Comments on: Uterine fibroid tumors and anemia?

By: Rene

Rene — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:38:38 +0000

Try Braggs Mothers Apple Cider Vinegar and Plantation Organic Unsulphured Black Strap Molasses. Worked miracles for me. I began with 2 TABLE spoons, twice per day of both vinegar and UBSM. I now take half and bleeding is controlled. This did stop the bleeding and pain. My hemoglobin increased to normal range within 1.5 months. Cream of Wheat, raisins, almonds, collard greens and spinach are among a few iron filled products.

Best Wishes

By: Benjamin Sebald

Benjamin Sebald — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 06:22:46 +0000

Interesting, I appreciate your issue.

By: Monica Jackson

Monica Jackson — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:40:14 +0000

Thanks for the comments. I am sitting at work, too weak to focus. I’ve had a prior myomectomy approximately 10 years ago. My fibroid tumors grew back and I too bleed heavily and crave ice. I’m anemic and take iron three times a day. I am encouraged to seek help. Thanks

By: Isabelle Gagnon

Isabelle Gagnon — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:57:03 +0000

Wow! I can’t believe it, reading your posts! I’ve had fibroids and very heavy periods for a long time. For the past two years, I’ve been so tired and irritable with my husband and children. I’m addicted to carrots, my nails and hair are dry and I’ve lost a lot of hair. I didn’t know what was happening to me. Thought I was just bad tempered, lazy and weird because of the carrots. I got diagnosed with anemia 2 weeks ago. I’m at 6.9. I’m so grateful to know what’s going on and to read your posts! It’s very reassuring and I feel that there’s hope!

I saw a gynecologist yesterday and decided we’d induce a temporary menopause with hormones for 4 months to stop the bleeding and reduce the size of my uterus and then do a hysterectomy in 4 months. It seems like the right thing to do even though I feel weird about the meds-induced menopause and about losing my uterus which served me well by letting me give birth to two beautiful and healthy children.

I look forward to reading all your posts. Thank you.

By: rain is here

rain is here — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:42:12 +0000

I just wanted to say thank-you for your site.I finally forced myself after many many heavy bleeding episodes(over 2 years now) and too much pain (almost like giving birth) to research the topic further. I am a health professional but I shy away from “women” conditions even my own,I hate the doctor.She really never listens to me and assumes because I am one, I know everything about this subject. When I am out and about I look closer to 35 than 48 and this makes it hard as well to convience people(husband,docs ) you are really not well,things are a changing inside….I could go on but your readers and you have given me courage to check things out and find my way before things really get out of hand. I am generally very happy and out going and active.The last three months has shut me down either due to the bleeding lower immunity due to weather,hormonal brain fog, emotional swings ,bleeding and pushing myself to hard trying to train .Now I know why most older people say aging sucks….my brain nor the way I look and behave aren’t 48 but my body just wants to be I guess.
My tweenie is toally afraid of the Big M after watching a few episodes with me… Frankly I am afrad too… I am going to get more information and even though I don’t want to be an expert on this subject it seems the only way I can help myself..Doctors just want to comment on how pretty and young I look .. I will keep you posted on my journey and natural remedies that may help some.
This is my first bed ridden bout with the bleeding and pain thing.I do beleive I am anemic and clots though not as bad as most here are getting worst each month. Thanks for having this blog to encourage me to help guide my own healing..Something I always encourage my patients to but it is harder to doctor yourself

By: Jack

Jack — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:34:51 +0000

Hi, I recently found your blog – thank you for writing. Just wanted to let you know that it’s not showing up correctly on the BlackBerry Browser (I have a Tour). Either way, I’m now subscribed to your RSS feed on my laptop, so thanks!

By: Grace

Grace — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 13:41:55 +0000

For all those with anemia and heavy clotting periods, I would highly suggest you check into Endometrial Ablation. Be mindful that there are other options besides a hysterectomy. I suffered from anemia for a while and I had an EA and do not have any more bleeding:) My iron has drastically improved (do not take iron supplements) and I attribute it to the EA. The procedure was in office and a bit uncomfortable for a good 8 hours after the procedure; however, I was feeling pretty good the next day. The only downside is I have the normal PMS symptoms that do NOT go away (unfortunately). I also have fibroid tumors and OBGYN has prescribed NSAID (Naproxin) to reduce inflammation and Aygestin (have not started to take this – I’m scared).

Good luck!

By: Del

Del — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 07:55:13 +0000

Are intramural, fundus and intramural left wall fibroid dangerous? Mine are rather small 0.8cm and 0.5cm. Will they grow and how fast? I removed a 12.5cm x 10.5cm x 8cm subserosal fibroid that was growing quite rapidly but not the other 2.

By: Rocco Reindl

Rocco Reindl — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:36:13 +0000

Is there any express diet that you may advocate for someone that’s 220 and 6′4? I’ve a hard time losing weight also.

By: Joe Hawaii Flooring

Joe Hawaii Flooring — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:34:08 +0000

Great! I came across this site by mistake, I was surfing around the worldwide web for Honolulu floor installation when I found your site. I�m lucky I found it. Just what I was searching for. Favorited your site, I will continue my research tomorrow

By: tamar

tamar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:22:49 +0000

On the subject of anemia, I just want to say that it can turn dangerous very quickly. I had one surgery a year and a half ago to remove a fibroid but it grew back, bigger than ever and eight months later I was having endless periods with clots the size of golf balls and becoming weaker and weaker and having trouble breathing. All the doctors told me I had to have a hysterectomy but I kept pursuing less invasive options. Ten days ago, during my last period, I went to see my fourth doctor. I was bleeding so heavily on the way to see her that by the time I arrived my jeans had blood stains almost to the knees. She told me I looked anemic and made me go for a blood count. According to the results, as of 4:00 that afternoon I was still in the “normal” range (though at the very very low end). But that same night I hemorrhaged and passed out. Luckily I was visiting my parents at the time and my mother found me lying on the floor in a pile of vomit. I ended up in the emergency room, then in the hospital, where they told me my blood count was down to 6.5. and i had to have a transfusion. In short — I could easily have died. I know we’re all used to bleeding — to the point that we might not take these things as seriously as we should. But they can be dangerous. I am now seriously considering a hysterectomy — on the grounds that i do not want to have another surgery that doesn’t work and I can’t see going through what I just went through again. It was truly horrifying. Ten days later I am still incredibly week, though the black strap is helping. On the other hand, I am itching all over my body. It might be the birth controls they gave me — or the massive doses of Premarin they used to stop the bleeding. Whatever it is, its definitely not funny or enjoyable.

By: Amy

Amy — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:48:49 +0000

Hi Everybody! YAY!!!

FYI — I contacted WordPress and they were able to fix the blog!!! Still no sign of Eclectic Geek herself, but at least most things seem to work.

I’ve asked if it was an actual malfunction or the domain mapping wasn’t paid up or whatever…. and will continue to follow through on this is just in case.

I really hope the whole thing is working again and all the regulars come back!

(for those who get ALL the comments emailed to them, sorry for all the repeat posts, but I want the message to get through to everyone!)

By: Gwen

Gwen — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:58:38 +0000

I am up late again because I can’t sleep and I keep forgetting to take the iron. Thank you everyone who has posted here over the years. I also am happy to know that I am not alone. My iron was at 9 then 14 now 11. I have six fibroids and have had two kids with them in there. Didn’t even know they existed until I got pregnant with the first one. Now they are wreaking havoc on me and the poor kids are suffering. Not sure what I am going to do but I am considering hysterectomy. Information I have received says if you need hormones after menopause the fibroids could come back or get worse. Ugh.

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:37:38 +0000

Hi Lisa,
It may totally depend on the type of endometrial ablation that is performed. When you call the docs to ask for a second opinion, please ask them what kind of ablations they do. I think I was at around 14weeks and was told by my doc that I have a thick endometrium and he still did it.

I don’t know if this is the case, but it seems to me that if they use the kind of EA that freezes or burns (“heats”) the endometrium – and if the endometrium is thick, it doesn’t get through the entire thickness of the endometrium to fully heat or freeze it. Where as in my procedure, it was all done by hand and the doctor could just keep at it until done. My Dr. used the hysteroscope, a rollerball, and resectoscope, so you might ask about getting the same kind.

And yes, I think I’m done bleeding…. but now my breasts are a bit tender, so maybe I’ve got another period coming!?

Best to you! and keep us posted.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:14:47 +0000

Thanks, Amy. I had surgery last Thursday (she moved me up in the surgery schedule before her vacation & the polyp was taken out & a D&C), but the doctor I go to thinks I am too big (16 month size) for an endometrial ablasion. I have heard otherwise, so I am going to another doctor for another opinion.

Thanks so much for the link. I will definitely try the motrin & I am trying the black strap mollasses. I am hoping the next period/bleeding will be better after this surgery. I will keep you posted.

Did you finally go through menopause? I wake up every morning praying for menopause. I am all white-haired now & ready for the next phase & I shouldn’t have to be going through periods anymore.

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:39:02 +0000

Hi Lisa,
Have you read the following thread: http://blog.geekwithfibroids.com/2007/02/02/how-are-you-managing-your-heavy-menstrual-bleeding/
That might help give you other info. Make sure you take Motrin as that will definitely cut down on the bleeding (wish I’d known that sooner).

April ‘09 isn’t that long ago, I’d gone for months at a time without a period and then I’d start squeezing out a few more eggs (I guess!) and have a few more periods. But it could easily be your polyp causing the bleeding or something else could be going on, so it’s important to check all of that out.

I’m 53 and highly recommend a hysteroscopic endometrial ablation with a d&c – that way they can remove the polyp and look inside to see if everything looks okay too – (which they don’t do with the other kinds of endometrial ablations – like Novasure etc.)

As for whether or not this could kill you, well, certainly if you were to lose too much blood I imagine so… I have to admit I wondered the same thing one night as I passed had sized clots…I was even afraid to go to sleep that night. If you are still bleeding now, see another doctor, at least you can get something to help stop the bleeding and you can also get an opinion from them while you are at it. Then see your reg. gyn when s/he is back from vacation. If your blood goes way down, don’t tough it out, get a transfusion – I did, and it was a huge help!

Keep us posted.
Best.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:05:45 +0000

I discovered this forum last night & read absolutely every entry with great interest. I am also suffering from extreme anemia from fibroids (9.1 hemoglobin & 28.3 hematicrit which isn’t as bad as some people on this site, but bad enough!).

I am 52 & started to go through a natural menopause right after Christmas 2008 until April 7 2009. I was celebrating, my color came back, my fibroids felt like they were shrinking, sex was a pleasure again, I felt as good as I used to when I was 16 years old (which is something I never thought I’d feel). Then my periods came back with a vengeance! I was always able to tolerate my “prior” heavy periods by staying home for a day (I am self employed). But since my periods have come back, I am taking 8 days to recover instead of the one I used to have & I have a brand new endiometrial polyp that wasn’t there before (the fibroids didn’t grow in a year, though, so that’s good news).

The bleeding is getting really frightening & gyns are going on vacation at this time. Can this kill a person?

I have tended to be a natural remedies person & felt most comfortable with Maria’s views (above), though I’m not sure it’s safe to wait it out like she did, but I’m using her suggestions while I check out doctors & look into all of the alternatives.

I just wonder… is this happening to any other women here?
Periods gone & then back this bad?

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:46:24 +0000

Hi all, just a reminder for anyone new to this thread and who doesn’t read the older posts. There are a number of other options if you aren’t sure about a hysterectomy. I had a hysteroscopic d&c and endometrial ablation in ‘06 and it completely stopped my bleeding. It was a pretty simple procedure – went in in the morning, left in the afternoon. You can find out more about the EA here: http://blog.geekwithfibroids.com/2006/10/24/how-are-you-feeling-after-your-endometrial-ablation/

By: Kim 25 june 09

Kim 25 june 09 — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:12:28 +0000

Hi guys, 3 weeks ago I had a total abdominal hysterectomy to remove a fibroid (about softball size). It had distended my stomach so I looked about 4 months pregnant (and it was still growing). When lying down in the morning, I could see my bladder (the fibroid pushed the bladder outwards), and I would think I guess I need to go to the toilet. Blood flow was a nightmare every month – changing tampons every 45 mins, having to get up 5 times a night and still soaking pjs and having to sleep on a towel. I had anaemia – level of just under 10 so was not as bad as some guys who have posted on this site. I was diagnosed with anaemia (and this fibroid was found as a result of subsequent investigations) when I was admitted to hospital for a totally unrelated issue, after a routine blood test. Imagine, I was lying on the bed with my head swimming in dizziness, having vomited everytime I moved, my eyes were buzzing back and forwards (nystygmus) and the Doc asked “Are you always this pale??” LOL…..I wasnt feeling any symptoms except headaches.
Since my husband and I had completed our family and I was sick and tired of periods, I was happy with the suggestion of a hysterectomy. The ovaries are left in, so I am not experiencing menopause. When they opened me up they fixed up a cyst on an ovary and removed endometriosis too, both of which were contributing to the blood consumption/evacuation. I dont regret having a hysterectomy. I feel great and am very positive about the future.
Its wonderful that we have more choices now, so shop around for a gyno that you like and respect, and do lots of research, but remember that there is no need to live in pain and discomfort.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:52:50 +0000

Hi Carla,
I can certainly say I know how you feel,it’s depressing to keep going through the mess.I work in long term care/rehab and I am on my feet on concrete floors all of the time and it has been times when I was at work that I was like Niagra Falls-you talk about miserable!That’s me.I get tired of feeling like a babys head is on my bottom and I have to urinate numerous times throughout the day-the only time I really get relief is when I am lying down but it feels like the fibroid is moving from one side of my abdomen to the other.I would love to know why women get fibroids and if there is some way to prevent them.Right now I am planning on seeing another OB-GYN and getting rid of this thing and I pray it wont come back because if it does then I will probably end up with a hysterectomy,I can’t be bothered with it.Anyway in whatever you decide I wish you the very best,Take Care.