Fibroid Embolization Experiences? Has It Worked? Recommendations
Jan 10, 2016
I have a 6x6 cm fibroid which causes me heavy bleeding and pressure symptoms.
I will be seeing a doctor in two weeks to discuss treatment options as I refuse hysterectomy.
I'm 39 with no children.
I've been reading about embolization and would really like to get in touch with other women who have done this procedure. Has it worked for you? Has your bleeding (and life!) gone back to normal? Has your fibroid shrunk, if so by how much? How was the pain? Do you recommend embolization?
View 61 Replies
Advertisement
I would like to know about anyone who is six months post op. Just to know if it worked and if you lost any weight and got rid of heavy periods and anemia.
I would like to lose at least 22 1bs as I feel it's Fiboriod weight.
View 12 Replies
A little background first, I was originally diagnosed with fibroids around 8 years ago(age 30). I expected it as every woman in my family has had a hysterectomy. My only symptom was a slightly heavier period and the final straw was the last 2 periods that lasted around 2 weeks each. I had so many small ones that my gyno couldn't tell me how many there were so I opted for a myomectomy. Procedure went great - incision at the bikini line. Everything was fine until 4 years ago, my new gyno told me that they were growing again. I knew that this was a possibility but as I wasn't having any symptoms, I chose to leave them be. A year ago, they experienced a serious growth spirt and I began having issues extremely heavy bleeding, long periods, severe iron deficiency, tiredness, and last but not least the protruding stomach. Of course, she wanted me to have a hysterectomy and again I said no. I have/had 3 large ones an a ton of small ones. My stomach was so big that she said that I would have to be completely cut open from above the belly button down to my original incision and I believe that I looked to be 4-5 months pregnant. I couldn't stomach that so I tried a few home remedies. Black strap molasses - couldn't stomach the stuff. Castor oil packs and ACV - I didn't stick with that long enough to notice any benefit. Essaic tea and progesterone cream did help slow down the heavy cycles and made cycle-time bearable again. I tried serrapeptase enzyme for a short time but not long enough to see any benefit or even to feel as if it was helping. No I don't want any more children but I still refuse to have a hysterectomy.
In January 2016, I had an UFE. I guess that it was successful as I really haven't had a heavy cycle yet but I have a couple of questions that my male doctors can't really answer.
My stomach has gone down slightly but not enough to be noticeable. I actually measured before and after the procedure to check for any results. I know that it's vanity but I miss my flat stomach. I know that this procedure does not shrink them 100% but is there anyone 4-6 months or so out, that can provide any type of information about the long term results? Also, the leg where they "plugged up" my artery, every now and then, it still feels "weird". Is that normal?
Would trying natural remedies now actually help? I started taking serrapeptase again recently and I do workout regularly(cardio & strength training). I try to drink plenty of filtered water. My diet consists of a mix of 75% organic/mostly natural foods with the rest being the "bad" stuff. I do drink coffee and alcohol on a regular basis. I'm trying to limit dairy and am struggling for my morning latte. I do eat a bit of cheese but other than that, I'm not a big dairy fan.
I'm just looking for ways to continue to get these things out of my life without settling for a hysterectomy.
Anyone have any ideas or have you tried anything that seems helpful?
View 4 Replies
Especially after an ablation? They are recommending that a few months after the ablation
View 4 Replies
Just thought I would post an update I'm 4 weeks post op. For the 1st 3 weeks I was bleeding on and off now it seems to have stopped. So hopefully next period will be normal. My stomach is so much better as well I no longer feel bloated it's also getting flatter not much but definitely there. Still have low energy but hopeful that will go as time goes on. My leg aches a bit when I walk my dog but it's gradually getting easier. Overall though really happy and I would recommend this procedure to anyone. Much better than a Hysterectomy
View 5 Replies
I'm now 11 weeks post op. I have got my energy back so something is going right. Periods are heavy but not flooding last one was 18th March so I'm hoping the next one is gonna be at least 2 weeks off. Had a twinge of pain this morning but it went. There is definitely shrinkage on my tummy area but it gets bloated back to size when I am due a period. It's a lot better though as before the op I could not eat properly if I did my stomach would really hurt for ages after and bloat so much that I felt like I would burst. I would definitely recommend this op to anyone as its better than having a total hysterectomy where they take out the womb cervix and ovaries.
View 3 Replies
Hi all not good today GP refusing to give me Iron tablets even though I feel very tired. Says I am not low on Iron. Read online though that some docs don't even check the iron levels just the blood count. GP is ringing me tomorrow morning so I will ask her if my iron level has been checked (if it's below 50 then I am lacking iron) Feel really tired. If they don't give them me I will self medicate I don't care. You can get iron tablets from the pound shop. I'm so angry with the surgery.
View 3 Replies
Has anyone else had foul smelling vaginal discharge following UFE? At my wits end with my GP and not sure what to do next.
Had my UFE 2 weeks ago, recovery was tough the first week but much improved by the end of the second week. Then came the smelly discharge. I'd had discharge for weeks prior to the procedure and was told this was nothing to worry about. I knew discharge would continue for several weeks after the procedure, however, i wasn't prepared for the smell.
Most women who've undergone UFE experience discharge (fibroids breaking down apparently, lasts for months) no one mentions offensive smelling discharge. I can't be the only one. It's really bad - I smell like rotting meat!
I know offensive discharge is one of symptoms of infection, but I don't have any other symptoms - no fever, high temperature etc. (although did feel feverish, with mild temperature for 2 days) Saw my GP earlier in the week, and she dismissed the idea of infection (swab test was negative for BV etc). I requested a 2nd test as this smell can't be normal - I get those results next week.
My worry is GP is testing/looking for the wrong type of infection. She hasn't ordered a blood test which is apparently more accurate in determining uterine infection?
I have multiple fibroids and my MRI showed one had undergone cystic degeneration - is it possible the UFE has escalated degeneration and the consequence is mild infection?
Has anyone else experienced this?
I can't get GP to take me seriously - she won't even prescribe antibiotics as a precaution. Can't get follow up appointment with my gynea due to some admin error (means my case file is between consultants - don't ask), so will have to wait until the new year until that's sorted.
View 23 Replies
I am now 3 weeks post op and already Things are getting better. The constant period has gone. I feel less bloated and I'm even not getting up as often in the night to pee. The only things left now are the tiredness and the ache in my right leg. I used to walk the dog for an hour every day now I manage half an hour. I can't physically go any further. Other than that I feel great so glad I had this done.
View 2 Replies
I had a UFE 2 weeks ago and I'm getting either a fever or hot flushes but not sure which it is. I have no other signs of Menopause. When I had zoladex injections I had very bad hot flushes this feels different. Not sure if I can have a test done to see as my procedure could have put me into Menopause.
So do I wait till I have fully recovered or get a test done. Wondered if anyone else had this after UFE I'm 49 years old.
View 11 Replies
I'm a 30-year old woman with three medium-large uterine fibroids. At the time of my last ultrasound (July 2013), my uterus was at the size of about 14 weeks. I have another ultrasound coming up at the end of this month but, given how much I can now see/feel my fibroids when lying on my back, I suspect that they've grown.
I'm weighing my different treatment options, and I'm currently leaning toward uterine artery embolization. Has anyone out there undergone this treatment? What was your experience with it?
View 2 Replies
I am 4 weeks post op and have started getting a fever again. I dont have the shivers and I don't feel sick or have the discharge (which I did when I got an infection 2 weeks post op). And I have had 2 heavy periods since I left hospital so can't be menopause.
I had an infection 2 weeks post op but I had all the symptoms then not just one ( although the fever feels the same) I have felt very tired today as well. I'm just deciding if j should go to the GP again and get checked. Wondered if anyone else has had this. I'm thinking it's the Fibroid dying cos I am seeing a reduction in my stomach today that I never expected to see this quick. So maybe it will just pass.
View 1 Replies
I wanted to ask if anyone who had large fibroid pregnancy belly found the belly button pops out . Mine has and I really hate it. I never had children so don't know these things. The question is if my fibroid continues to shrink will my belly button go back in when the fibroid shrinks enough?
View 1 Replies
I am 6 weeks post op on Monday for UFE. The thing is I have just vomited ( sorry if this is TMI) I wonder if anyone else has had this. It has happened once before I am seeing GP on Monday so I will mention it.
View 7 Replies
3 months post UFE. Good news no pain bad news still on bulky towels. I now have to have a more detailed blood test so I can have iron tablets. Hello Docs still very heavy flow chance of iron deficient very high. I wondered if anyone else on here still had heavy periods 3 months post op UFE And if they did then did the bleeding go normal months 4 5 or 6. Cos I'm beginning to lose hope that this has worked. Don't get me wrong I'm better now than pre op but nowhere near enough.
View 4 Replies
I'm 15 days post op. I had heavy bleeding when I left hospital which lasted a few days then stopped. Then yesterday I started bleeding again it's not as heavy as pre op but heavy enough. I wondered if anyone experienced this post op
View 1 Replies
I am 3 weeks post op. And I still have pain in my right buttock as I walk. I know we are all different but I wondered if anyone else experienced this and if they did how long after post op did it last?. Getting worried cos I found something online that listed leg pain as a complication of UAE. But another said its normal and will go in time (whatever that means)
View 1 Replies
I was wondering if anyone else had pain. It's on the right hand side of my bikini line and is very painful.
View 6 Replies
I am 11 weeks post op. Yesterday I started with pain on both sides of my Bikini line still got it today now the pain is really bad. Since UFE I have had these pains but only when I am on a period. This time there is no bleeding my last period was 2 weeks ago and the previous one was 2 weeks early. I had UFE done Jan 18. January and February periods where heavy but a month apart. This is the first time I have had the pain without the period wonder if anyone else has had this. Gonna get some pain relief of GP just wanted to know if this is normal.
View 6 Replies
I just had a fibroid embolization 21/2 weeks ago. My body temp is definitely off I get chills but then Ill get a hot flash mostly during the night. Im having a severe pain on my lower left side that wraps around to lower back. Flu like symptoms for sure. Im 46 and generally very active I work out. But I haven't even worked out because Im not sleeping the best during the night. Does anyone know what this lower left pain could be?
View 5 Replies
I am now 12 weeks post op. I am due my period on Friday but I started with light bleeding yesterday and today I am waiting to see if the bleeding gets heavier. At least it's nearly 4 weeks since the last period. I got some Mefenamic Acid to take if I get pain which I have done since the op on both sides of my bikini line when I have period . Pre op I used get bad pain in my stomach. My tummy was shrinking but now I'm at period it's blown up again. Doctor won't give me iron tablets now cos my blood test states that I don't need them. I don't understand this cos I was falling asleep in the afternoon without them so can't be bothered arguing with them so just buy them myself now ( I have been taking over the counter ones since I was refused them last week on prescription. How can my iron level be normal when I still have the heavy bleeding that causes the Anemia?
View 1 Replies
