questions on fibroids...reasons

Hello - I "joined" this board when I learned I was getting a hystorectomy because of fibroids. Surgery is not until Dec., so I'm ok for now with those questions

However, being diagnosed with the fibroids in late September, and over the past couple of weeks, I've gained 10 pounds (doing NOTHING different) and I feel/look pregnant...my tummy seems to be where I've gaind the weight. I also am feeling the constant pressure and urge to pee. Could fibroids grow THAT fast and can they cause that type of weight gain?? I'm going to call my doc, but now, it's bothering me and thought I'd ask. I never had fibroids before...thank you! Kim

The answer to that in my case was a definite YES they can! Towards the end my lower belly was huge and I had to visit the restroom every half hour.

I've heard fibroids kind of "feed" off estrogen so monthly hormone flucuations can change the size of them also. Don't know if that's true or not but I swear I could tell a difference.

Good luck in your upcoming surgery and this is the best place to come to for any and all questions!

I had the same thing happen everytime I go to the doctor I'm up 3 or more pounds I'm up like 15 pounds since they found the fibroid back in May...I look pregnant...more so up top because the fibroid is behind my uterous and is crushing my other organs upwards. I feel like I have something stuck under my right rib cage just like when I was pregnant. And after my surgical biopsy she took a portion of it for testing and though we could do a TVH and then only 1 month later and it was so big she couldn't even find my cervix at all...I don't understand why all the weight gain and pregnany look etc...I do know my doctor said my hormones were feeding it.

I don't remember the weight gain numbers but my big uterine mass grew a lot right before surgery. When they did the ultrasound in mid July, they projected it at just over grapefruit-sized but, 3 weeks later, at the time of surgery, it was soccer ball-sized. The end result was that my incision ended up being larger than expected because they had a hard time getting it out.

Yes, I was peeing every 30 to 60 minutes before surgery. Now, most nights, I can go all night without a bathroom visit (or at most, once).

Thanks to all who replied..glad to see it's not my imagination! I have a call into my doctor and the nurse said she might require another ultrasound. If that's the case (that it's growing), why would they just move up the surgery? It seems like there could be complications if they waited! Plus, I'm a little vain - I liked my prior weight loss!

hello peeps i have not been on for ages but thought i would peek in, my fibroid was humungous and grew at quite a rate, i think it sensed its days were numbered. now 6 months post op i feel fab and almost never think about the op which i was obsessed with before hand. i do hope though that you do not hesitate to see your dr and keep them up to date with how you feel both emotionally and physically so they can reassure you face to face good luck and take care of yourself.

Had to laugh at that Kaz..'it sensed its days were numbered'.lol.

I have started to refer to my fibroid as a separate being, even started rubbing my belly like I used to when I was pregnant.It really has taken on a life of its own..

Kim, I had a scan in July and they said my fibroid was about 10cm, but now I can feel and see it - weird. I realised I had a problem when I started getting urinary infections, with dramatic flu like symptoms, because of the pressure on bits and pieces - and now I get light headed. Hard to believe that something can grow that quickly, but I'm sure mine has.

I sympathise with your feelings about your figure, may seem a bit vain, but worked quite hard to keep a flat tum..that's not happening now..

Interested to know more about what's behind your nickname..

New Year new start?

When I was first diagnosed in April of last year,it was only 5.5 inches but when removed this February,it weighed in at 4 pounds-Thank goodness it's gone