Surgery to Walk without Pain

[Guest guest]

Hi-

I would like to get some feedback about my fibroid

situation. I have been reading all about people having

lots of bleeding and excess urinating and an

assortment of other problems. I also read about people

who have small fibroids 3 cm. and they have all these

problems. Well, I have to agree that LOCATION is what

makes the difference. I have three very large

fibroids.

One is 17 cm. anothe 14 cm. and the other 12 cm. and

they think I have even more hiding behind these. So,

what is my point-I haven't had any of the symptoms

that others have expressed. Except for one and that is

that I am unable to walk more then a block without

experiencing pain from the one fibroid sitting low in

my pelvic area (which also happens to be my smallest

one). I used to be an avid hiker and dancer. I can no

longer do either. I have replaced those activities

with bicycling and swimming. However, after FIVE years

of this, I am tired of not being able to walk and it

seems that it is getting worse. Just walking up the

aisle in the supermarket does me in. So, I am

considering SURGERY with great trepidation. So, what

do you ladies think? I need something to get me fired

up, as the thought of a LONG recovery period always

causes me to opt out.

Thank You, a

[Guest guest]

Ultimately it is your decision. I was having all kinds of issues and

had to make compromises to deal with my fibroids. Not to mention

always thinking ahead - never knew when I was going to flood. I had a

myo. I am at week 4. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Three years of

making compromises to what I used to be able to do seems silly now

compared to 6 weeks. Just think after 6 weeks you get your life back.

So, I am considering SURGERY with great trepidation.

[Guest guest]

Hi a,

Although you don't have the bleeding type symptoms that many of the

LOL have, you are definitely having symptoms that are affecting your

quality of life! Are your fibroids all on the outside of your

uterus?

I had a large fibroid that was on the outside of my uterus that

didn't cause me any day to day problems, just problems when I was

pregnant (it adhered to & obstructed my bowel). I had it removed

via ab myo on 2/19 in order to hopefully have an uneventful fibroid

free pregnancy in the near future.

My Dr. said that recovery time for ab myo (I am assuming that is

what you are considering?) ranges between 2-8 weeks...seems to me

that's a small price to pay to get your life back, don't you think?

For me, my recovery was about 3 weeks until I had the go ahead to do

whatever I wanted. The hardest part of recovery for me was not

being able to lift my then 14 month old daughter for 3 weeks. You

may have to start slow with your hiking and dancing after your

surgery, but before you know it, you'll be back in the game without

your fibroid friends & the pain they are causing you!

Good luck to you. I don't regret my surgery for a second. I'm sure

once yours is done and you are feeling well & fully recovered,

you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

Take Care,

Cindy

So, I am considering SURGERY with great trepidation. So, what

do you ladies think? I need something to get me fired

up, as the thought of a LONG recovery period always causes me to opt out.

[Guest guest]

Hi, a. Since you fibroid is affecting your quality of life, having it

removed sounds like a wise course of action. I had a myomectomy last

September, and it went much better than I expected. Many women find that

the anxiety before a myomectomy is much worse than the surgery and recovery.

I had a fibroid that grew from 6 cm to 13 cm during my pregnancy. You can

read about my fibroid and myo experience here:

http://home.comcast.net/~cmagadieu/myoreport.html

Here are some things you can do to help speed up recovery from a myomectomy:

* Walk as soon as possible after your surgery. This helps with digestion,

circulation, and clearing your head of anesthesia.

* Use only as much pain medication as you need. If you use a lot of pain

medication, your head will be fuzzy longer, your digestive system will be

sluggish and constipated, and you may be more nauseous than you would

otherwise.

* Think positive. I really believe it's true that it helps to go into

surgery with the belief that you are strong, you can handle whatever

happens, and you will recover quickly. I went in thinking that I wasn't

going to spend even one more night in the hospital than I had to, and I

ended up spending only one night there. I can't emphasize enough the power

of going in to surgery with the attitude that you will take the bull by the

horns.

* Keep focused on the future. The weeks approaching a myo are scary, and

the days right afterward will be somewhat uncomfortable and sometimes

painful. But keep thinking about the fact that once the myo is over, you

will be fibroid-free, and about 4-6 weeks after the surgery, you will feel

like yourself again.

The Mayo Clinic Web site has a good info about myomectomies:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectID=802ED1C5-492F-4D34-ACA0D4AC3566D98\

E&page=1

I've had surgery seven times, and it's always difficult entering the

hospital. But I think it helps to remember that it's only temporary, and

that there are things you can do to help yourself feel empowered about your

recovery.

Cheryl

At 03:01 PM 4/7/2004 -0700, a wrote:

>Hi-

> I would like to get some feedback about my fibroid

>situation. I have been reading all about people having

>lots of bleeding and excess urinating and an

>assortment of other problems. I also read about people

>who have small fibroids 3 cm. and they have all these

>problems. Well, I have to agree that LOCATION is what

>makes the difference. I have three very large

>fibroids.

>One is 17 cm. anothe 14 cm. and the other 12 cm. and

>they think I have even more hiding behind these. So,

>what is my point-I haven't had any of the symptoms

>that others have expressed. Except for one and that is

>that I am unable to walk more then a block without

>experiencing pain from the one fibroid sitting low in

>my pelvic area (which also happens to be my smallest

>one). I used to be an avid hiker and dancer. I can no

>longer do either. I have replaced those activities

>with bicycling and swimming. However, after FIVE years

>of this, I am tired of not being able to walk and it

>seems that it is getting worse. Just walking up the

>aisle in the supermarket does me in. So, I am

>considering SURGERY with great trepidation. So, what

>do you ladies think? I need something to get me fired

>up, as the thought of a LONG recovery period always

>causes me to opt out.

[Guest guest]

Hi, a. Since you fibroid is affecting your quality of life, having it

removed sounds like a wise course of action. I had a myomectomy last

September, and it went much better than I expected. Many women find that

the anxiety before a myomectomy is much worse than the surgery and recovery.

I had a fibroid that grew from 6 cm to 13 cm during my pregnancy. You can

read about my fibroid and myo experience here:

http://home.comcast.net/~cmagadieu/myoreport.html

Here are some things you can do to help speed up recovery from a myomectomy:

* Walk as soon as possible after your surgery. This helps with digestion,

circulation, and clearing your head of anesthesia.

* Use only as much pain medication as you need. If you use a lot of pain

medication, your head will be fuzzy longer, your digestive system will be

sluggish and constipated, and you may be more nauseous than you would

otherwise.

* Think positive. I really believe it's true that it helps to go into

surgery with the belief that you are strong, you can handle whatever

happens, and you will recover quickly. I went in thinking that I wasn't

going to spend even one more night in the hospital than I had to, and I

ended up spending only one night there. I can't emphasize enough the power

of going in to surgery with the attitude that you will take the bull by the

horns.

* Keep focused on the future. The weeks approaching a myo are scary, and

the days right afterward will be somewhat uncomfortable and sometimes

painful. But keep thinking about the fact that once the myo is over, you

will be fibroid-free, and about 4-6 weeks after the surgery, you will feel

like yourself again.

The Mayo Clinic Web site has a good info about myomectomies:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectID=802ED1C5-492F-4D34-ACA0D4AC3566D98\

E&page=1

I've had surgery seven times, and it's always difficult entering the

hospital. But I think it helps to remember that it's only temporary, and

that there are things you can do to help yourself feel empowered about your

recovery.

Cheryl

At 03:01 PM 4/7/2004 -0700, a wrote:

>Hi-

> I would like to get some feedback about my fibroid

>situation. I have been reading all about people having

>lots of bleeding and excess urinating and an

>assortment of other problems. I also read about people

>who have small fibroids 3 cm. and they have all these

>problems. Well, I have to agree that LOCATION is what

>makes the difference. I have three very large

>fibroids.

>One is 17 cm. anothe 14 cm. and the other 12 cm. and

>they think I have even more hiding behind these. So,

>what is my point-I haven't had any of the symptoms

>that others have expressed. Except for one and that is

>that I am unable to walk more then a block without

>experiencing pain from the one fibroid sitting low in

>my pelvic area (which also happens to be my smallest

>one). I used to be an avid hiker and dancer. I can no

>longer do either. I have replaced those activities

>with bicycling and swimming. However, after FIVE years

>of this, I am tired of not being able to walk and it

>seems that it is getting worse. Just walking up the

>aisle in the supermarket does me in. So, I am

>considering SURGERY with great trepidation. So, what

>do you ladies think? I need something to get me fired

>up, as the thought of a LONG recovery period always

>causes me to opt out.

[Guest guest]

Hi

Thought I would try again - my first reply was not posted.

In regards to having a myo - it is ultimatly your decision. However,

I will say I wish I had done it sooner. There is no reason you

should have to compromise your life in the way you have! Of course, I

did the same. Stopped certain activities - prepared for floods

(bleeding). My life changed.

I am at week 4 of recovery. I am pretty tired, but definitely have

notice a reduction of symptoms. Just think of it in terms that six

weeks is not that long compared to the five years of your life you

have rearranged. Again, up to you, but definitely make a list of the

pros & cons.

> Hi-

> I would like to get some feedback about my fibroid

> situation. I have been reading all about people having

> lots of bleeding and excess urinating and an

> assortment of other problems. I also read about people

> who have small fibroids 3 cm. and they have all these

> problems. Well, I have to agree that LOCATION is what

> makes the difference. I have three very large

> fibroids.

> One is 17 cm. anothe 14 cm. and the other 12 cm. and

> they think I have even more hiding behind these. So,

> what is my point-I haven't had any of the symptoms

> that others have expressed. Except for one and that is

> that I am unable to walk more then a block without

> experiencing pain from the one fibroid sitting low in

> my pelvic area (which also happens to be my smallest

> one). I used to be an avid hiker and dancer. I can no

> longer do either. I have replaced those activities

> with bicycling and swimming. However, after FIVE years

> of this, I am tired of not being able to walk and it

> seems that it is getting worse. Just walking up the

> aisle in the supermarket does me in. So, I am

> considering SURGERY with great trepidation. So, what

> do you ladies think? I need something to get me fired

> up, as the thought of a LONG recovery period always

> causes me to opt out.

> Thank You, a

[Guest guest]

Hi

Thought I would try again - my first reply was not posted.

In regards to having a myo - it is ultimatly your decision. However,

I will say I wish I had done it sooner. There is no reason you

should have to compromise your life in the way you have! Of course, I

did the same. Stopped certain activities - prepared for floods

(bleeding). My life changed.

I am at week 4 of recovery. I am pretty tired, but definitely have

notice a reduction of symptoms. Just think of it in terms that six

weeks is not that long compared to the five years of your life you

have rearranged. Again, up to you, but definitely make a list of the

pros & cons.

> Hi-

> I would like to get some feedback about my fibroid

> situation. I have been reading all about people having

> lots of bleeding and excess urinating and an

> assortment of other problems. I also read about people

> who have small fibroids 3 cm. and they have all these

> problems. Well, I have to agree that LOCATION is what

> makes the difference. I have three very large

> fibroids.

> One is 17 cm. anothe 14 cm. and the other 12 cm. and

> they think I have even more hiding behind these. So,

> what is my point-I haven't had any of the symptoms

> that others have expressed. Except for one and that is

> that I am unable to walk more then a block without

> experiencing pain from the one fibroid sitting low in

> my pelvic area (which also happens to be my smallest

> one). I used to be an avid hiker and dancer. I can no

> longer do either. I have replaced those activities

> with bicycling and swimming. However, after FIVE years

> of this, I am tired of not being able to walk and it

> seems that it is getting worse. Just walking up the

> aisle in the supermarket does me in. So, I am

> considering SURGERY with great trepidation. So, what

> do you ladies think? I need something to get me fired

> up, as the thought of a LONG recovery period always

> causes me to opt out.

> Thank You, a