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18 week uterus w fibroids
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03-15-2009, 08:13 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 18
Hysterectomy: April 13th, 2009
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18 week uterus w fibroids
I feel like I am in a whirlwind. I just found out 2 months ago that I have fibroids.
My PA had sent me to have an ultra-sound to rule out that my uterine lining was not too thick. The ultra-sound tech found several fibroids including one that is very large.
I saw the ob/gyn on Monday 3/9 and he told me that my uterus is the size of an 18 week pregnancy
I am scheduled for a vertical abdominal hysterectomy on 4/13.
With my uterus being so large there he says it is the only option.
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03-16-2009, 12:10 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 183
Hysterectomy: April 23rd, 2009
Surgery Type: LSH
Ovaries: Undecided
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18 week uterus w fibroids
wow derra2009,
You are in a whirlwind. I don't know if you are having symptoms from the fibroids or why there is such an urgency to your surgery.
I got 3 opinions on my fibroids. I have 4 large fibroids 12, 7, 6, 5 cm repsectivly and a uterine polyip inside my uterus.
I am mostly asymptomatic, a bit of pressure, a bit of weird bladder feelings and some heavy bleeding, none of it is unbearable. My normal gyno said my uterus is the size of a 20 week pregnancy. But because of our discussions prior to the exam she offered several options like UAE (uterine arterial embolization) the MRI treatment as well as a hysterectomy. She was not comfortable doing a Lathroscopic surgery because of the size of everything, but did send me to my 3rd opinion doctor who is. I will not have to have an abdominal surgery.
I do not know your situation, but if I were you I would get a second opinion and research some of the other options that are available.
If you can find a Dr with Davinci experience, you can find links in the hyster options part of this site you might be able to have a less invasive surgery.
I wish you luck in your search.
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03-16-2009, 03:31 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 345
Hysterectomy: March 2nd, 2009
Ovaries: Undecided
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18 week uterus w fibroids
derra2009, your situation sounds something like mine. I had gone to pcp for my regular physical in 2007, when he felt my uterus was a little oversized. he ordered an abdominal ultrasound, which showed three fibroids. He sent me to my gyne for a followup. My gyne suggested watching them for 4-6 months, and then re-ultrasound me. When I went back 5 months later, the fibroids had hardly grown at all, so he suggested a "wait and see" approach. At that time, I was about a 12 week uterus size. Sounded good to me!! Then, I went back for my physical in Nov. 2008, and my pcp told me my uterus was "chunky". With Christmas coming, I put off seeing my gyne. When I finally saw him on January 21, I had a uterus that was now 16 weeks size. Before he even did an internal exam, my gyne checked my tummy, saw the size, and told me that the uterus would have to come out. He then did an internal, and couldn't feel either of my ovaries. He said he wanted to do an abdominal hyster, as I have a history of endometriosis as well. He said, at that time, that he would do a horizontal cut. I will admit I was pretty angry. Not with my gyne, but at the situation. I have had terrible periods for years, and finally had an ablation in 2005. That took care of the heavy periods, and I had thought a hyster was avoided. When I found out I had to have a hyster afterall, first I was shocked, then scared, then angry, and then I came to accept it. I was scared to death of the pain of surgery, not really the surgery itself. I ended up having a vertical incision, because the fibroids had grown even more in the six weeks between my gyne visit and the surgery. I was in hospital from Monday to Thursday. I am now two weeks post-op. Although I am still sore, and not moving around too fast, I did come through the surgery fine.
Sorry to be so long, but the bottom line is.........I had fibroids, and the only symptom I had was urinary frequency. I have now had my TAH, and am on the mend. I am not sorry I had the surgery, and look forward to living my life without any further gyne issues!!
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03-16-2009, 03:39 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 135
Hysterectomy: January 7th, 2009
Surgery Type: LAVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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18 week uterus w fibroids
I had a 16 week gestational size uterus so I certainly understand what you are going through. I know it's not the most pleasant experience. I lived with my fibroids, and all that goes with them, for 5 years before I just couldn't take it anymore. However...I had mine Lapro Assisted Total Vaginal. My Dr. said it was a challenge but he did it successfully and I had a very short recovery. I was back at work in 2.5 weeks. I know everyone heals differently and has different circumstances but I think I'd go for a second opinion. You never know...you may get lucky.
I hope every thing works out well for you.
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03-16-2009, 03:48 PM
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Posts: 15,188
Hysterectomy: September 20th, 2004
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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18 week uterus w fibroids
Hi! Welcome to Hyster Sisters.
I also had lots of fibroids -- in fact, over 30. (That's what the pathology report said.... "over 30" -- I guess they stopped counting. ) My uterus was rather enlarged at 15x10x7 cm.
The first thing I'd ask you is this: why exactly are you having the hysterectomy surgery? Fibroids are very common, in fact the majority of women have them during their lifetime. Unless they are causing symptoms (heavy bleeding, pain, etc.) or unless they are pressing on organs or causing other problems, they really don't require treatment.
Here's a great link to the Mayo Clinic website, going into lots of great detail about fibroids: Mayo Clinic article on uterine fibroids This should get you started with some comprehensive information on your condition.
The other thing I would suggest is that you explore other possible treatments for the fibroids (assuming that they are producing symptoms). Are you a candidate for an ablation procedure, or perhaps myomectomy? A myomectomy would remove just the fibroid(s) and retain the uterus.
The size of your uterus isn't necessarily an indicator of problems, either. It can sound very scary to hear "18-week size", but unless you are experiencing problems, you can live with this for a very long time.
Unless your situation is an emergency (and it sounds like yours isn't), you have time to make this decision. Whatever happens, we're behind you every step of the way.
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03-16-2009, 08:29 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 93
Hysterectomy: July 10th, 2009
Ovaries: Undecided
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18 week uterus w fibroids
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Quote: |
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Originally Posted by craftingaddict
derra2009, your situation sounds something like mine. I had gone to pcp for my regular physical in 2007, when he felt my uterus was a little oversized. he ordered an abdominal ultrasound, which showed three fibroids. He sent me to my gyne for a followup. My gyne suggested watching them for 4-6 months, and then re-ultrasound me. When I went back 5 months later, the fibroids had hardly grown at all, so he suggested a "wait and see" approach. At that time, I was about a 12 week uterus size. Sounded good to me!! Then, I went back for my physical in Nov. 2008, and my pcp told me my uterus was "chunky". With Christmas coming, I put off seeing my gyne. When I finally saw him on January 21, I had a uterus that was now 16 weeks size. Before he even did an internal exam, my gyne checked my tummy, saw the size, and told me that the uterus would have to come out. He then did an internal, and couldn't feel either of my ovaries. He said he wanted to do an abdominal hyster, as I have a history of endometriosis as well. He said, at that time, that he would do a horizontal cut. I will admit I was pretty angry. Not with my gyne, but at the situation. I have had terrible periods for years, and finally had an ablation in 2005. That took care of the heavy periods, and I had thought a hyster was avoided. When I found out I had to have a hyster afterall, first I was shocked, then scared, then angry, and then I came to accept it. I was scared to death of the pain of surgery, not really the surgery itself. I ended up having a vertical incision, because the fibroids had grown even more in the six weeks between my gyne visit and the surgery. I was in hospital from Monday to Thursday. I am now two weeks post-op. Although I am still sore, and not moving around too fast, I did come through the surgery fine.
Sorry to be so long, but the bottom line is.........I had fibroids, and the only symptom I had was urinary frequency. I have now had my TAH, and am on the mend. I am not sorry I had the surgery, and look forward to living my life without any further gyne issues!!
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Thanks so much for posting your experience. What you went through is so similar to me, except I'm "only" 16 week size. Only symptom is the urinary urgency, so GYN is "watching". I find your opinions very helpful in my decision about a hyster.
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03-17-2009, 07:28 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 18
Hysterectomy: April 13th, 2009
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18 week uterus w fibroids
Over the past 6 months my periods have gotten heavier and longer. Which is why my PAsent me for the ultrasound. We were thinking I might need ablasion. I had tried going back on low dose bc pills and they did not help.
I am cramping all through the month. I am bloated. I live in the bathroom, lol.
I am miserable and soooo ready to get this over with.
I left work early yesterday and I am actually home from work today because of the pain. I am a bank teller and spend a lot of time on my feet. I am due to start my period at the end of this week.
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03-17-2009, 09:03 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 345
Hysterectomy: March 2nd, 2009
Ovaries: Undecided
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18 week uterus w fibroids
Simba32, glad I could help. I only have my experience to rely on, but am willing to share that with the girls here. Sometimes it helps to know that what you are going through is not some freak of nature. That someone else goes through the same thing. I had been very happy with the results of my ablation, and would have been very happy to just continue that through menopause. However, that didn't work. I have two sisters, both of whom had some issues with heavy periods, and they have both had ablations done. The ablations worked for them as well. Luckily, neither of them have developed fibroids. I am keeping my fingers crossed for them that they don't!!
derra2009, I am sorry you are in such pain. I suffered with endometriosis for years, and I remember how painful my periods were because of that. I hope you will find some answer that you are comfortable with, that will take care of your pains.
Good luck to you both!!
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03-17-2009, 03:45 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 103
Hysterectomy: January 21st, 2009
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18 week uterus w fibroids
Derra2009, you may want to get a second opinion regarding your incision. I had a 24-week sized uterus and my wonderful surgeon used the "roadmap" of a horizontal incision I had from a previous surgery. Regardless of what you and your doctor decide, I wish you well, and can let you know that 8 weeks post-op, I feel like a new woman, and don't regret having a hyster for one second! No awful periods, no getting up in the night to pee, no back or pelvic pain..yippee
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