I’m sorry you are in so much pain. The fibroids can cause pain if they are pressing against other organs or can cause back pain. They also can cause severe menstrual cramps.

I have a page that talks about symptoms. I’ll also leave the one that talks about anemia in case that is a concern:

Uterine fibroid symptoms (not my idea of fun)

Uterine fibroid tumors and anemia?

Here is the page on this site that talks about treatment options. It will have links to other pages where women are discussing their post-op experiences including hysterectomy:

Just what are your uterine fibroid tumor treatment options?

You can also check the Forum page for a list of other discussions on the site.

You are not alone. There are other women here who are talking about the same things. Check those pages and keep posting if you have other concerns.

Sorry you are experiencing so much pain. The UFE procedure blocks the fibroid’s blood supply. The fibroid shrinks because it is dying. Larger fibroids or a higher number of fibroids may result in a longer recovery. To read more UFE experiences, see this post:
How are you feeling after your Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

Continuing on your positive note, I’ve also noticed that I eat less now post-UFE.

Glad you found the site and it’s helpful to you! Don’t hesitate to post any other concerns you have. Take care.

[Edited to add: I also have a post on needing multiple fibroid procedures (I needed 2). Feel free to post there as well.]

I thought I’d be pain free in 3 to 5 days after the procedure. In reality, I was in extreme pain every day for 8 straight days, including pain down the front of my thighs, lower back, sides and front of my abdomen. I used all of the precribed pain meds and had to contact my doctor to call in another medication. During the 8 days, I used my electric heating pad 24-hours-a-day. I experienced some mild bleeding that started 2 days after the procedure, but I’m sure that there’s more to come.

It’s Day 9 and I finaly feel some relief from the meds. I am now only slightly uncomfortable. I still need to take Motrin a few times a day. I’m still feeling bloated and generally like I’m carrying around a bowling ball.

On a positive note, my appetite has been cut in half. I seriously hope that the loss of appetite loss continues. Did I mention that before the UFE, I had 20 fibroids?

I’m wondering if there’s anyone else who experienced this much pain or if there are other women with this many fibroids.

I thank you for sharing your story and for starting this blog. It means the world to so many women, including me.

The best treatment for you will depend on your case (size, number, and location of fibroids). All treatments have risks and benefits. I picked UFE because I didn’t want major surgery. I made sure to learn as much as I could about it. Fibroid size and location are key considerations with UFE. I was concerned about the fibroid that sat on the outside of my uterus attached by a stalk (pedunculated subserosal). The IR told me that because of the size of the stalk that one would be okay and was more concerned over two smaller ones on the inside (submucosal). He thought those two would possibly detach post-UFE, get lodged internally, and become infected. I couldn’t have the UFE until those they were “shaved down”.

Talk to your doctor about size, location, and the possible happenings of your fibroids post-UFE. Don’t automatically assume that a less invasive procedure = shorter/easier recovery. It will depend on the fibroids. My 10-day UFE recovery was pretty easy (not much cramping or bleeding, just constipation) but for some women it is harder and takes longer.

I have a post that talks about treatment options. There are sections on UFE and hysterectomy plus links to other posts about specific treatments:
Just what are your uterine fibroid tumor treatment options?

I’ll also leave the specific one for UFE:
How are you feeling after your Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

Keep posting if you have other questions. It’s not just you. You aren’t alone.

Thanks for sharing your experience. The pain can be intense in the beginning. Sometimes it takes a little time to feel normal again but I’m happy that you seem to be over the intense pain. Please continue to post if you have questions or additional thoughts.

I wish you the best as you continue to recover!

Sorry you are still dealing with the bleeding problems. I hope you hear from your doctor soon.

UFE recovery is a process. For some women, it takes longer. I’ll leave a link to the post-UFE recovery thread so you can view a few more experiences:
How are you feeling after your Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

I know it’s frustrating but hang in there. Visit the link listed above and keep posting your concerns. There are other women going through similar things. You are not alone.

Thanks again and best for 2007!

Glad your UFE is over and done. I know I sound like a broken record but your recovery will depend on the size, location, and number of fibroids. This will determine things such as the amount of pain you have and the amount of blood you pass. Hard to say what is “normal” because every case is a little different. The fatigue could still be an anemia issue. Mine had to be fully corrected before my UFE because I had another fibroid procedure about a month before. Not sure how yours is being addressed but that’s a possibility. Since you are recovering from a procedure, even borderline will add to your tiredness.

Words of reassurance:
You suffered through severe symptoms. You said “enough already” and decided to do something about it. You care enough about your health to talk to your PA about your concerns plus search online for information. You posted here.

I cannot tell you how long your recovery will be or what will occur during the process. I can say you are definitely not alone. Call your PA again if you become overly concerned but feel free to come here and post your questions or thoughts. We’ll be here. Glad the site helps.

Best wishes with your recovery. Have a wonderful New Year!

It’s too early to say if I’m relieved from this surgery – but, I was at my wit’s end, too, like many of the posts have mentioned in this blog. I had severe bleeding/anemia/discomfort/embarassment for too long. I’ve also had two myomectomy surgeries. I am hopeful that this UFE procedure will prove beneficial. I asked for a three week leave from work, but I would take an extra week if possible. The surgery was not painful, for me, but the recovery has been more troublesome, if only because of the fatigue and this prolonged bleeding.

If anyone has input or words to reassure me, I would appreciate it. Thanks for this blog/or forum, too! Much needed when many people (including myself) feel alone in this problem.

Glad you found us! You have to decide if the pros of seeking treatment outweigh the cons of continuing to put up with your symptoms.

Once it got to the point where I no longer wanted to deal with my heavy, clotty, anemia-inducing periods, I asked for help. I didn’t just want to treat my symptoms. I wanted to deal with the fibroids directly. My treatment plan started in February and didn’t end until July (3 months of Lupron shots, a Hysteroscopic Myomectomy, and the UFE). I would do it ALL again in a heartbeat. I just made a “Was it worth it?” comment in another post that I’ll quote here:

Was it worth it to me? YES!!! My fibroid symptoms were horrible. This time last year, I thought I was going to die. The anemia from the blood loss was just that bad. I feel and look like a completely different person today. I attended a disco-themed Christmas party recently and danced so much by myself (hubby doesn’t dance) that after the party, the DJ made a comment about my moves. He said it in front of my husband and I’m still laughing about it. Oh, yeah. Treatment was definitely worth it!

I met with a radiologist who said that I am a good candidate for UFE. However, I was concerned because he recommended 2 week recovery– but after reading the message on this site I see why now.

My other worry is that I am 49 and expect that the broid will shrink when I enter menopause. Should I put off this painful UFE and continue to put up with painful periods from hell, and anemia caused by the broids?

BTW I live in Chicago, IL.

Glad you found the site. Pain and cramping for several hours after the procedure is pretty much standard. It’s the recovery afterwards that will vary.

Here’s a link that talks about recovery in general:
Uterine Fibroid Embolization recovery

Here’s one of the many posts that talks about my recovery:
Two weeks after my Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Basically, 12 hours of intense pain, a couple of days of moderate pain managed with over-the-counter Motrin, mostly mucus-like discharge for about 10 days, and a week of constipation.

I also suggest:
How are you feeling after your Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
Post-UFE experiences from women several weeks and months later. You will get a better picture.

The recovery will depend on the size, location, and number of fibroids. That’s why it can be so different for different women. The risk of infection or passing a fibroid is not common but it is a possibility. I’m sorry if you were frightened by something here. I try very hard not to spread fear. I want women to be informed and not afraid. EVERY treatment option has its pros and cons. You must weigh the risks vs. benefits. Personally, I have no regrets.

If you have other questions or concerns, please leave comments here but remember you can also talk to the radiologist.

THE FIBROID IS SHRINKING!