Newly Diagnosed

[Guest guest]

Hello. I was recently MRI-ed for cervical disk ruptures at C5-C6 and

C6-C7, and it was incidentally discovered that I have a Chirari I

Malformation descending to C1. In previous years I have suffered from

odd unilateral aches and pains, recurring every two or three months,

resolving in a week or so. This may or may not be Chiari-related. I'm

searching for an experienced neurologist in the Los Angeles area to

discuss this with, but in the meantime my anxiety is considerable. Am

I looking at an inevitable progressive series of symptoms? And, I am

searching for a surgeon to work on my disks (I have extreme pain in

left arm shoulder blade attributed to my ruptures - not to Chiari, I

think). Are there special considerations for the type of procedure

considering the Chirari? Any anecdotal information would be

appreciated. Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Fibroids and cysts can be removed in such a way that your

fertility will be regained and preserved, all being well. Ask the

gynaecologist about whether the cysts are likely to be a concern

or not. Look at the time in your cycle when you had the

ultrasound and tell the gynaecologist that. I say this because my

cyst was found not to be there any more when I was operated on

and some 5 months after my abdominal myomectomy, the new

GP said it was probably a menstrual cycle cyst I had. I hadn't felt

any pain.

If you're ever told you have PCOS, polycystic Ovary Syndrome,

check out the excellent 'SoulCysters' site and there are a couple

of books on this subject too.

I was told that there was always a chance that I might need an

oopherectomy, depending on how the cyst looked in surgery.

I've read posts here where cyst removal was reported to be 'a

piece of cake'. It probably depends on type of cyst and location??

There's an online medical dictionary somewhere that's handy for

tech-speak on ultrasound reports.

There are various fibroid treatments and one of the ones you

should be considering to be able to have children is the

myomectomy. Be VERY WARY of unecessary hysterectomies.

Ask your gynaecologist lots of preprepared questions and write

things down as soon as you can. It's a good idea to learn the

basics yourself from the internet and books, such as 'What are

fibroids?' and save the precious time wiht the gynae for

questions only (s)he can answer, such as ' " Do you do many of

these operations? Do they often turn to hysterectomies/need a

transfusion? What do you think about the suitability or not of

different treatment options for my case? and " What do you make

of my results? Why would you say a XXX would be more

appropriate than XXX treatment in my case? (e.g. keyhole

myomectomy, or bikini incision myo). Would I have a bikini or

vertical incision in my case? What is th current thinking about

UAE and preserving fertility? What are the least invasive best

options for me? Could any of my typical fibroid symptoms also

be caused by or aggavated by other causes? Can I contact you if

I have questions my GP can't answer?

Check out the Yahoo site ttc myomectomy.

Good Luck !

[Guest guest]

Hi , where in Ont are u?

Im in Toronto, The best advise would be to consider a Myomectomy, open abd

surgery to remove your fibroids, this will preserve your uterus.

Do your homework and ask lots of questions.. Habe you ever been pregnant? Is

fertility the main reason to remove your fibroids?

Good luck

[Guest guest]

Hi Heidi - I'm very sorry about your loss. I agree with the other

Heidi, the first step is to ensure you have a proper dx. The best way

to get a definitive dx is to have a lap/hyst. If you are in fact SU

they will resect or remove the septum during the lap/hyst. Most women

on this board, particularly those who have experienced losses and

early m/c, would recommend the resection of your septum as the surgery

is minor and recovery quick.

As Heidi noted, some docs feel that unless there is a history of

multiple m/c it is best not to perform the surgery as any surgery has

some risk. Others feel that given the non-invasive nature of the

surgery, the 'phophalatic' resection of septums even in women with no

history of loss is warranted.

Unlike the information Heidi presented, the research I've done

indicates a higher than usual 1st trimester m/c rate with SU. However,

I'm not convinced at all by some of the older research that points to

a 70+ miscarrage rate with SU. The bottom line is no one knows for

certain as insufficient research has been done on the topic. Many

women with SU have multiple loss and pre-term labour, others have

normal or near-normal pregnancies despite the septum.

If you feel certain regarding the resection that is probably the right

course of action to follow, particularly if you've had no trouble

conceiving in the past (even minor uterine surgery may leave some scar

tissue which could aggravate fertility issues). The overwhelming

majority of women on this board with SUs have had their septums

removed and as far I as I know, none have regretted the decision.

Good luck with your decision, please let us know if we can help you

with any further information.

Cheers,

a

36

Complete SU, unresected

DD 16 months old

6 weeks, 1 day prg with #2

--- In MullerianAnomalies , " hpmint " wr

[Guest guest]

Hi Heidi - I'm very sorry about your loss. I agree with the other

Heidi, the first step is to ensure you have a proper dx. The best way

to get a definitive dx is to have a lap/hyst. If you are in fact SU

they will resect or remove the septum during the lap/hyst. Most women

on this board, particularly those who have experienced losses and

early m/c, would recommend the resection of your septum as the surgery

is minor and recovery quick.

As Heidi noted, some docs feel that unless there is a history of

multiple m/c it is best not to perform the surgery as any surgery has

some risk. Others feel that given the non-invasive nature of the

surgery, the 'phophalatic' resection of septums even in women with no

history of loss is warranted.

Unlike the information Heidi presented, the research I've done

indicates a higher than usual 1st trimester m/c rate with SU. However,

I'm not convinced at all by some of the older research that points to

a 70+ miscarrage rate with SU. The bottom line is no one knows for

certain as insufficient research has been done on the topic. Many

women with SU have multiple loss and pre-term labour, others have

normal or near-normal pregnancies despite the septum.

If you feel certain regarding the resection that is probably the right

course of action to follow, particularly if you've had no trouble

conceiving in the past (even minor uterine surgery may leave some scar

tissue which could aggravate fertility issues). The overwhelming

majority of women on this board with SUs have had their septums

removed and as far I as I know, none have regretted the decision.

Good luck with your decision, please let us know if we can help you

with any further information.

Cheers,

a

36

Complete SU, unresected

DD 16 months old

6 weeks, 1 day prg with #2

--- In MullerianAnomalies , " hpmint " wr

[Guest guest]

Hi Heidi - I'm very sorry about your loss. I agree with the other

Heidi, the first step is to ensure you have a proper dx. The best way

to get a definitive dx is to have a lap/hyst. If you are in fact SU

they will resect or remove the septum during the lap/hyst. Most women

on this board, particularly those who have experienced losses and

early m/c, would recommend the resection of your septum as the surgery

is minor and recovery quick.

As Heidi noted, some docs feel that unless there is a history of

multiple m/c it is best not to perform the surgery as any surgery has

some risk. Others feel that given the non-invasive nature of the

surgery, the 'phophalatic' resection of septums even in women with no

history of loss is warranted.

Unlike the information Heidi presented, the research I've done

indicates a higher than usual 1st trimester m/c rate with SU. However,

I'm not convinced at all by some of the older research that points to

a 70+ miscarrage rate with SU. The bottom line is no one knows for

certain as insufficient research has been done on the topic. Many

women with SU have multiple loss and pre-term labour, others have

normal or near-normal pregnancies despite the septum.

If you feel certain regarding the resection that is probably the right

course of action to follow, particularly if you've had no trouble

conceiving in the past (even minor uterine surgery may leave some scar

tissue which could aggravate fertility issues). The overwhelming

majority of women on this board with SUs have had their septums

removed and as far I as I know, none have regretted the decision.

Good luck with your decision, please let us know if we can help you

with any further information.

Cheers,

a

36

Complete SU, unresected

DD 16 months old

6 weeks, 1 day prg with #2

--- In MullerianAnomalies , " hpmint " wr