When science is widely seen as an integral part of what makes us human, our own connection to the cosmos will be significantly strengthened; truly, science is the thread that weaves us all into the fabric of reality.
Brian Greene (The Elegant Universe)
Me? Exceedingly inquisitive. Even as a young geek (AKA geekling), “why” was a favorite word. In my opinion, this has always been a good thing. My background includes Biology and Biotechnology with an extreme interest in Genetic Medicine and Pharmacology. Nope, not a doctor. Just an odd patient. After crawling into a doctor’s office with severe symptoms from my uterine fibroid tumors, I decided to ask a lot of questions, find answers, and blog about it. I hope you find my observations both interesting and useful.
Please read my Mission Statement.
If you want a quick peek at EclecticGeek and what’s on her mind, read these two entries:
How are you using your fibroid voice?
Wondering about that “taking over the world” reference listed in EclecticGeek’s Master Plan?
I love cartoons. One of my favorites is “Pinky & The Brain“. The Brain constantly schemes to achieve world domination. I just had to refer to it here.
Still want to know more about me? Keep reading.
I turned 40 in 2006. Not long after turning 30, my periods became outrageous. Heavy bleeding and bad cramps. Explained to my Gynecologist that because of family history, my problems were probably fibroid-related. Too bad they could not be detected by ultrasound at that point. Doctor wouldn’t listen so I walked away figuring I could deal with it on my own. So, for YEARS, I dealt with it.
Of course, the symptoms worsened and after passing enormous clots, I thought I should seek medical assistance. Got another ultrasound in 2004 and (surprise, surprise) fibroids were detected. I was so angry from being right that, once again, I walked away even though my new doctor was really trying to help. Yes, I can be stubborn and crazy sometimes. Continued to cope until I felt so weak and sick that I crawled back into my doctor’s office at the end of 2005. Anemia? Oh, yes! Hemoglobin was 6.7. I was put on iron supplements and sent to a Gynecologist. At that point, I knew the fibroids had to go. They were producing such severe blood loss that I was now non-functional.
I am so fortunate to have great doctors. We came up with a plan and I really mean we. I wanted the Uterine Fibroid Embolization procedure but had a couple of fibroids that would possibly cause problems. They were submucosal and produced a risk of infection post-UFE if they died and detached but did not pass from my body. That’s why I needed a Hysteroscopic Myomectomy first. The fibroids were on the inside so my Gynecologist used the opening nature created. No additional holes were necessary. He just shaved down those fibroids (~60-70%) using the Versapoint system.
My anemia was so bad that I couldn’t have the surgery until it improved. I was put on Lupron and Chromagen® Forte iron pills before the myomectomy to help. So, three months of Lupron shots + iron supplements (February, March, April 2006), one Hysteroscopic Myomectomy (June 7, 2006), and one UFE (July 18, 2006) later, I really do feel great.
The catalyst for me was realizing I could no longer function with the fibroids. They were impacting me physically, mentally, and spiritually. It was just too high a price to continue to pay. I felt faint and weak all day long every single day. I knew I had to do something to move forward and I definitely could not go back. I gathered information, weighed the options, and embraced a decision. It was not always easy but I do not regret any choice I made to improve my state of being. I have not felt this healthy (physically, mentally, and spiritually) in years. It is wonderful!
EclecticGeek
Need to reach me?
Visit the Contact page.
December 6, 2006 at 6:49 pm
Hi Sanfly,
Yes, $1100 is definitely better than $2500! I will direct you to this post:
Are uterine fibroid tumors a sign of cancer?
There is a discussion there about detection tests. Please know that the incidence of cancer is rare (fewer than 0.1% of cases). Keep posting if you have further concerns.
December 7, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Yes 1100 vs 2500 Very Good!!
Like EclecticGeek said – fibroids that are cancerous are VERY RARE FIbroids are really non cancerous tumors….
Sanfly – the difference bewteen MRI and ultrasound is one -the kind of imagtry used, the level “detail” that can be seen and the area you can see (ie my MRI showed by entire pelvic area, colon, bladder and uterus etc). MRI produces a 2 or 3 D picture . My MRI pictures were like WOW….I did look at my own fibroid CD on the computer while eating some popcorn LOL
Both are good in seeing fibroids, but MRI’s are often used for greater detail, very accurate measurments and seeing surrounding organs and blood flow.
Here is a helpful geeky link to MRI’s basic 101 and ultrasound 500 LOL
http://health.howstuffworks.com/mri1.htm
http://health.howstuffworks.com/ultrasound1.htm
“MRI- can pick out a very small point inside the body and ask , essentially, “What type of tissue are you?” The MRI system goes through the particular area point by point, building up a 2-D or 3-D map of tissue types. It then integrates all of this information together to create 2-D images or 3-D models.
MRI provides an unparalleled view inside the human body. The level of detail we can see is extraordinary compared with any other imaging modality. MRI is the method of choice for the diagnosis of many types of injuries and conditions because of the incredible ability to tailor the exam to the particular medical question being asked. By changing exam parameters, the MRI system can cause tissues in the body to take on different appearances. This is very helpful to the radiologist (who reads the MRI) in determining if something seen is normal or not. We know that when we do “A,” normal tissue will look like “B” — if it doesn’t, there might be an abnormality. MRI systems can also image flowing blood in virtually any part of the body. This allows to perform studies that show the arterial (bloood) system in the body, but not the tissue around it.
Hope that helps
January 2, 2010 at 2:16 pm
I went to my doc after about 18 months of ridiculous periods at age 52. Pelvic ultrasound confirmed fibroids. On the advice of an RN friend I started taking ibuprofin at the onset of bleeding. Oh. My. Gosh. My 10-14 day periods were reduced in half, the volume of blood and size of clots diminished to the point that periods felt “normal.” I haven’t returned to the doctor, because I feel this self-care is adequate. I’m still taking iron supplements, and at my next annual exam will see how I’m doing. At age 53 I have to believe I’ll stop menstruating…sometime…but meanwhile, I can’t praise the results of the ibuprofin enough.
December 10, 2006 at 5:40 pm
I love howstuffworks.com! Even added my suggestions back in June on making an MRI less stressful. You can view it here.
Please don’t get me started on ultrasound vs MRI. My first ultrasound 8 years ago didn’t detect squat. They were detected on the one from two years ago. The MRI put everything into perspective. When I viewed my MRI and could clearly see the fibroids, I knew they had to go.
December 10, 2006 at 10:25 pm
Thanks for the responses. Fibroid your explanation is extremely thorough & informative. I told the doctor I had a ultrasound 3 yrs ago and was surprised when he scheduled me to have another one…(though he would recommend a MRI) Oh well I only hope he knows what the hell he is doing.. Thanks again.
Sanfly
December 17, 2006 at 5:33 pm
Hi Sanfly,
I can understand why your doctor would want to get a more recent ultrasound. Seems like that would be a more direct comparison to the one you had 3 years ago. My present GYN took one look at my ultrasound report and immediately started talking about treatment options. I knew I wanted the UFE procedure which is why I had my MRI.
The MRI is great because (as fibroid free stated) it provides detail. Once I saw my fibroids on the MRI, I wanted them gone…like that day. They were both fascinating and creepy to see. My second ultrasound was equally important because it verified what I felt years before. I am the first to admit my level of insanity but I knew I was not being “crazy” when it came to these fibroids.
Bottom line. Get the second ultrasound. Talk to your doctor about the results and move forward from there. Best wishes and keep us updated.
December 27, 2006 at 11:23 am
I had a large fibroid (2 pounds) removed by myomectomy about 3 weeks ago. I should have gotten my period about 10 days ago. Does anyone know if surgery screws up the return of menstruation or should I be concerned that I’m one of those rare cases where the surgery causes early menopause.
December 28, 2006 at 10:30 am
Hi Mally – Welocome to the road to revoery.
There is a thread about Recovering from a Abdominal myomectomy and Laproscopic Myo.’s you may want to check out.
I am 4 months + post op AM and my periods are STILL trying to get back to normal (but then I had 6 large fibroids removed) My docotr said it would take a couple of cycles to get back to normal as far as when they come AND the heavyness of them.. my first coupel of period were really heavy…getting better now…
[Edited by EclecticGeek to add links.]
December 28, 2006 at 10:58 am
Sanfly – I think the MRI vs Ultrasound is just doctors preference to see what is going on in there…but a LOT can change in 3 years….my fibroids grew to the point of detection (well more like I looked 5-6 monhts pregnant) in a period of 6 months. My regular GYN visit in Feb 2005 doc felt nothing…got off the pill March 2005, noticed the big belly in Sept 05 and then crawled back into the doc’s offfice March 2006 with massive fibroids. I think the reason why I was sent for MRI is two fold…I went to a family pratcie doc (she was a new doctor for me) who I thought was a GYN – found out when I got there she no longer did GYN exams but my symptoms and the fact that you could feel those buggers in my abdomen and I asked her do I have fibroids??? she sent me for an MRI then sent me to a GYN specialist to handel the issue who sent me on to an RE. My RE surgeon STILL did a vaginal ultasound cause he said the technicians dont always read the MRI films/write the report accuratly and he had to “see” for himself….
Get the second ultrasound..get a current picture …I had an MRI, 2 Ultrasounds, a CT scan with the dye along with endometrial biospy …all so doc had current picutres/status of everything…
December 28, 2006 at 5:26 pm
mally,
It seems as though whatever is done to these dang fibroids (cutting them out, blocking their blood supply, etc.) will cause possible changes to your periods. It can take time to get back to normal. See the threads that fibroid free suggested. Read through the experiences and post your questions. Monitor yourself and talk to your doctor if you are overly concerned.
February 15, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Thank you for this site. It is very helpful. I found out about my fibroid (Alien Baby) 3 years ago. As far as I know, I only have one large Fibroid.
It has been a very difficult ongoing journey. I have gone to 2 Medical Doctors (one was not supportive and the other has been nice without much input), 2 Naturopathic Doctors, and an Acupuncturist/TCM. For some time, both of the alternative methods really helped both mentally and physically.
My insurance did not cover the alternative medicine. Alternative methods can become very expensive After 3 years of trying alternative medicine; my husband cut me off because he did not see any big results. This caused many problems in our relationship. Overall, they did not get rid of the Fibroid Alien (If I had my way, I would have continued to go to my Acupuncturist/TCM).
Life has been very depressing and difficult. Recently, I have started to talk to a psychologist. I go once a week. It has been amazing. I can finally speak freely about all of my thoughts and problems dealing with the fibroid. This past week, I have finally decided that I do not want to live like this anymore–depressed about looking pregnant, feeling bloated, not fitting into my clothes, too many days bleeding….I could go on and on. I am only 33 years old. I have been so worried about the surgery and the possibility of losing my uterus. I do not have children and do not know if I want them, but I want to be the one to decide.
I want to feel good about myself again, to feel confident, and to live life again.
I have decided that my destiny is the MRI Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery. I hope that I qualify for it so I am in the process of searching for the best facility to go to be evaluated. Any suggestions?
Thank you,
DMITRI
February 16, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Hi DMITRI,
Glad the site is helpful to you. I have a post that talks about treatment options. That post has links to other “forums” on this site where women are discussing post-procedure recoveries:
Just what are your uterine fibroid treatment options?
There is also a Forum page where you can find other topics we are discussing.
There are two posts on ExAblate (MRgFUS):
New treatment uses sound waves to shrink uterine fibroid tumors
Does anyone have an experience with ExAblate (MRgFUS)?
You will find information there on facilities and people you contact. Also, women are starting to add their post-procedure recovery experiences.
Best wishes!
March 12, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Yeah, last week went for an ultrasound and they found my ovaries are like apples instead of almonds. (Major Huevos I guess you’d
say) Because of the size, Amy, my new doctor, diagnosed ovarian cancer.
Since ovarian cancer is extremely aggresive, they had me zipped in for a full CT scan. Luckily( really like a new lease on life) my lungs, liver etc etc everything else, seems to be clean. the doc couldn’t believe it considering the size of the growths, but referred me onto the “best” gynacological surgeon around.She works out of UCSF. I will see her, on wed. morning, supposedly to schedule the surgery for sometime in the NEXT TWO WEEKS!!! But, more possible good news is when I saw my doc again, she was really looking closely at the scan and called the radiologist back in to consult with, it does not look like regular ovarian cancer typically behaves and she believes it is quite possible !!benign growths, but still major surgery to get in there
and take a slice and analyze on the spot and decide just what needs to come out, just the apples or the whole shebang.Them making the decisions of course, with me out on some other planet.Talk about putting your life in someone else’s hands, I haven’t even met this person!! I would rather have the time to try some woowoo stuff which I have had amazing success with on other medical issues, but not like a breast tumor which you can hang with for a month or so, this, if it is cancerous just moves too fast. they can’t just aspirate it, take some cells and check them out, because you don’t want to damage the mass and possibly seed the rest of the abdomen, uterus, lymph
etc. Ssssssssooooooo………..???Any ideas gals?
March 12, 2007 at 1:46 pm
I just submitted the above, but it is the first time I have ever been to a blog or submitted to one. Wow, I have submitted to one or two weird experiences in my life, this is relatively painfree, but, I don’t know if I am where I am supposed to be to get read and responded to. Can someone let me know please?
March 12, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Hi carole,
Sorry you’ve been through so much this week. My blog is about fibroid tumors of the uterus so I have to admit that I don’t know much about ovarian growths. There are some women on the site who’ve had hysterectomies just in case that is one of your options. You can find them through the Forum page I’ll link below.
Here are a few pages to get you started on the blog:
Help! – explanation of just about everything
Forum – list of the most discussed topics on the site including post-op recoveries from various procedures. You can ask questions and talk to other people.
Links – medical references to help you with your online research
Try those links (especially the Forum) and keep posting if you have questions. Things seem to be moving pretty quickly for you so please keep us updated. I hope everything works out for the best.
March 19, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Hi. Im new on the board. I think this is an awesome site. Iam 32 years old and lost my baby at 20 weeks 3 weeks ago. My doctor found that I had a fibroid when I was 6 weeks pregnant. He told me that my uterus was measuring about 13 weeks pregnant at the time. I was then told that the location of the fibroid would not cause a problem to the fetus. Well, the fibroid grew from 7cm to 9.7 cm by the time I was 18 weeks pregnant. 2 weeks after that I was in the hospital because I was having contractions. I stayed in the hospital for 5 days and was told that my cervix had become very thin and that if the baby was born he would not be viable. I was told to be on strict bedrest and hope to make it to 24 weeks. At least then, the doctors could give me steroids to pump the baby’s lungs if it had to be born. Well I went home and 3 days later I was back at the hospital with severe contractions. I gave birth hours later to my son whose heart had stopped beating. My husband and I are completely devastated(this is our first child). I have a sonogram appt. tomorrow so my doctor could locate this fibroid and we will discuss the surgery…abdominal myomectomy. Iam so so scared. I saw one performed online by a doctor at Long Island College Hospital and it completely freaks me out. Has anyone had this performed and had a successful pregnancy thereafter? If so, how long was the recovery after the procedure and how long did you have to wait to start trying to get pregnant again? Sorry this is so long…
March 20, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Hi Momo1974,
Welcome to the site and thanks for the compliment.
I am so sorry for your loss and please don’t apologize for the length of your comment. There’s a Forum page where you will find discussions on a number of different topics but I think these three pages will get you started:
How are you feeling after your Abdominal Myomectomy? (part 3)
Is anyone having fertility issues because of uterine fibroid tumors?
Trying for pregnancy (ttc) after your fibroid procedure (Abdominal Myomectomy)?
Ask as many questions as you like. You aren’t alone in any of this. Take care.
June 11, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Hi, I found this website on Google. I have smallish fibroids that do not give me any troubles except for occasional painful periods. My doc put me on Yasmin birth control pills to control painful periods which seems to be working. However, my doctor had been doing an ultrasound on me every month for the past three months, why so many? Is this normal? Should I get a new doctor? My fibroids are not big.
June 24, 2007 at 2:01 pm
tks for this site.i wonder if fibroids can cause a tube extra to show blocked tubes.
August 14, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Yes! so hold.t
August 18, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Just found out I have 2 intramural fibroids, the larger one has pushed my cervix out of joint. Scheduled for a hysteroscopy and abdominal myomect. in a week, doing it abdominally because the larger one is at the back of the uterus and they apparently need to slice through the uterus in order to get to it.. My gynae says I’ll be in hospital for about a week and at home for 2 weeks…
I’m only starting to learn about this subject, but from reading the posts on this blog it seems that (a) this treatment may be radical and (b) scheduled hospitalisation and home rest seem much (much) longer.. Any thoughts / comments would be appreciated.. Would also be interested to know what to expect in the way of post-surgery pain and how long before back to normal activity – gym/running etc?
Thanks, and well done on this blog!
August 20, 2007 at 1:15 am
Hi Cal, I don’t have an answer to your question, but you might want to look through the other more active areas of this blog and ask your question there… you might look on the right side bar under: “Geeks read these entries most” to find an area in which to post your question. Even if the topics don’t exactly match your issue, you can try asking there anyway.
If you look above your question here, you’ll notice people have asked questions but no one answered… I think it is because people may not get the digest sent to them… and only read some of the areas regularly.
Good luck, I hope your surgery and recovery goes well. I guess it is better to have more time for recovery at the hospital than not enough…which seems to happen to some of the women here.
Amy
August 25, 2007 at 11:36 pm
I just wanted to say WOW!
October 10, 2007 at 1:43 am
Hi:
Just wanted to let everyone know, if you need an MRI and you don’t have insurance, google MRI discounts. I paid $460 for mine.
November 10, 2007 at 8:59 pm
So glad to have found this site! Found out in Jan of this year that I have a 3.8 centimeter pedunculated fibroid on the outside back of my uterus. Just went in for a check up and another ultrasound last week, that fibroid has stayed the same, but they found another tiny one in the lining of my uterus, less than a centimeter in size.
I’m going for a 2nd opinon next week to another gynocologist and am hoping to find some relief. I’ve been told by every doctor I’ve seen that these are relatively small- yet I have been having longer, worsening pain and periods and am looking into just having them removed and keeping my baby making parts!
I found it is SOOOO important to research your treatment options and if you don’t like what one doctor says- go see another!
Great site here- so much info and great stuff!
November 15, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Me too. I think this is the most comprehensive website for fibroid! I have a 6CM fibroid and possibly couple smaller ones. I have so much lower back pain due to the large fibroid. It might also explain why I can’t get PG for a long time. Mine also grows on the outside of my uterus. I have done MRI this week and will talk to my doctor next week.
I do want it to be removed via surgery. Angie, ssems like you are very good at interviewing doctors! My current doctor is very young and I am not sure if I want her to do the surgery. I would prefer the other doctor in the same hospital who has done this for many years. But can I tell my doctor I rather prefer the other doctor to perform the surgery?
November 29, 2007 at 11:12 am
I wanted to respond to the question regarding Blackstrap Molasses. I have been taking 1 tsp of Molasses each day for the last 30 days. I noticed a significant improvement in the bleeding during my period, much less clots and cramping. I had an abdominal myomectomy in 2000, and had 10 fibroids removed. They have regrown, and I have been trying to manage them since 2005. The Molasses has made a big difference in my comfort level, and helped with PMS as well. I also recently started Iodine supplementation, which has helped a great deal with flagging energy levels, and improved my sleep quality. I can’t gauge if these nutritional additions are shrinking the fibroids, but they have certainly improved the symptoms.
May 16, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Hi. I was just wondering if anyone has ever had a sonohystergram. I am scheduled to have one on June 2 and I am making myself ill with worry. I have an orange sized fibroid laying on my bladder. SCARED!!!
May 17, 2008 at 10:50 am
Hi Cathiv, it’s been a while, but I don’t recall my sonohystogram as being a big deal at all… other procedures, like me d & c, now that I remember! Ouch!! search the web for more descriptions, they’re out there. (p.s. this particular thread isn’t read very much… try posting this question on another thread here – find one where women are writing more often – you’ll note the last person to write on this thread wrote in Nov!)
May 22, 2008 at 1:19 pm
thank you amy. I am thankful for your response
July 9, 2008 at 10:49 am
Hi Geek,
Thanks so much for sharing your experience and all the information. I have a really large fibroid (12cm) and will go through surgery in a month or so. And of course, I’m anemic too! I’ve been feeling awful recently, weakness, fatigue, nausea. I’m considering to have the new robotic technology and was googling for information. And I got to your blog!
What a wonderful find. I’ll keep on reading it!
August 19, 2008 at 3:01 am
Hi, Im in Australia and just stumbled on your blog. I have 4 largish fibroids, and am getting severe pain in my left side, just inside my hip bone. My uterus is the size of a 12 week pregnancy. My doctor says that the fibroids would not cause that type of pain. Any ideas? I am having a total hysterectomy in two weeks. I am 51 years old. Any help would be appreciated.
August 21, 2008 at 12:37 am
Hi Gill,
No ideas, sorry! Although I have had some pain in my hip, I deal with by seeing a chiropractor… But I’m very interested to know if your pain goes away with your hysterectomy. Good luck with your surgery and please keep us posted.
October 4, 2008 at 2:31 am
Hi,
I’m 43 and have just been informed I have a 9cm fibroid. No symptoms, other than heavy bleeding around the 2nd and 3rd day of my period. I’m not anemic, blood work is normal. But my doctor immediately suggested I have my uterus removed with the fibroid (leaving the cervix and ovaries). Everything in me is screaming not to have the surgery, I dont know why but I dont think it’s necessary. Any comments, suggestions anyone?
October 4, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Hi Confused, I’ve lived with a 9cm and a 6 cm for at least 5 years, and no one has ever suggested having a hysterectomy – even though I was really bleeding and anemic. Like you say, the only symptom is heavy bleeding, but your blood is fine… I have to wonder what your doc is thinking! See someone else!!! I’d have them out any day before having a hysterectomy – which I sort of see as a last resort when one is having a host of horrible symptoms.
October 5, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Hi Amy,
Thank you so much for responding. You’ve just confirmed what my gut has been telling me. I had a second opinion, and that doc gave me a host of other options (all involving surgery). The 2nd opinion doc didn’t feel I’d be a candidate for emobolization, and felt that if I didn’t want to have children ‘why not have the surgery’….But I think I’m going to trust myself and explore alternative treatments. Thank you again for taking the time to respond…
October 22, 2008 at 3:14 pm
This is for Gill.
Unless there are problems coping with fibroids surgery should not be needed around the age of 51 & above. Menopause should begin around age 51 or 52 depending on when your cycle began. During menopause fibroids shrink.
I’ve also been told that consuming soy products help with controlling hormones which is responsible for fibroid growth. My fibroids were getting larger each ultrasound & I was continually anemic. After drinking soy milk for a while my fibroids had ceased to grow & my iron level became normal & consistent.
I was referred to a Radiologist for a UFE which I have schedule in a week. When the radiologist read my MRI she informed me that my 3 largest fibroid had sort of embolized themselves. The MRI showed there was no blood flow going to them. I also have 4 more so I will be having the UFE for them. If I was sure that the others would do the same I would not have the procedure but space within my abdomen is limited and I don’t want to take a chance.
Thanks for this blog. Even though I am able to share info about my fibroid experience it is helpful to know about the UFE procedure. This has been very helpful.
November 12, 2008 at 11:03 am
Hello all,
I just had a UFE on Monday 11/10/08. This is day three and I feel very good. At the present I am symptom free from the procedure, no pain or anything. My abdomen is not sore, tender or swollen as I’ve read in others testimony. Day 1 I felt a little lightheaded and disney about twice. After the second dizzy spell, I vomitted in a 4 ounce cup. Day 2 the only exeperience I had was a slight chill that night while under the covers. Otherwise my sister & everyone else say I don’t appear as someone who just had invasive surgery. I feel very good!
I must add I am athletic. I run 4 miles every Saturday, 7 miles is the most I have done. I am 5′7″ and weigh 138 lbs. The doctor said my surgery was an easy one. She said my arteries were open & very easy to get through. Maybe the exercise is a benefit.
November 14, 2008 at 5:30 pm
11/14/08 Day 5
Having pain & fever which began after day 2. I was lenient on taking the pain medicine which probably kept the pain & fever away. For anyone who is having the procedure remember to pump morphine as much as you can while in the hospital & take the pain medicine as directed whether you have pain or not. I thought I was just pain free since I usually am good with handling pain. Not this time, the pain medicine was actually doing its job which made me feel so well. My dosage of Motrine was not enough either. I was prescribed to take one 5/500 pill every six hours. The pain was still there. I had a bottle of 7.5/500 in which one was enough. Therefore I took one & a half of the 5/500 which is equivalent and the pain is now being controlled once again. I am passing streaks of blood on trips to the bathroom. Having a fever that gets no higher than 101.5 Those symptoms are to be expected. I am enjoying the rest & being off work.
January 25, 2009 at 12:49 pm
I have just stumbled on this site and I am almost sighing in relief(except for the horrible pain I am experiencing at the moment). To be honest, I was beginning to think that maybe I was just being a big baby about the pain and other lovely symptoms, mainly because(and god love him, I know he’s a man)but I think my husband doesn’t realize just how much pain I am experiencing. I am sooooo glad I found a site that shows women going through the same thing. I was just diagnosed with my fibroid in October and the doctor put me on birth control pills, which haven’t really helped and have actually made the pain constant, ranging from just dull pressure to horrible, I can’t sleep pain. The only thing that even helps, even if it just takes the edge off, is ibuprofen, haven’t tried any Aleve as of yet, but that will be my next choice just to see if I can sleep through the night. I am at the point now that I just want it gone and I am not sure which procedure would be best, I don’t know anyone who has had these lovely things. I have no children at the moment, but want to have them. I am so glad I found this site!!! I thought the 2-3 days a month I have not choice but to miss work was possibly just an indulgence on my part. I guess I just needed support and found it by reading all of the blogs, Thanks to all
January 26, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Suzanne – Did your doctor tell you why they were causing you so much pain? I think you will want to ask your doc how many fibroids you have, size, location…..and that will help you determine what your options are. That and retaining fertility.
This site also was a great comfort to me when I discovered it last Spring
This thread doesn’t get a lot of traffic. Most of the myomectomy threads are helpful & active…even if that’s not the treatment you end up with.
May 15, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Hello,
I just found out that I have a fibroid. Part of it is submucosal. It is posterior to the uterus and it is on the larger side. The Reproductive Endocrinologist is going to schedule an HSG to see if I will need surgery. I live in the DC area. I plan to go to Johns Hopkins if I need surgery. I read about a syndrome called PCOS and asked my GYN to run tests. My GYN told me I might have PCOS and ordered a pelvic ultra-sound. Then she never got back to me about the results. The technician who did my ultra-sound told me to go to Hopkins if I have to have surgery. She had a very bad experience before she went into the medical field.
Has anyone in the forum read about or heard about Transvaginal Myomectomy?
August 2, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Ally Fibroid,
Did you ever get the laproscopic hysterectomy? I had the same plan as you and just underwent UFE 2 weeks ago and feeling BAD. 16×15x10.
October 9, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Hello all,
Sorry I haven’t been back in a while. My report is that I’m doing very well. It will be a year for me on November 10,2009. Feeling great! No complaints. I am athletic and run 4 miles every Saturday which may help my case. Periods are good and have slacked. I have a period of 5 days down from 6 days. One heavy day in which I may use 3 pads in a full day and the others I use one pad. The last day I can pretty much use a panty liner.
Just thought I would come back and give an update. Most are here because of problems so I thought I would come back for encouragement. Another thing to do if you believe in a higher power is to pray along with everything else you’re doing. Take care.
Everyone is not the same and the procedure won’t work for everyone but it is worth a try. Therefore if you end up having a hysterectomy there will be no doubts of what might have been.
October 10, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Golf course or, information I suggest?Many people especially, agreement gives you.Holidaymakers
November 29, 2009 at 3:57 pm
After having horrible periods for about three years after having my daughter, I was diagnosed with “multiple” this is what my Dr said) fibroids, a fairly large cyst on my right ovary, and apparently there is something wrong with one of my follicles. My Dr suggested hormone therapy (aka birthcontrol) prior to going to the gyno. I’ve been on the bc since about April. This definitely improved my periods after trial and error to find the right kind, but recently a round of antibiotics made my system go haywire again. I’ve been bleeding for a month, and this morning I passed a quarter sized round mass. I’m not having sex (for the last 7 mos), actually getting divorced so I’m certainly not prego, so I assume I passed a fibroid. I went to the Dr last week for the bleeding, and she reccommened I take 4 bc pills one night, 3 the next, etc in order to make the bleeding stop. The bleeding didn’t, and now I’m bleeding worse. I obviously know that I need to contact my Dr tomorrow, but has anyone had an experience like this? What is going on with my body?
December 1, 2009 at 4:05 am
Kari, can you describe this mass? I haven’t really heard of someone “passing” a clot… unless maybe they’ve had ultrasound treatment. Much more likely, it’s a clot… Clots are very common among those of us with fibroids and if you’ve never had them, I could see calling one a “mass”. To me, the clots seem like pieces of liver, and I’ve had small ones going up to ones as large as my hand! If your doc hasn’t suggested motrin, it actually helps to cut down on bleeding… so try that until you talk to your doc. Also check and post about bleeding on the following page on this blog:
http://blog.geekwithfibroids.com/2007/02/02/how-are-you-managing-your-heavy-menstrual-bleeding/
Best.
December 20, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Fantastic work. You have gained a new reader. I hope you can keep up the good work and I look forward to more of these interesting posts.
December 26, 2009 at 10:07 pm
This is just amazing read so I just had to say thankyou.
February 15, 2010 at 6:27 am
Many thanks for sharing together with all of us. Your articles and reviews are really helping me needed for the facts about insurance quotes. I should follow this website. Thanks and well done again.