Re: Large Fibroids - Need help w/Options

[Guest guest]

,

I have stomach problems and fibroids. I had an upper GI which showed

nothing early on. I don't think my doctor took me seriously about any of

the things I was complaining about. He did finally, at my suggestion, test

me for H Pylori. The test was positive and I was treated for that. Stomach

was much better, but I still had lots of heartburn, which I blamed partially

on growing fibroids.

To make a long story short, I changed doctors. I was scoped and they found

I had gastritis, duodenititis, a hiatal hernia, healing ulcers and negative

biopsies for cancer and H Pylori. If I take Prevacid about every other day,

I do okay with the heartburn and reflux.

I had a UAE last October. I had a 20-week size uterus, multiple fibroids,

largest about 9cm. My symptoms were largely bulk symptoms, mostly pain. My

3-month sonogram showed a 30% reduction in the size of my fibroids and

immediate relief from the symptoms. I had less pain, less bladder pressure,

less bleeding, less fatigue almost immediately.

I do still have awful bloating particularly before my periods. Since I got

some relief for the stomach problems before the fibroids and I had a UAE

instead of a hysterectomy, I'm not sure if this helps you at all. I will

say that I waited too long and put up with bad medical care for too long.

Ginny

Large Fibroids - Need help w/Options

> Hi, my name is and I'm new to the group. I have had uterine

fibroids

> for the past several years. My last ultrasound showed 5 fibroids ranging

in

> size from 4.2 up to 7.2. I hadn't been having symptoms but recently I've

had

> indigestion problems and reflux. I've had 2 upper GI's and one showed a

> sliding hiatal hernia and the other didn't show anything (no hernia). I'm

> thinking these fibroids might finally be causing me problems. I take lots

of

> herbs/vitamins, etc to try and keep the fibroids under control. My

periods

> are a little heavy, but nothing major....one heavy day and the other 5

days

> are okay. My dr is suggesting hysterectomy (of course) but I'm terrified

of

> being cut open. If these fibroids are contributing to these stomach

> problems, then I don't know what to do at this point. Could some of you

> please share your experiences with the size of your fibroids, how many you

> had and how you decided to treat it? If you did opt for a hyst, how did

it

> go ? Were you sick afterwards, etc.? I am kinda bummed about the whole

> thing. I am 43 years old.

>

> Thanks in advance,

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am 38 and I chose to have UAE. My pre-UAE MRI showed two intramural

fibroids, one 6.9 cm x 5.4 cm and the other 5.5 cmx4.9 cm. I also had a

subserosal fibroid 2.9 cm x4.2 cm. I also had 2 submucosal fibroids around 6

mm each.

My UAE was in April and, so far, I am quite pleased with the results. I lost

about 6lbs within the first month, saw immediate improvement in the pressure

on my bladder and a significant reduction in my PMS symptoms (a side benefit

I was not expecting). My periods are just about as heavy (I've had two full

periods), but no clots and no more gushing. I have seen a decrease in the

size of my belly, however, I still get bloated around my period. I also have

much more energy than I did pre UAE.

There are options, other than hysterectomy, for fibroids your size. I would

recommend that you consult with an Interventional Radiologist (go to

scvir.org to find an IR near you) before making your decision. That way you

have explored all your options even if you decide not to have UAE. Just

remember, it is your decision to make (unless you have something life

threatening), not the Doctor's. Keep researching and asking questions until

you have enough info to make YOUR decision.

Ann