Guest guest Posted June 22, 2001 Report Share Posted June 22, 2001 I have had hysteroscopic resection twice. The first time I had fibroids and they were only able to get one out. Three years later I went back to get the 2nd out and this time I did take Lupron 3 months before the procedure. Fortunately, I had no side effects from the Lupron (except to stop my constant bleeding, which was a wonderful side-effect). But unfortunately, I also had no shrinkage of my fibroids. I have a suspicion that I suffered no hot flashes, etc, because my diet is high in soy foods (tofu, soybeans, and soy milk). I also suspect this may be why I got no shrinkage. I think hysteroscopic resection is a wonderful procedure if you are a candidate for it. Unfortunately, both times I suffered complications (this last time, pretty serious). I would do it all over again but wanted to mention this to you for 2 reasons. One, just as a reminder that any surgery has its risks and the second because you mentioned that your doctor was very negative about UAE citing examples of negative cases, (which I'm not really sure are true to begin with) and also, giving you the impression that the procedure is very risky. I'll bet the complications from hysteroscopy which I had are far more common than the risks mentioned below of UAE. (Specifically, my complications were first fluid overload of saline, and 2nd perforation of the uterus). I'm not suggesting this procedure is dangerous, as I said I would do it over again. I'm suggesting that perhaps he is overstating the risks of UAE and understating the risks of hysteroscopic removal. One last point, I would say that the biggest reasons not to have UAE would be 1) your desire to maintain the possibility of fertility--UAE is a bit of an unknown here, and 2) for submucosal fibroids, there is some danger that when the fibroid degenerates from UAE, it can cause infection, so you really need a supportive GYN to be on top of this possibility. I am also 37 (although I have no desire to maintain fertility). I opted for the hysteroscopy because, when all goes well, the recovery is shorter (days rather than weeks) and it was an outpatient procedure (rather than a hospital night stay), and the associated pain is minimal (not true for UAE). There have been so many successful hysteroscopic resections on this board, I'm sure yours will go great (and you will be in the majority). Good luck. Sydney At 07:03 PM 6/22/01 +0000, you wrote: >Hi all! >Thanks so much for all of your input thus far. It has been very >helpful. > >Since I last posted, I saw the doctor again, and got a saline >ultrasound, which identified the exact position and size of my >fibroid. The doctor now feels that he can perform a >hysteroscopy, but because of the large size of the fibroid, he >would like me to take lupron injections for 3 to 4 months to >shrink the fibroid first. He recommends this procedure, because >I'm 37, and not 100% certain that I don't want children. He >doesn't recommend embolization, because he cites 2 cases >where the patients died, one where a woman became paralyzed >in her leg and another where a patient lost control of her bladder. >In addition, he stated that in some cases, embolization can >cause early menopause. > >I am aware, however, that the fibroid can grow back after a >hysteroscopy, and in addition, that lupron will induce all the >symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, mood swings, >and possible dryness. Has anyone else taken the same route I >am considering taking? I would really appreciate any input. My >e-mail address is: wellred@.... Thanks in advance! > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2001 Report Share Posted June 22, 2001 > I am aware, however, that the fibroid can grow back after a > hysteroscopy, and in addition, that lupron will induce all the > symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, mood swings, > and possible dryness. My doctor that performed an abdominal myo warned me about Lupron and told me that he would never use Lupron to reduce the size of the fibroid because it makes the surgery more difficult. He said that it changes the consistency of the fibroid from that of a rubber ball to that of jelly. When it is of jelly-like consistency it is tougher to get all of it out and tougher to tell the difference between the fibroid and the uterine tissue. I don't know if the same complications are true for hysteroscopy, but it's worth a question to your doctor. Good Luck! Giselle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2001 Report Share Posted June 22, 2001 > I am aware, however, that the fibroid can grow back after a > hysteroscopy, and in addition, that lupron will induce all the > symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, mood swings, > and possible dryness. My doctor that performed an abdominal myo warned me about Lupron and told me that he would never use Lupron to reduce the size of the fibroid because it makes the surgery more difficult. He said that it changes the consistency of the fibroid from that of a rubber ball to that of jelly. When it is of jelly-like consistency it is tougher to get all of it out and tougher to tell the difference between the fibroid and the uterine tissue. I don't know if the same complications are true for hysteroscopy, but it's worth a question to your doctor. Good Luck! Giselle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2001 Report Share Posted June 22, 2001 > I am aware, however, that the fibroid can grow back after a > hysteroscopy, and in addition, that lupron will induce all the > symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, mood swings, > and possible dryness. My doctor that performed an abdominal myo warned me about Lupron and told me that he would never use Lupron to reduce the size of the fibroid because it makes the surgery more difficult. He said that it changes the consistency of the fibroid from that of a rubber ball to that of jelly. When it is of jelly-like consistency it is tougher to get all of it out and tougher to tell the difference between the fibroid and the uterine tissue. I don't know if the same complications are true for hysteroscopy, but it's worth a question to your doctor. Good Luck! Giselle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2001 Report Share Posted June 22, 2001 " wellread " wrote: >Since I last posted, I saw the doctor again, and got a saline >ultrasound, which identified the exact position and size of my >fibroid. The doctor now feels that he can perform a >hysteroscopy, but because of the large size of the fibroid, he >would like me to take lupron injections for 3 to 4 months to >shrink the fibroid first. He recommends this procedure, because >I'm 37, and not 100% certain that I don't want children. He >doesn't recommend embolization, because he cites 2 cases >where the patients died, one where a woman became paralyzed >in her leg and another where a patient lost control of her bladder. >In addition, he stated that in some cases, embolization can >cause early menopause. All surgeries have risks. I read of a woman who died from hysteroscopy and another who had a perforated bowel. The deaths after embolisation are a tiny % out of several thousand UAEs performed worldwide. It appears to be a very safe procedure, though of course if you decide to have embolisation be sure you go to an experienced reputable radiologist. Yes, embolisation might affect fertility and I think about 1% of women under 45 stop having periods after UAE. The % is a lot higher for women over 45, but we don't know how may of these women would have stopped menstruating around the same time anyway if they hadn't had UAE. I don't know what risk there is of periods not resuming after a few months treatment with Lupron. It is generally agreed, however, that if you can safely and effectively be treated by hysteroscopy that it is the preferable procedure. I had UAE, but my fibroids are numerous intramural and subserosal. I think in your shoes I would opt for the short-term effects of Lupron rather than the permanent effects of UAE and the unknown consequences of low radiation exposure. (perhaps you can take synarel, which is given in shorter-term doses, so you can stop it sooner if the side effects are too severe?) If you experience symptomatic growth of fibroids again some time after treatment, you could possibly have another hysteroscopic resection or opt for UAE at that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2001 Report Share Posted June 22, 2001 " wellread " wrote: >Since I last posted, I saw the doctor again, and got a saline >ultrasound, which identified the exact position and size of my >fibroid. The doctor now feels that he can perform a >hysteroscopy, but because of the large size of the fibroid, he >would like me to take lupron injections for 3 to 4 months to >shrink the fibroid first. He recommends this procedure, because >I'm 37, and not 100% certain that I don't want children. He >doesn't recommend embolization, because he cites 2 cases >where the patients died, one where a woman became paralyzed >in her leg and another where a patient lost control of her bladder. >In addition, he stated that in some cases, embolization can >cause early menopause. All surgeries have risks. I read of a woman who died from hysteroscopy and another who had a perforated bowel. The deaths after embolisation are a tiny % out of several thousand UAEs performed worldwide. It appears to be a very safe procedure, though of course if you decide to have embolisation be sure you go to an experienced reputable radiologist. Yes, embolisation might affect fertility and I think about 1% of women under 45 stop having periods after UAE. The % is a lot higher for women over 45, but we don't know how may of these women would have stopped menstruating around the same time anyway if they hadn't had UAE. I don't know what risk there is of periods not resuming after a few months treatment with Lupron. It is generally agreed, however, that if you can safely and effectively be treated by hysteroscopy that it is the preferable procedure. I had UAE, but my fibroids are numerous intramural and subserosal. I think in your shoes I would opt for the short-term effects of Lupron rather than the permanent effects of UAE and the unknown consequences of low radiation exposure. (perhaps you can take synarel, which is given in shorter-term doses, so you can stop it sooner if the side effects are too severe?) If you experience symptomatic growth of fibroids again some time after treatment, you could possibly have another hysteroscopic resection or opt for UAE at that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2001 Report Share Posted June 22, 2001 >Has anyone else taken the same route I > am considering taking? I did the same thing you are doing. I ended up taking only 2 months of Lupron as it shrunk it enough to do the surgery without a 3rd shot. The symptoms we intense at times but worth it as far as the fibroid. Within 6 weeks of the Lupron-related surgery I was back in having it again withouth Lupron. Neither worked but I would recommend hysteroscopy before going to a more major surgery. good luck! Alison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2001 Report Share Posted June 22, 2001 >Has anyone else taken the same route I > am considering taking? I did the same thing you are doing. I ended up taking only 2 months of Lupron as it shrunk it enough to do the surgery without a 3rd shot. The symptoms we intense at times but worth it as far as the fibroid. Within 6 weeks of the Lupron-related surgery I was back in having it again withouth Lupron. Neither worked but I would recommend hysteroscopy before going to a more major surgery. good luck! Alison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2001 Report Share Posted June 25, 2001 on 6/22/01 12:03 PM, wellred@... at wellred@... wrote: The doctor now feels that he can perform a hysteroscopy, but because of the large size of the fibroid, he would like me to take lupron injections for 3 to 4 months to shrink the fibroid first. I just got done doing some research on Lupon after one doctor suggested that I take it before I have a UAE. I won't go into what a jerk he was (my regular doctor wasn't in) and he suggested it without even looking at my history! Anyway you should check out this site: http://www.lupronvictims.com Just a few of the side effects I learned of: bone mineral loss, significant cholesteral, lipid and liver funtion changes, possible loss of blood flow to the frontal lobes of the brain and that the insert to the prescription has 265 adverse reactions listed! Other articles I read stated that the drug actually made the fibroids harder to find. I've decided not to take it, but then my other doctor who is running the clinical study may not wnat me to anyway. I'll find out when I go in on Monday to sign consent forms and schedule my surgery. Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2001 Report Share Posted June 25, 2001 on 6/22/01 12:03 PM, wellred@... at wellred@... wrote: The doctor now feels that he can perform a hysteroscopy, but because of the large size of the fibroid, he would like me to take lupron injections for 3 to 4 months to shrink the fibroid first. I just got done doing some research on Lupon after one doctor suggested that I take it before I have a UAE. I won't go into what a jerk he was (my regular doctor wasn't in) and he suggested it without even looking at my history! Anyway you should check out this site: http://www.lupronvictims.com Just a few of the side effects I learned of: bone mineral loss, significant cholesteral, lipid and liver funtion changes, possible loss of blood flow to the frontal lobes of the brain and that the insert to the prescription has 265 adverse reactions listed! Other articles I read stated that the drug actually made the fibroids harder to find. I've decided not to take it, but then my other doctor who is running the clinical study may not wnat me to anyway. I'll find out when I go in on Monday to sign consent forms and schedule my surgery. Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2001 Report Share Posted June 25, 2001 on 6/22/01 12:03 PM, wellred@... at wellred@... wrote: The doctor now feels that he can perform a hysteroscopy, but because of the large size of the fibroid, he would like me to take lupron injections for 3 to 4 months to shrink the fibroid first. I just got done doing some research on Lupon after one doctor suggested that I take it before I have a UAE. I won't go into what a jerk he was (my regular doctor wasn't in) and he suggested it without even looking at my history! Anyway you should check out this site: http://www.lupronvictims.com Just a few of the side effects I learned of: bone mineral loss, significant cholesteral, lipid and liver funtion changes, possible loss of blood flow to the frontal lobes of the brain and that the insert to the prescription has 265 adverse reactions listed! Other articles I read stated that the drug actually made the fibroids harder to find. I've decided not to take it, but then my other doctor who is running the clinical study may not wnat me to anyway. I'll find out when I go in on Monday to sign consent forms and schedule my surgery. Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2001 Report Share Posted June 25, 2001 Hi, just to let you know that I am going to have a myomectomy performed to remove my huge fibroid. I have to use Lupron for 3 months before the surgery. The surgery does not really scare me that much but what does scare me is the Lupron. I have check out the lupronvictim web site and lot of that stuff I read on it scares me to much, but for me to maintain my fertility I am willing to take that risk because if I don't I would have to have a hysterectomy performed instead or even UAE but that procedure is very risky to me since I am allergic to the x-ray dye they use for that procedure. I have given it a lot of thought to what I would have decide to have done if I had my family already. I with you on the Lupron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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