I've grown a GRAPEFRUIT!

[LauraMc1982]

Hi everyone.

I had an ultrasound today, because I've always had super bad periods since I was young (I'm 38 now) where I bled so heavily and fainted/vomited from the pain.

I don't faint now, but the bleeding is heavier, more big clots, unbelievable pain, pain when ovulating, pain when going to the loo (before and during menstruation) - so I was getting the scan to see if I had something like endometriosis or the other one beginning with E.

The ultrasound came back with me having a fibroid the size of a grapefruit! I have to wait 7 to 10 days to contact my GP, but was told I will most likely be referred to Gynecology.

Does anyone have any experience of this, and what happened? I don't want to take 'the pill' or have a coil - I kinda want it removed!

Thanks in advance for your time

Laura

[Gk19906]

Hi there, so sorry to hear that. I have one the size of an orange. Do you have any kids. I’m curious to know as I heard there is a higher chance of miscarriages with fibroids

[LauraMc1982 in reply to Gk19906]

Ah, sorry to hear that. No, I have no children. Yes, I heard that too!

Take care.

[K5100]

Hi Laura, I am 42 and recently experienced very heavy periods, big clots, bloating and pain. I also felt a lump on the left side of my pelvis.

I had an ultra sound scan and was referred to Gynaecology where I had an MRI scan at my local hospital as they weren’t entirely sure what it was at the time.

They confirmed it was a fibroid, a similar size to yours.

(The reason why mine was tricky to establish what it was is because it was complex in its appearance but yours sounds perfectly normal).

Due to my family being complete the Gynaecologist advised a full hysterectomy.

(There was also a slight cancer risk with me due to the nature of my fibroid. Although it is important to say that most are benign and harmless, luckily including mine).

It was quite a shock at the time as it seemed extreme to have a hysterectomy and it is obviously is classed as major surgery.

However now that it is all over and done with I feel so much better.

No more fibroids, no pain, no bleeding or discomfort.

I opted to have my ovaries removed as well and so far have been really lucky and had no menopausal symptoms at all.

They discovered after operating that in fact I had several Fibroids and slight endometriosis too which hadn't shown up on any of my scans.

There are other surgeries and treatments that are less invasive, especially if you still would like to have children.

I just wanted to give a positive outlook on a hysterectomy if you did decide to take that option as although everyone is different I have never felt better.

[LauraMc1982 in reply to K5100]

Wow - thanks so much for your reply and complete honesty! You've definitely been through it!

So because of the size is why they advised to remove it? Or because the chance of yours poss being cancerous?

I'm 38, but not overly sure if I want kids. I have a girlfriend of 31, so I'll just use her for kids - hah!

Again - thanks so much for that. I really appreciate it. I only found out on Tuesday after the ultrasound, so still need to speak to my GP, and most likely be referred to Gyne.

I just can't cope with the insane heavy periods, the pain where I feel like I may die and the massive clots - and other symptoms that don't stress me AS much! I have no idea why I didn't do anything sooner. Silly, really. I dread every month.

So happy to hear you're doing much better - and no menopausal symptoms!

Take care!

Laura

[K5100 in reply to LauraMc1982]

Thanks Laura 😊.

It really sounds like you’re going through it! I dreaded every month with the pain and heavy bleeds and the big clots were just a little too much to cope with and sometimes scary too.

The reason why the Consultant Gynaecologist suggested the Hysterectomy was for both reasons really.

The main reason was that they couldn’t be sure if there was a cancer risk or not based on my imaging but also because of the size too.

I really hope that the GP does refer you to a Gynaecologist because you shouldn’t have to be putting up with the symptoms that you’re having and they are the specialists that can help you.

I hope that you get the help that you need and wish you all the best with it!

If you have any more questions after you are referred I would be happy to help x