I discovered that I had fibroids close to two years ago after having one of the most painful episodes of extreme pain that I have ever had in my life. I had never realized that some of my pain that I had over the years were from the fibroids. I had always attributed the pain that I had to my periods and the problems that I had as a teenager. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that I would have fibroids. My mother had passed away over two years ago and the day that she was buried; I had some pretty incredible pain that was diagnosed as either a Urinary Tract Infection or Kidney Stones. I never realized that it could be fibroids and that the pain that I had experienced was from them.
It was not until I experienced another episode of extreme pain that I called my doctor for an appointment. I thought it was another Urinary Tract Infection but when I went for the appointment, the doctor explained that it was not one of them and set me for an ultrasound. It would be a few months before I heard word about what my problem was because of miscommunication. I did call a few times but no one got back with me until I had to do a refill of high blood pressure medication. I discovered that the Physician Assistant that had been treating me for high blood pressure was leaving and someone else was taking over; so I made an appointment. I discovered at this appointment that my problems were fibroids and was told that I needed to see a specialist. It took several tries to get an appointment but finally I received it. Suffice to say, my husband and I did not like the doctor that I went to see about my fibroids. He checked the information that he had and also did an examination of me. This doctor’s only recommendation was hard to take and the reason we went for a second opinion. His recommendation was for a hysterectomy and that it needed to be done soon. He said we could try other methods but they ultimately would not work. As I said before, we were not happy and sought a second opinion.
The doctor we next met with came recommended by others who said he was one of the best in the area. This doctor went over the information, checked me also, and his answer was news to our ears. He said he could help us! We were thrilled with that news and were glad that we had made the appointment. He told us his thoughts and what he could do. He told us he would use medication that was used to help shrink fibroids. It was a monthly shot, would put the person in early menopause, and we were told it was very expensive. I, being the researcher that I am, began researching for anything and found a foundation that helps those who cannot afford this expensive medication. I applied for it and though it took awhile, I was approved for it for a year.
I took this medication for six months, had no major problems with it, before we made the decision to try and see if the doctor could remove the fibroids. They had shrunk a little, as did the biggest one, but when the doctor went to check to see if he could do it a myomectomy laprascopicly; he was unable to. Apparently, the biggest fibroid was in an area that was very hard to cut due the blood vessels and veins that were there and he did not want to have a bleeder. So, that was out and we regrouped to see what was next on the agenda. We decided to continue on with the medication and see what would happen. January was upon us and we made the decision that a hysterectomy was in my future. I would take two more shots on the medication before making the commitment for a hysterectomy. As of this article, I am scheduled for a hysterectomy in April of this year. I look back on what has been done and I do not regret anything that has been done. I have been doing a lot of research in regards to a hysterectomy and found quite of bit of information. I found numerous books that have been very helpful and I have also found a great website that has been an enormous help. The website www.hystersisters.com has so much information plus forums that help people get ready for the surgery, post-op, and recovery. I find this website a miracle. If it was not for this website, I would not have known what to do before, after, and in the months ahead. I have heard that once you have the surgery and begin to heal and recover; that you will feel so much better. There have been many people that I have spoken to about this have said as much and I hope that I feel the same. I look forward to the day that I will have no more problems and that I will be a new woman.
Sources: My experience, research
www.hysteresisters.com
www.webmd.com
