My Uterine Fibroids Journal - Some Piece of Mind

Ok, I decided to post this page to help myself and others with this condition and hopefully provide a little incite and information into uterine fibroids. This page is not for general reading and viewing, so if you have uterine fibroids or know and love a woman who does, "read on sista!", and if you don't, "move on brotha!".  And because of the sensitive nature of the subject, you need to be 18 years old or older to be here, so sorry youngsters.

Disclaimer: I am in no way a medical professional, I am just sharing the information that I have obtained and experiences that I have had with this condition.  If you feel that you might have unterine fibroids, please see a medical professional for an official diagnosis as soon as possible. Please do not use this page for self diagnosis.  And if you do have an official diagnosis of uterine fibroids, please follow your doctor's prescribed treatment plan.

In The Beginning...
I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids back in May of 2011. I experienced a full month of vaginal bleeding, pain and well feeling scared.  I feared that I had an ovarian cyst that had ruptured and caused internal bleeding. Since I was sixteen years old I have had ovarian cysts on and off, ranging in size of a small grape to as large as a softball. I also feared that I could have cancer and that I may have lost my ability to have children.  I tried to keep these fears carefully contained in the back of my mind as I waited to see my family doctor and went through boxes of tampons and pads.

The doctor gave me an order for an ultrasound and the results showed that I did have a small, unruptured cyst, 4.1 cm fibroid on the right side of my uterus, a 2.5 cm fibroid on the left side of my uterus and a 1.7 cm fibroid on the top of my uterus.   The ultrasound also showed that I had a retroverted or tipped backwards unterus, which is still normal but rare since most women have a forward tipping uterus.  My doctor reassured me, fibroids are tumors, but they are not cancerous.  She then gave me a referral to the best OBGYN in the area and changed me birth control to YAZ because YAZ birth control contains higher progesterone to help slow fibroid growth and control the beeding.

I felt relieved to finally have a diagnosis, but then that one question in the back of my mind erupted out of my mouth.  "Can I still have children?". My family doctor looked at me and asked "Well, are you trying to get pregnant?".  I thought, "What is that supposed to mean?".  You see, I am 37, unmarried and childless.   But even with the lack of boyfriends in my twenties, and the sorry, self-centered boyfriend of my thirties, I still want a family.  But the cut-off age for low-risk pregnancies for women in the normal range of health is thirty-four, and I am a bit past my expiration date.  Pregnant women over the age of thirty-four are at higher risk for complications.  So, I responded that I did not have any immediate plans to get pregnant, but I hoped to in the future.  She then told me that she did not know of any woman with uterine fibroids who had any problems getting pregnant, gave me my OBGYN referral and sent me on my merry way.

I called the OBGYN as soon as I got in the car and made an appointment.

Ok, What Are Uterine Fibroids And What Kind Of Hell Can They Make Out Of My Life?


Now it is not unusual when a doctor asks me if I have any questions, I can't think of anything, but as soon as I get out of the doctor's office, I have a million questions and have to look up the answers.  So here is what I have found so far.

 1.Uterine fibroids are benign (not cancerous) tumors that occur in the middle or later half of a woman's reproductive years.  Some women will not experience any systems and will not know if they have fibroids until they have a regular examination.  But many women experience a variety of symptoms, which I did.  The symptoms can very from one woman to the next.  2The symptoms are...
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Longer than normal periods-periods lasting longer that seven days
  • Cramping
  • Frequent urination
  • Problems emptying the bladder
  • Constipation
  • Back and leg pain
  • Anemia from the bleeding
  • Pain 
  • Nausea
Here is what the Uterine Fibroids look like

Not fun.  I experienced almost all these symptoms, and they made some things, like exercise difficult.  I am big into Zumba and belly dance. But when I would go to my Zumba class, everything was fine at the beginning of the class, but half way through I would start bleeding and I would have to bench it out for the rest of the class.  And the pain would make any movement uncomfortable.  I also had to miss out on other activities with friends, specially if it involved a lot moving around or being too far from the bathroom.


Many women with fibroids have also complained of carbohydrate cravings.  Now the cravings are not officially considered a symptom of the uterine fibroids, but I know that I have had craving for ice cream, chocolate and Cheetos more that usual.  The Cheetos craving is really unusual because I don't normally like precessed, salty foods.   But Cheetos have definitely been on my mind, and if they are available to me, I cannot get enough of them.  So not only have I had all the fibroid symptoms, I have also had orange fingers and put on weight.

Other Disruptions 
    Also, going dancing became a problem.  I had gone dancing with friends, but spent a lot of my time running to the restroom, not only because of the bleeding, but also because I constantly needed to pee.  And the bleeding was constantly on my mind, I feared that a wrong move or a man holding me too close might end up with an embarrassing, messy, surprise.  And the anemia really wore me down, everyone was dancing and all I wanted to do is go to sleep.  I just became a stick in the mud.  And, because of the constipation, I felt bloated and not pretty or attractive.

    All these symptoms were also a problem at work, where I was constantly having to run to the restroom and the gas could make things very uncomfortable when in a meeting and you cannot leave, if you get my meaning.

    For sexually active women, fibroids can make sex painful.  If you think about it, as fibroids grow, they start to put pressure on not only the uterus,  but also the intestines and the bladder. Some women have had fibroids large enough to put pressure on organs that are higher than the intestines, liver and stomach. Also, fibroids can cause gas and bloating due to the pressure on the intestines. So any more pressure on the lower abdomen can cause intense pain. 

    I also still have the fear of the big "H" word.  Hysterectomy is a scary word if you still want children, specially if you have not had a chance to have them.

    So, What Causes Uterine Fibroids?  No Body Knows...


    4Researchers and doctors do not know what causes uterine fibroids, but here are a few things that they think may cause them...
    • Genetic Alterations - Many fibroids have genes that are different from the genes in the uterine wall muscles.
    • Hormones- Estrogen and progesterone seem to have an effect on the the growth of fibroids.
    • Other chemicals in the body.
    Risk Factors-Who Gets Them?
    Any pre-menopausal woman can get uterine fibroids,  but some women maybe more prone to getting them.  The risk factors are...
    • Heredity
    • Race - Uterine fibroids are more common among black women.
    • Pregnancy and child birth - Pregnancy seems to protect against fibroids.
    • Obesity - Some studies have shown that obesity can lead to higher risk in fibroids, but other studies do not suggest this.
    What To Do...What To Do


    It is real easy to think that if you wait the symptoms out until your period end, that maybe everything will go back to normal, but it is always better to find out what is going on.  If things can get worse, they will get worse.  So the first thing to do is see your doctor for a diagnoses.  In most cases you will need to see your family doctor who will order some tests first and then refer you to an OBGYN.


    Tests That You Don't Have To Study For
    Her are some of the tests that your doctor my order...
    • Pelvic exam
    • Ultrasound - be sure to drink 32oz. of water and do not use the restroom one hour before your appointment.
    • CT scan
    • Hysterosalpingogram - an ultrasound where fluid is injected into the uterus through the cervix 
    A Word About The OBGYN
    Most gynecologists are in the business of making people well, but there are a few OBGYNs that are a little surgical happy.  So if you get to your appointment and the first thing your doctor says is hysterectomy, GET A SECOND OPINION!  There are many surgical and non-surgical options out there that are less invasive, safer, and can preserve a woman's ability to have children.  The more you know, the better you will feel.

    Treatments
    5So, here are the treatments..
    • Myomectomy - is a laparoscopic surgical procedure where the fibroids are removed, but the uterus is left intact.  This is the most common procedure for women who still want to have children. This procedure has a short of a recovery time, but many women who have had this procedure have had to have the procedure again within ten years of the original procedure.
    • Hormone Therapy - these are drugs that block estrogen and starve the fibroids, causing them to shrink.  The shrinkage is temporary and can have menopause like side effects including hot flashes, sexual dysfunction and mineral bone loss.
    • Endometrial Ablation and Resection - This is an out-patient procedure where the lining of the uterus is burned away to remove the fibroids.  This procedure causes permanent infertility and may not work to remove all the fibroids.
    • Myolysis or Cryomyolysis - this is a laparoscopic procedure that involves freezing the fibroids.
    • Focused Ultrasound Therapy - This procedure uses high-frequency ultrasound to raise the temperature to destroy the fibroids.  This procedure is for women who have no interest in child bearing.  This is a new procedure and long term effects are unknown.
    • Uterine Fibroid Embolization - This is a non-surgical procedure that is highly effective.  This procedure cuts off the blood supply to the fibroids, causing them to shrink, but the effects on fertility are unknown.
    • Hysterectomy - the removal of the uterus.  This causes permanent infertility and immediately brings on menopause. This treatment should be considered as a last resort.   
    Don't Sitt And Tiddle Your Thumbs...Help Yourself
    Don't just assume that the doctor's prescribed treatment is the only thing you can do for uterine fibroids.  The doctor's treatment is vitally important, but there are things that you can add to your daily routine that can help, but make sure to talk to you doctor about these things.


    So, what's the poop!
    A high fiber, low carbohydrate diet can really help to reduce and shrink fibroids.  The liver breaks down estrogen in the system,  allowing the intestines to flush the estrogen out of the body.  But if your body has too much estrogen, the liver may need more fiber to beak down the estrogen.  I would recommend the South Beach Diet, because it encourages eating plenty of leafy greens, low glysemic fruits and lot grains.  Avoild diets like Adkins.  Adkins is very heavy on the meats and very light on the veggies, fruits and grains.  Adding a fiber supplement can also help the liver and also help to relieve the constipation that come with fibroids.  Also, if you are a little on the heavy side, losing weight can do wonders, and help to shrink fibroids.


    Get Out There And Get Moving!
    Fibroids can make exercise horrible.  As I said earlier, I really love doing Zumba, but fibroids put me on the bench.  But exorcize can also help the condition and help with the figure. Taking acetaminophen (no pain killer containing aspirin) and doing yoga can help to relieve pain.


    What A Little "Pill"!
    Be sure to talk to your doctor about birth control.  Birth control is for more than just stopping pregnancy, it is also to help keep your hormones and cycle under more control.  Birth control can stop the longer than normal periods and get you monthly cycle back on track.  Being on the pill though, is not an excuse to be irresponsible, you still need to protect yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted diseases.


    Things To Avoid
    Here are a few things that can make fibroids worse.


    • Pain killers containing Aspirin, including regular Aspirin, baby aspirin, Ibuprofen, Advil, and Aleve or Naproxen sodium.
      • Aspirin, pain killers containing aspirin and Naproxin are blood thinners and can make bleeding fibroids worse.
    • Lots of meats and dairy products
      • Meats and dairy products can make the constipation and pain worse. 
    • Sugar
      • Natural and processed sugars can cause the body to produce more insulin and estrogen, causing fibroids to grow.
    August 27th, 2011-This Is My Continuing Journey...
    Ok, from this point on, my entries are going to be in more of journal entry format.  I have posted all of the information that I have on fibroids above, but if I do find more information, I will post more to help others above.  But the dated posts, will probably be mostly for me, but keep reading if you like.

    At this point I have scheduled my first (not in my life, just for fibroids) OBGYN appointment for Sept, 10th.  I have started my second pack of Yaz birth control, but Yaz only allows for a four day period on the placebo.  But my period did not start until the last day of the placebo and I have been bleeding through this first week on the second pack.  Hopefully it will stop soon.

    I have also started taking three doses a day of a generic version Metamusal, which is helping, specially since even before I had fibroids, I had the worlds slowest digestive system.  The fiber supplement has helped me to be able go once a day, unlike before, when I was lucky if I could go once a week.

    I have put on weight, so am trying to get back on the diet band wagon, but this has been tough with my schedule.  The way things have gone this last week, I have had to eat a lot of take out, which is not very healthy.  The Cheetos are still killing me, but I found that gum and sugar free candy really help. Did not get much exercise either, but will hopefully pick that back up this next week.

    August 31st, 2011
    My bleeding stopped!!!  My period was still longer than normal, but it stopped!  My appointed for the OBGYN is tomorrow.

    Sept. 1st, 2011
    Yay!!!!! No surgery is required!  I saw my OBGYN, nice guy I might say!  He said my fibroids will not go away but my uterus is small and has very little swelling, so I should not be too concerned.  But if there are any changes (more bleeding or pain) I should let him know right away.


    Sept. 5th, 2011
    I am experiencing some lower back and hip pain.  It is almost like menstrual pain, but without the bleeding and PMS. It is hard to tell if it is from my scoliosis or from the fibroids.  It is not unmanageable though.  It is only uncomfortable when I have to stand for long periods of time or in the morning after a nights sleep.

    I also renamed this page, I never liked the old title.  It did not seem to to give the message that I wanted it too.

    Oct. 21st, 2011
    Things seem to be working, I am no longer bleeding in to the next pack of Yaz.  Three day periods are so nice.  And my period has been relatively light compared to what it has been in the past, you know, like Niagara Falls.  My monthly natural wonder has been reduced to the flow of a small creek.

    To Be Continued...
    References
    1. "Uterine Fibroid." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia.com. Web. 24 Aug. 2011. .

    2 Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Uterine Fibroids - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. Web. 24 Aug. 2011. .

    4Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Uterine Fibroids: Causes - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. Web. 24 Aug. 2011. .

    5"Options for Uterine Fibroid Treatment or Treatments." Uterine Fibroids and Fibroid Embolization. Web. 24 Aug. 2011. .

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