Fibroids and bloating - can fibroids push on your intestines and cause such bad trapped gas??

I have a long history of uterine fibroids since I was 27. I'm now 42. To keep it brief, when I was pregnant in 2002, one of the fibroids grew to 16cm in diameter, then died off half way through my pregnancy, and started shrinking. (The smaller ones died off too, and they vanished). Today the previously massive one is just a hard, benign, lump less than 4cm in diameter. At my last full gynae ultrasound scan (June 2011) they confirmed this, but said that there was a new fibroid also 4cm across and lots of smaller new ones too. Both of these 4cm fibroids sit on the top of the uterus (the fundus), and the small ones are dotted around. They are all 'intramural' - the more common type.

What is currently bothering me is that I seem to have a lot of trapped gas (a lot more than normal) and abdominal firm lumpiness, really only in the mornings before I have a wee. While still lying in bed, I can feel what feels like lumpiness between my navel and half way down to my public line.The shape of this lumpiness varies from morning to morning. After a wee it all sort of subsides, although still a tiny bit lumpy to the right (which is where the new growing fibroid is). I usually have a BM in the morning, and the gas issue isn't quite so annoying after that. I am suspecting that perhaps the fibroid has put on a growth spurt and is pushing things around (but I'm definitely NOT pregnant this time!).

Could fibroids along with a full bladder push up the intestines and be causing this lumpy (and at times feels like gas is passing through it) area almost up to the navel? I am trying to apply some logic here, and not rush straight to the GP. Logic is telling me it's down to the fibroids. Anxiety is worrying me it's a serious bowel thing, even though my BMs are pretty normal for me. I did see the GP last June, she palpated my abdomen (wasn't lumpy at the time...) and she didn't seem too concerned, said it was fibroids (then sent me for the ultrasound). But the lumpiness seems more pronounced now. The gas is too.

Hello Nattyone....I was diagnosed with having 3 fibroids of varying sizes in Sept of 2010. The largest being 41x37mm, not particularly large compared to some. Luckily for me after a polyp was removed and cleared, I was relatively painfree, only experiencing pain during my periods. My logic is, if they are not causing any worry, leave well alone. Only a few days ago I have been aware of a pelvic ache that increases the more I am active. In the mornings too for a while, I am also aware of gas passing along through the intestines and obvious bowel movements. I too put this down to the fibroids, taking up more space. I am considering another ultra sound, to compare with the last one I had approx 14 months ago. If you are not satisfied go for a second or even third opinion. It's always reassuring to know what the little buggers are up to (fibroids!!) Then you know what you are dealing with and its a great peace of mind!! Good luck!

Many thanks for your reply! I eventually went to the GP last week, and then I was sent for a gynae ultrasound, and upper abdomen one too. Both 'normal', just fibroids. The sonographer didn't think there was too much of a change in the size of the fibroids. The ovaries looked normal he said. So I was relieved on that account. The bloating seems to be on and off, and the trapped gas too. Maybe I'm just too sensitive to my intestines and bowels! Due to have a follow-up with the GP in any case. Many thanks again for your reply.

No worries. Glad to hear nothing untoward! I think in general we are more sensitive to anything different in that region due to our diagnosis. It's best to listen to our bodies, different foods we can crave time to time and instinct because we are usually right! All the best!