going for a UAE

I just thought I'd update you all since you were so kind in writing to me QUITE a while back, around the time of my ablation. My bleeding was very under control after the ablation, but the last few months the fibroids have been seeming much bigger, harder, and more obnoxious ALL the time, not just around my period (occasional bladder leakage, constipation, a few twinges of pain if I moved wrong and "tweaked" them). So I've decided to go for a UAE if I'm a candidate. I got a referral from my gynecologist and will have my MRI tonight; after that I'll meet with the radiologist who does the UAEs and find out if and when I get a UAE.

Oh, and the day after I called the gynecologist to ask for a UAE, I started my period 10 days early and now have been bleeding for 12 days straight now (that never happened even before the ablation) - so I guess my body is letting me know that doing something more is the right idea! I've been lurking around on the Yahoo! "embo" newsgroup and it's much like this site - full of good knowledge and personal experience from concerned and informed women. What would we all do without the web?

Wish me luck!
Debbie

Good luck!

I am close in age to you, Debbie.

I also had fibroids. Very large ones. My Drs told me the chance of fibroid regrowth was very high with any less evasive procedures.

I opted for a hyst since I wanted my fibroids (and uterus) outta there. I was a candidate for a lap surgery and I went ahead with that.

I am 9 weeks post-op today and very pleased.

Good luck. You will make the best decisions for yourself.

Hi Debbie,

Best of luck!
I had my UAE in April and so far I am thrilled with results. The heavy bleeding and extreme pain have both disappeared.

It would be helpful to get opinions from two radiologists if that is an option for you.

Keep us posted!

Hi Debbie,

Thought I'd log on tonight just to look for some information. Can't help but come to the option page out of habit. You and I discussed our fibroids 18 months ago!!! I couldn't believe it when I saw your post.
I'm sorry that the ablation didn't hold. Hopefully you'll be a good candidate for the UAE and it will do the trick.
I'm 55 plus now and still have regular periods with all the fibroid symtoms 31 days a month. I've had 3 opinions and they all agreed that if I can just hold on....menopause will come. Ya, sure!
Well Debbie...my fingers are crossed for you...best of luck. Oh, and watch the hemoglobin level.
Hugs
Maralyn

Hi, Maralyn,

I've been wondering if you might still be frequenting the site and might see this post! Sorry to hear you're still in the same boat as before. Yes, my ablation did pretty well but I guess the fibroids are getting bigger. The bleeding is not too bad but seems like it might continue to get worse. I'm not worried about my hemoglobin at this point, though - not enough bleeding for that.

My UAE is tomorrow! (And my hot water heater decided to spring a leak tonight, oh joy. Something to take my mind off the UAE, I guess.) I'll let you all know how it goes.

Thanks for the good wishes -

Debbie

Tomorrow! Wow that's great. I'll check back in a few days to see how you're feeling and how the procedure went. I think you're going to need some luck now with the hot water heater !
My best to you,
Maralyn

Hi, Maralyn,

The hot water is replaced (while I was in the hospital, yay!) and I am feeling very close to back to "normal", whatever that is. I had the embolization on the 1st and went home the afternoon of the 2nd. The first day home I didn't even need much in the way of painkillers; I think the Demerol from my hospital IV wore off around 6 p.m. and I started feeling some cramps, so started in on my Motrin that the radiologist had prescribed. The next day there were more cramps, but still less severe than in the old pre-ablation days. Yesterday (day 3 at home) I felt some body aches like flu in the morning and evening, and a few cramps. Today we went for a 3-mile walk and I feel pretty good. I think I am one of the lucky ones that don't have much pain post-procedure (I did use the pain pump in the recovery room, but after that it was just whatever the IV gave me, and pain level never got above a 2 once I was out of recovery (where it maybe reached 3). I just hope I am as lucky in the results!

Debbie