Re: Post UFE Complications

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Are you a member of embogroups?

I hope you posted there as well.

I hope you've been able to get

more information today from your IR

and the discrepancy between the

first dx of a 12 cm subserosal

causing urinary retention (post 46262)

and the Friday MRI describing

now a submucosal.

Did you happen to see Medscape's Uterine

Fibroid Embolization? They posted Applied

Radiology Uterine Fibroid Embolization for the Treatment of

Symptomatic Leiomyomata by MD's Maxim Itkin

& Shlansky-Goldberg.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/444054_2

Check out SYMPTOMS:

" However it may be difficult to determine its position within the

wall of the uterus as the tumor increases in size. "

Also check out COMPLICATIONS.

Let us know how your doing and what

the IR suggests.

Take care,

Marsha

The report said that my fibroid was successfully embolized, ovaries

fine - but the degenerating, nonvascular, submucosal fibroid has dug

itself into my endometrium and uterine cavity. That is what most

likely is causing the bleeding - like a regular period, non stop,

minimal clotting, bright red, some mild cramping.

[Guest guest]

Marsha,

Thanks! I thought I had found " every " website regarding uterine

fibroids or embolization, but this Medscape, I thought was one of

the most thorough, and really gave me a lot of information

about " comlications " to UFE. Actually, I am told this isn't a

complication, but a RESULT of a submucosal fibroid being embolized -

ie. my bleeding for 6 weeks straight and counting!

I went to my IR today, and he verified that I am " right on time " for

this particular set of symptoms - 3 months post ufe - with my

bleeding and extended shedding of tissue. This is different than the

dark brown shredding of tissue that is expected with UFE. Although

this degenerating process is " interior " for most fibroid types (at

least this is the way I understand it), since mine is protruding

into the uterine cavity, the blood (from the exposed uterus) and

tissue (from the embolized fibroid) has found a way of escape! I

don't know why for sure my previously thought subserosal fibroid is

now acting like a submucosal one (the bleeding type), except perhaps

for its previously large size and location????

I got to see my before/after MRI films - it was impressive

reduction! My poor bladder (before!). No wonder I was " always "

peeing, or couldn't pee at all!

So although this is most unpleasant (6 1/2 weeks of bleeding),

actually this is signs of my fibroid effectively breaking down. (I

went from a almost 13 cm. fibroid to an 8 cm fibroid since October,

and obviously, its still reducing in size.)

My biggest risk right now is infection, anemia, and any piece of the

fibroid blocking the cervix. And I need an extra dose of patience

as this bleeding continues!

Honestly, right now, I am just so glad that 1.) its not cancer, 2.)

no one is recommending hysterectomy, 3.) the fibroid is shrinking,

4.) my ovaries are still intact, 5.) my initial " can't pee " symptoms

that took me the embo route is resolved! I am really trying to work

on being thankful, as I am OBVIOUSLY SICK OF BLEEDING!!!! He says

the bleeding could go on for " weeks, " but to check back in 6-8 weeks

if it hasn't stopped! I think I am one of those lucky ducks who

falls into the 1% of embo patients with this set of symptoms! But

its working : )

Thanks again for the article, Marsha. Medscape has been added to

my " favorites " list. And yes, I am on the embo list.

> Did you happen to see Medscape's Uterine

> Fibroid Embolization? They posted Applied

> Radiology Uterine Fibroid Embolization for the Treatment of

> Symptomatic Leiomyomata by MD's Maxim Itkin

> & Shlansky-Goldberg.

> http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/444054_2

[Guest guest]

,

I'm glad you were able to

see the pre and post UFE

films and feel some relief

about your situation.

Will you be comparing with

your gyne what you IR has

said about the bleeding (6-8

more weeks?) or

are they exchanging information?

Does your gyne have a differing

viewpoint about you experiencing

a chronic bleed via the 8 cm submucosal protruding into

the cavity? What are the percentages of

you developing a uterine infection and

or expulsion of that size submucosal

fibroid?

, stay vigilant for any signs

of infection or fibroid pieces expulsing

into your uterine cavity. Fever, malaise,

pelvic pain, sudden severe abdominal pain.

Can you check in frequently with your gyne?

Can she take white blood counts/blood studies?

Does she have many post-UFE cases of large

submucous fibroids like yours that resolved

smoothly? Did your IR?

I'm prone to erring on the side of caution.

Wishing and hoping for the best.

Marsha

> So although this is most unpleasant (6 1/2 weeks of bleeding),

> actually this is signs of my fibroid effectively breaking down. (I

> went from a almost 13 cm. fibroid to an 8 cm fibroid since October,

> and obviously, its still reducing in size.)

> My biggest risk right now is infection, anemia, and any piece of

> the fibroid blocking the cervix