My endocrinologist's technician found fibroids during an ultrasound i had yesterday. a few tiny one's and one that measured somewhere between 6mm and 8mm. I have to see my doc at the end of next month so that he can perform a water ultrasound to see the positioning and exact size of the fibroids. HIs nurse who phoned me with the news spoke about a myomectomy. Sounds scary and i still want to have kids. I don't have any kids thus far. Has anyone had success after such a procedure? How long were you off work after the procedure? Any other feedback would be greatly appreciated. THanks.
So it turns out that the fibroids were not invading the space that the baby would have to occupy. I currently experience no symptoms as a result of them. Doc said there are two on the outside of the uterus and one in the muscle but is very small. So, I figured that they put me through all of this because my EndoRepo isn't open generally on the weekends or holidays. Since THanksgiving and Christmas fell when my insem date would have fallen they threw fibroids at me. I was a bit upset as i felt that they weren't an issue. Now the Doc wants me to use clomid for one cycle to stimulate my eggs to grow larger faster. Won't start the Clomid until sometime in February. Thanks to all that replied with their stories and encouragement. Now on to the Clomid stage. Gosh I'll be glad when this is over. PEACE
I had one son in 1999 and had a couple of large fibroids removed by myomectomy in 2001. I was supposed to take it easy for 4-6 weeks, but that wasn't possible, and recovery went fine anyway. After waiting the recommended 6 months, I got pregnant with my second son. I had a c-section at full term because he was having trouble, but everything went fine. Good luck!
I had a myomectomy performed by Dr. Charles Miller who has offices in Naperville and Arlington Heights. You can google him if you want to read his info. He is a fertility specialist who performs a minimally invasive myomectomy via laproscopic surgery. He made 3 tiny incisions in my belly button and abdomen. I had 10 fibroids removed. Three months later I became pregnant (on my first try) My son who is now almost two. I was 39 at the time. But, lots and lots of women who have fibroids get pregnant and give birth with no problems. Since I had 10 fibroids removed, I was advised to have a c-section, which I did. Maybe other women with fewer fibroids don't need a c-section after myomectomy. Feel free to contact me if you have further questions.
I had a myomectomy in 2000, with an excellent surgeon in Omaha, where I was living at the time. After my first miscarriage, they discovered that I had several large fibroids embedded in the uterine wall. My doctor told me that it was highly unlikely that I could carry to term unless the fibroids were removed.
Because the fibroids were so embedded, the surgeon who treated me strongly recommended that if I did become pregnant and carry to term that I have a planned C-section. If the uterine wall is comprimised, a vaginal delivery can be very dangerous - it depends a lot on the location of the fibroids and the nature of the surgery.
I was only in the hospital overnight. I think I was in bed with limited movement for about a week, and then maybe another week or two before I was 100% - it wasn't too bad. Unfortunately, the fibroids were not my only problem, as I had two subsequent miscarriages that occurred at the same point as the first (about 8 weeks). My husband and I are proud and happy adoptive parents, so there are all kinds of roads to parenthood.
It is true that they can come back - mine did, recently, and I'm monitoring my hormone levels and menstrual fluctuations with Dr Ring of the Center for Integrative Medicine here in Chicago. I recommend her - although she does not perform myomectomies, she might be a good consultant for you.
I had a myomectomy in 2001 and was dating my husband at the time. I was 32 at the time. I had large fibroids that extneded my uterus to the size of a 4 month pregnant uterus. My fibroids had to be taken out through a traditional myomectomy (6 inc incision) due to their size and locations around my uterus. Definitely do your research and ask questions about the locations of your fibroids--the doctor should be able to answer your questions while viewing the water ultrasound. Google the different myomectomy procedures and check out the options. My procedure kept me in the hospital 2 days and recovery at home 4 weeks. Don't let that scare you though. Because of this surgery, my doctor encouraged vaginal delivery and everything went well. If you read up on fribroids, your diet and exercise can affect their growth and even decrease their size. And as the other mom said, the locations may not even require surgery. Since my surgery, I've experienced very little to no menstrual pain. They can come back and they do thrive on higher fat diets so it's best to stay on the slim side. I have no room to talk though. I've been struggling with 30 pounds to lose for a while now. My doctor is Dr. Marc Feldstein and he is affiliated with Northwestern dowtown. There are several doctors who have experience with the procedures and it's a very common procedure. Good luck with everything.
Also find out what kind of fibroid, there are different types depending on location. You can have fibroids and leave them be if they aren't causing problems. I have a fibroid on the outside of my uterus that causes no issues with pregnancies (I have two children). The only issues I have are frequent urinating (it presses on my bladder) and heavy menstrual periods. Unless the fibroid is actually in the uterine cavity you are probably fine to leave it.
You should ask carefully about whether you will be able to have a vaginal birth after this procedure. I just had a VBAC (vag. birth after c-section), and I have encountered some women who were told to schedule c-sections for their births because of previous uterine surgery. Is there an alternative entry point (like through the vagina?) so that you won't have multiple scars on your uterus?
I had a myomectomy in 2001 in Florida. Because I had so many fibroids and some larger ones that were causing problems my options were this or a hysterectomy. I was in the hospital 3 days and off of work/no driving for 4 weeks. During that time I could slowly increase my activity. I had one miscarriage before the surgery and two after. In 2006 I had my son and in 2007 I had my daughter both by C-section. I saw a maternal and fetal specialist (Dr. Jude Duval) as well as my regular ob throughout both pregnancies and he strongly recommended the c-sections because there was a chance of the old scar tissue rupturing if I went into labor. During the first c-section my ob commented that my son was really a miracle (aren't they all) because my uterine walls are full of small fibroids. I suggest you do your research, get a second opinion, and do what is best for you and your family. Good luck!
Hi! I was diagnosed with fibroids in June 2007 and my gynecologist also suggested an "open" myomectomy. I was not comfortable with only having one opinion and sought out another doctor who specialized in fibroids and is a reproductive endo--Dr. Magdy Milad (Northwestern). He did an ultrasound and went over my options with me. What I wanted to know was how risky a pregnancy would be with the fibroids. He advised me that my fibroid was barely impinging on my uterus and he felt comfortable that I wouldn't be at risk, as long as I continued to monitor the size of the fibroid, which is also around 6mm. I also had an HSG to be sure that the fibroid wasn't blocking my fallopian tubes or that they weren't "clogged" and to be able to see how much the fibroid was actually impinging on my uterus. Dr. Milad basically told me that if I decided to move forward with surgery were:
open myomectomy-- best repair of the uterus and lowest risk of uterine rupture. Longest recovery time. 4-6 weeks.
Laparoscopic assisted myomectomy--small incisions and uterus is repaired in layers. Good option for those not wanting a long recovery time. Not as good of repair as the open myomectomy though.
Laproscopic myomectomy--shortest recovery time but the repair to the uterus can be questionable.
There are pros and cons to all the options. My RE did say that while surgery to remove fibroids is a good option, it can also lead to scar tissue sometimes making it harder to get pregnant. At this point, we're moving forward trying to get pregnant (using Clomid) and monitoring the fibroid. I think that you should find a specialist and get a second opinion before you actually decide to have the surgery.
I currently have 3 uterine fibroid. Two which are pretty large and one small one. I fortunately had no problems getting pregnant with my 2 children which are now 4 and 2. My OB/GYN told me not to remove or do anything with them until I knew I was done having children since it might make it harder to get pregnant (scar tissue) and there is also a possibility of having a hysterectomy if the surgery does not go as planned as it can cause a lot of blood loss. I would discuss all your options, however if it is causing fertility problems then that is a little different than my story. I have lived with painful and heavy periods all my life. I also have a 3 month pregnant size uterus due to these fibroids. I am looking forward to having them removed as well now that I am done having children.
Good luck!
