fibroids + complications = one scared gal!

I'm new to the site, but I feel so blessed to have found it! I'm open to any suggestions and support you can provide, and thank you in advance.

Last February I was diagnosed with 2 fibroid tumors. One is about tennis ball sized, and the other is about golf-ball sized. My symptoms are many: heavy bleeding, prolonged bleeding, cramping, severe migraine headaches, insomnia, problems with urination, and the list goes on. My doctor is very reluctant to do a hysterectomy because of my age. I'm 34 and we have one adopted daughter. I have had 2 heart-breaking miscarriages (one that was second trimester) so having a child naturally is not something we're seeking.

He started my treatment with progesterone. It did nothing for my symptoms, and truthfully, made me angry and moody (not to mention that I gained 13 pounds my first month on that stuff!) Anyway, I didn't last 3 months on that until I was back at the GYN begging for something different.

My next course of treatment was (and still is) Ovcon taken continuously to stop all bleeding. Well, the first couple months it worked like a charm. No bleeding or cramping, but the migraines were still out of control, happening at least 4-8 times a month. After about 90 days, I started spotting, the cramping started again, and my urination problem got much worse (I have to bend in half and apply pressure to my abdomen to pee!) The migraines are so bad, last week I actually lost vision completely in my right eye. Now, how can I possibly be a good mother to my 3-year-old when I can't even depend on feeling human when I get up in the morning? It's getting VERY frustrating!!

I'm going for my OB/GYN appointment today, and I have so many questions which I hope you ladies can also help answer. I can appreciate his apprehension to just go in and remove organs, but I want to make sure that decision is the right one for me. He's not the one living with my symptoms, so I'm not completely convinced he understands the effect they have on myself and my family life. I'm ready to just ask him for a hysterectomy at my appointment today, and if he refuses, then seek other opinions (not to find a doctor who will do it, but just to confirm the first diagnosis). My biggest concern is if we decide to do a hysterectomy, is my life going to be worse after the surgery? Even though my life is a roller coaster now, I don't want to have the surgery and then wish I hadn't done it. I just feel like we're prolonging the inevitable. I'm to the point where living like I have been the past 2 years is more frightening than getting the hysterectomy and working toward recovery. Right now, I feel like there's no end in sight! Please feel free to tell me your experience and advice. Thanks!

Sandy

I don't see why your life would be worse after surgery, unless there are complications and that's rare. The most common reason to have it is to improve your quality of life. For me, that meant no more pain and bladder/bowel problems, and I am very glad I had it done. I hope everything work out for you-best wishes

There are some excellent resources for you to read that can be found in the pre op and post op hints and articles sections. Also some good ones inteh hystersister resource forum. I think a second opinion is always a good suggestion. Also talk to your doctor about how you feel your quality of life is now and ask him specifically what his objections are.

You can find those resources by going to the home page and on the left hand column under the HS mission statement you will find the links to pre op and post op hints and articles. For the HS resource forums go to the far right and click on More Forums and scroll down.

Linda >^..^<

Since you have Fibroids, maybe you can get a Myomectomy (get the fibroids surgically removed) instead of having a hysterectomy? Another possibility is Uterine Artery Emobilization (UAE), which is a minor surgery. In both cases you do have the possiblity of new fibroids growing in, but you would still retain your uterus. In any case, I think a second opinion would be a good idea since your current treatment isn't helping.

I completely understand your frustration...

I tried progesterone & all it did for me is make me gain weight & be moody as **ll...Not a good combo...believe me...

I just sat down & thought about what goods outweighed the evils..and I came to the conclusion that I wanted to be a better Mom, my uterus was standing in my way...making me the Evil Mommie Monster for most of the time...it isnt easy to be fun when you are hurting like nothing....

I applaud you for being an adoptive Mom...that is a wonderful thing you are doing...its a blessing to be anything to a child, espically their Mom...its not just about being pregnant I think...its about being there every day...for the colds, the heartbreaks, and the joys...

I would ask, ask, ask...questions & ask some more!! The more you learn, the more sure you will be of your decision...I will totally support you no matter your decision...but for me it just came down to I love my life more than my uterus...I refuse to let it control my life anymore...

If you need anything, I humbly offer you my services....

I hope it all goes well for you

Hi Sandy,
I am new to this board also. I had a TAH on 10/22/03 for fibroids, I had numerous ones, and was kind of going through the same thing that you are. I finally got to the point were I said to the doctor "Do we really need to wait?" she said no if I didn't want to, we could go ahead and have surgery. So that is what I did, I felt that was the only way I was going to feel better, I kept my ovaries and I am on my 2nd post op week. I don't feel alot of pain, but I am very tired. My advise to you would be go with what your instincts are telling you, they are probably dead on right. Good luck
Sheila

I am 11 days post op and am so glad I did this.
I am 48, but had very similiar symptoms and problems to you for over 7 years. I kept toughing it out, hoping it would get better, but it just got worse. The fibroid grew so big that I had to have a TAH instead of vaginal or laproscopic. That is OK, but I wish I would have done this 5 years ago and saved all of that suffering I did over the years. I have my life back now and I feel great.
Good Luck with your decision.

I love you gals! I've been living in pain in secret and silence for so long, it feels good to get this out! I've always been so upbeat and outgoing, so when I have a bad day with these problems, I feel like I have to hide in my house. I'm heading out the door for the doctor, and I'll report back this afternoon or tomorrow. I have been in such need of this kind of support, THANK YOU! I have fantastic friends and family, but it's so good to know you can talk to people who have already walked this path. Bless you all!

Sandy )