Fibroids

[Mamae]

I found out I had fibroids when I was 28 in 2018, when I was pregnant with my first child at 9 weeks. It was devasting news to us (family) my pregnancy became high dependency. I recall having pelvic pains throughout my pregnancy which caused alot of discomfort especially at night times. I was told I had 2 fibroids 1 bigger than the other.

I gave birth to my beautiful boy, and gained weight from size 10 to size 14. I have had numerous talks with GPs about options of treatments and have been told, there is no treatment that most cases the fibroids shrink on their own. I find that hard to believe as I have researched and reading some of the stories on here that some women have had treatment some had to get the treatments abroad.

In December 2019, I went for a scan and was told that the 2 fibroids are still there. One found near my womb another near my kidney, still one bigger than the other.

I still suffer from pelvic pains some days worse than others. And have recently started going back to the gym. As I found through research that in most case fibroids is caused by being overweight, which I don't think so cause I found out I had them when I was in good shape.

I will be seeing my GP soon for more options on what treatment to get.

My question is there anyone suffering from fibroids and what has been your treatment(s).

Do fibroids run in the family?

[bantam12]

I've had fibroids for many years and through 3 pregnancies, they are incredible common, I'm now 64 and they are still there, never had any treatment and my Gynae advises leave them alone.

[Mamae in reply to bantam12]

Hi bantam12 thanks for getting back to me. I know you said you have been living with fibroids for many years.do you suffer heavy periods, have unbearable pains and have your fibroids shrunk??

[bantam12 in reply to Mamae]

I'm past menopause but they were heavy before that, I do have chronic pain which is why I'm seeing my current Gynae but she's reluctant to do any surgery as the fibroids may not be the cause. They are supposed to shrink as we get older but mine haven't ! I may insist on surgery at some stage but if the pain carries on.

[Mamae in reply to bantam12]

I am sorry to hear yours have not shrunk. I was also advised that my fibroids will shrink the older I get. I am going to see doctor soon to see what treatment options I can get.

[Mooka]

Hi

I had a full hysterectomy 17 years ago for mine. They did try to get me to have a merina coil fitted as they said that would help but my GP said they were trying to save money. Afterwards my gynaecologist said it was the right decision as one was the size of a grapefruit. I guess things have moved on though in the intervening years. I hope you find some relief.

[Mamae in reply to Mooka]

Hi Mooka, thank you for getting back to me. Did hysterectomy hurt and would you recommend that

[Mooka in reply to Mamae]

In my case it was right thing but I was in my 40s. I was so relieved to stop having the heavy bleeding. I don’t remember the pain lasting but I think it was about 2/3 months recovery time. I think sometimes they can do it without cutting which makes it easier all round.

[Mamae in reply to Mooka]

Hi Mooka, thank you for all your advise. I will be seeing my GP and a gynaecologist to see what options are there. I just can't cope with the heavy pelvic, abdominal pains anymore

[Mooka in reply to Mamae]

Good luck. You have my sympathy I can still remember how awful the pain and heavy periods were. I hope you get some help.

[Mamae in reply to Mooka]

Hi Mooka, thank you so much. I hope I get it sorted. Fingers cross

[Missa9847 in reply to Mooka]

Hi Mooka

I have a large fibroid (been told its grapefruit sized also). Had 3 months of zoladex to try and shrink it (went from 13x10cms to 11x10 cms so not much change). Had option of myectomy to just remove fibroid, but as I have another small fibroid and am 42, theres too much chance another will grow in its place and will be in same boat again by the time I'm 50. I have heavy periods which I wont miss. Surgeon is hoping to save at least 1 ovary. Did you find your weight changed after hysterectomy? Was it hard mood wise? I haven't had much libido but am hoping that will come back in time 😊

[Mooka in reply to Missa9847]

Hi Missa9847

A work colleague had hers removed and they grew back. I was worried at the time that if I accepted alternative treatment then I would go to the bottom of the waiting list for the hysterectomy. I had to wait 2 years for the operation so thought they were biding time until I was menopausal and so they would say they would go away now. My surgeon looked at my ovaries to see if they were healthy and so saved them. I did start the menopause a couple of years later. Tbh I was quite moody around the time of my periods so don’t think there was much change. I was so relieved to get rid of the heavy painful periods. I don’t recall gaining a lot of weight. My consultant said it was absolutely the right decision given the size of the fibroid. As I said earlier though this was some time ago and there may be other options now. I hope you get some relief soon.

[Mamae in reply to Mooka]

Hi Mooka, I have noticed that my fibroids pains are worse, heavier bleeding now since I gained weight from size 10 to 14. I have started a much healthier lifestyle

[Mooka in reply to Mamae]

That’s a good idea. If nothing else if you have to have an operation it will help you recover.

[Missa9847 in reply to Mooka]

Thanks Mooka, that's reassured me that this is the right thing to do 😊

[Jorgina in reply to Mooka]

Hi mooka, I also got a fibroid. NHS wants to me to have a surgery. What kind of incision have they done to you?

[Mooka in reply to Jorgina]

Hi jorgina

I had an incision just above the pubic line. It’s about 15cm long. However most women on my ward had had vagina hysterectomy. Mine was a long time ago so I expect things have changed now. Good luck I hope you get some relief.

[Jorgina in reply to Mooka]

Thanks for your answer!

[Jorgina]

I have a fibroid since 2018. Was just 5cm and the doctor suggested to treat with contraceptive pills or surgery. I found a second opinion and had a hormoned coil fit in me. It kept growing really quick, I made a MRI scan on August last year showing a 12cm fibroid that's looks like is shrinking so no embolization is possible. Nevertheless they put me in list for a open surgery. I still want a second opinion. I changed my GP doctor and the new one arranged a consultation for the 26th of this month on a different different clinic. I am aiming to have a treatment that emulates a menopause. So it will shrink and I hope to have my uterus removed via the vagina.

[Allimacca]

I have several large fibroids and had uterine fibroid embolisation nearly 2 weeks ago to treat them. I’m fortunate that I have private health insurance so didn’t have to wait for the NHS otherwise I suspect I’d still be waiting for a diagnosis, let alone having had treatment already.

The embolisation was done by going through the femoral artery and depositing tiny little grains that cut off the blood supply to the fibroids so that they effectively die and shrink to scar tissue. Being done privately I was in hospital for 2 nights but I suspect you’d be in for 1 night if done on the NHS. Whilst I was in hospital the consultant told me there are only 3 people in the NHS who are trained to carry out the procedure but more are currently going through the training to do it. The procedure has been around for a while but for whatever reason hasn’t been adopted as common practice. As mine are/were quite vascular surgery would have been difficult because of isolating the blood supply and then sealing that off would have created more scar tissue than a shrivelled up fibroid.

[Doctorssuck5]

Some drs are so dim . How can they’re actually be no treat for fibroids ? Take a pregnancy test . I was told I had a “ fibroid “ but turns out I was 3 months pregnant with my first child