Re: treatment options for large fibroid(s)

[Guest guest]

I hope i didn't just send that email. Anyway I'm 24yrs old, no children. I used

to thank God, for that. now I'm wondering if I'm being punished. Well about nine

mths ago a doctor found a large fibroid about the size of a 16week pregnancy.

The plan was for me to take Lupron for 3mths and then have myectomy preformed.

Well nine mths later my fibroid has shrunk dramatically. But it still isn't

small enough to operate. To make things worse the doctor said it looked like

there was another small fibroid growing. To make a long story short it looks

like another 6mths to a year. But this is one way to make your fibroids smaller,

and you might not even need surgery.

The Lupron has helped me a lot, the heavy extremely painful periods have been

gone for nine mths. There is a down side to lupron it causes a few side effects,

like hot flashes, and night sweats but its been better than bleeding like crazy.

I hope i've helped you a little. I look forward to talking to you later.

-Delle

Heidi Stahl hoot@...> wrote:

Hello. I need some help figuring out what my treatment options are. The

preliminary results of my second ultrasound are that the fibroid(s) are

distending my uterus similar to that of a 5-month pregnancy. As the

technician so kindly put it, " Your uterus is basically one big fibroid. "

So much for bedside manner.

I'm 40, am not in a relationship, and don't feel strongly about trying to

get pregnant. Does this necessarily mean hysterectomy? I thought I could

just wait them out 'til after menopause, but they're growing pretty fast,

and I'm starting to feel some cramping and pinching in the front of my

uterus, in addition to low back pain that's similar to menstrual cramps.

I'm also just tired a lot of the time, and tired of dealing with this. And

today I feel particularly discouraged.

Do any of you have success stories to share about non-invasive procedures

with large fibroids?

Thanks,

Heidi

[Guest guest]

I hope i didn't just send that email. Anyway I'm 24yrs old, no children. I used

to thank God, for that. now I'm wondering if I'm being punished. Well about nine

mths ago a doctor found a large fibroid about the size of a 16week pregnancy.

The plan was for me to take Lupron for 3mths and then have myectomy preformed.

Well nine mths later my fibroid has shrunk dramatically. But it still isn't

small enough to operate. To make things worse the doctor said it looked like

there was another small fibroid growing. To make a long story short it looks

like another 6mths to a year. But this is one way to make your fibroids smaller,

and you might not even need surgery.

The Lupron has helped me a lot, the heavy extremely painful periods have been

gone for nine mths. There is a down side to lupron it causes a few side effects,

like hot flashes, and night sweats but its been better than bleeding like crazy.

I hope i've helped you a little. I look forward to talking to you later.

-Delle

Heidi Stahl hoot@...> wrote:

Hello. I need some help figuring out what my treatment options are. The

preliminary results of my second ultrasound are that the fibroid(s) are

distending my uterus similar to that of a 5-month pregnancy. As the

technician so kindly put it, " Your uterus is basically one big fibroid. "

So much for bedside manner.

I'm 40, am not in a relationship, and don't feel strongly about trying to

get pregnant. Does this necessarily mean hysterectomy? I thought I could

just wait them out 'til after menopause, but they're growing pretty fast,

and I'm starting to feel some cramping and pinching in the front of my

uterus, in addition to low back pain that's similar to menstrual cramps.

I'm also just tired a lot of the time, and tired of dealing with this. And

today I feel particularly discouraged.

Do any of you have success stories to share about non-invasive procedures

with large fibroids?

Thanks,

Heidi

[Guest guest]

I hope i didn't just send that email. Anyway I'm 24yrs old, no children. I used

to thank God, for that. now I'm wondering if I'm being punished. Well about nine

mths ago a doctor found a large fibroid about the size of a 16week pregnancy.

The plan was for me to take Lupron for 3mths and then have myectomy preformed.

Well nine mths later my fibroid has shrunk dramatically. But it still isn't

small enough to operate. To make things worse the doctor said it looked like

there was another small fibroid growing. To make a long story short it looks

like another 6mths to a year. But this is one way to make your fibroids smaller,

and you might not even need surgery.

The Lupron has helped me a lot, the heavy extremely painful periods have been

gone for nine mths. There is a down side to lupron it causes a few side effects,

like hot flashes, and night sweats but its been better than bleeding like crazy.

I hope i've helped you a little. I look forward to talking to you later.

-Delle

Heidi Stahl hoot@...> wrote:

Hello. I need some help figuring out what my treatment options are. The

preliminary results of my second ultrasound are that the fibroid(s) are

distending my uterus similar to that of a 5-month pregnancy. As the

technician so kindly put it, " Your uterus is basically one big fibroid. "

So much for bedside manner.

I'm 40, am not in a relationship, and don't feel strongly about trying to

get pregnant. Does this necessarily mean hysterectomy? I thought I could

just wait them out 'til after menopause, but they're growing pretty fast,

and I'm starting to feel some cramping and pinching in the front of my

uterus, in addition to low back pain that's similar to menstrual cramps.

I'm also just tired a lot of the time, and tired of dealing with this. And

today I feel particularly discouraged.

Do any of you have success stories to share about non-invasive procedures

with large fibroids?

Thanks,

Heidi

[Guest guest]

Heidi, My fibroid tumors are the same size as yours. I am only 35 years old

and the OB/GYN wanted to a hysterectomy, but I do not want one, and I will

not have one yet. I was suppose to have the UAE last week, but insurance is

giving me a hard time. Have you had your blood tested? You were saying that

you tired a lot of the time maybe your iron is low. I know my was the other

month and they put me on iron pills. Only you and God can make the right

decision on what to do with your body. My tumors are pressing on the left

ovary and my stomach. I have real heavy bleeding and big blood clots. Do you

have the same symptoms? Take care of your self.

A

>

>Reply-To: uterinefibroids

>To: uterinefibroids >

>Subject: treatment options for large fibroid(s)

>Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2004 12:49:31 -0700 (PDT)

>Do any of you have success stories to share about non-invasive procedures

>with large fibroids?

[Guest guest]

Dear Heidi,

I am 44 yrs old and am finished having kids but I still didnt want

anybody removing my body parts! Or risking early heart disease or

early menopause! After a lot of research I decided on a myoectomy.

That was June 2nd 2004 and so far I am extremely pleased with my

results. I had one huge fibroid and looked about 5 to 6 mos

pregnant. You might want to get some books and read up on your

options. There are several that are very informative. Plus research

on the internet helps too.

The Hysterectomy Hoax by Dr. Stanley West (www.repmed.com)

Sex, Lies & the Truth about Uterine Fibroids by Carla Dionne

A Gynocologist's Second Opinion by Dr. H.

(www.Fibroidsecondopinion.com)

What ever you decide just make sure you have a competent Dr.! This

is the only body you have. Good luck and God Bless.

-- In uterinefibroids , " Heidi Stahl "

wrote:

> Do any of you have success stories to share about non-invasive

procedures with large fibroids?

[Guest guest]

Dear Heidi,

I am 44 yrs old and am finished having kids but I still didnt want

anybody removing my body parts! Or risking early heart disease or

early menopause! After a lot of research I decided on a myoectomy.

That was June 2nd 2004 and so far I am extremely pleased with my

results. I had one huge fibroid and looked about 5 to 6 mos

pregnant. You might want to get some books and read up on your

options. There are several that are very informative. Plus research

on the internet helps too.

The Hysterectomy Hoax by Dr. Stanley West (www.repmed.com)

Sex, Lies & the Truth about Uterine Fibroids by Carla Dionne

A Gynocologist's Second Opinion by Dr. H.

(www.Fibroidsecondopinion.com)

What ever you decide just make sure you have a competent Dr.! This

is the only body you have. Good luck and God Bless.

-- In uterinefibroids , " Heidi Stahl "

wrote:

> Do any of you have success stories to share about non-invasive

procedures with large fibroids?

[Guest guest]

Dear Heidi,

I am 44 yrs old and am finished having kids but I still didnt want

anybody removing my body parts! Or risking early heart disease or

early menopause! After a lot of research I decided on a myoectomy.

That was June 2nd 2004 and so far I am extremely pleased with my

results. I had one huge fibroid and looked about 5 to 6 mos

pregnant. You might want to get some books and read up on your

options. There are several that are very informative. Plus research

on the internet helps too.

The Hysterectomy Hoax by Dr. Stanley West (www.repmed.com)

Sex, Lies & the Truth about Uterine Fibroids by Carla Dionne

A Gynocologist's Second Opinion by Dr. H.

(www.Fibroidsecondopinion.com)

What ever you decide just make sure you have a competent Dr.! This

is the only body you have. Good luck and God Bless.

-- In uterinefibroids , " Heidi Stahl "

wrote:

> Do any of you have success stories to share about non-invasive

procedures with large fibroids?

[Guest guest]

Delle are you saying you have been on Lupron for nine

months?

e

--- delle brown delle_brown@...> wrote:

> The plan was for me to take Lupron for 3mths and

> then have myectomy preformed. Well nine mths later

> my fibroid has shrunk dramatically. But it still

> isn't small enough to operate. To make things worse

> the doctor said it looked like there was another

> small fibroid growing. To make a long story short it

> looks like another 6mths to a year. But this is one

> way to make your fibroids smaller, and you might not

> even need surgery.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Heidi,

I am currently going through the same thing. I am 37 years old and going

through something real similar. I have a large fast growing fibroid that is on

the exterior of my uterous between the uterous and my right overie. I have the

same symptoms as you plus some and am tired of just feeling bad. I was also

plagued with no energy what so ever. I have basically stayed in bed for the

last month except when working or the kids needing anything. My GYN has been

out of town and thanks to reading along with this group I decided to started

myself out on a good multi vitiman and also an iron supplement. I have been on

it for about a week now and over the last 2 days feel significantly better. (I

would normally still be a sleep right now) But I do recommend getting with your

doctor on what he feels you should do. I will be talking with mine today about

treatment options for the fibroid and what I have already started on my own. I

will let you know what he tells me just in case it will help you out although

every fibroid seems to be different.

Good luck,

Kim

Hello. I need some help figuring out what my treatment options are. The

preliminary results of my second ultrasound are that the fibroid(s) are

distending my uterus similar to that of a 5-month pregnancy. As the

technician so kindly put it, " Your uterus is basically one big fibroid. "

So much for bedside manner.

I'm 40, am not in a relationship, and don't feel strongly about trying to

get pregnant. Does this necessarily mean hysterectomy? I thought I could

just wait them out 'til after menopause, but they're growing pretty fast,

and I'm starting to feel some cramping and pinching in the front of my

uterus, in addition to low back pain that's similar to menstrual cramps.

I'm also just tired a lot of the time, and tired of dealing with this. And

today I feel particularly discouraged.

Do any of you have success stories to share about non-invasive procedures

with large fibroids?

Thanks,

Heidi

[Guest guest]

e, that's correct I have been taking Lupron for nine months. After talking

to the radioligist it seems that I'll be taking it fo another six mths to a

year. I haven't had a chance to talk to my gyn since Fri. he went out of town

for two weeks. What do you think about taking the Lupron for soo long?

e pchelkajustine@...> wrote:Delle are you saying you have been on

Lupron for nine

months?

e

[Guest guest]

Delle,

My doctor did not rec. using Lupron for more than six months. I think it

depletes the calcium in your bones. You may want to double-check if it is ok to

use it for longer than six months.

Good luck.

delle brown delle_brown@...> wrote:

e, that's correct I have been taking Lupron for nine months. After talking

to the radioligist it seems that I'll be taking it fo another six mths to a

year. I haven't had a chance to talk to my gyn since Fri. he went out of town

for two weeks. What do you think about taking the Lupron for soo long?

e pchelkajustine@...> wrote:Delle are you saying you have been on

Lupron for nine

months?

e

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy,

thanks I'm going to ask my doctor about that. I didn't think that was good for

my body. My doctor told me the reason I am taking it for so long is because he

trying to save my uterus. since i don't have any children yet. what bothers me

is that he hasn't done any bone density tests yet. Another think that I was

wondering is should I be doing add back therapy? Let me know if you have any

info on this. I'm really not satisfied with the doctor that I'm seeing now. I'm

moving to another state next week so I'm praying for a better doctor.

-Delle

Amy amyspider@...> wrote:

Delle,

My doctor did not rec. using Lupron for more than six months. I think it

depletes the calcium in your bones. You may want to double-check if it is ok to

use it for longer than six months.

Good luck.

[Guest guest]

Delle wrote:

The plan was for me to take Lupron for 3mths and then have myectomy

preformed.

Well nine mths later my fibroid has shrunk dramatically. But it still

isn't

small enough to operate. To make things worse the doctor said it

looked like

there was another small fibroid growing. To make a long story short

it looks

like another 6mths to a year. But this is one way to make your

fibroids smaller,

and you might not even need surgery.

**************

Delle, once you stop the Lupron, your fibroids are going to start

growing again. It is NOT a drug designed to help avoid surgery. The

purpose for which the FDA approved the drug is actually to avoid or

overcome anemia by ending the heavy bleeding many women experience

with fibroids. However, while using it for the purpose for which the

FDA approved it, doctors discovered that it also shrank fibroids.

This is because it shuts down production of estrogen, and fibroids

feed on estrogen. So if a woman's production of estrogen is stopped,

her fibroids usually get smaller. It is not advisable to stay on

Lupron for longer than 3 months due to a risk of osteoporosis

developing.

What Lupron does is put a woman into a drug-induced menopausal

state. That's why the more common side effects, such as hot flashes,

are the same side effects as women experience during menopause. As

you probably know, osteoporosis, or bone loss leading to fractures

such as the hip fractures many older women face, is also a side

effect of menopause.

Leonie

" The line that divides Good versus Evil runs NOT between nations or

parties or armies... but right down the middle of every human soul. " -

Solzhenitsyn

[Guest guest]

At the risk of sound redundant.....When I first started doing my

research I thought that I was going to have to have a hyster and take

lupron to shrink my large Fibroid. In fact I was resigned to it.

Even joined the hystersisters.com group. But I didnt feel good about

it. Something in my gut (so to speak) just didnt feel right. Then I

stumbled upon Dr. West's Website and found that any size fibroid can

be removed via myoectomy. I was overjoyed as I really didnt want to

have a hyster. He said to beware of Dr. who say too much blood

involved in a myo. Which is exactly what my gyno said! I was so

fortunate to find an excellent Dr. (Dr. ) from this group. My

fibroid was huge and he did a horizontal cut and pulled than darn

thing outta there. Thats not to say it was easy or that just any Dr.

can do it. But I really beleive that if you have an excellent Dr.,

who does this procedure on a regular basis, that size doesnt matter.

Remember not all Gynos are doing this procedure. And out those that

do not all are as proficient as others. Once you make your mind up

on what procedure you want, then find the best Dr. that specializes

in that area. Even if you have to travel. One gal here traveled

from her home in Florida to NYC to have Dr. West perform her

myoectomy....now thats taking charge of you health!

Dont give up hope like I almost did. I am fibroid free now for three

weeks ) oh, and I still have my body parts. I had to travel to but

only about 2 hrs. But I could have a closer Dr. in my area but

he/she would not have had the same qualifications. So do your do

homework and trust your gut.

Also, Dr. said that if your Fibroid is peduculated (meaning it

has a stem) that could possibly be done via laparascopy which is a

lot less invasive.

>

> Hello. I need some help figuring out what my treatment options are.

The

> preliminary results of my second ultrasound are that the fibroid(s)

are

> distending my uterus similar to that of a 5-month pregnancy. As the

> technician so kindly put it, " Your uterus is basically one big

fibroid. "

> So much for bedside manner.

>

> I'm 40, am not in a relationship, and don't feel strongly about

trying to

> get pregnant. Does this necessarily mean hysterectomy? I thought I

could

> just wait them out 'til after menopause, but they're growing pretty

fast,

> and I'm starting to feel some cramping and pinching in the front of

my

> uterus, in addition to low back pain that's similar to menstrual

cramps.

> I'm also just tired a lot of the time, and tired of dealing with

this. And

> today I feel particularly discouraged.

>

> Do any of you have success stories to share about non-invasive

procedures

> with large fibroids?

>

> Thanks,

> Heidi

[Guest guest]

Did you know that some of the best myo surgeons do not recommend

Lupron use AT ALL. They find that it makes the fibroid " mushy " and

harder to remove. A very good myo doc should be able to remove your

fibroid despit the size. There are very real risks to the extended

use of Lupron.

> > The plan was for me to take Lupron for 3mths and

> > then have myectomy preformed. Well nine mths later

> > my fibroid has shrunk dramatically. But it still

> > isn't small enough to operate. To make things worse

> > the doctor said it looked like there was another

> > small fibroid growing. To make a long story short it

> > looks like another 6mths to a year. But this is one

> > way to make your fibroids smaller, and you might not

> > even need surgery.

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Delle,

I'm not sure about add back therapy. That might depend on your age and your

body's natural ability to create calcium? It is a good question for the doctor.

One thing I find helpful is writing down all of my questions, as they pop into

my head, so that when I see or talk to my doctor, I have them all there. I

bring the list and a pen with me onto the examination table so that when the doc

asks if I have any questions, I can start rattling them off. You might want to

consider doing this, if you are not already. You can ask your current doc, and

then save the list(s) and ask you new doc after you move, too.

Amy

[Guest guest]

I think it is only supposed to be given no longer than six months.

Glad you are getting another doc.

gigi

delle brown wrote:

>Hi Amy,

>thanks I'm going to ask my doctor about that. I didn't think that was good for

my body. My doctor told me the reason I am taking it for so long is because he

trying to save my uterus. since i don't have any children yet. what bothers me

is that he hasn't done any bone density tests yet. Another think that I was

wondering is should I be doing add back therapy? Let me know if you have any

info on this. I'm really not satisfied with the doctor that I'm seeing now. I'm

moving to another state next week so I'm praying for a better doctor.

>-Delle

>

>Amy amyspider@...> wrote:

>Delle,

>My doctor did not rec. using Lupron for more than six months. I think it

depletes the calcium in your bones. You may want to double-check if it is ok to

use it for longer than six months.

>Good luck.

>

>

>

>

>MEETUP! with other local women who have Uterine Fibroids.

http://uterinefibroids.meetup.com

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Heidi,

I had similar experience to 's. I am 48, had fibroid(s) that

were mainly asymptomatic for probably 10 years but they grew slowly

and steadily. Hoped to wait them out til menopause like you (and

changed doctors to accomplish that after gyne who diagnosed them

recommended hysterectomy at age 40).

Finally -- no menopause in sight, really barely any perimenopause

signs either, and mom didn't hit meno until age 55 -- uterus was size

of 5-mo. pregnancy, I was experiencing bladder pressure and urgency,

exacerbation of bladder hernia (cystocele), some GI symptoms...

though no heavy bleeding (fibroid was entirely on the outside of the

uterus). I spent a couple years trying alternative approaches, herbs,

various supplements, castor oil packs, progesterone cream, the whole

nine yards but that 'broid ignored all of it and just kept chugging

along. So I decided enough was enough. Had my myo in December 2003.

Turned out not to be what had looked like 2-3 very large fibroids on

many ultrasounds -- but ONE HUGE " multinodular " fibroid, 27 cm (yup --

about 9 inches). I had requested no lupron, the surgeon was fine

with that, did a horizontal bikini cut, had a pretty easy recovery

and feel great now. Very glad I did it.

It's still major surgery and not fun, not something to enter into

lightly, but it was the right decision for me. Your life can get

gradually more and more impacted by these things over the years and

you don't even realize the extent of it til it's done with!

So yes, to repeat what's been stated here over and over again on the

list -- you CAN get myo for very large fibroids -- at ANY age; you

don't need lupron to do it, you MAY be able to get a horizontal

incision (no guarantees on that one though, depending on location and

placement of the fibroid), and you can have a quick and trouble-free

recovery and feel better than ever.

I'm in NYC, I did not have Dr. West, went to a RE highly recommended

in my plan and from what I've seen on the list, my experience and

recovery were comparable to Dr. West's patients. Only diff that I can

see was that my doctor did advise me that he would do a hysterectomy

if there was uncontrollable blood loss, and my pre-surgery papers

stated that (from what I've read Dr. West almost always promises this

will not happen). But I had discussed my wishes, and my reasoning,

with my doc, including with my husband (witness) present, and I was

confident in his response and his ability to follow through, which he

did.

Point being that there are doctors out there who are very capable and

also good listeners who will respect their patients' wishes, and not

just a literal handful -- though there is a handful who are

the " superstars. "

So look into your options, and look for the right doctors.

Sunny

> > Do any of you have success stories to share about non-invasive

> procedures with large fibroids?