Re: big fibroids, no symptoms, no action?

February 19, 2002

Lara:

It is true, until the surgeon opens you up they never really know what to

expect. In my case, my doc thought the fibroids had attached to the

fallopian tubes, which would render me infertile should he try to remove them

and damage the tubes. I wasn't prepared for that kind of outcome since I

don't have any children and want to leave that option open. I asked that if

there were fibroids around the fallopian tubes, could he leave them alone so

as not to destroy the tubes. He agreed to do this. After surgery I found

out that neither one of the fallopian tubes were damaged and that the

fibroids came out quickly and easily. It wasn't as " difficult " a sugery as

the doctor had anticipated. I can only recommend that you find a doctor who

is experienced in myomectomies. Ask the doctor how many they have performed.

How many resulted in hysterectomies. How many required transfusions. And

of course many other questions you should ask that will make you feel

comfortable and certain this is the doctor to perform your surgery. Also, if

you're concerned with conceiving in the future, many have used fertility

specialists, so you might want to check one of those dr's out as well.

The important thing is to calm down, take a deep breath and relax. It's good

that your fibroids aren't as symptomatic as others, be thankful for that, and

you have time to decide . . . you don't need to be in a hurry. I took 1 1/2

years to make my final decision, and I'm glad I chose myomectomy. I am 10

weeks post op and everyday I'm feeling better and better about my decision.

Good luck,

February 19, 2002

I'm 35 and I have a three fibroids, the biggest being about 7 x 7 x 8

centimeters (the size of a small grapefruit). My uterus is about the

size of a three month pregnancy. I don't have too many symptoms, but my

bleeding is pretty heavy. I want to have children in the next couple of

years. My gynecologist did an MRI to see my fibroids more clearly and

after careful consideration, decided it would be better to have my

fibroids removed because they increase the chance of miscarriage or

pre-term delivery. They can even interfere with conception. She said

that the myomectomy is a very straight forward surgery and it shouldn't

end up doing any harm, though there is a small chance of infertility

afterwards. She put it at about 10%. But since she put the risk of

miscarriage at about 50%, this seemed better. Of course these numbers

are not much more than guesses.

At first I was reluctant to do the operation because, as you said, I

didn't want anyone messing with my uterus. It seemed risky to me. But

after much research on the web, and having talked to friends, I decided

to do it. I figure I don't have that many fertile years left, and I want

to make the most of them. I want my uterus to be in as good a condition

as possible when I do get pregnant. I also don't want to experience the

emotional pain of having a miscarriage or the complications involved in

a pre-term delivery, or prolonged bed rest during pregnancy. It would

also be nice to not have such heavy bleeding and a smaller abdomen.

It seems that your fibroids impinge on your life much more than they do

on mine. So I would say find a good doctor who can remove them for you.

It's not worth feeling bad about yourself over a few easily-removable

benign tumors, and it would improve your chances of having a healthy

pregnancy if you do decide to have a baby. However, it's good to

remember that they can grow back, so I wouldn't wait too long after the

operation before trying to get pregnant. You wouldn't want to have two

operations. But then agian, that still might be better than lugging

around a big growth and feeling bad about it.

-Annika

big fibroids, no symptoms, no action?

Hi Wonderful Women--

I'm new here and want to thank you so much for sharing your stories.

It's really empowering just to know I'm not alone. And it has been

very educational to read your experiences with treatments, symptoms,

doctors.

My story is I'm 34 and have a big uterus due to fibroids (5 month

pregnancy size). I know from reading a lot of your posts that I am

very fortunate because I do not have the bleeding and the pain

symptoms. My situation is somehow less easy to define. I want to

have children someday, maybe. Although I'm not in a relationship

now, so it seems like a far-off kind of goal. I do not want to have

any unnecessary surgery, I feel very strongly about that. But I have

this big alien thing growing in me! Sometimes it is very disturbing

to think about. It also intrudes in my life. As other women have

talked about, it is big and bouncy and makes me feel like a freak.

Right before I get my period it is very intrusive and makes me feel

like I am gasping for breath and that I am wearing tight pants that

I can't take off. I'm also certain it is affecting my digestive

system, my energy level, and definately makes me have to pee all of

the time. I exercise less now because I don't go on the long walks

and bike rides that I used to, unless I know I'll pass a public

toilet. I've always been overweight and uncomfortable with my body

and having this freaky thing has for a long time made me feel

completely unsexual. Not that I've lost my sex drive, just that I

don't feel sexy enough to attract anyone. And that is a self-

fulfilling prophecy!

I have been seeing one gyn doctor since I was diagnosed and he has

advised not doing anything, since I don't have any symptoms (well,

no symptoms that he cares about!) The most recent visit with him was

very traumatic. I had to have a pap smear and he couldn't find my

cervix because it is all pushed in a weird place. I had never had a

pap smear done by a man before and wouldn't have this time except he

is the doctor who was recommended to me. He had to insert like 3

different speculums and had to root around " down there " for a long

time. I really felt violated. I came home and cried my eyes out. At

this same visit I had wanted to discuss further the options of

surgery but he was in such a hurry, he practically had his hand on

the doorknob the whole time! It was really awful.

After that, I went to see a naturopath. She was very nice and let me

talk for an hour! That alone was worth the cost of the visit! She

said natural medicine could not make my fibroids go away, but could

control their growth. She suggested very do-able changes to my diet,

chiefly to give up caffeine (kind of hard!) and to cook my broccoli,

cauliflower and cabbage. Interestingly, she told me soy is okay, it

is the " good kind of estrogen " or something like that. I don't know,

no doubt another naturopath would say something completely

different. But I have to at least try this woman's recommendations

to see where they lead. She also gave me a tinture to take

called " cyst formula. " I don't know what's in it but I will

certainly find out if anyone wants to know.

This naturopath also sent me to another gyn md. A woman who is also

connected to Planned Parenthood and was just really nice and

listened to me which made such a difference. She did basically tell

me just what the other md had. But she made it clearer. She said

there is no way of knowing if I would be able to carry a pregnancy

with these fibroids until I try, but it is better to keep everything

intact if at all possible. With a myomectomy, you just don't know

what's going to happen until you get in there. I am not convinced,

especially after reading the posts here. Maybe she just isn't

experienced enough with myomectomys? I feel like I could find a

really good doctor who could do the surgery. But I am not at all

convinced that that is what is best for me. I really don't like the

idea of anyone doing anything to my uterus. It's very precious to me!

That was a long post! Does anyone want to talk about anything I

wrote above? Thanks for all being such wonderful, brave women!

Lara

February 19, 2002