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Help! Fibroids.
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Message 1.Ìý
Posted by mistresslucy (U9471573) on Wednesday, 4th November 2009
A few months ago I mentioned to my Doctor in passing that i seemed to have a touch of middle aged spread and that my jeans zip was a little to the right of my tummy button.
Doc examined me and sent me for an ultrasound,this was in April,result was a fibroid 6cm across.
I have noticed tummy getting much bigger in the last two months,my zip is now about 3" away from my tummy button.
I have been eating less and feeling less hungry too.I had for years been doing 100 or so sit-ups per day but stopped doing this for a couple of months but building back up again for a week or so.
I am also on the mini pill (Noriday) and I'm mid-forties.
Does anyone have any experience of this or is it simply my middle age spread?
I really dislike the grey haired and pregnant look
Lucy -
Message 2
Posted by Lili Bolero and the band played on (U10534540) on Wednesday, 4th November 2009
6cm sounds a fairly substantial fibroid. Did you go back to the GP after the ultrasound, lucy? If not, I would now.
I had an ultrasound which found fairly small fibroids. The treatment I had afterwards got rid of them or shrank them, so they are no trouble. If they were still bothering me, I would have no hesitation in going back to my doctor. -
Message 3
Posted by That Old Janx Spirit (U2140966) on Wednesday, 4th November 2009
I had a growth in the lining of the womb as well as varicose veins on the outside of the womb diagnosed in February.
For a long time, years in fact, my stomach has felt hard and bulging. And I've been to various doctors.
I also take the pill and eat less than I used to.
I've been going to the gym fairly regularly but in the last three or four weeks, I've been going at it hell for leather and have upped my routine from 1 hour to 1 hour 40 minutes.
Well, my gynaecologist today was dead pleased. She said "I don't know what you're doing but keep doing it. You look a lot better down there than I was expecting."
And I've also lost a bit of weight and a centimetre or two. -
Message 4
Posted by mistresslucy (U9471573) on Wednesday, 4th November 2009
I did go back and she didnt seem to think it was a cause for concern.
I asked a nurse friend of mine what the treatment was here(Southern Ireland) and she said unless they get large enough to cause discomfort they leave them.She was horrified that I would consider surgery an option,as she said the drug shrinking treatment wasn't available here!
What treatment did you have Lili?If you don't mind my asking?
I will go back next week I think tho'.Lucy -
Message 5
Posted by Flightless Anachronistic Bird (U6437464) on Wednesday, 4th November 2009
I don't know how big the fibroids were when I was diagnosed, but my uterus was the size of a grapefruit (well known gynaecological unit of measurement). I was somewhat apprehensive, as my mother had a hysterectomy as a result of fibroids. The gynae just put me on a particular kind of the pill (I *think* it was a high oestrogen one, but it might have been the reverse, so this would be something to check!) and the fibroids shrank over a couple of years - end of problem.
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Message 6
Posted by mistresslucy (U9471573) on Wednesday, 4th November 2009
In reply to Dame Celia,
I've been a regular 8 miles a day walker till I sprained my ankle in July.
I also stopped the sit-ups then,but I can't really see that I would expand tummy-wise so much so quickly,but then again I know its much harder to maintain weight and tone as you get older.
So plan of action,
go to doctor,see if I need another ultrasound,
if so and fibroid is bigger,shrink the bugger by natural drug therapy if poss,if not ferry back to my old G.P. in England and get drug treatment to shrink it.
Up the exercise regime.
Lucy -
Message 7
Posted by wandypig (U3850819) on Wednesday, 4th November 2009
I was found to have fibroids in the course of investigation for something else (which turned out to be nothing anyway) and GP said "Don't worry, they'll shrink away to nothing when you get to the menopause". She said they were the reason I was having some very heavy periods. Menopause is now upon me, and whilst I have no way of knowing if the fibroids are larger/smaller/unchanged I do know that my circumference has increased enormously and doesn't seem to want to respond to the sort of dietary and excercise measures which kept it under control in the past. But I'm getting rounder - it sounds as if you are getting sort-of lopsided, and on that score if nothing else I would go back to the doctor.
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Message 8
Posted by Judith Hearne (U7775397) on Thursday, 5th November 2009
Glad to see you've raised this, Lucy.
Does anyone know if fibroids are often painful?
I'm perimenopausal. I've always suffered from bad bloating before my period, but last month it lasted through it and beyond. I had a 7-month pregnant abdomen. And it hurt. Quite badly. I'd describe the pain as a cross between normal period pain, which I've also always had, and the pain of very bad wind.
I put it down to stress (I was spending time with my mother! ) ..Until I ended up talking to a group of women my own age and slightly older, every one of whom had had fibroids at some point, up to and including the grapefruit. It made me wonder..
It's gone down now, back to normal flabby fat. But I haven't had a period since, so I'm waiting to see what will happen next time.
Does this strike any chords with anyone? -
Message 9
Posted by rainbowLaure (U8486235) on Thursday, 5th November 2009
Judith, fibroids aren't themselves painful, but they can cause discomfort when they get large - bit like having a house brick inside you.
However, they certainly causing very heavy periods with /very/ bad cramping. -
Message 10
Posted by Small boy in third row (U2247664) on Thursday, 5th November 2009
Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:42 GMT, in reply to Judith Hearne in message 8
What a timely thread for me.
I was sent for a scan recently because of abdominal pains that started during my last period and didn't go away when it ended. The scan showed fibroids and an enlarged uterus (twice the normal size). The pain had almost gone away (more like a slight and occasional discomfort)by the end of last week until my period started again this week and it's quite bad again now, feeling quite sore. My stomach looks enormous, like I'm pregnant. I'm off to the GP again tomorrow to show her the scan results and will see what she says. The doctor who did the scan said that fibroids/enlarged uterus can cause pain/discomfort because they may press against other organs. -
Message 11
Posted by Judith Hearne (U7775397) on Thursday, 5th November 2009
Rainbow, that's helpful. Thanks.
Rachel, I think the term is: Snap! (Fingers crossed for your outcome)
I've made an appointment with the GP. Not expecting miracles, but morale is already very low. Swelling up like a Zeppelin and being in constant pain two weeks of every six or seven just doesn't help the quality of life, does it? -
Message 12
Posted by Lili Bolero and the band played on (U10534540) on Thursday, 5th November 2009
she said the drug shrinking treatment wasn't available here!
What treatment did you have Lili?If you don't mind my asking?
Ìý
Lucy - the treatment was also recommended because of endometriosis, but it's the Mirena coil. Slow-release progesterone which is supposed to shrink fibroids if they are not so big as to require surgery.
BTW I think the thickening waistline happens when you are between 45 and 50 anyway, unless you are of a particularly wiry build, but as someone else said, it's the 'lopsided' aspect which sounds like it should be investigated further.
HTH. -
Message 13
Posted by mistresslucy (U9471573) on Thursday, 5th November 2009
Lili,the pill I'm on is Noriday,a progesterone only mini-pill,I was on the combined pill but due to the fact that I was getting aural(? spelling) migraines the doc recommended coming off the pill totally (not an option,I tried a few years ago and was in severe pain when having my period)so a compromise was the mini pill,the coil was mentioned but not recommended and I would also have to have it put in under G.A. because of not having had children.
I was a curvy size 8-10 before spraining my ankle so even tho' I had to cut down on exercise I would have hoped that the thickening waistline wouldnt have come on so suddenly!
The lopsidedness would probably not be that noticable to anyone and yes to the "housebrick" reference!
I wonder has anyone tried the natural remedies? Artichoke and dandelion root were among the stuff I saw mentioned on a website.
Lucy -
Message 14
Posted by Imperfectly37 (U4335981) on Thursday, 5th November 2009
Don't have any experience of fibroids (although plenty of heavy and painful periods) but I did have a coild fitted without a general anaesthetic without having children.
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Message 15
Posted by rainbowLaure (U8486235) on Thursday, 5th November 2009
Judith there are treatments, so talk to your doctor and remember to let us know how you get on.
A friend had a myomectomy (surgical removal of the fibroids). It was very successful and she never regretted deciding to take that course.
There is also a treatment called fibroid embolization. More common on the continent, but some hospitals offer it. It looks interesting, but opinions on its efficacy vary - not sure if that is legitimate criticism or innate British conservatism. -
Message 16
Posted by Small boy in third row (U2247664) on Friday, 6th November 2009
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:33 GMT, in reply to Judith Hearne in message 11
I'm just back from the GP, who told me that I need to go and see my gynecologist (which I was planning to do anyway). So a bit of a wasted visit, really. She told me it's a choice between waiting till the menopause arrives when it will go away or doing something now. Since I'm only 41 and I'm likely to have a late menopause (my mother was very late) it would be rather a long wait. She also said that since my fibroids are calcified I'm likely to need surgery to remove them. -
Message 17
Posted by geepers (U6804393) on Friday, 6th November 2009
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:37 GMT, in reply to rainbowLaure in message 15
I think it's quite hard to get a myomectomy if you're of an age where it's unlikely you'll have children - it involves a lot of cutting/bleeding and so increases significantly the risk of adhesions afterwards. Also, fibroids generally grow back - you only get rid of them permanently by removing the uterus.
My sister had the embolisation treatment but it wasn't successful, and the side effects were not at all pleasant.
And I too was told that a mirena coil would only be fitted under a general as I've not had children. -
Message 18
Posted by mistresslucy (U9471573) on Friday, 6th November 2009
You know what really annoys me?
I never wanted children and had such painful periods that my life was a misery for at least a week of every month,not to mention all the PMS symptoms,blinkin' lady bits neither use nor ornament! GAH! -
Message 19
Posted by very_vague (U9649391) on Friday, 6th November 2009
And I too was told that a mirena coil would only be fitted under a general as I've not had children.Ìý
I don't know anything about fibroids, but my sister (in the UK) had a mirena coil fitted without having had children. Her practice nurse fitted it and apparently it was quite painful when they opened the cervix but all quite manageable. She did have a few problems with cramping in the the first few weeks but I assume it's all fine now as she hasn't mentioned any problems since. -
Message 20
Posted by rainbowLaure (U8486235) on Friday, 6th November 2009
I think it's quite hard to get a myomectomy if you're of an age where it's unlikely you'll have children Ìý
Hard to talk about these things as attitudes vary so widely from one consultant to another.
My friend who had the myomectomy was in her mid-50s. The consultant said that, although the fibroids would probably come back, she could well be in full menopause before they grew to any size.
It was a great result for my friend - she never had any problems, but I know there are people who have had different experiences. -
Message 21
Posted by Judith Hearne (U7775397) on Friday, 6th November 2009
She told me it's a choice between waiting till the menopause arrives when it will go away or doing something nowÌý
Rachel, do you mean your GP or gynae told you fibroids go away at menopause? If so, I haven't long to wait! - If I do indeed have them. But I can't believe that's what you meant.
Lucy, I share your exasperation. How often have I wanted to deck someone -- always a man! -- for wurbling on about the joys of being able to give birth..!
- judith (childless, perimenopausal, decades-long victim of PMS and painful periods and fed up with being told how menopause will signal the certain death of both her figure and her mental faculties.) -
Message 22
Posted by Small boy in third row (U2247664) on Friday, 6th November 2009
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:36 GMT, in reply to Judith Hearne in message 21
Yes Judith, that's what my GP said. I'd also read it online when I googled for fibroids (well, the site said they usually go away rather than def) . It's all to do with the hormones. -
Message 23
Posted by Lili Bolero and the band played on (U10534540) on Friday, 6th November 2009
I remember there being a thread on here by a ML poster who had had the Mirena Coil because she was going off travelling. She hadn't had children, but had the coil fitted at the clinic (no GA) pretty much as I did. I cannot pretend it's a pleasant experience - probably even worse for her. If only I'd known that the advice is to dose yourself up with painkillers about 2 hours beforehand! But it's only like being in shock for 12 hours. The best thing you can do is go straight to bed afterwards. And don't attempt to drive yourself home.
After that, it's like a miracle. You wonder why you dithered so long! I went off on holiday round Australia for a month - something I would never have been able to do before, because I would have had to schedule in 4 days when I stayed in my hotel room, doing nothing. -
Message 24
Posted by mistresslucy (U9471573) on Friday, 16th April 2010
Well had my scan on Wed. not only has the fibroid got bigger,its now 8cm,but theres an ovarian cyst at 6cm as well that wasnt there six months ago.
(G.P. did hormone test and I'm not menopausal.)
I was told by the radiologist that I would have a good case to have them removed.
G.P. rang me this evening and said I need to see someone re the cyst and when I asked if the two wotsits can be removed she said yes no reason why not.
Hope everyone else is well and coping with their bits and bobs. Lucy -
Message 25
Posted by mistresslucy (U9471573) on Thursday, 17th June 2010
Well,saw Gyne on Tue,did a biopsy on my cervix(ow,ow,ow)was on my own and v shaky afterwards.
Gyne had to dash off to see patient having baby so I got to see consultant himself.
I knew I had a 9x6 cm fibroid and now also have a 5 cm cyst on my ovary.
I have had 18 day periods with heavy days and light days)and a break of a month and back to 14/18 day periods again.
Mr Consultant suggests hysterectomy,I ask re alternatives,he says why not hysterectomy and I said I didnt want surgical menopause (I'm almost 47)he says there wouldnt be one as he would leave the ovary without the cyst alone.
I could have Mymectomy where just the fibroid is removed.
I can have MRI scan and an embolisation (sp?)where the fibroid is zapped.
The trouble is the mymectomy has a 12 week recovery and I might still need a hysterectomy.
The fibroid could be zapped and the bleeding might still continue.
What advice can you offer,I was adamant that I didnt want a hysterectomy (too busy and too young lol)
but the more I think about it maybe I should just get the darned thing over with!
A nurse friend says as I am young enough and fit and slim enough I should have it done.
Also I am tired of the pregnant look,want my jeans to fit properly instead of zip to the left of my tummy button! Lucy -
Message 26
Posted by dens canis (U1983532) on Thursday, 17th June 2010
if you're looking at a 12-week recovery in any case, and the hysterectomy on offer comes without added menopause, why not go for it? I'm guessing that you have no plans for (more) children. I do recognise, though, that there's a difference between choosing not to have them and being unable to have them, and that this would change the side of the line you were standing.
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Message 27
Posted by mistresslucy (U9471573) on Friday, 18th June 2010
In reply to dens canis,
Don't have children,(through choice),am weighing up the pros and cons of having the hysterectomy.
I think what I'll probably do is to have a private appointment with the consultant,and have the op done as a public patient,that way I can get to talk to the main man and not the understudies!
I'll have a good google of all the options re types of hysterectomy.
I have seen that it can be done under epidural,but that is probably the single incision laparoscopic option which I dont think is on offer here.
I am self employed so will have to work around clients and the twelve week recovery will probably drive me to drink!
I'm planning a six week recovery.
One of the pros of course is no hoovering and no ironing!! Lucy -
Message 28
Posted by Bearhug (U2258283) on Friday, 18th June 2010
I am self employed so will have to work around clients and the twelve week recovery will probably drive me to drink!
I'm planning a six week recovery.
Ìý
I know not everyone's the same, and the numbers won't fit everyone exactly, but I don't think they just randomly pick numbers out of the air. You might well be ready to work before 12 weeks is up, but 6 weeks might be pushing it.
I guess it depends partly on the work you do, but if I were you (and I'm not), I would at least be considering whether it would be possible to stage getting back to full work, starting with half days and alternating full days and so on. It can take a long time to get over surgery, particularly if you've had a GA.
Still, if you're seeing the consultant, you can discuss that sort of thing with them. -
Message 29
Posted by Squiggywigg (U2260422) on Friday, 18th June 2010
Dear Lucy
I had an open myomectomy in 2003. I had four fibroids: one 15cm in diameter (at one point my abdomen was distended the same as a 20 week pregnancy) and the others 2-3 cms each. I was given a Zolodex injection at the time of my first consultation which shrunk the largest fibroid down to the size of a 12 week pregnancy, and I had surgery two weeks later. The effect of the Zoladex injection were some symptoms of menopause (severe sweating, night and day) but nothing else.
At no time did my (female) gynaecologist suggest a hysterectomy.
About a month after surgery, I had a Mirena coil fitted (this releases a hormone which stops the fibroids recurring). Apart from the first post-surgery period being very heavy (which I didn't expect), I had an uneventful recovery, and returned to work (secretarial) after 9 weeks, fully fit.
I hope this information is useful.
S -
Message 30
Posted by Squiggywigg (U2260422) on Friday, 18th June 2010
Sorry Lucy
I had surgery SIX weeks after the Zoladex injection. My second and final pre-op appt with my consultant was two weeks before surgery: I was in hospital (private) for 6 nights.
P -
Message 31
Posted by mistresslucy (U9471573) on Saturday, 19th June 2010
In reply to Squiggywigg, I have talked myself into and out of hysterectomy and now I think will have the MRI and see if I'm suitable for embolisation,then explore all options before hysterectomy.
I'm prone to depression and really don't want to have a big op and possibly menopause and associated dark thoughts.
I'm a chiropodist so lots of bending and stuff at work,and as fit as I am, nursie friend thinks 12 weeks is about right for recovery.. Lucy
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