45 yo experience to find myomectomy dr.

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

My experience has been different from the recent posts. I first found out I

probably had fibroids complaining of frequent urination and bulk (not being able

to suck in my belly), at 44. My general practicioner said I would need a

hysterectomy with no other information that left me in shock. It was 6 months

before I went to a wonderful GYN for an exam and ultrasound that confirmed very

large fibroids, but I never had irregular periods, cramps or bleeding. This GYN

also said the only option was a hysterectomy and wanted to do it that week after

a D & C, which I also did not need, and he wanted to take my ovaries and cervix.

He only gave me fibroid info and was shocked when I told him he might as well

take my breasts while he was at it. I had no understanding of why I needed a

hysterectomy from reading fibroid literature. I started researching fibroids AND

alternative treatments and got 4 more " opinions " : all the same that only a

hysterectomy was appropriate.

Needless to say, I was frustrated and found no difference between male or female

doctors. Getting appointments was usually a 5-8 week wait, and even my insurance

couldn't direct me to doctors who do myomectomies or offer alternatives. I

couldn't reconcile myself to their conclusion. No more frequent urination, but

now more discomfort and pressure, yet the 18 week pregnancy size had not changed

in a year. Close friends started to think I was being irrational and in denial.

But no kidney damage, no bleeding, and all 6 doctors said it was not a necessary

procedure EXCEPT to treat symptoms and prevent future problems, yet a

hysterectomy seemed too radical but only to me. The bigger discussion was

whether to keep my cervix and ovaries, and most wanted it all gone as a

preventative measure. No one would discuss HRT at this point. I actually

succumbed to the pressure and had scheduled the surgery but had to cancel it 3

days before due to being the caregiver for father still recoverying from his

surgery. It was divine providence.

I never cancelled an appointment that was in the wings for 2 months by a

fertility specialist who was recommended. In addition, my father's doctor and

several nurses offered me other ideas, including encouraging me to find a doctor

who does myomectomies or leave the state to find a second opinion. (The

Philadelphia area is in crisis due to doctors leaving the state unable to pay

astronomical malpractice insurance costs).

This fertility specialist could not see any reason I would need a hysterectomy.

He discussed why each other option was not feasible, and said he was now seeing

patients after their UAEs and could not recommend it as an alternative for me.

He wasn't considering that I wasn't imagining getting pregnant, because he

believes, as I did, that these organs are not only for procreation. The only

struggle now is waiting for the surgery date and getting on with my life.

MY RECOMMENDATION: You need to be your own researcher, but see fertility or

endocrinology specialists for alternatives, because generally American

gynecologists want to do hysterctomies and won't recommend you to other doctors

or interventional radiologists. If you decide on a hysterectomy, unless you have

complications for one, find a convenient location for your caregivers because

all GYNs can do them; you don't need to go to distant hospitals. But few GYNs

have experience with myomectomies, which is not a longer or more risky procedure

when regularly done. Doctors are now business people in this era, and while

they are thinking of your best interest, they are also thinking of what they can

do for you, which is not necessarily what someone else would do for you. They

have their schedules to fill and are competing for you to select them, so if

your situation allows, get different opinions to weigh which may come from

different specialists.

I don't know what lies ahead, but my prayers are with all of us as we walk this

path of healing and understanding health.

Your sister Loretta