Huge fibroid and waiting it out

[alleycoot]

I am 50 years old and I have been "watching" a fibroid for 19 years.  It has grown to 18 cm on my last sonogram.  It is on the outside of my uterus.  The symptoms are not debilitating but I have grown accustomed to the small, nagging backache and fullness in my belly.  They cannot feel my ovaries or see them on ultrasound any longer.  My physician feels that once I reach menopause the fibroid will shrink and I can avoid surgery.  However, I am concerned about not being able to feel the ovaries as I age and I have also read that large fibroids may not shrink.  I have some health problems that concern me in regards to surgery and would like to avoid it if at all possible but I want to make an informed decision.  Is is still quality of life that determines my treatment even at this size?

[alleycoot]

Thanks everyone for your answers.  What you all say makes much sense.  I am for the first time really considering hysterectomy.  I realize I have been living with discomforts that I have actually grown accustomed to and that my quality of life will be improved without this tumor.  My ovulations are terribly painful now ( and they can't view the ovaries because of fibroids) and I am getting tired of all the "female problems".  Thanks again.

[Zora776]

In 2000 at the age of 45 after having problems with a fibroid tumor I decided to have my huge tumor remove.  I was told that it was the size of a 5 pd. baby. At first i was not going to have surgery because I kept saying that I was going to heaven with all my body parts, but after a horrible bleeding crisis my doctor told me that he recommend for my safety to have it removed. I did and guess what, it feels as if I have had 10 extra years added to my life. I am so glad I made the decision to have the surgery and now thinking about it I wonder why I did not have it sooner. I read that you have some health concerns and I can understand your concerns, but anything that does not help your life that you have watched for 19 years seems like a hinder and not a help.

[Laney8463]

Hey there,
I understand not being ready for surgery. Absolutely, do not have it if you are not ready.
But why not get another opinion. I would just feel better with another opinion or an MRI. The MRI can rule out other things. Good luck, and thanks for the well wishes. I am doing wonderful. Take care
Laney

[alleycoot]

Thank you for your comment, I appreciate it.  In answer to your question, yes I have been having transvaginal ultrasounds for years but this last time they could not locate the ovaries, I guess the fibroid is hiding them.  My physician doesn't seem too concerned about any of this and feels this thing will shrink at menopause and I am very close to that.  But, I agree with you, they don't always shrink.  I know I would probably feel a lot better with a hysterectomy, but I am just not ready to go ahead with it yet.   Good luck with your recovery.

[Laney8463]

Hi There,
That certainly is a large fibroid. I had 12 fibroids, the largest being 7cm. I also had suspicious lesions on both ovaries, so after the watch and waiting game for a year, I took the advice of my gyn/onc and had it all removed about 3 weeks ago. My doc told me that the theory is that fibroids should shrink after menopause, this is not always the case. That concerned me. I had constant back pain, terrible pelvic pain, abdominal bloating and just a general unwell feeling. The size of your fibroid probably has a "mass effect" on your pelvis and is why they can't see the ovaries. Have you had a transvaginal ultrasound? I had multiple and then had an MRI since I had the same issue as you.
I hope you find the answers you are looking for and can make an informed decision. Take care and keep us posted.
Laney