Re: wait and see or just do it? HELP...grrr!

April 21, 2004

Has any doctor told you about your options other than waiting it out

or hyst? You can have a myomectomy (removal of just the fibroids),

or a Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE). In order to convince you to

have a hyst many doctors will tell you that your fibroids will

inevitably grow back after myo, or that UAE is too experimental.

Neither of these statements is true. At your age, and with your

family history of early menopause you are actually at lower risk of

developing new fibroids than a younger woman. And the overall

incidence of developing symptomatic fibroids that require treatment

after myomectomy is very low anyway. There have also been many

women who have had successful UAE's, but gyns don't like them since

they take money out of their pockets. If you have a hyst you will

solve your fibroid problem, but you may be at higher risk for heart

disease, incontinence, depression and sexual problems. It's true

that many women have no problems post hysterecotmy, but there is no

way to predict which women will. Lastly, if I HAD to have a

hysterectomy I would not want it done vaginally, since you are

guaranteed to also lose your cervix and your vagina is shortened.

> Hello ladies....I was Dx with a 6.5cm fibroid through CT, vag-

probe-

> US. I've had a PAP,uterine biops, blood workup, cardiac workup

with

> everything turning out okay.I signed the consent..rearranged

several

> lives for my TAH (that 2 male gyn/onc. suggested and would ONLY

> do...refusing to do a vag hyster instead...claiming the uterus is

too

> large) I was ready to go....I backed out at the last minute! Am I

> NUTS? The only problems I really have are heavier than normal

> periods, and bladder pressure...(up at least twice in the night to

> pee), sometimes bowel pressure, hot flashes, mild night sweats. I

am

> a healthy 41 y/o, both my maternal mother and grandmother were

> through menopause by 48 years old...Should I wait it out? Maybe

> repeat the Ultra-sound in 6mo. to 1 year to see if the fibroid has

> grown? I have made major health changes Ie: diet, exercise,

> vits,herbs, natural progesterone cream... HELP!! Anyone?

Suggestions,

> advice? Please...!!!!

April 21, 2004

> I was Dx with a 6.5cm fibroid through CT, vag-probe-

> US. I've had a PAP,uterine biops, blood workup, cardiac workup with

> everything turning out okay.I signed the consent..rearranged several

> lives for my TAH (that 2 male gyn/onc. suggested and would ONLY

> do...refusing to do a vag hyster instead...claiming the uterus is too

> large) I was ready to go....I backed out at the last minute!

To 41 yr. old told to have a hysterectomy by 2 male doctors:

RUN AS FAR AWAY FROM THOSE DOCTORS AS YOU CAN AND GET A 2ND, 3RD & 4TH

OPINION. Do not consent to have that done at all! I am 45 yrs. old,

0 children, wish to have a child at my advanced age. I informed my

gyn male doctor I wish to preserve my uterus at all cost. After he

did a sonohysterogram, he took me back to his office and said he

recommended a vaginal hysterectomy. I was apalled and put my reaction

to him in written form to be made part of my medical record. I have 1

2 cm. submucosal fibroid. I am going to have it resected by a skilled

surgeon who can assure me a hysterectomy will not be the end result of

the resection. I have an apt. to see Dr. Glassner in Bryn Mawr. I

have heard thru this site he is excellent and I have had a phone

consult with him. Good luck to you. You are too young for a TAH.

Seek out doctors who understand your situation and can help you better.

Jeanne

April 21, 2004