Guest guest Posted April 11, 2004 Report Share Posted April 11, 2004 Hello , I am not quite sure yet whether I have the fibroids yet. I went for a pyhsical the other day, because I was concerned of a few things. Example Lower back pains,after an sometimes before my monthly the back aches get so bad I can't move, I use to have my monthly for 3 days now I keep it for 5 heavy days . along with loose bowls , i have started getting during my periods. It seems to be getting worse, There is so much pressure to my bladder. and my back , I am not sure whats going on. THe doctor I went to was tring to get a paps but my cervics are so tilted, I also find that I get pain in the middle of sex or during but my back sure feels it afterwards. The doctor believes it to be fibroids I go for an ultra sound on the 20th of april. I am not so concerded about having the hysorectomy, concidering I will be 42 and I given birth to 5 kids , My baby days have been over now for 15 yrs. I am however concerned of how do I choose or how will the doctor choose if the fibroids is the case on which kind of sergury I will need. As I read up there are 3 options, the mym . Means they can grow back The lap, is to remove cervics and repair, the other parts the colon and bladder , So I am thinking the whole works would be the best for me. it's a 1-4 day stay longer for healing. I am hoping this will be my choice, Anyway , who has had this done. I am concerned about the sex afterwards, I have what kind of changes will I expect. And how does the men cope with the change Please let me know what I can expect . I know everyone is diffrent . PLease let me know how it was for you Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2004 Report Share Posted April 12, 2004 Hi Sharon This could well be a gynaecological condition such as fibroids. Other gynaecological problems can have similar symptoms...eg. cysts, polyps, endometriosis, to name but three. Lower back ache, pain associated with intercourse and heavier periods and pressure of the fibroids affecting urination and bowel movements can all be fibroid symptoms, although not every one has or has the same symptoms from the list of possibles. The physical examination will give the doctor a fair idea that it may well be fibroids. An ultrasound test will confirm it. Although hysterectomies are very commonly given out, the medical profession admits that way too many are performed. It's not necessary to have a hsyterectomy for fibroids as you can just remove the fibroids and keep the uterus. There are pros and cons with all the different treatment options and there are very roughly around 8 possible treatment approaches, which you'll find descriptions for in fibroids books (There are at least 26 books written about fibroids) and internet information sites: there are some great ones out there. We talk a lot about UAE, hysterectomy and myomectomy here on this site but they are not the only options. You don't HAVE to treat the fibroids at all. Many women choose to live with their symptoms and hope there'll be improvement with the natural changes that occur with the menopause, being careful about HRT. It's wise to keep monitoring growth and changes, bearing in mind your treatment options and problems when the fibroids reach a certain size according to what yours are like. Watch and wait doesn't always work out well if the fibroids size and symptoms just get worse and the treatment options more invasive. The advantage is that you're not messing around with nature...it's just nature messing around you. Still...who wants to have a lower quality of life? As long as the treatment is going to fix the problem and be worth the stress and recovery. There's a site called hyster-sisters that will no doubt be useful. I'd also recommend reading a few books or web sites on fibroid treatment options. Carla Dionne's, for example. Be aware of the potential down sides to a hsyterectomy, so you can avoid them, such as taking the right nutrition advice for any menopause associated problems. Chat to your surgeon about risks of prolapse, adhesions etc. so you are aware of whether you're more or less at risk in your particular case. The recovery from an abdominal myomectomy and a hysterectomy are pretty similar, but with the hysterectomy, there's more of an emotional tug, even if the decision makes sense mentally. Although fibroids can come back after a myomectomy, it doesn't mean that they will. Statistics tell us that more people remain fibroid free than who get them again, and for those that do get them again, it may not be for a while. It's a bit of a judgement call and a gamble. Be careful that hormone based medicines are suitable for fibroids. This is elective surgery. It's your decision and you may have to shop around if the doc you have only does hysterectomies because they're easier or cheaper or something weird like that. Women on this forum can help you find someone good if you need a recommendation. I think you need more information on the treatments. A laparoscopic myomectomy is keyhole surgery near the navel. The laparotomy myomectomy is a horizontal or vertical scar operation that gives the surgeon hands on access. There are different types of hysterectomy which remove more or less. If there are other problems that need fixing they'd advise accordingly. Different gynaecologists may have different specialisms and biasses. Be very wary of any gynaecologist who satrts talking about protection against cancers, just in case you one day might get a cancer. That may just be the doctor's way of avoiding doing the myomectomy, because he's less practiced at it. You could get another surgeon who is at home with the myomectomy. The time taken for healing will pass quickly enough, whether it's days, weeks or months. I'd look past that inconvenience and think about what's best for you in the long run. If you choose UAE ask the ladies that have experienced this (as opposed to those have only read about it) to ascertain whether the recovery is painful, what degree of pain and for how long. I would imagine it varies a lot from person to person though. I just don't know as I had a myomectomy. Assume nothing but go over it all thoroughly with your gynaecologist. Don't assume that just because hysterectomy is accused of affecting sexual pleasure that the other treatments are problem-free in this regard. Assume nothing is a handy motto. Does the UAE effect it? (See Carla's book), does the myo? or myolisis? laser ablation? etc. Are your fibroids in the right position to be the cause of the problem? could there be an alternative cause (even a stupid minor one like an allergy), even if it is a fibroid symptom? Will all of the fibroids be removed? What assurances and information can they give you? I hope that helps Aztek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2004 Report Share Posted April 12, 2004 Hi Sharon This could well be a gynaecological condition such as fibroids. Other gynaecological problems can have similar symptoms...eg. cysts, polyps, endometriosis, to name but three. Lower back ache, pain associated with intercourse and heavier periods and pressure of the fibroids affecting urination and bowel movements can all be fibroid symptoms, although not every one has or has the same symptoms from the list of possibles. The physical examination will give the doctor a fair idea that it may well be fibroids. An ultrasound test will confirm it. Although hysterectomies are very commonly given out, the medical profession admits that way too many are performed. It's not necessary to have a hsyterectomy for fibroids as you can just remove the fibroids and keep the uterus. There are pros and cons with all the different treatment options and there are very roughly around 8 possible treatment approaches, which you'll find descriptions for in fibroids books (There are at least 26 books written about fibroids) and internet information sites: there are some great ones out there. We talk a lot about UAE, hysterectomy and myomectomy here on this site but they are not the only options. You don't HAVE to treat the fibroids at all. Many women choose to live with their symptoms and hope there'll be improvement with the natural changes that occur with the menopause, being careful about HRT. It's wise to keep monitoring growth and changes, bearing in mind your treatment options and problems when the fibroids reach a certain size according to what yours are like. Watch and wait doesn't always work out well if the fibroids size and symptoms just get worse and the treatment options more invasive. The advantage is that you're not messing around with nature...it's just nature messing around you. Still...who wants to have a lower quality of life? As long as the treatment is going to fix the problem and be worth the stress and recovery. There's a site called hyster-sisters that will no doubt be useful. I'd also recommend reading a few books or web sites on fibroid treatment options. Carla Dionne's, for example. Be aware of the potential down sides to a hsyterectomy, so you can avoid them, such as taking the right nutrition advice for any menopause associated problems. Chat to your surgeon about risks of prolapse, adhesions etc. so you are aware of whether you're more or less at risk in your particular case. The recovery from an abdominal myomectomy and a hysterectomy are pretty similar, but with the hysterectomy, there's more of an emotional tug, even if the decision makes sense mentally. Although fibroids can come back after a myomectomy, it doesn't mean that they will. Statistics tell us that more people remain fibroid free than who get them again, and for those that do get them again, it may not be for a while. It's a bit of a judgement call and a gamble. Be careful that hormone based medicines are suitable for fibroids. This is elective surgery. It's your decision and you may have to shop around if the doc you have only does hysterectomies because they're easier or cheaper or something weird like that. Women on this forum can help you find someone good if you need a recommendation. I think you need more information on the treatments. A laparoscopic myomectomy is keyhole surgery near the navel. The laparotomy myomectomy is a horizontal or vertical scar operation that gives the surgeon hands on access. There are different types of hysterectomy which remove more or less. If there are other problems that need fixing they'd advise accordingly. Different gynaecologists may have different specialisms and biasses. Be very wary of any gynaecologist who satrts talking about protection against cancers, just in case you one day might get a cancer. That may just be the doctor's way of avoiding doing the myomectomy, because he's less practiced at it. You could get another surgeon who is at home with the myomectomy. The time taken for healing will pass quickly enough, whether it's days, weeks or months. I'd look past that inconvenience and think about what's best for you in the long run. If you choose UAE ask the ladies that have experienced this (as opposed to those have only read about it) to ascertain whether the recovery is painful, what degree of pain and for how long. I would imagine it varies a lot from person to person though. I just don't know as I had a myomectomy. Assume nothing but go over it all thoroughly with your gynaecologist. Don't assume that just because hysterectomy is accused of affecting sexual pleasure that the other treatments are problem-free in this regard. Assume nothing is a handy motto. Does the UAE effect it? (See Carla's book), does the myo? or myolisis? laser ablation? etc. Are your fibroids in the right position to be the cause of the problem? could there be an alternative cause (even a stupid minor one like an allergy), even if it is a fibroid symptom? Will all of the fibroids be removed? What assurances and information can they give you? I hope that helps Aztek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2004 Report Share Posted April 12, 2004 Hi Sharon This could well be a gynaecological condition such as fibroids. Other gynaecological problems can have similar symptoms...eg. cysts, polyps, endometriosis, to name but three. Lower back ache, pain associated with intercourse and heavier periods and pressure of the fibroids affecting urination and bowel movements can all be fibroid symptoms, although not every one has or has the same symptoms from the list of possibles. The physical examination will give the doctor a fair idea that it may well be fibroids. An ultrasound test will confirm it. Although hysterectomies are very commonly given out, the medical profession admits that way too many are performed. It's not necessary to have a hsyterectomy for fibroids as you can just remove the fibroids and keep the uterus. There are pros and cons with all the different treatment options and there are very roughly around 8 possible treatment approaches, which you'll find descriptions for in fibroids books (There are at least 26 books written about fibroids) and internet information sites: there are some great ones out there. We talk a lot about UAE, hysterectomy and myomectomy here on this site but they are not the only options. You don't HAVE to treat the fibroids at all. Many women choose to live with their symptoms and hope there'll be improvement with the natural changes that occur with the menopause, being careful about HRT. It's wise to keep monitoring growth and changes, bearing in mind your treatment options and problems when the fibroids reach a certain size according to what yours are like. Watch and wait doesn't always work out well if the fibroids size and symptoms just get worse and the treatment options more invasive. The advantage is that you're not messing around with nature...it's just nature messing around you. Still...who wants to have a lower quality of life? As long as the treatment is going to fix the problem and be worth the stress and recovery. There's a site called hyster-sisters that will no doubt be useful. I'd also recommend reading a few books or web sites on fibroid treatment options. Carla Dionne's, for example. Be aware of the potential down sides to a hsyterectomy, so you can avoid them, such as taking the right nutrition advice for any menopause associated problems. Chat to your surgeon about risks of prolapse, adhesions etc. so you are aware of whether you're more or less at risk in your particular case. The recovery from an abdominal myomectomy and a hysterectomy are pretty similar, but with the hysterectomy, there's more of an emotional tug, even if the decision makes sense mentally. Although fibroids can come back after a myomectomy, it doesn't mean that they will. Statistics tell us that more people remain fibroid free than who get them again, and for those that do get them again, it may not be for a while. It's a bit of a judgement call and a gamble. Be careful that hormone based medicines are suitable for fibroids. This is elective surgery. It's your decision and you may have to shop around if the doc you have only does hysterectomies because they're easier or cheaper or something weird like that. Women on this forum can help you find someone good if you need a recommendation. I think you need more information on the treatments. A laparoscopic myomectomy is keyhole surgery near the navel. The laparotomy myomectomy is a horizontal or vertical scar operation that gives the surgeon hands on access. There are different types of hysterectomy which remove more or less. If there are other problems that need fixing they'd advise accordingly. Different gynaecologists may have different specialisms and biasses. Be very wary of any gynaecologist who satrts talking about protection against cancers, just in case you one day might get a cancer. That may just be the doctor's way of avoiding doing the myomectomy, because he's less practiced at it. You could get another surgeon who is at home with the myomectomy. The time taken for healing will pass quickly enough, whether it's days, weeks or months. I'd look past that inconvenience and think about what's best for you in the long run. If you choose UAE ask the ladies that have experienced this (as opposed to those have only read about it) to ascertain whether the recovery is painful, what degree of pain and for how long. I would imagine it varies a lot from person to person though. I just don't know as I had a myomectomy. Assume nothing but go over it all thoroughly with your gynaecologist. Don't assume that just because hysterectomy is accused of affecting sexual pleasure that the other treatments are problem-free in this regard. Assume nothing is a handy motto. Does the UAE effect it? (See Carla's book), does the myo? or myolisis? laser ablation? etc. Are your fibroids in the right position to be the cause of the problem? could there be an alternative cause (even a stupid minor one like an allergy), even if it is a fibroid symptom? Will all of the fibroids be removed? What assurances and information can they give you? I hope that helps Aztek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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