Question:
Female question re:fibroids

Had an endometrial ablation 3 yrs ago for heavy periods. Well, it worked for a while but now periods are starting to become a problem again, the cramping is really bad! Anyway, the NP that did my exam last week said that my uterus was the size of an 8-10 wk pregnancy. I go in for an ultrasound on the 13th and I guess Ill find out if Im having a hysterectomy or not. What was your experience with them? Can they really be this painful or am I a wimp, cause I was pretty much taking the Tylenol like it was candy yesterday and I tried to call the doc for something a little stronger but she never called back. Oh, I am 4 years postop and almost 3 years postop for my tummy tuck :)    — Kris T. (posted on June 27, 2007)

June 27, 2007
Did you continue to have periods after the ablation? I`m 3 years out and had it done and have never had a period since. I cramp when my body "thinks" its that time but not as bad as before I had it done. So no your not a wimp ! the cramps can put you to your knees, I would keep at your DR for something stronger ( I took vicadon es) and it helped alot. Hope this helps some. Debbie
   — bsweetie

June 27, 2007
Hi Im having major problems too with the fibroids and all first they asked me to consider a hysterectomy(partial) and then suggested i go see if i am a candidate for the uterine fibroid embolism(UFE) i am _thank GoD!!! my uterus is 16 weeks enlarged i'm pre-op and i am going to wait for awhile Is that an option for you? Carla
   — MsGriff07

June 27, 2007
Hi Kris, thanks for writing. I had a hysterectomy a few years before I had my rny surgery. They can remove your uterus through your vaginal area. It feels like you gave birth when you go home (you are asleep for the surgery), but they can remove in vaginally. I don't know if the wls surgery or your tt will affect the decision to do a vaginal extraction, but I would fight for the vaginal extraction if you can. Also, I tell everyone that asks about a hyst to think very long about removal of your ovaries. They love to remove those puppies, but one of the best health decisions I ever made for myself was keeping mine. I told them that if there is no reason to remove them, no disease or cysts, leave them alone. They did, and I am still, almost 5 years post hyst surgery not in need of harmone therepy. If you have them removed, you will be on harmones (mares urine, yes mares urine) for the rest of your life or until you can deal with menopause on your own. Do the research and keep your ovaries if you have nothing wrong with them. I did not have fibroids, but had a condition called adnomiosis. My uterus was the size of a 4 month pregnancy, but they were very able to extract it from my vaginal cavity. Now, keep in mind that I have 3 children, and all of them were almost 10 pounds each, so I had big babies, which made for a vaginal cavity that could take that type of extraction. I you had c sections, or if you had small babies, that may also change how they do the surgery. Regarding pain, if you can do wls, you can do a hyst. The cramping and discomfort you have gone through is worse than the overall recovery. You will be rid of those things forever, which is nice in the long run. Take care, Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

June 27, 2007
Yes edmo is very painful I had a hysterecomy and then about 5 years later the ovaries. With endo it can still be an issues after the surgeries depending on how bad it is it can be all over the pelvic wall not just the uterus. Basically what my Doctor told me is it is just like a scar tissue it attaches to surrounding tissue and the it pulls and tugs at it. He had to go in and detach it from my bladder kidney etc. But he also said he did not want to do it unless absolutely nessecary because it comes back as fast as you cut it out and you build more scar tissue where the surgery is, I am also told he feeds off hormones. so if the do the hysterectomy they will most likely not replace the hormones that it feeds off of , but this is a million variables possible the body is so complex and everyone has a difference story different outcomes. I hope they find what the issue is , fix it and be healthy and painfree that is my prayer for you.
   — DonnaB.

June 28, 2007
My fibroids were so painful i wound up having a hysterectomy. You are not a wuss; it feels like childbirth. My fibroids were throughtout the uterus, in the wall, etc, so I had no choice. Discuss it with your doctor.
   — Novashannon

June 28, 2007
Kris they can be extremely painful, you are not a wimp. Mine had grown through the uterine wall and was attatched the my colon. I remember being unable to walk up right. Be careful with the tylenot. No more that 4000 mg per 24 hours. I hope you Doc gets back to you with some more effective pain reliever. Try heating pads, warm baths..Hope you feel better soon. Jenn
   — JennLucasRN

June 28, 2007
Kris they can be extremely painful, you are not a wimp. Mine had grown through the uterine wall and was attatched the my colon. I remember being unable to walk up right. Be careful with the tylenol. No more that 4000 mg per 24 hours. I hope you Doc gets back to you with some more effective pain reliever. Try heating pads, warm baths..Hope you feel better soon. Jenn
   — JennLucasRN

June 28, 2007
Hello, this is the original poster here. Thanks for all the responses. My Drs office finally called back today and gave me a script for some Vicodin. If I wind up having surgery hopefully I can either have it done vaginally like one poster said or have it done laparoscopically like my aunt did a short time ago, I would probably be in the hosp overnight and recovery time would only be a couple of weeks, but I dont know, Ive had a lot of abdominal surgeries and Im thinking that there might be a lot of scar tissue. I guess Ill cross that bridge if I come to it. I just dont want to be out of work for a long time, but if it means no more bleeding or cramping Ill do what I have to do. Anyway thanks for all of your responses and Ill keep you all posted about what happens next. Take care:)
   — Kris T.