3 1/2 months post UFE

ok I said I would be back after I had my 3 month post MRI from my UFE treatment. The results showed all fibroids dead and a 30 percent shrinkage at 3 months.

Some of good things I can now hold my bladder for hours instead of looking to run to the bathroom every 15 minutes, My stomach was not to big the size of a 6 to eight week pregnancy has also started to shrink.
No periods the one period I did have they think it was a fibroid releasing it's junk as it was light bleeding for one day with a grey discharge. I have been able to resume all my excercise routines such as walking a couple miles everyday and working out in my gym.

The not so great part after UFE no periods has meant I suddenly feel very warm I even will sweat a bit. My sleep has been all over the place if I take tylenol PM I am out cold lol... but this is a bit annoying as I find myself up at 4am sometimes. I may be one of the few women in their early fortys that has perhap lapsed into a menopause type state from the UFE.
Also wanted to note Vjay dryness. lubricants never used them before, now being intimate I alway use them. One of the things the IRs do not do a good job of explaining is ocassionally you will have a watery discharge mine is like yellow it is normal but a pantyliner for the next year is my best friend as this discharge can happen at anytime it is usually very light not a problem but they make it sound like you will have that for only 3 months not true as long as that fibroid shrinks it can release this at anytime.

I have noticed too I have pain on my left lower pelvic region that comes and goes and my bladder will ocasionally act up as if I need to use the restroom.
The fibroids were pushing on the bladder before UFE treatment maybe it is irritating to my bladder now that they are shrinking this comes on out of the blue then disapears as fast as it came not to bad but just a pain.

I just like to update how I am doig after my UFE and will update again in a few months, and yes if I had a chance to do UFE all over again I would it has changed my life for the good.Hope this helps anyone considering UFE for firbroids.
Best Regards,
Lise

Hi lise

Thanks for the UFE update & I look forward to another good progress report in the future!!

Thanks for the timely info Lise.

I am 45 and considering UFE as an alternative to hyster. I meet with the radiologist in a couple of weeks. I was surfing the site for UFE info because before I embark on a journer I need concrete evidence that people are not worse off after enbarking on the same journey than when they started.

Wishing you an awesome recovery.

Did you determine if you were going into early menopause? I met with an IR in 2007 to see if I was a candidate for UFE. HE told me that MOST of his patients over 40 have gone into menopause within 2 years of having a UFE.
He also said that is the case with most pelvic procedures and that he does not understand why doctors won't tell women that.
I've put off having anything done because I have not had horrific periods.
I have a lot of bulk symptoms now (lower back pain, bladder pressure, stress incontinence), which are leading me to seriously consider LSH.

Hi XenaJada.

It turned out that I didn't need the hyster or any treatment after all. I think my gyn was in it for money. But I had been warned of the potential for early onset of menopause due to my age but at the time I felt it was okay if I am able to keep an organ intact. For me then, it was the less of two evils. Looking back gives me a sinking feeling in my stomach because if I'd listened to my gyn I'd be without my uterus and it was not the problem at all. I got a host of other problems, but not there. I am so grateful for this site! I just shudder to think "What if..."

Take care and have a good weekend.

GOOD FOR YOU!
I have been putting off having any procedure since learning in 2006 that I have fibroids. I had a pelvic MRI in May and the image is scary to me.

My obgyn was saying hyst or UFE from day one, but I'm not allowing him to do the hyst. He is a great gyn, but he does very few surgical procedures. I want someone who has done MANY!

Hi XenaJada.

I totally agree with you about the experience part. I was talking to a high school friend whom I haven't seen in 30+ years. She was thrown into menopause by her gyn when she was 31. I just found out when she told me she never had children. She said the doctor was too inexperienced but he did the surgery on her anyway. He took her uterus outside of her while it was still attached to her and laid it on her stomach for the surgery on it (according to her). He then removed the fibroids she had, then 'repaired' her uterus and put it back inside of her. He left one ovary but it stopped working. She said he told her she'd be able to concieve but a short time later she became symptomatic for menopause, went to a new doctor, a female I think, and found out she was in full blown menopause. She's been on HRT since then and she's now 46. I thoutht it was an awful experience but she is doing pretty well with it now that time has passed.

Wrote all of that to tell you that youj are making a very very wise decision.

Take care.