(Tuesday, January 30, 2007) Decided to edit this post significantly. In my zeal to present different recovery experiences, I seem to have created a monster. Women are reading this post and becoming frightened over the UFE/UAE procedure. I’m obligated to try again. So, I’ll include my own recovery experience on this post to provide balance.
Note: Please realize that you are online. By its nature, the Internet will draw women having problems with fibroids and looking for answers. Women with great UFE/UAE recovery experiences probably aren’t searching online for fibroid information. I discovered this when looking for Lupron information several months ago. I was alarmed by the disproportionate number of negative Lupron experiences and decided to start a blog with a more balanced perspective. Hopefully, I’ve come close to that.
Last point and then I’ll talk about my recovery. I have a post about the bell curve. (Actually, there are a few women on the site that mention it.) A bell curve is a very good way to think about any fibroid treatment. Some women will land on one end of the curve or the other but the MAJORITY will fall in the middle right under the bell. The MAJORITY of women who have this procedure will benefit from it. The MAJORITY will have a recovery that falls within the “7-to-10-day” window.
From FibroidSecondOpinion.com:
Many women will notice a relief of fibroid symptoms within six weeks after the procedure. However, it takes a few months for the fibroids to fully shrink and the full effect of the procedure to be evident. About 90 percent of women who were bothered by symptoms related to the size of their fibroids will have a significant improvement and be satisfied with the results. Likewise, about 85 percent of women who had heavy bleeding from their fibroids will have lighter and shorter periods and be satisfied with the results. About 10 to 15 percent of women who have UFE will continue to have bothersome symptoms and usually require other treatment.
Note #2: You have to take into consideration the size, location, and number of fibroids in your case. This will determine the success of your UFE/UAE and the recovery you experience afterwards. I was not able to have a UFE until two small (I think 2cm each) submucosal fibroids were resected via Hysteroscopic Myomectomy first. This was done to minimize my risk of complication post-embolization. PLEASE talk to the Interventional Radiologist about your specific case and your specific fibroids (size, location, number). I cannot stress this enough.
Here’s my experience.
From the post that describes my UFE recovery:
What did I experience?
- Intense pain and nausea during the first 12 hours. I think the nausea was much worse than the pain.
- Moderate cramps for a couple of days afterward. I took over-the-counter Motrin.
- Vaginal discharge for about 10 days. Mostly mucus-like but some blood was present. Moderate to light.
- Digestive problems for about a week. Could not eat solid food. Constipation and stomach pain.
The pain right after my procedure wasn’t much worse than the previous cramps I experienced every month. It really was the nausea from the drugs that made me feel worse. By the next day, I was listening to Bob Marley and feeling great! I did not experience very much pain later. Constipation (from the hospital drugs) was my biggest problem. My recovery fell within the “7-to-10-day” window.
From the post about my period after UFE:
Approximately a three-day period? I’ve NEVER had that. Light bleeding the whole time? I’ve NEVER had that. I keep waiting and waiting for the other shoe to drop. It does not appear that it will. This is now reality. My “new” new normal. I am happy/goofy/loopy but confused. It is so different. It cannot be a period. I will have to call it a question mark.
Today (6 months post-UFE):
Periods range between 3.5 and 4 days. My last one was 4 days but I spotted most of the time. On days 2 and 3, there was occassional light-to-moderate bleeding. My periods are still question marks! I cannot even begin to tell you how this procedure changed my life. I have the energy to live and the ability to go out in the world and do it. I am really well physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Links with more information:
Society of Interventional Radiology
Treating Uterine Fibroid Tumors | Fibroid Embolization
Surgical Video of Uterine Fibroid Embolization (OR-Live.com)
What to Expect from a Uterine Artery Embolization
Possible Complications from Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Okay. Here’s your chance. Let us know how you’re feeling!
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Related Posts:
The UFE Experience. Wasn’t that a band during the 70s?
Memories right before my Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Memories directly after my Uterine Fibroid Embolization
My first several hours post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
I’m really starting to think my wiring is kind of screwed
Two weeks after my Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Gosh…my period turned out to be a question mark!
My condition one month post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
UPDATE: My condition two months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
UPDATE: My condition three months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
UPDATE: My condition four months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
UPDATE: My condition five months post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization
February 15, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Hi Julie!
Your procedure sounds like mine! I had mine in June of last year and it was at Providence Hospital in Michigan (I did have the option of Harper Hospital because the doctor was out of either). My experience was GREAT! It’s been nearly 8 months and each period get a little better. I’m now down to Extra Strength Tylenol for cramps as opposed to something stronger. I bleed heavy but I’m on my period no more than 4.5 – 5 days. That actually hasn’t changed much. I hear soooo many bad experiences and it’s good to FINALLY hear someone that seems to be doing just fine so far. Keep me posted on how you’re doing
February 22, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Well, today is exactly two weeks since I had my UFE. I don’t pee like I used to, back pain is gone too! I have really been feeling tired but don’t know if it is related. I have been taking iron because my levels were on the low side of normal (10.9 when I went in) I have felt as if I was getting a cold a couple of times too. My stomach is flatter and I went for a brisk walk today because they told me to wait 2 weeks, even though I wanted to work out sooner. I have had light spotting that started 2 days after my procedure and while annoying I don’t even think about it until I go to the bathroom. Did anyone else have this and how long did it last?
March 1, 2010 at 6:47 pm
I had my UFE 4 weeks ago.
I had 7 months size tummy and had 13 fibroids, largest was 10cm in diameter.
I had 3 bags of blood transfusion a month before UFE, as my haemoglobin level dropped under 6.
I used to bleed about 2 pints over night easily.
The last 2 months before UFE, I was bleeding whole month almost everyday.
I was on my 2nd day of my period at the time of the UFE, so I was bleeding heavily.
When I came around in my ward abo about 4 hours after the UFE, I noticed my tummy became much flatter and my bleeding became lighter.
I just had my first period after the UFE and it was much lighter than usual.
The abdominal pain was terrible but not as bad as my worst period pain – everyday it became better and it lasted for a week.
I caught UTI from the urinary catheter and its pain was greater than fibroids pain for first few days.
I drank gallons of water every day, then pain was gone 2 weeks later, but the test result showed I still have infection so I have to take some medicine.
I had serious nausea from anaesthetic, morphine and painkillers.
I could not stop vomiting all night and following morning after the UFE, then could not even drink water following day so had to inject it through the cannula for a while.
It was about 2 weeks later I finally started eating normally.
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I am seriously concerning following issues and I wonder if anyone who read this could help me:
1. I learnt recently that pedunculated submucosal/subserosal fibroids or large submucosal fibroids are recommended to be removed through hysteroscopy or laparoscopy before UFE as they can cause infection if the body cannot absorb the dead tissues.
I had several large submucosal fibroids and large semi-pedunculated fibroids but my gynaecologist refused to undertake any surgery before or after the UFE saying mines are too large and too many.
After the UFE, I asked him if they are really not dangerous to be left in my stomach and he insisted they can be never dangerous. Is this true?
Or should I find another gynaecologist to remove them surgically as soon as possible?
2. Even not, I still need to find another gynaecologist who shares my opinion about fibroids treatment – which is, hysterectomy should be the last resort.
It is so difficult to find one like this in UK/London.
I would be grateful if I can get information how I can find such gynaecologists.
3. I started having funny heart palpitation frequently (up to 4 times per hour) and wonder if any fibroids patients have same problem.
It used to happen very occasionally since my fibroids started growing bigger, but it worsened after the recent blood transfusions and the UFE.
Any of your comments are highly appreciated.
March 2, 2010 at 7:52 am
Hi Fingerx, I am in the UK also but in Scotland.
I am going for my embolisation on Wednesday and I sound like I may have a similar scenario but not nearly as bad as you had. I have what was originally thought as a Pedunculated Fibroid ( which my gyny said was not suitable for embolisation and would have had to be removed by hysteroscopy or laparoscopy).
After two scans and an MRI at her insistence it turned out it is a fibroid with a wide base which is suitable for the treatment.
My largest Fibroid was 11cm diameter but since the MRI they found out that I have several in the uterus wall.
I responded very well to the injections to shrink tem prior to the procedure so much so that I cannot really see the lump I had anymore.
I have had no excessive bleeding like yourself and in fact my period has stpped due to the hormone injections to shrink the fibroid.
Most important of all I started having heart palpitaions like yourself about 4 months ago and have been monitored ( as I have a heart arythmia) …still no conclusion yet as I have to go for an eco now. My heart seems to miss a beat and thenm catch up and it feels like a fluttering an I can get this 4 or more times in the evening but apparently it is happening more frequently than I am aware of. It sometimes happens during the day that I am aware of.
My doctor seems not to have made a connection but most GPs I am sure do not know enough. Hope that you are feeling better and if you get any info on the palpitations please post as I will if therre is any connection.
March 2, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Karen,
Thanks for your comment.
I wish I knew a good gynaecologist as yours.
Shrinking fibroids with hormone injections prior to the UFE – I didn’t come up to this idea.
Your heart problem sounds very much like mine.
One of the GPs said fibroids can cause it as well.
Other GP said it is because I am still anaemic (but haemoglobin improved to 12!) so I should continue taking iron tablets longer.
My homoeopath guesses it is iron overdose (with only 3 months, taking only stated amount a day) – she thinks those chemical tablets can be harmful so I should swap it to natural iron source.
I am having another blood test tomorrow and decide if I should continue iron therapy.
All the best to your UFE, I hope everything goes well.
March 1, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Fingerx,
I was wondering how old you are?
I have had a myomectomy that took 7 hours and it incompassed hysterscope too. Lasted for 4years.
Next had UAE 1 year ago. I am 50 years old and hoping for menopause.
I know you said you live in the Uk but, The USA has the best laproscopic surgeon for fibriods. Dr. Charles Miller located in Chicago. You should be able to find more info on him via the internet. He is renoun. My guess is that you have more of the fibriods that are located inside the uterus
verses the ones encapsulated in the wall. That could be the reason for the excessive bleeding. As I have found out it is difficult to stop the growth of fibriods unless your estrogen shuts off. Good luck with your decision
Susan
March 2, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Susan,
Thanks for your comments, I am 43 year old.
Yes, I noted that things are much more advanced in US and most information about fibroids come from US/Canada.
March 3, 2010 at 7:25 am
Fingerx, Thanks for posting.
Well it’s very confusing with all the different opinions isn’t it!
I’ll post if I find out more about the palps…My doc is an NHS doc at Falkirk Royal infirmary and I have to say she and her team were great.
I had also heard very good things about them on the IVF front and wish I had gone to them instead of Dundee where I self funded 2 cycles with no success. I they had done the MRI there they would have seen that due to the Fibroids in my uterus wall ( they knew about my larger fibroid) I would likely not conceive according to the gyny in Falkirk. At least I feel better that the “unidentified infertility” cause was likely to be this and it has somewhat put my mind at rest. Resigned to no kids now as I’m 42, but at least I know.I have not heard if anyone has ever conceived after this procedure but it seems unlikely.
Oh and almost forgot…the side effects of the injections were horrendous migraines so perhaps better missed!
March 2, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Hello! Found this site whilst looking up info. If anyone has any advice or opinion I’d be so grateful!
I had UFE in October. Within a couple of days began some very heavy bleeding and clotting. Assumed it was an early period ( probably was). Had to go to the emergency room though for extreme stomach pain brought on by the massive ibuprofen dose! They checked everything, gave me another MRI and said the procedure was a success and the fibroid was already dying.
Next period was just as bad. Been that way ever since. Feel huge! Had an ultrasound 2 weeks ago. Fibroid does not seem to have changed in size AT ALL. 8cm x 8cm appx. Oh and another thing… they have not been able to see my right ovary. They don’t seem overly concerned, but since the major fibroid is towards the left.. that seems odd to me.
My doctor has not suggested a hysto…. more than likely a myonectomy. I’m nearly 45, in good heath, no kids.
Anyone have any input? Am I just in the unlucky 10-15%? Say it isn’t so!
I pee like a racehorse. I’m a little overweight but working out a lot now. Gained some over Christmas as I got snowed in in London and there really wasn’t much else to do!
I live in LA, and had the procedure done at Cedars Sinai.
Thanks SO much
Tany.
March 2, 2010 at 9:39 pm
I had my procedure done 3 weeks and 1 day ago. Started my first post UFE period today (right on schedule!) and I am waiting to see what it brings. I had JUST stopped having a discharge from the procedure so not much of a break. I had been really tired for a little while but today I feel a little less sleepy. I am praying that I see results this month.