Post Menopausal Fibroids

Hello HysterSisters!!! I was happy to find you all and in the last couple of hours have learned a lot! So, first off, thank you!

I am 53 (as of a few days ago). I had my female exam about 10 days ago and my Dr. said, "I think you have fibroids, lets do an ultrasound."

Well fast forward to my ultrasound. The tech who started it was a orientee. She couldn't visualize anything, got her trainer/orienter. She also couldn't visualize, despite the fact that she applied a LOT of pressure. This meant I had to have a vaginal ultrasound.

She asked why I was having the exam, I told her "My Dr. thinks I have fibroids". Her comment was, "I think you do too."

Well it was interesting as she was talking to the person she was training the entire time. "See, all along there is fibroid tissue, there are the areas that are affected. there are several large fi.....".

She stopped suddenly, realizing I was listening, of course.

I said, "Well, it sounds like my Dr. was right."

She gave me the "Remember, I'm not a Dr. speech," and told me, "I can't say if you have a problem, as I can't make a diagnosis." Yada, yada, yada.

She then started asking me if I had heavy periods. I told her I had before they stopped. She then asked if I had back pain with my cycles. I told her extreme at times, but doesn't everyone?

She then made the comment that she was surprised I could have gotten out of bed during my cycle? So of course I came home and started looking things up.

I have been telling my Dr., that I can't urinate well and am having urgency, which I've never had prior. I told her I felt pressure against my bladder and that it wasn't uncommon for me to have constipation problems, that were getting worse with time. Now I see that these problems are common with fibroids. I also have the tummy fluff! Sometimes it is painful!!

Now a couple of questions please!! I go back to the Dr. Aug. 9. Since I already know my diagnosis (insert a smilie hitting their head v-8 style here), I am wondering if the exams can cause pain? Since I had my Dr. appt and now my ultrasound, I am having quite a lot of abdominal pain.
Can the pressure applied during exams and ultrasounds cause increased abdominal pain?

I know I sound crazy here, but I am also swelling more since then. My bladder feels like I am 9 months pregnant with no room, so it is pushed up against my abdomen! Also, my umbilicus is off center, to the right. I guess it's trying to find room to hang out, since my bladder is in the way.

Is any of this normal? Or is it more in my head? Hum, wait, maybe I don't want an answer to the last question!

I promise not to be so long winded in the future, but wanted to give the background for my questions. Thanks everyone!!!

Hi shortiemetoo,

Let me tell you that you came to the right place for fibroid issues. I'm 46 and have had several US, some vaginal, some not. The last one I had to check for fibroids and their size I had to drink tons of water (you know the spill--no pun intended), then have the US, then relieve myself, and then they went vaginal. If I do the full bladder type I get a good level of discomfort afterwards for about six hours or so, and I learned the other day that the bladder can become a pill when aggravated. I went running and by the time I got to the trail I had a full bladder. I had nowhere to relieve myself so I ran just over 3.5 miles with a full bladder. I was very sore in my abdomen for two days! I kept checking for blood in the urine but none came so I didn't go in to the doc, but let me tell you...I felt like I was bleeding inside! Compared to the running incident, I've never had that long of discomfort from any US (except one) but I think it depends on the size and location of your fibroid/s, sometimes the number of fibroids, and you can't rule out that you had an US tech-in-training. Something else to consider... Did she allow you to insert the US wand into the vagina or did she do it herself? I always insert it myself so that I can find the vaginal opening for her and I also have some control over how far the darn thing goes LOL. I had one tech who couldn't 'find' my left ovary a few years ago and she nearly beat my cervix and left abdomen to death! From that one I had bad cramping, but others haven't been too bad.

Hope that helps.

It helped a LOT and I can't thank you enough!! I have a lot of swelling against my bladder and you described it perfectly when you used the word aggravated!

I also thought I would experience bleeding, due to the discomfort level, but none here either!!

Thank you again, so much!! And you are also correct about the tech in training, but she was gentle! The actual tech was a bit brutal!

Well, got a letter from my Dr yesterday, while on my way to work:

Dear Ms Xxxxxx,

I have received a report on your pelvic ultrasound. It shows you have severe fibroids of your uterus. It is likely that if these are causing you distress, you will need a hysterectomy for removal of your fibroids. I believe that this identifies the uterine masses which I palpated on your pelvic exam on 7/9/10. Please make an appointment and come in so that we may discuss treatment face-to-face.

Yours truly,

signed by doctor

I then got a copy of my ultrasound report this morning that states, there is no normal appearing endometrial tissue present and that one hypoechoic mass is at least 6.9 cm in the fundus. Neither ovary could be visualized.

Called the clinic office, which is huge. Clerk asked my name and date of birth. I told her I have an appointment August 9. Her response, come in tomorrow morning at 9:30. I will admit, this is making me somewhat nervous!

Hi shortiemetoo.

You seem to have a good doctor to get such a prompt turnaround because whether the 'masses' are benign or not you want to deal with it quickly. We often do think the worst when something like this happens to us personally, but as one who seems to have these benign growths just 'pop up', it may simply be nothing significant. The positive is that you don't have to worry about it very long and the quick response provides the doctor the opportunity to confirm that those "...uterine masses...palpated on your pelvic exam..." are what they are suspected to be. I have a tumor in my right breast and it's benign but when I had to have the initial biopsy they sent me to the surgeon yesterday just in case it was something more. It's a good doctor to err on the side of caution.

Having gone through a similar situation with my breast, I know that telling you to not worry is not even an option at this point because you will regardless, but I will tell you that I will pray that it's nothing significant although today it is to be concerned about. You also want to have your questions handy so that you can get all the answers that you need to make you more comfortable with the decision you have to make about your health. You may even decide to get a second opinion based on what is presented to you, so just take it as it comes for the moment.

Hugs to you and please keep us posted.

Hello Crunches1,

Thank you SO much for your calming words of wisdom! I am so sorry you had to go through such a scare with your breast biopsy. I am so happy for you that all turned out well!

I'm just happy I only have to wait until tomorrow at this point. Luckily I will have a built in second opinion, as my MD is a general practitioner and I will have to see an OB/GYN surgeon before anything can happen!

Thank you so much for your response! (((Hugs))))

Had the follow up at my doctors today. He referred me to a surgeon (OB/GYN), appt on August 25th. Stated I may have a lot of things clear up after surgery, that I may not even associate with my fibroids. Very interesting to say the least.

Hi shortiemetoo.

It seems that your doctor has determined that your problems are exclusively gynecological??? Did s/he tell you what those things that need to be cleared up are...endo issues...bladder issues...damage to other organs from the fibroids...did he say? On any note you are seeing a gyn and can proceed from there if you need the care of a particular specialist. I have prayed for you and remain hopeful that it all turns out for your best health so that you have a full and happy life.

Keep us posted on your progress and have a restful weekend.

Hugs to you.

Thank you so much! II have problems with urinary urgency and inability to urinate at times. I can feel my bladder against my abdomen as if it really squished in there.

I am also experiencing a lot of back pain, which he states is where one of my fibroids is sitting. They seem to be affecting my bowel routine (to try and put it nicely) also.

He said that I may be having other problems also, that I don't think about or realize, that can clear up if the fibroids are removed, or if I have a hysterectomy.

I am looking forward to meeting with the ob/gyn as I feel it will give me a good chance to explore options and ask questions.

Thank you so much for your prayers and good wishes!!

((((Hugs)))))