[pumpkin]

the good news is that I now know why I have been having extremely heavy (as in many ounces in a single day) and extremely long periods. there is no way I can get pregnant because I ovulate while still bleeding heavily so figuring this out is a big deal.<br><br>
the bad news, I have a 4 inch fibroid. pretty sure on the size since I've now had a transvaginal ultrasound and got to experience the joy of a hystersalpingogram today.<br><br>
having more tests in a week. right now my head is just spinning. is it in the wall, the lining, the cavity? I guess the treatment depends upon the exact positioning. Ugh. I so don't want to have surgery, but I've got to get this bleeding under control. I can't keep living like this. It's probably also the cause of my intestinal difficulties.<br><br>
Hey, at least now I know why my belly looks like I'm pregnant even though I'm not.

 

[rabrog]

Oh, sweetie! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug">: I'm so sorry. I have fibroids but they are very small and I've never been through what you're experiencing. I'm assuming they can't get rid of it with a lap? That this would be major surgery?<br><br>
Jenn

 

[BCFD]

I am so sorry! I also have 2 fairly large fibroids (found out when starting IUI's), but they are not in an area where an embryo would attach, so it never seemed to be a big deal. AFter 4 years of IUI's and IVF with a m/c, ectopic, and chemical and many BFN's my RE told me I should consider surgery to remove them. I opted for adoption instead and have since found the 3 loves of my life!! I have heavy periods and get pretty crampy, but Advil helps with that and I've been dealing with it all my life, so it wasn't a big deal to me.<br><br>
If you are going to spend a lot of money (especially doing IVF) and you have the time and patience to wait it out, you might want to consider surgery. The one thing that scared me was that my RE told me that surgery could compromise my uterus and could be dangerous if I did achieve a pregnancy. I've never fully understood that though since women have c-sections all the time and go on to have uneventful pregnancies later.<br><br>
Good luck to you and I hope you get good news!

 

[JunipersMom]

I just did this last month - I had the vaginal ultrasound and HSG and they found what they thought were fibroids - well I had a hystereoscopy (general anesthesia with laproscopy through the cervix) and they removed a large polyp and two smaller ones - no fibroids at all. And I must say that this cycle was alot less painful than it has been...

 

[Pookietooth]

I have heard about non-surgical things to do with fibroids. I think maybe acupuncture or herbs? Or maybe homeopathy? If I recall I will pop back and let you know.

 

[BCFD]

I did a full year of acupuncture - literally 52 sessions - once a week and it did absolutely nothing for my fibroids. My acu doc specialized in infertility (did the German protocol with him 3 times!) and he said that he "could try" to shrink them, but we were both disappointed that it didn't do a thing. He put me on a lot of specialized herbs, too. I hope you have better luck!

 

[pumpkin]

I've decided on a hysteroscopic resection. Its the surgery where go through the cervix and use an electrified wire to shave off the fibroid one piece at a time. They won't be able to remove the entire fibroid with this technique because a little bit will still be in the wall, but since most of the fibroid is in the uterine cavity there is a chance they can get almost all of it. The main reason for doing this particular surgery is that it has a lower rate of causing issues that may interfere with fertility. My uterus will not be cut in any way (unless the surgeon screws up and nicks my uterus). It also has a much shorter recovery time (days instead of weeks). The main argument against this approach is the possibility of needing a repeat surgery if they aren't able to remove enough of it on the first try.<br><br>
Since I have SEVERE reactions to anesthesia, I'm not thrilled with the prospect of a 2nd surgery, but I'm trying to look at it this way. If I do the other possible surgery that is a guaranteed fix in one day, I will have to have a c-section if I am able to become pregnant. So I'll definitely be having a 2nd surgery and I'll be dealing with the anesthesia after-effects when I should be taking care of my newborn. This way, I've got a chance at a vaginal birth.