Guest guest Posted February 7, 2001 Report Share Posted February 7, 2001 Given your age, your desire for children and the fact that currently it appears you have only one fibroid, I think I might be inclined to vote with your doctor on this one. While we know of several women who have successfully conceived and delivered following UAE, at this point we just don't know what percentage of women are likely to conceive and bring a pregnancy to term following UAE -- just not enough time to do the research and gather the statistics yet. I understand your concern about other fibroids occuring following myomectomy but again you have to remember that UAE has only been around for less than 10 years, and only 5 in the US. While to date there has been no published research concerning growth of new fibroids following successful embolization, we just don't know what may show up 20 years down the road. And if it does happen that you have regrowth of fibroids at a later date, UAE at that time would always be an option for you. My opinon is just that of another fibroid sufferer, but I have to say that given your circumstances, I would be inclined to be conservative and go with the procedure with a longer track record. I say this as someone who did have a successful UAE and am very happy with the outcome, but I was 48 at the time I had it and had no plans to have children. Best of luck to you, whatever your decision. Leonie noglesby@ceco m.com To: uterinefibroids cc: 02/07/01 Subject: I need advice too 09:31 AM Please respond to uterinefibroi ds I'm 24-years-old and have one big uterine fibroid embedded in my uterus. In my opinion, my treatment options are limited because I'm so young. My obgyn wants to do a myomectomy next month, but I really don't want to have surgery. He has me on the Lupron shots now (which breaks me out in heat flashes every half hour.) I really want to hear from people who have had the embolization process done, or who are thinking about it. Some doctors say I shouldn't have that done because of my age and because I haven't had any kids yet---and don't want to for at least 5 years! (I definately want kids though.) But the odds of having another surgery for me are high since it's likely that my fibroids will grow back because I'm so young! Can anyone recommend an interventional radiologist in the Michigan area? And on another note, I don't care what doctors or anyone else says, I truly think the pill is the reason for my fibroid problems. I understand there are no studies on it, but I've been on the pill for over 6 years. No one in my family has had problems like this, and I know lots of people on the pill going through the same problems most of us are. I just graduated from college two years ago. While in college, I--like many female students--experienced bad cramps. So the student health center freely gave anyone and everyone pills. That's how most of my friends got started on the pill as well. It pisses me off to think about that. Just FYI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2001 Report Share Posted February 10, 2001 In a message dated 2/10/01 3:03:01 AM Eastern Standard Time, lanisakai@... writes: > Hi, > > I had a myomectomy in February 1999, and now fibroids are, yup, growing back. > > But I'm still glad I had the myomectomy rather than UAE -- with embolization, > > you can't really be sure where all those pellets go. Hi Lanisakai, In 1998, I heard the exact same statement from a Gynecologist- " ....they shoot those particles in and no one knows where they go... " Did you also hear the same from a physician, or from a website, or former Patient? Thanks, Marsha > > Has anyone had more than one myomectomy in this group? So far I'm not having > > the non-stop bleeding that I had before that February '99 surgery, so I > think > I'm still okay. My OB-GYN PUT me on the pill in hopes of putting the fibroid > > growth " in check " -- can't say it's working, but I don't know what would be > happening if I wasn't on the pill (probably I'd be having very heavy periods, > > which is also not good). > > Just went for an ultrasound this morning to see what's up, and have an > appointment later this month to hear what the doctor has to say... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2001 Report Share Posted February 10, 2001 In a message dated 2/10/01 3:03:01 AM Eastern Standard Time, lanisakai@... writes: > Hi, > > I had a myomectomy in February 1999, and now fibroids are, yup, growing back. > > But I'm still glad I had the myomectomy rather than UAE -- with embolization, > > you can't really be sure where all those pellets go. Hi Lanisakai, In 1998, I heard the exact same statement from a Gynecologist- " ....they shoot those particles in and no one knows where they go... " Did you also hear the same from a physician, or from a website, or former Patient? Thanks, Marsha > > Has anyone had more than one myomectomy in this group? So far I'm not having > > the non-stop bleeding that I had before that February '99 surgery, so I > think > I'm still okay. My OB-GYN PUT me on the pill in hopes of putting the fibroid > > growth " in check " -- can't say it's working, but I don't know what would be > happening if I wasn't on the pill (probably I'd be having very heavy periods, > > which is also not good). > > Just went for an ultrasound this morning to see what's up, and have an > appointment later this month to hear what the doctor has to say... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2001 Report Share Posted February 10, 2001 In a message dated 2/10/01 3:03:01 AM Eastern Standard Time, lanisakai@... writes: > Hi, > > I had a myomectomy in February 1999, and now fibroids are, yup, growing back. > > But I'm still glad I had the myomectomy rather than UAE -- with embolization, > > you can't really be sure where all those pellets go. Hi Lanisakai, In 1998, I heard the exact same statement from a Gynecologist- " ....they shoot those particles in and no one knows where they go... " Did you also hear the same from a physician, or from a website, or former Patient? Thanks, Marsha > > Has anyone had more than one myomectomy in this group? So far I'm not having > > the non-stop bleeding that I had before that February '99 surgery, so I > think > I'm still okay. My OB-GYN PUT me on the pill in hopes of putting the fibroid > > growth " in check " -- can't say it's working, but I don't know what would be > happening if I wasn't on the pill (probably I'd be having very heavy periods, > > which is also not good). > > Just went for an ultrasound this morning to see what's up, and have an > appointment later this month to hear what the doctor has to say... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2001 Report Share Posted February 11, 2001 Hi Silverfox, Actually I think my father is who said the thing about not knowing where the pellets go (he's a medical physiologist who worked in a hospital laboratory and pretty well-read -- but sorry, I don't know where he may have gotten the info from). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2001 Report Share Posted February 12, 2001 In a message dated 2/12/01 2:32:32 AM Eastern Standard Time, lanisakai@... writes: > Hi Silverfox, > > Actually I think my father is who said the thing about not knowing where the > > pellets go (he's a medical physiologist who worked in a hospital laboratory > and pretty well-read -- but sorry, I don't know where he may have gotten the > > info from). > If you were considering UAE, I'm sure your father meant well, bringing up misembolization, which apparently has happened in a very minute part of the population. I don't doubt for one minute that he isn't well read--you are lucky to have him! That's why it is so important to have a very skilled, experienced Interventional Radiologist that can determine whether or not the location, type of fibroid(s) are conducive to UAE. And something I didn't mention--intense follow-up of Patients that Bonnie brought home so very clearly in her post. That goes for all physicians, for all procedures for that matter--the best training, experience, skill level, good coordination with their staff, good medical setting which is very proactive in preventing medical mistakes. Patients need every advantage in their favor to increase the percentage of a favorable outcome. But, medicine isn't perfect. I knew that when I underwent UAE. I knew UAE was a new procedure. I was willing to take the risk knowing if it failed, I might have to try something else. Thousands of other women had good outcomes--plus 80%, 20% didn't. I'm sorry I wish they had better results. For hysterectomized women, the morbidity rates are higher, something like 40%. Prior to knowing about UAE, I'd had my veins stripped--past thrombosis, was preparing myself physically and psychically for a hysterectomy. But for the internet and the women of Sans-Uteri, I would have had a hysterectomy. Fortunately there are people like Carla Dionne and Beth Tiner of Sans-Uteri making a difference in medicine--challenging the medical community to do better--evaluate procedures, establish protocols, communicate between specialties, elevate the status of Patient from one who has traditionally been acted upon by medicine to Patient they act with for the most optimal care. Future Women Patients will certainly benefit from Carla's & Beth's leadership and all of our collective experience and advocacy... Best wishes, Marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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