Not sure how things will go...birth control pills for fibroids

Last month, I went to the gyno with symptoms that I could no longer ignore. Heavy bleeding, pelvic floor pain, severe cramps....I had not been in 10 years (I know, I know) My symptoms had actually started about 2 years ago but have now gotten to the point that I couldn't take it anymore.

So he did all the tests-which came back normal. He did an ultrasound and found that I have fibroids. We talked about it and he scheduled me for a TSH for the 26th of this month. All was well until yesterday when I get called over to my supervisors desk so we can "talk". I find out that I have to take a week without any pay before my short term disability will start. With my part to the doctor and the co-pay on the insurance and then missing a 40hr week of pay-Finacially I can't handle it. So, I have had to cancel my surgery.

So, I call this morning to cancel it and the nurse tells me that I can come in and she will have 4 months worth of birth control pills waiting for me up front and when to start them. I was told when we were discussing my options at my appointment that the pills could make my symptoms less than what they are now but it could cause the fibroids to grow.

With all of this...have you tried birth control pills as a way to help you until you get into a position to have the surgery. Did it cause your fibroids to grow? How long have you been on them?

Thanks for listening,
Carla

I have many similar symptoms. I have had heavy painful periods with clotting for many years, and added 5 days of nausea last month. Two years ago I tried a series of BCP of various strengths and formulas to control my periods. Not only did the BCP not relieve my symptoms, I was WACKO! Rage, depression, uncontrolled weeping. I almost quit my job when a co-worker hurt my feelings! Anyway, my doctor thinks that hysterectomy is a reasonable option. I am concerned about HRT especially after my experience with BCP. I have had clean pap and no fibroids so that was not issue for me. I have spoken with other women who found great relief of symptoms from BCP, but certainly was not my experience.

there are hormones that you can take to ease yioru symptoms that will help the reduction of the size of the fibroids. good luck here is a link to help with a lot of info.
hugs
lisa
fibroid

Thanks CWolf and Lisa

Hi Carla
I am in a similar position as you. Recently diagnosed with fibroids and carefully considering my options. hysterectomy was a suggested treatment option for me also, along with BCP, Lupron, Uterine Fibroid Embolization, progesterone etc. Has UFE been mentioned at all by your Dr? It is less invasive than hysterectomy with about a 10 day recovery time.

I just went on 10/16 for a consultation with an interventional radiologist in Boston to see if I am a candidate for this procedure. Had a pelvic MRI this morning so I should know soon if he thinks this will work for me.

SOme of the other options I've already ruled out...Lupron doesn't seem to be a good choice...can only use for 6 months then all symptoms will come back once it is stopped. I am only 38 so I have a while before menopause kicks in. Progesterone....I have read about the PMS side effects of that and to be honest, I have pretty bad PMS to begin with. I do not need that to get worse! Hysterectomy is pretty much a last resort for me.

I am not fully convinced that I want to go with UFE, but thought I'd just see if it would even be possible. I may try BCP in the mean time so I'm looking for answers in regards to BCP helping with fibroid problems too.

Good luck...it isn't easy is it?

No, UFE wasn't mentioned to me. I was given 3 choices during my visit. #1 go on the pill or have a NovaRing put in. #2 Have my uterus filled with a substance and basically killed (it was dramatic in the explanation-so we moved quickly past that one) - It sounded too painful(!) and #3 have a hysterectomy. I opted for the hysterectomy because as it was put to me that I wouldn't be able to make it to menopause because of all the pain, bleeding, etc. without having to have one.

Thanks for listening!
Carla

The UFE is what your #2 optio is -- it basically caturizes the uterine lining. but if you have fibroids -- it really is not recommended from the research that I did. Talk to your dr about all options again.

I also had a one week period where the disbility did not pay but was able to take vacation pay during that week. Having short term disability is helping us -- but for us will be a small christmas -- as we willb e catching up on the bills for the 6 weeks that I was off.

It is a tough desicion -- been there done that -- one thing to think about is -- if you use some of the delay tatics -- like BCP - UFE- IUD -- and then you do not have a job or insurance -- and have to pay for it all yourself down the road -- would you do better to lose that one week now -- or struggle even worse later.

That was why I had mine now -- I have decent insurance -- I have short term disability -- i have a job to go back to --
one year or 5 years down the road -- I may not have those things.

It is a tough desicion -- good luck as you sort it all out.

best wishes.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by thediamondlady The UFE is what your #2 optio is -- it basically caturizes the uterine lining. but if you have fibroids -- it really is not recommended from the research that I did. Talk to your dr about all options again. I also had a one week period where the disbility did not pay but was able to take vacation pay during that week. Having short term disability is helping us -- but for us will be a small christmas -- as we willb e catching up on the bills for the 6 weeks that I was off. It is a tough desicion -- been there done that -- one thing to think about is -- if you use some of the delay tatics -- like BCP - UFE- IUD -- and then you do not have a job or insurance -- and have to pay for it all yourself down the road -- would you do better to lose that one week now -- or struggle even worse later. That was why I had mine now -- I have decent insurance -- I have short term disability -- i have a job to go back to -- one year or 5 years down the road -- I may not have those things. It is a tough desicion -- good luck as you sort it all out. best wishes.

UFE is not where they cauterize the lining of your uterus...that is endometrial ablation. UFE is where they inject small particles through your femoral artery that block the blood flow that feeds the fibroid so it can no longer survive. It will then start to shrink away.

thanks for the correction --
Iguess my doctor confused me when she was talking all the options.

I took BCPs for about six or seven years before the hyst because of really really bad bleeding. If I took them continuously, it suppressed my periods completely.

I finally got to a point where doc and I felt I needed to stop: not quite menopausal at 53 years old (mom was 56 when finally it stopped), started having high blood pressure at age 50, cholesterol also too high, and a strong family history of heart trouble, so she referred me to an OB/GYN to evaluate for hyst.

BCPs can buy you time before you need to make the decision to go with surgery, if your age and health permits. There are low-dose versions for older women, but even those are not safe if you smoke. It is always a risk vs benefits thing.