My Story
My hope for this page is to help anyone who has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, as I was over eight years ago. The intent of this page is to provide information and support to others with uterine fibroids. It is not my intent to pursuade or convince anyone, nor should it be considered replacement for sound medical advice; it is here only to provide a place to tell my story and for others to get additional information.
Over nine years ago, I went to my physician complaining of heavy, frequent, painful & clotty periods. I told him of my concerns and was told that women my age don't usually have problems and stuck me on a low dose birth control pill (not being one to protest or complain, I accepted his diagnosis and went on the pill). When my blood pressure went soaring a few months later, and I had decided to switch to a new physician, I brought to light the same questions and concerns. This physician referred me to an OB/Gyn. This female gynecologist discovered my fibroids and told me, "you have huge fibroids, you don't plan on having children, you'd probably never be able to get pregnant with these fibroids and you'll have to have a hysterectomy." (I'm not joking; those were her words!) Needless to say, I wanted a second opinion!
After getting another referral for a second opinion, I found a wonderful physician, Dr. Richard Beyerlein, who went over all my options at length with me (our first appointment lasted more than an hour). He said hysterectomy should be my last choice, not my first.
Since that time, I've tried to arm myself with information about fibroids and all the options available to me. I would like to share that information with you and also provide you with links to other sites on the web that provided me with information and helped me find others to talk with about this medical condition.
My Surgery
I had my surgery April 1, 1998. I had a myomectomy, not a hysterectomy. I felt this was the best choice for me personally. I was a little scared, but since I decided to wait, I had gathered quite a bit of information and I now know that this was the correct decision. I feel great!!!! As part of my pre-surgical treatment, my doctor prescribed two months of Lupron shots. The first shot was no big deal; I had no outward signs of the side-effects (menopausal symptoms - hot flashes, night sweats, etc.), although my period was somewhat spread-out over a 12 day period. I had my second shot 3/2/98; the second shot was a little bit worse. I had quite a few hot flashes and was a little moody, but it was worth it. My co-workers would get a good giggle when I'd get one because I would grab anything I could find to fan myself! Most of my hot flashes occurred during the night. Although the Lupron treatment didn't shrink my largest fibroid (12 cm at the top of my uterus), my physician did say that it did significantly shrink the other four that he removed, making it much easier to "scoop" them out. Although some of you might not be so thrilled, I asked my Dr. to take pictures of my fibroids when they were removed. If you can stand it, they are shown below.
Note: Three women from the Intradesign forum have graciously allowed me to show their post-operative pictures, also. Thanks so much to MicKi, Kristin and Mary for allowing them to be shown!!!
