Fibroids: please help

Hi I'm new, and would really appreciate some help. I'm 46 years old and have no children, living in UK. I've had fibroids for 13 years but they didnt cause any problems, until a few months ago when began having agonizing lower pelvic pain and constipation. Ultrasound and ct scan showed a large mass which the consultant gynaecologist thinks may be fibroids or a fibroid which has prolapsed. They don't think there is any evidence of cancer but can't rule it out. They want to do a hysterectomy as soon as possible. I am distraught, can't stop crying and can't cope and never will cope with a hysterectomy, for emotional and psychological reaons. I asked him to do a myomectomy and he said he would try but there was a 90 per cent chance of failure and would probably end up doing a hysterectomy anyway. He said he would leave in my cervix and ovaries, as I am premenopausal. I went to my GP and he has referred me to a consultant at another hospital for a second opinion. I am on the verge of refusing any surgery because I am so traumatised by this, by my consultant said the mass is so large it is dangerous and could cut off blood supply. I've found this forum inspiring and hope you can help.

bellarina -

This is so devastating when the news is unexpected and unwanted. It is very good that you are seeking a second opinion.

You are in a great forum for input and you have found a great site for support. You may want to find a counsellor to help your emotional state. I kow my counsellor was very beneficial in helping me to come to grips with the emotional side of this.

Sending

G.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by bellarina I went to my GP and he has referred me to a consultant at another hospital for a second opinion.

Dear bellarina:

Getting a second opinion will give you a chance to hear more about the options that may be available for you. Be sure to write down any questions you have for the doctor.

I hope you are able to find the right answers soon. I am sending huge cyberhugs

Thanks for the hugs. Has anyone had a myomectomy and do you know if they are successful for large fibroids, or does success depend on where the fibroids are located.

B xx

It is good that you are getting a second opinion. Sometimes things happen that we can't avoid. Just weight out all your options. Best wishes to you!

second opinion will certainly ease your mind; other than heavy periods and low iron count i didn't have substantial symptoms either;

i had myomectomy last week and they removed 11 fibroids; uterus was previously 20-22 wk size; i'm 41 with no children and didn't really want to make a final decision at this moment; i'm off the prescription meds and feel that i made the right decision for me; now i'm learning to do nothing and heal properly; that's another story....

honestly, i have friends who have had myomectomies and the fibroids came back, and i have others for whom they never came back;

no doubt it is a big decision; spend a lot of time on this website and do a lot of reading; as you gather more info, you'll feel more in control and it will still be emotional, but less so;

in the end, whatever you feel most comfortable with is what you should go with;

lastly, my doc did tell me that even though i wanted a myo he had to schedule the surgery as a hyster; apparently this is common place, as i've been told this is what is done in case they get inside and see something that is unexpected; i have a good doc and we had a conversation in which i let him know that unless it's life threatening, remove the fibroids and patch up what's left. i let him know if it was life threatening remove the uterus and leave everything else;

turns out the fibroids weren't all where he thought they were, and the surgery was a little lengthy, but he didn't steer me wrong and got all of them out;

get a second opinion, find a doc you trust, do some reading, lean on friends and remember to BREATHE!

bellarina,

Welcome to the forum! I'm in the UK and new here too, so you're not alone.

In July, I was told I had a 16 week uterus and had fibroids.. the gynae said a hysterectomy was the best option, as the fibroids were too big and numerous to perform myomectomy. He also said my cervix would have to be removed, due to a large fibroid in this location.

I'm 39 (just) and haven't had children but have never intended to have a family, so it wasn't devasting in this sense...

Still, I did feel a bit emotional at the thought of the surgery. I opted to 'wait and see'...

However, since July, other complications have forced me to reconsider and I'm now hoping to have a hysterectomy very soon.

I'm worried for many reasons but in honesty, I'll be more relieved when it's over!

Seeking some counselling is a great idea as it may well help you to consider all your fears and confront those things which are making you panic.

Best of luck with your decision...I hope you're feeling a little more grounded soon!

If you are 46years old I suggest you research the (LAVH) surgery. It is less time to heal and less pain. Dont wait for the waiting period can be dangerous if it is beginning to effect you organs. My sons aunt on his fathers side passed away in July 1988, because she did not have the surgery due to her husbands advice. Please take care of yourself for the procedure is not that bad..... I myself had a lavh on september 8th 2009 it was the best thing I could have done, I had uterine fibroids and was in sooo much pain when I came on my period. I dont know if your familiar with the always pads in the purple pack, but those are the ones I had to wear. I am sorry lavh stands for laproscopy assisted vaginal hysterectomy.

Take Care

Thanks for info on myomectomy, charmed. Glad all went well for you.

Hi, Bellarina,

I am 43, with one child (8), and I had a myomectomy in 2002. Goodness, I had a fruit basket in there--a melon, an apple, and a bunch of walnuts (they had gotten even larger when I was pregnant the year before). The pain from the fibroids was TERRIBLE. I did natural childbirth (no medications), and it was nothing compared to the fibroid pain. I really felt like I was going to die.

We did a myomectomy because I was only 36 then and thought I may have more kids (not, by choice). I got 2 opinions and read tons of stuff. My doctor is great, and I still go to him. He did say there is always a small chance that there will be a complication and a myo will end up being a hystero, but that it was uncommon. Still, he felt like he should tell me all about the pluses and minuses.

I saw them--they were ugly things. The doctor got a kick out of that! I stayed 2 nights in the hospital. I did not drive for 2 weeks. No complications except part of my incision was slow to heal (probably because I "overdid it"). I was back at work in 2 weeks, but still took it easy for another 2 weeks. I am very glad I had it done. The fibroids stayed away for about 6 years; then, as I had known was possible, they started coming back, albeit smaller.

Myomectomy does require more surgical skill than hysterectomy because it is basically a re-sectioning of your uterus. The fibroids are cut out, and your uterus is stitched back together (I know that's a rough explanation, but I'm not a surgeon).

I would say, if you want to keep your uterus (without fibroids), myomectomy would be a good option. Again, do what you feel is right for you. Realize the fibroids may come back, BUT it may be several years. And it may not happen at all. I can completely understand not wanting to have a hysterectomy if you are not ready to do so.

Good luck to you; I love the UK! I've been there several times (Wales is my favorite), and it's just a wonderful place! Please keep us posted--I am happy to answer any questions I can.

Dee in Georgia, USA