Uterine Fibroids :: My Recovery Experience
Jan 26, 2016
4 days ago I had open abdominal myomectomy resulting in the removal of 22 fibroids i was previously on esmya to reduce the size if them which worked by reducing my womb from 20 weeks to 16 weeks in size.
It took 3hrs I had a epidural also as the anesthetist said it would help reduce blood loss
I'm home now with prescription of tramadol and paracetamol
I have staple like closures feel like Frankenstein bride.
The pain is pretty bad but I'm hopeful I'll be up and better soon.after being suffering for 8years of heavy bleeding iron transfusions pain depression embarrassing accidents.etc
I'll keep you all updated on my recovery..
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I am just over 4 weeks post open myomectomy and was wondering how others have recovered. The scar is still swollen and sore which I expected however at times I get what I can only describe as sharp "stabbing" pains. These seem to be more from inside my body rather than from the scar. Is this normal? I'm not due to see my GP for another week so just wanted to check with others who may have gone through the procedure.
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I had an open myomectomy 7 days ago to remove 7 fibroids. The largest was 14cm and the other 6 were in the ranges of 3-7cm. My surgeon seems to have done an excellent job, thankfully not a vertical cut either which i was dreading but also removed a cyst and endometriosis on one of the ovaries which came as a surprise. I have two concerns:
1. I have no children and aged 40. Has anybody successfully gone onto have a baby after an open myomectomy after the age of 40? If so how long did it take you to get pregnant after the surgery? Was it natural conception or aided by anything? I really need some hope here!
2. Does anyone know if it is normal to experience tight, pulling sensations on the incision? Like muscles contracting and relaxing (without pain)? Is this the uterus trying to heal?
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So I had my myomectomy last weds evening. I was nervous as hell and cried in whilst the anesthetist was tending to me. They gave me an epidural to make me more comfortable and which meant I would need less 'hard' drugs after surgery lol as they didn't want me to take too much morphine Etc.
When I came round they told me my consultant had removed 13 fibroids. I had 14 so I was immediately in my drunken state questioning them as to what she had done with number 14 turns out she left maybe 1-1.5 behind as they were small and she didn't want to risk damaging my uterus.
The next day I felt surprisingly good and wasn't really in any discomfort. I found out this was cos of the epi. I was itching though which is a side effect.
I had some off days generally with trapped wind and a feeling that my tummy was very very tight and being pulled in all directions which wasn't pleasant but it's now day seven after surgery and I'm managing to control the pain with just paracetamol. I refused ibuprofen two days ago as they were giving me gastric pain.
I can't get comfortable that much in bed as my back hurts quite a bit which might be a side effect of the epidural not sure but all in all I'm not too bad. My consultant has been amazing. She was coming to see me most nights in hospital even around 10pm to check on me. She is pleased with all and how it looks and I'm finally back home since last night and am to go back to her in 5 weeks. They told me its a very slowly healing process and I had a BIG op but slowly slowly I'll get there
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On the 18th August it will have been a year since my myomectomy..
In the last year I've gained all the weight I lost in my 5 months of being unable to eat solid food.
I have a couple of questions. Firstly I am still very sensitive above my scar, is that normal?
Secondly, I still get a lot of swelling above the scar even a year on. I know that's to be expected but it quite uncomfortable.
Thirdly obviously where I had lost the weight, that has left my scar very tight where I lost so much much and regained it.
Finally my periods are very heavy again and I frequently get bad back ache (even without PMT). Should I still be getting back ache? ( I was going to have physio but moved house so it's not within the boundary).
Lastly on a different but related note. In May I was 3 months pregnant obviously mentioned my op just in case. Announced to the family etc and that evening began having a miscarriage. After a long time in A&E, a loads of scans telling me I most likely had a fibroid again I was left in a canteen and given 2 paracetamol and lost my baby there. The pain was pretty horrendous and I spent 10 hours in hospital, A&E were good, being moved to gynecology was horrific. Will the NHS ever apologies or have any empathy at all for either scenarios? Just because I am not screaming does not mean I'm not in pain the positive is I have my life back, changed my career and began to get myself fitter. I have made some life changing decisions.
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I had an operation on 21 Nov 2015, this is to share my experience on those people who are nervous as I did before the surgery
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It is 10 days now since I had Open Myomectomy surgery. 32 Fibroids were removed, which surprised me, and I was in hospital for 5 nights. I am now home and getting stronger each day. The days before the surgery were anxious days but at the same time I was looking forward to the sugery and being free from the many symptons that fibroids cause. I had a great surgeon and anathestist and went fully prepared mentally, physically and spiritually for the surgery.
Surgery took 2 hours and remember being brought back to my hospital bed hooked up to IV fluids, catheter, oxygen and equipment on my legs to stop blood clots. Pain was minimal, similar to mild period pain and I was encouraged to use the Morphine pump to manage the pain for 2 days. Morphine did make me feel nauseated which is common. Once I was free from catheter and IVs on day 3 I was encouraged to do my Pelvic exercises and to walk around the hospital corridor. I was given paracetamol and ibuprophen at regular intervals and BP, tempearture and Pulse was moniored on a regular basis, which were all fine. I was encouraged to drink more fluids and had no issues with empyting my bladder or bowels so knew everything was working OK. Getting in and out of bed and sitting up was difficult during the first 5 days but became easier each day. Its amazing how much we rely on our stomach muscles for so many things. Once I was home on Day 6 I started doing very light duties around the house and a 10 minute walk outside plus regular naps whenever I felt fatigue. I can now do 15 minute walks and looking forward to getting stronger each day. I have some swelling around the incision but that is normal at this stage. Will see the surgeon 20 days after my surgery for post-op checks.
Overall my surgery went very well and I am very pleased with the progress I am making. Although Open Myomectomy is major surgery, becasue of the advance in technology, the skills of the surgeon and the excellent pain management and hospital care it is a much easier experience than I thouht it would be.
If you have been told by your consultant that you need Open Myomectomy surgery do not be afraid, focus on the positive aspects of being free of fibroids symptons, read up on the procedure, watch videos of the procedure if your that way inclined, understand the risks, prepare yourself physically and mentally and follow the advice given by your consultant on the aftercare.
I am grateful to God that my surgery went well and I am looking forward to getting back to the gym in dure course and having a better quality of life without fibroids.
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I have not yet had my pre-op as the hospital seem to be slack, I wondered how long after taking esmya do the fibroids start to grow back? If they do? How long after finishing the 3 months course did people have to wait for there op? My period stopped while taking them, will it start again and will it be as heavy as before? My op is just to remove the 2 large fibroids that i have, as i would like to have another child. I am 42, so with time not on my side, you can see why I am getting impatient with the hospital!
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OK, not weight loss exactly, but a reduction in size!
I'm down to have uterine artery embolization this year, but I look at various forums and women have said they've noticed 'a slight reduction'.
I had wished to go back to my usual dress size - naturally this is not a priority for the NHS, which I fully understand, but what is the best procedure to have the 'bulge' completely disappear?
Asked the hospital, but they were quite rude about it all. Is there anyone who's had this procedure done? Did it completely go?
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Has anyone had any reduction in fibroid symptoms after taking esmya for a second course of three months. I have finished a first three month course and still have some pelvic pain. I wondered if it is possible to obtain an improvement with the second course of 3 months if not gained much in the first three months. There will be a 2 month gap in between as advised by the Dr. (They can be used intermittently now and not just prior to surgery).
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I am 31 years old and have been diagnosed with 8cm and 11 cm Fibroids on the outer side of uterus , i am not married yet and but want to have kids at some point. I don't have any harsh symptoms i feel bit of abdomen pain sometimes , i have taken few opinions but doctors really don't advise if i should get them removed or let them stay.
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My fibroid tumor is inside my womb. The doctor could not give me an IUD because of the tumor. It makes me look about 2-3 months pregnant. I just wonder if the Depo shots that my doctor have me on stop it from growing? Can any one tell me if their fibroid grows?
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I'm 45 Been having irregular periods for 2 years but lately I've been bleeding heavy for the past 6 weeks with only 2 short breaks . My GP fast tracked me to see a gynaecologist for a hystography ( I think that's what it was called). And a scan interna. Which detected fibroids don't know how many just that they are the size of smarties!
My stomach is huge and I feel so depressed and tired and have done for a long time. I'm going to go to GP and have it all explained. Trouble is I get married in November and my wedding dress is too tight because if the big tummy . I really need to go back to work tomorrow but I have no energy. Glad I'm not going through this alone as at the moment I feel like a freak!
And I have the other joys of needing tena pads and laxatives!
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Hi all, I am 30years old and recently went an ultrasound scan where they found a "large subserosal fibroid posterior into the right side of the uterine body measuring 7.9 x 8.5 cm." My gp referred me to a specialist and they could not fit me into an appointment for another two weeks. So, of course I made the appointment, but I can not wait for two weeks to know what this means! I was hoping that there might be somebody on here who has had a similar experience with a fibroid of this size and position, that could tell me what options were recommended by their specialist. Is this something which will have to be removed, and if so, is that going to be a procedure which will require bedrest and time off work, or is it a fairly simple outpatient procedure?
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I'm 6 weeks post up and I just had a follow up MRI and the doctor said my fibroids have shrunk 30%!!! My uterus was 24cm before the procedure (2440 cc) and now it's at 17cm (1690 cc) and it will likely continue to shrink for another few months. Even though it's still pretty big and I still have a lot of my symptoms, I'm also so happy than I can cry. This is the first treatment ever that seems to be working for me. In the past 5 years I've tried everything from a myomectomy and fibristal (ulipristal acetate) to various diets and natural remedies, and nothing worked. I feel so grateful right now even though I know that this could be temporary. I highly recommend that you look into it if you haven't yet!
I also have to add that this site has the most wonderful and supportive members. I had a rough recovery and couldn't do it without you. Please continue to post updates!!
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Has anyone had a Hysteroscopic Myomectomy? And what were the results. I have a fibroid that's 4.5cm within my uterus. My problem is I am constantly bleeding and the gyno surgeon suggested myomectomy. He said laparoscopic surgery may not be successful and open abdominal would be the likely option. I did some research and discovered this other non invasive option as I want to have kids so I really only have myomectomy option. The surgeon never suggested Hysteroscopic Myomectomy as another option.....
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I just had surgery done on Fri April first. 4 days ago. Today (will be) Tuesday. What was supposed to be a quick, easy surgery requiring the 3 small holes in the uterus to take out fibroids w possibly an inch incision if they couldnt take it out, they opened up "a can of worms" and had to cut a 6 inch incision horizontal "c-section" at the bikini line to get fibroids and endometriosis taken out while manipulating the bladder and filling the stomach up w gas so they can see everything. Recuperation was originally supposed to be 2 weeks but has been changed to 6 weeks w post follow up in 3 weeks. Can anyone tell me if they have had a similar "procedure" done, what I can expect in the next "6 weeks" and how going back to work will be like. My part time day job-25 hrs a week is an easy non stressful behind the desk answering calls and at the computer. My 40 hr week FT is more physical, working in a laboratory, living heavy items up to 50lbs, LOTS of standing in one place, and if there is sitting, its a stool. Please help me out. I'm 33, 5'5, 123 lbs. I'm not a big girl, but not too skinny either, toned.
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I have had heavy bleeding non-stop for days. My hemoglobin levels are at 10.5 which normal levels would be 12. I turned 40 this year and want to have kids asap. My surgeon said that my fibroid is not so huge 4.5cm and I only have one but its so far back in my uterus that laparoscopy may not be successful and that he will probably make an open abdominal myomectomy. He also said the fibroid would not have prevented pregnancy but it has to be removed to stop my uterus from bleeding. My surgery is in a few days and I'm dreading it.
1. The Dr. said because of my age and heavy bleeding I have slim chances of getting pregnant after myoectomy but he will do his best to avoid damage to my uterus.
2. I have no idea how they can do the surgery with all my heavy bleeding still going on.
3. I have no idea what to expect with open abdominal myomectomy surgery except after reading blogs that the pain is huge.
4. I'm already panicking and the stress factor has hit the roof with me today. I am still heavily bleeding with huge cramps and really bad headaches.
5. I keep thinking to look for another surgeon but this Dr. is the chief surgeon in the gynecological unit of the hospital and I really dont have much choice here as the bleeding has got to stop asap.
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I am 4 weeks post op laparoscopic myomectomy and just started having PMS symptoms 2 days ago (breast tenderness). I've also noticed my belly is bigger/harder and I have more abdominal discomfort. Not completely sure if it's PMS related. I should be getting my period in approx 9 days.
Does anyone have any stories they can share, with PMS symptoms after a myomectomy? Were your symptoms the same prior to surgery? What was different?
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I'm 25 and have 3 uterine fibroids ranging from 4-6 cm in size. Due to extremely heavy bleeding which made me anemic I was put on norethisterone to stop the bleeding until I saw my consultant. She prescribed me esmya which I shall take before I have a myectomy. I was wondering if i do have to wait until I start bleeding again before I take esmya or whether I can swap from the Norethisterone to the esmya straight away?
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I went to a gyno last week to discuss treatment for my 5x7 intramural fibroid which causes me heavy bleeding and sometimes a pressure towards my tailbone.
I was curious about having a embolization but my gyno thought that Esmya would be better for me to start with.
I have so many questions that the gyno couldn't answer (!) so I hope that you who have been on Esmya would like to share your experiences and can help me answer some of them. I am mostly scared of side effects, if it will affect my work, libido etc.
The questions I have for you are the following:
After finishing 3 months on Esmya, how was the bleeding? Was it much lighter after that?
How much did your fibroid/fibroids shrink?
What side effects did you have? Were they transient?
Has anyone been on them for longer than 3 months? If so, did the fibroid continue to shrink?
Will the fibroid stay small and bleeding continue to be less after I finish Esmya? Is it worth taking?
Is it safe? Would you recommend it?
I might add that I'm just turning 40, have to kids and want to avoid having a hysterectomy.
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