Large but largely asymptomatic

I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience to mine: I found out I had fibroids three months ago after noticing a large, hard lump on one side of my belly. My only other symptom is a vague feeling of discomfort that has recently morphed into an ache in my pelvis (kind of a cross between gas and menstrual pain that gets far worse in the evening or when I am wearing a seat belt). I have seen three doctors, including a OB/GYN. All of them recommended a total abdominal hysterectomy saying my fibroids are too large and numerous for anything less drastic.

Has anyone been in my shoes? What did you do? I don't like looking pregnant when I'm not (the OB/GYN said I'm the size of a woman four months along) and there are indications that things could get worse as the fibroids continue to grow. But at the moment my symptoms seem minor compared to most of the stories on this site so I wonder if I should just shelve my vanity and endure the aches until they become unbearable?

Hi there - have any of the doctors talked to you about a myomectomy to remove just the fibroids? I have to say that I (had adenomyosis) did wait till my symptoms were beyond unbearable. But I am still in pain from my surgery (an LSH keeping the ovaries) and so cannot tell you really whether it was all worthwhile.

I haven't been in your shoes exactly. If you aren't certain, and your symptoms are bearable, take all the time you need to research, research, research. Don't be afraid to get more opinions either.

What does your gut instinct tell you? What do you want to do? How old are you? Do you for sure want no (more) kids? How does your husband feel, if you have one? (not that his should be the final say!)

Fibroids apparently shrink after menopause - are you anywhere close to that?

Let us know how it goes...

Steph

When I was initially diagnosed with fibroids 2 years ago, I was shocked, as I'd had no symptoms whatsoever. But my doc was shocked that I had no symptoms, because they were fairly large, but she suspected that my being on birth control pills for the past 20+ years had masked symptoms.

However, in the past six months, my fibroids had a growth spurt. The largest is grapefruit sized, and my uterus is the size of a 20-week pregnancy. The worst of my symptoms are bladder-related, and I find myself going to the bathroom 15 times a day, plus a few times at night (which is especially problematic, because I have difficulty sleeping), and now need to be especially careful when coughing/laughing/sneezing lest I have an accident.

Since I am years away from menopause, and my symptoms are only likely to get worse, I'm opting for a DaVinci hysterectomy. I've discussed alternatives, but none are likely to provide the definitive solution that hysterectomy will. I want to get this done before the fibroids grow any further and while a minimally-invasive method of surgery is available to me.

Thank you so much for the replies! I am only 39 but my husband and will not be having kids. My first doctor said I have too many fibroids for a myomectomy or UAE, and that my uterus is too large for laparoscopic surgery. So I'm kind of lucky, enoughalready, I can wait secure in the knowledge that I won't be risking a more involved surgery ... I'm probably already past the point of no options.

But I am going to get a second opinion from a Da Vinci specialist next week so I am hoping that she will have some other ideas ... I will excited to hear how your surgery goes, Callaloo!

I recently lost 40 pounds, which may be how this problem went undetected for so long. I have started to have extreme pain in the evenings, I think from my belt pressing against my lump so I'm going to try to go beltless and see if that helps. Unfortunately, my pants don't stay up without one and I can't buy smaller size pants because my belly is too big! So I may try suspenders.

I think that I will opt for treatment. My husband's schedule is extremely tight and there are only a few times next year when he can take off from work to care for me. So if I don't do this in March, I'll have to wait for next Thanksgiving and if this new pain increases, I will be a basket case by then (sometimes the pain is so bad that my guy is worried that I won't make it until March).

I have seen some stuff that suggests that people like me who think we are asymptomatic may actually have bad symptoms but they came on so gradual we don't realize it (like the fable about the frog in boiling water). We'll see.

Again, thank you. I got my booklet from Hystersisters and bought a nice, fat book on the subject and I feel much more knowledgeable than when I first wrote.