I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids last year. I had three of them, one the size of a grapefruit. I had the surgery and all went well although I don't do pain medication well at all and therefore, had to spend an extra day in the hospital. I thought I was having a reoccurrence about six months ago. Call me crazy, but I lost the extra twelve pounds I was carrying around (I'm only 5'2", small boned, so that is a substantial amount for me), and my fibroid symptoms have virtually disappeared. I also found meditation has helped me immensely.
I am 52 and still have not gone through menopause. When I had the fibroids, I thought I would bleed to death each month. Now although my periods are different, and seem to last a little longer, they are normal enough and I only have one every other month now. I don’t take any hormones but have noticed I am having a few hot mini-spa moments.
Has there ever been any study done on being overweight and developing fibroids I wonder? Tami
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54 with a fibroid that has grown. I had an MRI and CA125(normal). First doctor wanted to do a total hysterectomy. Second doctor- wanted to remove uterus and cervis, but would leave ovaries. Both kept mentioning it MIGHT be cancer. Finally, I saw a third doctor that specializes in fibroids and the Da Vinci robotic. He is the only doctor that knew how to read the MRI for fibriods and ordered additional blood work to screen out for cancer. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find a doctor who has a primary practice with fibroids too many are general GYN surgeon and practice what they learned iback in Medical School. If you are in the New York area- look up Dr. Pitter at Hackensack Hospital. I am scheduling my surgery next month to remove my 11cm by 7cm fibroid and not my uterus. Surgery with Da Vinci robot is a 24 hour hospital stay and 10 day recovery.
October 15, 2009 - 7:06pmThis Comment
Interesting on your recovery time. I did stay one extra day in the hospital but once out of the hospital, i was back to normal after a couple of days. Ten says seems long to me but everyone is different. It should be interesting to see how our new health care system treats these types of surgeries since they are not elective as far as the patient is concerned and are recommended by their doctors but health care companies still view them as such.
October 16, 2009 - 7:46amThis Comment
No problem. Thanks so much for your response. I am still considering options. Have you had any pain since having the surgery?
May 18, 2009 - 10:10amThis Comment
No pain at all. I do think I have some more in there somewhere but since I am showing symptoms of menopause, i will just let nature take its course now. I did my surgery through Dr. Neil at Scottsdale North on Shea. He was awesome and I would recommend him. Very informative and answered all my questions.
May 18, 2009 - 2:23pmThis Comment
Joanna - I was moving at the time you sent this an never noticed I had not responded. I apologize. You may have already found out everything you need to know but in my case, the medication lasted two full days before I stared feeling like I could at least crawl out of that hospital bed. Since I am in my 50s, fertility was not a discussion point with me so you may want to check on that and also I had had my tubes tied 10 years prior to the fibroid surgery. My sister has them also and she just went in for an IUD to control her bleeding. Tami
May 17, 2009 - 4:22pmThis Comment
Thanks for the article. I am figuring you had a UFE? Did your doctor address the fertility issues with that? What was your total recovery time from the medication?
July 16, 2008 - 1:33pmThis Comment
I have fibroids. I don't need surgery right now, but I am interested in learning more about your surgery. Can you tell me more about it? Thanks.
July 7, 2008 - 10:19amThis Comment
Here is a great article. It is a much better alternative to have the embolization surgery than the big "H" surgery. It is minimally invasive compared to a hysterectomy. I was in the hospital for two days but some women stay for only one and it really had to do with my recovery from the medication and not the procedure. You may be more drug tolerant than I was. Tami
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/01/050104113222.htm
July 16, 2008 - 11:54amThis Comment
Hi Tami, Thanks for sharing your story. To answer your question, yes .... there is evidence that being overweight can contribute to fibroids. In fact, for very heavy women, the risk is two to three times greater than average. Also, red meat and excessive alcohol consumption seem to increase a woman's risk for fibroids. For more, visit this link.
July 7, 2008 - 8:56amThis Comment