Diagnosed with fibroids and don't know what to do

Women's health
1

Hi.

I've today been told that I have fibroids and it's blown my mind!

For the last year or so I've been having premenopause symptoms, hot flashes, dizziness, foggy brain, awful painfully irregular monthlies, the list goes on. I've been diagnosed with underactive thyroid so on meds for that bit no improvement (now been a year on them) Last 3 months on iron tablets and folic acid (no improvement) so finally my gp sent me for an ultrasound.

I'm 42 next month, completed my family (was sterilised 10 years ago) and we'll I'm fed up of feeling like I do.

I've been reading up on the various options and they all seem awful.

Sorry for the long post but just don't know what to think 😢

2

I’m in a similar situation. I opted to try the Fibristal (in Canada) Esmya (in other countries) or Ulipristal (clinical name). It is usually the first option that you try before surgery. The idea is that if you can wait until menopause the fibroids should disappear on their own. If you think you are close to menopause, it may be a good solution for you. I’ve done quite well on this medication, the only downfall is the cost if you don’t have medical coverage. I believe it would be about $1200 Canadian for a 3 months supply.

3

Hi, thank you for your reply.

I've got to see a consultant on the 24th of this month so hoping they will be able to shed some light on it all. The internet is a great but also awful thing!

I'll have a look at the meds you've mentioned. I'm in the UK so have to rely on the good old NHS!

I've felt like I'm going through the menopause for over a year now (it's why I went to the gp in the beginning) but struggling so much as sick of "let's try all the other options 1st".

Part of me wants a hysterectomy, just get rid and cope with the effects, I know that sounds like an easy option but as I said I've had my family/no option for anymore.

Good to see that you've found something that works for you, shows me there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Sorry for.my long winded reply and once again thank you.

4

Hi Abby

I understand you are fed up with it all. I would agree with Carol that Eysma (tablets of Ullipristal ) are the 'easy' and first option to try.  Surgery of Hysterectomy should be the ''last'' resort as there are risks with surgery. I would not see surgery as the easy option at all.   Of course these are options for fibroids if the fibroids are causing symptoms. Menopause is something else of course and there are probably recommendations for what eases the symptoms of that , if you are going through it.    Good luck and take your time on your decisions. I hope you get some relief.    

5

Hi Abby,

You have to do what you feel is best for you - with a good consultant  you should understand the choices you have - and what can be the best possible outcome for you. Sometimes it can depend on where your fibroids are and the symptoms you have as to what options they will give you. My only route was hysterectomy due to size and location of my fibroids - and I am happy with that. I've not been able to have children since the age of 28 - and the fibroids cause me lot of pain. I can't lie that the thought of the operation doesn't scare me - but I would rather be better than I am now.  There's so much you can read online - good and bad, and sometimes down right silly! You will have a much clearer picture once you see your consultant.

Good luck!

6

Hi Abby,

What size fibroid do you have as treatment options and success can vary depending on this and also where they are.

I had an 8x8cm fibroid, which was diagnosed following my visit to the doctors to discuss my frequent urination, constant bladder pressure, particularly during certain times of my cycle, and then I found a lump in my pelvis.

Long story short, I paid for a second opinion privately as I wasn't happy with the NHS gynae consultant I saw. They wanted to put me on Esmya and then see me in 4mths time and I read up on the side effects and wasn't comfortable taking them without knowing my end treatment goal, as Esmya is only a temp fix, if it even works at all....

My options were UAE, myomectomy and hysterectomy. Again after research and speaking to a private consultant, I ruled out UAE as it's not always successful on larger fibroids and can be very painful. However, I'm sure there will be lots of success stories that some ladies will tell you about, so you should investigate this yourself. I didn't like the idea of a large mass dying inside me either and what can be a long time of bleeding after.

My options remaining were then a myomectomy or hysterectomy and due to the size of my fibroid, an abdominal incision was the preferred option. In view of this and having already completed my family, and most importantly not wanting to be in the same position again, I decided to go ahead with a hysterectomy, even though I'm only 41.

I really didn't want to go through an abdominal myomectomy and then find I have further fibroids again in years to come. I have two ladies I work with who both had fibroids and one tried the different drugs to try and shrink them and spent 18mths doing so, and the other had numerous myomectomies as she wasn't sure whether she wanted more children, but both ended up having hysterectomies and wished they'd done so earlier.

It's a very personal thing. I would just recommend you research everything and even get a second or third opinion and you'll probably have a gut feeling about what you think is right for you..... There is alwAys the risk of developing fibroids again if you've had them before so I guess that was my main deciding factor.

I am now 6wks post op😀

Good luck

7

Hi!

Thank you for your message.

My Gp printed off the findings from the scan and it's says a few fibroids (not sure how many a few is 😕wink and the largest is 17mm. Having read up a little bit ( my other half has told me to stop as was getting in a state) I realise that this is small in comparison to some. I've got an appointment at a private hospital on the 24th but as an NHS patients for I'm guessing another scan.

I'm also 41, ive had my family (sterilised 9 years ago) so have everything crossed that they will be on my side and do a hysterectomy. I've been having premenopause symptoms for over a year now and so fed up. I've read so many negatives with regards to the various meds and other surgical options and due to past health issues I can't get it out of my head that these fibroids are the start of a long rocky road.

How are you feeling since your op? x