Fibroid Question

[greenThumbs]

Hi ladies.  First I would like to send thoughts and prayers out to those of you having surgery tomorrow and those on the RS speedy recoveries.

I am curious.  It seems many people are going into surgery for removal of cysts.  How many have had surgery for fibroid removal?  I may have asked a similar question earlier but I don't remember.  I still have not made a decision in regards to surgery.  I am scheduled and all but since this whole ordeal has started I have been for the most part symptom free.  A little while ago though I did have some stabbing pains in the pelvic area so I guess something is still going on there.  My CT scan was approx 4 weeks before the abdominal u/s and transvaginal.  The CT scan was what detected the ovarian cysts, so they were still there 4 weeks later.  In about 2 weeks it will be 6 weeks since the transvaginal.  I am going to request another abdominal u/s as I would like to know what is going on with the complex cyst.  If it has resolved then the big question becomes what to do about the fibroids.  I think my biggest question is assuming the fibroids continue to grow (I am 38), is it possible that doing nothing could result in HAVING to have a hysterectomy later if they get to large?

[Gatsby]

One thing that I do know is that fibroids do shrink after menopause.  Are you able and willing to wait until then?  I ask this because this is what my mother did.  She had grapefruit sized fibroids but refused to have surgery.  Now that she has gone through menopause, they have shrunk to about nothing!  She has no problems at all.  It is something to think about.
~Tascha

[AnotherKatie]

That can sometimes be a personal decision. Some women fight to hang onto their uterus, as the fibroids shrink after menopause. Some women make hanging onto it a career! It comes down to, can you put up with the heavy periods, clotting, discomfort, pressure on the bowel, etc.  Fibroids are not life threatening and I believe, on their own, they are not a good enough reason for hysterectomy. Only my opinion, which you've been lucky enough to hear from me previously  ha ha
It is very heartening to me that somebody is exploring all their options.  I have followed your posts, and I think you are doing a great job. If my only problem had been fibroids, I would not have had the hyster, but my remaining ovary was not healthy.
Best of luck, Katie

[greenThumbs]

I guess my concern is that I want to get 10 years down the road and because I did not have them removed now I end up having to have a hysterectomy or something.  Can fibroids cause damage to the tubes and ovaries as they grow?

[greenThumbs]

I am currently scheduled just to have the fibroids removed and leave everything else in tact.  I know that I am probably asking the impossible and that is what is the worst that could happen if I do not have the fibroids taken care of now.  Sometimes it is really bummer having an analytical mind.  LOL

[cip]

For a cyst and fibroids, I was recommended to have a hysterectomy. I was told that by three docs. The fourth doc told me that about 40% of women had fibroids - my cyst resolved on its own. I had no surgery and am happy I made this decision. I am 52, not menopausal yet. I went to a seminar that said Reishi mushrooms help resolve fibroids, so I have been taking Reishi mushroom capsules for a few months. I think it is up to the individual, in terms of what they want to do, and/or put up with. For me, I found that using a little Progesterone 500 cream if I start bleeding uncontrollably (which has happened) has worked. I prefer to go with whatever is least invasive, but that's me......

[Debdsk8gld]

I had a dozon or so fibroids, and went through month after month of stabbing pains.  The pain was so bad during my cycle it hurt to stand up sraight.  My harmone levels were checked and I was not even close to going throught menopause.  During all my tests, and exams a large complex cyst was found on my ovary.  Since it was suggested that I get the left ovary removed due to the mass/cyst I went ahead and had a hystercomy.  I decided that my quality of life would be much better without the pain.  I couldn't living with the fibroids another 10 or so years.  You have to decide if you will be better with or without your uterus.

[AnotherKatie]

I personally have never, ever heard of fibroids damaging tubes and ovaries. I have heard of women with quite large fibroids who are fine. Some women become anemic from the bleeding. Green I think you are doing the correct thing and fortunate that you getting the fibroids attended to.
Are you having them treated with with artery embolization? or myomectomy?
Katie

[greenThumbs]

Thank you all.  I guess I have more thinking to do.

[greenThumbs]

Having a myomectomy via laparotomy.  I asked my gyn why laparotomy and one of the fibroids is located in the lower segment and it will easier to get to.  She mentioned that there are some major uterine viens or arteries in that area and a laparotomy I take it would give more visibility in that region.  My mom had a hysterectomy due to heavy bleeding.  She also had an enlarged uterus but also had 3 kids but was also done with child bearing.  I have not had any kids and my gyn is aware of this and the plan is to preserve the uterus, tubes, ovaries,etc. should I want to have kids.  She has also said that to have the fibroids removed now would reduce problems conceiving and carrying.  Of course I could do nothing and have no problems in terms of pregnancy or I could have problems.  I could also do nothing and have no problems regardless of whether or not I have kids.  Guess it is a role of the dice.

[Debdsk8gld]

You have the make the choice that is right for you.  I decided against the artery embolization, because I didn't want dead tissue inside my uterus, and I decided against a myomectomy because during my research I found that the fibroids will probably return in the same place.  The deciding factor for me was the fact that I have to have my left ovary removed and it did not make sense to leave the fibroids.  I was able to keep my right ovary, since everything turned out ok with the left.

[AnotherKatie]

I think your plan sounds good and what she said sounds like along the lines of what I have read. They can prevent conception and carrying to term. They can get big and cause health problems. They are not life threatening, yet, you do wonder if you are opening a "Pandora's Box" (OK that's really bad) and possibly paving the way to more problems.
I see from what you said why you are being so analytical!
It is a role of the dice but I for one think it is a good, preventative plan.