynecologist said there was no need to

do surgery

| at that time, and she would only do surgery if I were

trying to

| conceive and couldn't.

|

| After my second move and leaving the job I found so

stressful my diet

| got out of whack. I began to eat more and more of those

foods I had

| previously eliminated for better health. Ultimately, the

job search

| and pursuit of my true dreams eventually caused more

stress.

|

| Fast forward to Jan 2002. After my pap I was told by the

Nurse

| Practioner that I needed to have an ultrasound immediately

because my

| uterus was at 14 weeks. I was also told that I must have

really bad

| cramps and a bunch of other things that were typical of

people with

| my condition, but not true to me. I postponed the

ultrasound until

| March because the earliest appointment I could get with

the

| gynecologist was April 3 and it made sense to have a more

current

| ultrasound. When I called for the results of this

ultrasound they

| were quite vague. No number or size of individual myomas.

I noticed

| too that the procedure was a bit different as in 1998 in

NC I was

| required to drink an enormous amount of water before the

ultrasound

| and that wasn't required this time in Chicago. I wondered

if the

| technology had changed or if it was a difference of

locations. It

| seems though that the ultrasound that required that I

drink enormous

| amounts of water gave a clearer picture...or at least the

technican

| gave a clearer report.

|

| I was quite disturbed when I saw the gynecologist

yesterday. This

| was the first time I had seen her and she walked in the

door, without

| examining me and told me I needed to have surgery. Her

bedside

| manner was less than desirable and she didn't apologize

for the delay-

| -she didn't come into the examination room until an hour

and a half

| after my appointment time. And what disturbed me most is

that in

| many ways I feel as if I am in a Catch 22 situation. If I

don't have

| the surgery and conceive it can result in a miscarriage or

other

| problems because the fibroids won't give the fetus room to

grow, and

| if I have the surgery I could have scar tissue that will

make me

| infertile.

|

| When I asked the gynecologist questions regarding what

contributed to

| the growth of the myomas--diet, emotions, etc, BCP she

said that they

| were growing because I was getting older and that happens.

She said

| that it is no longer believed that the estrogen in BCP

contributed to

| fibroid growth. She then told me to have my own blood

drawn because

| due to the size of the myomas (which weren't detailed on

the

| ultrasound report)I would not be a candidate for

laproscopic surgery

| and I would loose a lot of blood and have to have my

children via

| Caesarian section should I ever become pregnant. I

thought it

| strange that the doctor asked absolutely nothing about me

and didn't

| examine me other than feeling the outside of my abdomen.

It was

| quite distressing and a poor use of 2.5 hours of my time.

She also

| told me to see a fertility specialist. I am not married

and not

| trying to conceive at this time--so that made no sense to

me. She

| did also tell me to get a second opinion.

|

| Prior to my gynecologist visit I made the decision to

start a diet

| similar to the 1998 diet which I kept up for 9 months. I

mean it

| can't hurt because I'll be eating healthier.

|

| If anyone is in the Chicago area and can recommend a

gynecologist

| and/or fibroid specialist I would greatly appreciate it.

The

| fibroids I am told are large, but I don't have irregular

bleeding,

| heavy periods, cramps or lower back pain.

|

| --Trevy

|

|

|

|

[Guest guest]

For the woman who wrote:

If anyone is in the Chicago area and can recommend a

gynecologist

| and/or fibroid specialist I would greatly appreciate it.

The

| fibroids I am told are large, but I don't have irregular

bleeding,

| heavy periods, cramps or lower back pain. "

|

Well, I am in the Chicago area. I've been a vegetarian for

over 32 years and a vegan for the past 4 or 5. I have large

fibroids. Right now they are causing me great bloating but

no increased bleeding. I still get my period.

They may be due to unbalanced hormones, stress over my long

life of activism, genetics, who knows. I am actively trying

to find out what to do. Every day my belly is distended

with gas even though I am eating very carefully. It saps my

energy.

I too was told to have a hysterectomy and get my ovaries

removed. That's because doctors fear malpractice suits if

they leave the ovaries in. I am 56 and still menstruating.

No way am I going to have a hysterectomy unless my condition

is life threatening. I feel so sorry for all the women who

report all of the heavy bleeding and clots. I am lucky I

don't have that.

I am exploring alternatives at Healing Hands, a holistic

health center . This is not an ad for the

center. I am just responding to the woman who wrote the

post and asked about anyone in Chicago. I really don't know

what to do yet. I am still seaching.

My largest fibroid is 7.8 cm round. and I am bloated every

day. I normally have a slender build.

New to the Group

| Let me first say how happy I was to learn of this listserv

and

| support group.

|

| I'm a 32 year old single woman with no kids who has

fibroids. I do

| desire to have children some day. My fibroids were first

diagnosed

| in 1998 when I was 29 and under a great deal of stress in

both my

| personal and professional life. At that time an

ultrasound was done

| and it revealed two myomas--one the size of a navel orange

and one

| the size of a plum. They were symptomatic at the time of

the

| diagnosis. I had heavy bleeding, irregular periods and

lengthy

| periods--lasting as long as 14 or 19 days.

|

| Also at that time I made a choice (actually before the

fibroid

| diagnosis) to eliminate dairy, pork, fast food, sugar and

caffiene

| from my diet for better health. I lost weight very fast

and I

| noticed that there were times when the fibroids were

symptomatic and

| times when they weren't. My lengthiest menstrual periods

always came

| when I was in the process of moving. The idea of it

stresses me out.

| After the move, the period was back to 6-7 days. After

the first

| move (local) I was on day 14 of my period. I was

terrified as my

| previous periods had been 3 days. I had a chiropractic

alignment for

| another health condition and my period stopped. I did not

experience

| any more irregular periods until the next move 6 months

(national)

| later. In 1998 my gynecologist said there was no need to

do surgery

| at that time, and she would only do surgery if I were

trying to

| conceive and couldn't.

|

| After my second move and leaving the job I found so

stressful my diet

| got out of whack. I began to eat more and more of those

foods I had

| previously eliminated for better health. Ultimately, the

job search

| and pursuit of my true dreams eventually caused more

stress.

|

| Fast forward to Jan 2002. After my pap I was told by the

Nurse

| Practioner that I needed to have an ultrasound immediately

because my

| uterus was at 14 weeks. I was also told that I must have

really bad

| cramps and a bunch of other things that were typical of

people with

| my condition, but not true to me. I postponed the

ultrasound until

| March because the earliest appointment I could get with

the

| gynecologist was April 3 and it made sense to have a more

current

| ultrasound. When I called for the results of this

ultrasound they

| were quite vague. No number or size of individual myomas.

I noticed

| too that the procedure was a bit different as in 1998 in

NC I was

| required to drink an enormous amount of water before the

ultrasound

| and that wasn't required this time in Chicago. I wondered

if the

| technology had changed or if it was a difference of

locations. It

| seems though that the ultrasound that required that I

drink enormous

| amounts of water gave a clearer picture...or at least the

technican

| gave a clearer report.

|

| I was quite disturbed when I saw the gynecologist

yesterday. This

| was the first time I had seen her and she walked in the

door, without

| examining me and told me I needed to have surgery. Her

bedside

| manner was less than desirable and she didn't apologize

for the delay-

| -she didn't come into the examination room until an hour

and a half

| after my appointment time. And what disturbed me most is

that in

| many ways I feel as if I am in a Catch 22 situation. If I

don't have

| the surgery and conceive it can result in a miscarriage or

other

| problems because the fibroids won't give the fetus room to

grow, and

| if I have the surgery I could have scar tissue that will

make me

| infertile.

|

| When I asked the gynecologist questions regarding what

contributed to

| the growth of the myomas--diet, emotions, etc, BCP she

said that they

| were growing because I was getting older and that happens.

She said

| that it is no longer believed that the estrogen in BCP

contributed to

| fibroid growth. She then told me to have my own blood

drawn because

| due to the size of the myomas (which weren't detailed on

the

| ultrasound report)I would not be a candidate for

laproscopic surgery

| and I would loose a lot of blood and have to have my

children via

| Caesarian section should I ever become pregnant. I

thought it

| strange that the doctor asked absolutely nothing about me

and didn't

| examine me other than feeling the outside of my abdomen.

It was

| quite distressing and a poor use of 2.5 hours of my time.

She also

| told me to see a fertility specialist. I am not married

and not

| trying to conceive at this time--so that made no sense to

me. She

| did also tell me to get a second opinion.

|

| Prior to my gynecologist visit I made the decision to

start a diet

| similar to the 1998 diet which I kept up for 9 months. I

mean it

| can't hurt because I'll be eating healthier.

|

| If anyone is in the Chicago area and can recommend a

gynecologist

| and/or fibroid specialist I would greatly appreciate it.

The

| fibroids I am told are large, but I don't have irregular

bleeding,

| heavy periods, cramps or lower back pain.

|

| --Trevy

|

|

|

|

[Guest guest]

For the woman who wrote:

If anyone is in the Chicago area and can recommend a

gynecologist

| and/or fibroid specialist I would greatly appreciate it.

The

| fibroids I am told are large, but I don't have irregular

bleeding,

| heavy periods, cramps or lower back pain. "

|

Well, I am in the Chicago area. I've been a vegetarian for

over 32 years and a vegan for the past 4 or 5. I have large

fibroids. Right now they are causing me great bloating but

no increased bleeding. I still get my period.

They may be due to unbalanced hormones, stress over my long

life of activism, genetics, who knows. I am actively trying

to find out what to do. Every day my belly is distended

with gas even though I am eating very carefully. It saps my

energy.

I too was told to have a hysterectomy and get my ovaries

removed. That's because doctors fear malpractice suits if

they leave the ovaries in. I am 56 and still menstruating.

No way am I going to have a hysterectomy unless my condition

is life threatening. I feel so sorry for all the women who

report all of the heavy bleeding and clots. I am lucky I

don't have that.

I am exploring alternatives at Healing Hands, a holistic

health center . This is not an ad for the

center. I am just responding to the woman who wrote the

post and asked about anyone in Chicago. I really don't know

what to do yet. I am still seaching.

My largest fibroid is 7.8 cm round. and I am bloated every

day. I normally have a slender build.

New to the Group

| Let me first say how happy I was to learn of this listserv

and

| support group.

|

| I'm a 32 year old single woman with no kids who has

fibroids. I do

| desire to have children some day. My fibroids were first

diagnosed

| in 1998 when I was 29 and under a great deal of stress in

both my

| personal and professional life. At that time an

ultrasound was done

| and it revealed two myomas--one the size of a navel orange

and one

| the size of a plum. They were symptomatic at the time of

the

| diagnosis. I had heavy bleeding, irregular periods and

lengthy

| periods--lasting as long as 14 or 19 days.

|

| Also at that time I made a choice (actually before the

fibroid

| diagnosis) to eliminate dairy, pork, fast food, sugar and

caffiene

| from my diet for better health. I lost weight very fast

and I

| noticed that there were times when the fibroids were

symptomatic and

| times when they weren't. My lengthiest menstrual periods

always came

| when I was in the process of moving. The idea of it

stresses me out.

| After the move, the period was back to 6-7 days. After

the first

| move (local) I was on day 14 of my period. I was

terrified as my

| previous periods had been 3 days. I had a chiropractic

alignment for

| another health condition and my period stopped. I did not

experience

| any more irregular periods until the next move 6 months

(national)

| later. In 1998 my gynecologist said there was no need to

do surgery

| at that time, and she would only do surgery if I were

trying to

| conceive and couldn't.

|

| After my second move and leaving the job I found so

stressful my diet

| got out of whack. I began to eat more and more of those

foods I had

| previously eliminated for better health. Ultimately, the

job search

| and pursuit of my true dreams eventually caused more

stress.

|

| Fast forward to Jan 2002. After my pap I was told by the

Nurse

| Practioner that I needed to have an ultrasound immediately

because my

| uterus was at 14 weeks. I was also told that I must have

really bad

| cramps and a bunch of other things that were typical of

people with

| my condition, but not true to me. I postponed the

ultrasound until

| March because the earliest appointment I could get with

the

| gynecologist was April 3 and it made sense to have a more

current

| ultrasound. When I called for the results of this

ultrasound they

| were quite vague. No number or size of individual myomas.

I noticed

| too that the procedure was a bit different as in 1998 in

NC I was

| required to drink an enormous amount of water before the

ultrasound

| and that wasn't required this time in Chicago. I wondered

if the

| technology had changed or if it was a difference of

locations. It

| seems though that the ultrasound that required that I

drink enormous

| amounts of water gave a clearer picture...or at least the

technican

| gave a clearer report.

|

| I was quite disturbed when I saw the gynecologist

yesterday. This

| was the first time I had seen her and she walked in the

door, without

| examining me and told me I needed to have surgery. Her

bedside

| manner was less than desirable and she didn't apologize

for the delay-

| -she didn't come into the examination room until an hour

and a half

| after my appointment time. And what disturbed me most is

that in

| many ways I feel as if I am in a Catch 22 situation. If I

don't have

| the surgery and conceive it can result in a miscarriage or

other

| problems because the fibroids won't give the fetus room to

grow, and

| if I have the surgery I could have scar tissue that will

make me

| infertile.

|

| When I asked the gynecologist questions regarding what

contributed to

| the growth of the myomas--diet, emotions, etc, BCP she

said that they

| were growing because I was getting older and that happens.

She said

| that it is no longer believed that the estrogen in BCP

contributed to

| fibroid growth. She then told me to have my own blood

drawn because

| due to the size of the myomas (which weren't detailed on

the

| ultrasound report)I would not be a candidate for

laproscopic surgery

| and I would loose a lot of blood and have to have my

children via

| Caesarian section should I ever become pregnant. I

thought it

| strange that the doctor asked absolutely nothing about me

and didn't

| examine me other than feeling the outside of my abdomen.

It was

| quite distressing and a poor use of 2.5 hours of my time.

She also

| told me to see a fertility specialist. I am not married

and not

| trying to conceive at this time--so that made no sense to

me. She

| did also tell me to get a second opinion.

|

| Prior to my gynecologist visit I made the decision to

start a diet

| similar to the 1998 diet which I kept up for 9 months. I

mean it

| can't hurt because I'll be eating healthier.

|

| If anyone is in the Chicago area and can recommend a

gynecologist

| and/or fibroid specialist I would greatly appreciate it.

The

| fibroids I am told are large, but I don't have irregular

bleeding,

| heavy periods, cramps or lower back pain.

|

| --Trevy

|

|

|

|

[Guest guest]

Carol,

If you are considering a Uterine Artery Embolization, you might consider Dr.

out of La Grange Hospital, in a southwest suburb of Chicago.

He is an Interventional Radiologist and has a lot of experience doing this

procedure. I could get the number if you are interested. He specializes

in UAE and was one of the 1st to perform the procedure in Ilinois. from

another Carol in the Chicago area

Original Message -----

To: <uterinefibroids >

Sent: Friday, April 05, 2002 7:46 PM

Subject: Re: New to the Group

> For the woman who wrote:

>

> If anyone is in the Chicago area and can recommend a

> gynecologist

> | and/or fibroid specialist I would greatly appreciate it.

> The

> | fibroids I am told are large, but I don't have irregular

> bleeding,

> | heavy periods, cramps or lower back pain. "

> |

>

> Well, I am in the Chicago area. I've been a vegetarian for

> over 32 years and a vegan for the past 4 or 5. I have large

> fibroids. Right now they are causing me great bloating but

> no increased bleeding. I still get my period.

>

> They may be due to unbalanced hormones, stress over my long

> life of activism, genetics, who knows. I am actively trying

> to find out what to do. Every day my belly is distended

> with gas even though I am eating very carefully. It saps my

> energy.

>

> I too was told to have a hysterectomy and get my ovaries

> removed. That's because doctors fear malpractice suits if

> they leave the ovaries in. I am 56 and still menstruating.

>

> No way am I going to have a hysterectomy unless my condition

> is life threatening. I feel so sorry for all the women who

> report all of the heavy bleeding and clots. I am lucky I

> don't have that.

>

> I am exploring alternatives at Healing Hands, a holistic

> health center . This is not an ad for the

> center. I am just responding to the woman who wrote the

> post and asked about anyone in Chicago. I really don't know

> what to do yet. I am still seaching.

>

> My largest fibroid is 7.8 cm round. and I am bloated every

> day. I normally have a slender build.

>

> New to the Group

>

>

> | Let me first say how happy I was to learn of this listserv

> and

> | support group.

> |

> | I'm a 32 year old single woman with no kids who has

> fibroids. I do

> | desire to have children some day. My fibroids were first

> diagnosed

> | in 1998 when I was 29 and under a great deal of stress in

> both my

> | personal and professional life. At that time an

> ultrasound was done

> | and it revealed two myomas--one the size of a navel orange

> and one

> | the size of a plum. They were symptomatic at the time of

> the

> | diagnosis. I had heavy bleeding, irregular periods and

> lengthy

> | periods--lasting as long as 14 or 19 days.

> |

> | Also at that time I made a choice (actually before the

> fibroid

> | diagnosis) to eliminate dairy, pork, fast food, sugar and

> caffiene

> | from my diet for better health. I lost weight very fast

> and I

> | noticed that there were times when the fibroids were

> symptomatic and

> | times when they weren't. My lengthiest menstrual periods

> always came

> | when I was in the process of moving. The idea of it

> stresses me out.

> | After the move, the period was back to 6-7 days. After

> the first

> | move (local) I was on day 14 of my period. I was

> terrified as my

> | previous periods had been 3 days. I had a chiropractic

> alignment for

> | another health condition and my period stopped. I did not

> experience

> | any more irregular periods until the next move 6 months

> (national)

> | later. In 1998 my gynecologist said there was no need to

> do surgery

> | at that time, and she would only do surgery if I were

> trying to

> | conceive and couldn't.

> |

> | After my second move and leaving the job I found so

> stressful my diet

> | got out of whack. I began to eat more and more of those

> foods I had

> | previously eliminated for better health. Ultimately, the

> job search

> | and pursuit of my true dreams eventually caused more

> stress.

> |

> | Fast forward to Jan 2002. After my pap I was told by the

> Nurse

> | Practioner that I needed to have an ultrasound immediately

> because my

> | uterus was at 14 weeks. I was also told that I must have

> really bad

> | cramps and a bunch of other things that were typical of

> people with

> | my condition, but not true to me. I postponed the

> ultrasound until

> | March because the earliest appointment I could get with

> the

> | gynecologist was April 3 and it made sense to have a more

> current

> | ultrasound. When I called for the results of this

> ultrasound they

> | were quite vague. No number or size of individual myomas.

> I noticed

> | too that the procedure was a bit different as in 1998 in

> NC I was

> | required to drink an enormous amount of water before the

> ultrasound

> | and that wasn't required this time in Chicago. I wondered

> if the

> | technology had changed or if it was a difference of

> locations. It

> | seems though that the ultrasound that required that I

> drink enormous

> | amounts of water gave a clearer picture...or at least the

> technican

> | gave a clearer report.

> |

> | I was quite disturbed when I saw the gynecologist

> yesterday. This

> | was the first time I had seen her and she walked in the

> door, without

> | examining me and told me I needed to have surgery. Her

> bedside

> | manner was less than desirable and she didn't apologize

> for the delay-

> | -she didn't come into the examination room until an hour

> and a half

> | after my appointment time. And what disturbed me most is

> that in

> | many ways I feel as if I am in a Catch 22 situation. If I

> don't have

> | the surgery and conceive it can result in a miscarriage or

> other

> | problems because the fibroids won't give the fetus room to

> grow, and

> | if I have the surgery I could have scar tissue that will

> make me

> | infertile.

> |

> | When I asked the gynecologist questions regarding what

> contributed to

> | the growth of the myomas--diet, emotions, etc, BCP she

> said that they

> | were growing because I was getting older and that happens.

> She said

> | that it is no longer believed that the estrogen in BCP

> contributed to

> | fibroid growth. She then told me to have my own blood

> drawn because

> | due to the size of the myomas (which weren't detailed on

> the

> | ultrasound report)I would not be a candidate for

> laproscopic surgery

> | and I would loose a lot of blood and have to have my

> children via

> | Caesarian section should I ever become pregnant. I

> thought it

> | strange that the doctor asked absolutely nothing about me

> and didn't

> | examine me other than feeling the outside of my abdomen.

> It was

> | quite distressing and a poor use of 2.5 hours of my time.

> She also

> | told me to see a fertility specialist. I am not married

> and not

> | trying to conceive at this time--so that made no sense to

> me. She

> | did also tell me to get a second opinion.

> |

> | Prior to my gynecologist visit I made the decision to

> start a diet

> | similar to the 1998 diet which I kept up for 9 months. I

> mean it

> | can't hurt because I'll be eating healthier.

> |

> | If anyone is in the Chicago area and can recommend a

> gynecologist

> | and/or fibroid specialist I would greatly appreciate it.

> The

> | fibroids I am told are large, but I don't have irregular

> bleeding,

> | heavy periods, cramps or lower back pain.

> |

> | --Trevy

> |

> |

> |

> |

[Guest guest]

Carol,

If you are considering a Uterine Artery Embolization, you might consider Dr.

out of La Grange Hospital, in a southwest suburb of Chicago.

He is an Interventional Radiologist and has a lot of experience doing this

procedure. I could get the number if you are interested. He specializes

in UAE and was one of the 1st to perform the procedure in Ilinois. from

another Carol in the Chicago area

Original Message -----

To: <uterinefibroids >

Sent: Friday, April 05, 2002 7:46 PM

Subject: Re: New to the Group

> For the woman who wrote:

>

> If anyone is in the Chicago area and can recommend a

> gynecologist

> | and/or fibroid specialist I would greatly appreciate it.

> The

> | fibroids I am told are large, but I don't have irregular

> bleeding,

> | heavy periods, cramps or lower back pain. "

> |

>

> Well, I am in the Chicago area. I've been a vegetarian for

> over 32 years and a vegan for the past 4 or 5. I have large

> fibroids. Right now they are causing me great bloating but

> no increased bleeding. I still get my period.

>

> They may be due to unbalanced hormones, stress over my long

> life of activism, genetics, who knows. I am actively trying

> to find out what to do. Every day my belly is distended

> with gas even though I am eating very carefully. It saps my

> energy.

>

> I too was told to have a hysterectomy and get my ovaries

> removed. That's because doctors fear malpractice suits if

> they leave the ovaries in. I am 56 and still menstruating.

>

> No way am I going to have a hysterectomy unless my condition

> is life threatening. I feel so sorry for all the women who

> report all of the heavy bleeding and clots. I am lucky I

> don't have that.

>

> I am exploring alternatives at Healing Hands, a holistic

> health center . This is not an ad for the

> center. I am just responding to the woman who wrote the

> post and asked about anyone in Chicago. I really don't know

> what to do yet. I am still seaching.

>

> My largest fibroid is 7.8 cm round. and I am bloated every

> day. I normally have a slender build.

>

> New to the Group

>

>

> | Let me first say how happy I was to learn of this listserv

> and

> | support group.

> |

> | I'm a 32 year old single woman with no kids who has

> fibroids. I do

> | desire to have children some day. My fibroids were first

> diagnosed

> | in 1998 when I was 29 and under a great deal of stress in

> both my

> | personal and professional life. At that time an

> ultrasound was done

> | and it revealed two myomas--one the size of a navel orange

> and one

> | the size of a plum. They were symptomatic at the time of

> the

> | diagnosis. I had heavy bleeding, irregular periods and

> lengthy

> | periods--lasting as long as 14 or 19 days.

> |

> | Also at that time I made a choice (actually before the

> fibroid

> | diagnosis) to eliminate dairy, pork, fast food, sugar and

> caffiene

> | from my diet for better health. I lost weight very fast

> and I

> | noticed that there were times when the fibroids were

> symptomatic and

> | times when they weren't. My lengthiest menstrual periods

> always came

> | when I was in the process of moving. The idea of it

> stresses me out.

> | After the move, the period was back to 6-7 days. After

> the first

> | move (local) I was on day 14 of my period. I was

> terrified as my

> | previous periods had been 3 days. I had a chiropractic

> alignment for

> | another health condition and my period stopped. I did not

> experience

> | any more irregular periods until the next move 6 months

> (national)

> | later. In 1998 my gynecologist said there was no need to

> do surgery

> | at that time, and she would only do surgery if I were

> trying to

> | conceive and couldn't.

> |

> | After my second move and leaving the job I found so

> stressful my diet

> | got out of whack. I began to eat more and more of those

> foods I had

> | previously eliminated for better health. Ultimately, the

> job search

> | and pursuit of my true dreams eventually caused more

> stress.

> |

> | Fast forward to Jan 2002. After my pap I was told by the

> Nurse

> | Practioner that I needed to have an ultrasound immediately

> because my

> | uterus was at 14 weeks. I was also told that I must have

> really bad

> | cramps and a bunch of other things that were typical of

> people with

> | my condition, but not true to me. I postponed the

> ultrasound until

> | March because the earliest appointment I could get with

> the

> | gynecologist was April 3 and it made sense to have a more

> current

> | ultrasound. When I called for the results of this

> ultrasound they

> | were quite vague. No number or size of individual myomas.

> I noticed

> | too that the procedure was a bit different as in 1998 in

> NC I was

> | required to drink an enormous amount of water before the

> ultrasound

> | and that wasn't required this time in Chicago. I wondered

> if the

> | technology had changed or if it was a difference of

> locations. It

> | seems though that the ultrasound that required that I

> drink enormous

> | amounts of water gave a clearer picture...or at least the

> technican

> | gave a clearer report.

> |

> | I was quite disturbed when I saw the gynecologist

> yesterday. This

> | was the first time I had seen her and she walked in the

> door, without

> | examining me and told me I needed to have surgery. Her

> bedside

> | manner was less than desirable and she didn't apologize

> for the delay-

> | -she didn't come into the examination room until an hour

> and a half

> | after my appointment time. And what disturbed me most is

> that in

> | many ways I feel as if I am in a Catch 22 situation. If I

> don't have

> | the surgery and conceive it can result in a miscarriage or

> other

> | problems because the fibroids won't give the fetus room to

> grow, and

> | if I have the surgery I could have scar tissue that will

> make me

> | infertile.

> |

> | When I asked the gynecologist questions regarding what

> contributed to

> | the growth of the myomas--diet, emotions, etc, BCP she

> said that they

> | were growing because I was getting older and that happens.

> She said

> | that it is no longer believed that the estrogen in BCP

> contributed to

> | fibroid growth. She then told me to have my own blood

> drawn because

> | due to the size of the myomas (which weren't detailed on

> the

> | ultrasound report)I would not be a candidate for

> laproscopic surgery

> | and I would loose a lot of blood and have to have my

> children via

> | Caesarian section should I ever become pregnant. I

> thought it

> | strange that the doctor asked absolutely nothing about me

> and didn't

> | examine me other than feeling the outside of my abdomen.

> It was

> | quite distressing and a poor use of 2.5 hours of my time.

> She also

> | told me to see a fertility specialist. I am not married

> and not

> | trying to conceive at this time--so that made no sense to

> me. She

> | did also tell me to get a second opinion.

> |

> | Prior to my gynecologist visit I made the decision to

> start a diet

> | similar to the 1998 diet which I kept up for 9 months. I

> mean it

> | can't hurt because I'll be eating healthier.

> |

> | If anyone is in the Chicago area and can recommend a

> gynecologist

> | and/or fibroid specialist I would greatly appreciate it.

> The

> | fibroids I am told are large, but I don't have irregular

> bleeding,

> | heavy periods, cramps or lower back pain.

> |

> | --Trevy

> |

> |

> |

> |

[Guest guest]

Hello.....i am enjoying this group and learning....i must go to canada sans

computer for a week and i changed over to no mail two days ago and i am still

getting mail....any suggestions as to what else i can do to stop the mail?

[Guest guest]

Hello.....i am enjoying this group and learning....i must go to canada sans

computer for a week and i changed over to no mail two days ago and i am still

getting mail....any suggestions as to what else i can do to stop the mail?

[Guest guest]

Hi Lori,

You sound just like me...I also have a large fibroid with only a feeling of

heaviness...I'm 46 and never had children...I don't have any of the bleeding

the other folks in the egroup have...my heart really goes out to them....My

ultrasound revealed a large mass that " indicates fibroids " with the largest

one being around the size of a softball located in the uterus wall...I'll be

curious as to what your plan of action is. Since I really have no symptoms,

I would like to wait, but then I will run the risk of my options shrinking

instead of the fibroid...good luck!

Deb

[Guest guest]

Hi Lori,

You sound just like me...I also have a large fibroid with only a feeling of

heaviness...I'm 46 and never had children...I don't have any of the bleeding

the other folks in the egroup have...my heart really goes out to them....My

ultrasound revealed a large mass that " indicates fibroids " with the largest

one being around the size of a softball located in the uterus wall...I'll be

curious as to what your plan of action is. Since I really have no symptoms,

I would like to wait, but then I will run the risk of my options shrinking

instead of the fibroid...good luck!

Deb

[Guest guest]

Dr. who is treating vulvar vestibulitus in the area that I could go to?

Dr. Weiss is THE MAN...he treats vulvodynia, IC and does internal and external muscle work, trigger point injections, and has very experienced on staff biofeedback therapist, he is very knowledgeable, his is a urologist, I do not have his number...check information..good luck Jackie

[Guest guest]

Thank you! I appreciate your help. His number is on the list that I received for the NVA. I will try him!

JACKSTEE@... wrote:

Dr. who is treating vulvar vestibulitus in the area that I could go to?Dr. Weiss is THE MAN...he treats vulvodynia, IC and does internal and external muscle work, trigger point injections, and has very experienced on staff biofeedback therapist, he is very knowledgeable, his is a urologist, I do not have his number...check information..good luck Jackie *****END OF MESSAGE*****-------------------------------------------------To post message: VulvarDisorders To Subscribe: VulvarDisorders-subscribe Unsubscribe: VulvarDisorders-unsubscribe List owner: VulvarDisorders-owner *****

[Guest guest]

Hello again,

I finally got some more info from my osteopath about my fibroid. There is

just one and it is on the back wall of my uterus. The doctor was amazed at

how long and skinny my uterus was...she drew a picture for me from all the

measurements and my fibroid is larger than the uterus. Also she had a liver

ultrasound done since my blood work showed my liver numbers to be twice what

they should be....seems i have a few gallstones. She said a regular doctor

would have ordered surgery immediately but she wants to work on shrinking

them for six months.....she gave me something called DIM (there is a long

scientific name i would have to get the bottle and copy if anyone is

interested). There is a dosage for shrinking fibroids and a stronger dosage

for shrinking the prostate for men that also has saw palmetto in it....she

chose this second one for me...and told me she is taking it for her fibroids

as well. In six months we will check with another ultrasound to see what the

shrinkage is.....Jillian

For the sake of the flowers, I water the thorns.

[Guest guest]

Hello again,

I finally got some more info from my osteopath about my fibroid. There is

just one and it is on the back wall of my uterus. The doctor was amazed at

how long and skinny my uterus was...she drew a picture for me from all the

measurements and my fibroid is larger than the uterus. Also she had a liver

ultrasound done since my blood work showed my liver numbers to be twice what

they should be....seems i have a few gallstones. She said a regular doctor

would have ordered surgery immediately but she wants to work on shrinking

them for six months.....she gave me something called DIM (there is a long

scientific name i would have to get the bottle and copy if anyone is

interested). There is a dosage for shrinking fibroids and a stronger dosage

for shrinking the prostate for men that also has saw palmetto in it....she

chose this second one for me...and told me she is taking it for her fibroids

as well. In six months we will check with another ultrasound to see what the

shrinkage is.....Jillian

For the sake of the flowers, I water the thorns.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/2/02 9:06:40 AM US Mountain Standard Time,

bungalojil@... writes:

> I finally got some more info from my osteopath about my fibroid.

Jillian:

I've never seen an osteopath. I have an appointment at a naturopathic clinic

next week. (Can't seem to find an allopathic doc that doesn't treat me like

a little white rat in a laboratory). So, what is an osteopath?

Cheryl