More Fibroid Tumor Questions

Hi Sisters, I'm new here, this being my first post. I am 49 and had a regular ultrasound and a TVA. My uterus is enlarged, like I was 5 months pregnant with lots of fibroids. I too am experiencing back pain and bloating and a "pregnant" belly. I am a school bus driver, taking off now would be putting my district into a tizzy as we do not have sub drivers to cover my time off, so I have decided to put off the surgery till August, although I have yet to inform my Dr of this decision, I have some sick days built up which I will use for September and I hope I will beable to go back to work in October. I am hoping the fibroids do NOT grow much larger until then. I also was told I would be having a TAH because of how large my uterus is. Its ok with me, I have horrible periods, anemia with a bld ct of 8 at the moment and if it werent for me having to work, I'd have it done asap. Now, my question, how fast do/can fibroids grow or is this a silly question?

That's a very good thing to know, about how quickly the fibroids can grow. I asked the same question, since I found out in August that was the cause of my pain, bloating and bleeding, and I had the surgery (laparoscopic) in November.
I had multiple fibroids, one was as large as an orange, and an enlarged uterus (14 weeks).

My Dr told me fibroids are slow growing, and that in my case I had some time to schedule the surgery. I'm pretty sure she told me they can grow up to a centimeter a year.

I've come to realize no two women's situations are the same, and it's so important to find a surgeon you trust and really, really like. Once you find that doctor, you can tell her your situation, and she can help come up with a good plan.

Once I had the surgery I was so happy to be pain free, and no more bleeding and bloating.
I got my life back!
You will feel so much better once you have a plan that works for your situation.

thank you for your reply. I actually am looking forward to the surgery so then I would have no fear of bleeding for 10 to 15 days, hoping and praying I dont overflow while I'm at work and being pain free.

Thank you for the inspiration. I am only days away and while I can say I am very nervous I know it is the right thing to do. Take care.

Thanks for sharing your story - it's one of the worst i have heard yet! I have two large fibroids (that they know of) and they are in bad spots. I have one on top of uterus pushing down and one on the backside that is pressing against my spine. That one came up quick and it is growing very fast. I have been pushing for this surgery for 3 years because I have bled every day for the last four years and my periods have become a nightmare. The one on my spine has caused me to become couch ridden because it hurts to walk and now even to sit. I have to lie down with one leg propped up high to relieve the pressure.

I am so glad to hear that after all you have gone through - you feel so much better now! I have actually been throwing up from hormonal imbalances they think are caused by these things. With the bloated stomach, the pressure on the bladder and the throwing up - it's like another pregnancy but worse with not being mobile anymore. I am sitting at my computer now with pain shooting down my legs esp. the right one - very painful. Is this maybe the sciatiatica you mention? Is it all gone now that the fibroids are gone? If my couple are causing all this I can't even imagine the amount you are describing. I am also wondering what they will find once in there. A lot of ladies here have been surprised by undiagnosed endometriosis and additional tumors not seen on ultrasound.

Thanks for sharing - it helps so much to know I am doing the right thing after doctors fought me to wait for so long.

Indiana, my u/s sounded just like yours!
I did have a colonoscopy to rule out anything else and a pelvic ct scan. All came back clear. Although my family doc says it is a mild form of IBS is the cause of my bloating. My gyno says it is the fibroids and hormones causing the bloating. Hang in there! My second u/s did show a fibroid at the back of tipped uterus which was pushing on the colon and probably caused my digestive issues. I will not miss my fibroids!