Guest guest Posted May 21, 2003 Report Share Posted May 21, 2003 Donna, thank you for the information. I did find out it was the doctor's limitations, he finally admitted it. Also, they did a pap twice, both times I had my menstrual cycle and they couldn't get a reading - they didn't seem concerned but I certainly am. So, I am getting a second opinion, at Brigham and Women's in Boston where they specialize in those types of things. This is just another hurdle in the scheme of things I guess, could have been worse. Thanks again and good luck to you too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2003 Report Share Posted May 21, 2003 Hi : I was recently diagnosed too. The first thing you should do is get " Sex Lies and the Truth about Uterine Fibroids " . It's the best book I've found and will give you the big picture about your diagnosis. Most doctors do recommend hysterectomy, as did mine, that doesn't mean it is your only option. I specifically asked for other options and the doc still said hysterectomy was the only one. Hogwash. Get all your testing done: Exam, Pap, cervical biopsy, US, CT or MRI as well as blood work to do what you can to ensure it is unlikely to be cancer (0.3% chance). Read the book and don't feel rushed. Get multiple opinions as oftentimes the doctor's recommendation is a function of HIS/HER limitations, not your options. And be sure to seek out doctors who do the procedure you want. If it's anything other than hysterectomy this will take some searching. I know how scary this diagnosis can be. Don't let the doc's words cause you to panic and act out of fear. Get educated and " drive " your own treatment. If you're concerned about growth what I do is measure my abdomen, not during period of course, at both the fattest point and at the navel level with a sewing tape measure first thing in the morning with an empty stomach and bladder. It's not as sensitive as an US but it can alert you to rapid growth from month to month. Hang in there and know that you are not alone. Take care, Donna > Hi, I am new to this and having trouble making sense out of the > messages here so far. Guess I have to read back further. I was just > diagnosed with a large fibroid (17cm) and they want to do a > hysterectomy. I'm 39 and not sure that's what I want, but I am > having trouble finding a good place to have a second opinion. I have > heard too many negative things so far about it. It's not too > bothersome - actually my physician sent me home and told me I was > constipated. Gave me all kinds of stuff that did nothing. Go figure. > The second doctor (at the ER) crossed his fingers and said just hope > its not cancer and that I should get it checked right away. This has > been some experience so far. Any opinions I would greatly > appreciate. I can feel it and I'm not heavy so it shows at times and > its uncomfortable but no other symptoms. Just a big lump, but they > tell me it might keep growing. > > Thanks for any help. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2003 Report Share Posted May 21, 2003 Hi , I too was diagnosed about 5 months ago but was symptomatic for a least 2 years and I am 38. Donna has given you excellent advise. And she has covered all of the bases. There is also a web site http://www.uterinefibroids.com/ . I use Super Dieters Tea for my constipation, one of the ingredients is Senna. You can get it from any health food store, GNC is where I get mine. I tend to find that it works great to move my intestinal gas and bowels. Cheryl Re: New diagnosis I was recently diagnosed too. The first thing you should do is get " Sex Lies and the Truth about Uterine Fibroids " . It's the best book I've found and will give you the big picture about your diagnosis. Most doctors do recommend hysterectomy, as did mine, that doesn't mean it is your only option. I specifically asked for other options and the doc still said hysterectomy was the only one. Hogwash. Get all your testing done: Exam, Pap, cervical biopsy, US, CT or MRI as well as blood work to do what you can to ensure it is unlikely to be cancer (0.3% chance). Read the book and don't feel rushed. Get multiple opinions as oftentimes the doctor's recommendation is a function of HIS/HER limitations, not your options. And be sure to seek out doctors who do the procedure you want. If it's anything other than hysterectomy this will take some searching. I know how scary this diagnosis can be. Don't let the doc's words cause you to panic and act out of fear. Get educated and " drive " your own treatment. If you're concerned about growth what I do is measure my abdomen, not during period of course, at both the fattest point and at the navel level with a sewing tape measure first thing in the morning with an empty stomach and bladder. It's not as sensitive as an US but it can alert you to rapid growth from month to month. Hang in there and know that you are not alone. I was just diagnosed with a large fibroid (17cm) and they want to do a > hysterectomy. I'm 39 and not sure that's what I want, but I am > having trouble finding a good place to have a second opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2004 Report Share Posted August 24, 2004 Have you thought about getting a second opinion? Just a thought. BarbaraSuzanne wrote: Hi Suzanne here.I had an MRI done a couple of weeks ago because myneck and left shoulder were hurting me more than mylegs. I have had RSD in my legs for almost 6 years,which is pretty much under control with a mix of oralmeds and my pump, but this upper body pain, alongwiith weakness in my hands & numbness, was way off thescale. I was terrified that RSD had spread. It didn'tbut I'm not sure if what I found out was better orworse.I hare Arthritis & Spinal Stenosis in my cervicalspine. I have bony fragments (arthritis) and narrowingof the space around the spinal cord (stenosis) from C3to C7.Naturally, there's nothing wrong with my shoulders orarms. All pain & weakness stems from things touchingmy spinal cord that should not be touching my spinalcord.My pain doc told me that he will try a cortisoneinjection, but they usually don't help for long, andthe next step is a neurosurgeon, who will "scrape" outthe area to make as much space as possible to ease theswelling of my spinal cord. Bad news is, there is noway to stop the shrinking of the space (apparently,it's congenital), and we all know arthritis tries tokeep the bones as bumpy as possible.Anywhooo, surgery means opening up my whole spine atthe back of my neck, and I don't want that. But thenagain I don't want any of this.If anyone has any experience with this, please pleaseplease tell me what you did (1st step, 2nd, lastresort, etc.), and the outcome.I know I don't want surgery, but I wonder if I wouldhurt myself in the long run by refusing it...Pain is bad, but I think fear is worse. Oh, I don'tknow. Any help helps. Thanks.Suzannebellagattos@...__________________________________Do you Yahoo!?Yahoo! Mail - 50x more storage than other providers!http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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