Questions for those dealing with uterine fibroids

[MSCherokee]

How have you chosen to treat your uterine fibroids?

A quick background - I'm 39, was dxd. with a uterine fibroid at age 28. My OB/GYN at that time recommended a hysterectomy to which I said absolutely not! Her next option for me was an abdominal myomectomy, which would still put me out of commission for 4-6 weeks, even though I had done my research and knew that I could possibly have a laparascopic myomectomy. The option she didn't recommend (the one I chose of course) was a wait and see approach. Since my fibroid is on the outside of my uterus, I've never had *any* problems.

Fast forward to now. 11 years later but my fibroid has continued to grow, albeit slowly. I still have no problems other than an increased feeling of pressure and on occasion, some bladder issues. The main problem I've had here recently is looking like I'm pregnant. LOL It's just uncomfortable and I'm tired of dealing with it.

So, I'm curious to see how others have dealt with fibroids. I'm still ruling out a hysterectomy - I might feel differently if I was older. I've read all about uterine artery embolization but not sure that's the one for me. The one I'm very excited about is the MR guided ultrasound surgery which is done outpatient, there's no incisions to heal and you can resume normal activities in a day. Unfortunately there's not a facility close to me that currently offers that procedure and there's the other issue of getting my insurance to cover it.

I've also ordered a supplement called Fibrovan - I figured it couldn't hurt and might possibly buy me some time.

Any comments and personal experiences are greatly appreciated!

[Shelley]

While I don't have fibroids I did deal with some endometriosis and saw some docs that were experts with fibroids.

Hysterectomy....that ridiculous. More harm than good.

I read the latest treatement is embolization (UAE). Here is a link to a doc that does it on our area. You can read more about it even if he is not in your area.

http://www.fibroids.com/

Now becasue yours in on the outside I dont know if this treatement applies but my understanding is the treatment is very easy to handle.

I have some other thoughts for you but need to run out for a while and will post them later.

[Jo*mar]

Hmm, you'd think they could laser if off or something -
unless it is attached fully along one side vs a small attachment area.
Or inject something to shrink it???

have you seen any imaging of it? { xray or ultra sound}

[Shelley]

An interesting site on the Novasure procedure.

sounds like it is more for small fibroids and heavy bleeding and UAE (the link from above) is for all size fibroids.

http://www.heavybleeding.com/novasure_system.htm

[Shelley]

OK a couple more thoughts.

From some of the reading I have done today its seems like fibroids can be connected to what I will call estrogen dysregulation or hormonal balance problems. Its often referred to as estrogen dominance meaning you have too much estrogen circulating in your body.

Sometimes they use birth control pills or progesterone to control it but sometimes progesterone can contribute to fibroid problems.

Our society is general is over-estrogenated. Its given to the animals and the meats we eat to make them bigger and its in other foods - plants and is called phytoestrogens. I think soy is considered a phytoestrogen. And xenoestrogens which are manmade estrogens in the processed food we eat. Consuming more estrogen than our own body makes contributes to the problem.

The liver metabolizes hormones, estrogen. If the liver is overwhelmed and cannot process all of the estrogen you end up estrogen dominant and many things can happen....fibroids, endometriosis etc.

So you need to help your liver process all this estrogen and bring your hormones back into balance.

I know milk thistle can help with this. Also something called DIM - can also help with hormonal balancing. The reports on DIM shrinking fibroids is not conclusive but I can say it has helped with my estrogen dominance and endometriosis. DIM is supposed to convert estrogen to a healthier form and help the liver metabolize it.

Another version of DIM is indole-3 carbinol. I think it is the precursor to DIM.

I have also read that a vitamin b deficiency can hinder the livers ability to process excess estrogen. the active form of vitamin B6 - pyridoxine B6 should help your body to process the estrogen better. I tried to link some reports on fibroids and B6 vitamins but for some reason I cannot do it.

Hope this helps.

[MSCherokee]

Wow, thanks for all the info! From everything I've read I would most likely be a candidate for UAE. My concern is the negatives I've read - the "stuff" they pump in the veins supplying blood to the fibroid stays in your body forever and can sometimes travel to other organs and cause problems. That does make me nervous. Here's a link to the procedure I'd love to have, but the closest treatment centers to me are about 5 hours away: http://www.uterine-fibroids.org/

I went to the Novasure website but since mine is on the outside I don't think it would be a treatment option for me. :(

I have not had an ultrasound in years as my last OB/GYN was OK with just checking it at my yearly exam. She even said if I want to get pregnant to try. Only if I couldn't get pregnant would we do something about the fibroid. I do have an appointment with a new OB/GYN in a couple of weeks. I'm just hoping she's a little more current on all the treatment options available, especially those less invasive procedures.

I've been on low dose birth control pills for years. I used to take a B vitamin supplement to help with my energy so I think I'll start those up again, along with milk thistle. I've not heard of DIM but I'm off to research it now!

[Shelley]

Oh I remember reading about the MRI guided treatments. Sounds very non invasive. Worth a try.

Some of the reading I did on it suggested that after a while progesterone can make fibroids grow as opposed to help them. Best to ask your gyn what they think about that.

I was on birth control on and off for over 20 years. Its tough to come off and I certainly had some problems with hormonal balancing.

When I finally made a connection to the liver it intrigued me. So I added the B viamins and the DIM. I added the DIM for my endometriosis as well as perimenpause (I am 44) I dont think the DIM will help shrink it but it will help with hormonal balanicng. Caution however I am not sure you should take DIM if you stay on the Birth control pills. It could mess with their efficacy. And if you are trying to get pregnant I am not sure whether DIM is proper. And I just bought some milk thistle so I will let you know how that goes. Make sure to get the B6 vitamin in the pyridoxine form. Easier for the body to use I think. But dont overdo the B vitamins more than the label. It will also take a couple months for it to help I think.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out. :hug::hug:

[Curious]

great thread.

i am sooo looking forward to getting insurance. i have thought i had a fibroid(s) for a few years now. or endo. :(

staying very regular on all my supplements has helped. i do take milk thistle too.

[MSCherokee]

Here's yet another option to add to the collection: http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2002/myomectomies.htm

Back to work within days and back to your normal routine within two weeks - sounds good to me, and best of all the tumor is removed.

[Shelley]

I think that sounds like a great option. Be sure to take that article with you to the doc.

Remember though after its gone you will need to watch your hormones and try to balance otherwsie more could come back if you remain estrogen dominant.

:hug::hug:

[ewizabeth]

I ended up with a hysterectomy at age 42. Mine was inside the uterus and the size of a grapefruit! I had heavy bleeding that wouldn't slow down with pills or D&C (bleeding nearly every day of the month for over a year!) My hemoglobin was at 7 so I was very anemic.

It turned out that I also had ovarian cysts which had given me so much pain over the years. My old OB/GYN did abdominal surgery with a vertical incision. If I had to do it over again I think I'd go to Mayo or a specialist first. But I was exhausted, pale and sick and just wanted it all to stop. That was in 2000. I've been on low dose estrogen ever since and I'm doing ok except for the MS and some other age related health issues.

Good luck with whichever procedure you have done!

[Av8rgirl]

Wiz sounds like me only I had a hysterectomy at age 34. I had several fibroids on my left ovary along with cervical cysts that ended up being malignant. I'd gone through cryosurgery, 2 D&Cs, colposcopy, and nothing was working. I had also been on two different doses of the pill to try to regulate my periods which were constant - I was happy with 3 days off inbetween! I was so anemic that I was taking iron supplements to build up my levels. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper!! I was in constant pain and living on 2400mg of rx Motrin a day.

I had a hysterectomy and the doc also took my left ovary and my appendix (that way if there was ever any pain on my right side, we would know it was my ovary and not my appendix!).

I didn't have any problems until 11 years later when I developed more fibroids. Out came that ovary. Not even a decision I had to think twice about - the pain was more than I could handle.

I have never once regretted the decision. I was healthier within 6 weeks and have never looked back. I am now taking a low dose HRT and am checked twice a year.

Since I am a DES baby, I am high risk for cancer. I've not had any recurrence and am thankful I had a good doctor watching out for me.

We all have to do what's right for us and this was the right choice for me.

There are now more choices for women and most likely less invasive ones. I trusted my doctor to do what was right for me, he and I were very good friends, outside the office. Like I said, I've never regretted the decision and know that I am here today because of him.

[MSCherokee]

Just thought I'd post an update. Had an ultrasound done today and a consultation with my doctor. She said I now have two fibroids, the original is 10cm (about the size of an orange) and the new one is 4 cm (about the size of a golf ball). When she originally examined me she didn't feel I would be a candidate for the robotic assisted myomectomy, but probably the traditional myomectomy. The huge difference is the first procedure is only an overnight hospital stay, 4-5 small incisions and 2-3 weeks off work. The other involves a 5”-6” bikini cut, 2-3 day hospital stay and 4-6 weeks off work. After the ultrasound she was able to get a better idea of the type of fibroids I have (subserosal) and felt confident in recommending the robotic assisted myomectomy. I also started Fibrovan the beginning of June.

Of course, my insurance considers the MR focused ultrasound treatment that I really wanted “experimental” even though it’s been approved since 2004. Basically, unless you’re a wealthy woman, this procedure is still not available to you. :mad:

My husband and I are trying desperately to renovate a house as much as we can afford in order to move in and sell our existing house. Time is of the essence as we are paying double mortgages and everything else and as DH said he can’t pack and move everything by himself and take care of me while I’m recuperating. The doctor suggested I come back in 3 months for a follow-up ultrasound and possibly schedule an MRI/surgery at that time. Hopefully the house situation will be resolved or at the very least we’re moved and I can move forward with surgery.