Thanks for having such a great resource! I have known about my fibroids for years, but it has recently become an issue. About 3 or 4 months ago, my bleeding, pain and fatigue became much worse than it has been (pretty bad for all of my "cycled" life, but bad enough starting a couple years ago that it led me to asking about sugery and an ultrasound). I started taking Lysteda around that time, 1.5 years ago, but stopped after it reduced efficacy and the clots were insanity-size. It worked at first, but no longer has any effect and everything is way worse than it was.
These days I feel incredibly bloated - huge. Bathroom breaks. But oh man, the fatigue is incredibly frustrating (I can barely make it through workout classes I breezed through a few months ago, feel the need for naps every day) - pretty much impacting life 24/7. And a few days out of the month I feel pretty much housebound - flooding, clots. And I get the odd shooting pain in that general area, and horrid cramping at times.
Between the ultrasound 1.5 years ago, and my MRI taken a month ago, showed that the cubic dimensions of my fibroids grew 50% and my uterus has doubled in size - 100% bigger. Explaining the recent issues! I reckon most of the growth has likely occurred in the past few months, if the symptoms are an indicator. My largest fibroid is now 9cm, I have two fibroids both at 6cm and one at 3cm - in addition to a bunch of smaller ones.
I know it's time to get something done, and I have an appointment with fibroid specialists at Stanford soon for a consultation on options. I think they're keen on UAE, as they sent me a video to watch on it prior to my appointment (and as their video says most women qualify, I figure chances are that's what I'll be told). I'm lucky to also be close to Halt medical (and a doctor that does Acessa), only 20 minutes away, so I am contacting them for a consultation too. I think I should probably get a less-biased third opinion from someone else, but not sure if that's overkill since my upcoming appt is with three doctors reviewing my case. My gyn a few years ago, after reviewing my ultrasound, indicated hysterectomy was probably my only option (and gave reasons why myo and UAE wouldn't work for me), but she may have been wrong and I'm about to get new opinions on the matter anyway.
I've read some other threads here about Acessa, I'd love to hear more about it if anyone has investigated it further. I'm concerned about the procedure being so new, not having the long-term data (etc). What are others' thoughts about the "newness" of this procedure. I guess we have to start somewhere, huh, but not sure I'm totally keen about being an early adopter with something like this and my hypochondriac-ism
Acessa, as a procedure, is the most attractive to me. If I qualify I think it's worth considering, but my biggest concern is how it is "unproven", being approved by FDA as an option only this year... will something crazy happen in my body in 5 years? Will the radiowaves trigger a worse side-effect down the road? Is it a difficult procedure for the doctor, who won't have as much experience doing this (and I only have a choice of one guy in my area)? What about fibroids growing back - more or less of a chance than UAE? UAE freaks me out, big time (the edge cases of the beads travelling to other parts of the body... wow.) Plus the number of anecdotes about it not working out, and women going back for a hyst. But I have the option of a very experienced set of doctors at a really well known facility.
I'm a worry wart and a hypochondriac (much worse after watching my dad die of pancreatic cancer) - for example, the contrast solution for my MRI brought tears to my eyes due to the panic (yet had to hold my breath for 30 seconds while mid-panic!) And that was *nothing*! My MRI freaked me out more than my LEEP, I guess due to the needles. So doing something so much more dramatic seems like an impending nightmare.
I'm open to whatever is best. I'm not concerned about fertility, but am very concerned about hormone imbalance (don't want HRT). I'm north of 35, have PCOS too and the fibroids and don't have a strong (any?) maternal drive - not that I figure I'd be able to get pregnant anyway. I reckon I have estrogen dominance (oddly, I started a low-carb diet around the time my symptoms became worse - and have since learned I am eating a lot of the wrong things, estrogen wise).
I'd like to be done with the problems forever. I want to get these fibroids causing my estrogen imbalance gone, forever. But then, I'm a hypochondriac - all of it scares me immensely, and less invasive sounds better. But fibroids increase estrogen, and estrogen causes cancer. So there's that - I really don't want these fibroids sticking around or growing back causing these estrogen-related problems.
Any feedback ... much appreciated. Thanks for this great resource.
Sorry for the long rambling post!
Acessa vs UAE, a hypochondriac with fibroids first post (UPDATED)
I don't have personal experience with Acessa or UAE, but wanted to offer some support. You are wise to investigate your options so thoroughly, I commend you for that. Getting info and additional opinions can help you make the right decision for you, and ease your mind about it. There are no perfect solutions so it's a matter of sorting out what seems best for you, based on expert advice. It can be anxiety provoking for anyone, that's a normal reaction. I hope you get the info you need to make a decision right for you. 
