Guest guest Posted June 11, 2001 Report Share Posted June 11, 2001 Dear Kathy, Welcome to the group, you will find alot of caring women here. I was diagnosed with fibroids 6 months ago. I was bleeding alot and the flow was very heavy. The first step my Dr. did was to put me on the birth control pill loesterin. It worked for awhile then the bleeding got worse. We tried lo ovral and then ovral without good results. I had another ultrasound after taking the pills for several months and I didn't have fibroid growth. I was given a Lupron injection 3 and a half weeks ago and at 2 and a half weeks the bleeding stopped. It's been wonderful. It's not a cure however just a temporary measure to stop the bleeding and give me time to increase my hemoglobin again. I am scheduled for a vaginal hysterectomy on July 10th,but I am going for a second opinion to see if hysteroscopic resection of the fibroid and polyp that I have are a viable option. Good luck. Anita BCP experiences? > Hello, all - > > I'm a new subscriber to this group and so glad I found you. I'm 46 and am > beginning to figure out how to deal with my fibroids. I have four, 4 cm, 3 > cm, 2 cm and 1 cm. The smaller two are new since an ultrasound in October, > and the two larger ones are growing slowly but steadily. My symptoms so far > are not too bad - some bladder pressure and cramping and a prolonged, but not > overly heavy period/spotting last month. The doctor has put me on Loestrin, > a birth control pill, as a first step. > > Does anyone in this group have any experience with using the pill to control > fibroids? Did the pill slow down the growth of your fibroids, have no > effect, or seem to make things worse? The side effect I'm most worried about > (aside from the possibility of rapid fibroid growth from the estrogen) is > weight gain - I'm already overweight and am struggling to lose, despite a > sensible diet and regular exercise. > > My doctor is pro-hysterectomy for women my age, since I don't plan to have > any more children he feels I " won't be needing it anymore, it's simpler just > to get rid of it. " I hate that attitude. So, one of my first steps is > finding another doctor. Anyone who knows of a good doctor in St. Louis, Mo., > please contact me! > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2001 Report Share Posted June 11, 2001 Dear Kathy, Welcome to the group, you will find alot of caring women here. I was diagnosed with fibroids 6 months ago. I was bleeding alot and the flow was very heavy. The first step my Dr. did was to put me on the birth control pill loesterin. It worked for awhile then the bleeding got worse. We tried lo ovral and then ovral without good results. I had another ultrasound after taking the pills for several months and I didn't have fibroid growth. I was given a Lupron injection 3 and a half weeks ago and at 2 and a half weeks the bleeding stopped. It's been wonderful. It's not a cure however just a temporary measure to stop the bleeding and give me time to increase my hemoglobin again. I am scheduled for a vaginal hysterectomy on July 10th,but I am going for a second opinion to see if hysteroscopic resection of the fibroid and polyp that I have are a viable option. Good luck. Anita BCP experiences? > Hello, all - > > I'm a new subscriber to this group and so glad I found you. I'm 46 and am > beginning to figure out how to deal with my fibroids. I have four, 4 cm, 3 > cm, 2 cm and 1 cm. The smaller two are new since an ultrasound in October, > and the two larger ones are growing slowly but steadily. My symptoms so far > are not too bad - some bladder pressure and cramping and a prolonged, but not > overly heavy period/spotting last month. The doctor has put me on Loestrin, > a birth control pill, as a first step. > > Does anyone in this group have any experience with using the pill to control > fibroids? Did the pill slow down the growth of your fibroids, have no > effect, or seem to make things worse? The side effect I'm most worried about > (aside from the possibility of rapid fibroid growth from the estrogen) is > weight gain - I'm already overweight and am struggling to lose, despite a > sensible diet and regular exercise. > > My doctor is pro-hysterectomy for women my age, since I don't plan to have > any more children he feels I " won't be needing it anymore, it's simpler just > to get rid of it. " I hate that attitude. So, one of my first steps is > finding another doctor. Anyone who knows of a good doctor in St. Louis, Mo., > please contact me! > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2001 Report Share Posted June 11, 2001 Dear Kathy, Welcome to the group, you will find alot of caring women here. I was diagnosed with fibroids 6 months ago. I was bleeding alot and the flow was very heavy. The first step my Dr. did was to put me on the birth control pill loesterin. It worked for awhile then the bleeding got worse. We tried lo ovral and then ovral without good results. I had another ultrasound after taking the pills for several months and I didn't have fibroid growth. I was given a Lupron injection 3 and a half weeks ago and at 2 and a half weeks the bleeding stopped. It's been wonderful. It's not a cure however just a temporary measure to stop the bleeding and give me time to increase my hemoglobin again. I am scheduled for a vaginal hysterectomy on July 10th,but I am going for a second opinion to see if hysteroscopic resection of the fibroid and polyp that I have are a viable option. Good luck. Anita BCP experiences? > Hello, all - > > I'm a new subscriber to this group and so glad I found you. I'm 46 and am > beginning to figure out how to deal with my fibroids. I have four, 4 cm, 3 > cm, 2 cm and 1 cm. The smaller two are new since an ultrasound in October, > and the two larger ones are growing slowly but steadily. My symptoms so far > are not too bad - some bladder pressure and cramping and a prolonged, but not > overly heavy period/spotting last month. The doctor has put me on Loestrin, > a birth control pill, as a first step. > > Does anyone in this group have any experience with using the pill to control > fibroids? Did the pill slow down the growth of your fibroids, have no > effect, or seem to make things worse? The side effect I'm most worried about > (aside from the possibility of rapid fibroid growth from the estrogen) is > weight gain - I'm already overweight and am struggling to lose, despite a > sensible diet and regular exercise. > > My doctor is pro-hysterectomy for women my age, since I don't plan to have > any more children he feels I " won't be needing it anymore, it's simpler just > to get rid of it. " I hate that attitude. So, one of my first steps is > finding another doctor. Anyone who knows of a good doctor in St. Louis, Mo., > please contact me! > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2001 Report Share Posted June 11, 2001 Kathy~ I was never put on birth control pills to treat my fibroid symptoms, but it seems the symptoms developed after I went off the pill (Loestrin). It was February of this year when I missed taking two pills in a row. I took three the next day, not all at once but throughout the day, and usually in this situation I might spot a little. This time, however, I had a day of the heaviest bleeding of my life (with clots--totally foreign to me) and then it stopped. I was also having very pronounced perimenopausal symptoms--insomnia, anger, depression, weepiness, loss of memory, mood swings, etc.--so I decided I needed to get my hormones tested. In order to do this, I had to go off the birth control pills for two months. I had the saliva hormone testing done, and all my levels turned out to be low. In the meantime, while I was waiting for the testing, my next period lasted 13 days and I had two days of bleeding and clotting so heavy I could hardly leave the house. The next period was similar (11 days) and the next one was also just as bad (14 days). I had an ultrasound and a fibroid was discovered. I became anemic with all this bleeding so this Wednesday I'm having a hysteropic resection of my one mostly submucosal fibroid. My next period is due right after that so I'm anxious to see how it is. While I was on the Loestrin (about five years) I did not gain weight but I didn't lose any either. (Wouldn't that be a nice side effect?) My periods were very minimal until all this craziness started. My doctor thinks the fibroid became symptomatic or grew because of the overall wackiness of my hormones, maybe not specifically because I went off the pill. Hope this helps~ Liz > Hello, all - > > I'm a new subscriber to this group and so glad I found you. I'm 46 and am > beginning to figure out how to deal with my fibroids. I have four, 4 cm, 3 > cm, 2 cm and 1 cm. The smaller two are new since an ultrasound in October, > and the two larger ones are growing slowly but steadily. My symptoms so far > are not too bad - some bladder pressure and cramping and a prolonged, but not > overly heavy period/spotting last month. The doctor has put me on Loestrin, > a birth control pill, as a first step. > > Does anyone in this group have any experience with using the pill to control > fibroids? Did the pill slow down the growth of your fibroids, have no > effect, or seem to make things worse? The side effect I'm most worried about > (aside from the possibility of rapid fibroid growth from the estrogen) is > weight gain - I'm already overweight and am struggling to lose, despite a > sensible diet and regular exercise. > > My doctor is pro-hysterectomy for women my age, since I don't plan to have > any more children he feels I " won't be needing it anymore, it's simpler just > to get rid of it. " I hate that attitude. So, one of my first steps is > finding another doctor. Anyone who knows of a good doctor in St. Louis, Mo., > please contact me! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2001 Report Share Posted June 11, 2001 Kathy~ I was never put on birth control pills to treat my fibroid symptoms, but it seems the symptoms developed after I went off the pill (Loestrin). It was February of this year when I missed taking two pills in a row. I took three the next day, not all at once but throughout the day, and usually in this situation I might spot a little. This time, however, I had a day of the heaviest bleeding of my life (with clots--totally foreign to me) and then it stopped. I was also having very pronounced perimenopausal symptoms--insomnia, anger, depression, weepiness, loss of memory, mood swings, etc.--so I decided I needed to get my hormones tested. In order to do this, I had to go off the birth control pills for two months. I had the saliva hormone testing done, and all my levels turned out to be low. In the meantime, while I was waiting for the testing, my next period lasted 13 days and I had two days of bleeding and clotting so heavy I could hardly leave the house. The next period was similar (11 days) and the next one was also just as bad (14 days). I had an ultrasound and a fibroid was discovered. I became anemic with all this bleeding so this Wednesday I'm having a hysteropic resection of my one mostly submucosal fibroid. My next period is due right after that so I'm anxious to see how it is. While I was on the Loestrin (about five years) I did not gain weight but I didn't lose any either. (Wouldn't that be a nice side effect?) My periods were very minimal until all this craziness started. My doctor thinks the fibroid became symptomatic or grew because of the overall wackiness of my hormones, maybe not specifically because I went off the pill. Hope this helps~ Liz > Hello, all - > > I'm a new subscriber to this group and so glad I found you. I'm 46 and am > beginning to figure out how to deal with my fibroids. I have four, 4 cm, 3 > cm, 2 cm and 1 cm. The smaller two are new since an ultrasound in October, > and the two larger ones are growing slowly but steadily. My symptoms so far > are not too bad - some bladder pressure and cramping and a prolonged, but not > overly heavy period/spotting last month. The doctor has put me on Loestrin, > a birth control pill, as a first step. > > Does anyone in this group have any experience with using the pill to control > fibroids? Did the pill slow down the growth of your fibroids, have no > effect, or seem to make things worse? The side effect I'm most worried about > (aside from the possibility of rapid fibroid growth from the estrogen) is > weight gain - I'm already overweight and am struggling to lose, despite a > sensible diet and regular exercise. > > My doctor is pro-hysterectomy for women my age, since I don't plan to have > any more children he feels I " won't be needing it anymore, it's simpler just > to get rid of it. " I hate that attitude. So, one of my first steps is > finding another doctor. Anyone who knows of a good doctor in St. Louis, Mo., > please contact me! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2001 Report Share Posted June 12, 2001 > > Does anyone in this group have any experience with using the pill to control > fibroids? Did the pill slow down the growth of your fibroids, have no > effect, or seem to make things worse? The side effect I'm most worried about > (aside from the possibility of rapid fibroid growth from the estrogen) is > weight gain - I'm already overweight and am struggling to lose, despite a > sensible diet and regular exercise. > , I was on and off of the pill for almost four years trying to help reduce the symptoms of my fibroid. During the four years I believe that most of my growth happened while I was on the pill. I could feel it changing (it was on the anterior wall of my uterus and could feel it when I was laying down) as it grew. I got scared at how fast it was growing and went off of the pill and I know the growth slowed/stopped when I returned to my " normal " hormone levels. I did receive some relief from the symptoms while on it, and didn't suffer from any adverse side effects (weight gain etc.)but didn't feel that the benefits were worth it. I know that this varies from person to person, and this is only my story. Good luck as you figure out what works for you. Giselle Good luck! Giselle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2001 Report Share Posted June 12, 2001 > > Does anyone in this group have any experience with using the pill to control > fibroids? Did the pill slow down the growth of your fibroids, have no > effect, or seem to make things worse? The side effect I'm most worried about > (aside from the possibility of rapid fibroid growth from the estrogen) is > weight gain - I'm already overweight and am struggling to lose, despite a > sensible diet and regular exercise. > , I was on and off of the pill for almost four years trying to help reduce the symptoms of my fibroid. During the four years I believe that most of my growth happened while I was on the pill. I could feel it changing (it was on the anterior wall of my uterus and could feel it when I was laying down) as it grew. I got scared at how fast it was growing and went off of the pill and I know the growth slowed/stopped when I returned to my " normal " hormone levels. I did receive some relief from the symptoms while on it, and didn't suffer from any adverse side effects (weight gain etc.)but didn't feel that the benefits were worth it. I know that this varies from person to person, and this is only my story. Good luck as you figure out what works for you. Giselle Good luck! Giselle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2001 Report Share Posted June 12, 2001 > > Does anyone in this group have any experience with using the pill to control > fibroids? Did the pill slow down the growth of your fibroids, have no > effect, or seem to make things worse? The side effect I'm most worried about > (aside from the possibility of rapid fibroid growth from the estrogen) is > weight gain - I'm already overweight and am struggling to lose, despite a > sensible diet and regular exercise. > , I was on and off of the pill for almost four years trying to help reduce the symptoms of my fibroid. During the four years I believe that most of my growth happened while I was on the pill. I could feel it changing (it was on the anterior wall of my uterus and could feel it when I was laying down) as it grew. I got scared at how fast it was growing and went off of the pill and I know the growth slowed/stopped when I returned to my " normal " hormone levels. I did receive some relief from the symptoms while on it, and didn't suffer from any adverse side effects (weight gain etc.)but didn't feel that the benefits were worth it. I know that this varies from person to person, and this is only my story. Good luck as you figure out what works for you. Giselle Good luck! Giselle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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