Comments on: The Fibroid From Hell http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/ Musings and Mumblings on Music, Writing, Creativity, and the Mystery of Life Mon, 04 May 2009 02:38:02 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Vanclaire http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3458 Vanclaire Mon, 04 May 2009 02:38:02 +0000 http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3458 Thank you for sharing your medical condition. I've been dealing with chronic pain in my lower back and right hip down to my big toe for eight months. I've seen orthopedics doctors, neurologists, physical therapist, and the pain has grown excruciatingly worse. The pain is mainly weight bearing. The MRIs & x-rays found absolutly nothing. Pain pills are all doctors have to offer me but they do absolutly nothing. It really sad that doctors can't find anything accept a large mass(fibroid) on the lower right of my uterus. I asked my obg gyn if the fibroid could be causing the pain. He told me no. Well, six months later, no answer for the pain insight, I've decided to have that dreaded hysterectomy just to get relief from having to go to work limping and suffering from pain all day. After reading your story and many of the replies, I'm praying that maybe it's a fibroid that's pinching a nerve and s;dp that there is no permanent damage to the nerve. Thanks again for sharing. Thank you for sharing your medical condition. I’ve been dealing with chronic pain in my lower back and right hip down to my big toe for eight months. I’ve seen orthopedics doctors, neurologists, physical therapist, and the pain has grown excruciatingly worse. The pain is mainly weight bearing. The MRIs & x-rays found absolutly nothing. Pain pills are all doctors have to offer me but they do absolutly nothing. It really sad that doctors can’t find anything accept a large mass(fibroid) on the lower right of my uterus. I asked my obg gyn if the fibroid could be causing the pain. He told me no. Well, six months later, no answer for the pain insight, I’ve decided to have that dreaded hysterectomy just to get relief from having to go to work limping and suffering from pain all day. After reading your story and many of the replies, I’m praying that maybe it’s a fibroid that’s pinching a nerve and s;dp that there is no permanent damage to the nerve. Thanks again for sharing.

]]> By: Becky http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3453 Becky Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:28:07 +0000 http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3453 Hi, I am so glad that I found this site! Thank you Ariel for sharing your story and making this space available to others. I also was diagnosed with a 3-4cm fibroid ( and a few smaller ones ). I found out about them after being sent to the hospital for a blood transfusion. Constant profuse bleeding had caused anemia. I immediately changed my diet- my husband and I were used to having large quanities of ice cream every day - and I Love chocolate! Neither of us are overweight though surprisingly:) We got rid of the ice cream and chocolate - which turns out to have estrogen mimicking habits- which helps the fibroid to grow! I started using natural progesterone and taking chasteberry tincture to regulate hormone production. Well it worked! for 6 months I had no symptoms to speak of and was feeling very healthy- then... we fell off the wagon and for the last 3 months we have been indulging like old times. I guess you never really get away with anything:) Because the last 3 days I have been having symptoms exactly like the ones you all have been describing! Back pain, pain in the hips- down the leg. Time to clean out the cupboard again. The question I had for ya'll is- did your fibroid ever cause a low grade fever or intestinal problems. ( I'm trying to rule out anything else ) I'd appreciate any feedback! Thank You , Becky Hi, I am so glad that I found this site! Thank you Ariel for sharing your story and making this space available to others.
I also was diagnosed with a 3-4cm fibroid ( and a few smaller ones ). I found out about them after being sent to the hospital for a blood transfusion. Constant profuse bleeding had caused anemia.
I immediately changed my diet- my husband and I were used to having large quanities of ice cream every day – and I Love chocolate! Neither of us are overweight though surprisingly:)
We got rid of the ice cream and chocolate – which turns out to have estrogen mimicking habits- which helps the fibroid to grow!
I started using natural progesterone and taking chasteberry tincture to regulate hormone production.
Well it worked! for 6 months I had no symptoms to speak of and was feeling very healthy- then… we fell off the wagon and for the last 3 months we have been indulging like old times.
I guess you never really get away with anything:) Because the last 3 days I have been having symptoms exactly like the ones you all have been describing! Back pain, pain in the hips- down the leg. Time to clean out the cupboard again.
The question I had for ya’ll is- did your fibroid ever cause a low grade fever or intestinal problems. ( I’m trying to rule out anything else )
I’d appreciate any feedback! Thank You , Becky

]]> By: Janine http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3449 Janine Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:45:33 +0000 http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3449 Hi Ariel, I wanted to thank you for sharing your story. I have been recently diagnosed with fibroids (multiple) one 9 cm and about 5 other smaller ones. I have always had very long and painful periods every since puberty 8 days being typical for me. I was actually just doing research on the internet as my Dr referred me to a gynecologist and I have agreed to have a myomectomy done on May 1st. I had been complaining to my Dr the past two years that I have been suffering from back pain (frequent bladder infections and now tingling/numbness in my stomach). she had done various test and found nothing wrong with my bladder nor my kidneys but my pain had persisted. I finally had an ultrasound done since my pain in the abdomen now was ocurring outside of my periods to reveal that yes I have a very large fibroid the size of a baby's head or like me gynecologist refers to now the size of a foot ball. I look in the mirror and look as if I was 3 months pregnant??? I'm a little scared about the operation as it will be my 1st (no children yet). I'm 34, I work out but even that now is hard for me to do. I'm finding myself constantly exhausted and tired, with little to no energy, and I do hope to be able to have children soon. However now, sex is extremely painful and my Dr has told me that unless I get them out there's really no space for a baby., but I was informed that once the operation takes place the pain should vanish. I really don't feel like my regular self but at least now i now that it will be soon that I'll be back to something close to normal. :) Sincerely, Janine Hi Ariel,
I wanted to thank you for sharing your story. I have been recently diagnosed with fibroids (multiple) one 9 cm and about 5 other smaller ones. I have always had very long and painful periods every since puberty 8 days being typical for me. I was actually just doing research on the internet as my Dr referred me to a gynecologist and I have agreed to have a myomectomy done on May 1st. I had been complaining to my Dr the past two years that I have been suffering from back pain (frequent bladder infections and now tingling/numbness in my stomach). she had done various test and found nothing wrong with my bladder nor my kidneys but my pain had persisted. I finally had an ultrasound done since my pain in the abdomen now was ocurring outside of my periods to reveal that yes I have a very large fibroid the size of a baby’s head or like me gynecologist refers to now the size of a foot ball. I look in the mirror and look as if I was 3 months pregnant??? I’m a little scared about the operation as it will be my 1st (no children yet). I’m 34, I work out but even that now is hard for me to do. I’m finding myself constantly exhausted and tired, with little to no energy, and I do hope to be able to have children soon. However now, sex is extremely painful and my Dr has told me that unless I get them out there’s really no space for a baby., but I was informed that once the operation takes place the pain should vanish. I really don’t feel like my regular self but at least now i now that it will be soon that I’ll be back to something close to normal. :)

Sincerely,

Janine

]]> By: Ariel http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3437 Ariel Tue, 29 Jul 2008 01:41:09 +0000 http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3437 Hi Jill, Good luck to you, too! Your symptoms sound complex and debilitating. I hope you can get to the root of it all and quickly. Nerve symptoms are no fun and it's especially destructive to feel like it's all your head. It leaves you vulnerable to not getting a treatable condition taken care of before it progresses to longer term nerve damage. I find it interesting and hopeful that your OB/GYN is recommending laparoscopy. That was the turning point in my case. And, the good news is the recovery from it was not too bad, at least in my expereince - minimal scarring and fairly short time back to full activity. Again, best of luck and let us know how it goes! Ariel Hi Jill,

Good luck to you, too! Your symptoms sound complex and debilitating. I hope you can get to the root of it all and quickly. Nerve symptoms are no fun and it’s especially destructive to feel like it’s all your head. It leaves you vulnerable to not getting a treatable condition taken care of before it progresses to longer term nerve damage.

I find it interesting and hopeful that your OB/GYN is recommending laparoscopy. That was the turning point in my case. And, the good news is the recovery from it was not too bad, at least in my expereince – minimal scarring and fairly short time back to full activity. Again, best of luck and let us know how it goes!

Ariel

]]> By: Jill http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3436 Jill Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:44:55 +0000 http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3436 Ariel, thanks for sharing you story and the all the following stories... . It is refreshing to hear that I am not alone. I am 38 years old - attractive mother of two awesome kids and a (almost always) great husband - we live in N. CA have a great lifestyle and busy life . I too have been experiencing dehabilitating tingling in hands and feet. After my second child, I was diagnosed with hyperthyoidism in 2004. My throid has been normal for over 2 years with no meds; but unfortuantley i've suffered an unexplained right flank pain.. after seeing my general Dr who ordered Ct scan & referred to the OBGYN with no difinitife findings, I was referred to urologist (for blood urine) cystoscope exam / voiding test. I was then referred to a Rhemutologist (presented fibromyalgia symptons); and then referred to a neurologist who tested for nerve-ending damage and ruled out many ill-fated diseases. After no diffinative diagnosis, I gave up and felt it was all it was my head.... until it presented itself again - My obgyn wants to perform laproscopy in my right flank area to rule out fibroids/endometrosis. A little nervous with the incision / scaring part of the procedure.... my fear is that I have fibromyaligia and that is the cause of the my pain. No one else on this blog has reported other symptons like overall general body pain, stiffness in joints, etc. this is my first posting relative to my illness. I seek your support and stories. You all have inspired me to write. Thanks and good luck! Ariel, thanks for sharing you story and the all the following stories… . It is refreshing to hear that I am not alone. I am 38 years old – attractive mother of two awesome kids and a (almost always) great husband – we live in N. CA have a great lifestyle and busy life . I too have been experiencing dehabilitating tingling in hands and feet. After my second child, I was diagnosed with hyperthyoidism in 2004. My throid has been normal for over 2 years with no meds; but unfortuantley i’ve suffered an unexplained right flank pain.. after seeing my general Dr who ordered Ct scan & referred to the OBGYN with no difinitife findings, I was referred to urologist (for blood urine) cystoscope exam / voiding test. I was then referred to a Rhemutologist (presented fibromyalgia symptons); and then referred to a neurologist who tested for nerve-ending damage and ruled out many ill-fated diseases. After no diffinative diagnosis, I gave up and felt it was all it was my head…. until it presented itself again – My obgyn wants to perform laproscopy in my right flank area to rule out fibroids/endometrosis. A little nervous with the incision / scaring part of the procedure…. my fear is that I have fibromyaligia and that is the cause of the my pain. No one else on this blog has reported other symptons like overall general body pain, stiffness in joints, etc. this is my first posting relative to my illness. I seek your support and stories. You all have inspired me to write. Thanks and good luck!

]]> By: Ariel http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3433 Ariel Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:46:30 +0000 http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3433 Hi Myra - And thanks for sharing your story with us. I sincerely hope that your hysterectomy gives you relief from the pain and numbness you have been experiencing. Best wishes on a speedy and complete recovery! Ariel Hi Myra –

And thanks for sharing your story with us. I sincerely hope that your hysterectomy gives you relief from the pain and numbness you have been experiencing. Best wishes on a speedy and complete recovery!

Ariel

]]> By: Myra http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3432 Myra Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:03:12 +0000 http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3432 Thank you all so much for sharing your stories. I have suffered from endometriosis for 16 years. In the fall of 2007 I began to have severe pelvic pain and many times I could not get up from a chair or walk across a room without holding on to things. In November I had yet another laparoscopy to cleanup the endometriosis and adhesions. Since the surgery my upper left thigh has been numb. About 2 months ago the chronicpelvic pain re-appeared and along with it came pain all the way down the back of my leg radiating into my feet. This was mainly on my left side but my riggt side had symptoms just a milder version. My feet and toes go numb and they tingle/burn. I asked my obgyn about the pain radiating into my legs and feet and he said it shouldn't be related to my female problems so he scheduled me an appointment with a back doctor. I kept the appointment and I asked the back doctor about the probability of the pelvic pain being related to my female problems. Again I was told it was unlikely. My obgyn scheduled me for a hysterectomy at my request. I had the surgery 3 days ago, June 3. While performing the hysterectomy the doctor found a fibroid tumor on my back pelvic area. I didn't get to talk to the doctor about this tumor yet but he gave my husband a picture and it appears the tumor is about 6 to 8 times the size of an ovary. Your website has given me hope that my leg and foot pain may have been a result of a nerve compressed by the fibroid. Thank you all so much for sharing your stories. I have suffered from endometriosis for 16 years. In the fall of 2007 I began to have severe pelvic pain and many times I could not get up from a chair or walk across a room without holding on to things. In November I had yet another laparoscopy to cleanup the endometriosis and adhesions. Since the surgery my upper left thigh has been numb. About 2 months ago the chronicpelvic pain re-appeared and along with it came pain all the way down the back of my leg radiating into my feet. This was mainly on my left side but my riggt side had symptoms just a milder version. My feet and toes go numb and they tingle/burn. I asked my obgyn about the pain radiating into my legs and feet and he said it shouldn’t be related to my female problems so he scheduled me an appointment with a back doctor. I kept the appointment and I asked the back doctor about the probability of the pelvic pain being related to my female problems. Again I was told it was unlikely. My obgyn scheduled me for a hysterectomy at my request. I had the surgery 3 days ago, June 3. While performing the hysterectomy the doctor found a fibroid tumor on my back pelvic area. I didn’t get to talk to the doctor about this tumor yet but he gave my husband a picture and it appears the tumor is about 6 to 8 times the size of an ovary. Your website has given me hope that my leg and foot pain may have been a result of a nerve compressed by the fibroid.

]]> By: Ariel http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3429 Ariel Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:57:24 +0000 http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3429 Brioche - So sorry to hear of your fibroid miseries, but glad that my site is of some help. I hope you find relief soon and can get back to enjoying your active lifestyle without any more pain! Ariel Brioche –

So sorry to hear of your fibroid miseries, but glad that my site is of some help. I hope you find relief soon and can get back to enjoying your active lifestyle without any more pain!

Ariel

]]> By: brioche http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3428 brioche Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:19:05 +0000 http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3428 For the past couple of years I have been getting pelvic echos done to monitor my submucoscal fibroid. I am 45 years old with no children, happily married, a marathon runner, triathlete and my left hip and knee has been bothering me for a few years now. My period has always been horrible, but over the past few months it has turned into a nightmare from hell. I never want to be a girl again! I go through a whole box of super tampons on my worst day and my period is lasting up to 10 days with spotting after my period is finished. I get spotting especially during swim or run speed training. I also feel the need to pee all the time. Thank goodness, I got severe anemia this past January and the ob/gyn finally put me iron supplements and ordered a MRI so that they can send me to another hospital for surgery. My fibroid has grown from 3cm to 5cm over the past 6 months. The problem here in Japan is that no one is having kids, so there are few ob/gyn able to perform surgery. The Japanese government wants more women to have children, but this is a ridiculous policy if there is a shortage of doctors! At the hospital yesterday, I waited for 4 hours just to get examined, then the ob/gyn said that his surgery schedule is so booked that the earliest he could perform surgery is January 13th, 2008. This surgeon is very well known and I immediately felt that I could trust him completely. He has been the first ob/gyn that says the facts and really listened to me tell him about my situation. Today is June 3rd! He suggested putting me on GnRH, hormones, to help shrink the fibroid and to stop my period for 6 months prior to surgery. Here in Japan birth control is not available except for special circumstances. Right now, I am checking with another hospital to get a second opinion and find out if 6 months waiting time for surgery is the typical situation. I am so happy to find this site! For the past couple of years I have been getting pelvic echos done to monitor my submucoscal fibroid. I am 45 years old with no children, happily married, a marathon runner, triathlete and my left hip and knee has been bothering me for a few years now. My period has always been horrible, but over the past few months it has turned into a nightmare from hell. I never want to be a girl again! I go through a whole box of super tampons on my worst day and my period is lasting up to 10 days with spotting after my period is finished. I get spotting especially during swim or run speed training. I also feel the need to pee all the time. Thank goodness, I got severe anemia this past January and the ob/gyn finally put me iron supplements and ordered a MRI so that they can send me to another hospital for surgery. My fibroid has grown from 3cm to 5cm over the past 6 months. The problem here in Japan is that no one is having kids, so there are few ob/gyn able to perform surgery. The Japanese government wants more women to have children, but this is a ridiculous policy if there is a shortage of doctors! At the hospital yesterday, I waited for 4 hours just to get examined, then the ob/gyn said that his surgery schedule is so booked that the earliest he could perform surgery is January 13th, 2008. This surgeon is very well known and I immediately felt that I could trust him completely. He has been the first ob/gyn that says the facts and really listened to me tell him about my situation. Today is June 3rd! He suggested putting me on GnRH, hormones, to help shrink the fibroid and to stop my period for 6 months prior to surgery. Here in Japan birth control is not available except for special circumstances. Right now, I am checking with another hospital to get a second opinion and find out if 6 months waiting time for surgery is the typical situation. I am so happy to find this site!

]]> By: Ariel http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3414 Ariel Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:55:32 +0000 http://dangerousangel.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/the-fibroid-from-hell/#comment-3414 Hi Tracy - Thanks for checking back in and giving us an update. Physical therapy, Cymbalta, and time were what helped me reach my current status. Most days I can do most things, which is a lot better than it used to be. Best of luck on figuring out what is going on and in recovering your health! Ariel Hi Tracy –

Thanks for checking back in and giving us an update. Physical therapy, Cymbalta, and time were what helped me reach my current status. Most days I can do most things, which is a lot better than it used to be.

Best of luck on figuring out what is going on and in recovering your health!

Ariel

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