Hi all
Just wanted to advise anyone who is at the beginning of their Fibroid journey to avoid Endo Ablation. My reasons are simple 2 stone weight gain ( I never struggled pre opp) and also my periods went from heavy too flooding. Yes it may work for you but if it fails like it did with me you will be left looking very pregnant unmanageable periods and 2 stone heavier. If you want that risk go for it. If I had my time over I would avoid this procedure like the plague. That and the rubbish Zoladex injections that made me feel like hell as it's an extreme version of the Menopause. A Gynocologist basically misled me hoping I would have no choice but to have a Hysterectomy. Also I was blocked from getting UFE but I pushed and eventually got it done a long 18 months after diagnosis.
My advice do loads of research about this condition as Gynocology will do what is best for them not what is best for you.
Hi Patricia
Saw gynaecologist on 21st and she took me off Esmya as I had a bad 3 months swapping 10 days of heavy bleeding and anaemia for continual cramps and back pain with bladder and bowel problems to boot, although the bleeding was less it didn't seem like a good swap.
Gynaecologist gave me a Zoladex implant whilst in the consultation and I am now worried from your comments that this will be an even worse experience.
I have had 2 hellish weeks since stopping the Esmya with severe sickness/diahorrea horrendous cramping and back pain leaving me unable to even stand up properly and confined to bed and my hair coming out in handfuls.
I phoned her during the first week to see if I could get the implant removed as I have had enough of feeling so bad. She said it would not be caused by the implant but rather the Esmya.
She said Zoladex not fully active until second implant and has given me tribolone (HRT) to counteract the side effects of menopause.
I am now very worried about getting a second implant and the long term effects of all these synthetic hormones. Whatever I do now I'm still going to feel rubbish while the hormones go back to normal.
I also wish I hadn't started on the drugs and just struggled on until menopause comes naturally (54 so hopefully soon, been getting hot flushes etc for 4 or 5 years now). She wants to do full hysterectomy including ovaries, but I am really not sure I want this radical surgery because of all the possible complications, plus pretty impossible for me to find anyone to look after my son (special needs) for the duration, so in a catch-22 really.
Hope you feel better soon
Julie
Hi Julie
I am so sorry you are getting these problems sounds like hell.
Right what this Gynocolgist is doing is leading you along the path to a Hysterectomy this is exactly what I went through.
Firstly what you describe is Zoladex related no doubt. The hot flushes will actually get worse with these injections I had 3 of them.
Number 1 he said you will be ok when your body gets used it, and I believed him
Month 2 i said I feel worse he gave me HRT which didn't touch it .the hot flushes were every 20 mins and lasted for 10 mins it was hell. I would not go anywhere unless. There was a fan when I got there if not I refused to leave the house.i was the stupid enough to let him give me a 3rd injection but he took one llook at my face and said oh you have had enough haven't you? I don't know how I resisted the urge to kill him.
My advice get a new Gynocologist and look into UFE I had it done and although it didn't totally work I have never regretted that decision .tou do not need a Hysterectomy for Fibroids unless you are in A and E having blood transfusions for blood loss and even then it's your decision. Zoladex is a nasty drug and should only be taken be people who want a Hysterectomy at the end of it which I made very clear I didn't.
Look Into UFE as it's less invasive and you keep your parts and as for removing the Ovaries she is a liar they only need to come out if you have Cysts or something serous wrong with them.
Don't let Gyn do Endometrial Ablation either as that can make everything worse which of course suits them cos then you will do what they want and have a Hysterectomy.
My advice tell Gynocology you are not having 2nd injection and do loads of research about UFE and yes it doesn't work for everyone one but it won't make you any worse
If you want any further advice please message me again. Hope you get some relief soon.
All, tom im going to try and call my surgery and speak to a female doc. My surgery has this new system when you have to call them and arrange for them to call you,when i spoke to my allocated doc with ref to the results of a recent pelvis scan he just said its six inchs long' i dont see that we need to do any other actions' i tried to prompt him a little and asked about constipation (5 years) he just said 'no its not related,' at least my neuologist (ms) has records of it all, does any one have any advise what i can say without allowing them to be dismissive? I have get through the phone call to request an appointment.
Constipation can be caused by many things including diet etc but also by fibroid pushing on the bowel, so the GP shouldn't be so dismissive unless he has seen the ultrasound himself. Often the GP only gets a written report from the radiographer.
If you are not happy with your discussion say you want to be referred to a gynaecologist to get details of treatment plans. They will definitely have copies of the scan available to them in the hospital.
It's your right to get a second opinion.
Good luck
Here in the US, I was treated with birth control pills. The fibroids shrunk over time. After menopause, I had a scan, which showed no signs of fibroids.
I'm sorry for what you went through, but I too, feel that sometimes docs push procedures/surgeries, without considering alternative treatments!