The Fibroid Sisterhood
Ask lots and lots of questions. Now is not the time to be intimidated by your physician. Or if you are, bring along a friend or family member who can speak up for you. Arm yourself with up-to-date information, and make sure you've been told about every treatment option including doing nothing, especially if you're near menopause. If you're offered any kind of hormone-based medication, including birth control pills, ask how it works to treat fibroids, how long you have to take it and what possible side effects you might face.
Physician skill and experience counts, so if you need a procedure, particularly surgery, ask your doctor how often he or she performs it. If your doc is new to the game or performs the technique only a few times a year, move on.
Don't be afraid to get a second opinion, even if you have to pay for it out of pocket. Studies show, for instance, that most gynecologists do not offer UAE among the menu of treatment choices because they aren't trained to perform it. The vast majority of women who undergo the procedure find out about it elsewhere—from a friend or the Internet. A second opinion is also critical if you've been told you need a hysterectomy. Having your uterus removed may, ultimately, be your best alternative. But make sure you've explored all your options first.
Finally, talk to other women. Fibroids run in families, so chances are high that one of your female relatives has had them. Don't be shy about discussing your own challenges and asking your friends and loved ones for support, advice, resources and referrals. It's also easy to use a search engine to find bloggers who are writing about their own experience with fibroids. It may not be a sorority you ever wanted to join. But there are plenty of sisters out there with good information and supportive advice. Don't be afraid to reach out.
Also on The Root:
Melissa Harris-Lacewell bids her uterus, adieu, Tonya Lewis Lee asks "Who's Caring for Our Babies?" and Linda Villarosa conducts a sister study on breast cancer.
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The Fibroid Sisterhood
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View All Comments »redtrini at 09/03/2008 3:01:51 PM
Comment:
I discovered my fibroids early this year. I am planning to hav surgery nxt month. I have no children and want to but my fibroids are very large and it may affect my chances. I am 33yrs. I is very hard to go through this. I am always tired because i am now anemic and i am always waiting for a pin to drop expcting somehting to happen. Although i never had a bad diet, i have changed lots of thngs i just need th engergy to start back exercising. The bleeding and weight gain is the worst part for me. It has also affected my sexual relationship with my partner.
Reagan
guest911 at 07/18/2008 5:32:36 PM
Comment:
I'm 30, have had a fibroid for several years, but recently, after a few weeks of constant bleeding, the ultrasound revealed that it's grown to almost 9cm (the size of a grapefruit). I don't really have any symptoms from it (the bleeding has stopped completely), but both obgyns I went to see said surgery is a must. I'm not very happy with that recommendation because I don't want to go under the knife. I am not yet ready to have children but I want to be able to in the future. Has acupuncture worked for anyone to decrese the size of these beasts? Can anyone recommend a great obgyn surgically conservative surgeon in LA? Thanks.
trini at 07/17/2008 8:09:56 PM
Comment:
hello twilliams 1977,
i recently had a myomectomy to remove my three fibroids. i had one that was about 10 cm plus in diameter and one about 2 cm and the third one 3 cm. my surgery was on Friday 27th June 2008. when i was awakened after the surgery i asked if it was friday (just making sure i had the actual surgery and was not dreaming) then asked for my mom (she was outside and I knew she was anxious). i am 35, single and have no children. i am grateful to God that my doctor was able to "peel"off my fibroids without taking my uterus. the largest one was resting ritght on my uterus. prior to the surgery i had my period for a few days a month as normal, the only difference in me was the weight gain and i looked a few months pregnant. i teach in a small high school and a few students asked and were happy when i told them i was "pregnant." i am a small female and the slightest weight gain is noticeable. about 2-3 months before the surgery, my period came every 2 weeks, that scared me, but i knew the fibroids caused that. so far i am still recovering from surgery and doing fine. i discovered i have a high threshold for pain and did not use most of the pain killers prescribed, only the ibuprofin. my doctor referred me to her ob/gyn who suggested surgery. the big one was growing at a rate of 2cm a year. two ultrasounds one year apart measured the growth rate. i would advise you get a second and third and fourth opinion. i can have children, but must have a c-section. no problem because i plan on adopting. the incision was vertical from below my belly button to below the hairline. she cut along the line of hair from my belly button. it is about 4.5 to 5 inches long and was stapled shut. removing the 21 stapes were not as painful as i thought. just a slight pinching feeling. at first it was painful to laugh, cough or sneeze and i walked bent over slightly like an old lady (my mom enjoyed that sight). sneezing pins a little, i can laugh and cough pain free. most f the swelling has gone down and my stomach is looking like it did before the fibroids grew out of control. i did a lot of research before the surgery to "see" them. i am doing fine now and taking it it easy. it is now 20 days later.
ZM