Does anyone have a dilation (dilatation) and curettage (D&C) experience to share?

November 1, 2006 — EclecticGeek

From the original visitor question: (Click the link to view the entire comment.)

Tameka:…the doctor said that the fibroids sizes were relatively small compared to my uterus size. She was concerned about the size and wondered if I had more fibroids than the sonogram or something else. She recommended a D & C to see what else is going on? Has anyone every had a D&C during their fibroid experience?

I’ll leave a couple of links. Visit Wikipedia for general information and additional medical references including a D&C guide by the World Health Organization. Here’s a quote from the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia:

D and C is a procedure to scrape and collect the tissue (endometrium) from inside the uterus. Dilatation (“D”) is a widening of the cervix to allow instruments into the uterus. Curettage (“C”) is the scraping of the contents of the uterus. The vaginal canal is held open by a speculum, and the opening to the uterus (cervix) may be anesthetized. The cervical canal is widened using a metal rod, and a curette (a metal loop on the end of a long, thin handle) is passed through the canal into the uterine cavity. The inner layer of the uterus (endometrium) is scraped away, and the tissue is collected for examination.

Dilation and curettage (Wikipedia)
D and C (Medline Plus/ US National Library of Medicine)

If you have a D&C experience or thoughts/questions, please leave a comment here.

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Related Post:
I just call it The Gator

Posted in Anesthesia, Body, Diagnosis, Experiences, Fibroids, Health, Medicine, Minimally or Non-Invasive, Personal, Questions, Surgery, Women's Health. 3 Comments »

Does anyone have a hysteroscopy experience to share?

September 16, 2006 — EclecticGeek

From the original visitor hysteroscopy experience question:

Anne Cagle: I’m having an exploratory hysteroscopy next week. Can anyone share their experience with the procedure with me? I am very nervous.

I found a couple of links with information about hysteroscopy. The Wikipedia link is pretty general. WebMD is more informative and includes this brief exam overview:

Hysteroscopy is a diagnostic and surgical procedure that makes examining the inside of the uterus possible without making an abdominal cut (incision). During hysteroscopy, a lighted viewing instrument called a hysteroscope is inserted through the vagina and cervix and into the uterus. Treatment can also be done through the hysteroscope during the same procedure.

Hysteroscopy usually takes 30 to 45 minutes and is done as an outpatient procedure. General anesthesia is usually used, although local or spinal anesthesia can be used instead. You should not eat or drink for at least 4 to 8 hours before having the test. A gynecologist or surgeon performs the procedure.

The uterus is filled with a fluid, such as normal saline or glycine. The hysteroscope is inserted through the cervix into the uterus so the inner surface of the uterus can be examined. Hysteroscopy can locate the cause of bleeding for many women.

Hysteroscopy (Wikipedia)
Hysteroscopy (WebMD)

My experience occurred during a hysteroscopic myomectomy. It was outpatient, under general anesthesia, and caused very little pain. The doctor inserted the camera to see the fibroids that needed to be “shaved” down. I was nervous about the procedure, especially the general anesthesia part. You can follow my experience through the Related Posts listed at the end.

If you have a hysteroscopy experience or thoughts/questions, please leave a comment here.

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Related Posts:
No longer freaking out over my fibroid surgery tomorrow
Memories before my myomectomy
Memories directly after my myomectomy
I just call it The Gator

Posted in Anesthesia, Body, Diagnosis, Experiences, Fibroids, Health, Medicine, Minimally or Non-Invasive, Questions, Women's Health. 33 Comments »

Conscious Sedation Public Service Announcement

August 16, 2006 — EclecticGeek

Because of my post on amnesia from anesthesia, I feel as though I should make some sort of PSA. Really didn’t try to cause any unnecessary concern. Just pointed out the unusual nature of this type of sedation and how it made me feel. Others commented on similar experiences. Yes, it’s definitely a weird feeling.

DON’T allow a fear of conscious sedation to stop you from seeking treatment or having a procedure. Remember how I was all spastic during my MRI? Or how I was freaking out before my myomectomy because of the general anesthesia? EVERY fear of mine is recorded here for the world to see. After I decided to seek treatment for the fibroids, I didn’t allow any fear to block my path.

Check out the post on my memories right before the Uterine Fibroid Embolization. I was giggly and goofy at first. Didn’t feel apprehension or stress about anything. Realized later that I had no memory of the procedure but:

  1. I also have no memory of my hysteroscopic myomectomy performed under general anesthesia.
  2. I had a panic attack in the MRI scanner.
  3. I was terrified when I decided to go skydiving and had to jump from a plane at 10,000 feet. There’s a post about that here, too.

So, I completely understand the hesitation but, at times, you must gather and process all the information and then walk on faith. My whole point of being here is to help you make informed decisions and encourage discussion using a bit of humor. I do not wish to create more fear.

Posted in Anesthesia, Fibroids, Health, Life, Medical Decisions, Medicine, Mind, Personal, Random Notes, Spirit, Treatment, Women's Health. Comments Off

Amnesia from anesthesia? My experience with conscious sedation

August 11, 2006 — EclecticGeek

Remember when I talked about how strange the sedation from my Uterine Fibroid Embolization made me feel? Like I had experienced some weird time/location shift. One moment, I was in the Interventional Radiology Suite before the start of the UFE. In a twisted Twilight Zone moment, I blinked my eyes and was then back in my room.

So, I looked again at the information on the sedative Versed® and discovered that it caused amnesia. Didn’t pick up that little tidbit the first time. Guess I was more concerned with side effects and if I would live through it. ;-)

Found this section from the above Wikipedia link most interesting:

One benefit of Midazolam (Versed) as it’s used in a clinical setting, is its ability to sedate a patient without causing unconsciousness. For this reason it is often used in a number of invasive, but relatively less painful procedures such as colonoscopy. Midazolam also induces temporary amnesia following administration (and sometimes very minor retrograde amnesiac symptoms are reported), which is beneficial for the person to whom it has been administered prior to what would otherwise be traumatic emergency procedures, but has led to its abuse as a (very rare) “date rape” drug, sometimes in combination with alcohol. Importantly, in memory studies, participants under the influence of midazolam are unaware that their memory is impaired (Merritt, Hirshman, Hsu & Berrigan, 2005).

Anyway, this definitely explains the fact that I remember nothing from the procedure. Had it not caused such pain, I would have asked my Interventional Radiologist if he actually performed the UFE.

Not recalling a thing was a disappointment to the inquisitive geek. I do take comfort that the memory loss was drug-induced and not a part of my normal baseline craziness.

Related Posts:
Conscious Sedation Public Service Announcement
Memories right before my Uterine Fibroid Embolization
Memories directly after my Uterine Fibroid Embolization

Posted in Anesthesia, Body, Fibroids, Geek, Health, Life, Medicine, Mind, Minimally or Non-Invasive, Personal, Random Notes, Recovery, Treatment, Uterine Fibroid Embolization, Women's Health. 48 Comments »

The infamous Hostess fruit pie experiment

August 11, 2006 — EclecticGeek

I’ve been reading through my posts to reassign them to the new categories. Noticed the one about consuming a fruit pie the night before surgery. Huh?

You know how you aren’t supposed to eat anything after midnight? Well, I suffered from food insanity the night before my hysteroscopic myomectomy. Made the curfew but ended up eating all kinds of stuff I normally severely limit including a Hostess® fruit pie.

Thought this was one of the reasons why I felt so sick to my stomach after the general anesthesia used during the procedure. After forming my hypothesis, I pledged not to eat anything abnormal the night before my Uterine Fibroid Embolization and I didn’t.

I was pretty confident that the conscious sedation of the UFE wouldn’t make me nearly as sick as general anesthesia. Perhaps it was the combination of that with the drugs for pain but I felt much worse after the conscious sedation.

What are the results of the Hostess® fruit pie experiment?
Of course, I haven’t used any statistical methods to “crunch the numbers” but I do believe there is a high probability that these drugs will make you sick no matter what you consume. So, go ahead. Eat that fruit pie. Just don’t overdo.

Posted in Anesthesia, Body, Fibroids, Health, Life, Medicine, Mind, Minimally or Non-Invasive, Myomectomy, Personal, Random Notes, Recovery, Surgery, Treatment, Uterine Fibroid Embolization, Women's Health. Comments Off

My first several hours post-Uterine Fibroid Embolization

August 1, 2006 — EclecticGeek

Required to stay in bed and lie flat for about 6 hours after the Uterine Fibroid Embolization. The Foley catheter to my bladder was essential. Although the thought of having one originally bothered me, I was now happy to have it. My incision was located on the right side and I was told to keep that leg straight for several hours. Didn’t feel any pain from the incision.

The nurses checked on me quite a bit. Asked me to rate my pain on a scale from 1-10. I don’t remember it being any higher than a 6 or 7. I think I’ve actually experienced worse pain with the monster cramps from my previous periods. It was the nausea that made me feel horrible. Dizzy and queasy and Ick.

Around 7:00 PM, it was time for catheter removal and dinner. Until the nurses heard digestive noises from my stomach, I was limited to a liquid diet (broth, jello, juice, tea). I slowly consumed what I could and then continued my game of pain relief/nausea management. The pain decreased to about a 4 and remained there for awhile.

My first trip to the bathroom required assistance. I felt weak and lightheaded. It progressively improved after that and I was soon able to travel on my own.

Posted in Anesthesia, Body, Drugs, Fibroids, Health, Life, Medicine, Mind, Minimally or Non-Invasive, Personal, Recovery, Treatment, Uterine Fibroid Embolization, Women's Health. 2 Comments »

Memories directly after my Uterine Fibroid Embolization

August 1, 2006 — EclecticGeek

I recall nothing from the procedure. Not even leaving the Interventional Radiology Suite and returning to my room. I remember seeing the Interventional Radiologist right before he started and then I remember being back in my room.

The experience was not like the general anesthesia used during my Hysteroscopic Myomectomy. I could feel myself fading and knew exactly when I went under. I could also feel myself coming out of it after the surgery was over.

The conscious sedation was completely different. I never felt like I was out. It was more like some sort of time/location shift. One moment, I was in the procedure room. I blinked my eyes and I was then back in my room. Really weird sensation.

So, how did I feel afterward? Ugh and Ick! Yes, there was pain. I was hooked up to one of those patient-controlled analgesia pumps (PCA) that administered morphine. I had to balance my pain relief with the nausea from the drugs and the struggle made me feel like crap.

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Related Posts:
How are you feeling after your 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

Posted in Anesthesia, Body, Fibroids, Health, Life, Medicine, Mind, Minimally or Non-Invasive, Personal, Recovery, Treatment, Uterine Fibroid Embolization, Women's Health. 65 Comments »

Memories right before my Uterine Fibroid Embolization

July 30, 2006 — EclecticGeek

A shot of Demerol jump-started this episode of my sit-com life. I was transported from my room to the Interventional Radiology Suite but had to wait in the holding area because I still needed a shave. This gave me the opportunity to get a very good look at the procedure room well before I had to enter. Although I’m pretty adaptable to environmental changes, I liked having the luxury of time.

The Interventional Radiologist appeared with words of encouragement. I was not worried about the UFE and knew everything would be fine but it was still great hearing it from my doctor. Doc, two thumbs up in the bedside manner department.

Time for my shave. It’s a groin thing so hair removal produced a strip (stripe?) right down the middle. I personally think this “UFE cut” will be the next new hot fashion trend. The groin shave was comical and the nurse kept me laughing through the whole process.

So, I entered the suite with a huge smile. The room was larger than I thought and filled with monitors. Noticed additional nurses and really started to think that this whole adventure should have been televised. I found everything the nurses did before the procedure hilariously funny. Moving me to the table. Wiping me down with what I assumed was some type of iodine solution. Connecting me to the monitoring equipment with those circular adhesive patches. I could not stop giggling. By the time they started covering stuff with clear plastic, I was a basket case. For some reason, that plastic triggered some weird Saturday Night Live skit scenario in my mind:

Nurses finish preparing me for the procedure. Doctor comes in and cuts into my flesh but I do not bleed. The medical staff look at each other and then all simultaneously realize that I am not human. Horror quickly gives way to amusement when something zany like Cheez Whiz sprays out of my body and saturates the plastic-covered equipment.

Yes, I agree. A warped brain on drugs is a peculiar thing indeed.

What do I remember right before my Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

By now, the drugs had really kicked in. Saw the nurses moving around but I couldn’t hear a word they were saying. Figured this was an indication that I probably would not remember any of this. The inquisitive geek in me found this moderately disappointing. Looked to my right and the “debonair fibroid doctor” was standing there just about to start. Not such a bad last memory to have.

Wish I could fill this page with objective observations of my UFE. Unfortunately, I remember nothing. I don’t even recall the doctor making the small incision at the very beginning of the procedure. I can say that I felt no apprehension or stress. My brain shut off and my faith took over.

Posted in Anesthesia, Body, Doctors, Fibroids, Health, Interventional Radiologist, Life, Medicine, Mind, Minimally or Non-Invasive, Personal, Random Notes, Treatment, Uterine Fibroid Embolization, Women's Health. Comments Off

Memories directly after my myomectomy

July 18, 2006 — EclecticGeek

Good grief. The general anesthesia made me feel like crap. I opened my eyes and saw my doctor standing at the foot of the bed. His lips were moving but I couldn’t hear anything. My mind and body were fighting to stay in reality but the anesthesia kept pulling me back. It reminded me of a protagonist in some horror flick struggling to get out of a hole but a long tentacle just wouldn’t let go. So, this was my brain on drugs. Didn’t like it.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Anesthesia, Body, Fibroids, Health, Life, Medicine, Mind, Myomectomy, Personal, Recovery, Surgery, Treatment, Women's Health. 5 Comments »

Memories before my myomectomy

July 17, 2006 — EclecticGeek

10:00 AM surgery. Had to be there two hours early. Walked out and noticed the sky was blue and cloudless. Thought of the U2 song “Beautiful Day” because I just love U2.

Arrived at the hospital, registered, and received the coolest pager gizmo thing. It alerted me when I could go back and prepare for my fibroid surgery. It also alerted my husband when he could come back and sit with me.

Once in the back, I changed into a hospital gown but refused to put on that shower cap-looking head covering until the last possible moment. Would somebody please design some better hospital gear? The look is just not cool.

Got into bed and the adventure started. The nurse inserted my IV (didn’t feel a thing). Anesthesiologist arrived, checked my chart, and explained the whole “knocking me out” process. He had a good sense of humor which I always interpret as a positive sign.

My husband appeared and since he considered Methuselah immature, I thought I should warn him about my Gynecologist. Told him that the doctor looked really young but was very good. When my Gynecologist arrived, my husband started making faces and then mouthed the question “how old is he?” with such exaggeration that extraterrestrials circling the Earth in a spacecraft could read his lips. Of course my doctor, only a few feet away, had no problem and answered, “30 almost 31″. I just could not stop giggling after that.

The Anesthesiologist came over and gave me something that he said would probably make me giddy. Yeah. Like I needed encouragement on that front. Still chuckling to myself, I was wheeled into the operating room.

What do I remember right before the Hysteroscopic Myomectomy? Keep in mind that the drugs were starting to work.

  1. Seeing my doctor and asking him about a video. He told me he would make sure that I got a picture of the fibroid.
  2. Two people discussing the surgical equipment.
  3. Moving onto the operating table.
  4. Someone securing my right arm.
  5. A voice (I think my Anesthesiologist’s) asking to do the same to my left arm.

That was all. After that, out like a slow baseball player approaching home.

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Related Posts:
Is there such a thing as minor fibroid surgery?
No longer freaking out over my fibroid surgery tomorrow
Memories directly after my myomectomy
How are you feeling after your Hysteroscopic Myomectomy?

Posted in Anesthesia, Body, Doctors, Fibroids, Gynecologist, Health, Life, Medicine, Mind, Myomectomy, Personal, Surgery, Treatment, Women's Health. 7 Comments »

Don’t eat a Hostess fruit pie the night before your surgery

July 17, 2006 — EclecticGeek

Looked over the instruction sheet before my scheduled fibroid surgery. Since it was an outpatient, the directions were pretty straightforward. Show up two hours before the surgery. Make sure you have someone to drive you home. The night before, don’t eat or drink after midnight.

My reaction to that last one was kind of crazy. I skip desserts most of the time and normally don’t eat late but I really craved a Hostess® fruit pie. Hadn’t consumed that type of treat in years but I had to have it. I think that midnight food curfew messed with my mind. I ended up eating the pie about 11:30 PM.

I’m positive this was one of the reasons I felt so sick to my stomach after the general anesthesia. Not from the fruit pie specifically (I inhaled some other stuff, like french fries, on that evening) but because the temporary bout of food insanity caused me to veer too far from my routine.

Will test this hypothesis tonight. I’m undergoing a Uterine Fibroid Embolization tomorrow so once again there’s a midnight food curfew. Although for this procedure I’ll be consciously sedated, that’s still enough to cause possible problems. I’ll stop eating much earlier this evening and will definitely skip the sweet snacks.

Posted in Anesthesia, Body, Fibroids, Health, Life, Medicine, Myomectomy, Personal, Random Notes, Surgery, Treatment, Women's Health. Comments Off

YAY! Made it through my first fibroid surgery

June 8, 2006 — EclecticGeek

Just wanted to say that I am okay after this procedure for fibroids. Still a little tired. Post-operative cramping and bleeding not bad thus far. Nausea, from the anesthesia, is my main problem.

I’ll give more details in my next entry. Here are a few preliminary observations:

Mind – Still a little fuzzy
Body – Nauseated and tired (at this point, just slightly on both accounts)
Spirit – Really well (peaceful)

Posted in Anesthesia, Body, Fibroids, Health, Life, Medicine, Mind, Personal, Recovery, Spirit, Surgery, Treatment, Women's Health. Comments Off
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