2nd Opinion

[Guest guest]

" Both doctors I have seen said that I am not a good candidate for

UAE. I have multiple fibroids - the largest is 7cm. "

Were both doctors gynecologists? The only kind of doctor who can

tell you if you are a suitable candidate for UAE is a doctor who

performs the procedure, an Interventional Radiologist. One of the

benefits of UAE is that it treats all the fibroids at the same time,

and 7cm is probably not too large. Gynes have a lot of

misconceptions about UAE. My " UAE friendly " gyn thought that it was

most appropriate for larger fibroids, which isn't particularly

true. Here is a site to find a doctor who does UAE:

http://www.uterinefibroids.org/

[Guest guest]

Holly,

If I were you, I'll find at least two more GYNs that I know are

knowledgeable about fibroids and about different treatments. I'll load

myself with long list of questions and if I am still in doubt, I'll see

a third one. But before I see the new doctors, I'll educate myself with

different options and their short/long-term effects.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Hi,

You do have options and time to decide. I wouldn't rush a decision. You can try

pain meds for your pain if it starts again. Ask your doc for them. Pain can be

controlled. I got pain meds from my doc. Anti-imflammatories sometimes help.

Keep on this group and ask questions.

Ku

Mgeglia1@... wrote:

Hi all,

I wanted to say thanks for all the questions and thoughtful answers that this

group provides. I went in Friday for a second opinion and she didn't really

tell me a strong opinion - more or less she said it was hard to know what I

should do unless I was psychic. I have intermittent pain that I can live with -

the problem is I am scared it will get worse if I don't have surgery. I

mentioned in my first message that i have a window of opportunity to have

surgery,

either now or I have to wait until the end of the year because of my job

requirements. I still don't know if I should go the route of myomectomy or

hysterectomy. Both doctors I have seen said that I am not a good candidate for

UAE.

I have multiple fibroids - the largest is 7cm. If you were me, would you

hold off because the pain is not severe right now? (It was severe, every day for

2 months - now it seems to have settled down.) I know that no one can tell

me what is best for me, but I am confused. Mostly I am afraid of the pain

coming back worse and having to wait several months again before I can do

anything

about it.

Thanks for listening,

Holly

[Guest guest]

To be honest, if it were me, I'd get it done with now. In time, they

could grow larger, which could lead to a larger incision if you go

the myomectomy route. I found that having more time to worry about

what I was going to, was more stressful than actually getting the

surgery done. (I had a 5 inch incision across the bikini line, back

in Aug 2003 to remove 1 grapefruit sized fibroid)

Best of luck to you...

[Guest guest]

I glad you had a great second oppintion. That atkins deit did wonders for me

i lost 110 lbs on it so if you need any help on it let me know.

[Guest guest]

Well I just got back from the doctor's appointment, a new doctor I

was seeing for a second opinion. He is very nice, quite different

from what I've experienced thus far. He went over the original

ultrasound reports from January and February with me. No one else

did, I asked for copies of them from the PA who ordered the tests and

looked up terms in my medical books to try to decipher them for

myself. He stated that the reports were just that, without actual

ultrasound photos it was hard to determine where and of what size the

fibroid/fibroids is/are. He said the first report did show some

dense lining, which is an indication of fibroids and the enlarged

uterus, free fluid and debris with an indication of hemorrhaging

around one of my ovaries. He determined this could be from

ovulation. He went over the second report which was done a month

after the first and he said it seemed the hemorrhaging resolved

itself. I told him I had another scan done by a GYN doctor in March

that the PA had referred me to due to my having two periods in one

month. I was sent to see Dr. Heinrich because she felt I might need

a D & C. He laughed and said; " You saw Dr. Heinrich and you still

have a uterus? " : /

Then he said, " Don't get me wrong he's a great guy, we went to

medical school together, did some internship together and then went

our separate ways for about two years before going into practice

together here in town. After about 16 years we divorced (laughing)

but we're still good friends. He'll be fine with sending over the

pictures for me. "

He then said, " So why are you here to see me? You've had a recent

mammogram, Pap smear and ultrasounds. " I told him I wanted another

opinion, that Dr. Heinrich had recommended hysterectomy as the only

treatment for my fibroids and was actually quite annoyed with me that

I wasn't taking my " condition " serious enough. He asked me if I

intended on having any more children, I said yes I would like to have

at least one more. He said then why don't you. I told him Dr.

Heinrich said it was out of the question, in his words " I was far too

old to be thinking that. " He made a funny kinda ouch face and

said, " Now you don't think you're too old do you? " I was like OH MY

GOD I actually get a choice in this?!?

I told him that Dr. Heinrich wanted to speak with my fiancé regarding

my " condition " and basically put the fear of God into both of us if

we even considered something as stupid as creating a child together.

He made that questioning face again and said, " Well, I suggest you

try to get pregnant and if you're not pregnant by the end of the year

we'll consider trying some clomid. In the meantime pick up an

ovulation prediction test if you see them on sale and use that one

month. " I said so what of the fibroids? He took out some

information on fibroids that we read together and said after he

reviews the pictures and the notes from Dr. Heinrich we will discuss

it more. I explained to him that I was told by Dr. Heinrich that I

had a 3cm-submucousal fibroid in the fundus region that could not be

removed and the problem could only be resolved with hysterectomy. He

said I had a few bothersome symptoms, but in no way life threatening

unless I didn't keep the anemia under control. He said he would

recommend to anyone not wanting anymore children to try ablation to

control the bleeding but since I wanted another child that I should

just see what happens.

So I guess I'll just do nothing for now other than continue to take

my iron and take a multi vitamin to help build up my stores. I'm

also going to try to loose another 20 or 30 pounds just in case I do

get pregnant. He recommended my doing Atkins again. So I'll have

Ice cream for dinner tonight to celebrate keeping my uterus and bacon

and eggs for breakfast tomorrow to begin Atkins. LOL

[Guest guest]

Way to go girl

--- colonicsbyrose waitn4danny@...> wrote:

> Well I just got back from the doctor's appointment,

> a new doctor I

> was seeing for a second opinion. He is very nice,

> quite different

> from what I've experienced thus far.