Hi all!!

I have lurked here from time to time, but since I just had a laparotomy/myomectomy 13 days ago, I thought I'd post my experience and see if there is anyone who wants to compare notes, info, etc.

I have had one fibroid since AT LEAST Nov 2000 (that's when it was first seen via ultrasound). Well since then it doubled in size. Not only that, but after some accupuncture and chinese herbs last summer, I started conceiving OFTEN in September. By January of this year, I had had 3 very early miscarriages. My new doc was not convinced it was due to the fibroid, but rather my age (I just turned 42).

He sent me to get an MRI anyway to see if I was a candidate for embolization. The radiologist could not see exactly how it was attached, whether it was attached to the uterus or the tube or ovary. So she did not think she could embolize it, but due to its size (orange size) suggested surgery to rule out the C word. That kind of freaked me out, but I agreed for my doctor to do the laparotomy/myomectomy to just get the dang thing out of me. He scared me further by saying if I did carry a pg further than before, the fibroid could start to die and turn gangrenous (never heard of that).

So, my surgery-hating self went for it, as my last chance to get it out of the way of a successful pg. Doc was amazed at the blood vessel supply that was feeding the fibroid when he popped it out of there. It would have just kept growing!! Also, he said he needed all of the incision length to get it out. He kind of dug it out of my ute and stitched a few stitches in the ute, but nothing too major (it did not go all the way into the lining, thankfully).

We cannot ttc until May, but I will keep you posted if this has been a success.

Thanks for letting me ramble!

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May will be here before you know it!

Welcome to the board and thank you for posting your story. Many of us on this baord have had that surgery too and can totally relate to your fears and heartache over it. I am so sorry about your previous m/cs I can only imagine the pain you feel.

I hope that having that nasty fibroid out of your uterus you will be successful right away. Like I said, May is around the corner and I bet you will have much success.

My brief history: March 2001- discovered 5 LARGE fibroids on my outer uterine wall. April 2001- Had them removed via myomectomy- 4 days in hospital, 2 months bed rest. Had to put off ttcing for 10 months. I didn't get pg until 2 years later- I had other problems and a new fibriod inside the uterus. That lead to a hysterscopy surgery and I finally got pg 6 months later. I am ttcing #2 and hope it happens quickly. I know I have like 7 small fibroids but as of now they aren't bothering me.

GOOD LUCK!!! And please keep us posted.

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Good luck when you start ttc again. I have 2 fibroids and my dr has been wanting to discuss options with me any suggestions? is one option any safer thatn the other?

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Hi Sheryl and Melissa,

Wow, Sheryl, I'm so glad you had one baby and am hoping that the next one is conceived real soon!! You've been through a lot!

Melissa, there are several options, but how they decided to do a myomectomy for me is because I was not a good candidate for embolization. They did an MRI and did not think that the fibroid was attached in a good place to embolize. Also, there is a small chance that embolization could send a woman into premature menopause, which would be the WRONG answer if we are still wanting to conceive!

If the fibroids are small enough, some doctors are successful with laparoscopic surgery, but they have to be pretty skillful. With my fibroid it was too big for laparoscopic surgery, plus it gave him more space to really work me over and take care of everything at once: cauterizing endometriosis (thankfully there was not a huge amount), taking a cyst off my ovary, and removing the fibroid which was larger than my uterus.

It was not until he was "in there" that he could tell how well the blood vessels were supply the fibroid to make it grow continuously. Thankfully, the fibroid was not rooted deeply into the myometrium, which can cause problems with thinned out portion of lining for pregnancy.

I won't say it has been easy to get through recovery--it is slow. I am going into my 4th week and am only now free of a lot of the pain. But I am so glad to be free of it, and am hoping my new and improved ute will not have a stupid growth stealing the blood supply to my beans anymore. My beans would not stick around very long because the fibroid was hogging the blood supply!!!!

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Okay, I need to make more sense, LOL. I meant to say I AM FREE of the fibroid and hope the new and improved ute will be a great environment for my beans now!

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Hi, Judy -

Sounds like we've had similar experiences. I just turned 39 and DH & I are trying for our 1st. I was first told I had fibroids about 2000 but I never had any problems/symptoms until last August 2004. My doctor suggested a myomectomy. My cousin who is a intervention radiologist who specializes in UFE. He ruled out UFE with me because of the possibility of triggering early menopause. YIKES.

I had my abdominal myo on November 2, 2004 and the grapefruit-sized fibroid came out along with 7 surprise fibroids.

It took me the full 8 weeks of recovery before I was given clearance to go back to work (my schedule then would have entailed weekly flights). Until about a month ago, I was still having twinges in my abdominal area. Several people I know have told me it's all normal.

I have decided NOT to do an HSG to check for scarring until July 2005. Until then, DH and are actively TTCing. The reason I decided against the HSG was that I didn't want another "invasive" procedure so soon after my myo.

I don't even know if I can get pregnant - never been. DH had a VR July 2004 so we are kind double-whammied with obstacles.

Judy - I am sorry to hear about your m/cs. I hope that with the removal of your fibroids, your TTC journey won't last too long!

-Bernadette

Wow, Bernadette, you've been through a lot too! Here's to a healthy receptive bright and polished-like-new uterus for your baby bean to take up residence for 9 months!!!

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Sounds like you ladies have been through alot. Hope when you ladies get prego that your beans stick this time!

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