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very large fibroid
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04-24-2004, 12:19 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 79
Hysterectomy: February 4th, 2005
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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very large fibroid
I am very new to this site and wanted to know if anyone out there can share their experiences w/large fibroids and your Dr. suggesting surgery? My fibroid is about 5-6 month size (haven't been given a fruit name yet) or about 12-13-cm. I don't really have major symptoms other than bloating especially around my period. I am almost 50 and assume I will be approaching menopause soon (no symptoms yet). I have read that they shrink after menopause, but my new gyno says it will not be enough and thinks I should have surgery. Any comments? Thanks so much.
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04-24-2004, 05:09 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 184
Hysterectomy: April 27th, 2004
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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very large fibroid
I also have a very large fibroid. Went in for my annual on March 5 and he said I might be looking at surgery and scheduled an ultrasound my uterus at that time was at about 22 week size. I think the ultrasound woke it up. Where it was slowly growing it seems to have really taken off. It appears to be filling my whole abdominal cavity and is really high (from my hairline to bottom of my bra. I look 8 1/2 months pregnant. It's hard to catch a full breath. It is now pressing on my bladder (I stay close to a bathroom) and feel it too. I am miserable and Tuesday can not come soon enough.
I wish I had scheduled surgery March 5. Because of the size he did not think menopause would shrink it enough to help.
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04-24-2004, 07:55 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 18
Hysterectomy: May 11th, 2004
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
Ovaries: Undecided
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large fibroids
Hi Walley,
Your situation sounds a lot like mine. I have 3 fibroids, one huge 10 cm one and a uterus that's like a 4-5 month pregnancy. Luckily, I have not had any of the bladder concerns or pain like some other poor souls. My doctor said however, my uterus is
up to my chin!
So...I want to take care of this before I begin to have any other problems associated with these 3 growing masses. And, you're right, they do supposedly shrink with the onset of menopause, however, maybe by about 1/3.
I carefully weighed the possibility of a myomectomy, removal of only the fibroids, with the total abdominal hysterectomy. Both will be a 6 week recovery, major surgery. And, why keep the nasty thing around any longer for future complications. So....my "evil
uterus" is going, along with my ovaries if they're not healthy on 5-11. Like everyone has mentioned, once you make up your mind,it's as if a weight has been lifted.
Good Luck with your fibroids.
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04-24-2004, 08:03 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 30
Hysterectomy:
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Large fibroids
I have several large fibroids, too. I have pressure (bowling ball) on my bladder, and pain during sex and when I rise from a sitting position.
I had an embolization last August, after my former gynecologist suggested a hysterectomy or a myomectomy. Well, the embolization was extremely painful and didn't work. At my six month follow-up ultrasound, not only was there a "Slight" reduction in tumor sizes, but another was discovered.
My new gynecologist suggested a hysterectomy or a myomectomy. Not wanting to lose my fertility and not wanting to compromise my sexual responses in any way whatsoever AND not wanting to lose uterus (Too emotional about that) I've decided to get a myomectomy.
The doctor has to perform an abdominal because of the tumors growing outside my uterus; they're in the abdominal cavity.
I will be 41 when I have the surgery on June 4th. This has been a difficult decision for me. But I want to preserve my fertility, keep my uterus, and not compromise my sexual responses. This is the only route for me unless, of course, a life threatening condition is discovered.
Remarks about the tumors growing back have been discussed. My mother started menapause in her mid-40's. And my doctor said there's a 33% percent chance new ones will grow. So I'll cross that bridge when I get there. It's been hard enough coming to this decision without worrying about what's down the road.
It seems to me like female problems are a big business, and most of the gynecologist tend to lean towards hysterectomies.
Best of luck to you in making your decision.
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04-24-2004, 10:09 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 70
Hysterectomy: May 21st, 2004
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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very large fibroid
I sympathize I have 2 "dinner plate" ( doctor's words) size fibroids one is blocking my bladder and one is playing heck with my bowel....I can't wait until the "aliens" are evicted!
reeni
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04-24-2004, 10:27 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 554
Hysterectomy: April 5th, 2004
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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15 cm!
My biggest fibroid had grown from 6 cm. at my last annual exam in August to 15 cm. in April! My gyno. had recommended uterine fibroid embolization, but I waited too long and the fibroids got too big. I had a TAH on Apr. 5th and came home from the hosp. 2 days later feeling better than I'd felt in months, if not years! I have had a very remarkable recovery--I've been back at work for a week already (dr.'s OK) with no problems. I just have to get plenty of rest--I try to take a nap every day after school.
You might want to get a 2nd opinion. I can understand both perspectives--You're close to menopause, and the reduction in Estrogen should help, but if they're too big they may not shrink enough. Thing is, you say you're not really having symptoms aside from period-related bloating...and that should be over soon anyway. I certainly had an excellent experience with my hysterectomy, but it is major surgery and nothing to rush into unless it is really necessary.
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05-14-2004, 05:10 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 4
Hysterectomy:
Surgery Type: TAH/SAH
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very large fibroid
I have several very large, huge, big fruit ,35 week uterus size fibroids. Some outside the uterus, but my only symptoms are pressure and frequency usually just before my period. Many doctors are pressuring me to have the hyst. However I am almost 49 and feel I may have some shrinkage at menopause.
I was told TAH was my only option due to the size and locations.
I have been reading and researching these things since the 1980's and feel there are too many risk and complications of hysterectomy for someone to take who is without major symptoms.
I have been told of sooo many things that "can happen" as a result of these fibroids that it is scary.
This is the hardest decision of my life, but i'm still watchful waiting.
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05-14-2004, 07:42 PM
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Posts: 4,793
Hysterectomy: April 22nd, 2004
Surgery Type: LSH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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To: Wally
I too had large fibroids. When my 1st doctor diagnosed them and said I would probably need a TAH, I felt like a truck ran over. Oh...wait a minute...that would have felt better!!
My 2nd "opinion" Dr. recommended a laparoscopic surgery after doing (3) months of lupron shots to shrink my fibroids. I had a 70% chance it would work and I jumped on it!!
I am three weeks post-op now and I am very happy with my surgery results!!!!!!
I can just suggest researching alternative methods that do not include removal of the uterus (myomectomy, UFE) and those that do (TAH, LAVH and a LSH).
I thought my life had ended when I was given the news of my fibroids and a possible hysterectomy.
The truth?? My life has just started again being in post-op. Being fibroid free is a wonderul feeling!!
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05-15-2004, 07:26 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 41
Hysterectomy: April 11th, 2003
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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very large fibroid
My doctor informed me I was not a candidate for myomectomy because there would be nothing left of my uterus by the time he got done taking them all out. They were inside, in the walls, hanging off the walls on the outside, etc. And he found more on the back when he went in, that he couldn't see in the sonogram or exam.
I was 48 and not planning anymore children. I was showing no signs of starting menopause so waiting was not an option. In way too much pain to wait around for something like lupron to work.
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05-15-2004, 12:27 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 47
Hysterectomy: April 26th, 2004
Surgery Type: LSH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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very large fibroid
I too had large fibroids (3 or 4 "grapefruits); I watched them for years. Finally, after a 3-month heavy bleed, to the point I was so anemic the surgery was almost cancelled, I had a subtotal abd. hyster on 4/26, after consults with various doctors about all kinds of alternative treatments. My uterus, which looked quite like a large lovely ball (the surgeon took a polaroid) on its removal, weighed 1783 grams (about 4 pounds). I'm almost 3 weeks post-op and I feel better and better with each passing day. I'm looking forward to regaining the energy I had 10 years ago--I can see it coming! Good luckwith your decision.
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