Just Found Out I Have Fibroids...

I too had fibroids, as well as endometriosis. If your only symptom is a 2 week period, perhaps consider birth control pills to control the duration of your cycle. Make sure you're not anemic, which is a common problem with lengthy and/or heavy periods. I had my hysterectomy at 50 due to both of the above and a prolapse. But for the prolapse, low dose birth ontrol pills handled the cramping and excessive bleeding quite nicely for over 20 years. I actually didn't know about the fibroids until my 2nd husband and I wanted a child of our own, between us we have 3. A hysterstalpingygram told us there was no chance without major
surgery to clear the fibroids out. My uterus was full of them and my fallopean tubes were completely blocked.
What does your doctor recommend? I understand the large deductable issue as we are mostly out of pocket as well. If you're done having children I would take the most conservative (and least expensive) approach to treatment, which may be no treatment at all.
Good luck!

Hi J.. I too had fibroids (and was trying to get pregnant at the time). I was advised to have them removed.
There is a doctor that I highly recommend up in Palo Alto, His name is Camran Nezhat. He is the BEST!(phone ###-###-####). He removed 8 fibroids laprascopically and I was able to get pregnant (with twins) within months. It is non invasive surgery (all done through your belly button and 2 tiny incisions in the pelvic area) and I had it done at Stanford. He is the best in the U.S. and he does take insurance. I recommend you have a consultation with him. It is hard to find many experts on the Central Coast.
He will give you the best choices/advice.
Best of luck to you!
J.

I don't have any advice really just wondering if you had any cramping. I've been having cramps at the end of my period that still haven't stopped and I feel like something is wrong. Anyway, is there anyone you could ask for help financially if needed? Another option is that most medical bills can be paid over time in smaller chunks. All you have to do is ask and they let you name your monthly payment. Please share what the OB suggests. Take care.

C. o 41 yrs old mom of two 12 and 15 years old. I found out @two months ago i also have a fibroid tumor. I go back for a second ultra sound in august. I can only take aleve a week before my period to try and lighten the bleeding. It's impossible to leave home when on your period. Dr says if he gives me birth control to control the bleeding it will only grow faster. I had my tubes tied but i also won't have a hysterecomy unless it's my last resort. But this is the third time they found fibroids in me. Last two time they were in my cervics. Now on my outer layer of my utereus. I too am scared what can happen i don't have time to get sick. I wsh i were more help.

most women end up with them in life

I have a few, I was diagnosed with my first baby.. I'm pregnant with my 3rd.

Depending on the size depends on the course of action, often they grow and shrink on their own.
Sometimes they actually die, that can be painful but not deadly.

Other then having a heavy period I have no other symptoms though.

J...Please don't fret!!
If you are having "NO" pain, you don't have to do a thing aboout them unless you want to. Simply watch them to see how/if they grow.
After having the procedure where they scrape the lining from the Uterus,(sorry, it's early, can't remember the name) I have been free and clear from a surgery every year to remove Fybroids. I was told I have 2 small ones just sitting there in limbo and we are watching them.
I understand the issue of the bills, as I am self employed, so if you choose, waiting is perfectly normal since they do have the ability to shrink..
Cheer up!

Dear J.,
You just really need to have a heart to heart with your doctor about the severity and location of the fibroids. And then, what is the best thing to do about them. There may be treatment options that you haven't thought of. You aren't in pain, and that's a blessing. Some fibroids can just be left alone and don't cause too much trouble. Only your doctor will be able to say what is necessary. If you think it sounds drastic, seek another opinion. You've got a husband and three little kids. So, ultimately you have to do what is best for your health. Embolization is minimally invasive and basically cuts off the supply that feeds the growth of the fibroid. You don't even have to be knocked out for the procedure. It's my guess and hope, that since you have no pain and your only sympton is bleeding more than normal, they would not want to do anything too agressive as far as treatment at this point.
I've had every surgery, radiographic procedure, hormone therapy, parts removed. You name it. The fibroids were the least of my worries or discomfot. And that was BEFORE I had kids. It's a miracle I have them. It took me 10 years after the first one to get my son, but I consider myself very lucky. So, be thankful that you are not in pain. And I know it's scary, so just be very clear abour your concerns with your doctor and take notes about what he says so you can go over them with your husband when you get back home. I know for me, especially if I am anxious, things said in the doctor office can be a blur, so I write things down. You can have a list of questions ahead of time and jot down the responses to go over once you are home and you've had a chance to relax and think clearly. If your health insurance is through your husband's employment, you can find out when open enrollment is, meaning you may have the opportunity to change to a plan they offer with a lower deductible. So, just look into all of that and I wish you the best of luck.

Hi J.,
The Dr.s found fibroids 11 years ago. I was 37. I knew I wasn't going to have anymore kids, but the whole thing just scared the heck out of me. At first, they were small and I was told I could wait. Well I waited for about 6 months and they got bigger. I ended up having a hysterectomy. I still have my ovaries so no hormone therapy was involved. The surgery nor the recovery time was as bad as I thought it was going to be. I was so glad to no longer have bad periods. They have so many different things that can be done now, I am sure you will make the right decision. Just remember your health is the most important thing. Good Luck

Hi J.. Don't sweat it my friend. I've had them since I was about 17 and I'm almost 37 now. You're very fortunate not to have the cramping. I at times have cramping so bad that I can't get out of bed. I also know that with Fibroids you have clotting during your period. It took us about 2 years to conceive our first son but I don't think they had anything to do with it. Now having a period for 2 weeks seems excessive in my opinion. Has this been a common problem or has it just started recently? Whatever the outcome is from your OBGYN, I would suggest seeking a second opinion. It never hurts. I think you'll be fine and I wish you the best of luck.

T.

Hello:
I went throu that when I turned 40, yes, Doctors , Western Medicine, always want to get you on some kind of Hormone replacement therapy, knowing the dangers of it, the DR gave me 3 month supply of the pill,which I tossed in the garbage when I got home, Chemical hormones will make the fibroids worse and eventyally Drs will suggest to do a hysterosectamy, read dr John Lee's book about it. I went to my chinese medicine Doctor and Acupunturist which help . She also recomended the Natural Progesterone cream, Dr John Lee who wrotte the wonderful book " What you doctor may not tell you about premenopause" strongly recomend it, he also recomends the Natural Progesterone cream, this is the brand I used, you can order it online:
http://www.organicexcellence.com/ you will get the
Natural Progesterone Cream WITHOUT Phytoestrogens

I also strongly recomend the Super Blue Green Algae from this company:
http://www.simplexityhealth.com/
Order the Alpha Sun and the Omega sun, capsules are better than tablets.
This really helped me too, I still take it 10 years after, I l love it!
This really also regulates the hormones and balances your whole body while detoxifying in a gentle way due to the high amount of clorophyl and other components. It's also organic.
it will also give you more energy and boost your inmune sustem.It helped with my mood changes and post menstruation depression, it just went away.
To order here you will need a referral, give them my
ID # 439924 and name H. Guerrero, but they have a 30 day money back guarantee.
You should start slowly one capsule of each a day for a week, 2 capsules the next week and up to 3 if you feel neccesay the 3rd week.

I hope this helps you as much as it helped me
Sincerely
H.

I too was scheduled for the embolization surgery and having periods every 17 days. During the wait time, my doctor placed me on progersterone pills as a pre-surgery procedure. While on the pills for three months, the fibroids and the bleeding symptoms went away. I cancelled the surgery and I feel great. No surgery, no symptoms, and I only needed the progesterone for a short time.

I'm 31 and have three kids and just found out that the cause for my heavy periods is fibroids. I was bleeding for months at a time so heavily I was changing my tampon (and pad, I had to do both) at least once an hour. I was also experiencing cramping and blood clots. Then I started to get yeast infections and bacterial infections all the time from wearing pads/tampons constantly. The doc started me on Depo injections which has lessened the amount I'm bleeding but not the length, oh, and it's made me insane which is a nice side effect. I'm moody, depressed most of the time and my skin has broken out horribly which is not normal for me. With these kind of symptoms I finally decided to try the Novasure (embolization) procedure. I'm definately not ready for a hystorectomy. I'm scheduled for a couple of weeks from now so if you want to know how it ends up going e-mail me.

Sadly, my hubby and I know we wanted one more child. We're looking into foster adoption now as an alternative.

Hi J.
I'm 46 mom of 8 blessings on earth by birth, 2 married into our family, and 6 waiting in heaven. We've homeschooled for 17+ years. Long short I've had my issues with many fertility issues, including fibroids(the reason for 6 miscarriages). As I'm at the end of my childbearing years, what has worked best for me, so as we could maintain our fertility, and not have to give up any inside parts, was to have a D&C. You really are young, and life changes so you're wise to not do anything perminent. Have your thyroid checked. Also negociate your medical bills. We too have had high deductables, and found that when you talk with the finace person, if no response talk directly with the doctor, and they often will give you the rate they're giving your insurance company, let you slow pay. We've always said we'd pay by the end of the year if enough time allowed, because we're in farming and our income isn't monthly like others it all comes at the end of the year
hugs~~K.

I was going to a specialist with my first daughter and during my last trimester they found that I had a couple small fibroids. They said they were golf ball sized-which didn't sound small to me, but I guess that is small. The doctor brought it up and said there was no need to even be concerned. He said they will probably show up with every pregnancy. My husbands moms uterus was full of them and she had to have surgery, but if you only have a few I am sure you are fine, especially if they are small.

Hi J., my sister has had 4 operations for the same thing and we also have a cancer-prone family. I told her to use herbs and lose her abdominal weight. I am not goimg to recommend specific herbs to a stranger but you could consult a qualified herbalist/acupunturist. Good luck, C

Hi J.,
I would definitely recommend hearing what your doctor has to say, as well as consulting an alternative practitioner. Many times balancing hormones naturally can help shrink fibroids. Acupuncture might be helpful. Or addressing it through nutrition and western herbs might also be successful.

It is certainly important to stop bleeding so much as soon as possible, as that is really draining for the body, so you may need to take some action right away--such as hormones,etc, as an emergency measure. Then you can work on it naturally and reduce your dependence on any kind of medication.

Best,
E. Bender, NC, CHN
www.nutritionforthewholefamily.com

Hi J..

I knew I had a pretty large fibroid when I was pregnant with my first child. It grew with pregnancy and shrunk after I delivered, but was always there when I went for my yearly check up. When I had a c-section with my second child (at age 40) the doctor said I have lots of fibroids. My OB-GYN said I don't have to do anything unless they suddenly start growing very large. I've had times where I've had some cramping, which is one of the effects of fibroids, but most of the time I don't even know they are there. Now, at 48, they haven't grown any or given me any problems, so I'm just leaving them as they are. Don't feel like you have to do something unless they are really causing problems for you.

J.,
I have them as well. I didn't even know I had them until I became pregnant and I had a miscarriage. I found this a new OBGYN that told me that the fibroids were not near the uterus and would not harm any pregnancy. So I got pregnant within 6 months of the miscarriage and I had no pain or problems.
The fibroids did grow during the pregnancy. I had 6 and 3 of them got as big as cantalopes, but I didn't even feel them or know they were their. And after I had my son, the fibroids got smaller, I was told that I probably will have heavy periods, but they seem the same and my mother has fibroids as well. My OBGYN said that she didn't recommend surgery to remove the fibroids because it weakens the muscles.
So unless your in pain or they are bothering you, Not sure why you might want to go through theraphy to remove them.

Good Luck

J., i also had some fibroids, and with alot of faith and prayer, when i went back they were gone! I have been dealing with this on and off for the past 5 years or so. The doctor has put me on anti-depressants for the mood swings and sleeping aids for the restless nights and hot flashes, and a multivitamin for the iron replacement (for the cycles i have about every 2 weeks now). I had gone 4 months without a cycle, but you have to go a full year before they consider you memopausal. Hormones are not an option for me due to my age and our family cancer risk, i'm not willing to chance it. There is a procedure they told me about that is like an iud that stops the bleeding. It is also not an option for me, because i do not have insurance. So i am "riding it out". Good luck to you, keep the faith, all things are possible with god! God bless you.