Fibroids help

Flee_2

Hi,
I might have a fibroid according to the doctors. My symptoms started last summer when having sex became a bit painful.
Three months back I felt something in my right side groin area above my pubic bone and this has in the last month grown bigger. I have constipation and have a swollen stomach that feels uncomfortable.
I have been to the doctors and am waiting to see the gynaecologist at the end of the month. I have been told by the doctor that my womb is swollen and heavy and it is possibly a fibroid the size of a grapefruit.
Has anyone experienced this and is able to tell me their story and what happened to them.
I am only 34 years old and have one child. I am currently trying for another child and this has worried me that I will not be able to keep my uterus.

tanith

I had fibroids in my 30's , I had a small operation to remove it and had no other problems since and my heavy periods improved after the surgery too..

xoxo_2

My Mum had fibroids. She had a procedure that involved ultrasound waves to remove the lining of her womb. Solved her heavy bleeding problems. Did leave her unable to have more children though.

Nicki

I had a smaller fibroid which was diagnosed while I was trying to conceive my third child and was told it could be removed which would improve my chances of conceiving. In the end, I conceived naturally before having surgery.

Obviously a lot depends on where the fibroid is and how big it is but until you see the gynae there is no point in worrying that he will suggest a hysterectomy as there are definitely other options which may well be suitable in your case.

The op to remove fibroids is called myomectomy if you want to google it before you see the gynae to give you an idea of questions to ask at your consultation.

southerngirl_2

Two years ago I started to feel a firm mass in my lower abdomen and experienced pressure symptoms from this. An ultrasound scan showed a 9cm subserosal fibroid at the top of my uterus and I opted to have a laparoscopic myomectomy to remove the fibroid. I was 33yrs old and hadn't had children and wanted to keep my uterus so was offered myomectomy. If you haven't completed your family I wouldn't expect you to be offered a hysterectomy.
As Nicki says the size and location of the fibroid in the uterus does influence how the fibroid would be removed.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Nocturnes

There is some recent research linking fibroids with Vitamin D deficiency.

(I am no expert on this, just read about it online while researching vitamin D).

Good luck!

Upsidedown_Bear

You might find this helpful.

http://www.britishfibroidtrust.org.uk/index.php

loopylouc

Hi
I too had a fibroid the size of a grapefruit, I had a different treatment to those describe above. Uterine arterial embolisation which basically means that the blood supply to the fibroid is cut off, so that it stops growing and will eventually break down itself. I have a fear of general anaesthetics and this could be done by a local, before this the treatment option had been a hysterectomy.
Maybe google this and the link above to get a better idea of treatments so that your informed when you next see your Dr.
L

Jox

I've just had a consultation with a gynae who referred me for ultrasound, MRI and blood tests.

I've got a 7cm fibroid half in the muscle of the womb and half outside.

Treatment depends on the location of the fibroid, whether it is inside the womb, in the muscle of the womb or outside the womb.

Outside the womb is the best type to have for removal and the lesser chance of damage to the womb.

I want kids so will try to conceive and then think about what to do about the fibroid.

The fibroid will probably grow if I get pregnant as the pregnancy hormones feed it apparently.

I wonder if we all eat lots of sugar, dairy, meat, processed foods and drinks, coffee...I do...

Here's a useful article.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-15943/What-I-help-control-fibroids.html

grey_lady

Fibroids can shrink in pregnancy as well :-) however if they are low down they can mean a c-section. I had a 5cm one when pregnant with dd which didn't cause any issues.

chewynut

My mum had fibroids and ended up having a hysterectomy. She knew something wasn't quite right during time of the month but put off going to our doctors (because they're a waste of space who won't take you seriously unless you have a penis) and it got to the point where you could feel them if you pressed on her stomach.

We're talking at least eight years here so don't freak out.