To Jean/ and To Ann

[Guest guest]

Hello Jean,

You asked...

>As I understand it, the in-office hysteroscopy exam allows dr to see

>the part of the fibroid that is extended into the uterus, but it

>doesn't tell how much more is embedded in the uterine wall, right?

Yes, you are correct. It does give your doctor a closer look at the fibroid

to see if it is actually embedded or if it's pedunculated or not. But your

doctor may not be able to estimate how much of the fibroid is within the

muscle wall by viewing it this way. This test has a better visual field

than a sonohysterogram (intravaginal saline ultrasound) but only for the

fibroid that is exposed.

>How can they estimate how deep it goes - ultrasound does not provide

>a good idea of that I don't think.

The only sure way they can tell how deep your fibroid is embedded into the

uterine wall is with an ab myo procedure. When they open your uterus up

they can cut through the wall and see the whole fibroid. My doctor informed

me before my resections that he may not be able to remove their entireties

if they were intramurally embedded. Many women who have this type of

fibroids are offered uterine artery embolization. It is less invasive than

an ab myo. This may be an option for you to ask your doctor to explain.

(It is not recommended for women who want to retain their fertility.)

>Did your dr give you a drug after resection to cause the uterine

>muscle to contract to help " squeeze out " the remaining part of the

>fib that was still in the uterine wall?

I did not have submucosal fibroids that were embedded. However, I was given

a drug called Methogen after my final resection. The drug is used to make

the uterine blood vessels contract quickly to slow heavy bleeding. I was

worried that my first period following my final surgery would be heavy and

there would be risk of another transfusion. My doctor gave me Methogen just

in case my period got out of control. I did not need it. This may be the

same drug you were prescribed.

I hope I have helped you out a little. There may be other women here who

have had embedded intramural/submucosal fibroids and have undergone similar

surgery difficulties as you. They may be able to offer more advice.

Good luck my dear.

Cheers,

:)Sonja

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* * * *

Dear Ann,

I'm so sorry you had such an awful fall. Glad to hear you are seeing a

chiropractor and an acupuncturist. Those types of therapies can offer

wonderful pain relief.

I want to suggest to you to seek out regular massage therapy during this

time of pain and discomfort. For your individual situation you need a

therapist who specializes in deep tissue/injury management massage

techniques. This is what I do.

I have worked with many vehicle collision victims suffering from whiplash

and back pain. they see me before their chiropractic adjustments. The

majority of patients who seek this kind of treatment when they are in the

acute stage of pain will experience the most relief. Others wait too long

to get medical help or they don't get therapy often enough for their

accidents.

Below is the American Massage Therapy Association's website. You can locate

a qualified massage therapist in your area at this site. I am on the West

Coast and have had multiple calls from people on the East Coast looking for

a massage therapist in my area to help their relative or friend thanks to

the AMTA's " Locate a massage therapist " website.

www.amtamassage.org/home.htm

Click on " Find a Massage Therapist " at the upper left corner.

Be sure to put an ice pack on your sorest areas every day for at least 15-20

minutes. A bag of frozen peas works well for an ice pack. Do this for one

week. Following the ice you can use heat. An easy way to make a heat pack

is to dampen a hand towel, heat it in the microwave, and wrap it in another

dry hand towel. Water is the best source for hydrotherapy. This method is

quick and the hand towel can be reheated. Apply heat for 15-20 minutes as

well. But ice should always be first with an acute injury.

Be sure to drink plenty of water to help aid your metabolism's healing

process. And when you see the massage therapist or even a physical therapist

ask if he/she can show you proper stretches to do every day. When muscles

have been injured and are mending, they tend to tense up with daily

activities to protect their joints. Stretching properly helps to re-educate

the muscles along with deep tissue massage.

most importantly, keep moving. I know you feel crappy and sore. But being

sedentary will only give your muscles more reason to clench up and be

tighter. They were built to move, so the more you move after a fall or a

surgery, the higher the likelihood is that you will recover faster.

Good luck my dear. And remember, deep tissue massages are not " fluff and

buff/happy feeling " massages. There may be some discomfort but the

techniques will help you more than you know!

Best to you,

:)Sonja

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the reply Sonja, the chiropractor mentioned getting

massages as part of my treatment. I did have regular body work done

for several months after the accident in 2000 which helped some I'd

like to think.

I go to dance class regularly so my abdominals and back are both

fairly strong. At least I have that to my favor this time around.

I will look into have some deep tissue work done, I think it will

help out a lot. We've got to whip my spine into submission!

Best,

Ann

> I want to suggest to you to seek out regular massage therapy during

this time of pain and discomfort. For your individual situation you

need a therapist who specializes in deep tissue/injury management massage

techniques. This is what I do.

AMTA's " Locate a massage therapist " website.

www.amtamassage.org/home.htm

Click on " Find a Massage Therapist " at the upper left corner.