3 years ago I was diagnosed with one 1cm fibroid near the entrance to my womb which at the time wasn't really giving me any symptoms except heavier periods than usual. 3 years on I now get daily bladder pressure and pain which starts mid morning (I'm normally OK when I wake) then slowly becomes more pronounced until I then go home and relax (normally have to lay down) when it subsides somewhat. Apart from pressure and burning pain I feel frequency a lot throughout the morning and afternoon. It also seems worse after a bowel movement. When I do urinate I hardly pass anything but there is no stinging pain (unless I haven't drunk much that day). My symptoms get better when laying flat. Could this be the fibroid pressing on my bladder? I've heard that fibroids can grow rapidly in the space of 3 years. I'm 42 and have not had any children. My periods are awful these days, lots of pain and very heavy bleeding soaking through a super plus tampon and a super plus towel every hour for the first 3-4 days. They were never like this before. My doctor has arranged for another ultrasound soon so in a way I'm hoping my fibroid has grown so at least I will know what it is. It's driving me mad and my periods are causing anaemia. Life is pretty miserable at times lately. Any help or advice would be great. I do get UTIs in the winter months mainly I've had one this year. I just don't know what's going on! Thanks.
It sounds like a fibroid. Mine first started 3 years ago. Two of them 8&10 cm in diameter . Last month before my UFE it was 18 inches. The size of a 7 month old baby. I felt a ton of pressure over the last year and a bit. My surgeon said that regular doctors and gynecologists don't all understand fibroids. No offense to them. Radiology Depatments Doctors know . It took my doctor 1 1/2 years to finally start my referral for a MRI. It took that much testing of ultrasounds and a D&C 's. So my suggestion is get to the radiology department soon.
It does sound like your fibroid has grown and is leaning on your bladder. I had similar experience with firbroids but had them removed by myomectomy surgery and now have good quality of life. If you have not had children and want to keep that option open, then the best option is removal of the fibroid either vaginally or via surgical cut in the stomach or via key hole surgery, if possible. It is not recommended to have UFE if you want to have children. Speak to your Doctor once you have the results of your ultrasound and do sufficient research online on the relevant options available. Good Luck.
Sounds very like it. I have same symptoms and am having an open myomectomy end of January. You really need to press for an MRI, I had ultrasound before and to be honest was waste of time and told had one fibroid and that had shrunk! The bladder discomfort escalated to the point was up every hour at night and could feel lump in belly area. This gave cause for an emergency MRI as concern over ovarian cancer and showed 25 fibroids largest around 4 month pregnancy size. Due to location and size/number I only have open myomectomy or hysterectomy as options. I'm having to go into London which is a 6hr+ round trip to have the myomectomy option. Keep on pushing for the MRI, I wish I had known and had that earlier and might have saved months of misery and possibly less drastic surgery but not much can do now. I had to pay privately to get the initial consultation as locally there wasn't the expertise or offering on the NHS, if you can do that wild also say worth it as options not based on cost etc so felt better informed.