The truth about uterine fibroids reported on NPR

May 31, 2006 — EclecticGeek

I found this radio piece about uterine fibroid tumors. Happy to see National Public Radio coverage. You can listen to the story using either RealPlayer or Windows Media Player.

The Truth About Uterine Fibroids

News & Notes with Ed Gordon, May 29, 2006 · Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that can cause bleeding, cramping, swelling and miscarriage. Farai Chideya talks to gynecologist Hilda Hutcherson about diagnosing and treating uterine fibroids.

Here is the link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5437130

The Geek’s summary:

The piece lasts about 6 minutes and discusses several treatment options for fibroids including laparoscopic and hysteroscopic procedures, and Uterine Artery Embolization. The gynecologist in this story considers hysterectomy a treatment of last resort. Let’s hope this is a trend that catches on.

Posted in Diagnosis, Doctors, Fibroids, Gynecologist, Health, Medical Decisions, Medicine, Minimally or Non-Invasive, Myomectomy, News, References, Surgery, Treatment, Uterine Fibroid Embolization, Women's Health. 2 Comments »

New clinical trial looks to optimize uterine fibroid embolization

May 29, 2006 — EclecticGeek

Received this article in a Google News Alert using the search term “fibroid”. Since I plan on having this procedure in the future, I am interested in seeing the research results.

Penn researchers start new clinical trial to examine ways to improve treatment of uterine fibroids

Philadelphia, PA – Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine are working on ways to improve the results of a non-surgical method to treat fibroids. They are examining the overall effectiveness of different agents used to destroy uterine fibroids – a discovery that could lead to more answers about the durability of a procedure called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). It’s already been established throughout the medical community that, after a decade, UFE works to relieve the symptoms of fibroids. Now, in this new study, investigators want to learn how to optimize the procedure, by running a comparison of materials used during it.

Read the full article: Penn researchers start new clinical trial to examine ways to improve treatment of uterine fibroids

The Geek’s summary:

  • Randomized, single-center study involving 60 patients and lasting about nine months
  • Two different particless will be compared (Contour SE Microspheres vs. Embosphere Microspheres)
  • Several researchers will perform UFE procedures and then compare patient outcomes through MRI to determine which particle does a more effective job at destroying fibroid tissue

Links:
Learn more about uterine fibroids. Images and animation are available upon request.
Ask a Penn Interventional Radiologist a question about UFE
Procedure Overview by Boston Scientific

Posted in Clinical Studies, Fibroids, Health, Medicine, Minimally or Non-Invasive, News, References, Research, Science, Treatment, Uterine Fibroid Embolization, Women's Health. 4 Comments »

Google News Alerts keep me updated

May 28, 2006 — EclecticGeek

Google Alerts are emails that are sent automatically when there are new results for your search terms. A News alert lets you know if new articles make it into the top ten results of a Google News search. I signed up about a month ago to receive alerts on the search terms of “fibroid”, “fibroid tumor”, and “uterine fibroid”. Occasionally, I’ll post the information here. A recent News Alert caught my eye and is discussed in my next entry.

Posted in Fibroids, Health, Medicine, News, References, Research, Science, Women's Health. Comments Off

Fibroid tumors verified at last

May 27, 2006 — EclecticGeek

Although the bleeding from my last episode slowed enough for me to avoid the emergency room, it was still serious enough to get me into a doctor’s office. Tried another ultrasound in 2004 (only six years later). This time, it was transvaginally. (It was better than a Pap smear but I still would not want to go through it on a regular basis.) The results were positive (surprise, surprise). So, it’s now verified. I have fibroids. Something I suspected in 1996 and knew by 1998 was detected in 2004.

Posted in Body, Diagnosis, Doctors, Fibroids, Health, Life, Medicine, Personal, Science, Symptoms, Ultrasound, Women's Health. Comments Off

My new normal interrupted

May 26, 2006 — EclecticGeek

I continued to attempt to function with my quarter of a life. I would constantly raise the bar of what I found tolerable. That’s the thing with fibroids (at least for me). It was gradual. After years of acceptable periods, the cramps became incrementally more painful, the bleeding more heavy, and clots increasingly larger. Although I knew this was abnormal, I altered my reality to create a “new normal”. This delicately balanced, precarious situation tumbled one evening as I left a Japanese sushi restaurant. I did make it out the door and was, in fact, standing on the sidewalk. All of a sudden, the dam burst. Literally, all hell broke loose. It felt as though my visceral organs had separated from my body and were now resting in my panties along with a tremendous amount of blood. If they had not come out of my own body, I would have found these gigantic clots fascinating. Instead, I was stunned.

——————–

Related Posts:
Can I pass a uterine fibroid?
Do uterine fibroids burst?
Uterine fibroid symptoms (not my idea of fun)
Uterine fibroid tumors and anemia?
How are you managing your heavy menstrual bleeding?

Posted in Body, Fibroids, Health, Life, Mind, Personal, Random Notes, Spirit, Symptoms, Women's Health. 23 Comments »

A quarter of my life

May 26, 2006 — EclecticGeek

I was now passing clots the size of (what felt like) major organs. I swear I thought my liver had detached and slipped out of my body on a couple of occasions. By this time, I was down to 25% of my life. My period lasted one week. It took me about a week to prepare my mind to face my period and about a week to recover from it. Only one week out of the month was carefree. One week! I loved that week. The world was full of rainbows and Godiva chocolate. All was right.

——————–

Related Posts:
Can I pass a uterine fibroid?
Do uterine fibroids burst?
Uterine fibroid symptoms (not my idea of fun)
Uterine fibroid tumors and anemia?
How are you managing your heavy menstrual bleeding?

Posted in Body, Fibroids, Health, Life, Mind, Personal, Random Notes, Spirit, Symptoms, Women's Health. 2 Comments »

But I really have a fibroid problem

May 26, 2006 — EclecticGeek

The “Do not try this at home” post touched on my frustration with a doctor who did not believe I had a fibroid tumor problem.

This is what should have happened: I should have left his office and immediately found another doctor. Unfortunately (as in this case), I can be quite stubborn when I know I am right. So…

This is what actually happened: I said, “screw it” (or some form of that saying) and moved on. I worked full-time and attended school but it was rough. Finished college and got married a few years later. Paused my career just long enough to notice my cramps and bleeding were horrible.

Posted in Blogging, Body, Doctors, Family, Fibroids, Gynecologist, Health, Life, Medicine, Personal, School, Symptoms, Women's Health, Work. Comments Off

Something good for the spirit

May 25, 2006 — EclecticGeek

Wanted to post something every day…at least for now. I was just so sleepy last night. Had nothing to do with fibroid tumors (Praise God!). I attended a concert after work. Living a more balanced life now by trying to take care of mind, body, and spirit. The concert was good for my mind and my spirit but left my body a little tired. I got home, ate something light, and fell asleep. Yesterday was a good day.

Posted in Blogging, Body, Fibroids, Health, Life, Mind, Personal, Spirit, Women's Health. Comments Off

Tomorrow is a better day

May 23, 2006 — EclecticGeek

I am tired. Cramps decided to wake me up at 5 AM. Slammed down a couple of Motrin and fell asleep. Woke up late. Rushed to get to work. Fortunately, I really like my job. Struggled a bit today because the cramps kept coming back. That wasn’t the main problem because I can take Motrin for the pain. What bothered me the most was the blood. Didn’t I just explain to my doctor on Monday (yesterday!) that my blood loss had improved? Yeah, I thought so. Hadn’t passed any major clots or had any “open flood gate” moments recently. Then, today happened. That’s OK. I’ll stay positive. It was only for a couple of hours and I’m still breathing. Just kind of tired.

I’ll close my eyes, fill my head with good thoughts, and drift off to sleep.

Posted in Body, Fibroids, Health, Life, Personal, Random Notes, Spirit, Symptoms, Women's Health, Work. Comments Off

Enough blood to please a vampire

May 23, 2006 — EclecticGeek

I know I am jumping from the past to the present a bit. I apologize for that but I have positive news. My severe anemia was the catalyst that caused me to finally crawl into a doctor’s office to seek help for my fibroids. I ended up with a new gynecologist, one of those doctors willing to listen and assist. At that time, my hemoglobin level was 6.7. Kind of low, huh? After three months of Lupron shots and industrial-strength iron pills, I am happy to report it is now 11.2. YAY! I have so much energy now that a nurse commented on my perkiness. My level is now high enough to undergo a surgical procedure on June 7th. I just love it when a plan comes together and works.

Posted in Anemia, Body, Doctors, Drugs, Fibroids, Gynecologist, Health, Life, Lupron, Medicine, Personal, Symptoms, Treatment, Women's Health. Comments Off

Do not try this at home

May 22, 2006 — EclecticGeek

Yeah, that negative ultrasound made it quite difficult for me to make my case. Although I’m usually a technology freak, I really didn’t care that some new-fangled mystical box couldn’t detect my fibroid tumors. I knew they were in there. I’m the one who lived in my body. No, I do not have a medical degree but I do have a brain with the capacity to reason. I knew I had fibroids. Could not seem to convince that doctor. My attempts to do so were quite draining so I just walked away. That was about eight years ago.

IMPORTANT: If I get nothing else across with this blog, pay attention here. Don’t be stubborn. If you feel you have a problem, seek help. If necessary, get a second opinion. There are doctors out there willing to listen and assist. Don’t put it off. Both time and good health are precious.

Posted in Body, Diagnosis, Doctors, Fibroids, Gynecologist, Health, Life, Medicine, Personal, Ultrasound, Women's Health. Comments Off

The truth is not always visible

May 22, 2006 — EclecticGeek

Once I settled into that new job so many years ago and discovered it was just as big of a disappointment as my old job, my thoughts once again turned to my health. My symptoms were getting worse (heavier flow, more severe cramps, and clots). The clots bothered me the most. Other things were dismissed or covered up but clots were such a strong indicator of something gone awry. I could not deny it any longer. From the combination of symptoms and family history, my brain calculated that I had fibroids. It was now time to seek professional help. I found a Gynecologist, explained my symptoms and family history, and waited for him to reach the same obvious conclusion. Unfortunately, the results of the pelvic ultrasound were negative.

Posted in Body, Diagnosis, Doctors, Fibroids, Gynecologist, Health, Life, Medicine, Personal, Symptoms, Ultrasound, Women's Health, Work. Comments Off
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